Wizard: I Add Points and Hunt Monsters

It wasn’t yet clear what connection existed between the nobles working at the Secret Investigation Department...

’The Glory Society?’

For some reason, Wei’en thought of the organization known as the Glory Society.

’According to that letter, the Ernst Clan is part of the Glory Society. If the Montoya and Nascimento clans aren’t members...’

’Then it would all make sense!’

"And?"

"Also... the United City Guard suppressing the Noble Committee, using their status as councilmen to stir up trouble in the Council..."

"I’ve only overheard some of this when they were chatting. To be honest, I’m not interested in this stuff. Compared to the nobles in Klande, my grandfather and the others are a far cry."

"Aren’t you afraid your grandfather will be upset, hearing you talk about him like that?" Wei’en asked, half-joking.

"But it’s true! All they think about all day is using every trick in the book to make gold pounds and recruit as many Extraordinaries as they can. I don’t even know why they need so many people."

Lydia pouted. "Anyway, I really don’t like it..."

THUD.

"Huh?"

They both looked toward the office door, just in time to see Marco fall flat on the ground.

"Marco, are you alright?" Lydia cried out, rushing over to him.

Wei’en followed and helped her get Marco to his feet.

"D-Director Ales... he’s... he’s really gone." The usual light had vanished from Marco’s eyes.

"So... Director Ales is gone. But you don’t need to be this upset, do you?" Lydia said, her heart aching for him as she brushed the dust from his clothes. She wondered how many times he must have fallen on his way back.

"You don’t get it. None of you understand..."

Marco gave a weak wave of his hand, shrugged them off, and shuffled dejectedly back to his desk. He collapsed into his chair, his face completely blank.

Lydia was about to try again. "You..."

"Let’s just give him some space for a while, Lydia," Wei’en said, shaking his head at her, signaling that it was best not to say anything more.

Lydia looked worried, but she knew nothing she did would help much right now. She settled for sitting near Marco, keeping a close eye on him.

Wei’en watched Marco, equally puzzled. ’I never realized he was so attached to Director Ales.’

’Come to think of it, didn’t Santiago have the same expression when he heard the news this morning?’

"Tina, clown, hungry."

Tina, completely oblivious to all this, was trying to stuff the snacks Lydia had given her into the clown doll’s mouth.

Wei’en glanced at the white-haired girl, who was her usual self. He sighed to himself. ’Must be nice to be Tina. Nothing to think about, nothing to worry about...’

With that thought, he returned to his desk, took out a fresh sheet of parchment, and began to write up his report on clearing out the parasites last night.

’Considering the state Santiago and the others are in,’ he thought, ’it’s unlikely they’ll be able to finish the case files...’

...

...

What Wei’en didn’t know was that in the Director’s office area, not far from him, the atmosphere had already grown incredibly tense.

BAM!

"Vice Speaker Harlington,"

Dorff slammed his fist on the table in fury. "Director Ales is barely gone, and you’re already scrambling to announce his successor! Don’t you think the Council is going too far?"

Beside him sat several high-ranking, red-robed officials of the Secret Investigation Department. Balats and Nifa both stared impassively at the newcomers.

Behind them, department heads like Albert—from the Combat Department, Property Management Department, and the Detention Area—also glared coldly at the city-state’s senior officials, led by Harlington.

"Dorff, I know you’ve just finished clearing out those parasites, but according to intelligence obtained by the Council and the Noble Committee, an even greater crisis is on its way."

Harlington remained unmoved, his expression grave. "The Secret Investigation Department is the city-state’s most powerful asset. Its first and foremost duty should be to the safety of our home."

"As for Ales... I understand how you all feel. He was my closest comrade-in-arms as well. But I implore you all to remember your duties!"

"You—!" Dorff started to rise in protest but was pulled back down by Balats.

"Vice Speaker Harlington,"

Balats took a deep breath. "Protecting the city-state is what the Secret Investigation Department has always done," he said in a low voice. "There is no question about that. However..."

"There is no need to rush the appointment of a new Director. If, as you say, the city-state is facing a major crisis, wouldn’t the most prudent course of action be to solve that problem first?"

"Appointing a newcomer right now... My apologies, Sir Stannic, I am not questioning your abilities. But please understand, if you wish to command the entire Secret Investigation Department, you will need a period of time to familiarize yourself with our operations."

Beside Vice Speaker Harlington was a young man in magnificent noble attire, his black hair impeccably styled. This was the Sir Stannic he had mentioned.

"I agree with what Deputy Director Balats has said. However, I am confident that I can quickly familiarize myself with the work of the Secret Investigation Department and prove myself worthy of the Director’s position. But..."

Sir Stannic looked at the Secret Investigation Department officials and chuckled. "I don’t mind hearing your recommendation."

"Sir..." Harlington began, trying to intervene.

Sir Stannic waved him off. "Vice Speaker Harlington, since I will be taking over as the Director of the Secret Investigation Department, I hope to use this opportunity to learn from our deputy directors."

Balats’s brow furrowed. He felt a flicker of irritation. ’A difficult young man,’ he thought. ’Just as one would expect from *his* son.’

"Sir Stannic, my recommendation is that we first focus our efforts on resolving the city-state’s crisis. I ask that the Council postpone the appointment of a new Director for the Secret Investigation Department..."

"Impossible!"

Harlington, no longer caring for Sir Stannic’s opinion, cut him off directly. "Balats, this appointment was passed unanimously by the Council and has already been approved by the Noble Committee. According to the laws of the city-state, this appointment is official."