Chapter 1637 - 104: Fox and Mouse Game (14)_3

Chapter 1637: Chapter 104: Fox and Mouse Game (14)_3

Luosong then threw the signal flare down to the officers below, letting them pass it around themselves. He wearily reiterated, "If you really encounter the enemy, don’t fight hard. Fire the signal flare when the revolver gun is up, and I will immediately come to support you. Do you understand?"

"Understood."

Having said everything he could, Luosong could only sigh inwardly.

"Draw lots," he said a bit tiredly, waving his hand.

"Yes," the officers raised their hands in salute.

The prepared lots box was brought out, and the officers lined up to start drawing lots.

Luosong stood in front of the map, pointing out the task areas to the junior officers who had drawn lots and explaining the situation.

At this moment, Bard and Kai Morland, escorted by two military police, walked into the great cathedral.

"Senior," Bard greeted Luosong, stepping briskly, while Kai Morland barely kept up by almost jogging.

"Major," Kai Morland also greeted, out of breath, removing his hat.

"You’re here, we’ll talk at the back," Luosong called an officer who had been seconded earlier to explain the task in his place, and led the deputy Speakers into the inner hall.

In a small chapel on the side of the inner hall, Moritz was resting with his eyes closed. Hearing footsteps approaching, he opened his eyes.

"Colonel," Bard greeted Moritz as well, then immediately got to the point, "I’ve been to the clothing warehouse."

"How could this happen?" Kai Morland’s face turned pale. "It’s all burned up."

"The ’envoy’ set the fire," Moritz responded concisely.

"No matter who set the fire, this year’s human tax is all burnt up," Kai Morland’s expression was both furious and worried, and he couldn’t help but lament, "The Newly Reclaimed Land cannot bear another human tax."

"It’s burnt down, so it’s burnt," Bard signaled Kai Morland not to complain. He worriedly asked, "What about the people guarding the warehouse? I didn’t see them."

Luosong replied, "They were subdued, tied up, and thrown to a block away. They’re unharmed, only their pride was hurt."

"That’s good," Bard nodded slightly.

"It’s precisely because no one was harmed that we can conclude it was the ’envoy’," Luosong said, "Others aren’t capable of this, nor would they leave people alive on purpose. Clearly, the envoy doesn’t want to break all ties..."

"Burning a whole year’s worth of human tax isn’t breaking all ties?" Kai Morland was furious.

Bard pressed down Kai Morland and asked solemnly, "Is it for Elizabeth Li Yang?"

"It should be."

"Then their actions were too swift," Bard squinted, "When did the fire start?"

"Around eleven o’clock."

"So that means... at the reception where Elizabeth Li Yang was just attacked, they acted within less than two hours?"

Luosong nodded, saying, "I guess the ’envoy’ believes he must respond, otherwise, next time the stab into Elizabeth Li Yang’s belly may be more than just a dagger."

Saying this, Luosong glanced at Moritz.

"What I mean is..." Bard also looked at Moritz.

"Yes," Moritz nodded, "After Elizabeth Li Yang was attacked, Colvin Manor was immediately sealed off. Even assuming the ’envoy’ had a pre-plan, setting fire couldn’t be done without preparation time."

"What do you mean?" Luosong just realized.

"The envoy had ears at the reception, and he immediately notified the envoy," Moritz said lightly, "There’s another possibility—the envoy himself was at the venue."

"Then I..."

"That’s your task," Moritz looked at Luosong, "Gather all the guards at the reception, question them one by one, focus on who might have passed information outside after Elizabeth Li Yang was attacked, and don’t overlook any clues."

Luosong was a bit puzzled, "What about the search for the arsonist?"

"You don’t have to worry about that. Nothing will be found," Moritz replied, "Unless the ’envoy’ truly wasn’t prepared at all—which would save us the trouble."

"Since you already know a large-scale search won’t yield any results," Luosong raised an eyebrow, "why still make such a fuss about searching?"

"The Major has a point," Kai Morland chimed in, worriedly he said, "Actually searching house to house in Maplestone City will certainly cause public outcry."

Moritz remained unmoved and calmly said, "The envoy responded to us, so naturally we must respond as well."

This reason clearly did not convince Luosong. Luosong looked at Bard, "Speaker, what do you think?"

"I agree with the Colonel," Bard promptly stated his position, "Causing a commotion is better than doing nothing. Taking this opportunity to sweep Maplestone City thoroughly isn’t a bad idea."

"Go question them, Major Luosong," Moritz switched to a commanding tone, "Kai Morland, please step aside temporarily. I need to speak with Bard alone."

After a brief struggle, Luosong gave up trying to argue further, saluted, and pulled a reluctant Kai Morland away from the inner hall.

In the final moment before the inner hall doors were completely closed, he saw Moritz leading Bard to a side door leading to the lateral hall.

Bard stood at the door, shaking hands with the person behind it.

Luosong couldn’t see the face of the person behind the door, only catching sight of a fair hand and an iron-blue sleeve with silver stitching indicating an officer.