"You arrived quite quickly," Ronald greeted the two investigators with a complicated expression on their faces.
Despite Ronald’s demeanor, the investigators didn’t lower their guns, but their facial expressions did lighten considerably.
"Mr. Ronald, you should be aware that Spring City hasn’t been very peaceful lately."
"To deal with the various incidents, our work hasn’t been easy," Ronald acknowledged with a nod.
Indeed, they were on the outskirts of Spring City, a location not immediately responsive by the investigative bureau. To have arrived here soon after his battle with Lumière had ended was definitely an indication of their efficient capabilities.
At that moment, Heloise joined the conversation:
"Gentlemen, did you encounter Heidi on your way here?"
One investigator replied without hesitation:
"The lady seemed distressed, so we took her under our protection. Also—Mr. Ronald, I presume you wouldn’t mind explaining the current situation?"
As the words left his mouth, the expressions of both investigators grew tense again.
Their hands tightened on their pistols.
Ronald’s response was crucial to them.
If Ronald were to say ’no’, under the duty of an investigator, both would likely perish tonight.
Within the investigator system of Spring City, Ronald was an elite combative holder of original manuscripts, ranked at the top tier.
Based on the bureau specialists’ assessment, it would take at least three department heads and the director-general, or several ace investigators to bring this man down—a level beyond ordinary or elite investigators’ capabilities.
Ronald, realizing the investigators’ tension with the aid of "Fury", could even sense their determination despite clearly understanding they were no match for him.
Out of duty and obligation, they were prepared for whatever might come.
Thus, Ronald began seriously:
"So far, my stance and behavior in Spring City have been quite clear, gentlemen, there’s no need for such worry. Concerning today’s actions, the enemy I wanted to eliminate is actually documented in Spring City as well..."
The matter with Lumière didn’t require much concealment.
After Ronald neatly explained this to the investigators, they finally relaxed.
The previously encountered Heidi, the non-lethal subduing of civilians in the mansion, the surroundings conforming to the descriptions of a battle scene, along with Ronald’s undeniable power...
All these factors combined were enough to grant them some temporary trust.
With that, the investigators finally holstered their guns and offered Ronald a formal salute:
"Thank you for your explanation, Mr. Ronald."
Ronald nodded with a smile:
After some brief pleasantries, the investigators shifted back into work mode.
One approached a pile of wooden fragments Ronald had just sorted out, inspecting them.
"These pieces of wood..."
"The fresher fragments show signs of bullet damage; the older pieces are mostly broken or smashed; the relatively intact pieces generally included complete wooden puppet limbs."
"Mr. Ronald, did you just sort these out?"
"Yes," Ronald nodded, then gestured around at other fragments, "I merely picked the most representative pieces from these fragments here. After Lumière acquired a new spell, it seems he’s been continuously experimenting and modifying the puppets, and these pieces conclusively prove it."
The investigators looked thoughtful.
"I see... So how many of these puppet guards were there when you fought on the ground, and what was their attack strength?"
At that moment, Ronald turned his gaze toward Heloise, who stepped forward immediately:
"During the battle, we captured two puppets, and I sealed them before Lumière could lift his spell. If you want to understand the destructive power of these puppets, you can take one back to examine."
The investigators scanned the vicinity but saw no trace of the pupets:
"A fully sealed puppet? Where are they?"
Heloise moved towards the ground floor, explaining to the investigators:
"They’re adult-sized, so not exactly convenient to move around. I tied them up with ropes upstairs earlier."
The group left the basement and, led by Heloise, reached the bedroom corridor on the first floor where the captured puppets lay bound, their normal magical fluctuations indicating they were in good condition.
"Be careful with your research,"
"This spell has been canceled by the Caster, and if you remove the seal without proper handling, they’d just revert to useless wood."
"Thank you for the explanation." The investigators nodded in understanding, then immediately picked up a puppet, "Gentlemen, shall we leave the manor to our bureau to handle?"
"We’ll inform you both as soon as we have results from the follow-up investigation,"
Ronald, without objection, replied:
"No problem, this matter is now in your hands."
"Philis and I need to work tomorrow, so we’ll take our leave now."
Seeing Ronald so cooperative, the investigators naturally smiled:
"Thank you for your understanding."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Ronald and Heloise said goodbye to the investigators and left the manor.
That was only proper.
Ordinary people brought over by Lumière’s spells were best handled by the bureau’s staff. For the two of them to take over such matters could be overwhelmingly burdensome.
Under the cover of night, Ronald, securing the rope around another puppet, walked some distance from the manor. Once they were alone, he turned to Heloise:
"Heloise, the stuff you dug up earlier is still with you, right?"
Hearing Ronald’s question, a smug look flashed across Heloise’s steel blue eyes. She took out the manual she had retrieved from the workbench and waved it at Ronald:
"I think this could be quite useful for us."