183: Chapter 0183 New Manual

Sven saw Li Size walk in carrying Isabella and stood up to greet them:

"Li Size, you've worked hard. Is this Young Miss Isabella?"

Li Size placed Isabella gently on the soft velvet sofa and wiped the sweat from his brow:

"Chief Sven, she is still unconscious and will need half an hour to wake up."

His gaze swept over the stone walls of the conference room...

The walls were etched with faint golden restraint runes, and on the central long table lay Viscount Weisman's files and maps, clearly showing that Sven was prepared for the interrogation.

Half an hour later, Isabella slowly opened her eyes.

Her golden-brown curls were spread across the back of the sofa, and a flicker of confusion crossed her amber eyes, which was quickly replaced by anger.

She saw the Internal Affairs Department uniform on Sven and suddenly sat up:

"Who are you people? Why did you bring me here?"

Her voice had a soft, sweet tone, yet carried a stubborn edge.

Sven handed her a cup of warm water, his tone gentle:

"Young Miss Isabella, we are from the Internal Affairs Department of the Crimson Soul Duchy. We know about your mother. Viscount Weisman's inaction led to her suicide, correct?"

His gaze fell upon the light purple crystal hairpin in Isabella's hair—the keepsake left by her mother.

Isabella's body trembled violently, and tears instantly welled up:

"It was him! That coward! He didn't dare resist the Family's arrangements and just watched my mother die in front of him!"

Her fingers gripped the armrest of the sofa tightly, her knuckles turning white, and her golden-brown curls trembled slightly with agitation.

Li Size sat to the side, his fingertips stroking his chin:

"Isabella, we know you are aware of Viscount Weisman's treason. If you are willing to cooperate with us, we can help you get revenge. Make Weisman pay the price for his actions."

Isabella looked up, determination shining in her amber eyes:

"I am willing! He has recently been transferring assets to the Feiting Federation and secretly meeting with Feiting envoys, planning to start a war in three years! He even intends to send me to Feiting as a hostage to solidify his relationship with Feiting!"

Her voice was choked with sobs, but every word was clear.

Sven's eyes lit up, and he quickly picked up a pen to record Isabella's words:

"This information is extremely important! The Internal Affairs Department high command has already formulated an encirclement plan. Weisman's influence is deeply entrenched; we need over a year to prepare. Only then can we ensure a clean sweep without leaving any future trouble behind."

He put down the pen and looked at Li Size:

"Li Size, I hope you can continue investigating Weisman's treasonous plot. Isabella can serve as your informant. This is an excellent opportunity for you. If successful, the merit points from this mission alone will be enough for you to be directly promoted to deputy captain."

Li Size shook his head, his fingertips brushing across his brow:

"Chief Sven, I'm afraid I cannot continue to be involved. The June Grand Examination is approaching, and I need to focus all my energy on preparing. Passing the entrance exam for the Higher Academy is my most important goal right now. Furthermore, after the exam, I will be heading to the location of the academy I get into. I might need your help arranging a work transfer within the Internal Affairs Department then. I truly won't be able to assist much with future tasks here in Gele City."

Sven was momentarily stunned and slightly disappointed, but he immediately laughed:

"I understand your choice. The Higher Academy is indeed the dream of every Wizard Apprentice. Don't worry about the work transfer. As long as you get accepted, I will apply to headquarters and arrange for you to be stationed at the Internal Affairs Department branch near the academy's location."

His gaze fell upon Isabella:

"As for Isabella, I will arrange for her to stay temporarily at the base until the encirclement plan is launched."

Li Size stood up and extended his hand to Sven:

"Then thank you very much, Chief Sven. After I graduate from the Higher Academy, perhaps I will return to Gele City to join you."

His voice was firm, and expectation for the future flickered in his eyes.

Sven took Li Size's hand, a hint of ambition showing on his refined face:

"I look forward to that day. Then we can counterattack the Feiting Federation together, haha."

Sven's office was located on the third underground floor of the secret base, with walls built from black demonic iron.

The entire regional map of Gele City and Viscount Weisman's sphere of influence hung on the walls, and the sorcery chandelier emitted a warm yellow glow, casting long shadows of the two men.

Sven sat behind the spacious mahogany desk, his fingertips tracing over the merit points crystal display on the desktop.

The crystal suddenly lit up with a faint blue glow, displaying Li Size's merit data:

"Li Size, this mission yields 120 merit points, for a cumulative total of 560 merit points."

Li Size stood before the desk, and his eyes instantly brightened upon hearing the merit points:

560 points—this already exceeded the 500-point requirement for promotion to deputy captain.

Sven looked at his excited expression and curved his lips into a refined smile:

"500 merit points is one of the requirements for promotion to deputy captain, but it also requires a vacant position and approval from the personnel appointment authority."

He paused and tapped the desktop with his fingertip.

"As the Director of the Gele City Internal Affairs Department, I happen to have that authority."

Li Size froze for a moment, then quickly reacted, bowing deeply: "Thank you very much, Chief Sven!"

His voice held a trace of excitement, and his cheeks were slightly flushed.

deputy captain—this meant he would have a higher status within the Internal Affairs Department and gain access to more resources.

Sven stood up and took out an appointment document stamped with an official seal from the filing cabinet behind him.

The appointment document was engraved with a silver wolf pattern and the words "deputy captain." He handed the badge to Li Size:

"You are my lucky star. From apprehending Rice to obtaining intelligence on Weisman, you have rendered great service. You deserve this appointment."

His eyes held admiration.

"Originally, a deputy captain could select their own team members, but since you are leaving Gele City soon, we will temporarily forgo forming a squad."

Li Size accepted the badge, his fingertips tracing the patterns on it, feeling a warmth in his heart.

Sven was indeed someone who knew how to return a favor.

Sven then took out a gold-covered manual from a drawer. The manual was titled "Internal Affairs Department Merit Exchange Manual (Captain Level)":

"This is the Captain-level exchange manual. It contains many rare items. Take a look and see if there is anything that interests you."

Li Size took the manual and flipped open the first page; the contents made his eyes light up:

The manual was divided into four major categories: Sorcery, Artifacts, Materials, and Knowledge, each with detailed exchange information.

He carefully browsed through it, muttering to himself:

"Zero-Ring Sorcery 'swift spirit,' requires 180 merit points for exchange, effect is a 10% speed boost lasting 30 minutes. 'Dog Nose Technique' sorcery, 100 merit points, enhances olfactory discrimination ability. Mental Energy Recovery Potion (Zero Ring), 50 merit points, restores 3 points of Mental Energy. black demonic iron, 20 merit points per kilogram, usable for forging Advanced armor. Spatial Beacon, 500 merit points, used for locating spatial coordinates. Zero Ring Alchemy Rune combination 'Sturdiness,' 100 merit points, increases the material's ultimate bearing capacity..."