Amelia snorted coldly.
In a brief span of time, the bar had been cleared out, spotless, without a trace of anything left behind—save for a few large boxes that couldn't be moved.
She would never believe there hadn't been extensive preparations beforehand.
Isabella also frowned slightly.
To be honest, only now did they start to realize that this matter wasn't as simple as they had thought; it was truly frightening.
The Dusk Sect, initially, might have only used people from their bar to bewitch Alastair and Gideon, leading these two to betray the academy and install the related devices there—a somewhat forgivable scenario.
But from the start of their investigation to the present, only a few hours had passed.
The vast Rose Bar had, in such a short time, been completely emptied.
Wasn't that the most terrifying part?
Rose Bar was a well-known establishment in the Imperial Capital.
But it was exactly because of this that they felt terror.
To think that it had been hidden under their noses for so many years and yet had never been discovered—who on earth was helping them?
Even the Dusk Sect, no matter how formidable, couldn't possibly have remained hidden in the Imperial Capital for so many years without being discovered.
The three exchanged glances, each seeing a seriousness in the others' eyes.
If it was really as they suspected, then there might be even more unforeseen elements involved!
Or perhaps, there were things they dared not even contemplate!
"Let's go check what's actually inside that box," said John, keenly aware of the urgency but unwilling to waste time here.
Victor was still waiting to be rescued, and he couldn't afford to delay.
The trio headed to the basement and dragged out the boxes.
Although they appeared to be ordinary wooden crates, they were sealed exceptionally well, letting no air escape.
"This seal... it doesn't seem too complex," Isabella noted after a close examination, visibly relieved.
It seemed complicated at first glance, but in reality, it was manageable.
"Can you open it?"
John asked, his voice tinged with eagerness.
If it could indeed be opened, it would save them a lot of effort.
"I'll give it a try," Isabella responded cautiously, not committing to her ability to unlock it but simply stating her intention before she began her careful examination.
Yet, Amelia and Isabella couldn't help but frown at the suggestion.
"Are you thinking of questioning the former patrons of Rose Bar? That might be a bit impractical," Amelia noted.
After all, Rose Bar was among the top establishments in the Imperial Capital, frequented by people of significant stature.
Approaching them directly for an investigation could likely be met with non-cooperation.
"Besides, these aristocrats despise getting tangled in such affairs," Isabella added.
"If we expect their cooperation, it might not be as forthcoming as we'd hope."
"Hidden Stars doesn't carry that much clout," Isabella remarked softly, her words highlighting the direness of their situation.
Their investigation was a mission initiated by Hidden Stars, but those who frequented Rose Bar were either wealthy or noble, unlikely to lend Hidden Stars any favor.
"What if Hidden Stars isn't enough? What about the Military Department?"
John said indifferently, causing Amelia and Isabella to look surprised.
"What does this have to do with the Military Department?"
Seeing their reaction, John realized they probably didn't know the connection to the Military Department yet.
"Don't worry, as long as we approach them, they will tell us everything, unless they really want to oppose the Military Department!"
Amelia was still somewhat confused, but Isabella, looking into John's eyes, saw a different kind of spark.
It seemed he knew far more than she had anticipated!
Isabella slightly lowered her gaze, making a silent decision in her heart.
House Medici, although still bearing the reputation of nobility, was no longer what it had been in previous years.
If she did not strive harder, her family might just become another casualty, swallowed up by the tides of time!
"Let's go and ask around," John said, already moving forward.
"Ask who?" Amelia was puzzled.
While she was somewhat familiar with the Imperial Capital, bars weren't her usual haunts, so she genuinely didn't know whom to approach at the moment.
John raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly, "If we don't know, someone will."
Archibald and Leopold, those young nobles, would surely know more about such places.
Asking them would undoubtedly be correct.
Although both women were somewhat puzzled, they found themselves following John almost without realizing it.
Perhaps it was because their collaboration in the secret realm had been so seamless that when John suggested something, no one objected; instead, it seemed natural to let John take the lead...