Draw of the Cards

Chapter 5: Suspects and Plans

"Did you see the morning news, Professor?"

"Yes, I did. Quite interesting, wouldn't you say?" Ozpin replied as he took a sip from his mug.

Glynda Goodwitch, however, wasn't nearly as casual about the situation as she took out her scroll and began reading the headlines.

"White Fang hideout discovered and shut down in a single night. Police have apprehended dozens of White Fang members, as well as secured an entire warehouse full of stolen Dust."

"Isn't it fascinating how quickly news outlets release stories that are more aligned to good news than bad? I believe the articles say this all happened just last night. They certainly didn't wait to share the story." Ozpin noted with a chuckle.

Ozpin, of course, already knew why the media had rushed to get such news out to the public as quickly as possible. It was good news, and the better the news, the happier and safer the people felt. And the better they felt, the less the Grimm were a problem for those people in the city of Vale. That didn't stop him from finding the speed journalists worked at to be nothing short of what he would see daily with Doctor Oobleck at times.

"The articles say that the White Fang soldiers were already knocked unconscious by the time the police arrived on the scene," Glynda mentioned.

"Yes. It also mentioned how they were tipped off by an emergency call. It is highly likely that the caller was the one who ended up defeating the White Fang before the authorities arrived." Ozpin added.

"Do you think it was a huntsman who arrived at the scene first and made the call, then?"

"No. If it was, why would they not stay and speak with the authorities? They would have no reason to flee the scene after taking out the White Fang. Besides, I already took the liberty to contact any huntsmen and huntresses that were in the area at the time and ask them questions, and none of them said they were involved."

"Someone might be lying, perhaps."

"A reasonable first assumption to make, but it is still a flawed line of thought. For what reason would any of our loyal huntsmen and huntresses lie to us, Glynda? Unless defeating a large group of White Fang terrorists and leaving them alive for the police to arrest is somehow feeding some sort of grand, evil plan, I cannot imagine that anyone would lie about their involvement in this endeavor." Ozpin stated in a neutral tone, not truly bothered or offended by what his deputy had said.

"I am only offering possibilities on what might have occurred." Glynda countered cooly in response. "And I only said that someone might be lying. I made no mention of any secret conspiracy or scheming. One of our huntsmen might have simply wanted to avoid the praise and recognition."

"True. There have been plenty of huntsmen who enjoy the spotlight and the fame and accolades that come with it, but there have been just as many who wish to avoid such things. Either because they are too humble to accept such admiration or because they prefer to work from the shadows to keep our enemies on their toes. We've gotten to know several huntsmen who fall under all of those categories, haven't we?"

"Indeed " Glynda nodded. "Regardless, what do you think this means if you do not think one of our huntsmen was involved?"

"Simple. I believe we might have a rogue vigilante. If someone without a huntsman license is the one who took out this White Fang hideout, that would explain why they would flee the scene before the police arrive." Ozpin explained before taking another sip from his mug.

"Hmm... That is a plausible theory. If the authorities had discovered the one who took out the White Fang did not have a huntsman license, that might have caused issues that could have led to the police trying to bring in the one in question."