Chapter 41: The Pursuit

Levin deftly made his way to the city hall, slipping past the gate guards and heading straight for the reception desk. 

It was Frey who was on duty today, and when she saw Levin, she greeted him with a bright smile and an energetic wave. 

"Good morning, Chief Levin. Here to look up something again?"

Levin returned her smile and said, "Yes, I need you to help me check something about a tavern called 'Noon Blaze.' Can you find its registration details for me?"

"Of course. I knew you'd only come to see me if it was for work," Frey grumbled playfully, turning to sift through the archives. 

Levin felt a twinge of guilt. It seemed like her words carried a bit of a barb—he and Ellie only ever sought Frey out when they needed to investigate something, never just to chat or hang out. He could hardly blame her for not even asking if this was a social visit anymore. He really had been neglectful.

"Let me see... 'Noon Blaze' tavern..." Frey mumbled to herself, searching through the files before pulling out a stack of documents. "Got it!"

"'Noon Blaze' is registered as a dining establishment, selling alcohol and snacks. The owner is Vladimir Novikov... a Coldstone Federation national." She handed the file to Levin with a brief summary.

Levin's brow furrowed as he took the document and scanned through it. "A Coldstone Federation national?"

The entire situation seemed even more suspicious now. 

A foreigner-owned tavern, hostile toward the city guard, and not a single report of disturbances in all its time of operation... 

Eighty percent certain something was wrong here.

Levin handed the document back to Frey, thanked her, and returned to the barracks with his squad. 

"When you return, change into plain clothes. Split into three groups and take turns watching the 'Noon Blaze' tavern. Report back to me if anything unusual happens. They have both a front and back entrance—one person keep an eye on the front, another on the back. Stay out of sight, and don't spook them. We'll observe for a day or two."

Just as Levin finished giving orders, Ellie returned from her morning patrol, stopping by for lunch. Seeing Levin back, she approached and asked, "Levin, how did the investigation go? Any leads?"

Levin shook his head. "Not yet, but my gut tells me there's something off about this 'Noon Blaze' tavern."

Ellie pondered for a moment after hearing the name. "'Noon Blaze'?"

"What's up, Captain? Have you heard of it?" Levin noticed a glimmer of recognition on her face and asked.

Ellie nodded. "Yes, I've been there. It opened two years ago. It's not far from here, but I haven't gone back since... Wait, why haven't they ever called the guard?"

"They've never reported anything? What was it like when it first opened?" Levin asked, curious.

"It was just like any other tavern. There was a bard singing, they sold alcohol... but all the drinks were from the Coldstone Federation. They didn't really suit the local tastes, so business wasn't great."

"And now someone's reported them, but it's for spreading a secret religion, not a tavern dispute."

At that, Ellie snapped her fingers, as if something had clicked. "I've got it."

Levin blinked, confused. "Got what?"

"The inconsistency," Ellie explained. "If you were trying to spread a secret religion, would you choose a tavern with poor business?"

Levin fell into thought, realizing she had a point.

"That doesn't make sense... And if the tavern was catering to Coldstone Federation citizens, it's odd that they've never reported any disputes for two years—knowing how temperamental Federation folk can be."

"In my experience," Ellie said after a moment's contemplation, "this whole establishment could be a front for the Valkyris Church."

"The Valkyris Church has the largest following in the Coldstone Federation, and most of its members are Federation nationals. Using a tavern as a front would make it easier to gather intelligence, and because they're skittish, they'd avoid the city guard. They're likely spreading their teachings in secret, and some concerned citizen reported them."

"Of course, this is just a theory. You can take it into consideration or pursue your investigation as you see fit," Ellie added with a shrug.

Levin nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking. I planned to keep them under surveillance for a few days."

"Surveillance? If you're right, your scouting this morning may have already tipped them off! By the time you go back, they'll be long gone!" Ellie knocked on Levin's head. "Go check now!"

"Ow, Captain, don't knock me... Fine, I'm going! But surely they wouldn't move that fast..." Levin muttered, a bit flustered. If they'd let a front for the Valkyris Church slip away, it would be a huge missed opportunity. "First squad, no need to change! Let's move out!"

The team hurried toward the "Noon Blaze" tavern, only to find the owner loading a crate onto a carriage at the front door.

As soon as the tavern owner saw Levin and his squad approaching in a rush, his pupils contracted. He quickly jumped onto the carriage and snapped the reins.

"Hyah!"

With a sharp cry from the horses, the carriage sped down the wide streets of Weimar City.

Too late... Levin glanced inside the tavern, now completely cleaned out. He shouted to his squad, "Stay here and watch! I'll chase him down!"

**Mythic Trick (Agility)** activated!

Levin's speed instantly surged, allowing him to run slightly faster than the carriage.

"Damn... a speed-enhanced extraordinary, huh?" Vladimir Novikov, the tavern owner, gritted his teeth as he saw Levin gaining from the side. He lashed the reins again, sharply turning the carriage onto the main road leading out of the city, sending dust and overturned stalls flying in his wake.

"Sorry! Coming through!" Levin leapt over the fallen vendors and scattered goods, sprinting after the carriage down the city's main road.

As the gap between them closed, Levin called out, "Halt! City Guard business!"

Vladimir, hearing the command, didn't even look back. Instead, he drew a dagger from his belt and stabbed it into the rear of each horse.

With a sharp whinny, the horses galloped even faster, pulling the carriage out of Levin's reach.

"Tch..." Levin eyed his own dagger, glanced at his backside, and decided against mimicking the move. Instead, he pushed his legs harder, running full speed after the carriage.

Weimar's city walls had long since been torn down to allow for expansion, leaving only the gates as markers between the city and the outskirts. With no obstacles, Vladimir's carriage raced out of the city, with Levin in hot pursuit.

As they reached the outskirts, the carriage inevitably slowed, having already pushed the horses to their limit and now traveling over rougher terrain.

Seeing Levin still close behind, the carriage gradually came to a stop.

Levin, drawing his sword and shield, approached cautiously as he slowed his pace. "I told you to stop for questioning. Why did you run?"

Vladimir chuckled darkly. "I see why they call you 'Swift Shield' Levin. To think you could chase a carriage on foot for this long. You must be an agility-type extraordinary, right?"

What? "Swift Shield"? Is he talking about me? Levin was utterly bewildered—was this... a nickname for him? 

"But recklessly chasing me alone was your greatest mistake! Today, the 'Swift Shield' shall shatter here!" Vladimir suddenly pointed at Levin, his body sprouting dense fur. His nails elongated into sharp claws, and his bald, rotund head transformed into a long wolf snout. 

With a long howl, the now werewolf Vladimir lunged at Levin! 

"Bang!" Levin raised his shield to block but was sent flying with a single strike. 

Such strength... it's at least mid-tier! Levin's heart sank as he adjusted himself mid-air, swiftly rolling to his feet. But Vladimir, now just as fast, lunged again, showing no sign of slowing. 

Mid-tier! This werewolf has the power of a mid-tier after transforming!

Levin dodged the attack with all his might, striking back with his sword, only to see no trace of damage left on Vladimir's body. 

I have to use it... Sensing the battle slipping away, Levin rolled to the side, creating distance, and unleashed his trick: 

"Intriguing Diversion!" For the first time in two months, Levin summoned the long-unused skill, splitting into three duplicates. Vladimir hesitated, momentarily confused. 

Seizing the moment, Levin reached into his shirt, pulling out the vial of Agility Mutagen and downed it in one gulp. 

The green liquid tasted bitter as it slid down his throat. 

Instantly, a feeling of lightness surged from his stomach, spreading throughout his body. Levin felt as if half his weight had vanished—his speed, agility, and nimbleness all enhanced in a single breath. 

But in return, his senses dulled; his perception felt muffled, as if seeing the world through a glass pane. 

Vladimir lunged again, but Levin dodged effortlessly, drawing his pistol and loading it with silver bullets. 

Sensing the imminent danger, Vladimir swiped his claws, tearing through two of Levin's duplicates with ease. 

But Levin had already finished loading, aiming the pistol at Vladimir and firing! 

"Bang!" Vladimir leapt to the side, trying to evade, but Levin's enhanced reflexes left little room for escape. The shot struck Vladimir's right knee. 

"Argh!" With his knee damaged, Vladimir's speed waned. Realizing he couldn't avoid Levin's shots, he resolved to charge forward, intending to trade injury for injury. 

But with his wounded leg, how could he hope to catch Levin, now under the effects of the Mythical Trick (Agility)? He could only watch in despair as Levin widened the distance and took aim once more. 

"Bang!" Another shot hit Vladimir's left leg. 

With both legs crippled, Vladimir, this mid-tier threat, was no longer any danger to Levin. He could only howl in agony as Levin calmly reloaded and fired shot after shot, each bullet ripping through his body. 

Finally, Vladimir reverted to his human form. The wounds from the bullets had healed during his transformation, but his strength was utterly drained. 

With experience from dealing with Ellie, Levin stepped forward, snapping a pair of supernatural-suppressing cuffs onto Vladimir. 

"Werewolf, you're under arrest."