Westminster Bank

With those words, the Copper Bell ceased its shaking, and an eerie silence descended upon the board of directors.

The directors looked at each other. Though they couldn't see the faces beneath the shrouding mist, Hoover could well imagine their dumbfounded expressions.

"An S-Level containment rating? Is this some kind of trick Malozov and Howard cooked up together?" the 8th director said. "If this is true, doesn't that mean Constantine is S-Level in his interview, his Destiny, and now containment? We might as well just make him Triple-S Level."

His gaze suddenly fell upon the application file on the table, the one marked "Triple-S Level."

"…"

Hoover stroked his long beard and said, "Baron Constantin's potential is beyond doubt. All that's left is to call Howard in for verification."

"No," the 8th director said. "Bring in Malozov!"

Hoover gave him a meaningful look and said sagely, "He's already waiting outside."

After Malozov came before the board to narrate—and embellish—the general story of what happened after his encounter with L, the directors' silence was even longer than before.

"The Illusory Cocoon has acknowledged him, even using the sealed space on the other side to open a direct channel to him… In less than two weeks, he has contained so many Taboo Items, a Pure-blood Dragon Knight, the Dragon Spear… I believe he no longer requires our rating."

"I'm sure many Law Enforcement Organizations and Old Blood Clans on the Inner Side have already taken an interest in him… In comparison, while the crimes he's committed are problematic, it's not impossible for him to lie low for a while if he just changes his name."

Hoover smiled at the assembled directors. "Let us return to the previous topic. Regarding Baron Constantin's application for Triple-S Level status, who is in favor, and who is opposed?"

"Directors 1, 2, and 3 are not present… Their votes carry significant weight. A major decision like Triple-S Level requires all directors to be in attendance."

This time, it wasn't the 8th director who spoke, but the 9th. He added, "However, while the board cannot make a decision on a major issue like Triple-S Level for now, we can still vote to approve his S-Level certification."

"Then, will the directors in favor of Baron Constantin becoming an S-Level Specialist for Westminster please vote by raising your hands."

After the 9th director spoke, he was the first to raise his hand. Aside from the 8th director and the few beside him, all the other directors raised their hands as well.

An overwhelming majority.

Hoover nodded and immediately sent the approval documents to the various departments of Westminster Bank. After this meeting, Baron Constantin would, without a doubt, become another official S-Level Specialist at Westminster Bank. And this was only the beginning, not the end.

"Now that we have confirmed Mr. Constantine's official status as a Specialist, Westminster Bank has an obligation to help him deal with the charges for which he is currently wanted on the Inner Side."

The 9th director clapped his hands, and several sheets of paper drifted down from the dome above. "These are all related to the crimes he committed on the Inner Side. We can handle them in order of difficulty."

"The charge of 'assassinating a Knight Order Leader' is a matter for the Holy Hall. Those Knights are not to be trifled with, so let's set it aside for now."

On the Inner Side, aside from the London Tower with the game-breakingly powerful Golden Wizard Newton, the Templar Order and the Demon Hunter Association are two of the major powers.

Westminster Bank isn't afraid of them, but considering the massive amount of money they owe the bank, it's not like we can afford to be completely dismissive either.

"Blowing up King's Cross Station… That incident alarmed both the Outer and Inner Sides, and involves too many Old Blood Clans and bureaucratic agencies on both sides. We'll leave that for now."

The relationship between the Outer and Inner Sides isn't something that can be explained quickly. In short, the fewer people on the Outer Side who know of the Inner Side's existence, the better. While Westminster is a major conglomerate with influence on both Sides and could theoretically handle a "nuclear-level" problem like this, it's practically impossible to do so.

In short, it's best not to get involved in any issues spanning both the Outer and Inner Sides, lest we attract the hostility of the Old Race worldwide—even if Westminster Bank's reputation is already notorious among Taboo Item collectors and the Old Race as it is.

"Colluding with the Dragon Witch… That's asking for trouble. The Dragon Witch is wanted by nearly every Law Enforcement Organization on the Inner Side. If we don't handle this carefully, our rivals will surely find an excuse to drag Westminster down with him. Let's set it aside for now…"

Colluding with the Dragon Witch is tantamount to making an enemy of the entire world. Westminster Bank may be wealthy and powerful, ranking among the top international Law Enforcement Organizations, but even it cannot withstand the condemnation from so many Old Blood Clans and national Law Enforcement Organizations that are hostile to her.

Ultimately, the problem is that the Dragon Eater Association is just too fanatical. It has now spread from its homeland in Britain to the entire world, becoming a preeminent organization among Cultists.

As the being this organization worships, and the main culprit behind a major crime like the "Night of the Red Dragon," the Dragon Witch has naturally become the number one Lawbreaker on the Prole Court's most-wanted list.

"'Killed the heir of the Hestia Family Patriarch in Dragon Spear Plaza. Knight Commander Roy of the Griffin Knight Order… Kidnapped the eldest daughter of the next Patriarch of the Beowulf Family…' Ssss…"

The 9th director's hand, holding the report, began to tremble.

'He knew Constantine the Bloodless had committed plenty of major crimes, but he never expected there would be so many when listed all together.'

'Compared to all this, killing some guy named Bill was nothing.'

The 9th director cleared his throat and said, "We probably don't need to worry about the Beowulf Family. According to you, Hoover, Constantine drew the Dragon Spear, which no one had been able to for a thousand years."