SCIAW: Chapter 349/350

Chapter 349: April Fool's Day

After making plans to visit the Beika City Museum on Thursday, Ren's daily routine settled into a predictable rhythm.

A simple life revolving around school, the supermarket, and home.

Studying moderately at school, picking up necessities at the supermarket, then heading straight home.

It was a very straightforward and peaceful life.

In fact, it also reflected how, following the major explosion incident in Shinjuku, the Metropolitan Police Department had significantly ramped up its security and surveillance. After all, the last thing the MPD wanted was to see its hard-earned reputation collapse overnight.

Right now, the Metropolitan Police Department was like a pack of wolves, green eyes glinting as they watched for the next threat to leap out.

Because of this attitude, nothing unusual had happened in recent days. The overall pace of life had noticeably slowed down.

Sato Miwako was enjoying a rare moment of calm.

It had already been two days since she was promoted to Police Inspector, yet things had been so quiet she hadn't had the chance to demonstrate her capabilities as an Arbiter.

"What's wrong? You look out of it."

"Do I?"

Sato Miwako turned her head toward Yumi, who was speaking to her over the office partition.

"Lately, aside from routine patrol work, things have completely died down since the weekend. It feels like I suddenly have nothing to do."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

Miyamoto Yumi looked like she was about to roll her eyes. To her, Miwako was just bragging.

"Supervisors like you only rotate in on part-time patrol shifts. But the criminal officers under the supervisors? Their workload is brutal. We're doing triple shifts, especially the patrol officers and their unit leaders. Aside from meals, they're patrolling nonstop."

"Ever since the explosion, the MPD has tightened control multiple times. The Ministry of Transportation's workload has been insane lately. I've had shoulder pain every day from the grind."

So this "leisure" was all relative.

While the workload for criminal officers above the rank of supervisor seemed light, those directly under them were handling more cases than ever. And police supervisors usually only took on serious cases, making it more noticeable when major crimes occurred.

After what happened over the weekend, it felt like the entire MPD had PTSD, constantly on edge for the next big move.

And with good reason. After all, there are real psychopaths out there who pull off extreme crimes back to back.

But that also meant the lower-level detectives had taken on a massive increase in duties.

At that moment, Yumi was slumped over the partition, visibly drained, looking at her best friend across the desk.

"You've got it good. Promoted to Deputy Inspector, then you caught that major case and smoothly got bumped up to Police Captain. Meanwhile, for us in the Transportation Bureau, it's a nightmare trying to get promoted."

Promotion within the Traffic Department was far more limited compared to other divisions of the MPD.

Most of their work involved traffic control and road safety.

Compared to other branches of the police department, the Traffic Department was mostly tasked with patrol and traffic management duties.

Because the work was less intense, many officers demoted from other departments got reassigned there. Outsiders even called it the "Department of Retirement."

But that was just for those who were sent there after being demoted. For officers originally assigned to the Traffic Department, it was a legitimate career track.

Most of those who entered the MPD through the Ministry of Transportation could still climb the ranks through experience and effort.

Yumi Miyamoto had managed to become a deputy police officer at her age thanks to her diligence and professional track record.

Still, trying to earn a promotion from within the Ministry of Transportation was extremely difficult.

Without major achievements, it usually took at least ten years.

"Yumi, you can do it!"

Sato Miwako didn't have any concrete advice, so all she could do was cheer her friend on.

"Save it."

Yumi shot her a look. She clearly didn't believe in the whole "hard work pays off" thing anymore—not in the Transportation Bureau.

"Anyway, isn't your birthday coming up in two days?"

Yumi suddenly remembered that Miwako's birthday was on April 1st...

"Have you thought about how you're going to celebrate?"

Sato Miwako blinked, suddenly realizing her birthday really was just around the corner.

"Wow, it's already that time of year."

In the blink of an eye, her birthday had come again. That meant she'd officially be 28.

Thinking about that made her kind of wish her birthday wouldn't arrive.

"Got any plans for this year's celebration?"

"Hmm... not really."

Sato Miwako replied without much thought, but just then, a certain person came to mind.

"I guess I haven't."

"Huh?"

Yumi widened her eyes in disbelief. That reaction was very suspicious. In the past, Miwako had never made birthday plans. Could that be different this year?

"Does that mean someone's celebrating with you this year?"

Is it that surprising to have someone to spend it with? Sato Miwako felt a little exasperated.

But... she really hadn't had anyone to spend her birthday with in the past. When she thought about it, Yumi had always been with her.

Sato Miwako waved her hand dismissively.

"It's not that I have someone to spend it with. It's just that someone's helped me a lot this year, so I thought maybe I'd treat him to a meal or something."

"Eh? Who is it?"

"One of my informants. He hates trouble, but he's been a big help with my cases lately. So I thought a meal would be a good way to thank him."

Oh, just an informant... Yumi lost interest right away. That kind of topic wasn't worth gossiping about.

The relationship between informants and detectives was always complicated. In most cases, they weren't exactly friendly.

But Miwako's relationship with this informant seemed oddly not bad.

"Well, since you've decided, I won't crash your birthday this year. Ah, but I'll still get you a birthday gift."

"Thanks."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 350: The Second Tarot

"Your birthday is on April 1st?"

That evening, while Ren was still studying at home, he suddenly received a call from Miwako. On the line was an invitation—to have dinner together on April 1st.

"Why are you inviting me to dinner on your birthday?"

"Haven't you helped me so many times already? I thought I'd treat you to a meal on my birthday. And... there's something else. I wanted to ask you about my father."

"...Ah. So that's the real reason for the invitation."

Ren immediately caught on. From the tone of her voice, it was obvious this was the true motive behind the dinner.

"You won't be satisfied unless you get an answer, right?"

"Hehe~ It's just that the answer I've waited for all these years is finally within reach. I'm a little impatient."

Hearing the silly giggle on the other end of the line, Ren shook his head slightly. He was also impatient. But this wasn't something that needed to be concealed.

"Alright. Since you're treating me on April 1st, I'll tell you. But even if you learn who killed your father, you must remain calm. It's been so many years... the evidence won't be easy to collect."

"Yeah, I understand."

Miwako did understand. If there had been any clues, her father's case wouldn't have been shelved for so long.

She also knew that capturing the murderer might require extraordinary methods. Still, she had no hesitation. Apprehending the culprit with as much justice as possible would be the greatest comfort to her father's spirit.

After hanging up, Miwako tossed her phone aside and collapsed onto her bed, feeling an unusual sense of ease.

"The cause of my father's death... the person responsible... This time, I'm going to find him!"

The loss of her father during her childhood was one of the biggest traumas in Miwako's life—and the one thing that weighed on her heart the most.

With Ren's power backing her, she truly believed she could finally find the criminal.

Her current strength came from Ren. Solving the major explosion case was thanks to Ren. And now, even uncovering the truth behind her father's death would be because of him.

When she added up all these debts, Miwako didn't know how else she could repay him.

It seemed like the only thing she could offer now... was herself.

But after her birthday, she'd officially be 28. Would anyone even want an older woman like her? Miwako felt conflicted.

"Forget it. I don't want to think about it right now... I'll figure out how to repay him later..."

While Miwako struggled with her tangled thoughts, Ren continued to focus on his studies.

Many mystical potions were known to enhance memory. And as a Seer and apprentice, with a Telepathist's natural photographic memory, it wasn't impossible to store an enormous amount of knowledge in his brain.

Ren's current goal was to make up for past academic gaps and completely master all the knowledge covered over three years of high school. That way, he wouldn't need to constantly review and could take leave as needed without being scolded by teachers.

More importantly, he wanted to see whether the knowledge he hadn't fully grasped before—or had learned but forgotten—could now be fully reabsorbed.

Suddenly, his spirituality stirred.

A fluctuation from Sefirah Castle… The gathering over there had begun.

Ren didn't enter immediately. Instead, he waited for about fifteen minutes before placing his consciousness into Sefirah Castle.

It was still the same Sefirah Castle gate. But this time, he didn't need to push it open.

The door welcomed him of its own accord.

Step by step, he entered the other side of Sefirah Castle—this time connected to another layer.

At that moment, the Fool, who had just finished reading three pages from Emperor Roselle's diary, looked up at the unfamiliar guest who had eluded his perception last time.

The two others seated at the bronze table also noticed the Fool's movement and instinctively turned their gazes toward the newcomer.

It was the gentleman from last time!

Both immediately sharpened their focus.

"Hmm? You entered in Spectator mode? I don't mind it personally, but let me remind you. It's best not to observe in Spectator mode in front of gods. Your Sequence isn't high enough yet."

Huh?

Audrey's heart skipped a beat. She instantly pulled herself out of Spectator mode.

"Good. Spectators can glimpse too many forbidden things. While you may not be able to read the thoughts of high-Sequence individuals, merely watching them is courting death. Once someone reaches Sequence 4 and attains godhood, they begin to take on mythical forms. A single glance from a low-Sequence Beyonder can drive them insane."

"Also, keep this in mind. The Fool is a Sequence 0 True God of the Seer Pathway. Even if his condition isn't optimal, he's not someone newly-initiated Beyonders should even attempt to observe."

Ren's words struck like thunder in the hearts of the three sitting there.

Eh!? Mr. Fool is... a Sequence 0 True God!?

Audrey froze in place.

She had known Mr. Fool was powerful—but this? This exceeded everything she had imagined.

And she wasn't alone. Alger's eyes widened with the same disbelief.

He had always suspected the Fool was an unknown Evil God, but to think he was the True God of the Seer Pathway's Sequence 0... That meant the Fool was on par with the Seven Gods!

But the most stunned of all was the Fool himself.

Klein nearly bit his tongue from shock.

He had no idea that the name of the Sequence 0 True God of the Seer Pathway was "The Fool." Was he... roleplaying a god? And would the real god come to take him down?

As Ren approached, he calmly took a seat directly opposite the Fool at the bronze table, a smile playing at his lips.

It was clear that the fog of Sefirah Castle didn't blind him in the slightest.

"Pfft~ Judging from your reaction, this must be the first time you've heard the Fool is the True God of the Seer Pathway, huh?"

Ren placed both hands on the table, staring directly at Klein.

"Still, judging by your condition, your recovery will take quite a while. Well, I'm quite interested in your fight. I'm curious whether you'll win... or if He will."

"I will."

Klein snapped out of his shock and placed his hands firmly on the table. He couldn't show weakness now.

(To be continued.)