Card Court Town Police Station, third floor, special task force office.
The distant river breeze reached here, bringing fresh and gentle humidity.
Ashley sat in a wide chair, her little legs dangling as she described the situation to Archibald, who was bent over his desk taking notes off to the side.
Most of it was true, but she skipped some details, like the specifics of using her abilities, the method of executing Coleridge, and cleaning up the guests who had turned into monsters.
Although this was an inquiry from the higher-ups at the Tribunal, Ashley spoke with a relaxed and casual air.
As a transcendent, she had full confidence to handle aggressive questions. A simple “It’s inconvenient to say” brushed them off, unlike before when she had to rack her brains to fabricate lies.
However, the other party knew she had participated in the Rift City rescue, so their attitude wasn’t just polite—it carried a hint of respect.
Ashley truly felt a sense of privilege. Transcendents were hard to punish before they failed, which explained why some couldn’t hold back and committed unforgivable crimes.
With that thought, the little loli nodded in a reflective manner and switched to a “sincere” attitude.
“The Card Court Society’s target was Coleridge and a strange item. Coleridge’s whereabouts are unknown—perhaps he’s dead, and hopefully he is, or else we’d have to capture him… I obtained that item, but I don’t know what it’s for. If the Miles Research Institute is interested, I’m willing to lend it out,” Ashley said sincerely.
Investigator Archibald was a mild-faced man with a long face, his naturally curly hair twisting like instant noodles after being grown out long.
The inquiry concluded. From start to finish, it was coherent and logically sound, with no suspicious points.
Moreover, the task assigned to the Seventh Group came from the higher department, and such assignments happened because the higher-sequence groups were all occupied. So, there was no possibility that Ashley had colluded with the Card Court Society to frame Coleridge.
Ashley had traced from the Egret House Case all the way to the Card Court Society, thwarting their conspiracies one after another and gathering evidence and witnesses to request aid from headquarters.
As for the follow-up on the ship, although the Blue-Haired Loli was vague about the battle details, it combined infiltration, combat, breakthroughs, and hostage rescue—achieving the effect of an entire tactical team single-handedly.
The scouting, reasoning, action, and combat abilities displayed were something even senior cadres or seated officers might not surpass.
But since she had resolved the Rift City incident, it didn’t seem strange; it felt entirely natural.
“Sorry, Investigator Ashley. If we’d known the situation was so dangerous, we should have dispatched a seated officer for support,” the instant noodle head said, bowing slightly in apology.
“Coleridge’s issue happened after the request for aid, and it was sudden,” Ashley replied understandingly. The first wave of intel only described the Card Court Society’s danger; Vicky’s cry for help was an accident.
“It’s truly astonishing. If Coleridge is still alive or we capture Adelina Tixiang immediately, you could be promoted to 5-Star Investigator right away. But with your current achievements, it’s enough for a 4-Star promotion,” the instant noodle head reminded her.
“Thank you for the information.”
Ashley bowed in thanks, but in her heart, she thought that as an “external personnel” like her, no matter what contributions she made, she wouldn’t become an investigator. The glass ceiling was 5-Star Investigator.
This promotion was actually a hidden demotion—she’d have to leave the Seventh Group, start her own operation, and bear her own profits and losses afterward.
Only direct descendants nurtured from childhood had paths to investigator, seated investigator, or Trial Judge, like Amber.
“As for your biggest concern—the spoils of war—that ship and everything on it are yours. You can claim them after the case closes; no need for Hundred People Assembly approval. But we’ll inspect and confiscate any stolen goods and contraband.”
“Thank you for the trouble,” Ashley said politely.
Stolen goods referred to registered missing items; Coleridge’s collection undoubtedly included a few of unknown origin, but they were a drop in the bucket. Contraband was mainly addictive psychotropic drugs—even if the Tribunal didn’t seize them, Ashley would destroy them.
Next, the two chatted about follow-up on the Card Court Society.
“The Card Court Society is fully wanted. We’ve captured or received three surrenders so far, and they’re under strict Tribunal guard,” the instant noodle head said.
“I’m more worried about Black Cat and Little Night Demon. Tixiang wants to recycle abilities, so she’ll start with the weaker companions,” Ashley speculated.
“Short-term protection is no issue, but revenge often spans years—ten, twenty, even a lifetime. We can’t protect them forever, but we can until adulthood… We hope to apprehend Adelina Tixiang soon.” The instant noodle head crossed his fingers, his tone turning grave.
“They’ll strive to grow stronger to survive. Black Cat and Werewolf’s abilities can be used independently, but Little Night Demon’s requires special lighting—otherwise, it’s just ordinary shadow play. It’s hard for her to integrate into the transcendent world; she might stray again. I’ll keep an eye on her,” Ashley said, gazing out the window at the misty dawn. The continuous green mountains across the river galloped like a herd in the fog.
–
Although she had pocketed a cruise ship and its full load of collectibles, as a Tribunal cadre, Ashley couldn’t just openly plunder a collector—it wouldn’t look good and required some maneuvering.
Ashley stood on the shore, giving detailed instructions to Chloe, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
“Don’t directly condemn Coleridge with words or pen at first. Gradually release victim interviews, focusing on their fear and mental trauma. They shouldn’t even dare mention Coleridge’s name—use phrases like ‘you know who,’ ‘that person,’ or ‘the master’ instead. Slowly track the case, and don’t mention Coleridge’s name until the Tribunal’s announcement.”
“Make it seem like Coleridge’s side is deliberately suppressing the heat?”
“Exactly. Suppressing hype might work or backfire into public backlash, putting them at a disadvantage. Since Coleridge’s camp is already a nest of the dead, let me help thoroughly tarnish their reputation.”
“Tsk tsk tsk! You’re too evil! Even against villains, it’s really too evil!” Chloe’s eyes sparkled with admiration.
Ashley raised a finger, pointing at her chest, and continued:
“Best if someone shoots you outside the news office. Then you’d become the brave journalist who ‘bears the iron shoulder of justice and wields the wondrous pen of articles,’ unafraid to sacrifice for exposing darkness.”
Chloe was left speechless, a shiver surging from her bones. This… this fraudulent fame tactic was simply… simply amazing! The kind that made you want to curse in excitement!
Ashley had a fatal attraction for people like her. Her small body involuntarily leaned closer, her heart pounding.
Next, the two strolled on the cruise ship that was predetermined as spoils of war.
Ashley had no interest in the lavish upper cabins and facilities. Instead, she wanted to understand the propulsion systems of large ships in this world.
In the engine room, a steam turbine twice or three times their height loomed before them. It wasn’t running while docked, but the adjacent generator hummed, maintaining the ship’s power.
“For lightness and fewer resupplies, they use heat-generating concentrated transcendent material as fuel—truly luxurious… Though a small piece lasts a long time.”
Ashley pondered. It seemed industrial heavy machinery wasn’t a forte of biotech; mechanization was still necessary.
“You gonna use it as your flagship?” Chloe blinked and asked.
“I’m not a pirate… I can’t afford the fuel and maintenance. Better to sell it—hand it off for about a quarter of the build cost.”
“Didn’t you get Coleridge’s collection? That’s probably a chunk of his fortune; you could totally afford it,” Chloe asked curiously.
“I’m different from him. If the transcendent world is an ocean, Coleridge just picked shells on the beach, frolicking in the shallows. He’d achieved his ‘transcendent freedom,’ so he could splurge excess wealth on entertainment, showing off to landlubber normals… But I’m heading to the highest, deepest, farthest places. No amount of resources is enough, let alone wasting on fun.”
As she said this, Ashley’s tone was distant, her demeanor radiant.
“Then… can I follow in your footsteps? I’ll measure your path with my pen, record the wonders you see with photos!” Chloe, infected by her mood, asked excitedly.
“Of course—you’re my exclusive reporter~”
Ashley happily pinched the reporter loli’s little face.
