The 'Grave Robber' herself was still hesitating, wondering whether to confess to Lancer.
Undoubtedly, Lancer 「Deterrence」 had worked, but for the other party, Lancer was the enemy who 'killed her brother', and what kept her going was not loyalty to the organization but her hatred for Lancer.
But at this moment, an extremely 'familiar' sound suddenly came...
"Click~ Click~"
Undoubtedly, it was the prison mechanism operating. When she came to the familiar room, she saw a man with his hands in his pockets.
Wait?! A man?! Does that mean...
"Don't come near me!!"
––––––
"Don't come near me!!"
The sudden burst of screams not only stunned Lancer, who was waiting silently for the 'Grave Robber' with his hands in his pockets, but also the few male investigators who 'coincidentally' passed by.
'As expected of Investigator Lancer, he's amazing. With just a glance, he made that brutal ghoul let out such a tragic scream.'
'What on earth did Investigator Lancer do yesterday to scare this ghoul half to death?'
'I heard Special Class Haizaki say that Investigator Lancer and the others were only in there for a little over ten minutes. How did he do it?'
'Of course, it's because Investigator Lancer is amazing~ He truly lives up to his reputation as the man who conquered ghouls with his body!'
Undoubtedly, even the most gossipy person knew not to court death in front of the person in question, so they only discussed in low voices outside the door, but Lancer had long noticed them and focused a lot of his attention on them, which allowed him to hear their conversation.
However, Lancer preferred that he hadn't heard anything at all.
"What are you screaming about? I didn't do anything..."
Undoubtedly, Lancer was trying to save his image.
"Where is that woman?! You came alone, so you must be... must be..."
Undoubtedly, the 'Grave Robber', who was already in a state of high tension due to 「Deterrence」, was now on the verge of collapse under Lancer 'fierce (anxious)' questioning.
Immediately, a sound came from outside the door again.
'I understand! No wonder First Class Mado didn't come today. So that's the reason...'
You beasts! What did you understand again!!
But at this moment ––––––
"Ahem~ First Class Lancer, I have sealed the room for you. Please interrogate at your leisure..."
Although the CCG had no good impression of ghouls, it was still a 'legitimate organization'. Even if the interrogation was bloody, it was 'the necessary evil to be paid for justice', but it was obvious that doing something to ghouls did not belong to the 'necessary evil', but since the high-levels had ordered that the 'Grave Robber' be handed over to Lancer for full disposal, he had no choice but to cooperate with Lancer.
However, Special Class Haizaki, who turned off the surveillance camera, only shook his head helplessly. He really didn't want to get involved in this kind of thing. He didn't mind being hated by ghouls, after all, his purpose in existing was to guard these vicious ghouls to squeeze out their last bit of value, but he really didn't want to be regarded as a pimp.
'I really hope the higher-ups don't give this kind of mission next time...'
On the other side, as the room door was completely sealed, Lancer only wanted to say two words –––––– Heh heh.
Hands off the keyboard, happily typed GG (Good Game).
Lancer felt that he was completely unsalvageable.
The high-strength special transparent glass was originally intended to protect the safety of the investigators, but as the glass was opened, looking at Lancer, who was walking towards her with a collapsed smile on his face, the 'Grave Robber' desperately wished that the glass was directly welded shut!
"Don't come here! Don't come here!"
...
When Lancer walked out of the room, there was only a young ghoul inside with red eyes and a trembling voice (sequelae of being scared to tears), and Lancer walked towards Special Class Haizaki's office with the most detailed intelligence on the Aogiri Tree's history.
"First Class Lancer, your mission this time was perfectly executed..."
Looking at Special Class Haizaki, who was hesitant to speak, or rather, didn't know what to say, Lancer expression surprisingly carried a hint of nonchalance. Perhaps this was the so-called –––––– giving up?
"It's nothing, just a mission. I'll leave the submission of the documents to you, Special Class Haizaki. I... need some peace and quiet."
Give up? Lancer did not flinch even when facing the legendary hero as a human. Even though his body was eventually pierced by a Noble Phantasm, he went all out without hesitation. How could Lancer give up so easily?
However, even so, his slightly trembling hands were enough to show his mood.
It was just that his attitude seemed to make the man in front of him misunderstand something.
"If you want, Lancer..."
"No need. I don't want to. I have things to do. Goodbye."
––––––
A little after ten o'clock, this was undoubtedly a very busy time for most people.
Students were in class, white-collar workers were working, and naturally, the coffee shop's business was slow, but for a certain person, it was just right.
"Would you like a cup of coffee, Mr. Lancer?"
Looking at the coffee placed in front of him, Lancer showed a helpless smile.
"My cup was already brewed."
Although he was complaining, Lancer still picked up the coffee cup and took a sip.
In reality, Lancer was not a fan of coffee at first. After all, the only reason he drank coffee before was for staying up late before his college entrance exam. It can be said that coffee did not bring back any good memories. Later, he only chose to drink coffee here to discreetly contact 'Anteiku', but as he drank, he realized that the only remaining beverages he consumed seemed to be coffee and alcohol. It was truly speechless.
"The Manager's coffee is as excellent as ever. Touka still has a long way to go."
Yoshimura Kuzen only smiled at Lancer compliment. It was clear that too many people complimented him, and he was long used to it.
"Touka has a lot of talent. She will definitely become a good coffee shop owner in the future."
"Is she planning to resign?"
"Pretty much. She will probably go to help her friend named Yoriko after she opens her shop, right?"
Although Touka Kirishima, whom he regarded as his own daughter, was about to leave the store at some point, Yoshimura Kuzen seemed extremely calm. After all, he was the one who encouraged her to make this decision.
When the two silently drank their coffee, the store became incredibly harmonious.
It's probably unimaginable that an SSS-rated ghoul and an investigator known as the 'Death Throes'could drink coffee so harmoniously, knowing each other's identity, right?
But since they were drinking coffee, there was naturally a time when they would finish it.
"Manager, this is the money for the coffee."
"No need. I said this one is on me."
Seeing Yoshimura Kuzen's expression, which was not serious but very calm, he could only smile.
"Alright, this time is an exception. I will pay next time."
After speaking, Lancer left 'Anteiku', but in his haste, he did not notice the complicated look in Yoshimura Kuzen's eyes as he held the coffee cup...
'Next time?'