Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength
Chapter 79 Grudges and Sentiments

Chapter 79: Chapter 79 Grudges and Sentiments

"The real work of an investigator..."

Upon hearing Nicole’s invitation, Ronald couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

Did she really mean to let someone like him, a so-called temporary worker, join their real front-line investigator work?

Even if the bureau was short-staffed, this seemed a bit outrageous.

The reinforcements sent from headquarters had just arrived.

Ronald pondered for a moment.

These past few days, his interactions with Nicole had been quite pleasant.

So, he bluntly asked:

"Nicole, what exactly has happened up there?"

"I would think that, under normal circumstances, the bureau wouldn’t let temporary workers like us really get involved with your important duties, would they?"

"Tsk—"

Upon hearing Ronald’s question, Nicole clicked her tongue.

With an unsatisfied glance upstairs, she didn’t answer immediately but instead countered Ronald with a question.

"Hey, Ronald."

"Do you know what the real organizational structure of the Blenheim Investigation Bureau is?"

Ronald shook his head:

"How would I know such classified matters?"

"This hardly counts as a classified matter."

Nicole counted on her fingers with a regretful expression, explaining as if lamenting her own family troubles:

"Anyone with certain contact with our bureau understands our simple organizational structure. Generally speaking, it can be mainly divided into three departments."

"The actual investigation department that works on the front lines; the intelligence department responsible for collecting information and conveying these details; and lastly, the security department in charge of 24-hour protection for individuals with special status."

"Although there are also positions like office personnel in the bureau, based on the different services provided, they are roughly included under these three largest branches."

Hearing this, Ronald asked with some curiosity:

"What you’ve described doesn’t seem to have anything to do with me joining the frontline work, does it?"

"I haven’t finished yet, have I?"

Interrupted, Nicole simply rolled her eyes at Ronald.

Then she continued leisurely to explain:

"In smaller cities, this tripartite power structure allows everyone to live harmoniously. But in a behemoth like Springs, this form of power division reaches its limits."

"Even under the command of the head of the investigation bureau, the main leaders of the three departments have significant conflicts with each other."

"These are the world’s most powerful leaders of scholarly factions!"

"They not only master the original texts in their hands, but they also play the power system of the investigation bureau expertly."

At this, Nicole slapped her hand on her face with a ’snap’, a gesture of helpless frustration.

Then, with a twisted tone, she said:

"And one of these three dignitaries once came from our Blenheim Investigation Bureau."

"..."

Judging by that somber tone, Ronald had a rough idea.

This person who had risen from the Blenheim Investigation Bureau to become one of the three department leaders had quite an unhappy relationship with his place of origin...

But what was the reason?

Was it because of being discriminated against or bullied when he was weaker in Blenheim?

Or was it due to some misunderstanding that intensified over time and led to a souring relationship?

"It seems you’ve guessed it."

Noticing Ronald deep in thought, Nicole’s gaze hinted at an imperceptible displeasure. She looked around to make sure no one was in the hall and then moved closer to Ronald, whispering in a very low voice:

"I’ll tell you a secret."

"That guy is just an ungrateful ingrate, a white-eyed wolf."

"Born in the Blenheim Investigation Bureau and then, after the old chief died, he rose to the pinnacle of power, step by step. Five years ago, he successfully became one of the three department heads of the Springs headquarters."

"Even so, he has never thought of looking after Blenheim; on the contrary, often using ’Blenheim is a tourist city, where mysterious incidents are not rampant’ as an excuse, he relocated many capable people directly to Springs to serve under him!"

"So just picking any of the more veteran investigators from our side, nobody would like those people coming from headquarters. You should know that our Blenheim Investigation Bureau used to be among the top ten most formidable units within the Investigation Bureau!"

"..."

Was that how it was?

No wonder when that Spencer appeared, everyone in the Investigation Bureau became so tense.

According to what Ronald knew, in this era, the route of the Dongfeng train through Yuez Forest was considered a miraculous creation.

Without taking a detour on the main roads, this route directly connected Greede with Entrode as the shortest way, only requiring a few kilometers of walking through Yuez Forest to reach the border city of Wolfman and step into the territory of the neighboring country on foot.

Under such circumstances, Spencer had defected from Entrode to Greede.

The likelihood was that Spencer had taken the Dongfeng train on that route to the first major city, Blenheim, and then was ordered to join the Investigation Bureau for work.

And as an outstanding combatant and information holder, naturally, he would be summoned under the command of that big shot who got promoted and moved on.

So, the people the Investigation Bureau headquarters had sent this time were actually from a faction at odds with Blenheim?

No wonder Nicole and Mapple showed such disdain for these guys.

Having listened to Nicole’s explanation, Ronald had come to understand the enmity and grudges between the two sides.

But soon, he noticed a blind spot.

Staring doubtfully at the young female investigator in front of him, he hesitantly asked,

"Nicole..."

"That guy you mentioned who got promoted to Springs, when exactly did he get promoted?"

"Five years ago!"

Nicole replied almost without thinking, instinctively providing the answer.

Looking at the young woman in front of him, Ronald quickly followed up,

"When did you join the Investigation Bureau?"

"....."

The air suddenly became silent.

Right!

She, who had joined the Investigation Bureau just a bit over a year, not even two years ago, although considered part of the elite, didn’t seem to have such a bitter grudge against this guy who had left five years earlier?

Her gaze wavered uncertainly, swaying left and right.

Then the girl reached up to scratch the hair at the side of her neck to distract from the awkwardness inside her heart.

"Well..."

"You see, this kind of thing doesn’t really have much to do with when I joined."

"After all, the despicable deeds were done, and I am quite smart. It’s not a problem for my colleagues to hear about this guy’s actions and then develop some negative feelings, right?"

"Indeed."

Ronald nodded, then decided not to challenge Nicole’s pride any further.

"So, in order to make things difficult for these guys, are you planning to place them at positions like reception, where they can’t do any substantive work, as a way to humiliate these self-proclaimed elites, thereby discarding the investigators from Blenheim?"

"Not really making things difficult."

Nicole put down the hair near her neck, and her tone became serious,

"Five people came to support our Blenheim Investigation Bureau, so it shouldn’t be a problem to allocate a couple of them to handle some clerical work, right?"

"These tasks do need someone to do them."

"Moreover, although the situation in Blenheim has been somewhat tense recently, it hasn’t reached the point of a complete breakdown."

"With the help of the police department and private detectives, the situation is actually still under control."

"These five guys coming over, who knows if they’re just here to steal our thunder!"

"..."

Ronald scratched his head; having said this much was enough.

There was no need to dig too deeply.

He then changed the subject,

"Working on a support mission with you, my library card should still be valid, right?"

Hearing Ronald’s implicit agreement, Nicole’s face lit up with a beaming smile:

"Of course, you can!"