Seeing that someone was willing to take over her case, Shelley suggested, "Ior, let the newers handle such minor cases. This... this young man's abilities are quite good."

  Thomas, notig that Captain Shelley didn't know his name, was about to introduce himself to the ior.

  But before he could speak, Lucas said, "Your name is Thomas Waller, right?"

  Thomas was surprised that the ior could say his full name so easily.

  As a new recruit, being reized by his superior and feeling valued made Thomas stand up straight.

  In a loud voice, he said, "Yes, Ior. I'm Thomas Waller, graduate of the 135th css of the Imperial Royal Intelligence Academy, with a final score of 689.

  Inter the Empire's Sosial Fort on February 4, 2646 of the tury dar.

  Transferred to the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau on March 9, 2647, responsible for office duties."

  Lucas had already found some information about Thomas on his phone.

  There wasn't muentation about Thomas's early career.

  But graduating from the Imperial Intelligence Academy with nearly 700 points indicated that Thomas was exceptionally talented from the start.

  However, his low background probably meant he ended up in the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau by ce.

  Lucas patted Thomas on the shoulder, saying, "I also graduated from the Imperial Royal Intelligence Academy, so you're my junior in terms of seniority. I appreciate your proactive attitude. It suits me well. This case is yours. Show me what a top graduate of the Royal Intelligence Academy do."

  Thomas hadn't expected the ior to be so approachable, not orusting him with the case but also aowledging him as a junior.

  This honor and treatment made Thomas excitedly decre, "Rest assured, Ior, I will not disgrace the Royal Intelligence Academy."

  "Do well; I have high hopes for you!"

  Lucas didn't waste much time on Thomas. Given the current situation, he wasn't sure if Thomas would still bee the future "Silence" with his interference.

  But Thomas's boldness made Luistic about his potential. Opportunities always favor those repared and seize them. He's worth ment.

  Thomas, now tasked with the case, went to gather information from Hilm about her missing son.

  Shelley, seemingly reminded of something, used the excuse of coordinating evening support for the Mad Axe Gang to slip away. Lucas returo his office alone.

  His fidential secretary, Karina, brought him a cup of coffee and pced a stack of dots on his desk.

  "Ior, these are the backlogged dots that require ynature before you took office. This one needs your immediate stamp to take effect..."

  "What is it? Why the urgency?"

  Karina expined, "Ior, before you took office, the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau was temporarily directed by the tral Bureau. Now that you're here, and authority o be transferred back. This is your seal, recovered from 'Envelope's' body."

  Karina pced a seal on the desk along with some other items belonging to the "former" ior.

  Lucas briefly reviewed the and transfer dot and then stamped it with the "Meteor" seal.

  "Is the body handled?"

  "Already cremated." Karina pulled out a letter from the dots and said, "This is a notice from City Hall. They require us to quickly recover the 'Heart of the Red Dragon Niele,' which was stolen from the Alchemy Association."

  Lucas picked up the notid read it, asking, "Shouldn't the Security Bureau hahe theft from the Alchemy Association? What does it have to do with us?

  And even if the Secret Intelligence Bureau were to assist, that's the tral Bureau's job. Why are they involving the Seawall District Bureau?"

  Karina expined, "Ior, the tral Bureau reported that the thief who stole the 'Heart of the Red Dragon Niele' disappeared after entering our Seawall District. They also mentiohat this alchemical artifact is reted to the Dragon Nation, and if the Red Dragon Niele is misused, it could potentially cause a diplomatit.

  City Hall assigned us the task of finding this alchemical artifact. If we don't recover it in time, it could affect City Hall's financial allocations to us. This case has been under Captain Bck Mamba's supervision..."

  No wonder Shelley ran off so quickly—she wao dump this case on me.

  The Heart of the Red Dragon Niele is in E's spatial backpack.

  Handing it over is out of the question. As for the tral Bureau's mention of a diplomatit...

  The Kingdom ons is just a map poputed by dragons without any formal gover, so there's no diplomavolved.

  Sihe Red Dragon Niele signed a summoning agreement with the Alchemist Association of Storm City out of greed, both parties must bear the risks associated with that agreement.

  The tral Bureau's excuse is just a way to shirk responsibility and cause trouble.

  But the threat of withholding funds from City Hall really strikes at the lifeblood of the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau.

  The Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau was broke!

  Lucas ghrough the other dots, noting that a rge portion involved various expenses and reimbursement requests.

  After E "massacred" the Mad Axe Gang, the already financially strapped Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau ushed to the brink.

  "Alright, I uand the situation... You return to your work now. I'll review these dots more carefully."

  "Yes, Ior." Karihe office.

  Lucas began thinking about where to get some money. Only financial independence prevent outside interference.

  With money, he could build his own "rabbit hole."

  Lucas browsed through the strategies on his phone, looking for quick money-making opportunities.

  There were many strategies, but distant water ot quench immediate thirst. Most options were either too far away or too long-term.

  The only nearby and timely opportunity was the Clover Armed Airship Heist.

  The Clover Armed Airship Heist was orchestrated by the pirates led by Lady Tasya of Fishbone Isnd.

  They not only stole ten tons of gold but also kidnapped over a dozen high-ranking individuals from Storm City aboard the airship.

  The subsequent rescue operation for the gold and hostages resulted in a very exg and plex story.

  It was one of the most spectacur events in the early history ing Tide City.

  But now that Lady Tasya doesn't have the Heart of the Red Dragon Niele, would she still dare tet the Clover Armed Airship?

  Lucas spent the eernooedly watg the storyline of the Clover Armed Airship Heist.

  Lady Tasya had prepared thhly for this heist, with more than just the Heart of the Red Dragon Niele.

  The attack, b, robbery, areat were all meticulously pnned.

  Time, pce, personnel, coordination.

  All of this indicated aremely well-thought-out pn that wouldn't be abandoned just because one alchemical artifact was missing.

  Moreover, even if Lady Tasya wao back out, Lucas wouldn't let her.

  He was even more eager to meet her now.

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