Zayne was detained by Howard at the Investigation Bureau and locked inside a specially constructed holding cell.
The detention cells of the Investigation Bureau were jointly designed by master materials engineers and master architects. Trying to force one open was nothing but a fool's fantasy.
Unless something unexpected happened, Zayne would spend the twenty seven hours before the college entrance trial right here.
Even Blake's repeated objections, and even the influence of the Ward Group, had proven useless.
Too many people had died this time, including Dano, the underground king of Old Shipyard Port.
Without anyone realizing it, a terrifying force capable of directly annihilating Dano had emerged within Old Shipyard Port, yet the Investigation Bureau had been completely unaware of it. When Howard reported this information upward, every single member of the bureau was left stunned.
A tiger sleeps beside the bed. How could anyone tolerate such a thing.
Old Shipyard Port was their territory, yet such a force had appeared right under their noses without their knowledge. It was horrifying to even think about.
To put it bluntly, if they did not uncover this mysterious force, one day the Investigation Bureau itself might be wiped out just like Dano, without even knowing how it happened.
The matter immediately drew the highest level of attention from the Old Shipyard Port Investigation Bureau. Higher authorities directly granted Howard top level investigative authority, placing him fully in charge, and even assigned two powerful Transcendents as personal bodyguards.
Watching Howard leave with his people, Zayne instead let out a quiet sigh of relief. He leaned back against the chair, the corners of his mouth slowly lifting into a smile.
Dano was dead, but Dano's influence extended far beyond the underground black market. The underground king's power had spread throughout all of Old Shipyard Port.
Those people were nothing like Howard. They did not care about evidence or procedures. They would rather kill the wrong person than let one slip away.
What Zayne needed to do now was find a safe place and wait until the college entrance trial began. And in Old Shipyard Port, what place could possibly be safer than the Investigation Bureau?
In this world, Transcendents, especially those with outstanding talent, possessed immense privileges. Once someone entered the college entrance trial and attracted the attention of top universities, even if Howard found irrefutable proof that Zayne had killed Dano, it would be meaningless.
Zayne had absolute confidence in his own strength and talent.
He had handled Dano's case cleanly. He had no fear of Howard continuing the investigation. In just twenty seven hours, Howard could not possibly find any solid evidence.
Reassured, Zayne lay down on the small metal bed and closed his eyes, conserving his energy for the upcoming trial.
On the other side, just as dawn was breaking, Howard led his people to the Zora family residence in Old Shipyard Port.
The Zora family's small estate stood apart from the world, like an ancient courtyard isolated from mortal dust.
The low courtyard walls glowed with a soft golden light under the rising sun. Every brick and stone seemed to whisper secrets accumulated over countless years in Old Shipyard Port.
"Astrachior. Howard, Level Seven Investigator of the Old Shipyard Port Investigation Bureau, requests an audience."
Howard knocked respectfully on the door. Even as an investigator, he dared not act presumptuously here, because the owner of this courtyard was Astrachior.
"It is Howard. Please, come in."
The courtyard gate opened on its own with a creak, as if moved by an unseen hand.
Inside the Zora family courtyard, ancient trees towered overhead. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of tea. Each breath felt refreshing, as though time itself had slowed, distancing the world's chaos.
Astrachior was already seated in the courtyard, calmly preparing tea, as if he had known Howard would come.
"Please, sit," Astrachior said, lifting a teacup and offering it to Howard.
Howard accepted the cup and took a small sip. The tea's aroma washed through him, as though cleansing his mind. Setting the cup down, he spoke solemnly.
"Astrachior, I came today because there is something important we need to discuss."
Astrachior smiled faintly. "You came for me in name, but for Nia in truth. This is about Dano, isn't it?"
Howard laughed awkwardly. "As expected of you. Nothing escapes your notice."
Back at the farm incident, Howard had already sensed that Nia knew something, but she had refused to speak, and he had chosen to let it go.
After all, Zion had not been a good person. His death had not troubled Howard much.
But this time was different. The matter was far too serious. Howard could not afford to ignore this lead. He carefully explained Dano's death and the emergence of the mysterious force in Old Shipyard Port.
After listening, Astrachior gently set down his teacup and said calmly, "I have already heard of this matter. I can allow my daughter to cooperate with your investigation. However, I will need to trouble you with one request. Is that acceptable?"
Howard quickly replied, "Astrachior, you honor me. If there is anything I can help with, I will do my utmost."
Astrachior nodded slightly and spoke softly. "Old Shipyard Port is about to undergo a great upheaval. I hope you can ensure my daughter's safety. Have your bureau escort her into the college entrance trial, and publicly announce that Nia has already become a Level Nine Investigator under your bureau, and will officially join after graduation."
Howard froze for a moment, then immediately understood. Astrachior was borrowing the authority of the Investigation Bureau to protect Nia.
No matter how powerful a Transcendent might be, unless they were utterly insane, they would never dare to kill an investigator. Doing so would invite a manhunt from the entire Alliance.
After a moment's thought, Howard nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Astrachior. As long as I am here, no one will lay a finger on Miss Zora."
Though his expression remained calm, his heart was in turmoil.
Astrachior asking him to personally protect Nia into the college entrance trial carried implications that were deeply unsettling.
If Astrachior himself were present, no one would dare touch Nia. What kind of upheaval could possibly force Astrachior to rely on the Investigation Bureau's protection?
Seeing Howard agree, Astrachior nodded in satisfaction and ordered someone to bring Nia out.
"What is it? It's so early. The sun just came up," Nia complained as she stepped out in a bear themed pajama set, clearly unhappy about being woken so early.
"Didn't you say you wanted to find that Shadowcaster? There's news about him now," Astrachior said with a smile.
"Huh? Really?" Nia's sleepy eyes lit up instantly.
"This is Howard. Go change your clothes and follow him. He'll explain everything to you," Astrachior said calmly.
"Okay." Nia's expression stiffened slightly when she saw Howard. She naturally remembered him.
Watching Nia and Howard leave the courtyard, Astrachior finally let out a long, quiet sigh. He reached into his robes and took out a key.
He gently rubbed the ancient key, its surface worn by time, as though it carried endless memories.
It was a seemingly ordinary bronze key, mottled with rust, yet it contained a mysterious power, one that could reveal the origins of all things.
"Cough, cough."
Astrachior suddenly began coughing violently. Dark red blood splattered across the key, shocking in its contrast, yet Astrachior's expression remained calm.
"Zayne… Zayne. I truly did not expect you to deal with Dano alone. When will you finally come to ask me for help?"
"My time… is running out."