Chapter 163: Please Don’t Make It Public

While everyone was helpless before the three severely injured hounds, several Dragoons rushed in cheerfully.

“Sir, we’ve found something. The fence between the backyard and the botanical garden was opened. The thieves broke in from here!”

People inside the building immediately rushed towards the backyard. Even Elham and his group, who had been as still as corpses, perked up and jogged towards the back. Maybe they could find some clues there? Just a little clue, any small lead would be enough.

The backyard of No.1 Shenghui Street was very large. It took the group a full quarter-hour of jogging to reach the torn fence. Several detectives wearing small gray round hats were already gathered solemnly around the broken section of the fence, inspecting it with some strange instruments.

No one spoke. Over a hundred people on the scene held their breath, watching these professional officers from the Garrison Office.

After a long time, one detective straightened up and frowned. “It’s a very troublesome case, Honorable Tixiang. Perhaps this matter is beyond the capabilities of our Garrison Office. This case is best handed over to the imperial guards directly under His Majesty’s command.”

Spreading his hands helplessly, the lead detective pointed at the fence and chattered on.

The former Minister of Internal Affairs of the Gaul Empire had been very generous with his spending. This fence, nearly eight or nine meters high, had bars each as thick as a man’s arm. If it were ordinary steel, that would be one thing, but this fence was made of the very expensive ‘Thousand-Layer Water-Pattern Tungsten Gold Steel’. Tungsten Gold Steel was an extremely rare special alloy on the Western Continent, known for its extreme hardness and great toughness, typically used for making heavy siege machinery.

As for Thousand-Layer Water-Pattern Tungsten Gold Steel, it was made by giving a Tungsten Gold Steel ingot to a master-level blacksmith, who would soften it in a Magic Furnace and then forge-press it thousands of times. This process continued until the originally pitch-black steel ingot developed fine, silvery-white patterns resembling water ripples, successfully forging a piece of Thousand-Layer Water-Pattern Tungsten Gold Steel. This magically forged Tungsten Gold Steel saw a significant increase in hardness, and its toughness improved several times over.

“Only a powerful Celestial Knight using a Magical Weapon could possibly cut through these bars without making any sound.”

The detective wearing the small round hat spread his hands helplessly. “Even if our Garrison Office found these thieves, we wouldn’t have the strength to capture them. Honorable Tixiang, as you know, our Garrison Office deals mainly with petty thieves. We don’t even have many Earth Knights among our officers. How could we possibly catch such vicious bandits?”

Tixiang felt dizzy. He spread his hands blankly and asked Lin Qi and Yulian, “By the Gods, Celestial Knights becoming thieves? Gods, don’t they know that if they pledged allegiance to the Empire, they could receive the title of Earl? Why would they become thieves?”

Lin Qi viciously thought to himself – ‘Because being a thief makes money faster than being an Earl!’

But on the surface, Lin Qi appeared just as bewildered, shocked, and found it unbelievable. He also stared at the detective in astonishment, repeatedly shaking his head and exclaiming ‘Incredible’. The ones who robbed this place last night included three Celestial Knights and several dozen Earth Knights. Lin Qi thought gleefully that such force was almost enough to attack some small principalities on the Continent. Using such powerful strength to rob No.1 Shenghui Street should make Elham and his group feel honored.

Tixiang started shouting and yelling. He ordered the guards beside him to quickly report this matter up the chain. Celestial Knights becoming thieves? Good heavens, this news was as unbelievable as devout Clergy seeing the Deity they worship fondling the backside of some forty-year-old woman in a seedy tavern.

In the hearts of the common people on the Continent, Celestial Knights were noble beings high above. They were the pillars of the state, heroes protecting the people of the Continent. Shouldn’t Celestial Knights remain on the front lines confronting the northern Alien Race?

But now, Celestial Knights had become thieves! Not only were the idlers nearby who were trying to catch wind of the news stunned, even Tixiang couldn’t accept this news for a while. A dignified Celestial Knight only needed to swear allegiance to a country to receive the title of Earl, vast lands, and easily obtain fame and fortune.

Why would they become thieves?

After the initial shock, Tixiang fiercely approached the detective two steps. Gnashing his teeth, he scolded, “You’re not mistaken? Is this fence really made of Thousand-Layer Water-Pattern Tungsten Gold Steel? Can it really only be cut through by a Celestial Knight using a Magical Weapon?”

The detective took a step back. He puffed out his chest and said proudly, “Sir, I have been in this line of work for forty years and have seen all sorts of strange things. While this is the first time I’ve seen Celestial Knights become thieves, I certainly wouldn’t confuse ordinary Tungsten Gold Steel with Thousand-Layer Water-Pattern Tungsten Gold Steel!”

Tixiang was taken aback. He looked back at Elham.

Lin Qi quietly reminded Tixiang from the side, “Could it be the work of Sir Elham’s enemies? But in the Imperial Capital, who possesses such strength?”

Tixiang’s eyes flickered. He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Elham.

Elham was also stunned. His eyes shifted, vaguely feeling that something was wrong. He looked at Lin Qi. With his family’s secret, exquisite makeup techniques, he didn’t connect Lin Qi with that detestable black-haired, black-eyed youngster. Elham’s train of thought was misled by Lin Qi’s words. In the Imperial Capital of the Gaul Empire, Elham was sure he had no enemies. So, who had the capability to deal him such a blow?

Since the other party had such powerful beings as Celestial Knights, why didn’t they attack Elham and his group directly?

Why did they only empty No.1 Shenghui Street of all valuable items?

Wasn’t this deliberately framing Elham and his group?

The circle of suspects capable of such a thing seemed to have narrowed considerably. Elham clenched his fists tightly. Anger flashed in his eyes, followed by a faint, chilling glint.

“Sir Tixiang, I entrust this case to you,” Elham said respectfully, giving a slight bow to Tixiang. Then he straightened up and said coldly, “This matter concerns my family’s honor. So, please do not publicize this matter. Can you investigate this case secretly?”

Investigate the case secretly, don’t publicize this matter? Tixiang looked thoughtfully at Elham and slowly nodded. “Alright, I’ll try my best. There are many people here, and tongues wag. I can only try to keep this matter within a very small circle.”

Pausing slightly, Tixiang smiled. “Tomorrow evening, my club will host a secret gathering. I think…”

Elham pursed his lips into a smile and nodded with a laugh. “I will attend, along with my sister.”

Tixiang smiled. Lin Qi also smiled.