"Is this about what I asked for? Why do I still have to stay at the school?"
The tall figure asked, gently pushing Mae Kru's hand away from her face.
"Not at the school, but here, at my house."
Mae Kru Bulan's fierce eyes locked onto the other person's, speaking with a tone that was more of a command.
"Why?"
At this moment, the lieutenant was starting to get frustrated, even though she was already overthinking the situation. The woman in front of her kept talking about staying here, ignoring her request.
"Then why are you here..."
Mae Kru also wasn't much of a patient person. Realizing her wishes were being opposed, she was equally irritated.
"A retired police officer I consulted earlier told me that your father once helped him catch a criminal who has magical powers. That's why I came here even before going to the station."
"But my father has passed away. You need something to kill someone. If I help, it means I share the karma of killing. But alright, if you have good intentions for people, I'll find a way to help. Do you think those things are easy to make, that you can just demand them as you please?"
"I'm sorry. I was only thinking about my own needs."
"I don't want any money."
"Still... I have to repay you if it works. My brother is in a coma, and I've been transferred here. I can hardly do anything. At least I should do something useful for the case."
"If you didn't do anything wrong, would you be transferred?"
"It wasn't a transfer order from my superior but from my mother. I had to move to ease her worries. She feared I'd be in danger, too. But I know the hideout has moved close to this province, so I asked the higher-ups to transfer me here. Now that my mother thinks I'm safe, I can work more freely."
"You must be from Bangkok. I've seen many privileged officers like you. They don't work hard; their skin isn't rough like those who do real work. They just ask others to help and then take the credit."
Mae Kru spoke with a slight shake of her head with disdain.
"I'm not a coward, not weak, nor running from problems. But I have many things to do. Staying at someone else's house often isn't appropriate. And even if I stay, I don't know how I can help."
Part of her feared that if she said something to upset the other, she might refuse to help. But she couldn't help but argue to explain the reality, so she took a deep breath to calm herself before responding.
"Start from here."
Mae Kru's slender hand placed on the left side of the other's chest as she spoke, causing the person to look down at her hand.
"What do you mean..."
"A strong mind, faith, and belief."
"I've always believed in my abilities, but goodness often doesn't side with righteousness."
"I mean, I want you to believe in the Qualities of the Buddha and goodness..."
"....."
Mae Kru's words struck a chord with the lieutenant, leaving her silent. But Mae Kru's sharp eyes caught something hanging from Lieutenant Peem's necklace. At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary gold necklace with an amulet, but it was actually a Garuda amulet carved from gold. This explained why the person she was interested in hadn't shown any signs of being captivated by her beauty.
