Story Reader / Event Story / Lightning and Thunder / Story
Last we left off, the commandant's sudden visit has thrown the county office into chaos. Bu Qing Lian claimed that he barely had any servants when there are actually quite a lot of them at the county office.
Three to four chefs can be seen cooking just now, completely contradicting what Bu Qing Lian has said.
Noctis and No. 21 are on standby in the rooms assigned to them, while Vera stays with the commandant for security purposes.
It is almost evening. The team finally gets to have a hot meal after a long day of travel, and they prepare to rest after dinner.
The commandant and Vera enter the room. Although their room is quite secluded, the two cautiously exchange looks without saying a word...
Vera searches around, ensuring there are no hidden doors or secret passages. She then closes the window and looks at you, awaiting what you have to say.
Seems like a prominent family here.
If the county is under their control... Bu Qing Lian is likely just a pawn.
Hmph. It's hard to imagine a small man like him could afford where he lives and what he uses. He was putting away his fine tea sets when we walked in.
I'd say even a bug crawling in the county office looks more healthy than the people we saw on the road today.
The reason behind this...
Vera just smirks disdainfully.
I'm not one to meddle, but we've been through a lot on this journey.
Besides, it's been a while since No. 21 and Noctis had some "action."
Vera's previously casual tone turns a little excited. This is usually how she sounds when a case lands in her hands.
The night passes.
You hear a rapid knocking on the door.
Enough! I'm coming!
Annoyed, Vera opens the door, and Noctis rushes in.
There's an old lady kneeling outside the county office, begging to see us. If I hadn't arrived in time, the guards would've started beating her.
So they didn't hurt her? That's rare.
Vera glances at you, even though she does not really need to ask for permission.
Vera grabs her banner spear, and the three of you quickly head to the county office entrance.
Several guards have surrounded No. 21, who is standing in front of the old woman Noctis mentioned and protecting her. The magistrate is nowhere in sight.
No. 21 might be smaller than Vera and Noctis, but her presence is no less imposing than the two of them. The guards are hesitant to approach her, and the situation is at a stalemate.
Get lost.
Who dares to beat up an old woman?
The tension is palpable. Vera, visibly irritated, strikes the stone path with her banner spear, leaving a small dent in the ground. The sound of steel and stone clashing threatens to deafen everyone.
Hearing the commotion, Bu Qing Lian hurries out.
C-C-C-C-Commandant! I-I was just—
One more useless word and I'll cut your tongue off.
Vera grabs Bu Qing Lian by his collar, but her tone is more dismissive than threatening. After seeing him send the guards away, she finally lets go.
No. 21 steps forward to assist her, but the old woman refuses to stand.
Commandant! Please save my son...
Hearing this, No. 21 begins rummaging through her bag.
Don't just stand there! Get to work! Do I need to tell you what happens if you get in our way?
Bu Qing Lian shudders at her words.
My son will die if you let this man handle my case, Commandant...
Cough—cough—ahem!
Bu Qing Lian coughs violently, trying to interrupt the old woman, but Vera silences him with a glare.
Ha! What a bunch of useless losers. Fine. We'll take over from here.
The county office is clean and tidy, except for the plaque that says "Justice Prevails", which had never been repaired. Now that Commandant [player name] has arrived, the plaque can finally shine again.
Commandant, my son was accused by the eldest son of the Xie family a few days ago. He claimed that my son was assisting the bandits who kidnapped his wife...
Everyone in the neighborhood knows how kind my son is...
C-Commandant, the Xie family has presented me with evidence... This woman's son... had indeed met the missing wife on the day she disappeared.
The scribe hands over a written note. Bu Qing Lian instinctively tries to stop Vera from taking it, but he steps back upon seeing Noctis' glare.
What a bunch of nonsense... Lead the way. I'll question her son myself.
Taking the note and skimming it, you find the complaints extremely perfunctory. You fold it and tuck it into your sleeve before following Bu Qing Lian to the county jail.
Understood.
Ha. Got it.
The two flank the old woman, helping her to a seat.
Bu Qing Lian gets kicked out shortly after Commandant [player name] and Vera enter the prison.
After just over half an hour, the two walk out.
Y-yes.
He should be at the Xie residence still. If you send word...
There's no need. Now, how do you explain the bandits outside the county who are causing trouble here?
I-I...
You what? And now you need our help to deal with the bandits. Would you have just ignored them if we hadn't come?
Vera steps forward and raises her hand as if to strike the magistrate, but you quickly intervene.
Bu Qing Lian immediately kneels down at the mention of the "imperial prison."
Mercy, Commandant! Mercy!
Let's just say that the stories you've heard about the imperial prison are true. Got it?
Noctis approaches Bu Qing Lian, his steps carrying a hint of menace.
Someone like him won't last long.
No one lasts long in the imperial prison.
T-they made me do it...
I-it's...
I'll keep him conscious.
The Xie family...
Bu Qing Lian has not finished his sentence before he suddenly collapses. Noctis steps forward and gives him a kick, but Bu Qing Lian does not respond.
Check on him, No. 21.
No. 21 runs over and places two fingers under his nose.
It's a head rush. He fainted, but he's still breathing.
Great timing...
The guards all seem too scared to speak and remain silent.
What else did you expect? We'll have to handle this ourselves.
