Ch 498: A Small Case Leads To A Much Bigger One

Several people watched the Demon Wolf Tribe member Bal kicked into the wall behind them, cold sweat breaking out on their backs. The woman holding Xiao Jiu immediately released her grip.

“Give it back! Don’t hit anymore!”

Xiao Jiu was thrown into the air. Luckily, it had been thrown around before under various circumstances, so it quickly adjusted its balance, spread its wings, and flew back into Bal’s arms, rubbing against him. Bal could clearly see tears in Xiao Jiu’s eyes. If Xiao Jiu had simply returned, Bal wouldn’t have said anything, but Xiao Jiu crying upon its return meant Bal had to say something, at the very least, the opposite side needed to say something.

“Take Xiao Jiu back first; Philia is still crying. Also, call Sheffield for me; I have to tell him about this.”

Bal leaned in to Phia, whispering to her. He placed Xiao Jiu in Phia’s arms and simultaneously produced several throwing knives, surrounding the people who were trying to escape. Phia looked at the wronged little darling in her arms, her heart aching.

“Think you can run? All of you, stand still! Stealing pets from public officials, it seems like you’re seasoned criminals. Interested in taking a trip with us?”

Upon hearing Bal was a public official, their faces immediately turned grim.

“Wh…Why should we listen to you?”

“Tsk, you like to be stubborn.”

Bal didn’t bother with further words. He had Nirvana watch these people while he searched the rooms one by one. Nirvana glared fiercely at these few people. He already looked fierce, but even more so after becoming the Gang Boss. The few people dared not move under Nirvana’s pressure, but it was clear to anyone that these people were very uneasy.

“What are you afraid of? Don’t regret what you’ve done; what were you doing earlier?”

Soon, the Self-Defense Force arrived. Their first act was to arrest Nirvana. The arrested Nirvana was utterly confused.

“No, why are you arresting me?”

“Didn’t you steal the pet?”

“I’ll be damned! Let go, Buck, get your ass out here!”

Nirvana’s outburst nearly baffled the Self-Defense Force. Seeing Bal hadn’t come out, Nirvana presented his work ID.

“Look closely, I’m a Guild employee, you blind fools! Those are the ones you should arrest!”

Nirvana pointed to several pale-faced individuals. The Self-Defense Force’s new recruits finally reacted. They released Nirvana and retrieved his cane, returning it to him.

“Sorry, Officer, we didn’t recognize you.”

“What do you want?”

Bal walked out and watched Nirvana straighten his clothes. He also understood Nirvana’s recent ordeal.

“You guys, don’t judge people by their appearance when arresting them. Nirvana looks like a bad guy, but he’s a genuinely good-natured person. Be careful, Nirvana might spike your drinks next time you’re out.”

Upon hearing Bal’s words, several Self-Defense Force members quickly apologized, while Nirvana indicated it was fine.

“Be more careful next time.”

Bal looked at the Self-Defense Force members who still had nothing to do and gave them instructions.

“You few, looking idle, huh? Good, come help me move things.”

“Officer, move what?”

“Evidence, you fool! That room has quite a few Magic Pets and Pet Collars; who knows what these people have done.”

“Yes!”

Afterward, Bal spoke to the Self-Defense Force members who had arrested the people who stole Xiao Jiu.

“Take these people to your cells; I’ll interrogate them personally. They’re bold, daring to steal my family’s Magic Pet.”

Soon, the Self-Defense Force members moved all the evidence they could collect from the house to the living room. Looking at the mountain of evidence before him, Bal started to have a headache.

“Take all this back. Find some veterans to record the information, then find all the victims and question them. We’ll prepare to file a public lawsuit.”

“Yes!”

Watching the new recruits leave, Bal sighed. Nirvana was curious; Xiao Jiu was found, yet Bal seemed even more troubled.

“What’s wrong?”

“This might be a big case. You saw the evidence; these aren’t ordinary pet thieves. Just the public prosecution trial will take a long time. The last time I filed a public lawsuit was when Nia was framed and imprisoned, though that guy’s prison stay was like staying at an inn; he had everything and could come and go freely.”

“You handle it yourself; don’t drag me into it. I have business to attend to.”

“Too late, you’re a witness.”

“You bastard!”

Nirvana raised his fist then lowered it.

“Forget it, when I go out with you, I know I’ll be involved in something. Speaking of which, how’s that ruin doing?”

“I demolished it. That place was creepy. I’ll tell you about the situation later.”

“No, I’d rather not hear it. With your constitution, it’s probably some ancient magical artifact, and it’s incredibly dangerous.”

“You actually found out!”

“With you and me, how could I not?”

The two left the house. Nirvana returned to the Guild, while Bal headed home. He wanted to check on Philia and discuss some matters.

“I’m home.”

Bal opened the door. Philia wasn’t crying anymore. She held Xiao Jiu tightly, refusing to let go. Xiao Jiu also clung to Philia, unwilling to move.

“Father!”

Philia walked to Bal with Xiao Jiu.

“Thank you, Father.”

“You’re welcome. Just make sure to keep a closer eye on Xiao Jiu next time you take it out.”

“Philia thinks Xiao Jiu probably won’t go out anymore.”

Xiao Jiu poked its head out and nodded twice. Bal stroked Xiao Jiu’s head, then sat on the sofa with Philia.

“Xiao Jiu has done a great service this time.”

“Huh?”

Philia, Xiao Jiu, and Phia were all stunned. They didn’t understand what Bal meant. Phia held Hiel, and after she put Hiel to sleep, she asked Bal.

“What do you mean? Was there something wrong with that family?”

“Yeah, many pet and Magic Pet collars were found in their house. They probably have stolen quite a few. If Xiao Jiu hadn’t been caught, they would have gotten away with it.”

“Xiao Jiu doesn’t know whether it’s lucky or unlucky.”

“If this is lucky, I’d rather it not be.”

Bal held Xiao Jiu on his lap and began grooming it.

“Get ready; you two will be witnesses. I’m preparing to file a public lawsuit against those people. This one will be a long one.”

“What’s a public lawsuit?”

Philia tilted her head, looking at Bal; she didn’t know the meaning of these words.

“It’s an accusation made by the Self-Defense Force to the town court against those guilty people. Basically, it’s a legal way to punish bad people. The premise is that those bad people are alive to receive this accusation.”

“Does Philia need to do anything?”

“Nothing, just recall your testimony about when Xiao Jiu was stolen.”

“Okay!”