Especially the transition from the Lower Three realms to the next which was a very important segment in the path of arcana enlightenment.
It was better to fix the problem as soon as possible so Walter decided to go into a meditative seclusion for the next ten days to fix his state of mind and erase that psychological shadow.
He thought for a second and finally pressed an ether signature, that has been recorded on the scroll prior, with the Stellar Quill. With a mental command he chose the voice call function for the communication type among the two options that appeared in his mind.
"Good evening, chief! I wonder what's so urgent? Could it be that you need some consoling for your wounded mind? If that's the case I am indeed happy to be your listening buddy! Hahaha!"
A male voice appeared in his mind. His words were filled with a strong sense of mockery.
The voice call was to enable communication telepathically so despite the misleading name of this function Walter was unsurprised when the voice suddenly appeared as it wasn't his first time using it.
"I am going into a meditative seclusion for about ten days. During this period, the police headquarters main responsibilities would be on your shoulders as you're the second highest in arcana attainment among the four of us. I will forward you a text message detailing a case you need to assist."
He replied telepathically while moving the Stellar Quill to drag the text message sent by Robert to the ether signature that was now enveloped in light. It consumed from one's ether reserve to use this magical item but the consumption wasn't large enough to warrant caution during usage.
A few seconds later, the male voice came again but this time it was tinged with a hint of panic, "No, chief! Are you telling me to get on the bad side of the Mayor on your behalf!? Sorry, but I refuse to become your scapegoat. Please find that other guy instead."
Walter's face became serious as he rebuked him harshly, "Nonsense! As the only Three Symbols Valiant Mage police officer of this town how could you shrink your responsibility like this? Since your superior is unwell and needs urgent remedy to cope with the injury it's your solemn duty to step forward and temporarily bear the heavy responsibilities for him."
"Adam, don't say that I am forcing you. This is a special period and given the large number of criminals gathered today I need to remain in top shape to respond to any situation confidently in the future. You don't really want to force me to write a letter of complaint to the prefecture for serious matters such as disobedience or even insubordination, do you!?"
"..."
"What kind of unprovoked disaster is this! Fine, fine. I will go. I will go right now and babysit your dear lackey, happy now!?"
Adam simply stopped pretending to be polite and spoke coldly but Walter didn't care. Their relation was never good to begin with so hearing him tear up the facade after he threatened so openly didn't faze him a single bit.
"Alas! It's not that I am trying to make things difficult for you. It's true that I am seriously injured and need to rest for a period to recover. I hope you don't act recklessly because of this issue and take it out on those younglings."
"Hmph! No matter. I still have my professional values compared to a guy like you who takes bribes from those gray industries."
"That matter—Oh? He disconnected."
Walter gave a helpless smile. Actually, given his background he didn't need the so-called appreciation fees that his subordinates give him every month. The reason he took it was actually to put their mind at ease.
After all, if he as the head of the police department in this town refused to take it then his subordinates whose salaries were meager to begin with would be caught between a rock and a hard place by constantly having to analyze his next move on anti-corruption and while being tormented mentally about whether should they take the fee or not next month.
This could seriously affect the work efficiency and harmony between colleagues so in order to save himself from such hassle he simply took it to put them at ease. As long as it wasn't from someone that had openly violated the kingdom's law he tacitly allowed acceptance of their existence in this town.
Of course, by doing so he ended up being criticized by the other three but without being in his position they couldn't understand such implications so he simply let them have their fill.
As for explaining it to them, there was no need as his tenure was short to begin with and it was nearing its end. As long as he broke through to the next major realm he will be eligible to be promoted to a position in the county town.
At that time it will be a new place and new faces. His dilemma from being the Constable Chief would naturally be for them to experience soon. Let them understand it by going through his hesitations personally.
No amount of words were as convincing as having to experience someone's hardships by being in their shoes!
Walter put away the communication tools and headed to an adjacent room.
Though he wanted to seclude himself, protocols still had to be followed. Since Adam was about to exit the headquarters he naturally had to stay behind otherwise this place would only be left with one Valiant Mage.
While he went into a long seclusion Adam left the headquarters by transforming into a magical light streaking through the sky.
He was planning to contact his true superiors tonight to relay the important information of that person's imminent arrival tomorrow but who would have thought he would be suddenly given a bodyguard's role and additional burden of responsibilities out of nowhere.
Given the time sensitivity he could only speed up the process of investigating this case to temporarily conclude the matter and quickly slip away to send the message first.
As the only Liaison Agent of Throne's Shadow in this remote town it could be said that the vast amount of information he had to filter out from the collection done by the other agents before compiling them appropriately and discreetly sending it to his superior every week was truly of immense hardship.
He also had his own work as a Constable!
Truly, double identity equals double the work and double the suffering. Now, more work has been pushed to him while that corrupt guy gets to relax.
Just thinking about it makes his blood pressure soar.
Agent Adam landed before the four shortly after. He looked at Robert first as he ordered in a commanding tone, "Your duty has been transferred to me. You may withdraw from the scene and return to the headquarters to await further instructions."
Patrol Officer Robert gave a courtesy bow before obediently handing over his role to this young Constable who's only in his late twenties.
Among the four Valiant Mages he was the second youngest so it naturally indicates his good qualifications and also his rich background that could provide enough resources to be able to reach such an arcana realm so quickly.
"So you found the clue that leads to the Mayor's half-brother?"
Adam looked at Russell with narrowed eyes as he asked. It was hard to tell his mood from the tone of his words.
Nonetheless, Russell answered humbly, "Of course not, sir! This was found by the combined effort of the three of us."
He emphasized the word "three of us" to remind him that he wasn't trying to snatch any credits for it. Two geniuses were still here so please refrain from making any small moves otherwise it would look very ugly in front of outsiders.
Agent Adam snorted coldly without playing more word games with him. He beckoned them to follow him as he strode ahead towards the location of that escort agency, his pace fast.
At Pegasus Wings Escort Agency.
Jason Brown read the secret intelligence report his informants just sent him. His pupils were dilated from shock and deep fear could be seen in it.
After Luka was killed though he asked that person for a favor he was still worried that something would go wrong and they might correctly identify him as an arcane mage.
That's why he had placed some of his people around his residence just in case the police came for an inquiry. Turns out what you fear often comes true!
Those damned government dogs actually managed to trace it back to him! They were already on their way to his place with a Constable confirmed to be leading them.
Jason knew that he would be finished as long as they thoroughly checked his agency's base. He had been way too deeply involved with those people for years and their recent cooperation made this involvement further deepen.
There was not enough time to move things out and there were also crucial places that simply couldn't be moved. Jason's mind raced as he tried to think for a solution,
"No! I can't just wait for death like this! Escape! I will escape first. As for their retaliation, let's survive tonight and then think about it. But to escape successfully someone needs to stall them for as long as possible."
A sinister glint flashed in his eyes as he decided on the pawn that must be sacrificed, "My good brother! Time has come for you to sacrifice for the family."
"Don't worry! As long as I survive then our House Brown's bloodline won't be cut off. It's a pity that many plans have to be abandoned after losing such a valuable piece! Sigh! This grudge, I have written this down."
He now fiercely hated the officers in charge of this investigation. How did they even bypass the false clues left behind by that person's tampering? Damn it! Now everything he had been working for has been jeopardized.
From now on he could no longer come out openly in public and only survive like gutter rats just as those dark mages live out their existences in this kingdom.
Without wasting any time, Jason contacted his brother, Mayor Jeremiah Brown. He dared not choose the voice call function as his brother's arcana realm was far higher than his.
Connecting with such a person for telepathy might lead to exposure of his true intentions. Jason didn't want to take any gamble at this critical juncture.
As the head of local civil administration his brother not only needed strong political acumen and capability but also adequate arcana realm to command respect from his subordinates. So he was among the few Four Symbols Valiant Mages stationed in this small town.
"[Brother, one of my subordinates has accidentally offended a Constable earlier. I am afraid they are now coming to force me to hand him over.]"
At the Mayor's Office inside the Town Hall.
Jeremiah was busy signing some documents. The commotion earlier had caused more work to pile up on his already busy schedule.
He needed to confirm the damage, review the submitted plan for reconstruction, check the list of the casualties, determine the compensation amount for their family members, and also clear up his schedule for tomorrow to visit the injured civilian mages recuperating in the hospitals to show his concern.
His Starlight Scroll casually placed on the side of the desk suddenly unfurled on its own. He glanced at it with a frown. Who could possibly be contacting him at this hour?
Seeing his brother's ether signature light up, Jeremiah's expression became serious. Reading the text he had sent he couldn't help but feel strange about it.
"[What could had possibly happened for a Valiant Mage to personally make a visit?]"
"[Brother, the situation is not that simple. Here's what happened—]"
Reading the rest of the message Jeremiah was stunned! No, a dignified arcane mage with such a high realm had fallen this low!
Though he felt a bit absurd, due to his years of understanding about his brother's character who fiercely hated injustice since childhood he didn't think that Jason was lying to him about such a "scandalous" matter.
It seems he had to intervene.