"It's Senior Qingyi!"
Zhu Yuan looked at Qingyi with delight, feeling immediately at ease.
It was always like this—Senior Qingyi never failed to surprise her.
Whether it was last time's clever plan or this sudden intervention, it was always something unexpected.
"Nicely done!"
Sol praised Qingyi.
"Eheh."
Qingyi blinked lightly, her lips curving into a playful smile.
Nicole, Nekomata, and Belle came over as well, all looking quite pleased with Lucius and Perlman's sorry state.
That guy had been spewing nonsense and stirring up trouble just moments ago.
Now that he was lying flat on the ground, it was much easier on the eyes.
"Boss Pompey, what do you think?"
Sol raised a brow, smiling as he looked over at Pompey.
At that moment—
Pompey stared at Lucius, who was tied together with Perlman on the ground, and fell silent.
It didn't seem like there was any need for a confrontation anymore—the truth was already laid bare.
Perlman had indeed been hidden by Lucius, and the fight between the Vanquishers and Sol's group was entirely their own doing.
"So Perlman really was hidden by Lucius? He actually lied to us!"
The underlings of the Vanquishers looked at Lucius in disbelief, then fury.
They'd been tricked into shouting about the honor of the Vanquishers and fighting tooth and nail—all because of this dog Lucius's lies. It was disgusting!
They felt like complete idiots, led around in circles by Lucius again and again.
"This boss from the Outer Ring, I followed Lucius into his room and caught the two of them trying to escape. That's what happened."
Qingyi spoke with ease, a faint hint of pride in her voice.
Though it was basic procedure for an investigator, it was still nice to play the key role.
"Lucius sheltered a major offender—it's definitely our problem as the Vanquishers."
Pompey sighed and admitted his fault. "But since Lucius is one of ours, I hope you can let us handle him ourselves. I promise to punish him severely. We'll also offer proper compensation for the losses you've suffered."
For now, everything clearly pointed to Lucius as the cause of this bloody incident. The Vanquishers had no excuse.
But Lucius's identity couldn't be ignored—letting outsiders deal with him would be inappropriate. For one of their own, whether it was execution or punishment, it had to be done internally.
Besides, Pompey had a long-standing bond with Lucius. He believed the man could still be… rehabilitated, perhaps.
"Sol, what do you think?"
Qingyi and Zhu Yuan turned toward Sol for his opinion.
The Outer Ring wasn't actually under the jurisdiction of the New Eridu Public Security, and Lucius didn't fall under their authority to arrest either.
In a situation that could easily spark disputes, Lucius's fate needed careful consideration.
Sol thought for a moment, then said to Pompey, "If your punishment is fair enough, I don't mind handing him over to you."
Lucius's mouth had caused enough trouble. Sol had already decided that he needed to die—better to end the nuisance now than deal with it later.
Either way, Lucius would die. Whether in the Outer Ring or within the city didn't matter.
And since this mission had involved the Sons of Calydon, it wouldn't do to create enmity between them and The Vanquishers.
Some might say, "Why not just kill them all?"
But even when Caesar and Lucy fought earlier, neither went for the kill—out of respect for the alliance with the Motor League.
Those fated to die had already fallen in the earlier battle. Pushing things further now would risk offending the Sons of Calydon.
"Don't worry, Lucius has committed a grave offense. I won't go easy on him."
Pompey looked at Sol seriously. "And for the losses he caused today, I'll make sure to compensate you properly."
At those words, The Vanquishers' bruised and battered men were visibly moved.
"Qingyi, hand Lucius over to Boss Pompey."
Sol gave a small shake of his head—it seemed Pompey still wanted to spare Lucius's life.
He could tell Pompey was a decent man, still trying to protect one of his own.
But Sol's killing intent was already set. No matter what, Lucius would die.
The rest didn't matter—this scheming instigator had sealed his own fate.
"Alright, I understand."
Qingyi undid the handcuffs binding Lucius and Perlman, then handed Lucius directly to Pompey.
"Thank you all for understanding."
Pompey grabbed Lucius by the back of his collar and nodded toward Sol and the others.
At that moment, Lucius and Perlman, having been jostled all the way by Qingyi and shouted at for some time, finally stirred awake from unconsciousness.
"Damn it."
Perlman looked at Qingyi and Zhu Yuan in their Public Security uniforms and slumped in despair.
After hiding for so long, he'd finally been caught. Once he was brought back, who knew what Bringer would do to him?
"Damn it."
Lucius too saw Sol's group and all the men around, and his heart sank—his life was hanging by a thread.
"Lucius, we'll deal with your mess later."
Pompey lifted Lucius by the neck, speaking calmly.
"Yes, yes, of course!"
Lucius responded eagerly.
Once he realized Pompey himself was holding him, he felt much safer.
So it was Boss Pompey who'd arrived in time to save him from those terrifying people.
He knew Pompey's temperament well—the punishment would be harsh, but his life would be spared.
As long as the others hadn't discovered his hidden documents, it'd only be some flesh wounds.
Thinking that, Lucius's eyes flickered. Lowering his head in feigned shame, he said contritely, "Boss Pompey, I was momentarily blinded by greed and misunderstood these people. It's all my fault. Whatever punishment you give, I'll accept it."
"You don't have to say that. I already know."
Pompey loosened his grip slightly, preparing to set him down.
And just then—
Qingyi handed over a thick folder—full of Lucius's crimes. She looked at Pompey and said, "Boss Pompey, I think you might want to reconsider how you handle Lucius's punishment."
"His wrongdoing goes far beyond obstructing law enforcement. Some of his other actions, I think, would be unacceptable even to the Outer Ring."
Sol folded his arms, watching Qingyi with interest. Looked like he wouldn't have to kill Lucius himself after all.
"Hmm?"
Pompey's hand, which was about to release Lucius, clenched again—gripping tightly at the man's throat of fate.
He looked at Qingyi, puzzled—what kind of evidence could make a Public Security officer so certain?
"..."
Lucius lowered his head, a sudden unease creeping into his chest.
He silently prayed that his hidden documents had stayed well concealed—the very ones he'd kept to blackmail certain city corporations.
Qingyi waved the folder lightly. "These records show that Lucius deliberately allocated transport routes unevenly to incite internal conflict within the Outer Ring, all to weaken the Motor League—while taking bribes from every faction in the process."
"..."
Pompey's grip tightened even more. He was already considering subjecting Lucius to the Ten Trials of Death.
He'd been negotiating tirelessly to strengthen the Motor League's resources and unity—and Lucius's actions were a direct betrayal of that goal.
This wasn't youthful recklessness. This was treachery.