Chapter 536: Weapon Grandmaster

"You mean someone is using the Holy Water to hoard supplies?"

Adrian Paige understood perfectly. Nina Jacobs suspected that the people selling the Holy Water were doing so to amass resources.

Seeing that Nina didn’t deny it, Adrian continued, "We’ve been investigating the Holy Water too, but our main focus has been tracing its origins."

The Holy Water had appeared out of nowhere. They suspected it was developed by some pharmaceutical company’s research facility.

"What if the Holy Water came from Veridia?"

Nina’s words made a sharp gleam flash in Adrian’s eyes.

In her past life, she hadn’t known much about the central command, only remembering that Warren Rhodes always had two personal bodyguards by his side. Those two were Charles Rowan and Hannah Warner, whom she had saved a few days ago. She recalled Warren mentioning that they used to serve someone else.

But that person had sacrificed themselves for the country, and their dying wish was for Charles and Hannah to protect Warren. She remembered how Warren’s eyes would still fill with tears whenever he spoke of that fallen hero.

The reason she agreed to let Justin Lawson report this to Adrian was because she suspected Adrian might be that very hero.

Many things had unfolded differently in this life compared to the last, but a person’s core moral compass was hard to change. This man was highly trustworthy, or at the very least, he would never betray Drakonia.

"Do you have any proof?" Adrian looked at Nina sitting across from him. She didn’t seem to be making baseless guesses. Remembering Myra Lawson’s words, he added, "If the intel you provide is useful, I can pay you another batch of Crystal Cores. Or is there something else you want?"

"COUGH, COUGH."

Justin couldn’t help but cough.

"Commander Lawson, have you not recovered from your illness yet?" Adrian asked with concern.

"I’m fine, perfectly fine.

"Adrian, why don’t we just let Nina speak?"

Justin couldn’t resist interrupting Adrian’s inquiry. Why did a perfectly normal question sound completely off when it came out of Adrian’s mouth?

Nina didn’t mind. She nodded and continued, "I do have proof, which brings me to the second reason I’m here today.

"How much do you two know about the organization called The Aegis Conclave?

"What I know might only be scratching the surface."

Nina’s intention was clear. She wanted an information exchange.

Adrian understood this much and replied, "The Aegis Conclave is located within the Arisdale Base. Originally, it was a spontaneous mutual-aid group formed by foreigners stranded in Drakonia, including several foreign medical doctorates. Later, it evolved into a medical research institution.

"After registering in City A, they donated a massive amount of medical supplies to the Arisdale Base, so the base tacitly approved of their research.

"Over time, the number of Drakonians joining the organization steadily increased, bringing in plenty of highly skilled individuals. Rumor has it that their research focuses on curing the zombie virus and developing Superpower Users..."

Justin chimed in, "This organization has an almost spotless record within Drakonia’s borders. After the incident with Icarus Golding, Heath Chandler has been investigating them.

"However, aside from gathering supplies and recruiting members, he hasn’t found any evidence of illegal activity."

Gathering supplies and recruiting members fell under the scope of normal activities. Even if these actions were reported, the other party would simply claim they were individual behaviors entirely unrelated to the organization.

Nina didn’t argue with that. The Aegis Conclave did appear flawless on the surface. It had been the same in her past life; it wasn’t until the third year of the apocalypse that they finally drew the attention of central command.

"The Aegis Conclave, Veridia, and the Holy Water—do you think these three are connected?" Adrian asked. He had actually suspected a link between the Holy Water and The Aegis Conclave before, but it had only been a suspicion with zero evidence to back it up.

"It’s not just what I think; someone told me.

"This person used to work inside The Aegis Conclave and is currently being hunted by them. I hope the City D Base can guarantee her personal safety," Nina said.

Nia had been staying inside the Stellarys Team’s residence these past few days, never stepping foot outside. If Nia wanted to establish herself in the City D Base in the future, she would need more than just a job to prove her worth. In Nina’s eyes, Nia’s ability to protect herself was simply too weak.

"Where is he now?" Justin asked urgently.

"Does this person hold some crucial intelligence?" Adrian was also eager to meet the person Nina mentioned.

A short while later, Nina had Wayne Warner bring the person inside. Justin saw Wayne and wanted to exchange a few pleasantries, but then a petite figure peeked out from behind him. The newcomer was bundled entirely in a thick, long down jacket and wore a cotton trapper hat, leaving only a pair of curious eyes visible as she scanned the room.

"Nia, this is Justin Lawson, Base Commander of the City D Base, and this is Adrian Paige," Nina introduced.

Only then did Nia use one hand to take off her hat and bow politely to them.

"Before the apocalypse, Nia was a doctorate in weapons development. She held a critical position in a joint venture before going to work for The Aegis Conclave..." Nina gave a brief overview of Nia’s background.

Adrian suddenly remembered something and asked, "A few months ago, central command purchased a batch of Flowing Light Dagger munitions at a very high price. Do you know anything about those?"

Nia’s eyes widened slightly at the question. "Purchased? But they told me they were providing them to the base for free! I stayed up for several nights straight just to finish loading those!"

And now she was finding out that the batch of Flowing Light Dagger munitions had been sold at exorbitant prices?

Seeing Nina’s confused expression, Nia explained, "Flowing Light Dagger munitions are highly lethal rounds designed to target zombie hordes. Upon detonation, they blow up zombies while simultaneously shooting out beams of light. These beams sweep horizontally at neck height, instantly piercing through the skulls of several rows of zombies. Their main selling point is zero wasted energy."

These Flowing Light Dagger munitions were also one of her inventions.

If Adrian had harbored any doubts before, he was now completely convinced that the inventor of the Flowing Light Dagger munitions stood right before him. He just hadn’t expected the so-called leading weapons expert touted by The Aegis Conclave to be this young woman named Nia.

"So you know that the Holy Water belongs to the Veridians?" Adrian asked, recalling what Nina had said earlier.

"From what I understand, yes. Not even Dr. Gray knows the formula for the Holy Water."

Nina had heard Nia explain this in detail before. The Veridians claimed that the Holy Water was limited in quantity, having been passed down from the ancient Holy Emperor, and thus had no formula.

"Limited in quantity, no formula.

"If what they’re saying is true, then given the nature of the Veridians, it would be absolutely impossible for them to bring it to Drakonia to sell," Justin remarked coldly after hearing this.

"So Veridia is using The Aegis Conclave’s influence to hoard supplies in Drakonia?" Adrian reasoned.

It was highly likely there was a mole within central command. There was also that Drakonia supply distribution map. Although most of the supplies marked on it had already been claimed by various bases, this matter remained incredibly serious. It felt as though some Invisible force was secretly draining Drakonia dry.

"It’s just a deduction. My own capabilities are meager, and I was merely curious about why this Holy Water is so miraculous," Nina replied.

It would be great if the people from central command could trace the true origin of the Holy Water.

"Since ancient times, Drakonia’s resources and power have been coveted by neighboring countries. To think they still won’t give it a rest even in times like these." Justin sighed heavily.

From what the two men were saying, Nina learned that over the past three months, several neighboring nations had already attempted to harass or even encroach upon Drakonia. So the international conflicts of her past life had actually begun this early on.

"Rest assured, I’ll take care of Nia’s arrangements. The base, and indeed all of Drakonia, will definitely keep you safe," Justin promised.