Deng calmed himself down and walked towards the two sheriffs at the door.
He felt clear-headed - he hadn't done any damage, nor had he had any conflict with the authorities. Although Captain Duncan was famous, what did the moving disaster on the vast ocean have to do with him, an honest antique shop manager
If he thought about it carefully, his most suspicious action was attending a cult gathering - and after he got out, he was so eager to report it!
Wait… report
Duncan suddenly remembered this and immediately vaguely guessed the reason why the two sheriffs came to his house. He stepped forward with more confidence, but Nina was obviously not so calm. When she saw her uncle coming down the stairs, she hurriedly came up to him and said in a low voice at an angle where the two sheriffs could not see: "Uncle, you must tell the truth when the two sheriffs ask questions later..."
Duncan stumbled and looked at his "niece" with a strange look in his eyes: "Is this the image of me in your mind?"
Nina looked at her "uncle" with a bit of grievance. He had a bad reputation and was often visited by people because of alcoholism or fighting in the casino. "… Why else would the sheriff come to you?"
Duncan: “…”
He sighed helplessly, came to the door of the store, and smiled brightly at the two sheriffs in dark blue uniforms: "Good morning, gentlemen, what can I do for you?"
"Mr. Duncan Strain," the older of the two sheriffs spoke in a polite and businesslike tone, "We found this place according to the registered address. The clues you reported to the patrol officers yesterday were confirmed. On behalf of the City Hall, we thank you for your contribution to maintaining order in the city and send you a reward."
As soon as he finished speaking, the young sheriff next to him stepped forward and handed over a paper bag that looked quite thick.
Nina, who was standing nearby, had her eyes widened.
Duncan had already guessed the purpose of the two sheriffs' visit. He estimated that it must be a follow-up to his previous report of the cult's den, but he didn't expect that they would actually deliver the reward money directly to his door. He took the paper package with some surprise, and saw the words "435 Sola" on the disposable wax seal at the seal - for the residents of the downtown area, this is a very generous bonus.
"So there's money to be had..." Duncan squeezed the paper bag, feeling the thickness of the banknotes, "I didn't think so much at the time."
"Of course there is a reward - the Archon attaches great importance to combating criminal acts in the city-state, especially in recent times. All effective reports will receive substantial and generous rewards," the young sheriff laughed, "not to mention that the clues you provided... are very unusual."
Duncan's heart was moved when he heard this, and he pretended to ask casually: "By the way, I didn't dare to go over to take a closer look when I heard something was wrong over there... What happened over there?"
The two sheriffs looked at each other, then took two steps forward and entered the store. Nina was stunned for a moment when she saw this, but after she realized what was happening, she quickly stepped forward and closed the door.
"We didn't go to the scene. The Guardians were handling the matter. But according to the news... the situation was terrible," the younger sheriff said. He hadn't yet fully learned the senior's official tone. "You were right not to rush in and instead report to the patrol officers immediately. Otherwise, you would have been in danger."
As the young man finished speaking, another sheriff followed suit and said, "Ordinary citizens don't need to know the specifics. We just want to remind you that there have been more and more cult activities in the city recently. Don't tell outsiders about your report and the reward you received."
Duncan was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted.
This is the lower city, where sewage and poison converge. Pland's most shameful things are hidden in these shabby and winding alleys. When heretics and evil spirits are about to make their move, they will inevitably hide in places like this.
Although the block where the antique shop is located is considered a relatively respectable area in the downtown area and is still some distance away from the most dilapidated slums, the entire downtown area is actually similar in terms of filth and dirt.
On the other hand, even if we do not consider that there may be cult members hiding among ordinary people in the downtown area, a person who "reports to the authorities and collects a reward" is very likely to be a target of vigilance by others here.
The sheriffs who are familiar with the local situation are certainly aware of this, and their reminder is a routine one, and it is indeed done with good intentions.
Duncan thought about it and felt that the reminder was correct.
This place is indeed prone to cultists - he still has the sun emblem in his pocket.
"Thank you for your reminder," he thanked sincerely. Although he didn't know the average level of most of the sheriffs here, at least the two in front of him left a good impression on him. "Would you like to take a rest here?"
"No need," the older sheriff waved his hand and turned to walk towards the store door, "We still have patrol duties."
The young sheriff turned back before leaving and said: "If you come across clues in this regard in the future, please report it in time - the safety of the city-state affects each and every one of us."
"Of course," Duncan squeezed the paper bag in his hand, with a heartfelt smile on his face, "I have always been a good citizen who cares about the order of the city-state."
The two sheriffs left the antique shop of "Good Citizen Mr. Duncan". It was not until the two uniformed figures disappeared on the street that Nina finally came to her senses and looked at her uncle. Uncle Duncan was opening a paper bag and counting the blue and green bills inside. The pleasant sound of the bills flipping made her feel a little more real: "Uncle... Is this really a reward from the City Hall? You actually... really..."
The girl opened her mouth for a long time, but in the end she didn't have the courage to ask, "You can actually do good things."
Duncan knew what Nina was thinking and what she was wondering about, so he laughed, "I just reported some illegal activities when I went home yesterday - I have always been enthusiastic about public welfare."
Nina: “…”
"But I'm quite surprised to get such a high bonus," Duncan said before Nina could speak. He lowered his head and looked at the money in his hand thoughtfully, muttering, "This makes money faster than doing business..."
There was something else he didn't say: According to the intelligence previously obtained, there are still countless cultists from various city-states hiding in the city.
That's all money!
Nina didn't react immediately: "Uncle, what did you say?"
"Nothing," Duncan waved his hand, thinking about this new way to make money, and said casually, "Shouldn't you go to school? Leave early so you won't be late. By the way, when will Mr. Morris come to visit?"
"In the afternoon, I only have one class in the afternoon," Nina said, as if she had thought of something, "Uncle, are you going out today?"
Duncan nodded. "Well, I'm going out for a while, but I'll be home before your history teacher gets here."
When Nina heard this, she immediately cast a suspicious look: "Uncle, what are you going to do?"
Duncan smiled particularly brightly: "Uncle is going out hunting."
He already had an idea. Since the Sun Badge was so useful and the authorities were so willing to give out money, he should make use of this opportunity. Even if there was no "reporting for money", he would have to cause trouble for the cultists anyway just to ensure the stability of his surroundings. Now that he was sure that he could cause trouble for them again, why not
Nina was a smart girl. Even though she didn't know anything else about Duncan, she guessed what her uncle meant by "hunting". Her delicate eyebrows wrinkled immediately: "... Uncle, this is not right. You said yesterday that you wanted to open the store steadily, and you also said that you wanted to tidy up the store and hire employees..."
"Caring about the city-state's security and running a business are not contradictory," Duncan said with a big wave of his hand. "You can go to school. Your uncle knows what to do."
However, what he didn't expect was that after hearing this, Nina found a chair and sat down next to him.
"Nina?"
"Uncle, this is dangerous." Nina raised her head and looked straight at Duncan.
Duncan: "Um... Actually..."
"I want to watch you," Nina said stubbornly. "The two sheriffs just said that the city is not safe these days... It's okay if you run into trouble accidentally, but why do you take the initiative to seek out danger?"
Duncan looked at the seventeen-year-old girl in a daze.
He suddenly realized that the other party really cared about him—in a stubborn way that she thought was right and safe, caring about Uncle Duncan, who in her eyes was "seriously ill for many years, weak, reckless, and recently eager to make money."
"I don't want a bike." Nina lowered her head and muttered softly.
"Go to school." Duncan suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, walked up to Nina and pressed her head with a smile.
Nina looked up in surprise.
"You're right. This is dangerous." Duncan looked at Nina seriously. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll wait for you in the store."