244. Leaving Just Like That
Now that hope was finally in sight, Kade Marrow could no longer contain his impatience.
He grabbed Niklas Falkenrath and pushed through the crowd to rush forward.
"What the fuck are you doing?!"
Those waiting in front expressed their discontent, but upon seeing the man's cold, dark armor, they simply rolled their eyes and fell silent.
"Excuse me, coming through."
Kade Marrow nodded apologetically to the waiting crowd before stepping into the H.A.R.M. registration office.
Alon Dakila had just set down his pen when he looked up, saw that anxious face, and instantly fell silent.
He secretly groaned.
Florida sent requests for assistance to the Martial Abbey approximately every six months. When they visited the capital to report achievements, they inevitably brought up their vampire calamity. Their faces had become all too familiar by now.
"If you're reporting achievements, go line up in the back..." Alon Dakila sighed inwardly and was about to casually dismiss them when he noticed Kade Marrow silently pull forward the person behind him.
Niklas Falkenrath gave an awkward smile and scratched the back of his head.
Upon seeing him, Alon paused, immediately recognizing this guy as a student of the Martial Abbey. These disciples had complicated relationships and were notoriously difficult to handle.
Nudged by General Marrow, Niklas reluctantly spoke: "I... I know Inspector Kane. Please, mate, could you announce us?"
Upon hearing these unconvincing claims, Kade Marrow's heart instantly sank.
As expected, more empty boasting.
But there was no other option now, so he could only stare blankly at Alon Dakila sitting behind the counter.
Yet, with no other options available, he could only stare helplessly at Alon Dakila seated behind the counter.
"..."
Alon sighed, rose from his seat, and walked toward the office door. "Wait here. I'll report to Inspector Kane."
He knocked on the door, entered the office briefly, and promptly returned with a response.
"Let them in."
"I understand, sir."
Clearly, Inspector Kane had no idea just how persistent Kade Marrow from Florida could be.
A mighty H.A.R.M. General acting like a drowning man, desperately grasping at any pole or rope within reach.
He wasn't the type of man who could be brushed off with a few words.
Alon returned to the counter, glanced at Kade, and through gritted teeth, mumbled in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Inspector Kane is a disciple of the Martial Abbey."
This statement not only highlighted John Kane's prestigious status but also delivered a crucial message.
Unlike students, all disciples of the Martial Abbey follow the Path of Redemption, not the Path of Nature.
One should think carefully before speaking, considering whether they can afford to offend a young prodigy who holds a position that is merely ceremonial.
Upon hearing this, General Marrow froze in place, then turned to stare at Niklas Falkenrath with astonishment.
He knew Niklas had exaggerated, but hadn't expected such an outright fabrication. The man didn't even know which path Inspector Kane practiced, yet had boldly claimed they'd sparred together.
Niklas Falkenrath's eye twitched a couple of times as he promptly shut his mouth.
"Hurry in. Are you waiting for the Inspector to come out and invite you personally?" Alon Dakila glared at the two, impatience etched into every line of his face.
Having already announced them, they now had to go through with the formalities.
With a gloomy expression, Kade Marrow stepped forward and bent to open the door. Despite Niklas's loose tongue, he at least showed his loyalty by quickly following behind.
This was the second time he had seen that young man.
He wore an ink-black jacket and sat quietly behind the desk. Though his handsome face appeared youthful, he emanated an inexplicable air of authority that Niklas couldn't ignore.
Inspector—in charge of the Twenty-five States' H.A.R.M. armies and overseeing all martial families, academies, and organizations across the land.
Whether he could effectively manage this vast responsibility remained questionable, but officially, all vampires and monsters in New Terra fell under his jurisdiction.
Niklas bowed in salute, then felt something was off. The pleasantries he had rehearsed earlier dissolved in his mind, and he opened his mouth only to find himself unable to utter a single word.
… …
"Gentlemen, what brings you to my office today."
I gave a slight nod, and with my words, the tension visibly eased from both men's shoulders.
"Sir, General Kade Marrow requesting urgent assistance for the Florida territory."
Kade Marrow completed his salute respectfully, hiding his nervousness. He had much to report about Florida's dire situation but couldn't figure out where to begin.
If this young man wasn't a Ward of Nature, speaking openly would be pointless, yet remaining silent would be disrespectful to the Inspector's authority.
Nothing seemed right.
… …
The earlier conversation among them hadn't escaped my ears.
Understanding General Marrow's concern, I softened my tone. "Speak freely. While I follow the Path of Redemption, I also have some proficiency in body tempering techniques."
Body tempering techniques?
Kade Marrow smiled bitterly as he raised his head, and realizing that I had seen through his concerns, he stopped beating around the bush. "Inspector, two Vampire Kings are wreaking havoc in Florida, and we... we can barely hold on anymore."
"Two of them?" I rose from my seat and walked past the two men.
Kade Marrow had clearly bottled this up for too long. Even if nothing could be done, he needed to pour out his frustrations to his superior: "Those Vampire Kings..."
Before he could finish, he watched in bewilderment as the young Inspector walked out the door.
What's happening?
I held the door open for him and looked back calmly. "No need to rush, we can talk on the way."
Kade stood frozen in shock. Niklas gave him a discreet nudge, and the situation suddenly dawned on him.
Inspector Kane intends to inspect Florida?!
In all his many visits to the capital, he had never encountered such a prompt and decisive response.
"Why are you overthinking this… Having the Inspector return with you is far better than going back alone!" Niklas hissed through gritted teeth, exasperated.
Hearing this, General Marrow hurriedly pursued the young Inspector. As he exited the Inspector's office, he caught sight of Alon Dakila glaring at him with dagger-like eyes, as if wanting to devour him whole.
"Inspector Kane, you've just arrived at the Martial Abbey... no, I don't mean to speak out of turn... I just..." Alon Dakila stammered. "I'll arrange a carriage for you immediately." He looked up only to see Inspector Kane shake his head.
"What about spacecraft? I'm in a hurry," I asked. If I could fly from Seattle to the capital, perhaps I could also fly from the capital to Florida.
"Of course, sir. I'll arrange a flight right away," Alon replied. He paused briefly before adding, "Inspector Kane, should we inform Reverend Thompson about your departure first?"
He received no answer, watching helplessly as John Kane commandeered a sedan bearing the H.A.R.M. insignia, just as a colonel was stepping out of the vehicle.
What kind of protocol is this? The H.A.R.M. Inspector touring the Twenty-five States without mobilizing troops or issuing official documents—just taking off by himself?
Kade Marrow numbly climbed into the car, still feeling confused. Before he could fully comprehend what was happening, the car was already speeding toward the Capital Airport.
They're leaving just like that?
Alon watched the car disappear around the corner and suddenly slapped his forehead hard.
The Inspector, who had just been invited back to the capital by Reverend Thompson yesterday, had departed after staying only one night.
...
Martial Abbey Accommodations, Court A.
Calvin Thompson stood with his hands clasped behind his back in front of a house and cleared his throat. "Junior Brother Kane, I've come to see you."
John Kane had just received the Trinitarian Ascension Method yesterday. Though Calvin couldn't personally guide John through it, showing concern for a junior disciple was always appropriate..
He waited quietly for a moment. The door remained tightly shut with no response.
"Junior Brother Kane?"
Calvin Thompson frowned and raised his voice a little.
He brought his hands down from behind his back.
Being a Seeker of Redemption, surely he wasn't still in bed, fatigued from the journey?