"I still remember the scene when the war broke out back then, without any warning, it erupted so abruptly... But later, upon reviewing everything, Crow’s Nest discovered that there were actually many hidden signs at that time, we just didn’t notice them.
Now, ’they’ have appeared in Opus again, provoking us and attracting most of the attention from the Field Operations Department.
Everyone is very tense, thinking the next round of war is imminent, but secretly with the active war situation, the so-called ’Man-eater’ has also emerged, and they’ve been making such potion..."
Ivan voiced the worst conjecture.
"The ’Man-eater’ is related to ’them’?" Yas’s face darkened as well.
"Hmm, at least that’s what Lebius deduces; he suspects there’s a connection between the two."
Geoffrey spoke and then asked.
"Yas, does your Sixth Group have any extra manpower?"
"No, they’ve all been dispatched," Yas said.
"If it weren’t for Bologue’s revenge, perhaps we wouldn’t have noticed these guys till now."
Geoffrey realized this in horror; under ’their’ pressure, the Field Operations Department had no leisure to deal with the ’Man-eater.’ This time, because of Bologue’s revenge, the Order Bureau engaged with the ’Man-eater’ and, through contact, unearthed so many things.
"Things are more complicated than we see... I’ll report to Crow’s Nest afterward," Ivan calmly stated.
"Same goes for the Field Operations Department; I’ll notify the other groups," Yas nodded in agreement.
"I’ll handle Lebius, though; he doesn’t seem to be in a good mood."
Geoffrey said as he piled the papers filled with writing in front of Ivan.
"Information specialist, take another close look, see if there are any clues to follow."
Ivan browsed through the papers and said, "What is this ’Gini Theater’ he mentioned?"
"Norm’s connections with ’Man-eater’ are few; the only time they contacted was during the cargo exchange, and the other party was masked, with the transaction entirely taking place at Wandering Crossroad. A mention he heard during one of those trades."
Geoffrey had an impression of ’Gini Theater’ too.
"I’ve been to this theater many times; I really liked their recent performance of ’Wandering Rat.’
At this thought, Geoffrey suddenly recalled he had given Bologue a ticket to ’Wandering Rat,’ and he seemed to remember the performance was today.
For some reason, a chill crept up his body, uncertain whether it was coincidence or fate.
"At Geoffrey’s behest, I went and checked today, didn’t find anything unusual," Yas said.
Ivan didn’t speak; he just stared at those papers. After a pause, he grabbed them all.
"Let’s leave this guy here for now; if locked in Black Prison, it wouldn’t be easy to get him out," Ivan glanced at Norm and continued, "I need to return to Crow’s Nest once; if I have new information, I’ll come find you."
Geoffrey nodded, and Yas left alongside Ivan, bidding farewell to Geoffrey as they departed, "I’ll have my team members keep an eye out."
Finally, only Geoffrey was left, along with Norm behind the one-way glass.
Geoffrey let out a long sigh, feeling as if he were exhaling his soul with it.
His gaze fell on Norm, then on his own appointment documents, and the dark red potion... At this moment, he felt a strange sensation, the enemies returning full force, the purpose-unknown ’Man-eater’...
Recalling again Lebius’s terrible expression and a certain ’Undying Body’ wandering the streets.
Geoffrey’s breathing was a bit repressed, as if placed on the eve of a forthcoming storm.