After a moment’s thought, Ye Xun realized the underlying reason.
Claiming to be sick meant the medical research lab would naturally step in to “treat” him.
Wouldn’t that be walking straight into a trap?
He quickly searched his mind for other excuses, trying to delay the transfer.
Just then, Gramov spoke up on his own.
“Ye Xun, I’ve already informed my superiors that your handover will take five days.” He paused, his voice turning heavy.
“You only have five days.
Either find someone to revoke this transfer order, or…” He left the rest unsaid, but the implication was unmistakable: Ye Xun needed to flee Snezhnaya.
Ye Xun froze, looking at the usually quiet old captain in disbelief.
“Captain Gramov…
why are you helping me?” If Ye Xun actually fled Snezhnaya, Gramov would face severe punishment.
Gramov merely gave a faint smile.
“Back when I used to follow Lord Capitano, he often reminded us that even when surrounded by darkness, we must hold fast to the justice in our hearts.” Those words struck Ye Xun’s heart like a resounding bell.
He straightened his back, his expression solemn.
“I will definitely hold fast to the justice in my heart.” Gramov nodded slightly, a trace of relief flashing in his eyes.
Ye Xun took his leave.
He had only five days left!
Above, the sunlight remained bright and brilliant, yet he couldn’t feel a shred of warmth.
Having spent three years among the Fatui, he knew all too well how cruel and cold-blooded that man was.
If he couldn’t shut down those human experiments, then even as a follower of Rosalyne, he would hardly escape a tragic fate.
As he was lost in thought, the grand, solemn silhouette of the City Hall building gradually appeared in his line of sight.
Ye Xun quickened his pace and walked inside.
After entering the main hall, he reported his identity to the front desk staff and requested an audience with Mayor Pulcinella.
Before long, guided by a staff member, he stepped into a spacious and elegant office.
Under the bright lighting, a short old man sat behind a large office desk, meticulously reviewing documents with full concentration.
“Lord Mayor,” Ye Xun stepped forward and bowed slightly.
“I have an extremely important matter to report to you in person.” Pulcinella didn’t react at all, keeping his head buried in the pages as if he hadn’t heard a word.
Ye Xun naturally understood that this behavior was intentional.
It was a reminder for him to know his place and measure his own weight.
If he couldn’t even read between the lines, he wouldn’t even get a chance to speak today.
After a long silence, Pulcinella finally put down his documents and slowly raised his eyes.
His shrewd, sharp gaze lingered on Ye Xun for a moment, a barely perceptible flicker of approval passing through them.
“My apologies,” he said in a mild tone.
“Official duties have been quite overwhelming.” “I am the one who should apologize,” Ye Xun immediately replied, respectful without being subservient.
“For intruding upon your work.” Pulcinella nodded and asked directly, “Speak then.
What is this crucial matter?” Ye Xun’s expression turned stern, his voice low and solemn.
“Lord Mayor, several child disappearance cases have occurred in the Winter Capital recently.
A number of children are missing, with no trace of them to this day.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Pulcinella froze slightly.
*Brilliant,* he praised silently.
If this young man had come in pointing fingers straight at “human experimentation,” Pulcinella would have brushed him off without hesitation.
Because besides being the Mayor of the Winter Capital, he was also the Fifth Harbinger of the Fatui, “The Rooster.” Certain dark matters could not be brought out into the open.
However, “child disappearances” carried a completely different nature.
For someone so young to skillfully bypass the landmine was truly rare.
What a pity…
Pulcinella sighed softly in his heart, though a look of sincere concern washed over his face.
“Thank you very much for bringing this to my attention.
I will immediately order the Security Department to launch a thorough investigation and uncover the truth.” The response was extremely official—and extremely perfunctory.
Ye Xun remained calm and continued, “Money transactions are involved in these cases.
If ignored, the problem is very likely to spread out of control.
“Should that happen, City Hall’s ability to maintain public security will be called into serious question.
“With a little push, public protests will become inevitable.” As the words fell, Pulcinella’s expression shifted slightly, a cold gleam passing through his eyes.
“Actually, the best way to solve a problem is to solve the person raising it.” “Indeed.” Ye Xun nodded in agreement, then shifted the conversation, casually bringing up a seemingly unrelated topic: “Yesterday, I bought a cake and went to Marionette’s mechanical lab to share it with Damselette.
“In the evening, I went to the House of the Hearth to listen to the teachings of The Knave, and when I got home, I even received a scolding from The Fair Lady.” Hearing this, the corner of Pulcinella’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.
This kid was blatantly dropping big names to intimidate him!
Yet he had no choice but to take it seriously.
The primary reason was that the House of the Hearth might be involved in this.
They possessed more than enough capability to stir up a massive protest, stripping him of the public’s trust.
After weighing his options, Pulcinella spoke slowly, “Regarding the disappearance cases, I will give you my utmost support.” His promise still remained strictly tied to the disappearance cases.
However, for Ye Xun, that was already enough.
He smiled gently.
“Lord Mayor, this is absolute wisdom on your part.” Pulcinella let out a slightly dissatisfied hrumph.
“Perhaps!” Being handled by a youth so much younger than himself was inherently annoying.
He paused, his expression turning serious.
“I must remind you about one thing: another Harbinger is involved in this.” “Rest assured,” Ye Xun said firmly.
“I won’t drag him into it.” Pulcinella nodded, agreeing with his approach.
If another Harbinger were dragged into the fray, it would be virtually impossible for Ye Xun to successfully abolish the human experiments.
“Alright, off you go.” He lowered his head and picked up his documents again.
“I still have official business to attend to.” However, Ye Xun remained standing where he was, unmoving.
“What is it?” Pulcinella looked up, his brow furrowing slightly.
Ye Xun held out an open palm, a calm smile on his face.
“Lord Mayor, you haven’t given me your ‘support’ yet.” Pulcinella let out a helpless sigh, pulled open his drawer, and tossed a seal stamped with the impression of a palm to him.
“Take it.
But remember—don’t go around shouting that I was the first to support you!” Ye Xun caught it respectfully and stowed it away carefully, his face full of sincerity.
“Lord Mayor, I, Ye Xun, have always been honest and trustworthy.
I would never commit such a shameless act!” These words were spoken with righteous conviction, yet Pulcinella felt a faint, uneasy premonition brewing in his heart.