Fantasy Writers 1860

Inspector Reed straightened the slightly wrinkled hem of his coat and stepped into the office.

The light inside the room was much softer than outside, and the air was filled with the musty smell of books, mixed with a faint fragrance of unknown origin.

Disrife was sitting behind a large desk, with several old-looking books spread out in front of her and a small coffee cup steaming in the air.

"Detective, please have a seat." She looked up and gestured for Reid to sit on the sofa opposite her.

Lesder bowed slightly, sat down, and took off his black leather gloves, placing them on his knees.

"Miss Dean, you must already know about the explosion that occurred at the Mayfair Theater yesterday afternoon." Inspector Reid subconsciously reached into the inside pocket of his coat, intending to pull something out, but ended up with nothing.

"Yes, Inspector." Disrifee said noncommittally, "The newspapers all say it was done by extremists from the Demi-human Liberation Organization."

"Why would they kill their own people? The play performed that day, 'The Voice of Janus,' was written by a playwright who sympathizes with the plight of the demi-humans, and its theme is also in support of legal reform. The famous demi-human activist, Ms. Grace, was even present to lobby for the bill..."

"Who knows what happens to extremists? If they acted like normal people, they wouldn't be extremists." Dislife picked up the small spoon that was stuck in the coffee cup and stirred it casually.

"Based on my years of experience handling cases, things are probably not that simple." Reid took out a thick stack of documents from his briefcase and placed them on Dislife's desk.

"You should be aware of some of these cases, because during the investigation, we discovered instances of suspected use of 'phantom books,' and we collaborated with the Taiwan Creative Content Agency on one of them."

Disrife read very quickly, finishing the thick stack of documents that Lesder had given her in less than a minute.

She slowly raised her head, her lake-blue eyes looking at Reid: "So, you believe that these seemingly isolated and unrelated cases are actually connected in some way we don't yet know about? For example, the suppression of the demi-human liberation movement?"

"An accidental fire last month affected Mr. Wilder's home, and he was burned alive in his study. Before his death, his main job was lobbying for amendments to the 'Demi-human Management Regulations'."

"Ten days ago, Mr. Carter died from an accidental chemical leak in the laboratory. His last research topic was subhuman morphology."

"Ms. Simone was stabbed to death by her lover last week. The investigation revealed it to be a crime of passion, but she also had great sympathy for the demi-human community and publicly supported the demi-human liberation movement..."

"It is clear that the victims of these cases, whether directly or indirectly, always include at least one Ajin activist, a supporter of the Ajin liberation movement, or someone whose stance is biased towards the liberation of Ajin."

"I suspect these cases are essentially orchestrated by some force targeting the demi-human liberation movement," Inspector Reid said firmly. "Including this theater bombing... Of course, I have no evidence; this is just my intuition, but police can't convict based on intuition alone."

"So I want to invite people from the Literature and Art Publishing House to come with me to the scene to see if there are any traces of the Phantom Book being used in the crime."

"Detective Red, I have a question for you." Disrifei's hand, holding the small spoon, began to stir in the opposite direction. "Didn't you always hate demi-humans, oppose the demi-human liberation movement, and believe that if those inherently lowly potential criminals were allowed to vote like citizens, the Empire would be destroyed in a day?"

"That's right, demi-humans are the most cunning and the best liars. They are cowardly, wicked, and incompetent. They are murderers, potential criminals, the scum of society, and destabilizing factors..." Reid did not deny it; on the contrary, he became more and more agitated as he spoke.

"But even so, they should be judged by the law, by justice, and by Charon, the goddess of fate and fairness. The Empire has the 'Regulations for the Management of Demi-humans.' Who do those who illegally and privately kill demi-humans think they are? Where do they place the authority of the Imperial Law?"

"I am a police officer. I support and uphold justice—at least within the scope of the law. If the law needs to be amended in response to public demands and societal needs, that is the job of the government and the members of parliament. Regardless of the outcome, I will accept it out of duty."

"But I cannot accept that there is a group of people who disregard imperial laws, set up their own courts, and engage in conspiracies to influence the empire's major policies."

Instead of responding directly, Disliffe finally picked up her coffee, which she had been stirring for a long time, and began to sip it.

A silence fell over the office, broken only by the occasional soft clinking of coffee cups against the table.

Inspector Leeds didn't rush him, but waited patiently, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the leather gloves on his knees.

After a while, Disiffi put the coffee cup back on the saucer with a crisp "ding." "Detective, you're still an honest man after all."

She nodded slightly, a barely perceptible glint in her lake-blue eyes. "The Academy of Literature and Art has a responsibility to investigate any cases that may involve the misuse of magical books, especially those with such a negative social impact..."

Inspector Reid relaxed and gave a slight bow: "Thank you very much for your understanding and support. So, who is accompanying me on this investigation?"

Disrifee stood up, walked to a coat rack in the corner of the office, took down a long, dark green women's trench coat, and draped it over her shoulders. "I'll go there myself."

Inspector Lesder was somewhat surprised. Putting aside the fact that the idea of ​​this series of cases targeting demi-humans was currently just his personal speculation, even if it were true, it wouldn't be necessary for Miss Dislife to personally take action, would it?

Although Deslie looks about the same age as his daughter, according to Inspector Lesder, she is no ordinary person, holding a very high position, and even Her Majesty the Queen has to show her some respect.

She has never personally taken action in the past; she has always stayed here and has never even been seen going out.

Surely he's not just bored and looking for an excuse to go out with me, is he?

Reid shook his head, banishing the absurd idea from his mind—it was indeed his daughter's way of thinking.

But someone of that status, even if they look like a child, can't actually act like one.

"It would be wonderful if the Dean herself came," Reid said.

Disrife took a gray and white checkered briefcase from under the large desk and gestured for Reid to proceed.

The two walked out of the office one after the other, attracting the attention of the clerks working in the outer office area.

"Oh, right, Dorian, you're coming with us too," Dislife suddenly said as the two walked up to Dorian.

Dorian: ?