He completely ignored the look Belle was giving him, turned back toward Qingyi, and smiled faintly, shrugging with helplessness.
"Senior, you really shouldn't abuse your authority. This matter actually doesn't have much to do with me. If you're targeting me…"
"Then you've definitely got the wrong person."
As soon as he said that, Belle felt a jolt in her chest. She clenched her teeth—so he really was holding a grudge! No way he'd help her now. Just over some cat ears? Seriously?!
Hearing this, Qingyi frowned. She knew Zane wouldn't lie about something like this, so the real suspect had to be someone else.
Zhu Yuan thought about it but couldn't figure it out. She looked up and asked,
"Zane, what's your take?"
"This matter…"
Zhu Yuan didn't finish her sentence, but she knew Zane would understand what she meant—and he didn't let her down.
He smiled and said quietly,
"Well, far away, yet right in front of you."
Far away, yet right in front of you?
Zhu Yuan and Qingyi blinked in confusion. Then they followed Zane's gaze—three pairs of eyes all landed on Belle, who was tiptoeing toward the door.
Belle froze the moment she realized they were all staring at her. She straightened up and let out a nervous laugh.
"Haha… So, how about some snacks while you talk? I'll go grab some—"
Click.
Her words caught in her throat.
She looked to the side—Zane had somehow appeared right next to her. Then she looked down… her hands were cuffed together.
"Huh?"
"Belle, enjoy your trip to the Public Security Bureau!"
Zane pressed two fingers together at his side and spun them forward with flair, flashing a cool smile.
Behind him, Qingyi looked down at her now-empty hands, then at the silver cuffs suddenly on Belle's wrists.
When did that happen?
"Zane, I think this is still negotiable…"
Belle tried to explain, but Zane cut her off with a wave.
"I don't care what you think. I only care what I think!"
"Senior, take her away!"
At that, Belle's frozen smile collapsed completely.
...
"You're the worst!"
On the couch, Belle sat cross-legged with her arms folded, puffing her cheeks in frustration as she glared at Zane. The cuffs were off now, of course, but explaining the power usage was still a big headache…
"You too, brother!"
She turned her glare on Wise, who had just finished closing up and was settling in for a break, looking as indifferent as ever.
Wise, caught in the crossfire for no reason, blinked in confusion—then sighed. Why did life feel so exhausting lately?
"Hm… Seems like the two shopkeepers aren't so simple after all."
Qingyi tilted her head with a smile as she looked between Belle and Wise, as if her opinion of them had suddenly changed—though only she knew what she was really thinking.
Given how perceptive she was, maybe she'd picked up on something during past interactions.
"But I guess that makes sense. Anyone close to Zane can't be ordinary. You don't need to rack your brains trying to explain what happened. We'll do what we can to eliminate this hidden issue."
"But there can't be a next time."
She waved a hand as she gave her final word on the matter—choosing to help out. After all, this was the main reason they'd come to see Zane in the first place.
Even though she didn't know exactly what all that electricity had been used for, since it was related to Zane, she was willing to lend a hand.
"Thanks, both of you."
Wise pushed down his fatigue, stood up, and sincerely thanked Qingyi and Zhu Yuan. He figured it was necessary.
In his eyes, they now owed the Criminal Investigation Special Task Force a favor.
Zane watched the scene from the side, his gaze calm. This was exactly the outcome he'd hoped for. Only by being honest could they gain trust and address the underlying risks.
And thanks to his little nudge, Belle and Wise had now formed solid connections with Qingyi, Zhu Yuan, and even the Special Task Force.
From casual acquaintances to allies who shared open and covert ties—this was a major leap forward, one that would come in handy later.
Noticing someone's gaze, Zane turned his head and met Wise's eyes. Wise smiled slightly and mouthed a silent—
"Thanks."
No words, but Zane understood.
Wise had realized what this was all about.
Zane just shook his head slightly, signaling that it wasn't something he needed to thank him for. After all, the forum they'd been using only existed because of him in the first place.
"No worries. Don't let it weigh on you. Just carry on like usual."
After Wise spoke, Qingyi nodded at him and added,
"Exactly."
Off to the side, Belle looked at them all and felt something was... off.
She shook her head and didn't dwell on it. Since her brother had stepped up to handle things, and Zane was around, there wasn't much for her to worry about.
"Oh right, Zane—I have one more thing to ask. No matter how I look at it, it seems highly likely that this has something to do with you."
Zhu Yuan looked at him seriously. Seeing his curious expression, she asked,
"The disappearance of the Lamia Hollow—was that your doing?"
Making a Hollow disappear... If it wasn't Zane, then who else? Or what else?
After all, he was a Fire Picker.
Qingyi also turned her attention to Zane. He'd already told her the details, so she knew the truth—but she hadn't said anything to Zhu Yuan.
Things like absorbing a Hollow were too important to explain secondhand. It was best if Zane told her directly.
"Oh, you mean the Lamia Hollow?"
Zane blinked, then raised a hand—and a small black sphere floated into view. Everyone's expression shifted.
Belle immediately tensed, ready to defend herself like she was facing a deadly threat. Wise, on the other hand, just looked curious—he still didn't know what that orb was.
Zhu Yuan looked puzzled. She didn't recognize the object either, but something about it felt familiar, like she'd seen it somewhere before…
Qingyi instinctively stood up. Jokes aside, this was something that needed to be taken very seriously…
If something went wrong, even an Advanced Automaton wouldn't survive it! But why was Zane suddenly pulling this thing out?
No way... was this guy really about to flex his power and betray his master?!
Just as Qingyi was about to make a joke of it, her expression stiffened.
Something clicked in her mind—and her gaze locked onto the black sphere again.
This guy… He's not planning to pull another outrageous stunt, is he?
...…
Some name adjustments starting this chapter for better alignment with ZZZ lore:
Staff Army/Corps ➜ Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe
Xin ➜ Shin
Sacrificial Ghost ➜ Sacrificie