Until she met Hesta today, Chiba still had the idea of arguing with Ava.
She even thought about some means to force Hesta to leave, just like Robert did back then - it was not difficult for her to sort out some useful clues from the one or two urgent tasks at hand. .
But after meeting Jane, Qianye suddenly felt a little shaken.
Jane's current state is really a bit strange. For example, when talking about the period in which Ava ordered her to write a self-report in that cell, she was as indifferent as if she was talking about what happened to another person. Chiba didn't see any panic or annoyance on Jane's face, but her whole mood was very relaxed.
More importantly, Jane never once mentioned her dissatisfaction with Ava for grounding her from the beginning to the end. She only answered when Chiba asked her something.
Chiba couldn't tell whether these changes were due to the weeks of imprisonment or because of some unexpected changes. Because of this, she couldn't help but think of what Valenti had said to her before - about a Hesta's former caregiver, and a fate that could have been very different from the musical.
Chiba remembered that Ava's report to Office 004 highlighted that Fernan's early identity was complicated and inextricably linked to the wasteland.
So, is there really a possibility...
"How many times has this happened?" Chiba's voice calmed down.
"How many times?"
"You arrest people privately, behead them first and imprison them later, and then start investigating and collecting evidence..."
"Hmm...I can't remember this clearly," Ava let out a thoughtful groan, "Maybe...a dozen times, seventeen times, or eighteen times?"
"How many times were you finally convicted and executed?"
"Oh, all of them." Ava said calmly, she smiled, "You know I have always had a keen sense of smell on these things... I will never wrongly accuse any good person, nor will I miss any criminal."
"...If it is finally found out that Hesta killed Fernan, what are you going to do?"
Ava was silent for a moment. She looked at Qianye meaningfully, her eyes full of determination.
"You know what I'd do."
"No leeway?" Chiba said coldly, "Even if Hesta has strategic value?"
"The more important her position is, the more incalculable the risk of her losing control," Ava replied, "But you are right, her unique skills may allow her to escape death in the end, but if it's like this Free movement is impossible. We need to take responsibility for public safety in the liveable areas of District 3 - this is the basis of all cooperation between Mercury Needle and the Coalition Government."
Chiba let out a very soft "ha".
"I've taught you before, Chiba," Ava said calmly, "All existing rules, no matter how absurd they seem, have their reasons. You can't always break through them as you wish, and every choice at the moment There will be costs in the future. If you only look at the present and don't look at the long term, the road will become narrower and narrower."
"...I really feel like my ears are getting calloused when I hear these words."
"Really?" Ava was a little skeptical. "I shouldn't preach to anyone over and over again - haven't I told you this many times?"
"It's not you, it's Mo Li. She is really your loyal believer..." Chiba stood up and patted her clothes, "But I have nothing to say. I think our conversation can end here today. Goodbye. Ava.”
"What are you going to do next?"
"Is it important what I want to do?" Qianye's eyes were half-opened, and she looked down at Ava sitting opposite her coldly, "Although I don't understand the reason why you came to such a conclusion, I respect your judgment for the time being. . However, I must reiterate - the murderer of Fernan will never be Hesta."
Ava shook her head slightly, "What's the point of telling me this? I know you have some means... but I'm afraid not many people are willing to lend a helping hand to you on this matter, especially, opposite you, is I."
Chiba smiled, "...I never need help from others."
Ava crossed her fingers and looked at Qianye expectantly.
"Really? Then let me see what you are capable of."
same moment.
In the basement, the conversation between Si Lei and Hesta had almost come to an end.
As an AHgAs non-mercurial needle investigator, Si Lei knew no more about mercury needles than ordinary people. It was unprecedented to meet three mercury needles at the same time in one day like today.
Through the glass of the cell, Si Lei's eyes almost never left the black-haired girl in front of him - apart from being taller, Hesta seemed to be no essentially different from the residents of the livable land. Si Lei could not imagine how these mercury needles could fight against such a ferocious opponent as chelates.
"That's pretty much what I know about the situation," Hesta said softly, "I haven't spent much time in Tan Yi these years, let alone have any contact with those nobles... It's difficult to help you with these things. "
"It doesn't matter, I was just asking casually." Si Lei replied, "For the specific situation, I still have to see the scene... How long will you stay here?"
Hesta shook her head, "I don't know."
Si Lei looked at her silently for a while and said sincerely, "I hope I have a chance to see you again in the future."
Hesta looked slightly startled, then laughed.
"Of course, Officer Si Lei, we will definitely meet again, because I have never done anything I shouldn't have done."
Hesta's eyes were blazing.
"Time will give me justice."
…
In the early morning of October 27, Si Lei arrived in Tan Yi City after a long journey.
In the early hours of last night, she received a work email from the Tanyi City Police Department, claiming that there had been major progress in the case. From Viscount Rich, they had learned about a mercury needle that was suspected of committing a major crime.
After getting off the train, Si Lei immediately rushed to Tan Yi City Police Station. At 8:30 in the morning, she was sitting in the conference room. The police officers turned off the lights in the conference room and showed a close-up of a portrait on a white projection cloth.
The photo showed a young girl with short, flame-like red hair, and a bloody cheek that showed a ferocity completely inconsistent with her age.
For a moment, Si Lei felt as if she had seen such a face somewhere, but soon, she truly recalled the protagonist in this photo.
"...Jane Hestad?"
For adults living in the third district, almost no one can forget this face. This thin, matchstick-like girl once stirred up such a huge storm in the livable area, and many people still remember it. The memory of this is still fresh.
"Yes, that is Jane Hestad." The policeman sitting opposite Su Lei replied, "Viscount Rich believes that this is the murderer of Baron Fernand and Baron Hoffmann. If she is still If you are still alive, you should be almost twenty years old."
