When Annie returned to the dormitory, Hitch was petting a cat.
Looking at the Military Police Corps uniform Annie was wearing, she asked in confusion, "Why did you go help them deal with that uxoricide case so late? It didn't even happen in our jurisdiction."
Annie opened the wardrobe, took off her uniform, and said casually, "I just wanted to find something to do."
Hitch was momentarily speechless at Annie's words. She said irritably, "If you're so eager to work, why don't you help me solve my theft case?"
Annie took off her hoodie and pants, replying calmly, "No, I have things to do tomorrow as well."
Hitch asked curiously, "Tomorrow is a day off. Where are you going?"
Suddenly, something occurred to her, and she pressed further, "Are you going on a date with that handsome guy tomorrow?"
Annie, holding a towel and about to head to the baths, paused for a moment upon hearing this. "I'm just going to help out."
"Eh~"
...The next morning, hearing some movement, Hitch got up and saw Annie getting dressed.
Hitch lay on the bed, propping her chin up, and said, "You're still wearing your Corps uniform for a date? If you really have to, I can lend you an outfit. Our sizes are about the same anyway."
Annie glanced back at her and said, "I'm going to the Underground City. This is better to wear."
"Eh? The Underground City? It's dangerous there. Why go to a place like that?"
Annie pulled her hoodie's hood out from under her jacket and said calmly, "That's why I told you it's not a date."
Annie opened the door and walked out. "I'm leaving, Hitch."
Hitch waved her hand. "Stay safe!"
...As Annie stepped out of The Corps gates, she saw Lock waiting for her.
Lock was still wearing that same suit today—after all, he had only bought this one—but this time, he had also brought his top hat and cane.
Seeing Annie come out, Lock leaned on his cane, adjusted his hat, and greeted her with a smile. "Yo! Annie, good morning!"
Annie stared at Lock's outfit without comment. She asked, "The entrance to the Underground City is in the main city. Are we walking?"
Lock pointed to the carriage behind him and said confidently, "How could that be? I've already made arrangements."
"Let's go, get in!"
...After getting into the carriage, Lock handed Annie a paper bag. "Here, your reward for coming out this time. I'll pay one bag in advance."
Annie reached out to take it, skillfully opened the bag, and began to eat.
Lock sat opposite her, watching with a smile.
Back in the Training Corps, he had always enjoyed watching Annie eat; it felt like feeding a small animal.
Lock picked up the teapot nearby and poured a cup of black tea. "I brewed this when I got up this morning. I was afraid it would be too dry if you just ate that stuff."
Annie glanced at Lock and couldn't help but say thank you.
Once Annie had finished eating and drinking to her heart's content, Lock began to explain the mission. "The target we're looking for is the son of a minor noble. He just turned fifteen. This is his portrait."
Annie took the portrait and looked at it.
Short brown hair, well-defined features, a few freckles on his cheeks, and a mole on the left side of his mouth.
Lock continued, "This kid often goes to a casino in the Underground City. According to my client—his father—he's spent at least a hundred thousand there."
"Two days ago, he had an argument with my client over money and hasn't returned since."
Annie asked, "Did his father not report it to the Military Police Corps?"
Lock smiled and said, "My client doesn't trust the Military Police. He has some prejudices against you all."
Annie wasn't particularly surprised; she had seen plenty during her days in the Military Police Corps.
It would be stranger if those familiar with them didn't have prejudices.
She looked at Lock and continued, "So, are we going to that casino to look for clues?"
Lock snapped his fingers and said, "Exactly. But if he were being held by the casino because he ran out of money, the casino would have sent someone to notify my client."
"However, my client hasn't heard anything, so we can only go to the casino first to ask about the situation."
Annie asked, "Are there no other possible places he could have gone?"
Lock shook his head. "My client has checked everywhere else."
...The carriage passed through the inner gate of the Stohess District and drove into the center of the Royal Capital.
Before long, the carriage came to a halt.
Lock got out of the carriage, leaning on his cane. He told the driver to park nearby, saying they would be back before sunset.
Lock looked at the dark entrance to the underground passage and said with a smile, "Let's head down from here."
He took the lead down the stone steps, but after a few paces, he turned back to find Annie still standing at the entrance.
Lock asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"
Annie stared at Lock without saying a word.
Seeing her like this, Lock smiled. "You're not going to back out now, are you?"
Annie said flatly, "I'm afraid of the dark."
Lock's face was a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Are you acting spoiled with me?"
Annie remained unmoved.
He then helplessly extended his right hand, performed a perfect gentleman's bow, and said sincerely, "Annie, if you're afraid, then take my hand."
Annie looked at Lock's extended right hand. Just like last time, there were no scars on it.
She walked down the stone steps past Lock, saying at the same time, "Let's go. I'm not afraid anymore."
Lock shook his head and followed... After passing through a sloping downward passage, the two arrived at the checkpoint leading to the Underground City.
There were people specifically stationed here to collect passage fees.
Although they looked like thugs, Lock knew they were backed by Council Members, so no one would provoke them.
Lock honestly paid his own fee, then pointed at Annie. "Military Police Officers don't have to pay, right?"
One of the thugs stared at Annie and frowned. "I know all the Military Police big shots who patrol here, but I've never seen a little girl like you."
Lock said with a smile, "She just started this month. You'll get to know her later."
The thugs looked at Lock's brand-new suit and didn't make things difficult, assuming it was just a peculiar hobby of the nobles.
Once they were through the gate, Lock asked a somewhat curious Annie, "First time here?"
Annie asked, puzzled, "Is it not your first time?"
Lock spread his hands and boasted, "Didn't I tell you? By the age of thirteen, I was already the undefeated champion of the Underground City."
Annie shot him a sidelong glance. "If you're so amazing, why didn't those guys at the gate recognize you?"
Lock laughed. "The people living down here are all short-lived. A whole new batch might have replaced the old one by now. Normally,l they don't know me."
Lock twirled his cane. "Let's go, I'll lead the way. After all, you only get this one day off a week. Let's not waste time."
...In the Underground City, a person dying is as simple as a rat dying.
The Military Police Corps couldn't be bothered with the mess down here; they only cared about making sure the 'rats' didn't escape and offend the eyes of the lords above.
Furthermore, since Wall Maria was breached, the population of the Underground City had nearly doubled.
The Military Police Corps was even less able to manage it, so power naturally fell into the hands of the underground Gangs.
Wherever there was a profitable business, the shadow of a Gang lurked behind it.
Setting aside human trafficking and weapon smuggling, the gambling industry was evergreen and had always been the Gangs' most stable money-making tool.
Black Star Casino was currently the largest and most legitimate casino in the Underground City.
And this was Lock and Annie's destination.