Chapter 271: 270 Which Statement Is True?

The Scale Gold Cult has been unusually active lately...

After reading the results gathered by Jerry's "friends" on the desk, the red-haired director's fox-like eyes narrowed slightly, then she curled her fingers and tapped the table thoughtfully.

Previously, that toad forcibly smuggled itself in and manifested at the Charles Department Store plaza, nearly causing a mass casualty incident; afterward, it conspired with several major noble families led by Rose Ma Sai, recruiting many followers among the kingdom's nobility. The Scale Gold Cult's actions over the past two months have already crossed the line.

I should have moved immediately to drive out all these rats from the sewers, but I was tied up with the Water Bearer Director's matter, busy investigating alongside Beverly, and never found the time to settle accounts.

My "weak" actions must have sent the wrong signal to the Scale Gold Cult, causing them to misjudge my tolerance—they've now openly held a gathering right in the capital...

It's time to strike hard and make the Scale Gold Cult remember their place!

After deciding on her stance toward the Scale Gold Cult, the red-haired director halted her habitual thinking gesture and looked up at Emma before her.

"Emma, what do you think about the information Lyon uncovered?"

"..."

"Emma?"

"Hmm... sorry, I just got distracted."

Hearing the director's puzzled call, Emma snapped back to attention and smiled apologetically, then asked calmly:

"Director, what did you say about Lyon?"

"..."

Ever since you dropped Lyon off yesterday, you've seemed off somehow.

"I didn't ask what happened to Lyon—I asked what you think about the gathering information he obtained."

The red-haired director glanced at Emma with suspicion but found nothing unusual in her expression, so she set aside her doubt and continued explaining:

"Earlier, Lyon took on the mission to rescue people at the Rose Estate, where he encountered the Chief Cleric of the Scale Gold Cult's Wealth-Seeking Branch and learned of their planned gathering. He then threatened the Ma Sai family to immediately notify him the moment they received word of the gathering."

"This morning, someone from the Ma Sai family came to report that the Scale Gold Cult plans to hold the gathering in three days, at Redwood Avenue in the capital—specifically, beneath the Ma Sai family's Rose Estate."

After briefly outlining the background, the red-haired director voiced her plan.

"Compared to other secret cults, the Scale Gold Cult is among the least harmful, but lately they've been far too reckless—not only holding a gathering right in the capital, but also sending three Chief Clerics at once. I want you to go there and make them behave for a while."

"Understood."

Without hesitation, Emma accepted the mission, glanced at the report on the desk, then asked:

"To what extent? Total annihilation? Or just capturing the three Chief Clerics?"

"The extent..."

Hearing Emma's question, the red-haired director paused briefly, then declared firmly:

"Take the 【Coffin of Judgment】 with you this time and see what kind of people the Scale Gold Cult has gathered."

"If they're the low-harm type, go easy—they're not particularly extreme in doctrine; many join just to restore limbs or regain sight. No need to be brutal."

"For the Cat Believers of the Wealth-Seeking Branch and the Snake Believers of the Wealth-Devouring Branch, if their sins aren't grave, scare them off and expel them—just prevent them from gathering to cause trouble."

"But if any Toad Believers of the Wealth-Spewing Branch show up—the ones who buy limbs, health, happiness, and other 'exchanges'—and the 【Coffin of Judgment】 reacts, kill them all. Leave none alive."

"Understood."

After listening carefully to the director's instructions and memorizing the mission objectives, Emma nodded slightly and rose to leave—but the director called her back.

"Emma, did something happen yesterday?"

"Huh? Why ask that?"

"Because you've seemed off today."

Looking at her best friend, who turned back in confusion, the red-haired director narrowed her eyes and said with certainty:

"Emma, tell me the truth—after you dropped Lyon off yesterday, something else happened. Otherwise, you wouldn't suddenly be distracted... Did he try anything on you?"

"How could that be?"

Emma laughed at the question:

"Where did you get that idea? Lyon isn't that kind of person. I was distracted thinking about something else—nothing to do with him."

"Alright..."

Though still sensing something off, Emma's expression was perfectly normal, revealing no sign of deceit. The red-haired director reluctantly set the thought aside and asked with concern:

"Emma, how's your condition lately?"

"Fine."

"Did the wound from the Bloodsworn Swordfish at Lyne Harbor heal?"

"Long ago."

"Can your body still handle the strain from the 【Coffin of Judgment】?"

"No problem."

"Did Lyon really not harass you yesterday?"

"Truly not..."

Watching the red-haired director slip in that question again amid a few half-hearted concerns, Emma sighed helplessly:

"Olivia, if you keep this up, I'm going to get angry."

"Alright, alright, I won't ask anymore!"

The red-haired director grumbled and pouted:

"Just be careful. When people are drunk, their self-control drops and they reveal suppressed urges... Lyon doesn't look nearly as innocent as he seems—I think he's got designs on you. Don't let him..."

"Olivia!"

"Fine, fine, I won't say another word—really!"

Raising her hands in surrender under Emma's slightly irritated gaze, the red-haired director watched her leave, then stared at the four marks on Emma's back—one red, three black—and frowned in thought.

I asked Emma four questions—her answers were one lie, three truths... So did Lyon really harass her yesterday?

"Achoo!"

"I told you to wear more—you caught a cold!"

Glaring at Lyon, who still wore autumn clothes in winter and looked painfully thin, Anna pulled out a scarf she'd prepared and handed it to Lyon, who kept sneezing, then took gloves from her bag.

"Put them on—you're being stubborn!"

"I'm not being stubborn—I really don't feel cold... Fine, I'll put it on."

"Yes, yes, you're not cold... Put on the gloves too!"

"Oh..."

Rubbing his perpetually itchy nose, Lyon—whose household status had plummeted after his attempted infidelity was discovered—meekly accepted the scarf and gloves under his sister's glare and dressed himself properly.

Though the 5-point Infusion had already granted him some resistance to cold and heat, wrapping the scarf around his neck and pulling on the gloves blocked the biting wind from his collar and sleeves—and suddenly, he felt much warmer.

"Stand still. Don't move."

Standing on tiptoe to adjust Lyon's scarf, sealing the last gap where cold air crept in, Anna nodded in satisfaction, then linked her arm through his.

"Let's go—you're free today for once. Perfect time to attend the parent-teacher meeting for Melanie and the others!"