Fina Nisi looked like she had a stomachache.
Aililan saw this and tugged at the corner of her mouth but held back from laughing out loud.
She had come to terms with the situation now. Rather than hiding Theresa away, it was better to place her under the public eye and give her a little status. If Fina Nisi had any ill intentions, she would need to think twice.
After a year of construction, the group went to the Investigation Bureau.
The Investigation Bureau had been expanded to twice its original size.
After all, it maintained public order in Atester City, connecting the various decrees from above and dealing with all kinds of people—whether rich and powerful or poor and powerless—it had to interact with all.
According to the current highest director of the Investigation Bureau, Betiliana, if the Saintess wasn’t backing them, the Investigation Bureau would have been dismantled long ago.
Aililan’s arrival caused the work at the Investigation Bureau to pause for a moment.
“Do your own work.”
Aililan instructed.
Soon, Betiliana hurried over.
“Saintess, why didn’t you inform us in advance? Our Investigation Bureau has been so discourteous. I am extremely sorry for this.”
“No need for that. Your diligence is the best courtesy you can show me.”
“Saintess, are you here to inspect the work? If you don’t mind, allow me to guide you.”
“I didn’t come for work today. I came to recommend someone to you.”
“Recommend someone?”
Betiliana hesitated.
The management system of the Investigation Bureau had become increasingly transparent, and now everyone was rather opposed to nepotism.
But the Saintess’s recommendation?
Aililan noticed her hesitation and simply smiled as she briefly explained Theresa’s abilities.
Betiliana’s eyes lit up. She stepped forward and grabbed Theresa’s small hand, speaking with fervent enthusiasm: “You can truly discern good and evil? Our Investigation Bureau desperately needs a talent like you, hahaha.”
Theresa gave a polite bow and said, “It’s just a trivial little ability.”
“What trivial ability? Placed in the right position, it’s a tremendous ability. I now formally represent the Investigation Bureau and invite you to join us.”
“Thank you. I am also willing to do my part for the public order of Atester City, as much as I can.”
What was the current problem at the Investigation Bureau?
As civil law enforcement became stricter, the legal procedures were a huge boon for ordinary citizens, but they also greatly increased the Investigation Bureau’s workload.
And the bug-like aspect of Theresa’s ability was that it functioned like a lie detector.
After all, it was the Power of the Scales.
Its Justice and Righteousness were a perfect fit.
In fact, if the current secular law hadn’t been fully developed in every aspect, Aililan thought it would be most suitable to make Theresa a judge presiding over justice and fairness.
As for now, it could serve as training.
Theresa was taken away to go through the onboarding process.
Aililan leaned back on the sofa in the reception room. Across the table, Betiliana sat upright, only half her butt on the seat, back straight, with a serious expression.
Aililan waved her hand: “You don’t need to be nervous.”
“This is the proper etiquette for treating the Saintess.”
“Alright, alright. I can’t be bothered arguing with you about these etiquette matters.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Saintess.”
“How is your work at the Investigation Bureau going?”
“Pretty well so far, just as you promised me at the beginning. The Investigation Bureau not only maintains public order but also acts as an executor of justice. I’ve found the meaning of my life in this work. I am very grateful to you.”
“Any difficulties?”
“If there are difficulties, it’s probably that we’ve always been short on manpower. Currently, we have about five hundred people, but compared to the entire Atester City and the dozens of towns under its jurisdiction, it’s a drop in the bucket.”
Aililan showed a look of understanding.
Based on Atester’s population, they would need around seven to eight hundred people to properly staff an Investigation Bureau.
And this wasn’t a peaceful world; just dealing with bandits and mercenaries causing trouble was enough to give them a headache.
“Do you want a full complement of personnel?”
“I would, but the higher-ups have been holding it up for a long time. They say the Military Department has strong objections, and coordination is ineffective in many places.”
“Their complaints are understandable. The military is the foundation. If the Investigation Bureau’s armed force becomes too strong, it risks overshadowing the main authority. So you shouldn’t treat the military as an outlet for conflict. Your approach should be that both sides are cooperative.”
“How do we cooperate?”
“Simple. Small-time thieves, gangs—you handle them directly. If you run into a mercenary company you can’t deal with, then call in the military.”
“We can do that?”
“Of course we can, heh.”
Even in another world, the same principle applied. If the police force became too powerful, it wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing for the overall picture.
Because it was also a violent department.
For example, if Betiliana had ulterior motives.
If the violent department under her command was too strong, and she had both the ability and the backing, when Aililan tried to rein her in or remove her from office, she would have to tread carefully.
Betiliana followed the Saintess’s train of thought and continued to consult on many issues.
Aililan answered them one by one.
Then she brought up another matter.
“Can the Investigation Bureau send out a batch of elite agents?”
“Is there a mission?”
“It’s not exactly a mission. I want to clean things up in Second Wing City as well. If everything goes smoothly, the Fifth Wing Region will gradually be arranged.”
“What?”
Betiliana stood up in surprise.
“What, a problem?”
“No, absolutely no problem.”
“Then go make good preparations. In the future, the public order forces of the Fifth Wing will rely on you to put in more effort.”
“I will definitely complete the mission.”
Betiliana’s face flushed with excitement.
Although Saintess Aililan hadn’t explicitly said that she would hand over all public order authority to her in the future, but if… hypothetically speaking, if the seven cities of the Fifth Wing needed a Chief of Public Order, who else could it be but her?
News had spread throughout Atester.
The Chief of Justice working alongside Aililan was now making a splash over in Second Wing City.
Everyone serving in the Governing Council, even the clergy of Emile Cathedral, was putting in their utmost effort.
Because everyone knew they were the closest to Saintess Aililan—her confidants.
If there were future appointments to high-ranking positions outside the city, they would be the top priority.
Betiliana showed a confident smile.
A meteoric rise?