"Are there preliminary results? That was quite fast, speak." From behind the desk, James said, listening to Grego's report. Hearing James's response, Grego also nodded and spoke.
"Yes, at Brandon's house, we found a destroyed altar with the meaning of "Cup", as well as some bloodstains and a small amount of human tissue. A small amount of "cup" drug residue was found in the washroom, identified as Hunger Powder. Several nightclub business cards were found in the trash can. Based on the cards, we located those few nightclubs in the lower district. After verification, we found that Brandon used to frequent those places, but he hasn't been back since about half a year ago. It is said that he fell in love after meeting a woman."
"A woman?"
"Yes, based on a more detailed investigation, we found that the woman was a streetwalker. Rumor has it that she could use special means to make men infatuated and unable to leave her. As a streetwalker who stole business from brothels, some people wanted to teach her a lesson, but they found that she had a powerful backer who was not to be trifled with. Based on the intelligence, we raided the woman's house and found that she had died in the washroom, and a large amount of "cup" drug was hidden in her house."
"Based on past cases, she should have been bait sent out by the Holy Communion Society to attract members. She used the method of seduction first, followed by "cup" drug corruption, to recruit henchmen for the Holy Communion Society. Later, we successfully identified the woman's identity through a wounded Holy Communion Society member we captured at the dock."
"Based on the comprehensive investigation results, we believe that Brandon, due to his personality, frequented the red-light district in the lower district for a long time and was targeted by the bait spread by the Holy Communion Society in those places. He was then controlled and corrupted by the "cup" drug. In this process, he fully revealed his identity and was finally discovered and exploited by the Holy Communion Society."
After Grego finished speaking, he fell silent. James, after a moment of pause, also sighed and spoke.
"Alas... People who cannot control their desires are easily corrupted by the 'Cup'. In the future, we need to pay more attention to these aspects..." James finished speaking, then changed his expression and spoke again.
"By the way, what about the organization called Rose Cross?"
"There are absolutely no results on that. We went to the flower shop owner, searched the banks of the Iron Mud River, but found no clues. That organization is still a complete mystery to us; the intelligence we have is simply too little."
With a serious expression, Grego said to James. Listening to his words, James also frowned.
"Rose Cross... I've been the director for so many years, and I've never heard of this society's name. What exactly is their purpose... to help us target the Holy Communion Society?"
"I don't know, but the Rose Cross member who single-handedly cleared the Holy Communion Society stronghold said before leaving that the Holy Communion Society we see is just the surface. Beneath the surface, there are more hidden and deeper things, and they came for these things that we cannot yet see." Recalling the conversation on the roof of Buck's house, Grego said. Listening to Grego's words, James's brows furrowed even deeper.
"Came for more hidden and deeper things..."
James whispered with a serious expression. Seeing James's expression, Grego asked.
"Mr. James, Captain, did you think of something?"
"Hmm... No, it's nothing. You've worked hard, Grego. I'm very satisfied with your achievements today. I know you still have a lot to do, so let's stop here for now."
"Focus your main energy on the Holy Communion Society. Although they suffered heavy losses today, now is the time to take advantage and further clear out their remaining forces in the city. Also, be mindful of preventing counterattacks. As for that Rose Cross... although they haven't shown any harmfulness so far, their strength should not be underestimated. Since their purpose is unclear, we need to be more vigilant and cannot let our guard down just because they provided some intelligence."
"Yes, Mr. James!"
After speaking, Grego walked out of the director's office door. James sat in his seat, still with a contemplative expression.
...
In the dark Igwinte, somewhere in a dimly lit room with intricate carpets and exquisite decorations, only a few candles burned on tall candlesticks, providing faint illumination for the space.
In the center of the room, between two tall candlesticks, a chair was placed, and a figure sat on the chair. Behind the chair, a man covered in blood knelt on one knee.
"Mentor... I was incompetent in leadership, causing the society heavy losses. Years of effort went down the drain. I am ashamed of your teachings."
Kneeling on the carpet, Buck spoke sincerely to the figure in front of him with his back turned. The figure remained silent for a while, then replied with a slightly aged voice.
"It's alright, I know you encountered an unexpected situation that you couldn't handle. I didn't expect other forces to intervene in Igwinte either."
Listening to the lenient tone of the figure before him, Buck was slightly taken aback, then spoke.
"Hmm... Although there were unexpected factors, the root cause was my incompetence. If I had been more careful, we wouldn't have suffered such great losses today."
"Heh heh... You don't need to take the responsibility upon yourself. Humans plan, but the gods decide whether it succeeds. I actually think your plan was quite good. If I were there, I might have done the same as you."
With a light chuckle, the figure referred to as Mentor said. Listening to these words, Buck couldn't help but be taken aback.
"This... Mentor... The society suffered such great losses today, are you not blaming me?"
"Blame? I suddenly left the society to you. If anyone is responsible, it's definitely me first. How could I shift the responsibility that should belong to me onto you?"
The figure continued to speak. Buck seemed a bit stunned by the Mentor's magnanimity and only spoke gratefully after being in a daze for a while.
"Th-thank you for your leniency, Mentor. I will definitely work hard to revitalize the society and avenge today's loss!"
"Heh heh... There's no need to revitalize it. The history of the Red Communion Society ends today..."
Buck had just finished speaking excitedly, and then the figure smiled and said words that astonished Buck.
"What... Mentor... What did you say? The history of the Holy Communion Society... ends today?"
Buck looked stunned, murmuring in disbelief, while the figure continued to reply.
"Yes... Perhaps I didn't make it clear to you before, what was my purpose in establishing the Red Communion Society? Let me explain it more clearly now. I established this society... actually to collect Spirituality and materials for my advancement. I was previously pursued by a troublesome fellow, and it was often inconvenient for me to act personally, so I found an inconspicuous place in Igwinte and established a society to prepare for my advancement, which was still a little short..."
The figure continued to speak unhurriedly. The more Buck listened to his words, the more astonished he became.
"You, you mean that the establishment of the society wasn't, as you said before, to lead us to taste the supreme flavor, but rather a tool for your advancement..."
"Yes, thanks to your efforts over the years, what I need for my advancement is now only a tiny bit short. And the extraordinary resources I need after my advancement are no longer available in Igwinte County. Therefore, the Holy Communion Society no longer has a reason to exist. After I successfully advance, I will leave Igwinte. For me, it's best for the Holy Communion Society to be destroyed at this time."
The figure continued to speak calmly, and Buck, after staring with his mouth wide open in astonishment for a long time, slowly continued to speak.
"You are leaving Igwinte... Then... did you have Bill bring me back to take me with you?"
"Heh heh, no, no, no... You've misunderstood again, Buck. I just said that my advancement preparations are still a tiny bit short, and that tiny bit includes..."
"Roughly two Thirsters' worth of 'Cup'."
As soon as the figure finished speaking, Buck felt a chill in his chest before he could even open his mouth in surprise. He widened his eyes and looked down, seeing a sharp blade piercing through his heart.
"Men...tor..."
Spitting blood, Buck fell forward with wide eyes. Bill, who stood behind him, drew out the blood-stained staff-sword, took two steps forward, and respectfully handed it to the figure in front.
The figure took the staff-sword, then stroked the gem on it where red light flowed.