"Aha, I didn't kidnap the Bangboo. It was just playing with me."
Sol pressed down the squirming Bangboo in his arms and looked earnestly at Qingyi and Zhu Yuan.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
Belle controlled Eous, pretending to act silly in front of the Public Security officers.
When facing Public Security, she instinctively wanted to hide herself.
"Hmm~, this Bangboo doesn't look very smart."
Zhu Yuan stroked her chin, speaking with slight regret.
"Really? I think this Bangboo has a hint of slyness about it."
Qingyi reached out and fiddled with Eous's chin, smiling mischievously.
In Sol's arms, Eous trembled pitifully and helplessly, not daring to resist Qingyi's teasing.
"You two Public Security officers, don't tease our poor little Proxy." Sol brushed Qingyi's hand away and said helplessly, "Being a Proxy officially listed as hostile, yet daring to cooperate with Public Security's elites—that already takes a lot of courage."
"This is the Proxy we're supposed to work with? Is it really reliable?" Zhu Yuan asked seriously. "If the matter with Horizon is true, the implications are huge. We need someone completely trustworthy."
After all, this was her first time working with a Proxy. Even with Public Security's rules, she dared not take it lightly.
"You can be completely at ease. Whether in character or ability, my friend here is the best of the best." Sol laughed heartily. "In fact, the moment she heard about Horizon's conspiracy, she got all fired up and decided she'd give Horizon Industries a harsh lesson."
As he spoke, Sol lifted Eous in his hand. "Come on, don't be afraid. Say hello to the two righteous Public Security officers."
Belle finally gathered her courage, carefully greeting Zhu Yuan and Qingyi, "Hello, elite Public Security officers."
"A talking Bangboo?" Qingyi raised a brow. "Could it be that you're—?"
Fairy popped out, appearing on Eous's electronic screen: "That's right! The greatest artificial intelligence in history—Fairy!"
"Furry?"
Zhu Yuan seemed to have misheard.
But judging from certain books she'd accidentally come across before, the Bangboo in front of her did not qualify as that kind of furry.
"Not that kind of thing!" Belle hurriedly controlled Eous, giving a proper introduction. "This is the legendary Proxy—Phaethon!"
"So, it really is Phaethon." Qingyi's expression lit up in realization. "I never thought, Sol, that even a legendary Proxy would answer your call. Looks like this mission is as good as ours."
"Legendary Proxy… Phaethon?"
Zhu Yuan stared in disbelief at Eous.
Phaethon was the famed legendary Proxy—an achievement Public Security officers had dreamed about for years.
For Sol to bring in help and it turned out to be that Proxy—this was an extraordinary feat.
Capturing Phaethon alone would earn more merit than even cracking the Horizon case.
But this thought only flashed through Zhu Yuan's mind. Right now, they were cooperating with a Proxy. Conscience wouldn't allow her to think that way.
"That's right! It is I!"
Seeing Zhu Yuan's astonishment, Belle proudly made Eous put her hands on her hips.
All those years as Phaethon—wasn't this exactly what she lived for?
Sol, however, turned to Qingyi, pushing Eous's head aside. "Sure, it's secure. But only because I'm here."
"Sol Mercer!!!"
Belle nearly exploded. If Eous had teeth, she'd have made it bite him right then and there.
This guy never even let her finish showing off.
Didn't he know how painful it was to stop halfway through for someone trying to brag?
"Calm down. We still need to save the residents of Canvas Street."
Sol patted Eous on the head, then climbed into Public Security's car with it.
"Hold tight. I'm driving!"
Qingyi slammed the accelerator, her whole body sinking into the seat.
Just like when they arrived, she drifted the car once more, sending Public Security's vehicle streaking away like lightning.
But before leaving, Sol seemed to catch sight of a black cat-shaped head.
The corners of his lips curled. He wasn't worried about Nekomiya Mana scheming against Nicole and the others. With General Raiden Baal around, no conspiracy could hide.
Besides, naughty little kittens who did bad things would always be punished in the end.
…
"Meow, Sol Mercer got taken away by Public Security? That's perfect, meow!"
Hidden in the shadows, Nekomiya Mana's eyes lit up as she watched Sol ride off in Public Security's car.
No matter what they wanted from him, it wouldn't be something resolved quickly.
Her chance had come!
As long as she lured the rest of the Cunning Hares into Dead End Hollow, Miguel Silver's vengeance would finally be fulfilled.
Thinking this, Nekomiya Mana skipped lightly to the Cunning Hares' door and knocked hard.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Meow meow meow, anyone home?"
"What stray cat's in heat? We Cunning Hares don't do spaying services."
Nicole muttered irritably as she opened the door.
"!!!"
Nekomiya Mana's face flushed red with anger at Nicole's words.
A cat in heat? She dared to say that?!
As expected of those wicked Cunning Hares brats!
She decided right then—she would make Nicole, the one who insulted her, die the most painful death.
But as soon as the door opened, Nekomiya Mana put on an innocent, sweet face as if she hadn't heard anything. "Excuse me, is this the Cunning Hares? I have an extremely important commission for you."
"Oh, a commission?" Nicole's impatient face immediately brightened as she called into the room, "Billy, bring our adorable Thiren lady guest the finest cup of water!"
Billy shouted back right away, "On it, Boss Nicole!"
Soon, Nekomiya Mana was welcomed inside, becoming a client the Cunning Hares hadn't seen in a while.
"Cough cough, my name is Nekomiya Mana, but you can just call me Nekomiya," she said, coughing lightly, lying with practiced seriousness. "I'm here to commission the Cunning Hares to find my family heirloom."
"So that's it, Miss Nekomiya." Nicole pounded her chest and declared boldly, "Any commission is fine by us! The Cunning Hares are capable of anything, no matter what it is!"
"That's exactly why I came to you," Nekomiya Mana replied politely, though inside she sneered.
Fake! If I hadn't checked the Inter-Knot forums, I might've believed you.
"Well then, let's talk about the commission fee first."
Nicole rubbed her hands together eagerly, eyes gleaming at Nekomiya Mana.
A precious family heirloom—sounded like big money.
Under her expectant gaze, Nekomiya Mana pulled out a cat-paw wallet. Inside were only a few Dennies.
Nicole was about to complain when Nekomiya Mana quickly added, "I may not have money now, but my family heirloom is priceless. If you help me find it, I'll give you 30% as payment."
"A priceless family heirloom… could it be a super antique from the Old Era?" Nicole thought of the massive bronze tripod she once saw in an antique shop, her eyes glowing. "Quick, tell me the details!"
Nekomiya Mana replied seriously, "Years ago, Miguel Silver of the Red Fang Gang stole my family heirloom. After years of investigation, I've confirmed it's still in the Red Fang Gang's hands. And I've already narrowed down the three most suspicious locations."
"So, it's just stealing something back from the Red Fang Gang? That's child's play for the Cunning Hares." Nicole puffed up confidently. "Anby, Billy, get ready to move!"
Ever since the Red Fang Gang suspected the Cunning Hares were involved in Miguel's death, plenty of their members had come seeking revenge.
But they'd all been small fry—easily dealt with, not even worth mentioning.
Soon, Anby and Billy had geared up, ready to leave with Nicole and Nekomiya Mana.
"I'm coming too."
Baal spoke to Nicole.
With her years of ruling Inazuma, she could already tell—this Nekomiya was up to no good.
She had to follow, to make sure nothing happened to her master's friends.
Nicole agreed without hesitation. "No problem! This way you'll also get to see my strength!"
One more Bangboo wasn't a problem at all.
This little one had never let her hold it before—now, after seeing her strength, surely Baal would be shocked into submission.
Thus, the four and their two Bangboos set off toward the Red Fang Gang's Hollow storage site.