Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength
Chapter 67: The Investigation Bureau

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: The Investigation Bureau

Lunchtime in Berenwich.

Though there were fewer pedestrians on the main street than an hour ago, people from all walks of life could still be seen walking about.

Patrolling policemen, workers transporting goods, amblers lost in thought—all were busy with their affairs on this street, everything proceeding in an orderly fashion as usual.

At that time, a rented horse-drawn carriage came galloping from the northeast direction of Long Beach Street.

The structure of the rented horse-drawn carriage was a two-wheeled, double-seated carriage with a hood, and the driver’s seat was positioned above at the back, with passengers entering through the door at the front of the carriage.

In all of Berenwich, there were more than 500 such rented carriages in service to the public.

And now, this carriage had stopped at 21 Long Beach Street.

When the carriage pulled to a halt, the driver seated above at the rear spoke:

"Sir, we’ve arrived at 21 Long Beach Street."

"Thank you."

With the driver’s reminder, Ronald stepped out of the carriage, counted out the carriage fare, and handed it over to the driver.

"I appreciate your generosity."

Nodding toward Ronald, the driver accepted the fare and shook the reins.

The well-trained horse then pulled the carriage away from the spot.

"..."

Turning around, Ronald cast his gaze upon the building in front of him.

Long Beach Street was an important thoroughfare in the southwest of Berenwich, with the headquarters of the police force, the Gred Chain Post Office, and other key facilities located there.

And 21 Long Beach Street A...

The address indicated on the envelope was a three-story building situated right beside the police headquarters. It had no extra decorations or repairs, its other side completely covered by vine-like plants, reminiscent of ivy.

It was evidently a building with some history.

Next to it was the bustling police headquarters, continuously frequented by people coming and going.

Yet this building, designed to adjoin the police headquarters, seemed scarcely visited, giving off the impression of being an adjunct to the police force.

"21 Long Beach Street A."

Muttering the address, Ronald confirmed it by the main entrance before pushing the door open and walking in.

Upon entering, the mysterious nature of this side office became indisputably clear.

No heating equipment could be seen in the lobby on the first floor, but just a few meters in from the entrance, the chill of the winter day began to gradually fade.

The source of warmth...

Ronald looked towards the direction of the heat source and found a small pouch hanging overhead in the lobby, something one would never notice if not specifically looking for it.

Just then, someone noticed Ronald’s entrance into the lobby.

A young girl dressed in casual home clothes approached:

"Sir, can I help you with anything?"

"Ah," Ronald responded, immediately taking out a letter and handing it over with a smile, "I received this at home this morning and came straight over."

"Ah?"

Hearing Ronald’s words, the girl briefly paused, surprised, but she promptly began to read the letter. The notification’s textual information was very simple; after scanning it, she turned an odd look towards Ronald.

Someone who reported to the Investigation Bureau on the same day they received the notice...

It was indeed her first time encountering such a situation.

Nonetheless, Ronald’s letter had no issues, and the hidden marks made by the Investigation Bureau were intact and complete. Proceeding with the protocol would suffice.

Then, the girl took the lead towards the unoccupied front desk:

"Come on, let’s go register."

"Just fill in some basic information and it will do."

"No problem."

Ronald nodded and followed her.

The registration at the Investigation Bureau was very straightforward: name, age, school of thought... These basic details were filled out in a visitor’s log book and that was the end of it.

After completing the registration, the girl returned the envelope as she explained:

"Sir Ronald, for reporting you’ll want to go directly to the personnel office on the second floor."

"I won’t lead the way for you."

"Alright."

Ronald nodded, took the envelope, and headed upstairs.

The architectural structure of the Investigation Bureau’s office was simple and convenient, with stairways leading upstairs on both ends of the corridors flanking the front desk.

Reaching the second floor, Ronald looked around.

The interior here remained unadorned, with no carpet laid out on the wooden floor, and the hallway’s lamps were of the most common kind.

Even the windows at the ends of the hallway exhibited rust on their locks.

Just how indifferent were the people of the Investigation Bureau about their own office space...

Shaking his head slightly, Ronald began surveying the rooms on the second floor.

Most of the office doors here had plaques denoting their functions, with the Personnel Department located near the end of the hallway on the left.

Walking steadily over, he knocked on the door.

Knock knock knock—

"Is anyone there?"

"Come in."

A woman’s voice sounded from within.

After pushing the door open, the view of the office came into sight.

Ronald frowned.

Something was not quite right—

It wasn’t a beauty pageant for warriors of mystery; the fact that there was only a lone girl in the large hall, and the absence of anyone at the reception might be overlooked.

But how could it be that even in a department like the Personnel Department, there was but a single lady sitting at her desk processing documents?

This was the core office managing the entire mysterious side of Berenwigh!

The expression on Ronald’s face was noticed by the lady in the Personnel Department.

However, she wasn’t in the mood to explain, and instead asked straightforwardly:

"Sir, what can I do for you?"

Ronald handed her the envelope he was holding:

"I received this notification this morning."

"..."

Quickly scanning the page, the lady’s demeanor changed immediately.

Eyeing Ronald meaningfully, she then asked in an even tone:

"Sir Ronald Adler?"

Ronald nodded:

"That’s correct."

Whoosh—

Upon receiving the affirmative answer from Ronald, the lady pulled open a drawer swiftly, picked out two documents from a stack of files, and stood up:

"Let’s go, we’ll talk in the meeting room."

"No problem."

Leading the way, she brought Ronald to a meeting room located on the same floor.

Opening the door and entering, an unordinary atmosphere greeted them.

The room had clearly been renovated only a few months ago.

Rather than calling it a meeting room, it would be more appropriate to refer to it as a lounge.

Almost brand-new leather sofas were placed on either side of the room, with a delicately carved wooden tea table set in the center. The window facing outside was also spotlessly clean.

"Please, take a seat."

Indicating for Ronald to sit opposite her, the lady glanced at the documents in her hands for a few seconds before looking at Ronald:

"Mr. Ronald, you entered Berenwigh on the Dongfeng a month ago."

"Is that correct?"

Ronald nodded:

"That’s correct."

The lady from the Investigation Bureau continued without changing her expression:

"When you registered your entry into the city, you reported a mysterious event that occurred in the village of Yois, and that’s why you chose to leave your hometown?"

Ronald voluntarily elaborated:

"More precisely, that very night the entire town was..."

"You don’t need to repeat it; it’s very clear in the documents."

Before he could finish, Ronald was interrupted by the lady in front of him.

She looked at Ronald with a very serious gaze, then continued:

"In fact, just one week ago, our investigator returned to Berenwigh."

"He also brought back the investigation results from your hometown."