A Scientific Urban Detective.

Chapter 1166 Changes in the Situation

Shirai Kuroko volunteered to personally escort Lin Wuming to the "building without windows." During this time, her abilities also improved, and she felt that she was no less capable than Kihara Ayaki.

Kihara Tatsuki didn't care about this. She saw herself as just an ordinary worker and had no competitive spirit. In the end, she even deliberately slowed down to keep up with Shirai Kuroko and reach the finish line at the same time.

Shirai Kuroko naturally noticed that the other party had shown leniency and felt somewhat displeased.

What's even more unpleasant is that they're about to hand over the nameless senior to the other party.

"Don't worry about it," Kihara Tsurugi walked over and took the handle of the wheelchair. "I'll be back in ten seconds at most."

—The one who will truly monopolize Lin Wuming's time from now on is Chairman Aleister, not himself, the "guide".

"Why did the boss have to come in a wheelchair?" Kihara Tamaki couldn't help but complain again.

“When meeting the chairman, it’s natural to be more formal,” Lin Wuming explained.

Does a wheelchair equate to formal attire?

“Yes.” Lin Wuming nodded. “For me, yes.”

During the conversation, Kihara Tsurugi activated her ability "Coordinate Movement" to send Lin Wuming, along with his wheelchair, into the "windowless building".

As always, Chairman Aleister was suspended upside down in the giant test tube, and Lin Wuming was sitting in a wheelchair as usual—at this height, their lines of sight were exactly level.

This time, however, Aleister opened his eyes from the very beginning, and his facial expressions were much more vivid.

If the original chairman was like a specimen preserved in formalin, then what we see now is undoubtedly a living, breathing person.

Lin Wuming was somewhat taken aback, unsure if it was just his imagination, but something seemed different.

"Lin Wuming, it's been a long time," Aleister said first.

"Long time no see," Lin Wuming nodded in response.

In fact, it had only been a few days since their last meeting, so this frequency could even be considered quite high.

However, neither of them paid attention to this rhetorical detail at the time.

“I have received the report from the General Council,” Aleister said. “The investigation into the Nordic association ‘Gremlin’ will now be under your full responsibility.”

“Yes.” Lin Wuming nodded, then added, “But I’m just a figurehead; I don’t plan to go to Europe again anytime soon…”

“It’s good that you’re willing to help,” Chairman Aleister said. “You can leave the specific tasks to your subordinates. With your current status, you only need to step in and make the final decision at the very last and most crucial moment.”

Lin Wuming couldn't help but ask in return, "Like when we went to Siberia to participate in the great battle a few days ago?"

“Yes,” Aleister replied calmly, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm in his tone, “that decisive battle with the Crusaders was the most crucial moment.”

Aleister wasn't just talking; in fact, he himself did take action.

Without saying anything more about that topic, Aleister changed the subject and asked, "Are you aware of the current situation outside?"

“I’ve heard about it,” Lin Wuming nodded, “from Yun Chuanqinya.” “You have the appropriate permissions to view all news reports worldwide,” Chairman Aleister reminded him. “In addition, the intelligence department produces daily briefings, which are very useful.”

“I’ll be careful.” Lin Wuming nodded, then asked, “So, should we turn our attention outside now?”

“We’ve been keeping an eye on the outside world.” Chairman Aleister shook his head. “In fact, once you climbed to the position of Overseeing Director, all these privileges were already granted to you.”

As a modern metropolis, Academy City is destined to rely on the input of external resources.

Therefore, as the ruling class of the city, it is essential to pay close attention to the outside world at all times.

However, Lin Wuming's situation was special. First, his rise to power was too rapid, and second, he genuinely lacked the corresponding awareness, so he had always overlooked this aspect.

Of course, Lin Wuming's foundation lies in his own strength and influence, as well as the talented people in the "Nameless Force" around him—with these as the basis, whether or not he cares about external affairs is indeed not so important.

However, as his strength further increased and his achievements became more and more brilliant, Lin Wuming's identity has now changed again; Chairman Aleister has begun to hope that he can take on more responsibility.

The term "vice chairman" is no longer a joke.

“Because of the great battle four days ago, the world situation has changed significantly. On the one hand, Academy City, as the victor of the war, has a greater influence,” Chairman Aleister said. “But on the other hand, because of the strength we have demonstrated, it has also aroused the suspicion of a considerable number of national organizations.”

At least in the short term, from a holistic perspective, the impact of this war on Academy City is more beneficial than harmful.

Therefore, we should take this opportunity to expand our gains and further consolidate our advantages.

"So please don't have any concerns, Lin Wuming," Chairman Aleister said. "Now your interests are highly aligned with mine, so go ahead and do it. I will only support you."

"You called me here just to talk about this?" Lin Wuming asked.

“Yes, I think that’s important.” Aleister nodded. “Some things only make sense when discussed face-to-face.”

—It was indeed a “face-to-face” exchange.

Lin Wuming also noticed that the voice that had just spoken was not the usual electronic synthesized voice, but rather sounded more like a normal human voice amplified by a microphone.

"Could I interpret this as..." Lin Wuming carefully considered his words, "that the rumor that a 'demon god' exists within the magical society 'Gremlin' is true?"

Lin Wuming narrowed his eyes and met Aleister's gaze directly: "So only if I advance further and become a Level 6 will I have a chance to contend with him?"

Otherwise, there would be no reason for Aleister to suddenly become so supportive of him.

"Demon God...where did you learn this name from?"

“After the winds from the front invaded, a magician named Orelels found me…” Lin Wuming said.

The most ingenious lie is to not lie at all, but to tell the truth. However, the truth does not necessarily mean the correct answer.

Aleister accepted this explanation. He knew about the Demon God Othinus, and he also knew about Orelus, who had missed out on becoming the Demon God; he also knew that Orelus had indeed infiltrated Academy City and had contact with Lin Wuming...

(End of this chapter)