The next day, early morning.
Luo Ji, still deep in slumber, was roughly woken up from his bed.
He opened his sleepy eyes, looking at the man who had suddenly burst into the room and dragged him out of bed, his tone a little impolite.
"Who are you?"
"Mr. Luo Ji, hello."
The man who burst into the room had a square face, with glasses perched on his nose, looking quite righteous.
His speaking speed was steady. He adjusted his glasses slightly and slowly said, "I'm sorry to disturb you so early, but there's something I must ask you."
"Alright" Luo Ji sighed, knowing it was probably another inquiry about Shi Qiang, so he nodded.
"Okay, is it about Shi Qiang?"
The square-faced middle-aged man shook his head.
"Regarding Mr. Shi Qiang, you already fully described the process yesterday. I'm not here to ask about that, but about something else."
"Something else?"
Luo Ji was a bit confused. What else could there be?
"Excuse me, what time did Inquisitor Aikin Leighton leave last night? And what did you two talk about?"
When the square-faced middle-aged man asked this question, his gaze remained fixed on Luo Ji's face, as if observing his subtle expressions.
"Inquisitor Aikin Leighton?" Luo Ji blinked. Although he was still a bit unclear, he answered truthfully.
"Inquisitor Aikin Leighton asked me some details about the murder case of Shi Qiang, and I told him everything. As for what time he left... I remember it was around 9:10."
"Is the time accurate?"
The square-faced middle-aged man stared at him.
"Mr. Luo Ji, this is very important to me."
"Yes, very accurate." Luo Ji nodded affirmingly, and at the same time explained the reason.
"Out of personal habit, I've always been mindful of time. You know... I just woke up from two hundred years of hibernation, so last night I specifically glanced at the clock on the wall. When Inquisitor Aikin Leighton left, it was exactly 9:10."
"And what did you do after Inquisitor Aikin Leighton left?"
The square-faced middle-aged man continued to ask.
His tone was very calm, but Luo Ji detected a hint of interrogation in it, and felt a vague unease.
"I didn't do anything, I went to sleep not long after... May I ask what happened?"
"Inquisitor Aikin Leighton is dead."
The square-faced middle-aged man stated this fact calmly.
"Dead, dead?!"
Luo Ji's eyes widened, his pupils contracted sharply, and he couldn't help but gasp.
"You, you mean... he's dead?!"
"Yes."
The square-faced middle-aged man pushed up his glasses and said indifferently.
"Early this morning, someone found Inquisitor Aikin Leighton's body in his hovercar. His neck was completely twisted. According to the autopsy report, his time of death was between 9:30 and 10:00 last night, which was just after his private conversation with you ended."
"Holy crap"
Luo Ji was dumbfounded, his mouth wide open, almost able to swallow a watermelon.
He wasn't pitying the 'Inquisitor', but rather felt sorry for himself. How come all he encountered after waking up were these troublesome matters?
"Wait, you're not suspecting that I killed him, are you?" Luo Ji's eye twitched, almost cursing.
"While that possibility cannot be ruled out, from my personal perspective, the likelihood is very low."
The square-faced middle-aged man said calmly.
"To completely avoid the hospital's surveillance equipment, to stealthily infiltrate his car without an excellent Inquisitor detecting it, and to render him completely defenseless, twisting his neck with bare hands, causing a comminuted fracture... I don't believe you are capable of doing any of these things."
As he spoke, he adjusted his glasses again, scrutinizing Luo Ji.
"Furthermore, according to our investigation, you were merely an ordinary Professor before hibernation, and there's no record of you receiving any relevant training. Your usual physical condition doesn't fit the definition of a 'murderer'. Therefore... your possibility is very low."
Professional!
After hearing this, Luo Ji almost wanted to give him a thumbs up.
"It's good that you're not suspecting me" He breathed a sigh of relief. If he were to get involved in this matter again, who knew how much trouble it would cause?
"Mr. Luo Ji, who do you think... is the murderer of Inquisitor Aikin Leighton?"
The square-faced middle-aged man asked a very absurd question.
"You're asking me?"
Luo Ji twitched the corner of his mouth, looking speechless.
"How would I know?"
"Just guess. What if you can provide us with a clue?" The square-faced middle-aged man explained.
"We retrieved the surveillance footage from before and after the incident, and also examined the primary crime scene where Inquisitor Aikin Leighton was murdered, but unfortunately, there were no valuable clues. That's why I thought... perhaps your conversation with Inquisitor Aikin Leighton contained clues to his murder."
"Well"
Luo Ji fell into thought.
The square-faced middle-aged man did not disturb him, but quietly observed the entire room.
"Perhaps... it's related to ETO." After a while, Luo Ji voiced his guess.
"Yesterday, during my conversation with Inquisitor Aikin Leighton, I mentioned some things Shi Qiang told me before he died, including the news that the ETO organization is still lurking in human society. It's possible he was targeted by ETO assassins because of this."
"Hmm, that makes some sense."
The square-faced middle-aged man's expression remained very calm, as if this was also within his expectations.
"By the way, Mr. Luo Ji" He suddenly turned and asked in a strange tone, "Where was the psychological therapist who is always by your side at the time of the incident?"
"You suspect Zhuang Yan?" Luo Ji was about to speak, but a sentence Shi Qiang had told him suddenly flashed through his mind.
Besides "Zhuang Yan," he absolutely could not trust anyone!
Suddenly, a flash of lightning streaked across Luo Ji's mind. He forcibly controlled his facial expression, putting on a look of disbelief, and said in a half-joking manner.
"That's absolutely impossible. Zhuang Yan is just an ordinary person. You know her identity better than I do. How could she kill an Inquisitor?"
An Inquisitor was not some helpless individual.
Every Inquisitor was almost a leader among humans in various combat aspects, an elite selected after countless rigorous training!
And Inquisitor Aikin Leighton was an outstanding one among the elites, with a very rich resume.
How could such an excellent Inquisitor be killed without resistance by a seemingly fragile girl?
"Please don't misunderstand, Mr. Luo Ji."
The square-faced middle-aged man said calmly.
"This is simply out of necessity for solving the case. I need to conduct necessary inquiries with everyone who had contact with Inquisitor Aikin Leighton."
"I, I don't know"
Luo Ji knew very well that in this matter, no matter whether he wanted to help Zhuang Yan or not, he couldn't fake her alibi. After all, the entire hospital was full of surveillance, and he couldn't just make things up!
"Yesterday, after Inquisitor Aikin Leighton came in, he asked her to leave. After that, Zhuang Yan sent me a message saying she was going home first and would come to see me the next day."
These were all the facts Luo Ji knew.
"Around what time did she send the message?" the square-faced middle-aged man asked.
"Around nine o'clock," Luo Ji replied truthfully.
"Did she say what time she would come to see you today?"
The square-faced middle-aged man asked again.
"No."
Luo Ji shook his head.
"Then I'll wait a bit" The square-faced middle-aged man pulled over a chair and sat on it, smiling at Luo Ji.
"Mr. Luo Ji, you don't mind, do you?"
"No, I don't mind"
Luo Ji forced a smile, but inwardly, he was already anxious.
Could it be that the assassin who killed Aikin Leighton was really Zhuang Yan?
He didn't want to suspect Zhuang Yan, but combining what 'Shi Qiang' told him before he died, he couldn't help but suspect Zhuang Yan.
Perhaps this 'girl' was not as simple as she seemed.
Time passed by second by second. The square-faced middle-aged man seemed completely unhurried, flipping through a magazine.
Only the rustling sound of the magazine filled the room, but Luo Ji's mood grew increasingly agitated.
"Mr. Luo Ji, you seem a little anxious?"
The square-faced middle-aged man was clearly looking down at his magazine, yet he accurately stated Luo Ji's mood.
"No, not at all" Luo Ji's reply was a bit stiff.
However, he was not a professional 'actor' after all. His subtle facial expressions had already been detected by the square-faced middle-aged man.
"Is that so? That's good."
The square-faced middle-aged man didn't expose him, but continued to flip through his magazine.
The ward fell into a deathly silence, with only the ticking of the wall clock and the rustling of magazine pages.
Around nine o'clock, the ward door was pushed open.
A petite, slender figure entered the ward, carrying a breakfast. It was 'Zhuang Yan'.
"Mr. Luo Ji, are you feeling better?" Zhuang Yan's face was radiant with a pure smile, and her soft voice seemed to touch one's heart.
"I brought you breakfast, you... who, who are you? How are you in Mr. Luo Ji's ward?"
At this moment, Zhuang Yan noticed the square-faced middle-aged man sitting by the ward window, with glasses on his nose, quietly observing her.
"Hello, Zhuang Yan."
The square-faced middle-aged man slowly rose, took a 'rosarium' from his inner pocket.
"I am Li Ye, an Inquisitor belonging to the Asia-Pacific Regional Tribunal. I have something I'd like to ask you."
Another Inquisitor?
Zhuang Yan's small face paled, as if she was frightened, and she couldn't help but take two steps back.
"Me, me?"
"Yes."
Li Ye nodded.
"This Inquisitor wants to ask you where you were last night when Inquisitor Aikin Leighton was murdered." Luo Ji couldn't help but blurt out what had happened yesterday.
"That, that Inquisitor was murdered?!"
Zhuang Yan was startled and couldn't help but cover her mouth.
"Oh my goodness, how could this happen?"
Li Ye gave Luo Ji a meaningful glance, then turned to Zhuang Yan, saying calmly.
"Yes, Inquisitor Aikin Leighton has been murdered. I would like to ask, where were you at 9:10 last night?"
"I, I drove home" Zhuang Yan said timidly and honestly.
"Are there any witnesses or evidence?"
Li Ye continued to press.
"Yes, I left the hospital around nine o'clock by car, there should be a record." Zhuang Yan nodded hurriedly, then took out her phone, which still had a payment record, timed just before Inquisitor Aikin Leighton's murder, around 9:05.
"And after that? What time did you arrive home? Are there any records or evidence?"
Li Ye asked again.
"Yes, I arrived home around 9:30. The community where I live can confirm this."
Zhuang Yan explained in detail.
"The security guard should have seen me. He can testify for me, lord Inquisitor."
After hearing Zhuang Yan's narration, Li Ye remained silent, falling into contemplation.
The entire matter seemed to genuinely have nothing to do with this 'psychological therapist'. Moreover, all the hospital staff had already been thoroughly investigated by him, and none possessed the capability to commit the crime.
It was as if Inquisitor Aikin Leighton's murder was truly, as Luo Ji said, the work of the ETO organization.
But... his intuition, honed from years on the front lines, told him that this seemingly 'fragile' woman in front of him must be connected to this incident!
No evidence, only intuition!
Li Ye narrowed his eyes, observing the woman named 'Zhuang Yan' carefully from head to toe.
Zhuang Yan felt uncomfortable under his gaze. Fear, apprehension, worry, and other emotions were all clearly displayed on her face.
"I understand the general situation now."
Ultimately, without evidence, Li Ye did not take further action. He nodded and said, "Thank you both. If anything else comes up later, I will return."
With that, he stood up and walked towards the door.
As he passed Zhuang Yan, Li Ye deliberately paused, his gaze lingering on her for a few seconds before he withdrew it and left the room.
"You scared me"
It wasn't until Li Ye left that Luo Ji breathed a sigh of relief.
This Inquisitor made him feel much more pressured than when he faced Aikin Leighton yesterday!
Although Li Ye seemed easy to get along with and peaceful, far less imposing than Aikin Leighton, the more so, the more it made him tremble with fear.
"Zhuang, Zhuang Yan?" Luo Ji came back to his senses and realized that Zhuang Yan was still frozen in place, as if she had been scared silly. So he comforted her, "It's okay, Zhuang Yan, he's gone."
Zhuang Yan gazed in the direction Li Ye had left, and after a long moment, she let out a faint sigh.
"I've been targeted."
"What?"
Luo Ji was stunned for a few seconds, not understanding her meaning.
To his surprise, Zhuang Yan quickly walked to the bedside. Her previous fragile expression completely vanished, replaced by an extremely composed demeanor.
"What I mean is, he has targeted me."
"Targeted you"
Luo Ji was still somewhat unable to adapt to Zhuang Yan's sudden change.
"This, what does this have to do with you? You're not the murderer."
"I am."
Zhuang Yan gazed at him, calmly saying.
"I killed Aikin Leighton."
"???"
Luo Ji felt his brain glitch.
"You, you, you... you killed Aikin Leighton?"
"He was an ETO mole." Zhuang Yan said calmly.
"I followed him yesterday and overheard his conversation with the ETO organization, then I killed him."
"You, you, you... Who exactly are you?!"
Luo Ji stared at the girl in front of him in horror, his heart filled with fear.
"I am... the Emperor's daughter."
Zhuang Yan's eyes were clear as she looked at Luo Ji.
"The formal title is... Battle sister, acting under secret orders from the Holy Terra Executive Branch, to awaken you, protect you, until you complete your mission, Mr. Luo Ji."
"Fake… fake?"
Luo Ji looked at the gentle girl in front of him, as if struck by a massive impact, disbelief etched on his face.
"No, impossible—" He frantically denied it, not daring to meet Zhuang Yan's eyes.
"This isn't possible, you're just my psychological therapist, right? You're definitely lying to me, right?"
Luo Ji was like a drowning man grasping at a last straw, clutching the bedding tightly, his knuckles popping, veins prominent. He looked at Zhuang Yan with pitiful, even pleading eyes, hoping for an affirmative answer from her.
"You're joking with me, aren't you?"
His voice was trembling.
But sadly, Zhuang Yan's expression was like stone, completely unchanged. She said calmly.
"Please calm down, Mr. Luo Ji. There is no deceit regarding my identity, including my mission. I am indeed a 'Battle sister.' As for the psychological therapist you mentioned, that was merely a necessary disguise to better approach, awaken, and guide you."
His last shred of hope was cruelly extinguished.
Luo Ji's pupils trembled violently, his expression frozen in that second. He gazed at the face he had seen countless times in his dreams, but now it filled him with fear.
"Our meeting—"
"Fake."
"Then you said you liked astronomy very much—"
"Also fake."
"Haha, hahahaha—"
In that brief exchange, Luo Ji felt as if his heart had been brutally crushed by a hand, bleeding profusely. He finally understood what it felt like to be heartbroken.
"So it was all fake. Then—what was real?"
His eyes were bloodshot, ferocious and terrifying, like a mad beast. He stared intently at Zhuang Yan, wanting to get the answer from her.
"Protect, guide, monitor."
Zhuang Yan was expressionless, enunciating each word.
However, these words transformed into sharp blades, deeply piercing Luo Ji's chest.
In truth, if it had been anyone else.
Or rather, if this person hadn't been 'Zhuang Yan,' he wouldn't have felt so angry, nor would he have felt so deceived.
It was precisely because this person was 'Zhuang Yan.'
She was different, she was special. Especially in Luo Ji's heart, this girl should have been pure, flawless, the perfect embodiment of his dreams.
But now, this perfect embodiment from his dreams had personally said that she had been disguising herself and monitoring him all along. This immense sense of tearing instantly shattered the fantasy Luo Ji had created for himself, dragging him into the abyss called reality.
The vast disparity between the two, and the huge emotional gap in his heart, combined to create Luo Ji's almost collapsed emotional state.
"W-why?"
At the moment of learning the truth, Luo Ji's mind was completely chaotic. He didn't care about anything, and even his remaining sanity was scattered by rage. He stared at Zhuang Yan with those terrifying, blood-red eyes.
"For Holy Terra, and for humanity."
Zhuang Yan's voice was extremely calm.
"But I don't want to!!!"
Luo Ji completely erupted. He was like a furious beast, pouncing and directly pinning Zhuang Yan beneath him, roaring like a beast.
"I don't want to! I don't want to! I don't want to!!!"
Zhuang Yan, pinned beneath him, watched Luo Ji, whose pupils were blood-red and who seemed on the verge of collapse, without a hint of emotion in her voice, like a precise machine, calmly to the point of being terrifying.
"Mr. Luo Ji, this is not about personal will. As a member of humanity, you have an obligation to dedicate everything you have."
"Why? Why the hell are you putting all this responsibility on me?"
However, Luo Ji, completely controlled by rage, didn't want to think about these questions at all. He clamped his hands tightly around Zhuang Yan's neck, veins popping out on his forehead, looking extremely terrifying.
"It was like this before, and it's like this now. Why does no one ever ask what I want? Fine, if you're going to force me, then I'll just kill you, and then I'll go surrender to the ETO people!!!"
As he tightened his grip, Zhuang Yan's fair complexion gradually turned red and lacked oxygen from suffocation.
But, even so.
Zhuang Yan, pinned beneath him, even on the verge of being strangled, still showed no intention of resisting. Even her gaze remained unchanged from beginning to end, staring directly at Luo Ji, her eyes calm, clear, and unperturbed, not like a living person.
"Damn! Damn! Damn!!!"
Finally, under Zhuang Yan's calm gaze, Luo Ji completely gave in. He still couldn't overcome the hurdle in his heart.
He couldn't kill anyone!
And it was even more impossible for him to kill 'Zhuang Yan.' Even if this girl had deceived him, even if all of this was an illusion, he couldn't kill this perfect embodiment of his dreams.
He released his hands and collapsed onto the ground.
"Why! Why me!" Luo Ji buried his fingers deep into his hair, curling up dejectedly, groaning in pain.
"Why does it have to be me? What exactly do you want me to do?! And you—what are you?!"
"My mission is to monitor, guide, and protect you to the 'secret location' to save humanity."
Looking at the dejected, crying Luo Ji, Zhuang Yan was unusually calm, showing no emotional fluctuation whatsoever. She said extremely calmly.
"And the only way to save humanity is the 'key' that Shi Qiang gave you. It is the only important tool that can bypass security measures and enter the 'secret location.' Once ETO gets it, humanity will lose its last chance to save itself."
"Is that so?" Luo Ji had already given up. He threw the key over, sneering.
"In that case, I'll give you the key. You go save humanity yourself. I can keep your secret. Is that enough?"
Zhuang Yan did not pick up the seemingly ordinary piece of iron that had fallen to the ground. Instead, she squatted down and looked directly at Luo Ji.
"This key, no one can use it except you."
"—Are you sick? Who made this broken thing?!"
Luo Ji immediately cursed in anger.
"This broken thing, can't you just find anyone to use it? Why does it have to be me? What's so special about me?!"
"I don't know."
Zhuang Yan shook her head.
"This key was given to His Excellency Shi Qiang, the Vice Executive Director of the Holy Terra Administrative Council, by the 'Imprinter' before he went into hibernation. And the Battle sisterhood was also established before the 'Imprinter' went into hibernation, a secret numbered unit. Even the Astartes Chapter doesn't know of our existence. For years, we have hidden ourselves as Ecclesiarchy sisters, until—we were awakened by 'Shi Qiang.'"
"Imprinter, Imprinter—you keep mentioning the Imprinter, who exactly is he?!"
Luo Ji felt unusually annoyed. If it weren't for this damned 'Imprinter,' he wouldn't be caught in this storm now!
"According to records, you have met the Imprinter."
Zhuang Yan's eyes, usually like a calm lake, finally showed a ripple when she mentioned this person.
"Emrys Walxius, that name—you should be familiar with it, shouldn't you?"
"It's him?!"
Luo Ji blurted out.
He wasn't just familiar with him, his memory of him was vivid. If he were to talk about the 'suffering' he had endured, it all started from meeting this person!
Emrys, you really deserve to die!
He cursed in his heart, but also found it incredible.
"He—just one person, how did he establish the Holy Terra Alliance? And develop it to this point, this—this is simply unbelievable!"
It was impossible for one person to accomplish so many tasks, from the hive cities on the ground to the colonies in the Solar System, including the warships, those demigod-like warriors, and the mysterious Mechanicum. All of this could not possibly be a miracle achieved by one person!
"I'm sorry, I'm not a historian, and—most of the records concerning the 'Imprinter' were destroyed in a war about a hundred years ago."
Zhuang Yan lowered her eyelids slightly and said softly.
"In fact, now throughout Holy Terra, the only people who truly understand the 'Imprinter' and that period of history are probably His Excellency Shi Qiang and the leaders of ETO."
"You mean—"
Luo Ji suddenly had a terrible guess.
"They are deliberately erasing Emrys Walxius' information, including that period of history?!"
"Yes."
Zhuang Yan nodded slightly and said.
"The Lunar Rebellion a hundred years ago directly led to the deaths of Executive Director Ray Diaz and Inquisitor Wade, and the Terra Alliance Headquarters, where the data was stored, was also destroyed."
"Lunar Rebellion?"
Luo Ji grasped this keyword.
"It was a small group of people who, unable to endure Holy Terra's high-pressure policies, declared rebellion."
Zhuang Yan nodded and explained to him.
"Because at that time, most of the space forces were deployed at the Lunar base, the Holy Terra Alliance was very passive in the early stages of the war, suffering repeated defeats. It was only later that they managed to win with difficulty. But because of this, we lost a large amount of data. I have always suspected—that the Lunar Rebellion back then was manipulated by the Trisolarian Civilization!"
"Won with difficulty?" Luo Ji was puzzled.
"Don't you have the Astartes? Those powerful demigod warriors, and the Mechanicum. Where were they?"
"That's the problem—"
Hearing this, Zhuang Yan sighed and said.
"Neither the Astartes Chapter nor the Martian Mechanicum are directly governed or managed by the High Lords of Holy Terra. They are organizations independent of Holy Terra. Except for—the 'Imprinter's' orders, they will not listen to anyone else, let alone interfere in internal human conflicts."
"This—what kind of bullshit is this?!"
Luo Ji couldn't help but curse.
"This is also the 'Imprinter's' order, to prevent the High Lords from controlling the Astartes Chapter and the Martian Mechanicum, leading to internal human conflict and ultimately extinction."
Zhuang Yan said helplessly.
"But who would have thought that ETO would exploit this point, completely infiltrating human society, and from a high position, controlling the direction of the entire human civilization? In this way, it bypasses the monitoring of these two major organizations, after all—they cannot interfere in internal human conflicts."
It was only at this moment that Luo Ji finally understood where the crisis Shi Qiang spoke of lay.
ETO had infiltrated the upper echelons of Holy Terra, and it was even highly possible that there were their people within the current High Lords' Council. In this way, they could bypass the supervision of the Astartes and the Mechanicum, classifying the scope of the war as 'internal conflict.'
Due to the 'Imprinter's' orders, the Astartes Chapter and the Martian Mechanicum, even if they knew about this situation, would find it difficult to intervene, unless—the Trisolarian Civilization overtly invaded.
A decision clearly made to prevent internal human conflicts, yet who knew—it had evolved into a cage for humanity!
"So, you want me to use this key to awaken the 'Imprinter'?" Luo Ji looked down at the ordinary piece of iron on the ground.
"As long as the 'Imprinter' awakens, he can regain supreme power and use the strength of these two Chapters to eliminate the ETO spies lurking in the High Lords' Council, right?"
"That's right."
Zhuang Yan nodded.
"This 'key' can only be used by you. It was a genetic pre-setting project carried out by the 'Imprinter' before he went into hibernation. No one can use it except you. But the ETO people don't know this, so they are also looking for this key, but not to awaken the 'Imprinter,' but to make him permanently dormant, or to obtain authorization from him to control these two Chapters."
"Hahahaha—"
Luo Ji couldn't help but laugh, as if something was very funny, laughing louder and louder.
"Hahahahaha—hahahaha—" He laughed so hard he bent over, tears streaming down his face.
"So you awakened me just to deliver something, huh? So in your eyes, I'm just a 'deliveryman.'"
"Mr. Luo Ji, you—"
Zhuang Yan frowned, wanting to explain.
"No need to say anything, I'll go, won't I?"
Luo Ji stopped his wild laughter, wiped away his tears, and said to her with a light laugh.
"Isn't it just delivering something? I'll do it. Don't worry. If there's nothing else, you can leave. I'm a little tired and want to sleep for a while."
Saying that, he no longer paid attention to Zhuang Yan, bent down to pick up the key, casually stuffed it into his pants pocket, and walked to the bed step by step, burying himself in it, wrapped in the quilt, like—an ostrich.
And Li Ye, this seemingly peaceful Inquisitor, before leaving the hospital, paused and looked back at the window of Luo Ji's ward, adjusted the frames on his nose, and a cold glint appeared in his eyes.
He smiled meaningfully, then pulled out a document from his embrace.
Then, he lit it with his portable lighter.
The document burned to ashes. Only after confirming this did Li Ye calmly straighten his clothes and stride out of the hospital.
"Inquisitor Li Ye, Case Investigation Report.
In the case of A Jin Layton's murder, suspects Luo Ji and Zhuang Yan did not have the time or conditions to act, thus their possibility is eliminated. Subsequent routine surveillance will be conducted.
Additionally: It is suspected that Inquisitor A Jin Layton's murder is highly correlated with ETO. An unknown communication record was found in Inquisitor A Jin Layton's communication black box. Requesting higher authority investigation.
Inquisitor, Li Ye."
After submitting this report, Li Ye pushed up his glasses, and in the cold light of the screen, a sneer appeared on his face as he interlaced his fingers.
"Exactly—how many more rats are there?"
I had thought Luo Ji's breakdown would last at least a few days.
But to Zhuang Yan's slight surprise, it only took one day for the 'Wallfacer' who seemed so broken and fragile yesterday, to return to normal.
Not only that, he even showed an extraordinary ability to adjust, analyzing the problems they faced with extremely calm and rational thinking.
And this was the true Luo Ji.
Outwardly cynical, seemingly an extreme egoist, and never concerned with the survival of humanity.
But in reality, these illusions concealed his true strengths.
A person possessing extreme calm and rationality, powerful independent thinking, extraordinary psychological resilience, and profound insight.
He could always see through the superficial to the essence of a problem.
Just as Ye Wenjie's few words of hint allowed him to deduce the fundamental axioms of cosmic sociology and grasp the Dark Forest theory.
Although the 'Dark Forest' theory had already been revealed, Luo Ji, with such abilities, would never be overlooked.
Just as now, he awoke from the blow, and once he decided to act, he could put it into motion.
"Since everything is prioritized by the mission, what we need to consider now is no longer passive waiting, but active offense." Luo Ji seemed to shed his immaturity and fragility overnight, growing at an incredibly fast pace, with a frightening calmness in his eyes.
"Constant waiting will only make us more and more passive, so today I will find a reason to be discharged from the hospital, and then we will find a way to disappear from under their noses. Only then can we complete the mission better."
He was speaking, but Zhuang Yan's expression was a bit strange.
Noticing the unusual look in the girl's eyes, Luo Ji couldn't help but frown.
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with what I said? You can add to it."
"No, not really."
Zhuang Yan shook her head and said, "I just feel… you look quite different now compared to yesterday."
"…" After a few seconds of silence, Luo Ji said bitterly, "People always have to grow up. Since I can't shirk it and can't just give up, I might as well go all out."
"You are different from the 'Luo Ji' I learned about in the material."
This was also the first time Zhuang Yan truly understood him.
"Now, I probably understand why you could become a Wallfacer."
"Why?"
Luo Ji asked casually.
"Because you are a hero."
Zhuang Yan said, as if joking, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'll go take care of the discharge immediately. Wait for me here."
"Okay…" Luo Ji didn't seem to have recovered from the joke until Zhuang Yan left the room. Then he laughed self-deprecatingly.
"A hero? No thanks, I'm not worthy, and I don't want to be."
Being a hero requires a price, and he was far from having that kind of awareness.
His discharge procedures were quickly completed. Luo Ji had nothing much to pack, so he changed his clothes and walked out of the hospital with Zhuang Yan.
Suddenly, two people blocked their path. "Hello, Mr. Luo Ji."
One of them took out an ID from his pocket and opened it in front of them.
"We are legal officers from the Adeptus Arbites, affiliated with the A3 region of the Asia-Pacific Federation. Given the troubles you've encountered recently, your personal safety will be our responsibility."
Behind them was a fully armed squad of about ten Arbitrators.
The Adeptus Arbites of Holy Terra was similar to the armed police forces of the old era, dedicated to upholding, implementing, enforcing, and supervising the laws of Holy Terra.
Compared to the 'Inquisition,' which was generally outward-facing most of the time, the Adeptus Arbites was actually more widely known and feared.
For legal officers, failure and incompetence were unforgivable crimes, and they often held multiple powers—serving as judge, jury, and executioner.
This led to a legal officer having immense power within Holy Terra, even being able to mobilize the Adeptus Arbites's dedicated military force, the Arbitrators.
The selection criteria for Arbitrators were also extremely stringent, and each member was equipped with advanced technology, fully capable of handling a small tactical operation.
This sudden situation made Zhuang Yan's pupils constrict, and many possibilities flooded her mind.
Why would Arbitrators from the Adeptus Arbites suddenly seek out Luo Ji?
Moreover, from the formation, it was clear that they had considered the possibility of Luo Ji being forcibly taken away, which was why the Arbitrators were fully armed to prevent such a situation.
"Uh, do I have to go with you?"
Luo Ji also sensed the unusual scent behind this matter and wanted to politely decline if possible.
"This is a supreme directive issued by the Grand Marshal of the Adeptus Arbites."
The legal officer took out a parchment scroll and read the order in front of them.
The Grand Marshal of the Adeptus Arbites was a position second only to the Grand Marshal of the military police and was the highest commander of the Adeptus Arbites established by various federations within the Holy Terra Alliance.
In short, it was similar to the Commander-in-Chief of the Guard in a certain country during the old era.
Looking at the two legal officers blocking them and the dozen or so Arbitrators behind them, Luo Ji's mouth twitched slightly, unsure of what to do. He could only turn to Zhuang Yan, asking her with a questioning look what they should do now.
Zhuang Yan frowned, pondering a solution.
Force their way out?
No, the success rate was too low.
Even though she was a 'Battle sister,' purely in terms of combat training and skill, neutralizing an entire squad of Arbitrators wasn't impossible.
But the key issue was that she was currently unarmed and wasn't even wearing her specialized 'Power Armor.'
In such a situation, let alone neutralizing an entire squad of fully armed Arbitrators, even three would be tough.
After all, the Arbitrators of the Adeptus Arbites weren't pushovers!
Unless she was an Astartes, having undergone twenty biological modification surgeries, it would be absolutely impossible to kill a squad of Arbitrators bare-handed without wearing Power Armor and without weapons.
Facing Luo Ji's questioning gaze, Zhuang Yan couldn't think of a good solution for a while.
"Mr. Luo Ji, is there a problem?"
At this moment, the legal officer in front spoke again, with a hint of unusual pressure in his tone.
Seeing Zhuang Yan remain silent, Luo Ji roughly understood that she also had no solution.
When under another's roof, one must bow one's head.
"Alright, then I'll trouble you."
He forced a smile and said, "Let's go, Zhuang Yan. With the Arbitrators of the Adeptus Arbites protecting us, it should be much safer."
As he spoke, he reached for Zhuang Yan's hand, deliberately acting intimately.
But he was stopped by the legal officer's raised hand. The other party's face was cold and unyielding as he said, "Sorry, Mr. Luo Ji, our orders are to protect you alone. She is not included and cannot come with you."
"Why can't she come with me?!"
Luo Ji immediately became anxious. He couldn't handle such a complex situation alone.
"No, she's my psychological therapist. She must come with me!"
"Mr. Luo Ji, I'm afraid you don't have that authority." The legal officer standing in front of him, his face as hard as rock, showed a hint of disdain.
"If you need a psychological therapist, we can apply to our superiors to arrange another one for you."
With words like these, it was clear they were completely disregarding Luo Ji's feelings, and his face became a little grim.
Shi Qiang had just died… were these people already unable to sit still?!
Even if he was the most foolish, he could see that if he went with them today, he would truly be walking into a trap, and his chances of survival would be slim!
"Mr. Luo Ji, please don't waste time."
The legal officer was clearly losing patience, his tone a bit annoyed.
"It's very dangerous here. For your safety, please come with us."
As he spoke, he gestured with his fingers, and the dozen or so fully armed Arbitrators behind him immediately stepped forward silently, surrounding them, clearly not giving him the right to refuse.
"It's okay, Luo Ji."
Zhuang Yan showed a hint of disappointment on her face, looking at him with a wronged expression, biting her lip slightly.
"I, I can manage on my own. I believe we'll meet again soon once this is over."
"Good, very good…" Luo Ji suppressed his anger, staring intently at the legal officer.
"I'll go with you, is that enough?"
The legal officer's mouth curved slightly upward. Without even bothering to look at him, he turned and ordered.
"Protect Mr. Luo Ji well! No one is allowed to approach!"
"Yes!"
The Arbitrators immediately separated him and Zhuang Yan, creating a chasm between them.
"Mr. Luo Ji, remember to eat dinner!"
Looking at Luo Ji being 'forcibly' taken away, Zhuang Yan suddenly jumped and waved goodbye to him.
Eat… dinner?
Luo Ji, who was being put into the car by the Arbitrators, heard Zhuang Yan's shout, and a flash of insight crossed his mind, as if he understood something.
"You take care of yourself too, Zhuang Yan!" He tried to shout to Zhuang Yan outside the window.
Just like that, Zhuang Yan watched Luo Ji in the car gradually disappear until he was out of her sight. The soft gaze from the previous second suddenly turned sharp.
"They're targeting Luo Ji so quickly. Do they already know the 'key' is on him?"
She murmured softly, unconsciously clenching her fists.
Luo Ji had thought he would be arranged in some Villa area, or at the very least, a private room.
However, he never expected that the legal officer would directly take him to the Adeptus Arbites building in the A3 region—the Fortress Court!
The Fortress Court was completely a 'fortress' isolated from the outside world!
A reinforced complex constructed as a fortress, with outer walls made of high-strength alloy, and automatic artillery turrets every ten meters or so above.
Not to mention, a complete armed force of the Adeptus Arbites was stationed here, with facilities like an armory, dungeon, barracks, control room, firing range, archives, warehouse, kitchen, gym, garage, and so on, all fully equipped and self-sufficient.
And his temporary residence was the 'dungeon' of the Fortress Court.
To be precise, it was typically a high-level detention cell used by the Adeptus Arbites. Unlike a true prison cell, it was a detention room for those not yet convicted. But even so, the security level here was very high. On the way there, Luo Ji observed that he had to pass through at least several Arbitrator patrol routes.
"This… isn't this a bit much?" Luo Ji looked at the single cell in front of him, his eyelids twitching. He turned to glance at the expressionless legal officer.
"Are you sure it's here?!"
"Your temporary residence is here, Mr. Luo Ji." The legal officer said coldly.
"Given the risks you may currently face, the Adeptus Arbites's single detention cell is the safest place. Of course, please rest assured, you are not a criminal, and we will let you leave once it's safe."
After saying that, without giving Luo Ji another chance to speak, the legal officer roughly pushed him inside.
"If you have any needs, you can contact the supervisor outside at any time. For your safety, please do not leave here, Mr. Luo Ji."
Then, without bothering with Luo Ji's ashen face, he walked away, leaving him alone in the detention room.
This is bad!
This was the first thought that popped into Luo Ji's mind.
From Zhuang Yan's shout before she left, he understood her meaning: she would try to rescue him around dinner time.
But the problem was, where he was now wasn't some residential Villa area, but the Adeptus Arbites's Fortress Court!
He knew very little about Battle sisters, but from basic understanding… the probability of being rescued from a fortress complex with guards every three steps, sentries every five steps, Arbitrator patrol teams everywhere, and automatic artillery surveillance arrays, was infinitely close to zero.
Unless Zhuang Yan was Superman.
But thinking of Zhuang Yan's slender arms and legs, Luo Ji felt it was highly unlikely. Even if the Astartes, who were hailed as 'demigods,' came, they probably wouldn't be able to rescue him, right?
"Now, it's really over."
Although Luo Ji said this, he was still racking his brains, thinking of any way to escape.
The Adeptus Arbites keeping him here was clearly to stop him.
Although he didn't know what the ETO members lurking in the Holy Terra High Lords' Council planned to do next, he was certain that something big was about to happen!
Unbeknownst to him, time was ticking by, minute by minute.
Staring intently at the clock on the wall, Luo Ji grew increasingly anxious. He both hoped Zhuang Yan would appear on time, but also didn't want her to take risks.
Just as he was pacing anxiously, he suddenly felt a violent tremor from the ground.
Boom!
Immediately after, there was an even more distinct tremor.
Dust seemed to be shaken from the walls and ceiling of the observation room, and the table visibly shook, knocking things onto the floor.
"Oh my god, no way…"
An uneasy thought emerged in Luo Ji's mind.
Boom—!!!
Suddenly, the wall of the observation room was shattered, and the violent air current that rushed in threw him into the air, flinging him violently away.
Luo Ji hunched over, hitting the wall. He was almost knocked unconscious by the blast.
"What the heck happened? A jailbreak?!"
Just as he was grumbling, curled up in pain and barely able to open his eyes, he saw a figure burst into the room through the broken wall.
"Luo Ji, I've come to pick you up."
The person's blue and white helmet, engraved with a lily emblem, revealed a head of dark short hair and that familiar face.
"Zhuang, Zhuang Yan?"
Luo Ji's mouth fell open. His gaze went past the girl to see… a tank?
Wait, a tank?!
His pupils constricted sharply, and he couldn't help but exclaim.
"What the hell, where did you get a tank?!"
"You mean… this Repressor Infantry Fighting Vehicle?"
Zhuang Yan tilted her head, seemingly finding the question very strange.
"As a Battle sister, isn't it normal to have the best armored fighting vehicle? Or did you think… when I said 'Battle sister,' I meant only myself?"
Luo Ji was speechless.
Luo Ji had imagined dozens of scenarios in his mind for Zhuang Yan to rescue him.
Poisoning?
Sneaking in?
Substituting one thing for another?
Probably methods from old TV shows.
But he could never have imagined that his 'dream girl' wouldn't arrive on a colorful auspicious cloud, but instead driving a tank—a vehicle weighing dozens of tons, with steel armor resembling a bulldozer in front, and two large cannons mounted on it!
This scene was simply too impactful!
So, after all that, the rescue method was a prison break!
Luo Ji had lived for almost thirty years, and with the two hundred years of hibernation, he had only seen such a scene in movies. Driving a tank to rescue someone and even firing a cannon at a wall—was she really not afraid of blowing him up too?
He was full of resentment.
"This is what you call a rescue?"
If it weren't for his great luck, and if he hadn't been far from that wall, he would have gone to meet Shi Qiang just now!
"We have radar, so we can pinpoint your location," Zhuang Yan explained. "Besides, the room where they imprisoned you has special ceramite material. Du Ying calculated precisely that this shot wouldn't harm you; at most, it would give you minor injuries."
Luo Ji was speechless.
"Luo Ji, hurry up and get in!" Zhuang Yan took off her helmet to let Luo Ji recognize her quickly, but this was a battlefield where every second counted. Seeing Luo Ji still in a daze, she couldn't help but urge, "Hurry up, the Department of Legal Affairs is assembling troops. If we're slow, we won't be able to get out!"
This wasn't her bluffing.
The Department of Legal Affairs' arbitration forces were certainly not useless; they possessed considerable combat power, even capable of suppressing small-scale rebellions on their own!
"Oh, oh, I'm coming right away!"
At this point, Luo Ji couldn't care about much else. Using his hands and feet, with Zhuang Yan's help, he squeezed into the 'Suppressor' infantry fighting vehicle.
Inside, there were actually two other women wearing the same power armor as Zhuang Yan. They should also be comrades belonging to the 'Battle sister' combat order.
"Package on the way."
The sister driving the infantry fighting vehicle glanced back at him, then shouted into the combat channel.
"Everyone else, clear the way immediately and escort the package out!"
"Pa-package?"
Luo Ji looked at Zhuang Yan.
"Your codename is Package," Zhuang Yan casually explained, then reloaded her ammunition, put on her combat helmet, and climbed out of the infantry fighting vehicle, constantly sweeping the surroundings to suppress targets attempting to approach.
The massive Suppressor infantry fighting vehicle was covered in extremely thick armor. Not only that, but it also had two heavy cannons specifically used to clear obstacles.
Amidst violent vibrations, the Suppressor infantry fighting vehicle actually turned around on the spot, then, like an out-of-control beast, roared as it crashed into another wall.
Boom!
The fortress court's stronghold, with walls nearly a meter thick, was as fragile as paper in front of this roaring steel Behemoth, directly collapsing and crumbling.
Sitting in the violently shaking war vehicle, Luo Ji's heart was in turmoil.
"I say—how many people did you bring? Can we really get out just like this?"
"Not many, just one tactical squad."
Du Ying, in the driver's seat, said faintly.
"Do you think we wanted to be this rushed? If we had more time to prepare, we wouldn't be so reckless. This is the Department of Legal Affairs' fortress court; only a madman would drive a Suppressor infantry fighting vehicle in to rescue someone!"
"Then why—" Luo Ji was also very curious.
The entire 'prison break' plan, from inside to out, reeked of haste, which was truly unsettling.
"No time left," Zhuang Yan got back into the vehicle to reload, explaining at the same time.
"We received an anonymous tip that you would be transferred to the headquarters of the Asia-Pacific Department of Legal Affairs tomorrow morning. Once you're there, no matter how many sisters we gather, it would be impossible to rescue you. So—the chance is tonight."
"That urgent?!"
Luo Ji suddenly realized that this was ETO, lurking in the shadows, making its move, wanting to imprison him permanently!
"Now there's good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?" Zhuang Yan asked.
Luo Ji glanced back at the collapsed outer wall of the fortress court, thinking there probably wouldn't be any worse news than what was before him.
"The good news, I guess—"
"The good news is, this falls under the category of human 'civil war,' and neither the Astartes Chapter nor the Martian Mechanicum will get involved, so there's no need to worry about attracting the Astartes." Zhuang Yan casually fired a shot, killing an arbiter attempting to ambush them from the shadows, her expression calm.
"You, you, you—you killed an arbiter?!"
Luo Ji was dumbfounded, stammering a bit.
"This, this, this—this isn't appropriate, is it?!"
In his mind, these arbiters were innocent; they were just following orders, and one could even say they were faithfully performing their duties. But to be shot dead just like that—to put it lightly, it was Zhuang Yan's cold-blooded ruthlessness, but to put it seriously, wasn't that openly provoking national security?!
"Mister Luo Ji, this isn't playing house—"
The sister driving the 'Suppressor' infantry fighting vehicle heard his naive remark and couldn't help but sneer.
"This is a battlefield, where there's no right or wrong, only life and death. —Put away your naive ideas. What do you think this place is? The Department of Legal Affairs' fortress court. Even the Astartes couldn't break out without killing anyone!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to accuse you."
Luo Ji was speechless, lowering his head, tightly intertwining his fingers, his eyes revealing deep irritation and unease.
Fortunately, Zhuang Yan gently placed her hand on his, comforting him.
"Don't worry, the A3 Zone's fortress court doesn't have as many elites and armored forces as the headquarters. We will definitely get you out."
"Then—what's the bad news?"
Luo Ji asked.
"The bad news is—"
Boom—!!!
Suddenly, the entire infantry fighting vehicle made a sharp 180-degree turn. The centrifugal force directly flung Luo Ji out, hitting the ceiling of the cabin, then crashing down with a thud.
"What happened?!"
Suddenly encountering this, Luo Ji was thrown into a daze.
"Zhuang Yan, we have trouble." Du Ying, the driver in front, spoke with an ominous heaviness in her tone.
Zhuang Yan immediately saw the 'trouble' Du Ying spoke of in the rearview mirror, her heart sank, and her face suddenly darkened.
"What happened?!"
Luo Ji also leaned forward.
In the vehicle's front view mirror, seven or eight gray-painted infantry fighting vehicles appeared. Compared to their 'Suppressor,' these infantry fighting vehicles were clearly specialized vehicles optimized for all-terrain, with a twin-linked turret at the top.
"Chimera infantry fighting vehicles." Zhuang Yan's eyes narrowed.
"Although the Department of Legal Affairs is equipped with a small number of Chimeras, as far as I know, the A3 Zone's Department of Legal Affairs doesn't have Chimera infantry fighting vehicles, which means—"
"Astra Militarum."
Du Ying, in the driver's seat, said in a low voice.
"There's an Astra Militarum unit nearby. These Chimera infantry fighting vehicles should be theirs. Zhuang Yan—we've been tricked."
Soon, after the Chimera infantry fighting vehicles, several figures appeared. Unlike the arbiters' attire, they all wore excellent carapaces, primarily armed with laser weapons, and quickly formed tactical formations, attempting to surround the Suppressor infantry fighting vehicle they were in.
"Hold on tight!"
Du Ying reminded in a low voice, then stomped on the pedal and forcefully turned the steering wheel.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
This Suppressor infantry fighting vehicle, a product of the Mechanicum, suddenly changed direction with astonishing turning power, then abruptly accelerated, rushing wildly in another direction.
The Astra Militarum also noticed their intention to escape. The Chimera infantry fighting vehicles immediately opened fire, their twin-linked heavy bolter cannons at the top spewing several streaks of blazing golden fire in the night!
Rumble—!!!
The autocannon rounds grazed the edges of the infantry fighting vehicle, and many even hit directly.
Even though the Suppressor infantry fighting vehicle was tough, it absolutely couldn't withstand the concentrated firepower of these Chimeras. If this continued, the entire vehicle would be incapacitated before long.
At this moment, Luo Ji inside the vehicle was still confused.
"Astra Militarum? I've never heard of them?"
Luo Ji was a bit bewildered. Although he had been trying to understand the changes outside since he woke up, he had no knowledge of this army's name.
"The Holy Terra Defense Force, also the main army."
Zhuang Yan explained this army to Luo Ji at a very fast pace.
"People with the best qualities are selected from all over the world to join this army, mainly to maintain Holy Terra's foreign wars and suppress rebellious forces. It is an extremely powerful combat unit."
This was truly trouble. As soon as Zhuang Yan explained, Luo Ji understood the difference.
Although the Department of Legal Affairs also possessed combat power, their primary responsibility was to monitor laws, not to be part of a regular combat order. The Astra Militarum, without a doubt, was a true frontline combat order unit. How big the gap was could be imagined with one's toes.
At the same time, he also understood why Du Ying said they had been tricked!
The Astra Militarum is a frontline combat order unit. Without orders from the Astra Militarum, it would be absolutely impossible for them to appear in the Department of Legal Affairs' fortress court for no reason. This meant that the other side had long anticipated that someone would come to break him out of prison and forcibly take Luo Ji away!
The Astra Militarum had been ambushed here all along!
"Then what should we do now?!" Luo Ji was a little panicked. If they were really stopped, everything would be over!
"Zhuang Yan, execute Plan B."
Du Ying, who was driving the infantry fighting vehicle, showed a trace of determination in her eyes, without hesitation.
"Alpha Squad, we are currently under heavy fire from seven Chimera infantry fighting vehicles. We need support. I will create an opportunity for you!"
Create an opportunity?
Luo Ji was stunned for a few seconds. How could she create an opportunity?
But very quickly, he understood how this opportunity was created through the monitor.
The tracks of the Suppressor infantry fighting vehicle rapidly rubbed against the ground. The powerful centripetal force frantically pulled every person inside the vehicle. Du Ying controlled this violent steel Behemoth, and amidst the concentrated fire of the seven Chimeras pursuing from behind, she forcefully turned and squeezed into a relatively narrow area.
"Jump out!"
At the same time as she spoke, Zhuang Yan pulled Luo Ji and rushed out from the rear hatch of the vehicle.
"Wait, wait, where is she?"
Luo Ji, who was dragged out of the infantry fighting vehicle, focused his gaze on the figure in the driver's seat inside the vehicle.
However, his question received no answer.
Du Ying took a deep breath, then her eyes sharpened, and she pressed the weapon fire control unlock system.
"Come on—"
Boom! Boom!!!
The cannons of the Suppressor infantry fighting vehicle frantically poured fire towards the opposite side of this narrow alley!
Shells exploded, fire blazing into the sky!
The violent explosion's shockwave, mixed with the acrid smell of gunpowder and burning, assaulted Luo Ji's nerves and vision. He finally understood that Du Ying intended to use the terrain here to block the Astra Militarum by herself!
"Don't waste time!" Zhuang Yan had no time to chat with him either, pulling Luo Ji and rushing down the road.
Luo Ji stared blankly in the direction of the infantry fighting vehicle until the cannon fire abruptly ceased. In an instant, the infantry fighting vehicle was engulfed in cannon fire, turning into a piece of scrap metal amidst the raging flames.
Du Ying was dead—
She died to buy them time.
Although Luo Ji knew very well that it was the only way at the time, his heart was still greatly shocked when he personally witnessed someone unhesitatingly willing to die for a stranger.
"Alpha Squad, prepare for rendezvous."
Zhuang Yan's voice in her helmet had no fluctuation, as if it were commonplace.
"Du Ying's obstruction failed. You must block the Astra Militarum and buy us three minutes."
Just as they were rushing, about ten people suddenly appeared from a hard-to-spot corner.
They wore the same power armor as Zhuang Yan, with lilies engraved on their helmets. The blood-colored augury watched Luo Ji and Zhuang Yan, as if in silent respect.
Then, these more than ten people, without a moment's hesitation, raised their bolters and turned to join the battle, serving as the last line of defense, carving out a path to survival for Luo Ji and Zhuang Yan!
Gunfire and cannon fire suddenly erupted.
But Luo Ji couldn't see the scene behind him.
Bohn Sharp, a senior arbiter of the A3 Zone's Department of Legal Affairs, was considered the highest leader in this area.
"Tsk tsk tsk—"
Li Hua was also there, covering his nose with a silk cloth, saying with a look of disdain.
"Senior Arbiter Sharp, it seems—your plan failed. I think you should consider how to explain this to Commander Charles and the higher-ups sooner."
"You don't need to worry about that, lord Inquisitor." Bohn's face was grim, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, staring at the dying woman controlled by the arbiters in front of him, his voice full of abomination like a malevolent spirit.
"Speak, to whom do you belong?!"
The dying woman said nothing, a hint of disdain in her eyes.
Bohn Sharp was almost furious.
He had received news from above and had applied for Astra Militarum support stationed nearby in advance. He had thought he could use Luo Ji as bait to catch all those lurking behind him, but he never expected—it ended up being a double loss!
Not only did he fail to catch anyone, but he also let Luo Ji escape!
If the higher-ups found out about this, he would be finished. At the very least, he had to make amends—by finding out from these well-trained, extremely elite warriors where they came from!
"Speak! Who are you really?!"
Bohn Sharp forcefully grabbed the woman's face, glaring at her.
"Who is commanding you?! Speak! Or I'll make you wish for death but be unable to die!"
However, the captured woman, facing Bohn Sharp's threat, merely closed her eyes and softly recited her daily prayer.
"What are you saying?"
Because her voice was very low, Bohn had to lean in close to hear what she was saying.
But, at that very moment?
The woman, who had been praying with her eyes closed, suddenly opened her eyes, like a beast breaking free from its restraints, and bit Bohn's throat.
Rip!
She actually, with brute force, tore out Bohn's windpipe!
Blood splattered across her face, but she laughed, her laughter filled with contempt and mockery.
"Humanity will surely defeat you! Long live Terra, long live Humanity!"
Bang!
A gunshot rang out, and her eyes dimmed.
The people around looked at Li Hua in horror, one of them saying with a trembling voice.
"Lord Inquisitor, you—you killed her. How do we explain this to the higher-ups?"
This was a criminal!
She was shot dead without being asked anything.
"Explain what?"
Li Hua calmly wiped his gun, put it back in his pocket, and said calmly.
"How terrifying, I'm so scared. The criminal killed Senior Arbiter Sharp and, still violent, attempted to attack the Inquisitor. I killed this extremely wicked criminal in self-defense. Is there a problem?"
The man's lips trembled, almost crying out.
"No, no problem, Inquisitor Li Hua."
Would he dare to say no?
This was an Inquisitor!
Whatever he said, that's what it was.
"Very good."
Li Hua wiped his hands, pushed up his glasses on his nose, and then said meaningfully.
"You, you have a bright future. I think you are very suitable to replace Senior Arbiter Bohn Sharp."