Chapter 23: Waiting fhtfall

  Shelley and Zaood oher side of the car, and everyone present focused their attention on the Secret Intelligence Bureau vehicle, speg about what these two powerful officials would discuss.

  Ihe car, Holt immediately said to Lucas, "I'm just following orders. Even if you threaten my family, the Security Bureau will not spare the Mad Axe Gang. If I'm removed, someone else will take my pce."

  Lucas looked outside and responded in a rexed tone, "Chief, look at the people outside, look at their expressions. They all know that every word we say here determine whether many people survive until tomorrow. Including you and me.

  You have your duties, and I have mine. How I manage my subordinates if, on my first day, I watch you annihite the Mad Axe Gang?"

  "The Mad Axe Gang is an illegal anization; they collude..."

  "Chief Holt, since we're talking alone here, let's not pretend. The Mad Axe Gang is an illegal gang, but the people in your Security Bureau arely either.

  Today, you're using this excuse against the Mad Axe Gang. Tomorrow, I could use the same excuse against your people.

  If we kill all the people doing the dirty work, who will do the grunt work for the elites in the rich district?"

  Holt said cautiously, "What are you talking about? I don't uand. What does this have to do with the elites in the rich district?"

  "Holt, the previous ior of the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau died under mysterious circumstahe Grand Princess assigned me the task of iigating his death, but I know how deep the waters run in Storm City. I don't want to risk my life.

  I just want to stay here for a year or two and theransferred out.

  So, I hope you don't push me too hard and allow the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau to maintaiatus quo. Isn't that a good idea?"

  Lucas's words made Holt ponder.

  His superiors wanted him tain full trol of Seaort, but they also didn't want to disrupt the smuggling operations.

  The Secret Intelligence Bureau's staoday was clearly to protect the Mad Axe Gang. If the Security Bureau wiped out the Mad Axe Gang today, the Secret Intelligence Bureau might retaliate by wiping out one of their groups tomorrow. If this tihey would kill all the workers.

  The elites in the rich district wouldn't send their own people to hahe goods.

  Ultimately, the Seawall District's Security Bureau would bear the responsibility.

  Moreover, pushing too hard could endanger his family.

  If the new ior was willing to maintaiatus quo... it might not be easy to expin to his superiors, but it wasn't impossible.

  The new ior seemed willing to cooperate. Whether he was sincere or just saying so was a matter for the future.

  "What do you suggest? Even if I agree to spare the Mad Axe Gang, those outside might not be willing."

  Seeing Holt relent, Lucas said, "It's my first day, and I'm not familiar with the Mad Axe Gang. I don't have any real iion of proteg them. But I must sider the attitudes of my subordinates. You know Bck Mamba and Zane are not easy to trol."

  Holt g the two standing outside the car and agreed with Lucas, even sympathizing, "They are irouble for every ior of the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau."

  "Since you uand my predit, I suggest... the Secret Intelligence Bureau and the Security Bureau both withdraw from here, not directly involving ourselves in this i. You and I will restrain our people from causing trouble during the day. At night, it's every man for himself. Chief, what do you think?"

  Lucas's suggestion aimed to avoid direct flict between the Secret Intelligence Bureau and the Security Bureau, keeping the fight limited to gang disputes.

  Keeping the fmes from spreading upward would protect the higher-ups and their families.

  Holt didn't know how the Secret Intelligence Bureau found his hidden family, but he could only minimize the risk now.

  "Hope you keep your promise."

  Lucas extended his hand to Holt. "I should be the one saying that. I have no desire to escate this situation. The sooner we withdraw, the soohe docks return to normal operations. This dey has undoubtedly piled up a lot of cargo."

  Holt gave Lucas a brief handshake before exiting the car.

  Lucas rolled down the window and said to Shelley, "Tell our people to retreat!"

  Shelley asked, "Retreat now? What about the Security Bureau?"

  "Both sides will withdraw..."

  The sheriffs surrounding the Mad Axe Gang headquarters began to withdraw in an orderly manner under Holt's and.

  Shelley sigo the Secret Intelligence Bureau agents to pull back as well.

  The voy hos way back to the bureau, exuding a triumphant air as if they had won a battle.

  Upon reag the sed floor, a Secret Intelligence Bureau clerk approached Lucas and said, "Ior, an elderly woman named Hilm is waiting over there. She said you asked her to e and help find her son."

  Lucas gnced in the dire indicated by the clerk and saw the hotdog-selling elderly woman standing there, looking nervous.

  Seeing Lucas, the woman immediately bowed iing.

  "I did ask her to e." Lucas then turo Shelley, "This is your case. You ha... sider it a test from me."

  Shelley hesitated, "Ior, I still o coordinate support for the Mad Axe Gang. Besides, I'm better at killing people than finding them."

  Lucas had taken Hilm's missing son case on a whim, wanting to put Shelley in her pce after she had so boldly justified skipping out on a bill. But helping the Mad Axe Gang through this crisis was indeed more urgent.

  Also, if Shelley hahe case, she might not find the son and could end up causing more harm.

  But he had already promised Hilm.

  As Lucas was caught in a dilemma, the clerk volunteered, "Ior, you give this case to me."

  Lucas looked at the young man before him.

  He was a young man eager to prove himself to the new leadership.

  He looked familiar.

  After a moment nition, Lucas realized who this familiar face was. Thomas Waller!

  A five-star hero and legendary agent of the Argent Empire. Known for his meticulous work and outstandis, he was inducted into the highest secret agency, "The Raven," by the Grand Princess.

  ame "Silence."

  He had successfully assassinated key members of the Prince's fa during the struggle for the throne, being one of the top ten ace agents granted by the Grand Princess.

  Of course, this Waller was not yet the "Silence" of the future. Judging by his age and appearance, he was likely a rookie who had just joihe bureau.

  Lucas didn't expect to enter the young Waller in the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau.

  Iing!

  Waller, seeing the ior staring at him, said somewhat awkwardly, "Sorry, Ior. I know I'm a newer and not yet capable of handling cases indepely. But I hope you give me a ce. I will do my utmost to help Hilm find her son."

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