Constructing-Style Wizard

Chapter 421: 145. Rational Revenge

“What do you mean?” Noland Lee sensed something unexpected.

As he pondered, Morster spoke:

“I’m not clear on all the details, but from what I know, there are plenty of potential partners for Military Intelligence Department Five within Black City. Some are illegal alchemists who have been residing there for a long time. Others are wizard criminals studying aberrations. And then there are the nominally missing wandering wizards.”

“Nominally missing wandering wizards?” Curiously, Noland Lee thought of Hickman Arlington.

“Yes, nominally missing,” Morster explained:

“You see, Jarvis, under normal circumstances, wandering wizards, unless granted permission by Elemental Judgment, are not allowed to privately investigate the secrets of aberrations or study aberration magic. To bypass the restrictions set by Elemental Judgement, they might fake their disappearance and fall off Elemental Judgement’s radar.

“For example, a wandering wizard is besieged by a Black City Alchemist and taken prisoner into Black City. The prisoner is forced to wear an ‘Imprisonment Collar’ to sever ties with the main lecturer. After this operation, the wandering wizard is, in name, missing and can freely do as they please within Black City. These intentionally missing wandering wizards often carry secret missions from their main lecturers, the kind of missions which would be problematic if discovered by the First-Level Magic Research Institute.”

“So?” Noland Lee asked:

“Are you suggesting there are many such wandering wizards in Black City?”

“It’s not as simple as that.” Morster shook his head:

“Have you ever wondered how such wandering wizards could coexist peacefully with the wizard criminals? The reason is simple. There is a powerful illegal force that has involved itself in Black City’s affairs and has set stringent rules. I don’t know much about this Illegal force, but I am sure this force and the main lecturers behind these wandering wizards have reached a secret agreement, one not disclosed to the public. The illegal force allows nominally missing wandering wizards to operate within Black City while their supporting lecturers help cover their tracks. Samuelson is just one member of this underground wizard group, and he is not the leader.”

Noland Lee pondered before asking:

“Can this information be trusted? Did you discuss it with your main lecturer?”

“The degree of reliability is above 80%. I am 100% sure that there is more than one wizard criminal in Black City,” Morster stated:

“But I haven’t discussed this matter with the main lecturer. Because Ulnas Circle laws stipulate that solid evidence has to be shown first before questioning. I only learned about the situation in Black City from some slight rumours among the personnel of Military Intelligence Department Five in the course of my intelligence work. This hardly qualifies as solid evidence.”

“Hmm…” Noland Lee was lost in thought:

“Alright, Morster. I will help you relay your message to Elemental Judgement. If they agree to meet with you, your lecturer will let you know.”

“Thank you, Jarvis. I will collect detailed intelligence related to Black City as soon as possible to use as bargaining chips during negotiations with Elemental Judgement.”

After a pause, Morster added, “I’m really sorry for the harm the empire has caused you. I…”

Noland Lee dismissed him with a wave of his hand before Morster could finish his sentence:

“Let’s not talk about it. Hatred and revenge are the worst forms of internal consumption. My escape from my miserable past represents a severance from it. I may plan a trip to Tatis in the future, but not to retaliate against the nation, just to settle some personal scores. The suspicious accident that put me into debt was the work of the Death Herald Guild.”

After ruffling through his brain for a moment, Morster nodded and said:

“Yes, your investigation is accurate. I have a record of that incident in my metal memory device.”

“Oh? Do you know who did it?”

“It was probably done by a woman named Kassandra, your father’s former boss. An intelligence agent from Division Intelligence Unit Two, installed in the Death Herald Guild, spotted her name on the list of new wizard students in the guild. Joining the Death Herald Guild as a wizard student requires a significant amount of money. Division Intelligence Unit Two looked into her funding source and found that the tuition payment she made matched the amount of a compensation payout. That compensation payment came from selling off your father’s assets. It was a payment necessary under a dealership agreement for damaged goods.”

Noland Lee took a deep breath:

“So, this woman named Kassandra, used the dealership agreement and the accident to kill my loved ones, and then took the money to join the Death Herald Guild? Well, that makes things much easier. Even if she can’t become a wizard, she will have to leave Tatis as per the Ulnas Circle’s laws. I don’t have to step foot in the nation that brings me terrible memories all for the sake of revenge.”

“If you want revenge, I can help.” Morster said:

“Since I took over Division Intelligence Unit Two, things have been steadily improving. We’re targeting actual members of the Death Herald Guild, not randomly picking out ordinary people to pin crimes on as we did in the past.”

Noland Lee contemplated for a moment before responding:

“Alright, let’s have you carry out my revenge. In return, I’ll pass along your message to Elemental Judgement.”