Deep Sea Embers

Chapter 85 “Reward”

Duncan affirmed his composure and walked towards the two policemen at the door.

He had nothing to fear in any case. The guy did not do any sabotage, nor did he have any conflict with the authorities. Although Captain Duncan was infamous around these parts, but what did the mobile natural disaster of the Boundless Sea have to do with this honest antique store owner?

If there’s anything to be suspicious about, it would only be the fact that he attended the cultist gathering before running off to report it!

Wait a minute…… report?

Duncan suddenly remembered this stubble and immediately got a vague guess as to the reason why the two policemen came to his residence. Now he’s even more confident in his footsteps, but that obviously didn’t translate to Nina’s nerve.

“Uncle, you must answer the policemen’s question honestly…” the young lady urgently murmurs as she brushes shoulders with her uncle.

Duncan suddenly faltered and casts a strange look at his “niece”: “Is that the image I have in your heart?”

Nina returned the look with a face that was even more exaggerated. It’s the same type of expression that happens when an alcoholic swears he won’t be drinking again. “…. Then what else could the police come for this early in the morning?”

Duncan: “…”

He sighed helplessly and finished the distance to the door with a big, bright smile. “Good morning gents. What can I do for the both of you?”

“Mr. Duncan,” the older of the two policemen began with a polite and businesslike tone, “we found this place according to the registered address. The tip you reported to the patrol officers yesterday has been confirmed. On behalf of City Hall, we thank you for your contribution in helping with the maintenance of order. We’re also here to hand you your reward.”

When the words fell, the young officer next to him stepped forward and handed over a paper envelope that looked quite thick.

Nina had widened her eyes from the sidelines after seeing the parcel.

Duncan had guessed as much. However, he didn’t expect the reward money to be directly brought to his door like this. Not being shy, he accepted the package and was surprised when he saw the words “435 Sora” imprinted on the disposable wax seal. That’s a generous amount for any residence in the lower sector.

“So there’s a bounty reward…” Duncan squeezed the paper parcel and relished in the thickness of the banknotes, “I wasn’t even thinking about it at the time.”

“Of course there is a bounty. The admittaturs pay great heed to the fight against the evil lurking inside the city-state, especially in recent times. All valid reports are rewarded generously, so do keep that in mind.” The younger officer chuckles with amusement at the shop owner’s lack of awareness, “Not to mention the clues you provided are… very special.”

Hearing this, Duncan’s heart couldn’t help but jerk with attention. Acting casually like he’s only curious: “By the way, I didn’t dare to go over there and take a look for myself, but what exactly happened?”

The two officers exchanged a look with each other and then actually stepped inside the shop. Nina didn’t miss this and promptly closed the door behind everyone.

“We did not go to the scene ourselves. The matter was dealt with by the guardians. However, according to the information that came through the proper channels… the situation was terrible,” said the younger officer, who had not yet fully learned the businesslike tone of his senior. “You were right to not take a look. If you had gone, you would’ve likely fallen into severe danger.”

Duncan was stunned for a moment before quickly coming back to attention.

This was the lower sector, where sewage and toxins flow from the upper sector. If heretics and evil were to take up residence, it would surely be in these shabby and winding alleys.

Although the neighborhood where the antique shop was located could already be considered a decent place in the lower sector, it still doesn’t change the fact that it’s part of the lower sector. Slum or no slum.

On the other hand, even if we did not consider there may be cultists lurking among ordinary folks in the lower sector, a person who “reports to the authorities and collects a bounty” was very likely to be the target of vigilance here anyway.

The officers who are familiar with the local situation certainly know this; therefore, the reminder here was a routine habit and a deed out of good intentions.

Duncan thought about it and felt that the reminder was right as well.

This place was indeed prone to cultists—he still has the sun talisman in his pocket.

“Thank you for the reminder,” he thanked the two sincerely. Although the ghost captain didn’t know what the average standard here was, but at least the two in front gave a good impression. “Do you want to take a break here?”

“No need,” the older officer waved his hand and turned toward the exit, “we still have patrol duty that must be attended to.”

The young officer promptly followed as well: “If you still encounter clues in the future, please report it to the authorities. The security of the city-state affects each and every one of us.”

“Of course,” Duncan squeezed the paper bag in his hand and formed a genuine smile, “I have always been a good citizen who cares about the order of the city-state.”

Once the two men wearing the dark blue uniforms were out of sight, Nina immediately turned back to look at her uncle, who was already counting the money bills inside. “Uncle… Is this really a reward from City Hall? You actually… really…”

The girl opened her mouth but found it awkward to speak the next part. “You can really do good things.”

Duncan knew what Nina was thinking and chuckled at her troubled mindset: “It was when I was coming home yesterday. Your uncle I have always been enthusiastic about public welfare.”

Nina: “…”

“But I was surprised to have such a huge bounty reward.” Duncan didn’t wait for Nina to speak to mutter his inner greed while looking down at the banknotes, “This is faster than making money from the shop….”

There was another sentence he didn’t say: According to the information he had before, there were still many cultists from various city-states hiding in the city.

That’s all money!

Nina took a good moment to return to her senses: “Uncle, what did you say?”

“Nothing, forget what I said,” Duncan said casually and waved the topic off. “Weren’t you going to school today? Don’t be late. By the way, when is Mr. Morris coming for the home visit?”

“In the afternoon, I only have one class in the afternoon,” Nina said, as if thinking of something, “Uncle, are you still going out today?”

Duncan nodded, “Mhmm, but I’ll be home before your history teacher comes.”

When Nina heard this, she immediately looked suspiciously over his way: “Uncle, what are you going to do?”

Duncan smiled extraordinarily brightly: “Your uncle is going out hunting today.”

He already got an idea in mind. Since the sun talisman was so easy to use, plus the authorities are so willing to offer up a bounty, so why not take advantage of this point? He’s going to make trouble for these suntists anyway. No reason not to kill two birds with one stone.

Nina was a smart girl. Even if she doesn’t know the full story, she could already guess what Duncan meant by “hunting” in this case. With a wrinkled forehead: “… Uncle, it’s not right for you to do this. You also said yesterday that you want to properly operate the shop. If you want to rectify the situation with the shop, then you need to recruit an assistant first…”

“I know, I know, but there’s no contradiction in running a shop and helping with the city’s security, is there?” Duncan waved his hand to reassure his niece, “Let your uncle here worry about the shop. You focus on school first.”

Yet, instead of doing as told, Nina promptly grabbed a chair and sat down next to him with a firm face.

“Nina?”

“Uncle, it’s so dangerous.” Nina looked up and stared at her precious uncle.

Duncan: “Uhhh… actually…”

“I’m going to keep an eye on you,” Nina sat there stubbornly, “just now those two gentlemen already mentioned how dangerous it is as of late…. It’s one thing that you accidentally encountered the matter. How can you actively go out to search for such dangers?”

Duncan was taken aback by the seventeen-year-old girl’s statement because she really does care for him. Though the way was stubborn and crude, but it was from the heart.

“I don’t want a bike.” Nina lowered her head and muttered quietly.

“Go to school.” Duncan sighed and stepped forward with a smile, then ruffled Nina’s hair.

Nina looked up in surprise.

“You’re right, it’s dangerous,” Duncan said seriously, “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll wait here in the store for you to come back.”