I thought it would take a long time to pass through the police reception, so I decided to visit Inspector Jaguar, who had become an acquaintance of mine.
The inspector should be interested in my story.
With his esteemed rank and the honorable title of Knight (Sire), Inspector Jaguar occupied a well-positioned office within the station.
Without saying a word, Inspector Jaguar listened to my explanation and stood up.
“We have to apprehend this man called Binks immediately.”
He was still as proactive as ever. However, I understood the urgency of the inspector.
“The Pact of Zoma” was a forbidden book, and mere possession of it carried a death sentence. However, those who owned it often held influential positions within a secret society that had deeply infiltrated the city of Londian.
The description of a secret society may evoke a sense of grandeur, but in plain terms, it was nothing more than a cult devoted to worshiping the devil.
Their objective revolved around the destruction of the world at the hands of demons, followed by the creation of a new one.
For those weary of their daily lives and plagued by a sense of stagnation, the teachings of the cult might have sounded appealing.
However, the reality was far from glamorous. They cunningly deceived the impoverished, using enticing words, only to later subject them to brainwashing through opium and alcohol, forcing them into a life of crime and prostitution within their hidden organization.
They seemed to be in constant conflict with local gangs, and the more unhinged they were, the more difficult it became to handle them.
Moreover, their origins as a cult posed a problem, as the structure and headquarters of the organization remained elusive.
While lower-ranking members were frequently apprehended, the high-ranking individuals within their ranks were seldom found.
“So Binks attempted to kill Poe, who had seen ‘The Pact of Zoma,’ just to be safe. It seems his caution has backfired instead,” I explained.
“Yes, this is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to expose the entire organization. Your knowledge, Wolf, has proven valuable yet again,” Inspector Jaguar remarked.
“Calling it knowledge is an overstatement.”
It was more like gazing at the forbidden books in the Sullivan’s house, which had become a frequent pastime for me.
Although these kinds of books were designed to prevent their entry into libraries, I found great enjoyment in simply admiring them.
I believe that there’s something tantalizing about subcultures and heresies.
However, saying such things might easily attract the attention of a cult, leading to an immediate invitation.
Soon enough, 12 plainclothes officers under Inspector Jaguar’s command sprung into action to capture Binks.
“Oh, Inspector Jaguar.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Well, I have some business at the house next to Binks’.”
“The neighboring house?”
“Yes, you see, I need to collect 3300 gil from Rick Poe’s wife. It’s payment that’s due.”
Inspector Jaguar pondered for a moment before delivering his response.
“Wolf, would you mind coming along? I have a favor to ask of you.”
How should I put it? There was an unsettling sense of foreboding that enveloped me.
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