Duncan took a deep breath and walked towards the two officers at the door. He felt calm inside—after all, he hadn’t done anything wrong and had never clashed with the authorities. Captain Duncan might have a reputation, but how could a simple antique shop owner be connected to a disaster on the endless sea?
Thinking back, the most suspicious thing he had done was attend a cult gathering—but he had reported it afterward!
Wait… reported?
Duncan suddenly remembered this and guessed the reason for the officers’ visit. His steps became more confident, but Nina clearly wasn’t as calm. When she saw her uncle coming downstairs, she hurried over and, in a tone that the officers couldn’t hear, said urgently, “Uncle, when the officers ask questions, you must be honest…”
Duncan stumbled slightly, looking at his “niece” with a strange expression. “Is that how you see me?”
Nina looked a bit wronged at her uncle, who often got into trouble for drinking or fighting in casinos. “...What else would the officers come to see you for?”
Duncan sighed helplessly as he reached the shop door and greeted the two officers in dark blue uniforms with a bright smile. “Good morning, gentlemen. How can I help you?”
“Mr. Duncan Strain,” the older officer said politely, with a formal tone, “We found you at this address as registered. The information you reported to the patrol yesterday has been confirmed. We are here on behalf of the city hall to thank you for your contribution to maintaining order in the city and to deliver your reward.”
As he spoke, the younger officer stepped forward and handed over a thick paper package.
Nina’s eyes widened in surprise.
Duncan had guessed the officers’ purpose, thinking they were following up on his report about the cult, but he hadn’t expected them to bring the reward right to his door. He took the package, surprised to see “435 Solas” written on the wax seal—this was quite a generous sum for someone living in the lower district.
“So there’s money involved…” Duncan squeezed the package, feeling the thickness of the cash. “I didn’t think about that at the time.”
“Of course there’s a reward—the governor places great importance on fighting crime in the city, especially recently. Any effective reports will receive substantial rewards,” the younger officer smiled. “Besides, the information you provided… was quite extraordinary.”
Duncan’s heart stirred at this, and he casually asked, “By the way, I didn’t dare to get too close when I heard something strange over there… What happened?”
The two officers exchanged glances and stepped into the shop. Nina, realizing this, quickly rushed to close the door.
“We didn’t go to the scene; the guards handled it. But from what we’ve heard… it was quite brutal,” the younger officer said, still not fully mastering the formal tone of his senior. “It was wise of you not to approach and to report to the patrol right away; otherwise, you could have been in danger.”
After the young officer spoke, the other officer added, “Ordinary citizens don’t need to know the details. We just want to remind you—cult activities have been increasing in the city lately. Don’t mention that you reported for a reward to outsiders.”
Duncan paused, quickly understanding.
This was the lower district, a place where filth and danger flowed together, hiding the worst of the city. When cults stirred, they would surely hide in such places.
Although the street where his antique shop was located was relatively decent compared to the worst slums, from the perspective of hiding filth, the entire lower district was quite similar.
Moreover, even if there weren’t cult members hiding among ordinary people, someone who “reported to the authorities for a reward” could easily become a target for suspicion.
The officers, familiar with the local situation, were giving a routine warning out of genuine concern.
Duncan thought for a moment and felt they were right.
This place was indeed prone to cults—he still had that sun emblem in his pocket.
“Thank you for the warning,” he said sincerely. Although he wasn’t sure about the average level of most officers, these two had left a good impression on him. “Would you like to rest here for a bit?”
“No need,” the older officer waved his hand and turned towards the door. “We have patrol duties.”
The younger officer turned back before leaving. “If you encounter any more leads in the future, please report them promptly—the safety of the city affects us all.”
“Of course,” Duncan squeezed the package in his hand, a genuine smile on his face. “I’m always a good citizen concerned about the city’s order.”
The two officers left Duncan’s antique shop, the “well-meaning citizen,” and only when their uniforms disappeared down the street did Nina finally turn her attention back to her uncle. Duncan was opening the package, counting the blue and green bills inside. The pleasant sound of the cash made her feel the reality of it: “Uncle… is this really the city hall’s reward? You actually… really…”
The girl opened her mouth but couldn’t bring herself to ask, “You actually did something good?”
Duncan knew what Nina was thinking and what she was confused about. He chuckled, “I just reported some illegal activities when I was coming home yesterday—your uncle is always eager to help the community.”
Nina: “…”
“Though I’m surprised the reward is so high,” Duncan continued without waiting for her to speak, looking thoughtfully at the cash in his hands. “This is faster than making money through business…”
There was something else he didn’t say: based on previous information, there were still many cult members from various cities hiding in town.
That was all money!
Nina didn’t quite catch what he said. “What did you say, Uncle?”
“Nothing,” Duncan waved his hand, thinking about this new way to make money. “Aren’t you supposed to go to school? You should leave early so you’re not late—by the way, when is Mr. Morris coming for a home visit?”
“In the afternoon; I only have one class then,” Nina said, as if remembering something. “Are you going out today, Uncle?”
Duncan nodded. “Yes, I’ll go out, but I’ll be back before your history teacher arrives.”
Nina looked at him suspiciously. “What are you going to do, Uncle?”
Duncan smiled brightly. “I’m going hunting.”
He had an idea. Since the sun emblem was so useful and the authorities were so generous with rewards, he might as well take advantage of it. Even without the “reporting for money” factor, just to ensure his surroundings were safe, he would have to deal with cult members anyway. Now that he knew he could get a reward for it afterward, why not?
But Nina was a smart girl. Even if she didn’t know Duncan’s full background, she guessed what he meant by “hunting.” Her delicate brows furrowed. “...Uncle, that’s not right. You said yesterday you’d focus on running the shop and getting things in order and hiring staff…”
“Caring about the city’s safety and running a shop properly aren’t contradictory,” Duncan waved his hand. “You go to school; I know what I’m doing.”
However, he didn’t expect that Nina would sit down on a nearby chair after hearing this.
“Nina?”
“Uncle, that’s dangerous.” Nina looked up, her eyes fixed on Duncan.
Duncan: “Uh… actually…”
“I want to keep an eye on you,” Nina insisted, sitting there. “The officers just said it’s not safe in the city lately… It’s one thing to accidentally run into trouble, but why would you actively seek out danger?”
Duncan stared at the seventeen-year-old girl, a bit stunned.
He suddenly realized she was genuinely concerned about him—in a way she thought was correct and safe, worried about her “uncle Duncan, who has been sick for years, is weak, acts recklessly, and is now desperately trying to make money.”
“I don’t want a bicycle,” Nina mumbled, looking down.
“Go to school,” Duncan sighed, smiling as he reached out to pat Nina’s head.
Nina looked up in surprise.
“You’re right; it is dangerous,” Duncan said seriously, looking at her. “I won’t go anywhere. I’ll wait for you in the shop.”
(End of Chapter)