When Lancer returned to the branch office, he casually grabbed someone nearby and asked where Mado Kureo was.
As he pushed open the door, a strange medicinal smell rushed toward him. Lancer couldn't help but wrinkle his nose.
"Who's there?"
Mado Kureo, hunched over his workbench, snapped his head up suddenly.
Blood still smeared across his face, his expression twisted grotesquely like a demon's—it was enough to send chills down anyone's spine. But having come here many times before, Lancer didn't care. Instead, his gaze landed directly on the Kakuhou lying atop the table.
"Lancer? You're looking for me? Did something happen? Or perhaps...you're interested in this?"
Though his expression remained unchanged, Mado's voice had clearly softened. He evidently favored this particular subordinate of his—though perhaps it was simply because Lancer's record hunting Ghouls had satisfied him.
"This Kagune obviously isn't suitable for a spear-type Quinque."
"Tsk, tsk~ Suit yourself."
Actually, Kagune suitable for crafting spears were quite common—simply needing to be long and slender enough. But this particular Kagune had jagged edges, clearly better suited to blades rather than spears.
"First-Class Investigator Mado."
Finished with the small talk, Lancer straightened, and this unusually formal address caused Mado to stop what he was doing and stare at Lancer solemnly.
Usually, Lancer addressed him as "Mado-san" or simply "Investigator Mado." For him to use his full title now meant whatever came next was likely serious trouble—like last time when Lancer requested to join an assault team on a Ghoul lair. What did he plan this time?
"First-Class Investigator Mado, while hunting Ghouls recently, I've noticed something strange."
"Oh? Something strange? Let's hear it."
"As far as I know, every ward in Tokyo has various Ghoul organizations resisting the CCG. Yet our 20th Ward, aside from the recent arrival of Jason, doesn't seem to have any well-known Ghoul organizations. What do you make of this?"
Instead of answering immediately, Mado straightened his posture, eyes staring intently at Lancer, their complicated depths leaving him unsure how to respond.
Surprise, gratification, hesitation.
Surprise at Lancer even raising the question; gratification at Lancer noticing the hidden currents flowing beneath the surface of the 20th Ward; hesitation, because as a veteran of the CCG, he was reluctant to involve Lancer in unnecessary danger.
But Mado didn't know that Lancer not only realized these hidden currents—he understood far more than Mado could even imagine.
He knew the peaceful surface of the 20th Ward was maintained precisely because "Anteiku," led by the SSS-rated Ghoul known as the Non-Killing Owl, had been carefully managing the underground peace. He also knew the true identity of the "One-Eyed Owl."
Yet Lancer wasn't sharing this information to report Anteiku. Instead, he intended to misdirect the CCG.
"About what you've mentioned—I haven't been in the 20th Ward long, but I've indeed noticed the abnormality of this place. The number of Ghouls here is far fewer than in other wards. Logically, Ghouls who can't survive elsewhere should flock here, yet the reality is different. Ghouls from other wards seem to intentionally avoid coming here. Even Jason, who appeared recently, shouldn't wield such deterrence—he's merely an S-rated Ghoul."
Mado Kureo knew Jason's strength well. Although he'd narrowly lost their encounter today, he was sure Jason hadn't reached SS-rated power. Given enough time to prepare and sufficient personnel, Mado was confident he could kill or even capture him.
"Are you saying you already have some leads?"
"Sort of. But nothing confirmed yet. Moreover, things in the 20th Ward may get troublesome. It doesn't just involve Ghouls—it might also involve ordinary humans."
Hearing these words, Mado immediately emitted a chilling aura.
In terms of accomplishments, he had participated in capturing the "Corpse Collector", engaged in dozens of operations large and small. Countless Ghouls had died directly at his hands each year, and indirectly, that number multiplied at least fivefold. In accumulated kills, he was easily among the top five Investigators in the entire CCG.
Lancer didn't truly understand "killing intent," but at this moment, he felt the terrifying aura emanating from Mado clearly enough.
"Who is it?"
If there was one thing more detestable than an enemy, it was a traitor—especially for a CCG Investigator.
"The Tsukiyama family."
Without hesitation, Lancer sold out the "enemy." Surprisingly, Mado, who'd been radiating such intimidating pressure, instantly retracted it.
Did he already know?
Lancer quickly discarded this thought. Others might compromise due to various reasons—but this man, never.
Despite his age and distinguished record, he chose neither comfortable retirement nor Special-Class Investigator's special assignments at headquarters. Driven by hatred, he willingly stayed at the front lines hunting Ghouls. His obsession bordered on madness.
"Are you certain the Tsukiyama family is involved with Ghouls?"
Not just involved—they themselves are Ghouls.
But he definitely couldn't say such things. Without solid, detailed evidence, he'd likely spend weeks or months under investigation himself before any operation against the Tsukiyama family took place.
"Sorry, I can't confirm it yet—that's why I came to you to discuss it."
"The Tsukiyama family isn't considered influential across all of Tokyo, but the 20th Ward falls squarely within their sphere of influence. Finance, industry, even ward council members—almost all of them have connections to the Tsukiyama family. If you provide solid leads, the CCG will definitely eradicate these degenerates among humans. But merely relying on your words alone…"
Clearly, Mado was politely rejecting the accusation Lancer had just made. But Lancer wasn't discouraged; from the start, he hadn't expected to trigger an investigation solely through his verbal claims. It was enough—now he clearly knew the CCG's stance on this matter!
"Understood! I'll gather sufficient evidence."
Mado didn't pursue this topic further, trusting that Lancer understood his meaning. But just as he returned to his work, he seemed to recall something important, pulling out his phone and scribbling a name onto a piece of paper.
"This is Associate Special-Class Investigator Kijima Shiki's number. He's a friend of mine. Unlike most Associate Special-Class Investigators assigned to fixed areas, he operates across all of Tokyo. If you can gather sufficient evidence, handing it directly to him will be more useful than giving it to me."
Without another word, he returned to his "work."
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T/N: why the fuck are the investigators so fugly