"There are 23 researchers in total, including your sister."
"But there are 214 guards."
For a pharmaceutical factory, this number was not large, but the number of guards was far too many.
These 214 guards surrounded the entire factory like an iron barrel, making it extremely difficult for anyone to sneak in and commit theft.
Naturally, it was even more difficult to get someone out.
"The guards inside are all heavily armed, and they even have a large amount of weapons stored. Miwako, guess how they managed to get so many weapons into the city?"
Ren looked at Miwako.
"The underground black market is a source of firearms. After all, there are many small workshops producing them. However, since they are from small workshops, it's difficult to demand too much in terms of precision."
"But if the quantity and scale are this large, then the garrison troops would have to be involved."
"The black market's production couldn't possibly satisfy a pharmaceutical factory with over 200 people. And the black market wouldn't stockpile such a large amount of weapons in one place. The Metropolitan Police Department would easily find out."
After a brief analysis, Miwako found two possible channels.
"What do you think?"
"It should be the garrison."
Miwako gave her conclusion with certainty.
Ren also believed that was the answer. If they wanted a large number of firearms on the island, the only way was through the garrison. And dealing with the garrison was simple, as long as they were fed properly.
As long as you paid, there would definitely be a channel for things like guns, especially in the eyes of the garrison.
"But the CIA is investigating that organization. Would those troops still contact them, or even trade with them?"
Akemi was confused.
"The military is different from the ruling party. The ruling party generally won't clash with the military over money. Not to mention, it's not unusual for the garrison to sell off some unimportant weapons."
"As soldiers, they sometimes want to make extra money. Especially here, in this part of the island."
Ren explained.
The garrison itself was meant to interfere in the island's internal politics. They didn't have much to do. In reality, the guns in their hands were rarely fired except for daily training. It was more practical to sell them for cash.
The country's money belonged to the state, but the money earned through subsidies was considered their own. Naturally, the garrison would accept this arrangement.
"Besides, the ruling party there is divided into factions. The two factions represent different identities and statuses, so problems like this are bound to appear in some places."
Ren's gaze returned to the pharmaceutical factory outside the window.
"But it's not a big problem."
"Akemi, are you ready?"
Akemi was startled and subconsciously stood up straight.
"Yes, I'm ready."
"That's good."
"Bang."
Ren casually snapped his fingers, and a mass of black substance flowed out of the void and floated in the air.
Soon, the black substance transformed into the shape of a cat.
Ren reached out and stroked the cat's head.
"It has the ability to help you handle trouble. As for how you handle it, that's up to you."
The cat purred softly before leaping into Akemi's shadow.
At the same time, a flood of information surged into Akemi's mind.
After grasping it, Akemi realized the terrifying nature of this power, and she also understood how it could help her solve the problem.
She took a step back as her body slowly sank into her own shadow.
"My Lord, I will deal with the trouble quickly. Please wait."
"Good. Go."
Akemi's figure was swallowed by the darkness and disappeared from the private room.
After confirming this, Miwako sat down and looked out the window.
"Will she be able to handle it?"
Ren smiled faintly.
"It's not a big problem. Although she is soft-hearted, she cannot afford to be gentle when facing that killer organization. Only by using the same methods against them can they be subdued."
Remembering something, Ren looked at Miwako with mild surprise.
"I thought you would object."
Miwako only rolled her eyes.
"Do you think there's any point in arguing with ruthless killers?"
"Besides, a pharmaceutical factory has a large stockpile of firearms. If something really goes wrong, it's ordinary people who will suffer."
"I don't think the lives of those assassins are more valuable than those of ordinary people."
Dealing with illegal matters required a flexible moral bottom line, something Miwako had long understood.
Besides, what kind of reasoning was needed with a killer organization? Wasn't that just embarrassing?
Yes, she was a police officer.
But as a police officer, she was not here to reason with killers.
Therefore, in order to prevent the organization from causing greater harm, Miwako felt she had to turn a blind eye to certain illegal or non-compliant actions.
The greatest kindness she could show her profession was not doing it herself.
"But is it really okay with her?"
Suddenly, a terrifying spiritual wave swept over, making Miwako snap her head around.
She saw that Pharmaceutical, which had been shrouded in the night, was now enveloped by a layer of darkness as black as ink.
That outer shell was the same color as the night sky, but anyone with spiritual sensitivity could see at a glance the overwhelming terror of facing pure darkness.
"What is that…?"
It felt as if a massive boulder was pressing on her chest, suffocating her with just a glance.
"Well, that means Akemi has begun her move."
Ren rested his chin on his hand and watched the scene calmly. Just as he expected, Akemi was well-prepared.
He grabbed Miwako, who was experiencing the dark authority for the first time, and channeled a portion of his spiritual power into her body, stabilizing her emotions.
"Phew…"
The suffocating pressure vanished, and Miwako breathed a sigh of relief.
She looked down at the hand holding hers, then set it aside for now, and asked curiously:
"What was that dark thing just now?"
"The power of darkness. It covers an area, turning it into a place like another world. Once the factory is shrouded in darkness, its interior will soon fall into complete chaos."
"All we have to do is sit here and wait for Akemi to bring the person back."
Ren did not release her hand, but continued holding it as he watched the factory.
(To be continued.)
***
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