Contrary to Zeig's expectations,
Pela shook her head at him:
"I don't think this was Sampo's doing."
Zeig: "?"
Pela explained:
"During this period, our people have been keeping very close tabs on him. There's one particularly reliable Silvermane Guard who can always track Sampo's location. And according to intelligence, that guy's been behaving like an exemplary citizen."
Seeing Zeig look at her in disbelief, Pela added:
"Okay, maybe not that exemplary—but it's only minor stuff. When we catch him, it's just a few days of detention or a fine."
A certain someone blinked:
"So you ruled out Sampo from the very beginning?"
Pela nodded:
"Yes."
A certain someone wasn't convinced and kept egging her on:
"This has to be his smokescreen—using small-time antics to cover up his grand scheme! I think…"
"Alright, I know you love screwing him over, but now's not the time to play around."
"…"
"Of course, calling you here definitely isn't to make you start from scratch."
"According to the Silvermane Guards recently stationed in the Underworld, they've often spotted suspicious figures meeting in the corners of the Great Mining Area late at night."
A certain someone immediately shouted: "Grab them directly!"
Pela: "…"
"No. The Silvermane Guards have only recently been stationed in the Underworld, and we lack the most direct evidence."
A certain someone shouted again:
"Then send the Underworld's top dog Seele! Whoever they are, just interrogate them first!"
Pela shook her head:
"After so much difficulty, the Upper and Lower Districts are finally starting to communicate. We all want to handle things more gently."
"Executor, you used to thrive in the Underworld—you'll probably find it much easier to gather intelligence."
A certain someone pursed his lips.
"So you're looking for a middleman between the Upper and Lower Districts? I think Oleg or Natasha would work just fine."
"They're already providing support," Pela said firmly.
"Then catching Sampo still works! Whether he did it or not—even if he's not the culprit, he's definitely an information broker!"
"No matter what, you just don't want to go, right?"
"You saw right through me!"
"…"
Pela sighed softly and said:
"After it's done, you'll get paid—plus a share of the museum's revenue. How about that?"
"…"
"You like being a shareholder, don't you? From now on, you'll be a shareholder of the museum."
"…"
"If you don't help, then I'll have to consider Natasha, Oleg… or even Sampo."
"…"
…
Underworld.
Zeig danced excitedly as he arrived with Pela at the Great Mining Area gathering spot.
Pela walked while glancing around:
"We got in touch with a Wildfire scout. I heard she has firsthand intelligence."
Sharp-eyed Pela quickly spotted the person they were looking for.
She led Zeig over.
"Hey, over here, over here." Pela called softly.
"!!!"
The woman named Sveta immediately turned her head. Seeing it was Pela, she finally relaxed.
"It's you guys—scared me half to death! I thought my cover was blown… Keep it down—this place could be crawling with eyes!"
A certain someone said in shock:
"Holy crap? Crawling with eyes? Is the Underworld about to rebel?!"
Pela's expression also grew grave:
"Has the situation gotten this serious? Just how many people are involved in stealing the artifacts…"
Seeing both of them show surprise, Sveta also grew melancholic:
"Be careful, everyone. Any juicy gossip that can make money spreads like wildfire in the Underworld!"
A certain someone asked curiously:
"My dear Supreme Guardian and acting Supreme Guardian—haven't they provided the Underworld folks with any ways to make money?"
Sveta shook her head:
"Although the Upper and Lower Districts have been open for a while now, not everyone can seize good opportunities right away. Most people are still stuck in the Underworld, scraping by to support their families."
Sveta continued to the two:
"And from what I know, there's a ton of profit to be squeezed out of trading these artifacts! If I weren't working for Wildfire, I might've been tempted myself."
"Maybe you already are," Zeig said.
"What about you—aren't you tempted?"
"Of course I am. I even tried stealing in Qlipoth Fort once—but I got caught red-handed by the Supreme Guardian."
"…"
Sveta couldn't help glancing at Pela suspiciously:
"Little miss, are you sure you want him to help? Sure, he once treated the wounded in the Underworld, but isn't it possible… he's an infiltrator sent by the other side?"
"Damn, you guys figured it out!"
A certain someone recoiled in mock horror, his gaze darting wildly between Sveta and Pela. With a ferocious look, he said:
"In that case, none of you are leaving alive!!"
"Get lost." Pela forcibly cut off Zeig's outburst, then said to Sveta:
"Let's get to business. Any leads?"
Sveta nodded:
"As for leads, Wildfire still hasn't figured out who the leader of the theft ring is, but I've heard some rumors."
"Rumors?"
"Yes, lots of them. One of them is that they're… extremely brazen!"
A certain someone raised an eyebrow:
"How brazen?"
Sveta said frankly:
"Have you ever seen recruitment posters plastered everywhere? They're openly recruiting accomplices for the thefts—completely disregarding everyone."
"Badass!" A certain someone gave a thumbs-up.
"If you can find their posters, you might get some clues."
"The second rumor is that they're so brazen they even dare to conduct street trades with several large crates—treating the surrounding miners like they're in on it."
"The third rumor is that even the kids in the mining area are somehow connected to this."
After hearing the three rumors, a certain someone found it all a bit unbelievable.
He looked at Pela in shock:
"When did the Underworld turn into a goldmine? The other side is this brazen—even involving kids! Could it be… Natasha and Oleg are actually the masterminds?"
Pela said speechlessly:
"The kids thing—they said they only heard about it, and it's just some connection, not that they joined. Besides, these are just leads. We still need to investigate to know the truth."
She glanced around and said to a certain someone:
"I'll keep digging here. You go check out the three leads Sveta mentioned!"
"Damn it, why aren't you going? I want to stay and dig too!"
"You're a shareholder—if you're not putting up money, then put in the work. Let me tell you, that museum is backed by the Supreme Guardian. It's an iron rice bowl!"
"Then thanks a lot."
"Ha, you're welcome."
…