The storm Lancer created was still spreading, but the day of the 'transaction' quickly arrived. On this day, the CCG, as always, dispatched a large number of investigators to conduct searches, but Lancer, who was 'disguised', drove towards the destination with Akira Mado. It was just that Lancer encountered an unexpected person just as he set off.
"Juuzou... Suzuya?"
The last time he met Juuzou Suzuya was a few days ago, when he had just returned to this world. The other party attended his welcome dinner, but he hadn't seen him since then.
"Hello~ It's me~ Lancer-kun~ You seem very surprised to see me?"
Should it be said that he truly was Juuzou Suzuya? No matter when, he always had a cheerful expression.
"Surprised? A little, but what really surprised me is your current... outfit."
"Huh? Is it strange?"
Following the innocent voice, Juuzou Suzuya spun around in front of the car, and then his skirt fluttered up.
That's right, it was a skirt.
However, after spinning around, Juuzou Suzuya suddenly seemed dizzy and fell towards Lancer. Lancer quickly reached out and caught the other party, but what was unexpected was that Juuzou Suzuya did not seem surprised at all when Lancer caught him. Instead, he directly leaned on Lancer body.
"Lancer~ You are truly a gentleman~"
Juuzou Suzuya had a strange smile on his face when he said this, but Lancer only smiled and then released his arms.
"Thank you for the compliment, but Associate Special Class Suzuya, do you have something you need?"
"No need to be so formal. Just call me Juuzou~ Actually, this time I wanted to join your operation."
"Join the operation? Associate Special Class Suzuya... Juuzou, since you came to me, you should know what our mission is, right?"
"I know very well~ Miss Mado plays the 'captive', and you, Lancer, play the 'ghoul' and infiltrate this auction, so I specifically dressed up~ I should be able to sell for a high price, right?"
Lancer didn't know how to respond to Juuzou Suzuya's words. What did he mean by he should be able to sell for a high price? This shouldn't be something a normal person would say, right?
"I apologize, although I..."
"I got permission~"
Before Lancer could finish speaking, a document was pulled out from Juuzou Suzuya's chest.
Lancer, who took the document from the other party, was stunned for a moment and then flipped through it, then couldn't help but frown.
This document should be genuine, but precisely because it was genuine, Lancer was even more confused. After all, everyone was clear about the special nature of this operation. Neither Lancer nor Akira Mado carried a Quinque.
It can be said that the two of them were truly venturing deep into the lion's den this time. Sending someone into such a dangerous mission, were the people above crazy?
But looking at the smiling Juuzou Suzuya, Lancer could only sigh. After all, his identity was an investigator affiliated with the CCG, and he could only carry out the orders of his superiors.
"Alright, get in the car, but Juuzou, aren't you afraid? You know neither of us brought weapons this time..."
"I'm not afraid~ And I trust you, Lancer~"
"I really don't know why you are so confident in me..."
While Lancer was complaining, Juuzou Suzuya had already pulled open the back door, and Akira Mado, who was tied up with her eyes blindfolded, did not expect the car's back door to be opened.
"Who? Lancer!"
"Miss Mado, calm down, it's me~"
"Associate Special Class Suzuya?"
Juuzou Suzuya's voice and way of speaking were very distinctive. Basically, once you heard it, you wouldn't forget it. Akira Mado could distinguish it even when blindfolded, but at this moment ––––––
"Wow~ handcuffs~ Lancer! Handcuff me too~!"
Listening to Juuzou Suzuya's shout, Lancer didn't know how to complain for a moment. Should he be thankful that there were spare handcuffs and ropes in the car?
––––––
Both the car Lancer was driving and the clothes of the three people were equipped with special locators, and when Lancer set off, several patrol teams that were pulled out were also lying in ambush around, ready to support at any time, but in order to maintain concealment, they kept a long distance and only moved based on the locator signal.
This operation was given more importance by the headquarters because it involved 'human trafficking', but in reality, there were not many people on site before confirming the final location. After all, having a large number of investigators on standby would be too noticeable.
However, the person who was theoretically the busiest in the CCG was looking intently at the three moving green dots in front of him, with his hands propped under his chin and his eyes shining brightly.
Undoubtedly, Lancer identity was very simple before –––––– an ordinary tourist from the Celestial Empire visiting Neon.
After Lancer disappeared, the CCG also verified with the Celestial Empire, and at least the other party responded that this identity was genuine, but Lancer return later caused quite a stir.
After all, wouldn't a person who mysteriously disappeared for more than two years and suddenly returned be suspicious?
Anyone with a bit of common sense would be curious about where the other party went during the time he disappeared. So, how could the CCG not investigate? One must know that Kureo Mado's guarantee alone was useless. After all, Lancer was already a First Class Investigator at that time, and with his authority, he could already access many important CCG documents.
But later, Tsuneyoshi Washuu, the Director, directly chose to agree, and this was only due to an 'accident'.
The CCG's job is to subjugate ghouls. It would be a joke if a ghoul infiltrated the ranks, so everyone had to have their blood drawn for a medical examination every once in a while to confirm their identity.
Undoubtedly, Lancer blood sample had no problem at all, but a certain person 'sampled a little' and then developed a profound interest in Lancer.
'What secrets is this man hiding?'
Tsuneyoshi Washuu couldn't help but be very curious about him. It was clear that he hoped to figure out Lancer secret through this operation.
––––––
Lancer, who was driving the car, finally arrived at the transaction location after about an hour. Unsurprisingly, Lancer did not see the so-called 'Big Madam' at the agreed location. Instead, he saw two tall men in suits, who were undoubtedly Big Madam's subordinates.
It seemed they were the ones responsible for 'inspecting the goods'.
After Lancer opened the trunk, the two looked at Akira Mado and Juuzou Suzuya, who were tied up, exchanged glances, and then nodded.
"This..."
"Call me Lance."
Since it was a pseudonym, Lancer casually chose one, and the other party did not seem to care. After all, few people in their line of work use their real names. As long as they could address each other, nothing else mattered.
"Good, Lance. Please drive and follow us. We are going to the 'auction house'."
The other party's words made Lancer clench his fist silently. The preliminary plan was completed.