Chapter 454: Fooling the higher-ups.
“Ah, that means I have been wasting my time here.” Blake said as he began closing the bag that previously covered the corpse.
‘Guess I would make the suggestion in my report after I complete the mission.’ Blake thought as he began leaving the room.
‘I should have known that this world database is nothing compared to that of Earth.’ It was then that Blake’s thought process was interrupted by Ashley.
“Sorry if I am being intrusive, but what are you planning on doing next?” Ashley couldn’t help but ask.
After seeing Blake solve multiple cases over the years, and now having a glimpse of his thought process. She was excited that it was now happening in person and couldn’t resist not being carried along.
“I will take the rest of the team with me and investigate the crime scene again, but that would be after reading the report.” Blake said.
He soon returned to his office and began reading the report while Ashley returned to her office.
.....
‘The report is really what she said it was. There is literally nothing apart from the 24 corpses.’ Blake said as he put down the file that contained the report.
“Guess I have no other choice but to visit the area.” Blake said before contacting his unit using the ash corp badge beneath his black cloak.
In 5 minutes 10 of the corps were in his room, and that was when Blake began stating their next course of action.
“We would be going to the crime scene to make inquiries. So which of you has good communication skills?” Blake asked.
The room was silent for a while, but soon 2 of the 10 raised their hands.
The first ash corp to put his hand up was Radley. He was in his early 30’s and stood at a height of 5′ 9″ feet tall.
He had a creamy skin complexion with dark brown eyes, bony cheeks, a large nose and a narrow face. His curly grey hair, stoic expression and blackwork tattoos on his arms were clear indications that he wasn’t new to danger.
The second ash corp to raise his hand was Yavin. Not only was he 21 years, but he had graduated from the magic school when Blake was in his 2nd year.
He was a slender pale-skinned man with blue eyes, a small nose, large ears, smooth cheeks and small lips. His age and physicality made Blake think he was the exact opposite of Radley.
“You will do the questioning.” Blake said as he pointed at Yavin.
He chose Yavin because his appearance would be friendly to those being interrogated. Also, he would look like a weak target which would invite the gangs to attack him when they find him snooping around.
“As he interrogates people and business owners in the area, our job is to remain undercover and keep an eye out for any kind of suspicious movements.” Blake said.
After explaining his intentions, they all changed into their normal clothes and boarded separate carriages to the slums.
Their first destination was the Brotherhood pub. Although it was not the location of the gang war, the pub was a hub for information.
They entered the establishment at different times and once they took their positions at different points in the pub, Yavin began his interrogation.
He started small and began asking questions to those drinking by themselves before going to tables with 2 or more people.
‘The saying snitches get stitches is a universal concept. So I was never expecting them to give any relevant information.’
‘What I am looking for are the reactions when people find out about what he is doing.’ Blake thought as he opened pin-sized spatial tunnels to listen to their conversations.
After moving to 3 tables, Yavin had already attracted quite a lot of attention to himself. So they just need to watch out for those that would spread the information of his inquiries.
Sure enough, in less than 5 minutes of moving out of the third table, Blake had picked up something.
“When he moves over to the next table, go spread the news to the rest that someone is snooping about.” A man 2 tables behind Yavin’s current position whispered to the man beside him.
“Remain in position.” Blake said through their comms as he immediately stood up and left the pub.
‘Why the fuck is he leaving?’
‘What were they thinking when they put an 18-year-old in charge? Well, I will just enjoy the beer and wait for the failure to be announced.’
‘I can’t wait for this mission to be a total failure. I am pretty sure the higher-ups would waste no time to reconsider their decision.’
‘I might not know much about investigations, but this is clearly not working.’
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The thoughts of the 9 undercover ash corps were all negative and it even became worse as Yavin moved to another table without any success.
They had no idea that Blake did not need 9 of them in the first place. He just wanted to involve them to make things look more professional and make the higher-ups think he is a team player.
When Yavin had moved on to another table, the man had gotten up and left the pub in an unsuspecting manner.
Immediately, he left the pub and moved a few meters down that was when Blake bumped into him.
“How dare you!” the gang member said as he grabbed Blake by the collar and brought out his dagger.
“I am so sorry sir! Please take all I have, just let me go.” Blake said as he emptied his pocket and brought out 2 silver coins.
“You are lucky I am in a good mood!” The gang member said as he collected the silver coins and let him go.
Blake immediately ran off, leaving the gang member who had a brimming smile on his face.
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Check out 3_Sins_Studios works: Deviants and Reborn in a Magical World: From Cultivator to Mage.
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