The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 97: Verification

"Boss?" Lumian was shocked when he heard that.

He hadn't considered that this matter might be connected to Gardener Martin, but it seemed to explain a few things: Why did that smuggling caravan "vanish" into thin air on a well-used hidden route?

Why was Christo, "the Rat," so eager to seek help from him and others? If it was just about losing a shipment, Christo would have likely double-checked and waited for a while before exposing his weakness and mistakes to colleagues who might be watching his position closely.

In an instant, Lumian thought of more: "Gardener Martin is suspected to be a Sequence 6 or Sequence 5 of the Hunter pathway..."

I entered that strange mirror world along with Françoise. One of us is a Hunter, and the other is a Witch. We're on similar or adjacent pathways.

Mr. K instructed me to get close to Gardener Martin, to earn his trust.

Françoise, a member of the covert group Curly-Haired Baboon Research Society, with a relatively high sequence, is willing to be the mistress of such a gang boss like Gardener Martin.

This leader of the Savoie Party must have some significant secrets or is involved in something big.

Is the item that the boss had Christo bring into Trier related to the Hunter or Witch pathways?

Why take the risk of using underground routes, potentially being discovered by tax officials? Why didn't the boss pick it up outside the city himself? Having Christo lead a smuggler would've been safer and more discreet... Could it be that he knew the item might cause unforeseen problems and didn't want to take the risk?

Lumian's gaze shifted from Christo, "the Rat," to Françoise's face.

The witch also seemed surprised by this answer, her expression showing both shock and excitement.

She fixed her eyes on Christo and sneered, "Are you trying to fool me? How could I not know that Gardener asked you to bring something into Trier?"

"Where is it?"

Excitement... joy... Lumian became even more certain that Françoise's involvement with the Savoie Party and her closeness to Gardener Martin were not purely coincidental.

Christo forced a smile. "It's in an iron box. I've already delivered it to Spring Street."

The boss probably hasn't had time to tell you yet.

As a senior member of the Savoie Party, Christo knew that Françoise, "Red Boots," was powerful. Killing him, unprepared and without backup, would be easy for her. Plus, she was skilled in divination and could detect lies.

"You'd better not be lying!"

Françoise withdrew, took out her makeup mirror, and performed a divination right in front of Christo.

Lumian played along, standing up and walking over to Christo's side, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Once Françoise confirmed that Christo was telling the truth, Lumian smiled and patted the "Rat's" shoulder. "Next time something like this happens, make sure to warn me that the cargo is problematic and might cause unexpected trouble. Otherwise, I'll chop you into pieces and feed you to your beloved little pets."

He had heard from Louis that Christo kept many animals, his favorite being dogs.

Christo, though enraged by the threat, suppressed his anger. "Françoise is the boss's mistress, and she's stronger than me. I can accept her treating me like this, but you—what right do you have, you newbie?"