The leader of the rioting miners was a man named Kane, from Gear City. Two months ago, he gambled and fell into massive debt and was forcibly conscripted to do manual labor at the Haywood Mine to repay it.
Ethan and a few gunmen sat around the furnace, originally a resting place for the guards, storing a large amount of daily supplies.
Prying open the gunmen’s mouths wasn’t difficult; a mere 50 silver lynxes were enough to make them reveal everything they knew, especially since this wasn’t much of a secret.
"This was something a survivor from the Guard Team said. The guy got lucky, took three shots but none were fatal, and escaped by pretending to be dead among the pile of corpses."
The speaker was a young man with a goatee named Edward.
Compared to the burly mercenaries, he appeared much more refined. He claimed to be from a noble family that fell into decline and then went to Gear City Guild to work as a clerical worker, later finding clerical work too slow for making money, so he became a hunter.
However, he wasn’t a follower of Cynthia. He self-taught himself a lot about banishing dark creatures, and due to his family’s connections, he had dealings with the Reception Bureau and often managed to get some investigators’ equipment. He was usually more than capable of dealing with common undead and zombies until the Imperial Military Industry recruited in Gear City. A recruiting officer appreciated his intelligence and recruited him into the Firearms Team.
Edward had a good impression of the people from the Reception Bureau. Upon learning Ethan was an investigator from Ximu Town, he actively invited him to sit in this barrack—this barrack was, of course, won by him for his small group using his silver tongue. Although it was night now, most of the gunmen had to guard at the mine entrance to prevent the miners from breaking through.
"That guard also said that since Kane arrived at Haywood Mine, there hasn’t been a moment of peace. He often got a few crates of ice beer after a day’s work, gathered all the miners together, and complained. This group of miners was probably incited by Kane to start the riot."
Edward chuckled, "But this time, he’s in big trouble. I heard this incident alarmed the higher-ups of the Imperial Military Industry. Young master Aisoke specifically came to Gear City for this matter and ordered that Kane must be brought back alive."
The gunmen accompanying Edward also laughed gloatingly, "That young master is a tough character, knowing quite a few ways to torment people. When we return to Gear City, we might even get an eye-opener."
The conversation atmosphere was very pleasant, and Edward’s group didn’t worry at all about the mine’s situation. They were clear about their role: put in appearances without hard work, and if a rabbit came up to them, they’d fire a few shots.
They seemed to plan to pass the night just . Catcat listened, bored, yawned, closed its eyes, and lay its head against Ethan’s cheek, dozing off.
"This cat is quite pretty. Where did you find it?"
Edward couldn’t help but glance at the white cat from time to time, knowing it wasn’t a common stray. Some great nobles in the Empire were willing to spend big money on this breed of cat.
"Found it in the town. She had nowhere to go, so I brought her home."
"I once heard that this breed of cat is very popular in the Empire and might fetch a good price. If you’re short on cash, I could..."
Ethan waved his hand, "She’s my friend."
Seeing Ethan’s stance, Edward said no more, but the gunmen showed odd expressions. They neither kept pets nor heard of anyone treating a small animal as a friend.
Nevertheless, when Edward mentioned "fetch a good price," everyone perked up. They exchanged glances, seeming to communicate something with their eyes.
Ethan naturally noticed this and, to avoid any bloody incidents and build a harmonious community, bid Edward farewell, politely declining his warm invitation to stay overnight, and walked towards the barrack’s exit.
Kane’s news somewhat surprised him. At least so far, the Haywood Mine riot seemed not to involve an Evil God or Transcendent forces. The miners paid a dear price in their battles with the guards; besides those who died outside, many injured retreated into the mine.
This wasn’t a Reception Bureau case. Besides Edward, others weren’t welcoming. Especially the mage leading the team, who began with a cautious interrogation upon meeting Ethan, only reluctantly allowing him to stay after he showed his badge, warning him not to interfere with their actions.
While the Guard Team settled in, Hagrid and his group weren’t idle, clearing the corpse piles looking for familiar faces. Each time someone sighed, Hagrid knitted his brow.
They didn’t dare move the miner corpses out for burial directly, as they were all rioters. They only moved familiar faces to more secluded spots under the guise of clearing them.
Hagrid spotted Ethan from afar and approached proactively.
Once close, he impatiently inquired, "How’s the investigation on your end?"
"The one leading the riot is Kane from Gear City. The gunmen say he’s a gambler, good at speeches."
After a pause, Ethan added, "They’re not planning to attack anytime soon; they intend to trap them in the mine."
Hagrid sighed in relief; there was still time!
After much contemplation, he finally made up his mind and said to Ethan, "Brother Ethan, I have a favor to ask you."
"I need to enter the mine. If I don’t come back, find a way to bring them back to Ximu Town. Don’t let more people die."
Hagrid must get the message to the miners inside. If they could find a way to break through, a border gang would arrange a transportation team to meet them at the canyon south of Haywood Mine at dawn tomorrow.
However, this mustn’t be known by anyone else; it was a behead-worthy matter, a burden only he could bear.
Hagrid heavily patted his shoulder, wanting to say something but then fell silent.
He gave his subordinates a few instructions, then turned alone into the night.
Catcat watched Hagrid’s departing figure, slipped off Ethan’s arm to the ground, and vanished in the blink of an eye.
About a quarter-hour later, Catcat’s voice came through the energy crystal.
"The miners recognized Hagrid and didn’t trouble him. This is Catcat."
"That’s good. I’ll watch from outside. This is Old Sen."
"However, I think I’ve found something interesting to investigate further. This is Catcat."
The energy crystal couldn’t mimic speakers’ tones, but Ethan could imagine her intonation.
Distant commotion interrupted their call.
Another unit had arrived.
Leading this unit was a man in a black tailcoat, exuding a noble aura.
The mage stepped forward to speak but was pushed aside by the man, who ignored the mage’s flushed face, commanding the unit to set up at the mine entrance.
"Something not very interesting happened here. This is Old Sen."
But this time, Catcat didn’t immediately respond, nor did he, as he put the energy crystal away and moved towards the commotion.
"A bunch of useless wastrels."
Approaching, Ethan heard the nobleman’s scolding, unreservedly insulting the mage.
A dignified Transcendent of the Astrology Guild was being humiliated so publicly.
Yet the mage merely clenched his fists in silence.
"It’s the guild president Talon. Why is he here?"
Edward, also drawn to the noise, came over.
Ethan learned the identity of this decisive man.
Talon commanded his guards to place several barrels at the mine entrance. With keen eyes, Edward immediately understood these uninvited guests’ intention, his face changing. "He’s planning to use poison smoke to force the miners out! Damn it!"
Edward cursed softly, "Those miners are going to fight for their lives!"