Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 36: Be Careful with Water

A long letter arrived from the Gear City branch.

They highly praised the Ximu Town station in their letter, commending them for successfully completing the commission.

However, the important part of the latter half of the page emphasized that the Imperial Capital United Savings Bank places high importance on this case, communicating and negotiating with central bureau personnel. They subtly indicated that a high-ranking member of the Lofic Consortium attended the meeting. Given the unique nature of the cursed item involved, which contained some crucial internal data of the bank, it would henceforth be handled by the people from the Imperial Reserve.

Translated simply, it means that the people from the Lofic Consortium want to protect Marshall, bringing this case to a halt; pursuing it further will embarrass everyone involved.

Marshall specifically emphasized to the two investigators, "The ledger has already been handed over, and it's probably no longer in Ximu Town now."

Even if these two Reception Bureau investigators were to make a scene here, or try to press him using the Reception Bureau, it would be futile.

Ave knew it well.

Marshall reported the ledger to the central bureau as soon as he received it, even mobilizing the high ranks of the Lofic Consortium, indicating only one thing—Luoxang was not an isolated case; they have already established a complete industry chain in the Empire's border villages and towns. In a sense, the town's residents are no different than ores.

They extract ores, pick out valuable ones, and use a complete set of methods to saddle the families with overwhelming debts; perhaps even the mentors assigned to those children are meticulously selected by the consortium.

The ledger is the key to unlocking the truth.

Ave had no way of knowing the reason for its curse.

Was it Luoxang who cursed it in agony and despair, or did he hope someone else would discover the ledger in his final moments?

But regardless, it has already flown out of sight.

The appearance of consortium executives means this affair is destined to end here. The family could tolerate her fleeing the Imperial Capital to a peripheral city like Ximu Town, withstand her persistently sending letters to the royal family and academies, claiming the Lindong Witch is still alive, but would definitely not allow her to become adversaries with the Lofic Consortium over an unrelated town resident.

But...

Ave looked towards Ethan standing silently at the door.

Luoxang was his friend, moreover, a good person. It can be foreseen that many more victims like Luoxang will appear in the future.

As Ethan's superior, she felt duty-bound to do something.

Her mind raced, the golden strands atop her head anxiously swayed back and forth, faintly showing signs of overload smoking.

"Lady Rose, since Mr. Marshall says so, haven't we successfully completed our work?"

Ethan suddenly spoke from behind, "The branch is very satisfied with our work."

Hearing this, a victor's smile appeared on Marshall's face, making him even more arrogant, "In this day and age, liking to delve deeply isn't necessarily a good thing. Let some things pass when they're over."

He stood up, took a wine glass from the cabinet, and poured himself a glass of red wine in front of the two.

It was indeed a day to celebrate.

His laughter disorder was cured, the ledger properly handled; after all, this commission essentially had nothing to do with the cursed item, he merely invited some people to treat his symptoms.

As for that apartment, once tidied up, it can be sold to someone else.

"You really should learn from him."

Marshall held the wine glass, intending to personally escort the two to the staircase.

As a victor.

"Young man, I have high hopes for you. If you ever misuse blockers and get reported, resulting in a hefty compensation need, just come find me, I'll tailor a loan plan for you."

Ethan gave him a slight smile, a gesture in return, "Same to you."

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Marshall's hand trembled, spilling the wine onto the ground.

Indeed, this young man was more annoying than Ave, but thankfully, he wouldn't have to deal with such low-level scum anymore.

He savored the wine, watching the two walk away along the stairs, yes, when the victor tastes the fruit of victory, the loser should slink away with their tail between their legs.

Ethan lowered his head, walking downstairs, hearing the derisive laughter from behind.

But in truth, he had no interest in the ledger left by Luoxang from the start, nor did he ever intend to trace the clues all the way down. Whether this was Marshall's idea or merely him as a puppet exposed by the Lofic Consortium, Ethan had no interest whatsoever.

Ethan focused more on the present issues, deciding on what he wanted to do right from the beginning.

For instance, he noticed Marshall's hand trembling just now, some wine spilled onto the ground; he also noticed the temperature dropping rapidly lately, faintly showing signs of winter, such weather could likely cause a layer of ice to form on liquid surfaces.

Given Marshall's obese body, should he accidentally misstep and roll down the staircase, he'd likely suffer severe injuries, possibly even die on the spot.

He stepped down the last stair.

Soon, exclamations from bank staff above were heard, they looked up to see Marshall's obese body thrown into the air, the victorious wine glass shattering on the ground, the wine unfurling a blood lotus.

Among the screams, Marshall rolled down all the way, his smile morphing into terror as he reached out with his left hand during the fall, desperately trying to grasp something.

Next followed the sound of bone breaking.

Ethan saw Marshall's broken neck; this big banker lay twisted at the stair edge, his face bent at a right angle towards them.

Indeed, water is the most dangerous substance in the world.

Ethan met Marshall's gaze until the latter's eyes lost the last ray of light, his mouth opening in his final moments, seemingly wanting to say something?

Was he trying to call for help?

Or hadn't prepared to leave yet?

These did not matter, because at this moment, Marshall had completely lost the ability to speak, unable to utter even a syllable.

Even Ave was stunned in shock by this visually striking scene, rarely showing an expression of surprise.

All Imperial Reserve staff seemed under a binding spell, they all saw Marshall's broken neck, obviously beyond help.

But no matter how much they racked their brains, they couldn't imagine the director dying in such a bizarre manner.

Could it be...

Is this another curse?

But to Ethan, such an ending wasn't surprising; when numerous small coincidences align, they lead to an inevitable end.

The big banker Mr. Marshall, slipping on the spilled red wine, fell down the stairs and ended his life.

A heartbreaking accident.

Staff at Imperial Reserve were witnesses to this accident.

And Ethan was the first to rush for rescue.

The lamentations downstairs pulled everyone back to reality, they saw the young Reception Bureau agent running towards Marshall.

"Old Marshall, oh, old Marshall——!"

The heart-wrenching voice echoed long in the Imperial Reserve hall, on this day of misfortune, they witnessed the truest friendship.

This young Reception Bureau investigator seemed to become the saddest person in the world.

Bank staff who came forward to help were all moved.

The relationship between this Reception Bureau investigator and the director must have been very good.