My setting is above yours!

Chapter 65 Lv.5, [Hall of Laws] Leonard (4k3)

"A Cleansing Patrol Team? What's that?"

Hearing the doubt in Ron's tone, Xia Zhi couldn't help but be a little surprised:

"You don't know about the Purification Patrol Team?"

She seemed stumped, as if she didn't know how to explain "1+1=2," and after a moment of silence, she said helplessly:

"It seems you truly have no ambition for the Patrol Bureau... The Purification Patrol Team is the most elite armed force in the entire Ideal City, the true ace team of the Patrol Bureau, and the place every patrol officer dreams of..."

"The Purification Patrol Team currently has eleven squads, and it's rumored that they're expanding to include a twelfth squad—I wonder how many people want to take this opportunity to join the Purification Patrol Team and become members of the twelfth Purification Squad!"

As she spoke, she couldn't help but sigh:
"Unfortunately, Captain Leonard has extremely strict requirements for the Purification Patrol Team. To join the Purification Patrol Team, you need to become a Level 3 Constructor of Formulas just by applying, and it is best to have a bachelor's degree from one of the three major universities."

"After that, you need at least three 'First-Class Merits' or one 'Second-Class Merits'... Only if you meet these conditions will you be eligible to participate in the interview."

"And after the interview, countless challenges await you. In the end, only the best of the best are selected from among these experts to form the team members of the Purification Patrol Team..."

Xia Zhi's tone revealed a hint of longing:

"It is said that each member of these teams receives support from Artemis around the clock and can maintain Lv.4 ability permissions without having to complete the 'Experiment of Knowledge'!"

"Furthermore, they constantly rely on [Artemis] to monitor any unusual activity within the Ideal City, serving as the sharpest sword protecting it, and safeguarding its order and justice at all times..."

Are they always there to safeguard the order and justice of Ideal City?
Upon hearing this, Ron couldn't help but purse his lips.

If that's the case, they shouldn't have stood by and watched Olde carry out his "ability enhancement plan" in District D...

How many people actually died from this "knowledge experiment"?
Ron couldn't count them no matter how hard he tried...

However, Ron didn't harbor much ill will towards the patrol bureau.

Over the past month, Ron has observed that Ideal City is able to maintain a semblance of order, allowing most citizens to lead normal and stable lives, and the Inspection Bureau deserves immense credit for this.

Perhaps... for this Director Leonard, it wasn't that he didn't want to stop the "Ability Enhancement Program," but simply because it was part of the "Ideal City Order."

It is a necessary sacrifice in the "experiment of seeking knowledge".

Thinking of this, Ron shook his head, interrupting Xia Zhi's rambling:
"I see, that's impressive! I'll be back in District D soon, I definitely need to pay my respects to this important figure..."

He gave a brief reply to Xia Zhi, who was clearly quite excited, and hung up the phone, lost in thought.

The sector manager of Artemis, the head of the Purification Patrol...

He recalled what Xia Zhi had just said and keenly noticed a problem—

This Purification Inspection Team... why does it feel like I've heard of it before?

After thinking carefully, Ron immediately remembered where he had seen a similar name before...

[—Saint Dunn, Grand Master of the Order of Order, Knights of Purification.]

In the setting introduction of "Out of Control", the saint who said "the extraordinary are all pitiful worms who are constantly fighting against corruption and madness" is the leader of the Order of Order, the Knights of Purification!
If I remember correctly, during the "Potion Era," Ron actually learned a little about the Sanctuary of Order from the Society of Truth.

This is said to be a righteous church that worships a deity of "order," and its influence is vast, maintaining order in multiple countries and cooperating closely with the governments of many nations...

For example, in the French Empire... they were the main enforcers of the Secrecy Law.

Unfortunately, Evening Bell City is too small, too small to have a church like the [Church of Order].

Otherwise, based on what Ron and Idrila learned during their casual conversation, trouble like Father Suer's would likely be discovered quickly by the [Sanctuary of Order], who would then dispatch the Knights of Purification to deal with it...

So, here comes the problem——

The Purification Knights, the Purification Patrol... Such similar names, could it just be a coincidence?
Or……

The leader of the Purification Patrol Team, a Lv.5 standing at the pinnacle of Ideal City, is also chasing the power of the previous era, just like those magicians.

They even went so far as to attempt to attribute the power of the previous era to the inspection bureau...

Or is it that this so-called Purification Patrol Team was originally the Purification Knights of the previous era?

The former [Sanctuary of Order] has changed with the times and become what it is today...

Ron frowned, unable to figure out the reason for the moment.

After all, the "Potion Age" was far, far away from the Ideal City. In between, there was even a historical break caused by the "Great Cataclysm," and almost everything was buried in endless time. Ron could only see the shadow of the previous era in the surviving magicians.

He put his doubts aside and hailed a taxi at random.

The hovercar sped back to Area D of Ideal City in no time.

Ron arrived at the D District Chief Inspector's building and immediately noticed something different—

[A warm welcome to Lord Leonard, Head of the Purification Patrol Team, Chief Inspector of District B, and [Law Hall]!]

A large neon scrolling screen hung at the entrance of the building, and next to it, "Barking Police Officer" held up a sign that read "Warm Welcome" and waved it vigorously.

A brand-new, clean red carpet was laid on the ground, and a large group of patrolling agents were crowded around the red carpet at the entrance. These guys, who used to be too lazy to even wear their uniforms, were all dressed up neatly today and were waiting at the entrance with great excitement.

Is it really necessary to get so worked up?

It seems everyone is very enthusiastic about this team leader, Leonard.

Ron inwardly groaned, having just gotten out of the car and about to enter the building, when an unfamiliar patrolling operator grabbed his arm—

"What are you doing? What are you doing?!"

The man looked sullen.
"Is this a red carpet for you to walk on?"

"If you get it dirty, how will Lord Leonard walk on it?"

...What nonsense are you spouting?
Ron raised an eyebrow. Although he was quite annoyed by this kind of sycophantic guy who acted like a eunuch, he could still understand him to some extent.

After all, he's a Level 5, and the boss of bosses...

Forget it, it's better to avoid trouble.

Why don't I just fly in?

He shook his head, ignoring the guy he'd barely seen in over a month, and used [Vector Manipulation] to take flight, preparing to fly inside.

But a powerful force appeared on his leg and immediately pulled him back.

Ron turned around in surprise and found that the patrol officer he didn't recognize was bulging out of his muscles as if they had exploded, clearly a physical ability user using his power.

He grabbed Ron's ankle and pushed it back down.

"Flying over is not an option! This road was paved for Lord Leonard, how can you go first?"

Looking at the patrol officer's stubborn expression, Ron was both angry and amused.

No, where did this amazing person come from?
Ron even wondered if he had suddenly transmigrated into some kind of supernatural urban novel, entering an incomprehensible world where everyone was incapacitated by a series of pretentious face-slapping scenarios—

While he could understand that there might be some sycophants among the patrol officers, going to this extent was still too abnormal.

"Stupid."

Ron, too lazy to pay attention to this extraordinary person, kicked him away with a flick of his ankle and tried to fly inside—but an immense force landed on him, an unseen pressure that made him unable to move, and he was shocked to find that he couldn't move forward at all...

Then, all the patrol officers who were excitedly waiting for Commander Leonard at the entrance of the patrol bureau building simultaneously turned their heads and stared intently at Ron—

You can't be the first one.

They spoke in unison, their tone rigid:
"You cannot offend a Level 5."

As they spoke, they took a step toward Ron:
"You should respect the supreme authority of the Ideal City."

……etc?
The sound of footsteps hitting the ground simultaneously rang in his ears, thudding against Ron's chest.

He looked at the scene and instinctively took a step back.

Cold sweat seeped out on his back, and an indescribable sense of oppression suddenly rose from the bottom of his heart.

Fear, confusion, doubt...

Countless thoughts surfaced in my mind, but in the end, they all turned into retreat.

...In the end, I came here today just to collect some merit points, so there was no need to go in so early, right?

Although Xia Zhi said there would be a rehearsal, does that mean we can't get the reward if we don't rehearse?
Wait, what's wrong with Leonard this time?!
With my current strength, how could I possibly offend a Level 5...?

I……

Countless thoughts raced through Ron's mind. He instinctively stepped back, only to find the pressure on him fading. The further he retreated, the lighter he felt, making him want to turn away and run off as fast as he could.

But in the instant he turned his head, he suddenly realized a problem.

why?
Why would it be considered "offensive"?
He just wanted to get into the building, so why would he agree that entering the police station building now is equivalent to offending a Level 5?

not to mention……

If he really wouldn't dare to move forward because of some so-called "offense," then Ron shouldn't be here at all!

He's been at odds with Noah's Medicine for so long, even stopping Alder's "Experiment of Seeking Knowledge"... Doesn't that offend a Level 5?
From the information Ron heard from Irina alone, he knew that Noah Pharmaceuticals controlled the three major AI sectors: Hera, Demeter, and Aphrodite, and that at least three Level 5 AIs were related to Noah Pharmaceuticals…

Hera's "Experiment of Knowledge" was even destroyed by Ron. If we're talking about offense, he was already offended the moment he killed Ald!
and……

It's only Lv.5!

Ron never doubted that he would become a Lv.5, or even step into a higher realm, surpassing everything at the pinnacle of Ideal City—

How could he have such a cowardly thought?
He could never be such a coward!

All of this... is because someone is using their abilities to influence him!
Ron stomped his foot hard on the ground, forcibly stopping his steps as he tried to escape.

[Vector Control] operates at full power, forcefully resisting the immense pressure that would make any forward movement impossible...

Ron pushed himself forward with all his might, clearing his mind of those inexplicable distractions, calming himself, and carefully observing his surroundings—

If someone is indeed using their abilities to influence him, considering his immediate surroundings, that person will definitely be nearby. As long as that person can be dealt with, the influence can definitely be dispelled...

His gaze shifted, immediately landing on the guy who seemed to possess superhuman strength—the one who had just been grabbing his ankle and was only a few steps away.

Now, he was rubbing his fists together menacingly, ready to throw a punch at Ron without hesitation, as if he really wanted to take this opportunity to give Ron a good beating.

This person was the only one who made physical contact with Ron. Ron had been using [Vector Manipulation] the whole time, and his personal reality was constantly unfolding, but he didn't feel any impact.

If someone can really use their abilities to influence him and even transcend his personal reality... then it must be this guy who physically touched his body!
Only he could influence Ron based on his personal reality and his superpowers!

Thinking this, Ron immediately reached out without hesitation and firmly grabbed the man's outstretched fist, preparing to use [Vector Manipulation] to reverse the direction of the bio-current and knock him unconscious.

"What do you want to do!"

The patrol operator, whom Ron didn't know at all, finally showed a look of horror on his face:

"Why are you using your full power... How dare you attack me in front of so many people?"

"This is illegal! Aren't you afraid that when Lord Leonard arrives, he'll arrest you, punish you, exile you to the outer city, or even throw you in jail and sentence you to life imprisonment?!"

Ron laughed in anger upon hearing this.

Didn't you strike first?
Do you think I'm going to just stand there and let you hit me?

If that bastard Leonard really gets that sentence, Ron would rather be locked up in jail and go to the "Potion Age" to find potions to advance his cultivation, until he becomes a Sequence Three or Sequence Four before returning to take revenge...

Without hesitation, he activated [Vector Manipulation], and electricity exploded within the man—

But the expected screams did not come.

A strange, stiff smile appeared on the man's face:

"well done."

As he said this, the incomprehensible pressure on Ron dissipated effortlessly.

What disappeared with them were the stiff, puppet-like patrol officers in front of Ron.

Ron stood there, stunned, the sense of disharmony that had just been blocked out of his mind immediately resurfacing from the depths of his heart—

Why doesn't he recognize this person?

Why are they all so stiff?

Why does all of this seem so discordant?

After all the questions surfaced in his mind, Ron immediately thought of the answer—

He looked up at the red carpet leading to the police station building.

At the end of the red carpet at the entrance of the police station building, a young man in a black trench coat and top hat was smiling at Ron.

He looked somewhat thin, with deep-set, melancholic eyes, like an old singer performing tunes from hundreds of years ago at some retro concert.

On his chest, just like any ordinary patrol officer, hung an ordinary name tag.

But his name tag was a dull gold, engraved with countless gold stars symbolizing his achievements…

He looked at Ron and said with a smile:
"I hope you will forgive my impolite behavior towards you just now... It was just an old man's whim, wanting to see what kind of fresh blood our inspection bureau has welcomed."

"You did a great job, I really like you."

As he spoke, as if he had just remembered, he gave Ron an apologetic bow:

"I'm sorry, I forgot this is our first meeting..."

He gracefully removed his hat in greeting:

"Let me introduce myself. I am the Director of the Patrol Bureau of Area B in Ideal City, the Supervisor of the [Artemis] Sector, and the Head of the Purification Patrol Team—"

"[Hall of Laws], Leonard."

(End of this chapter)