Despite their differing opinions, Zhu Yuan, Jane Doe, and Qingyi were ultimately overruled by Sol Mercer, who insisted on carrying out his plan.

However, this was a mission targeting a mid-sized arms trafficking organization. As the captain of a small special investigation unit, Zhu Yuan didn't have the authority to approve it—such an operation required at least a district-level Public Security director's authorization.

And so, as Sol and the others cheerfully continued eating hot pot, Zhu Yuan dialed Bringer's number.

"Director Bringer, here's the situation," she said. "Sol Mercer wishes to participate in the operation to dismantle the Black Panther organization, and he's proposed the following plan…"

At the Janus District Public Security Headquarters, Justin Bringer—currently busy campaigning for the upcoming elections—only half-listened before replying calmly,

"Just do it."

"Director Bringer, what did you say? I didn't quite catch that."

Zhu Yuan froze, unsure if she'd misheard. She understood the words perfectly—but surely that couldn't be what he meant.

The Black Panther organization was an arms syndicate. Back in Old Eridu, this kind of situation would've mobilized the entire Defense Force.

But now, Bringer was saying to just go for it? Wasn't that… a bit too casual?

"You didn't mishear, Zhu Yuan," Bringer said calmly, taking a sip of coffee. "Let Sol handle it as he sees fit. I trust his abilities completely. Having him lend us his strength is a blessing for Public Security."

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Bringer asked, "By the way, wasn't this operation originally assigned to Division 11?"

"That's right," Zhu Yuan replied blankly. "Our Special Investigations Unit was responsible for the final apprehension."

At that moment, Qingyi—who had been eating heartily—and Jane both froze, chopsticks mid-air.

Both of them were seasoned enough to sense that something about Bringer's tone was… off. A little too indulgent.

Bringer waved a hand decisively. "Excellent. Then consider this a reassignment. Your unit will have full jurisdiction. You may use my authority to coordinate manpower from any district branch during the operation. Make sure our brother Sol Mercer—ah, I mean—make sure the Black Panther organization is brought to justice!"

He paused, then added with mock solemnity,

"And don't let Sol work for free. We can't chill the patriotic spirit of such a fine, civic-minded man!"

"Uh… huh?"

Zhu Yuan was utterly lost.

Bringer continued breezily, "No more talk. Give my regards to Brother Sol. I'll treat him to a good meal next time. I've got campaign work to finish—looking forward to your good news!"

He glanced at the election documents spread across his desk. Every minute counted right now. Public relations couldn't wait.

Once Zhu Yuan's team wrapped up this little job, maybe they could help him with some campaign outreach at Lumina Square.

As for the possibility of failure?

Impossible.

Even if he didn't trust Zhu Yuan's abilities, there was no way he'd doubt Sol Mercer's.

He'd just received intel not long ago—this was the same man who had punched out half a Hollow by himself.

Bringer had wanted to befriend him properly; after all, befriending Sol Mercer carried far more prestige than schmoozing with the TOPS corporate alliance. Unfortunately, he had orders from above to avoid excessive interference.

Beep, beep, beep—

The red "Call Ended" icon blinked on Zhu Yuan's screen.

A sudden, heavy weight settled on her shoulders, and she felt her confidence waver.

Her unit might be elite, but handling an arms organization alone was unprecedented.

"Strange," Qingyi muttered, rubbing her chin. "Bringer's acting weird today."

Normally, the man was eccentric but reliable when it came to serious matters.

But this time… he'd gone full lapdog. Even letting them mobilize district police under his name? That was unheard of.

"…"

Jane looked at Sol thoughtfully.

Bringer's tone had been full of meaning.

Sol Mercer clearly held a position far beyond an ordinary ACE Investigator.

After all, Public Security and the Hollow Investigation Association were two entirely separate entities—the sword of the old regime couldn't cut the officials of the new one.

That meant Sol must have done something big—something that made Bringer treat him with this much deference.

Intriguing. For a woman like Jane, who lived on intelligence, curiosity was second nature.

"Can we really handle such a large arms syndicate by ourselves?"

Zhu Yuan, ever the earnest one, didn't grasp Bringer's implications.

For the first time, she wasn't sure of herself.

Sol noticed her unease and said confidently, "Don't worry, Zhu Yuan. Guaranteed victory."

"Believe in yourself—you've got this," Qingyi added, patting her shoulder.

Zhu Yuan straightened, fire lighting her eyes. The weight of her uniform seemed to fill her with renewed conviction.

"You're right. We've come this far. No matter what, I'll see this case through and take down the Black Panther organization."

"Good," Sol said with a faint smile. "Then let's discuss the next phase of the plan."

"I'll disguise myself as a black-market arms dealer from the Outer Ring, and Anby will pose as my personal bodyguard. We'll claim to possess newly developed high-powered weaponry. Once we put on a good enough show, the transaction data you need will be easy to secure."

"So confident?" Jane asked with a sly smile.

"Of course I'm confident." Sol tilted his chin upward. "A small fry like the Black Panther organization? I could crush them like paper dogs."

After all, Yan Shuangying once fooled an entire resistance group with nothing but a counterfeit printing plate.

With an electromagnetic railgun as bait, even ten Black Panther syndicates would line up to bite.

"Fine, we'll go with your plan," Zhu Yuan said helplessly. After Bringer's words, she had no choice but to pin her hopes on Sol's idea.

Sol laid out the plan succinctly:

"I'll play the role of the arms dealer. Anby is my bodyguard. Jane stays undercover within the organization, but she mustn't appear connected to us—she'll act independently as needed."

He leaned back, summarizing with calm precision.

"Anby and I have the blueprints for a new portable electromagnetic railgun. We're on the run from the Public Security's Special Investigations Unit and looking for partners in the black market. By coincidence, we 'encounter' the Black Panther organization…"

"What if it's not Black Panther who shows up?" Zhu Yuan raised her hand.

Having witnessed Sol's railgun firsthand, she knew any arms organization would drool over such a weapon.

But that also meant more than one group might take the bait.

"Then we cast a wide net," Sol said, spreading his fingers before clenching them into a fist. "And cook the whole pot."

One Black Panther wasn't worth his full effort. Even if the bounty was worth billions of dennies, it still felt like an adult bullying a child.

But seven or eight syndicates at once? Now that would be worth his time. Enough to fund a trip all the way to the Star Rail line.