Li Ming implied with a hint of accusation, "Lord Benny, you seem to be more concerned about this matter than the Torch Organization itself."
"They haven’t even e to press, but you’ve been urging repeatedly these past few days, probing indirectly."
Jesaya chimed in, "Yeah, if we didn’t know better, we’d think you were also a member of the Torch Organization. Even those of us who do know can’t figure out why you’re in such a hurry."
Benny’s expression remained unchanged, but he lamented, "After all the heart power I’ve expended to get this far, seeing that we are nearing pletion, how could I not be anxious?"
"Lord Azure Dragon, you’re always so laid-back, obviously having a card up your sleeve."
"Ha..." Li Ming laughed heartily, "If I had a card up my sleeve, I would have just gone and built it myself. I’m just thinking that since nobody from the Torch Organization is rushing us, what’s there to hurry about?"
Benny remained silent, feeling it inappropriate to continue pressing the matter, and changed the topic: "Speaking of which, does anyone know what happened to Des? Even Luo’er, whom I sent to find him, has been missing for several days now."
"Those people are as silent as cicadas in winter; when questioned, they claim ignorance."
"Who knows, maybe he’s gone on strike. He is a Mechanic, after all. The Torch is using him as a mere tool; perhaps he needs a mental adjustment," said Jesaya offhandedly.
Benny looked troubled, "Des wouldn’t act rashly, would he? Or could he have been detained? What if the Torch Organization messed up and killed him?"
"The Torch Organization killed him?" Li Ming mused, "It’s not beyond the realm of possibility."
Jesaya’s brow furrowed, and he said coldly, "If the Torch Organization opens that door, it’s not far-fetched that they might target us next."
"I was just speaking hypothetically," Benny chuckled awkwardly, quickly clarifying as he noticed the others dwelling on the issue.
While they were conversing, the mechanical doors suddenly opened, and a cold breeze poured in. Benny instinctively turned his head to look, his expression one of shock.
He saw Connet leading the way, Fernand standing to his right, and the person to his left bore a striking resemblance to Connet, though he appeared more haughty.
Twins?
"Lord Connet, your eye?" Benny couldn’t help but exclaim.
Li Ming was also surprised, not expecting Connet to be so badly injured; the bloody hole over his left eye was particularly unsettling.
Jesaya’s mechanical pupils quickly assessed the energy levels of the three men, his voice heavy, "All this motion, what are you gentlemen planning?"
Connet scanned the crowd, having already dismissed the other personnel, and began self-absorbedly, "Not long ago, I left to implement a key plan."
"Unfortunately, the plan was leaked, and I was ambushed by Asimara, suffering heavy losses."
"This has led me to suspect that there is an internal traitor within our base."
"A traitor?" Benny was shocked, his face turning even uglier, "What does this have to do with us?"
"After a thorough investigation, I can confirm that the traitor is among you," Connet declared, eyeing the three with unwavering certainty.
"So I hope each of you can prove your innocence."
Jesaya’s expression darkened, followed by a sneer, "The three of us have been staying in the resting area the whole time. How could we possibly know your plans? When something goes wrong, rather than investigating your own people, you suspect us."
"Exactly," Benny agreed repeatedly, "What does this have to do with us?"
Connet was about to speak but was rudely interrupted by Jesaya, his voice icy, "Such baseless accusations are laughable. Now you expect us to prove our innocence? I might as well say this is a farce you’ve orchestrated—prove it yourselves!"
Kewis spoke with indifference, "We can naturally confirm our own innocence. Asking you to do so is already showing you respect."
"Heh..." Jesaya scoffed, "You really take us for subordinates? We are not Des!"
"Wait..." Upon mentioning that name, Li Ming looked suspicious and took the opportunity to ask, "Gentlemen, if I may inquire, where is Des?"
"Hmm?" Connet’s gaze sharpened, and Jesaya’s expression also shifted, he demanded, "That’s right, where is Des!"
"Des cannot show himself for the time being," said Connet with a grave tone.
"Cannot show himself?" Li Ming scoffed, "I don’t think that’s the case. Could it be, as Lord Benny guessed, that Des has been killed by you?"
Benny was clueless for a moment, but being an old fox, he quickly caught on, staring down Connet,
"That’s right, why can’t Des show himself? Even if he’s restrained by you or badly injured, showing his face should be doable, right?"
Their relationship with Des wasn’t particularly good, but they were all invited here by the Torch Organization.
Overall, they belonged to a different camp from the Torch Organization. Brother’s death at the hands of Azure Dragon was an internal conflict.
If Des was controlled by the Torch Organization, they would not bother to speak much, but they draw a line at murder.
Because that would touch upon the Torch’s "reputation" and "bottom line."
"No wonder you are not in a hurry," Li Ming suddenly realized, as if understanding something, and sneered, "You probably already obtained the remaining data needed to build the Sublimator from Des. We are likely of no use anymore,"
"Only 20% of progress is left, and most of the issues have been resolved. Your Organization’s Mechanics could take over."
"An internal traitor is just your excuse to take action."
Connet’s expression turned solemn, and he felt slightly at a loss as the situation did not unfold as he anticipated.
His intention was to observe everyone’s reaction through this event to detect any clues, but it seemed they had turned the tables on him.
On second thought, Azure Dragon’s speculation was not without reason.
"Des is not in a position to show himself," Kewis glared at Azure Dragon, menacingly uttering, "You keep insisting on seeing Des, could it be that you already knew..."
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