Chapter 23
Chapter 23: Charlotte
Agent Michelle of the Temperance Court had run into big trouble.
This should have been a peaceful morning where she could enjoy her coffee in peace, but she had barely gotten her coffee cup and settled into her chair for three minutes when Enforcement Officer Roy, sporting a face full of gray-brown whiskers, pushed open the branch director’s office door and slammed a report form onto the desk.
“Blackwater District, anonymous reporter…” Michelle had no mood left for coffee. She furrowed her brow. “Roy, when and where did you get this? I don’t remember us having spare personnel assigned to Blackwater District.”
“Just now, from the bulletin board downstairs.” Enforcement Officer Roy had a cigar hanging from his mouth, looking somewhat lazy. “Our notice board in Blackwater District was torn down by the Blood Wine Society ages ago. People there who want to file reports have to come to Georgetown District. Yeah, right here. Besides, the two places aren’t actually that far apart—Gray Cloud Fortress itself isn’t particularly large.”
“Fine, Roy. I’ll pretend I never saw this report. Nothing happened in Blackwater District.” Michelle rubbed her temples, pressing down on the report with her hand. “Special circumstances—that place isn’t worth allocating our personnel.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about that, Branch Director. Probably no agents or enforcement officers would be willing to go to that kind of place anyway.” Roy shrugged. “Agent Markov got beaten up last month just for asking around on Blood Wine Society turf, and he’s still lying in a hospital bed.”
“Markov, that poor kid…” Michelle shook her head in pity. “Normal people naturally wouldn’t want to wade into that mess, but aren’t you forgetting about a certain not-so-normal person among us?”
Roy paused, scratching his head. “Oh, damn. How could I forget about that brainless girl…”
“Good thing you brought this to me in time. Don’t let Charlotte see it, or she’ll definitely want to—”
Michelle’s words were cut short as the door that had just closed was suddenly thrown open again, and a golden figure charged straight in.
“Branch Director Michelle! I heard it! I saw it too!” That golden figure moved like the wind, squeezing past Roy in the blink of an eye to stand before Michelle’s desk. “I heard my name, and I saw Blackwater District! Branch Director, didn’t I warn you before that it’s the place with the highest frequency of missing girls?”
“Little Charlotte, it’s not that we don’t want to handle it…” Roy tried to smooth things over.
But he was stopped cold by the indignation and determination in those azure eyes, and Roy could only helplessly hold his forehead and retreat to the side in defeat.
Cases in Blackwater District were never the trouble—Michelle’s trouble was always this golden young lady.
The girl’s most striking feature was her brilliant golden curls, fine and soft like luxurious silk. Her fair face was round and smooth, her features as refined and proper as a classical sculpture, and her bright azure eyes brought to mind the sky or the sea.
Her forest-green riding dress with its fitted waist had layered golden embroidery at the hem, silver buttons lined the front of her vest jacket, and a bouquet-like white silk scarf wrapped around her half-open neckline, with ruffled cuffs adorning her lady’s shirt underneath.
A riding hat, black gloves, a leather sword sheath hanging from her belt containing an ornate rapier with a silver hilt and golden guard, slender legs clad in white stockings beneath her skirt, and gleaming black riding boots on her feet.
Rather than an enforcement officer of the Temperance Court, the girl looked more like a noble young lady who had stepped out of some great family estate.
Spirited and heroic, with radiant golden hair and a confident smile like a dazzling sunrise, shining straight and fervent upon the earth.
Charlotte Fred—she was the biological daughter of the famous enforcement officer training instructor Conrad Tours, and the adopted daughter of the legendary Seraph-class enforcement officer Sera Fred.
No one in the Temperance Court didn’t know this golden-haired girl. She could attract everyone’s attention just by flashing her teeth in a smile.
Charlotte was an undisputed genius. In less than half a year, she had risen from apprentice enforcement officer to Dominion-class enforcement officer—Dominion-class was the highest level among the lower three ranks, and this triple promotion usually took an enforcement officer four or five years.
However, just when everyone thought she would continue staying in the Papal State to advance herself, Charlotte suddenly and resolutely abandoned her bright future, following Michelle to the free city-state of Gray Cloud Fortress, which even the Church could barely reach or infiltrate, establishing a branch in that land where God’s light could not penetrate the thick fog and gloom.
But this wasn’t really hard to understand—in fact, everyone felt sympathy for her.
Because Sera Fred, her adoptive father, the pride and legend of the Temperance Court, had encountered the Scarlet Witch Cesya there.
Legend said the battle between hero and witch had torn an unhealable rift in the dust and clouds that had long shrouded the sky, with storms and lightning lasting a full week. Conflicts between high-sequence extraordinary beings were destructive.
The outcome was the hero’s disappearance.
The blood that had dripped onto the thorns had dried, but no one could find any trace of Sera.
Charlotte had lost her beloved biological father long ago, and then lost her deeply revered adoptive father after that, making Gray Cloud Fortress a place Charlotte could never forget.
It wasn’t surprising at all that she would return here.
However, this current case didn’t seem particularly connected to Sera’s disappearance—Charlotte cared about it simply out of a sense of justice.
“As expected, another missing girl. Nothing new at all—I knew it.” The golden-haired girl pulled the report out from under Michelle’s palm, glanced at it, then said angrily, “Branch Director! Miss Michelle! How long are you going to play deaf and blind? Those girls are innocent, and their parents are innocent too! The Temperance Court shouldn’t be such a cold, heartless institution. Under the guidance of Archangel Raguel, we should help the weak and maintain harmony, shouldn’t we?”
“Charlotte, of course I can understand your feelings. Anyone who can enter the Temperance Court can understand your feelings.” Michelle frowned deeply, her tone serious. “But you must know that we’re isolated here without the Church’s protection. Mayor Joseph’s endorsement isn’t fully recognized by the four major gangs—our law enforcement actions are even considered illegal in their eyes.”
Charlotte slammed the desk. She was furious. “Damn it! How can this godforsaken place let thugs and criminals become the masters?”
In Gray Cloud Fortress, the four major gangs were order, they were the law, and the Church and Temperance Court received no respect whatsoever.
Yet despite collecting hefty protection fees, girls kept disappearing more frequently. Charlotte didn’t believe for a second that those bastards from the Blood Wine Society would seriously maintain city order.
Michelle lowered her head, equally troubled, her breathing becoming deep and heavy.
“Alright, Branch Director Michelle. I know your difficulties. This is a special time, and Mr. Joseph allows us to stay here to help him investigate the Westin Manor murder case. The branch is short-staffed.” Charlotte gripped the report tighter in her palm. “But since someone filed a report, it means someone doesn’t trust those gangs—they still need the Temperance Court’s help. I’ll go alone without needing assistance. Within a week, regardless of the outcome, I’ll return to the team, and then I’ll work wherever you assign me without complaint. How does that sound?”
“You really don’t need help, little Charlotte? Blackwater District is more dangerous than you think…” Roy looked worried, concerned about this reckless junior.
Of course, the poor uncle was soon glared back into a corner by the girl’s fierce look.
“Worthy of being that Mr. Sera’s daughter—truly confident.” Michelle smiled, though she wasn’t sure if she was laughing from anger. “Fine, I’ll let you have your way this once, but only three days. If you make progress, I won’t interfere with you anymore. If you get nothing, you’d better keep your promise.”
The time limit was suddenly cut in half, making even Charlotte hesitate for a moment.
But she immediately steeled her resolve again.
“Gray Cloud Fortress branch needs an opportunity to gain the local people’s trust. I believe I can handle this well. Rather than focusing on the current crisis, I think this is looking toward the future.” Charlotte straightened her posture and saluted Michelle. “Branch Director Michelle, Charlotte Fred will devote her full effort to this and give those families who lost their daughters an answer.”
The image of Sera’s back floated through the girl’s mind.
She felt that if Sera were present, he would definitely support her decision and choice. On the path of Temperance, there weren’t so many conflicting interests—they should uphold principles of justice until death.
Father, are you still alive? If you are, what kind of life are you living now?
Charlotte asked herself silently.
She knew no one could answer, but she always hoped to reunite with Sera and her father again. That was precisely why Charlotte had followed Michelle back to Gray Cloud Fortress.
“Nice words—I’m moved. I hope your work can be just as impressive.” Michelle stood up and adjusted Charlotte’s hat, her expression much gentler. “But before you set out, Charlotte, there are a few things you need to understand.”
“I’m listening, ma’am.” Charlotte nodded.
“First, the report mentions Vivian Glass Factory in Blackwater District. Someone supposedly witnessed moving burlap sacks being dragged into the factory building nearby, but I can’t confirm the information’s authenticity.” Michelle leaned closer, whispering in the golden-haired girl’s ear.
“What…” Charlotte was too surprised to speak.
“Second, this report is unsigned—possibly out of fear of gang retaliation, but it could also be a gang trap. Use your own judgment.” Michelle continued.
Charlotte swallowed hard.
She hadn’t expected Michelle to have already thought through such deep layers in such a short time. The business capabilities of a Principality-class agent were clearly beyond the girl’s imagination.
“Third, Vivian Glass Factory is located at the border between Georgetown and Blackwater Districts, and the cemetery happens to be not far away.” Michelle looked into Charlotte’s ocean-blue eyes. “Recently, quite a few strange rumors worth pondering have emerged from there. I hope you’ll pay attention and protect yourself.”
“The cemetery… you mean?” Charlotte looked thoughtful.
“Finally—” Michelle stepped back to normal distance, her voice returning to normal volume, “the missing girls case in Blackwater District will be entirely your responsibility from now on.”
The Temperance Court Gray Cloud Fortress Branch Director stood at attention and also saluted the girl.
“Good luck, Enforcement Officer Charlotte Fred.”