Universe Infinite Canteen

Investigative tasks belong to the category with the lowest completion rate among all tasks, usually requiring detailed searches of specific areas.

Compared to cleaning tasks, Ma Lu's golden finger chessboard perspective might not necessarily be of use.

If given the choice, he actually still preferred to continue undertaking cleaning tasks.

Unfortunately, the Sacred Order of Knights did not hand out tasks for all regions, and one still had to consider whether other knights had already taken the tasks previously.

After the Ouroboros Serpent and the Hellhound had their surgeries, Ma Lu did not delay and immediately brought the witches to the landing pad.

He had saved a significant number of Holy Silver Coins by now, and he had originally planned to recruit... no, to summon one or two witches before setting off. However, the witches who joined later were significantly weaker compared to those from The Three Noble Families.

Ma Lu was not always lucky enough to encounter hidden SSR Cards like the Ouroboros Serpent, and even for SSRs, if their equipment was not up to par, they were not of much use.

And as the Church's important mining points in the Goladot Mountains were taken down, equipment was becoming increasingly scarce.

Therefore, Ma Lu had to postpone his recruitment plans for the time being.

He found his warhorse at the landing pad, pulled open the hatch, and was about to board when his next step halted mid-air.

The Hellhound, caught off guard, crashed into his body and couldn't help but complain.

"Hey, why did you suddenly stop moving?!"

Ma Lu, however, was looking at the uninvited guest in the passenger seat and raised his eyebrows, "Why are you here?"

"Greetings, Lord Xi Mu, I have been waiting for your arrival," the person in the passenger seat said, turning out to be the male Monk who had had several dealings with Ma Lu before and claimed to be a Messenger.

Seeing him, a sense of foreboding rose in Ma Lu's heart.

"Did Vice-Captain Li Wei send you? If he has something to say, why didn't he just email me?"

"Because we are in the midst of a war," the Messenger replied solemnly.

"Our enemies have issued a challenge to us. They are not only outside the city but also within, and it's very possible they are even by our side. Lord Li Wei has to act with caution. He would rather trust people over the cold methods of technology."

"Is that so? I don't feel it," Ma Lu said indifferently.

"Are you still angry about the last investigation?" the Messenger continued, "That was not Lord Li Wei's idea but a requirement from the Tribunal. In fact, it was because of Lord Li Wei's endorsement that you were released so quickly. And...

"It wasn't all bad. You showed great honesty during the investigation and have fully earned Lord Li Wei's trust. That's also why I am here now."

He paused briefly before continuing, "Lord Xi Mu, Vice-Captain Li Wei has sent me to inform you that you and your squad have been temporarily conscripted for a special assignment."

Ma Lu was startled, "But I've already taken this week's task."

"No matter, the special assignment has higher authority than regular tasks. I can freeze your current task for you until you return from the special assignment. Then you can choose whether to continue or abandon the task without any penalty."

"What is the target of the special assignment?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"I don't know," the Messenger shook his head, "I'm just here to deliver the command. Vice-Captain Li Wei has ordered that you set off for the Northern Forest immediately upon receiving these orders."

He emphasized the word 'immediately,' and after finishing his statement, he handed over a map, "Please land at the marked spot on this."

After that, he stepped off the aircraft but didn't go far, standing to one side, watching as Ma Lu and the Hellhound, among others, mounted their warhorses.

Ma Lu knew this was also a form of surveillance, to prevent them from making contact with others along the way.

He didn't delay, heading straight for the Northern Forest. En route, he glanced at the Ouroboros Serpent.

Although the Messenger refused to disclose detailed information about this special mission, Ma Lu was no fool; the level of secrecy employed by Li Wei almost certainly involved the Witch Alliance.

In principle, Ma Lu didn't want to be wrapped up in the war between the two sides, but unfortunately, this time his participation was against his will.

Li Wei had clearly left him no opportunity to refuse.

Ma Lu was now rather regretting the trade fair he had hosted in the Weaponry Department's reception room; he estimated that was when Li Wei had noticed he had left his apartment and then conveniently assigned the special mission to him.

However, upon reaching the location marked on the map, Ma Lu realized he had only guessed half right, for there weren't just one Knight receiving the special mission—it was a full twenty-five.

Considering the Sacred Order of Knights had just under two hundred members in total, this special operation effectively mobilized nearly one seventh of the Order's forces, with more than a hundred Witches dispatched as well.

Moreover, Li Wei himself had also arrived, leading the team in person, which highlighted the importance he attached to this mission.

Only then did Ma Lu realize the true depth of the waters of this mission.

Although the Ouroboros Serpent had already expressed on the warhorse that she would perform her duties as a Witch during this operation and would not place Ma Lu and the Hellhound, among others, in jeopardy,

Seeing Li Wei's preparations, Ma Lu couldn't help but feel uneasy.

If this mission indeed caused significant harm to the Witch Alliance, he was unsure if the Ouroboros Serpent could remain seated.

However, so far, her disguise had been quite convincing, with no signs of irregularity on the surface.

Like the other Witches, she stood obediently to the side, quietly waiting for further orders.

Ma Lu was probably the penultimate one to arrive. When the last Knight's warhorse also landed, Li Wei gathered everyone together and finally revealed the objective of this special operation.

"You must have all heard about what happened at the southern mining fields of the Goladot Mountains. Those Fallen Witches attacked our resource point outside the city, killing our brethren and the civilians who should have been protected by the Order of Knights."

His gaze swept over those present, "Now, it's our turn for revenge. After a secret investigation, I've located the den of those Fallen Witches. There lives a good number of them, and their leader, the Shrike, is there as well.

"Our mission this time is to net them all in one fell swoop. You have all been chosen by me, the elites among the elite of the Order of Knights, and your loyalty to the Order has also been tested. This is why I have assigned you to this mission.

"Move out, let's end this farce and tell those people who truly rules this land."

Li Wei was terse, and once he finished speaking, he activated his Black Armor and started walking towards the forest.

The other Knights followed suit behind him. With so many people moving together, any Energized Plants that appeared along the way were promptly dealt with.

They barely encountered any obstacles, and their pace was very swift. Approximately an hour and a half later, they reached their target destination. Continue your saga on empire