The recent major theft case in the Bay Area, involving an Evil God Organization and a terrifying Evil Spirit, had already spread throughout all of Ogrande City.
Ansel had naturally heard of it.
He even knew that this was the work of that damned Evil Spirit, who wanted to carve its own mark on Ogrande City.
However, that was a case in the Bay Area, so it naturally didn't fall under the jurisdiction of their Fog Zone police department.
But at this very moment...
The batch of important documents in his hands allowed him to see many things from a different perspective.
Inside was a large amount of detailed transaction information, photos, file stubs, and more.
The money-laundering accounts, the funds, and the time and bank location of every transaction—each one was a lead that could be easily verified.
And all this crucial evidence detailed the contraband smuggled between the Mafia controlled by Viscount Brin and the Evil God Esoteric Sect.
This was definitely enough information to put Viscount Brin in prison for life.
The Evil Spirit that conducted the blood sacrifice was certainly terrifying.
But the ones who died were all members of the Mafia. Their deaths were nothing to mourn!
This Viscount Brin, who was crying foul like a thief Crying "thief!", was the Evil God's accomplice—the true "Demon."
After examining the documents in his hands for a long time, Ansel gritted his teeth and said fiercely,
"That damn animal. He won't be eating prison food—he'll be eating a bullet! A whole meal's worth!"
... ...
After watching the tomboyish paperboy hand the documents to Ansel, Zorn boarded a carriage heading for Adolf Monastery.
Zorn closed his eyes to rest amidst the rhythmic clatter of horse hooves and carriage wheels.
Viscount Brin was not someone Zorn could deal with directly at his current level.
But Zorn could use the power of the authorities to strike a heavy blow against him.
It would drag the Church and Ogrande City's official powers into the mix. Even if the influence was only indirect, it would still help Zorn expand his Sacred Mark.
By giving the documents to Ansel, Zorn had already achieved his goal.
Since Viscount Brin had transported forbidden goods from the depths of the ocean to Ogrande City and traded them with the Evil God Esoteric Sect, it was obvious that a portion of these resources must have fallen into the hands of the Evil Spirits within the Sect.
Zorn had now cut off this supply line.
To some extent, this could be seen as curbing the transactions of the Evil God Esoteric Sect, while also, to a degree, hindering the development of other rival Evil Spirit Bosses.
If Zorn's guess was correct, the branch of the Evil God Esoteric Sect trading with Viscount Brin must include the fanatical organization known as the Forbidden Bloodline.
And the outbreak of this Rat Plague was not only being secretly fueled by those lunatics from the Forbidden Bloodline.
At the same time, another rival Boss, who also possessed the remains of an Evil God, was meddling with the power of the Forbidden Bloodline from within.
Otherwise, a Sacred Mark from an "Evil God's Revelation" involving only a few people would never have produced such an astonishing effect.
It was for this very reason that the sphere of influence of the Rat Plague was so immense.
And this time, by cutting off a major supply of resources, he should be able to slow down and weaken the destructive extent of the Rat Plague to some degree.
Zorn wasn't certain what final form that rival Boss within the Forbidden Bloodline would take.
Would it be a "Golden Rat King" that emerged victorious from battles among the numerous Rat Kings to devour the Evil God's remains, becoming a terrifying Golden Crown Catastrophe Rat King?
Or would it be that other unlucky fool, also toyed with by fate, who touched the forbidden Bloodline Power, mutated into a Lower Rank Alien Species, and absorbed the Golden Rat King to become a fearsome Bloodline·Lower Rank·Rat King Knight?
No matter which form appeared, one thing was certain: the Rat Plague had already arrived and was about to escalate dramatically.
The authorities had already taken notice.
And Zorn needed to prepare as well.
In this impending cataclysm that was about to sweep across all of Ogrande City, he planned to make a killing and walk away with a fortune!
Other Evil Spirits were enjoying rapid development thanks to massive funding from the Evil God Esoteric Sect.
'Zorn naturally can't afford to fall behind.'
... ...
「At four in the afternoon.」
As the evening prayer bells of the Holy Fierce Sun Sect rang out in the distance, the carriage driver, turning onto Geluo Long Street, bathed in the sunlight and bell chimes. He crossed his hands over his chest and offered a brief prayer to the great Holy Fierce Sun.
He praised the Lord's greatness for allowing them to return safely from the depths of the gray fog.
Originally, he hadn't wanted to make the trip, but the respected and generous customer had simply paid too much.
Fortunately, they had returned safely.
Inside the carriage, Zorn, carrying the Monster Treasure Chest, was very satisfied with his haul from the trip to the Witch's Monastery.
He had spent roughly 160 gold pounds on this trip.
The resources he purchased were more than sufficient.
Many of the miscellaneous resources needed for rituals couldn't be bought elsewhere.
But Bishop Teresa, who was in this line of business and was also known in some circles as the "Spirit Witch Lady," had an abundance of resources on hand.
Tonight, he would be able to set traps to lure the plague rats.
Furthermore, he had learned from Bishop Teresa that the first batch of Purple Blood Fluorescent Grass would be arriving soon.
Just as he stepped out of the carriage, Zorn saw Vanessa waiting for him by the door.
"Young Master Zorn!"
With a smile in her eyes, Vanessa, wearing a maid's short skirt and flat-heeled women's leather shoes, came forward with light steps, intending to help Zorn with his case.
But even using all her strength, her fair face flushing slightly, she couldn't lift the brown Monster Treasure Chest Zorn had placed on the floor.
"I'll get it myself," Zorn said with a smile.
This brown Monster Treasure Chest had a large interior space and was filled with quite a few things.
"Okay!" Vanessa nodded obediently and followed behind Zorn.
"Young Master Zorn, Grandpa Glangk is back. Also, a very tall gentleman has come to visit you. He arrived not long ago and is in the living room."
"Oh?"
Zorn raised an eyebrow slightly, having a good idea of who it might be.
Upon reaching the main hall, Zorn saw his guest in the living area through the decorative green plants.
He wore a white shirt under a well-fitted black formal suit, topped with a black top hat.
A silver pocket watch hung on his chest, indicating he was a man who valued punctuality.
Just as Vanessa had said, he was very tall. The old butler, Glangk, was not short by any means, but this man was still half a head taller than him.
His pupils were a faint golden-yellow, his nose was high-bridged, and his cheekbones were prominent. His eyes held a steady gaze.
When Zorn entered the living area, the man's face broke into a composed smile. He rose and greeted Zorn.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Zorn!"
"I didn't expect you to be so young. You're still in school, aren't you?"
A faint smile touched the corners of Zorn's mouth.
He had long guessed that this Alchemist, Mr. Vladimir Kojin, would have spent the last few days inquiring about him.
Since the man intended to cooperate, it was perfectly understandable for him to gather information on Zorn.
And his choice to open with the topic of age naturally betrayed some of his concerns.
Youth implied ignorance, naivety, a lack of sufficient experience and patience, and a tendency to make mistakes.
"To a Level Two Alchemist, your concerns are understandable. However, contrary to them, I believe my youth is what grants me infinite possibilities."
Zorn's words made the Alchemist Vladimir's expression change in a flash.
His Extraordinary Sequence was Alchemist; that was a little-known secret.
He had carefully appraised this young nobleman the moment he entered.
His judgment as an Alchemist told him that this young noble was, in all likelihood, an ordinary person.
But the other party had directly exposed his true identity.
Furthermore, the Alchemist Vladimir noticed a detail.
The old butler standing by his side showed no expression of surprise.
'He's a Transcendent, too.'
'And a powerful one, skilled at concealing himself.'
Instantly, the Alchemist Vladimir became cautious and wary.