Chapter 735: Chapter 12 Dust Troupe_3

“Acting,” Alandia said. “He often adapts mythological plays based on local customs or writes political satires based on current events. They’re not widely circulated, and once the performance is over, they’re quickly forgotten.”

“What about money?”

“He’s a Creator Realm Mage. He doesn’t need it.”

Gongsun Ce’s thoughts began to wander as he considered Situ Yi, the troupe leader, to be quite the romantic figure. This troupe claimed to be a band of actors, but it was really just him shouldering the whole act. Whenever he found a place that caught his eye, he would settle down, set up a stage, and start recruiting people. Actors were recruited on the spot and scripts written in a rush; however it turned out was just fine. As soon as the mood was gone and the play was over, he’d dismantle the stage and continue wandering. The actors would return to their normal lives, and the troupe leader would slip away from the city, as silently as he’d come. The plays that had been performed were soon forgotten, like fleeting shades in the modern metropolis, just like the troupe itself.

It sounded quite appealing, really, except for the problem of warm meals and a roof over one’s head; without considerable means, one couldn’t live such a poetic life.

The car stopped at a red light, and a four-person Knight Squad crossed the zebra crossing, not hurrying as a young man was helping an old lady across the street.

Alandia took out a hunting cap and put it on: “Mr. Gongsun, would you be willing to provide assistance in this investigation?”

Gongsun Ce was still lost in his fantasy about the troupe’s life. Upon hearing her, he replied subconsciously, “Me? What could I help you with?”

“Situ Yi is a dangerous man. He’s temperamental. My personal presence at the troupe might lead to unpredictable consequences,” Alandia explained, using an illustrative comparison. “We’re all too strong. It’s like the large beasts of the primeval jungle, each with their own territory which they fiercely guard against other lords, yet they generously tolerate the small creatures that scamper everywhere.”

What a fucking vivid metaphor! So after all this, you want my help because to you high and mighty Creator Realm Mages, Mr. Gongsun here is as harmless as a little bunny?! Last I checked, I was the goddamn top-danger Superpower User adept in trickery, respected by all in the City of Skies, but here in your Supibia, I’m nearly becoming a fucking pet?!

Gongsun Ce slapped his thigh in exasperation, about to retort fiercely when he suddenly remembered his embarrassing performance in Shadow Mist City the previous night, and his anger dissipated like smoke. The reality was indeed like that… He had struggled against just two monsters, using every trick he knew, while a Knight of Dawn had cleanly dispatched those chaotic creatures with a single sword strike. What grounds did he have for bravado? It was already decent of her to ask for his opinion…

“If you’re so bloody amazing, why don’t you go yourself?” Gongsun Ce grumbled, “If it comes to it, can’t you beat him in a fight?”

“I believe I have a higher chance of winning, but our fight could result in the destruction of Morton Country,” she stated.

The signal changed to green, and Alandia floored the gas, the car tearing down the main road with the force of a sports car. “Shit!” Gongsun Ce was slammed back into his seat by the inertia, his curse laced with surprise both from the conversation and from the driving. “Can’t you be a lady, Miss Alandia?!”

“This does not violate any traffic laws.”

The subtext being that you could go even faster, right? But is this really about whether it’s legal or not?! You’re a fucking Knight of Dawn, driving like this, what would your colleagues think…

Damn it, thinking about it, not a single normal person exists among those colleagues; they’d probably commend her: “Even on missions you abide by the traffic laws, truly deserving of Knight Alandia,” or some other such bullshit!

“Alright, alright, you make sense,” Gongsun Ce conceded through gritted teeth, “but why have me tag along on a covert operation? Isn’t it better to bring one of your subordinates?”

Alandia’s expression remained calm: “My command over the Knight Corps has been temporarily suspended by Her Majesty the Queen due to suspected malicious damage to the Holy Fire Armor.”

“Then what about your confidants—”

Mid-sentence, Gongsun Ce stopped and closed his mouth. Her confidants were gone too; her aide, Jane Deela, had just been dismissed from the Knight Order yesterday, and Alandia had personally processed it.

He suddenly understood why Knight Yuliy had said all those meddlesome words; Alandia was now left completely alone. She had lost her military authority and even her aide. The only troops a Creator Realm Mage had at her disposal were now herself, and she was sent to be the security for this high school student.

So that’s why Yuliy said I should take charge and help with the investigation; at the very least, I can keep an eye on this Superpower User. But this woman still refused her colleague’s help, stubborn as a rock.

“Do you really need to be so headstrong?” Gongsun Ce said. He knew he didn’t need to explain much; this smart woman would understand.

The Knight of Dawn gave an even stonier reply than he’d expected: “This is not about my personal attitude. The follow-up investigation regarding Jane Deela is my private affair and should not involve the manpower of the Knight Order. I am already very grateful that Knight Yuliy is willing to use his personal time to help; I cannot, in good conscience, impact his regular duties.”

Gongsun Ce thought to himself, what if I refuse to help? Would you go around with a long face asking your other colleagues for a favor, checking if they have any spare hands? Those nice guys would surely be willing to lend their subordinates to you, and Sara might even throw in a few dogs for good measure, but why should you suffer so needlessly?

A high-and-mighty Creator Realm Mage living like a fool, truly fucking idiotic.

He reached towards the driver’s seat, reluctantly asking, “How do we stay in contact?”

Alandia asked an odd question.

“What kind of hat do you prefer, Mr. Gongsun?”