Chapter 23: Charlotte
Agent Michelle of the Temperance Court had run into big trouble.
It was supposed to be a peaceful morning to enjoy her coffee, but she had barely sat down with her cup when Enforcer Roy, sporting a beard of ash-brown, burst into the branch director’s office and slapped a report form onto the desk.
“Blackwater River District, no name on the report…” Michelle lost all interest in her coffee and frowned. “Roy, when and where did you pick this up? I don’t recall we had spare manpower assigned to the Blackwater River District.”
“Just now, downstairs at the bulletin board.” Roy had a cigar in his mouth and a lazy demeanor.
“Our posting board in the Blackwater River District was torn down by Bloodwine Society people a long time ago. Anyone there wanting to report has to come to Georgeson District. Here, basically. And it’s not even that far—Graycloud Fortress isn’t that big.”
“Fine, Roy. I’ll pretend I didn’t see this. Nothing happened in Blackwater River District.” Michelle massaged her temples and pressed the report form down with her hand. “It’s a sensitive time. That area isn’t worth allocating resources.”
“I don’t think you need to worry, Director. Probably no agent or enforcer would be willing to go there anyway.” Roy shrugged. “Agent Markov got beaten up last month for poking around on Bloodwine Society turf. Still in the hospital.”
“Markov, that poor kid…” Michelle shook her head in pity. “Naturally, no sane person would volunteer to wade into that swamp. But have you forgotten someone among us who isn’t quite so sane?”
Roy paused and scratched his head. “Oh, damn. How could I forget that brainless girl…”
“Good thing you brought this in quickly. Don’t let Charlotte see it or she’ll—”
Michelle hadn’t even finished when the just-closed door burst open again. A golden figure stormed in like a gust of wind, squeezing past Roy to stand at Michelle’s desk in the blink of an eye.
“Director Michelle! I heard it! And I saw it too!” That dazzling golden figure moved with striking purpose. “I heard my name, and I saw Blackwater River District! Didn’t I warn you before that place has the highest rate of young girl disappearances?”
“Little Charlotte, it’s not that we don’t care…” Roy tried to mediate.
But he was silenced by the indignant and determined stare from those sapphire eyes. Defeated, he slinked back with a hand to his forehead.
The case itself wasn’t the trouble—Michelle’s real trouble was always this radiant young lady.
The most eye-catching thing about the girl was her golden, curly long hair, soft and flowing like luxurious silk. Her fair, round face had features as finely carved as a classical sculpture. Her bright sapphire eyes evoked the sky or the sea.
She wore a dark green fitted riding dress trimmed with layers of gold thread. Her vest was fastened with a row of silver buttons, and a bouquet-like white scarf adorned the half-open neckline. Her shirt cuffs were frilled.
A riding hat, black gloves, and a leather belt at her waist held a leather scabbard, containing a gorgeous rapier with a silver hilt and golden guard. Her slim calves were clad in white silk stockings, and her feet in polished black riding boots.
She looked less like an enforcer of the Temperance Court and more like a noble lady straight out of a manor estate.
Brave and radiant, her golden hair and confident smile shone like a dazzling sunrise spilling straight across the earth.
Charlotte Fred, biological daughter of the famed enforcer trainer Conrad Tulls, and adopted daughter of the legendary Seraph-class enforcer Sera Fred.
No one in the Temperance Court didn’t know this golden-haired girl. Her beaming smile alone drew every eye.
Charlotte was undeniably a prodigy. She rose from probationary enforcer to Powers Angel-class enforcer in under six months—a leap that usually took four to five years.
And just when everyone thought she’d stay in the Papal State to refine her skills, Charlotte suddenly and decisively gave up her bright future and followed Michelle to Graycloud Fortress, a free city-state where even the Church had difficulty penetrating—establishing a branch in that fog-shrouded land untouched by God’s light.
But this decision wasn’t so hard to understand. In fact, everyone sympathized.
Because Sera Fred, her adoptive father, the Temperance Court’s pride and legend, had encountered the bloodstained witch Chescia there.
It was said that the battle between hero and witch tore open the sky’s long-looming cloud of smoke, unleashing storms and lightning that lasted a full week. High-sequence Transcendent conflicts were cataclysmic.
But in the end, the hero disappeared.
The blood on the thorns had dried, but no one ever found a trace of Sera.
Charlotte had long lost her beloved birth father. Afterward, she lost her revered adoptive father. Thus, Graycloud Fortress became unforgettable to her.
Her return to this place surprised no one.
Still, the current case didn’t seem closely tied to Sera’s disappearance. Charlotte cared because of her sense of justice.
“As I suspected—missing young girls again. Nothing new.” The golden-haired girl pulled the report from under Michelle’s palm, glanced at it, then said indignantly, “Director! Madam Michelle! How long will you keep turning a blind eye? Those girls are innocent, and so are their parents! The Temperance Court shouldn’t be this heartless. Under Archangel Raguel’s guidance, aren’t we supposed to help the weak and preserve harmony?”
“Charlotte, I understand your feelings. Everyone in the Temperance Court understands,” Michelle said seriously. “But we’re isolated here. We don’t have the Church’s protection. Lord Joseph’s endorsement isn’t fully recognized by the four major gangs. To them, our enforcement is even illegal.”
Charlotte pounded the desk in anger. “Damn it! How can thugs and hooligans be the masters of this place?”
In Graycloud Fortress, the four major gangs were the law. The Church and the Temperance Court received no respect.
Yet even after collecting exorbitant protection fees, girl disappearances were increasing. Charlotte didn’t believe for a second that those Bloodwine Society scumbags maintained any real order.
Michelle lowered her head, breathing deep and heavy in frustration.
“Alright, Director Michelle. I know your difficulties. This is a sensitive time, and Lord Joseph allowed us to stay to help investigate the Westin Estate murder case. The branch is short-staffed.” Charlotte gripped the report more tightly. “But someone filing this means they don’t trust the gangs. They still need the Temperance Court. I’ll go alone—I don’t need backup. Within a week, I’ll return regardless of the result. Assign me wherever you like afterward, no complaints. Is that acceptable?”
“You really don’t need backup, little Charlotte? Blackwater River District is more dangerous than you think…” Roy fretted for his brash junior.
But the poor man was promptly glared back into silence and cornered by the fierce girl.
“Truly the daughter of Sera. So confident.” Michelle laughed, not knowing if it was from admiration or exasperation. “Fine, I’ll let you have your way—this once. But only for three days. Make progress, and I’ll leave you be. Otherwise, you keep your promise.”
With the time limit halved, even Charlotte hesitated briefly.
But her resolve returned immediately.
“The Graycloud Fortress branch needs a breakthrough to gain public trust. I believe I can do this. This isn’t just about the current crisis—it’s about the future.” Charlotte stood tall and saluted. “Branch Director Michelle, Charlotte Fred will devote her full strength to this mission—to give those families who lost daughters an answer.”
Sera’s back appeared in her mind.
She felt that if he were here, he’d support her decision. On the Path of Temperance, it wasn’t about gain—it was about holding to justice until death.
—Father, are you still alive? If you are, what kind of life are you living now?
Charlotte asked herself in her heart.
She knew no one could answer, but she always hoped to reunite with Sera and her father. That hope was why she returned to Graycloud Fortress with Michelle.
“Pretty speech. I’m moved. Let’s hope your work is equally pretty.” Michelle stood up and straightened Charlotte’s hat, her gaze softening. “But before you go, Charlotte, you need to know a few things.”
“I’m listening, ma’am.” Charlotte nodded.
“First, the report mentioned the Vivian Glass Factory in the Blackwater River District. Someone saw a moving linen sack being dragged into the building—but I can’t verify that.” Michelle leaned closer, whispering in the blonde girl’s ear.
“Wha…” Charlotte was too shocked to speak.
“Second, the report is unsigned—could be fear of gang retaliation, or it could be a gang’s trap. Judge for yourself.” Michelle continued.
Charlotte swallowed dryly.
She hadn’t expected Michelle to have already considered so many angles in such a short time. Clearly, a Dominion Angel-class agent’s competence far exceeded her expectations.
“Third, the Vivian Glass Factory is at the border of Georgeson and Blackwater River Districts, and the cemetery is nearby.” Michelle looked into Charlotte’s ocean-blue eyes. “Lately, many strange rumors have emerged from there. I want you to be careful. Keep yourself safe.”
“The cemetery… huh?” Charlotte murmured in thought.
“Lastly—” Michelle stepped back, her voice resuming normal volume. “From now on, the missing girls’ case in the Blackwater River District is your sole responsibility.”
The Temperance Court’s Graycloud Fortress branch director stood tall and returned the salute.
“Best of luck, Enforcer Charlotte Fred.”