All-around teacher at the magic academy

The law enforcement officers saw Leon as soon as they entered the room. This uninvited visitor made them stop in their tracks, hesitating whether they should continue their report in front of this stranger.

Max noticed the hesitation of his new subordinate and waved for him to continue.

"Speak, we're all family." His words carried an undeniable authority, yet also gave Leon a sense of being trusted.

The law enforcement officer nodded, cleared his throat, and began his report: "According to the Earl's butler's testimony, the deceased Earl's original plan was to kidnap a woman named Maria. It is said that this was to satisfy some of his... personal desires."

The law enforcement officer's tone revealed his disgust for the count's actions. "We have also verified that the courtyard where the count died was indeed the residence of a woman named Maria."

She also has a son named Harvey Doss, who is currently attending St. Peter's College. However, both she and her son have now disappeared without a trace.

Upon hearing this, Leon's heart tightened. The mention of Harvey and Lady Maria's names meant their situation was more dangerous than he had imagined. He tried his best to remain calm and not give himself away.

Max's expression grew even more serious. He frowned, pondering this sudden intelligence.

"I understand. Continue the investigation," he commanded, waving his hand to indicate that the law enforcement officers could leave.

The law enforcement officer saluted, turned, and left the office, leaving Leon and Max sitting there in silence.

Max's gaze pierced the silence, landing directly on Leon's face. His voice was deep and firm, "You came here for this, didn't you?"

Leon's heart tightened. "Nothing can be hidden from you." He admitted frankly, with a hint of helplessness in his tone.

"The impact of this matter is beyond your imagination, after all, it was an earl who died." Max's tone revealed his awareness of the seriousness of the situation, because Duke Chloe had already given the order.

Leon took a deep breath, trying to defend Harvey: "Harvey is my student. He's a kind boy. He would never kill someone on his own initiative. He must have made that choice in desperation to protect his mother."

Max nodded slightly after hearing this, but his expression remained serious: "Do you know, Leon? If it were just an ordinary civilian who died, this matter might be able to be quelled through various means, but it was an earl who died."

Although the count's hands were not clean, and although he might deserve to die, his status dictated that this matter could not be easily let go. A commoner, even in self-defense, could not easily kill a nobleman.

Leon's tone carried a hint of urgency as he tried to make Max understand Harvey's situation: "But Harvey's actions were also out of necessity, weren't they? After all, if he hadn't taken action, it might have been his wife and child who had fallen. He was protecting himself and his family; it's human instinct."

Max was silent for a moment, Leon's words leaving him conflicted. Morally speaking, the count's actions were indeed heinous, and Harvey's actions could largely be seen as eliminating a scourge for the people. However, the issues of law and power are far more complex than morality.

He sighed and said slowly, "You're right, Harvey's actions can be considered self-defense to some extent."

However, we must face reality. The deceased was a nobleman with a prominent title in the kingdom, a title bestowed upon him personally by the king.

In this world, if a commoner kills a nobleman, regardless of the reason, it is considered a provocation against the power of the entire noble class, and this is absolutely unacceptable.

A hint of helplessness flashed in Max's eyes as he continued, "That's just how the world is. Differences in status and position inevitably lead to inequality between people."

He knew it wasn't fair, but he was just a captain in a small law enforcement division, powerless to change the system. His duty was to maintain the existing order, even if that order wasn't perfect.

In fact, if Harvey hadn't killed the count, they would have been helpless against him.

Even if his crimes are known and he is arrested, he will only be imprisoned temporarily and will soon be rescued by people in high positions of power.

That person could be Duke Chloe, or some other influential nobleman, but there will definitely be forces involved.

Max couldn't believe that an earl could survive in the kingdom's power structure without anyone supporting him. It was precisely because someone was backing him that he dared to commit crimes so recklessly, disregarding the law and morality.

Do you remember the last aloof nobleman? He was a duke, who also died mysteriously in Barton. That's the world—full of undercurrents of power and unspeakable secrets.

Max's face showed a complex expression. He knew the role his law enforcement division played in the power struggle, and at least for now, as the captain of the law enforcement team, he could do his best to maintain some order and reduce crime.

If it were someone else, the power dynamic might be more skewed, and things could become even worse.

"Captain, I never begged you..."

Max raised his hand, interrupting Leon before he could finish speaking. "Go back. I'll handle this. But don't forget, there are more law enforcement officers in Barton City now."

His tone carried a warning, reminding Leon that the situation here was far more complicated than he had imagined.

A flicker of gratitude crossed Leon's eyes, but it was also filled with guilt. He knew Max's predicament, but he couldn't stand idly by.

He had known Harvey for a long time and knew his character well. He couldn't bear to see Harvey suffer injustice in self-defense. He also hoped that those around him could be happy, or at least not lose their lives, because he didn't have many close friends left.

"Thank you," Leon said sincerely, then turned and left the law enforcement officer's office.

He knew Max had taken care of him and felt indebted to him again. He secretly resolved to remember this kindness and hoped to repay it someday.

Max watched Leon's figure disappear through the door and sighed softly.

He took a cigarette out of his pocket, lit it silently, took a deep drag, and then slowly exhaled a smoke ring.