Baron Cullen

After clearing her mind, Karen immediately pushed open the door to Lamont's office.

At this moment, Lamont was also reviewing the reports on field visits and investigations submitted by other teams.

Seeing Karen's hurried appearance, he put down the report in his hand and asked, "What's wrong? Have you made some new discovery?"

"Vice Commander!" Karen took a deep breath, trying to keep her tone steady. "I suspect that the mastermind behind this case of the missing young girl, the previous case of human organ harvesting, and the initial incident of the switched holy artifacts, is none other than the church priest, Bastian Jim!"

Upon hearing this, even the well-informed Lamont was shocked.

He immediately sat up straight, his face serious, and said, "I see... So that's why you asked me about the church and Bastian himself?"

"Yes, please allow me to apologize in advance." Karen nodded and bowed slightly. "Actually, I have long suspected that Bastian is the person behind it all, but since there is no direct or indirect evidence, I cannot confess to you."

"You did very well." Lamont immediately understood the implication of Cullen's words. "Bastian is, after all, a priest of the church, and his status and position are what they are."

Even if our group wanted to take action against him, it wouldn't be wise to do so without evidence.

As he spoke, he looked at Karen again and said in a serious tone, "But if that's the case, why are you suddenly telling me all this now?"

Did you find evidence pointing to him in this disappearance case?

Instead of answering directly, Karen told Lamont everything he had heard about the suburban mansion and the deductions he had made from it.

Not only that, he also recounted all the information and rumors about Bastian that he had heard from Brandon, Donald, and his sister Cecilia.

The most important of these was what Jacob, the squad leader of the Knights, had told him in the dungeon of the Knights' headquarters.

Karen meticulously examined all this information and skillfully integrated it into a complete logical chain.

"Vice Commander, I don't yet have any evidence pointing directly to Bastian..." After saying all that, he continued, "But I'm certain that the missing young girls and the most crucial evidence are hidden in that mansion!"

His statement was not without basis.

As someone who could operate such a sinister business in the shadows of Breathless City, Bastian would surely have left himself a way out after involving the interests of many nobles and wealthy merchants.

And this escape route, without even thinking about it, must be something that can save his life at the same time completely destroy him.

For example, there is evidence of his collusion with the city's nobles and wealthy merchants and the transfer of benefits between them!

Karen knew very well what was going on.

Neither the Bastian family, whose property was confiscated after their initial destruction, nor the exchange hidden in the sewers during the human organ trafficking case, could be found to have any connection to Bastian.

Therefore, he guessed that the other party must have hidden the evidence in the most important place.

Of course, it's impossible at home.

After all, no one would be foolish enough to hide something so important in such an obvious place.

Right now, the mansion located in a remote suburb, which is heavily guarded and used to receive many nobles and wealthy merchants, has naturally become the most suitable place!

After listening, Lamont tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, lost in thought.

His expression was extremely solemn at this moment.

Karen's words, though highly targeted, were very reasonable and tenable, and most importantly, they were logically sound and interconnected.

Moreover, if all of this is true, it means that Bastian is not only guilty of murdering his colleague, but also of committing a capital offense of blasphemy that the Empire and the Church can never tolerate!

Without a doubt, these crimes combined would warrant the most severe divine punishment even from the most lenient God of Light!

Thinking of this, Lamont suddenly realized a problem, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Even if he trusted Karen's judgment, he couldn't send his chapter brothers to forcibly search a heavily guarded private residence.

If the other side becomes aware of the situation in advance or obstructs the search, resulting in the failure to find substantial evidence during the search, the entire battle group will face pressure from all sides, including the city lord's mansion.

At that time, even if the commander Vaughn, a fifth-tier warrior, were to intervene, it would likely be difficult to resolve the situation peacefully.

However, in this current case of disappearance, even though they mobilized all their personnel to conduct a thorough investigation of most of the city of Juexi, they could not find any more clues.

That mansion was undoubtedly the only breakthrough point.

Should we choose to proceed cautiously with the investigation, or take the risk and search the mansion directly?

A fierce internal struggle was raging within Lamont's mind.

He pondered for a moment, and finally a look of determination flashed in his eyes.

Karen's judgment was crucial and worth the risk!

Moreover, once evidence proving Bastian's crimes is found in that mansion, it's secondary that the chapter won't be affected; the most important thing is that this opportunity can be used to eradicate a cancer that has plagued Breathless City for years!

At that time, the battle group will not only be blameless, but will also have made great contributions!

Thinking of this, Lamont raised his head and looked sharply at Karen: "Karen, I trust your judgment!"

I immediately gathered everyone together. Let's move out now! Once we get there, we'll storm in and secure the evidence immediately!

Karen was deeply moved upon hearing this.

When he connected all the clues, he naturally considered the risks involved.

Although the warband is one of the major forces in Absolute Breath City and is not under the jurisdiction of the city lord's mansion, it does not have the right to forcibly search any mansion.

Otherwise, if any unexpected event occurs, the entire battle group could very well suffer a huge blow because of his momentary lapse in judgment.

Thinking of this, he immediately said, "Deputy Commander, I understand your concerns. I think we can secretly go to the outskirts of that mansion first."

"I have a way to determine how many people are inside the mansion without entering. Once we confirm an unusual number of people or that the missing girls are indeed being held there, we can act immediately!"

"Karen, you..." Lamont paused, then nodded emphatically, "Okay, we'll do it your way!"

He knew very well that although Karen was a member of the warband, he was also the current pillar of the Waller family.

As someone who once wanted to destroy the Waller family, and who has been targeted by Karen multiple times recently, Bastian undoubtedly harbors great murderous intent towards him and the entire Waller family.

In such situations, ordinary people are more likely to consider themselves and those around them.

But Karen Waller, the genius he personally recognized, did not do so.

Just when he was about to make up his mind to go all out with the entire battle group, this kid was able to provide a relatively safer solution in time.

With such character and integrity, one is destined for greatness.