Orin frowned. "Our n is to have you sneak across the border to North Manand as an illegal immigrant, find Venomadder, and retrieve the amulet."


    "Can''t we ask for the police in Manand to help us out?" Wilbur asked.


    Orin sighed. "They''ve got all sorts of armed forces over there, especially in North Manand. There are still martial groups from World War Two and all these drug cartels in the city. The government can''t even do anything about them, let alone the police. It''s too difficult to ask for their help. Sending someone like you is our only chance at retrieving the amulet safely."


    Wilbur nodded. He knew a thing or two about how things were in North Manand, and Orin''s description was pretty urate. Orin was probably at his wits'' end to ask him for help.


    "Alright, then. Have everything prepared, and I''ll go as soon as possible."


    Elsa then said, "The armed forces over there have been mobilized to deal with scam calls, and we suspect Venomadder is involved in all of this. They might be hiding in the call center, where you will be sent to."


    "Sure, I''m fine with that," Wilbur nodded.


    Just then, Orin said, "There are lots of Dashans trapped there after getting scammed, forced to work with the scammers. Try to bring them back to Dasha if you can, alright? Their family members have begged for something to be done, but Manand is a sovereign state. There''s honestly not much we can do."


    "No worries. I''ll try my best," said Wilbur.


    Orin nodded. "We''ll also be sending someone to go with you on behalf of the Kardon Province officials. It''ll help us understand more about the scam call center, so we''ll have an easier time rescuing our people in the future. Don''t worry, this person won''t know what you''re really there for. Just focus on doing your job."


    Wilbur was about to refuse but gave it some thought and figured that Orin had a point.


    The scam industry there was truly booming, and people were still falling for these scams despite the awareness that had been spread about it.


    This had happened before, and it would happen again in the future.


    Orin was only doing this on behalf of the people. Wilbur nodded in agreement.


    Orin then nodded at Elsa, who mumbled something into her walkie-talkie. Not long after, a slightly tan girl in her twenties dressed in casual clothes walked in.


    "Let me introduce you to Detective Sophie Hoy. She might be young, but she''s a strong woman who has cracked a good number of big cases recently. She''ll be going to Manand with you, where you will work on your respective missions."


    "A girl?" Wilbur could not help but exim.


    This was a country where its people were above thew. Wouldn''t sending a girl there be a little too dangerous?


    Orin frowned. "A girl won''t draw as much attention. It''ll make it easier for us to infiltrate them."


    Wilbur said nothing, frowning reluctantly.


    Just then, Sophie looked over at Wilbur, bowing with a solemn expression on her face. "Mister Penn. Mister Campbell and Chief Janae spoke very highly of you, but I''m sure I''ll be able to aplish my mission with flying colors and not be a burden to you."


    This girl was one tough cookie.


    Wilbur sighed. "Alright. We''ll just proceed as arranged."


    After all, this was Orin''s decision, and he did not feel good going against it.


    Orin nodded. "Miss Hoy had been paying close attention to the scam industry over at North Manand. She''s been talking to a guy, pretending to fall for the romance scam he''s set up, and is ready to head over anytime. Once you''re ready, she''ll tell the guy that she''s ready to go and you two will sneak across the border. It''s more believable that way."


    "I''m alright with it. Ready when you are," Wilbur said.


    Sophie said, "I''m ready too. I just have to drop him a message, and he''ll arrange for a boat to take us across the border."


    "Okay, you do that. Get ready to go," said Orin.


    Sophie bowed, retreating to her room to get ready.