In Chrollo's eyes, Pike looked more like bait.
His face had been clearly exposed to them.
And comparing the surveillance footage made something obvious—when the truck left the Third Hospital yesterday, Pike had already been one of the two men inside.
The resurrected Ivan seemed even more cunning than before his death.
At this moment, another thought surfaced in Chrollo's mind.
Ivan might already have guessed Pakunoda's ability.
Otherwise, leaving Pike behind would have made no sense.
Ivan could have done exactly what he did with the people in the hospital—turn them into dinosaurs and relocate them somewhere else.
The surveillance cameras across the hospital had recorded that clearly.
If Chrollo's guess was correct, then even if Pike's memories provided information…
there would be no way to confirm whether that information was real.
The situation had suddenly become troublesome.
Because another possibility occurred to Chrollo.
The truck itself might also be bait.
A distraction meant to pull their attention away.
Ivan, after entering the palace, could easily leave through another gate.
After all, the Kakin royal palace had numerous entrances.
Every day, countless vehicles passed through those gates.
If Ivan slipped into one of those cars, simply observing the exits would never allow them to determine whether he had left—or where he had gone.
Another thought followed immediately.
If Ivan had already suspected Pakunoda's ability…
then perhaps his deal with Heinrich was also just another layer of misdirection.
According to the intelligence Ivan possessed, only three Phantom Troupe members were involved in this operation.
To guard two locations, they had already split their forces.
A flood of calculations flashed through Chrollo's mind.
And he realized something unsettling.
He had been placed in check.
No matter which decision they made, the man left in the truck had become someone they must obtain.
Because whether or not Pike had been deliberately misled during later conversations with Ivan, he could still reveal one fixed piece of information—
the destination of the truck.
"Call Nobunaga and Uvogin back," Chrollo said cautiously.
"Uvogin will handle the truck."
"Tell him to be careful."
Wilge was not a Nen user.
That was perfectly normal.
Nen users were far from common—even in a country with a long history like Kakin.
Besides, Ivan hadn't come to see Sevanti for protection.
What he needed was proof and an introduction.
Proof that he was not someone who would cause trouble by talking too much.
If he could establish that, he could maintain his normal identity within the Judicial Bureau.
The introduction, on the other hand, would help him shake off the harassment from the Kakin mafia.
The palace grounds were enormous.
Wilge drove a small vehicle resembling a sightseeing cart.
After they traveled some distance, he finally spoke.
"What happened?"
"Did Lord Lyman run into trouble?"
"Yes," Ivan nodded.
"My father may have already met with misfortune."
Wilge sighed.
"That's the nature of working at the Judicial Bureau."
"Especially someone like Lord Lyman."
"He was too righteous."
Ivan said nothing.
His memories of Lyman came entirely from his predecessor.
And in those memories, his father had always been strict, fair, serious, and endlessly busy.
After a moment of silence, Wilge spoke again.
"So you want the Seventh Queen to help you investigate?"
"No," Ivan shook his head.
"What I need is simply the identity of a royal guard."
The vehicle stopped in front of a villa.
Wilge turned toward Ivan with a look of surprise.
But there was also seriousness in his eyes.
He seemed to understand immediately.
"I can help you," Wilge said quietly.
"Even if this matter involves—"
He stopped himself.
But Ivan already understood what he meant.
Wilge clearly knew what Ivan intended to do with that identity.
The fact that he still offered help made Ivan silently marvel at how powerful his father Lyman's personal influence must have been.
"Thank you," Ivan said seriously.
"But if I want to stay alive, I can't continue investigating this case."
"I believe my father wouldn't want to see me die again."
Wilge frowned slightly at first.
Then he understood.
Ivan meant he had barely survived an attempt on his life.
So someone had already made a move against him.
No wonder he had rushed to request a meeting with the Seventh Queen.
Ivan, however, had lied.
He absolutely intended to continue the investigation.
Just not openly.
He also knew something clearly—
If an ordinary person jumped into this situation, the result would almost certainly be death.
"If you need anything, contact me," Wilge said.
"Don't refuse too quickly."
"Your father saved my life once."
"I'd like to help him in return."
This time Wilge didn't give Ivan a chance to refuse.
After saying that, he led the way toward the villa.
Two armed guards stood at the entrance.
Before Ivan entered, they conducted a routine search.
When they found the billiard balls in his pocket, they looked surprised.
But they soon took them away.
Officially, of course, they were simply holding them for safekeeping.
Wilge brought Ivan to a reception room before leaving.
Soon a servant arrived with hot tea and pastries.
Ivan waited patiently.
About half an hour later, the door opened again.
A dignified woman entered the room.
Her brown hair had been carefully styled.
Her clothing resembled elegant traditional attire.
Though refined and noble in appearance, her complexion looked tired.
Dark circles under her eyes were obvious.
As Ivan stood to bow, she simply nodded and gestured for him to sit before taking the main seat.
"Did something happen to Lyman?" Sevanti asked.
Her nasolabial lines were deep, giving her voice a slightly sharp edge.
"I always told him to resign from that judge position sooner."
"With that temper of his, he was bound to offend people."
Ivan didn't know how to respond.
When he remained silent, Sevanti didn't seem bothered.
She changed the subject directly.
"Tell me," she said.
"Besides the guard identity, do you have any other requests?"
"I would like to meet the Seventh Prince," Ivan said.
This had been his second request from the beginning.
The Seventh Prince of Kakin, Luzurus Hui Guo Rou, was the hidden backer of the Gashaya Family, one of Kakin's three major mafia organizations.
Compared to approaching the Fourth Prince, Ivan believed meeting the Seventh Prince would be far safer.
However, he wasn't sure whether Sevanti could actually arrange such a meeting.
Sevanti frowned slightly.
To do that, she would have to contact the Second Queen.
And her relationship with the Second Queen was far from friendly.
Still, after some thought, she gave her answer.
"I can't guarantee he'll help you."
"I would already be grateful for the introduction," Ivan replied.
"In that case," Sevanti said as she stood up,
"I suggest you become one of his guards."
"That would make things much easier."
"Of course, if he refuses, don't come looking for me again."
"Just go directly to Mumuze instead."
She turned toward the door.
"Wilge will take you there."
Ivan stood and respectfully watched her leave.
Only then did he finally breathe a quiet sigh of relief.
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