Secret World of Occultists-Chapter 44: Agent of the Ministry

Recalling the first time Abel had met Emily Thompson outside St. John’s Market, he couldn’t help but gulp loudly.

"She’s a... Grade 2 Occultist?!"

"Indeed." Hugh Preston nodded. After taking a sip of bourbon, he continued, "Her Hallmark is not suited for combat, yet she remains a most formidable adversary."

Abel was stunned speechless. He couldn’t even begin to imagine that the young lady who had ’bumped into him’ outside St. John’s Market, and then bought him coffee afterward actually turned out to be a Grade 2 Occultist!

He asked curiously, "Sir, may I know what her Hallmark is?"

Hugh Preston revealed a knowing smile. "It is impolite to speak of another’s Hallmark, Abel. Especially, when they are not present."

"Ah, forgive me," the youth apologized.

Hugh Preston set the glass down on the table before adding, "All I can tell you is that she is an Aberrant-type Occultist."

"I understand." Abel nodded.

George, who was sitting right next to Hugh, seemed like he wanted to say something. But in the end, he chose not to.

He wanted to reveal Emily’s Hallmark. After all, in the past they had all worked together in the Security & Special Operations Team.

But within a few years, Emily had already surpassed him and left for Winchester, the center of the world, where the Ministry of Occult Affairs was headquartered!

Now that Emily was his superior, he thought it unwise to run his mouth, speaking ill of her.

The Commander of the team, Hugh, astutely noticed this. He turned to George and asked with an arched eyebrow, "Is there something you wish to say?"

"No... nothing," George grumbled under his breath before downing all the bourbon in his glass.

Seeing this Hugh couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile. He grabbed the bottle from behind the bar counter and poured George another drink.

He patted his back and encouraged him, "Your time will come. Have patience."

"...Yes, Commander." With that said, George continued to silently drink for the rest of the duration.

Seeing this Abel couldn’t help but wonder, What’s his deal? Is he bitter because Miss Thompson is a Grade 2 Occultist? Or that she’s working in Winchester? Hmm... perhaps both?

He took a sip of the lemon cordial and asked Hugh, "Sir, what is the daily life of an agent of the Ministry like?"

Hugh turned to him and answered with a bitter smile, "If I am to be honest, the life of an Occultist is not all fine and dandy. Certainly, the pay is generous, and one is granted privileges beyond the reach of others in their station."

He paused for a moment, swirling the liquor in his glass before continuing, "But in exchange, you slowly forfeit your freedom. The life of an Occultist is one of sacrifice."

Sensing the sadness in the Commander’s voice, Abel couldn’t help but ask, "So then why do you do it? Why do you choose to remain an Occultist of the Ministry?"

Hugh looked him in the eye and spoke with unwavering determination, "To protect the ones I love."

Abel could see the conviction in the man’s eyes and sincerely praised him inwardly.

He wanted to ask who it was that he was protecting his loved ones from, but the man had already answered without him needing to ask.

"We Occultists are the first line of defense between the ordinary world and the terrifying realm of anmoalies," said the Commander in a grave voice.

"Abel, you must understand that the Ministry is the ultimate force standing between humanity and the abyss. We work in the shadows of history, keeping the world blissfully unaware of the horrors that lurk in the dark."

Abel could feel the weight of his words weighing down on his heart.

The first line of defense between the ordinary world and the terrifying realm of anomalies, he repeated those words in his mind.

Hugh’s lips curled up into a faint smile and he raised his glass to his fellow Occultists.

"The world will not know us. The world will not thank us. But without us, the world would fall."

"Hear! Hear!"

Henry, George, Francis, and even Abel raised their glasses and toasted those words.

Seeing the group descending into silence, each lost in their own thoughts, Abel wondered, The life of an agent is more depressing than I’d imagined. But... there’s no turning back now.

"I think that Occultists are very cool, sir!" He raised his glass of lemon cordial and toasted everyone, before chugging the entire thing down.

Hugh laughed heartily. "Occultists are indeed very cool."

Seeing everyone’s mood lighten up a bit, Abel thought that this was a good time to ask what had been on his mind for a little while now.

"Sir, there is something I wish to ask," he said, "I hope you wouldn’t mind answering."

"Go ahead." Hugh nodded. "As long as it falls within your security clearance, I will answer."

"Alright!" Abel’s eyes lit up. "So... is the Trust laundering money for the Ministry?"

"Eh?" Hugh Preston had a slightly stunned expression on his face. He couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. "Of all the things you could have asked, this is what you chose?"

"He’s been rambling about this for a while now, Commander." Henry shook his head, smiling faintly.

Seeing the look of deep interest shining brightly in Abel’s eyes, Hugh found it very amusing. In the end, he nodded. "Yes, Abel, it is as you said."

"I knew it!" Abel muttered gleefully. A moment later, he cleared his throat and awkwardly added, "I mean, I had surmised through my findings that there may be a possibility that the Trust is—ahem—laundering money."

Hugh shook his head, chuckling. "But you must also understand, Abel, that the Trust is a legitimate and reputable financial institution among local businessmen, known for its sound business practices, reliable insurance policies, and stable investment returns."

"Oh, I do not doubt that!" Abel nodded, speaking sincerely.

After all, an establishment such as the Trust wouldn’t have been able to launder money if it hadn’t had a good reputation and sound financial practices in the first place.

He then thought of another thing and asked, "Sir, where does the Trust receive its funding from? Is it the Ministry?"

Hugh took a sip of bourbon before setting the glass down on the counter. "Indeed." He nodded. "The Trust receives secret funds from the Ministry through black-budget transfers."

Suddenly, Henry chimed in. "But the Trust also has other legitimate revenue streams. For example, interest income, insurance premiums, and other investment returns."

"Hmm." Abel stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with a brilliant light. "That is to say, the Trust has a lot of money, huh?"

Seeing the strange expression on his friend’s face, Henry’s lips started to twitch. "Abel... what are you scheming?"

"Not much," Abel said casually. "I’m just thinking about the various ways I can get the Trust to reimburse all my expenses."

His nonchalant comment elicited a loud round of laughter from everyone present. Add to that, the alcohol flowing through their systems, they couldn’t stop laughing for a long time.

"What?" Abel was perplexed. "What are you laughing for? I’m being serious!"