Thinking about the enemy who severely injured the Church, Bologue felt anger rising within him. Fortunately, such anger usually doesn’t last long; it extinguishes on its own.
Bologue did not feel relieved, but he realized that there was soone even angrier than him, and the actions that followed would be more brutal than his own.
Bologue began to pray for Morrison, hoping that he would not fall into his hands. Bologue would break his limbs and then present him like a gift to Palr. As for how Palr would deal with him, it had nothing to do with Bologue.
Bologue was never a rciful person.
The training continued for a while longer. Bologue felt that today’s training volu was sufficient, and continuing further would only add unnecessary fatigue.
Exiting the combat room, he looked toward the other end of the corridor. The light on the sign was glowing red, indicating that soone was using that combat room. Ever since Bologue consulted Yas, that combat room had been continuously occupied.
Bologue thought, it should be Palr inside.
Any Ethereal Skill that reaches the Extre Realm exhibits a qualitative transformation effect, such as Nesanel’s strike that can pulverize enemies. Bologue began to wonder what form other Ethereal Skills would take when reaching the Extre Realm.
Bologue intended to check the archive, as his authority as a Negative Power User should allow him to access quite a few confidential docunts. Perhaps he might find what he’s looking for there.
But before that, Bologue planned to return to Lebius’s office to see if there was any new news.
Pushing open the office door, Bologue paused for a mont, then said, "I thought you would’ve disappeared for a while again."
Bologue plopped down onto the sofa, "I’ve gotten used to watching Geoffrey work during this ti."
"Is that so? He must find it quite strenuous to handle the work, right?"
Lebius said without lifting his head, still engrossed in sorting through the stacked files as usual.
To be honest, being a group leader is not an easy task. They not only have to fight enemies but also handle tedious affairs. Even though the Order Bureau assigned an assistant, it still couldn’t lessen the leaders’ work pressure.
Bologue began to feel grateful that due to the nature of the temporary action group, apart from the reports after actions, he didn’t have to deal with any troubleso affairs.
"It’s okay, after all, Geoffrey has worked in the Logistics Departnt for so long; it’s not difficult for him," Bologue said.
"Then it seems I can have him handle these tasks in the future," Lebius smiled slightly while keeping his head down.
Bologue asked, "What have you been up to?"
"Promotion, I’ve lingered in the Negative Power User tier long enough, it’s ti to advance."
Lebius, in an extrely calm tone, delivered shocking news.
Promotion?
Bologue felt his throat dry up, "So... you’re a Defender now?"
"Didn’t you already sense it before?" Lebius said, "Or maybe I’m just overthinking it."
Lebius was referring to the previous eting when Bologue noticed a subtle change in Lebius’s deanor. Bologue had considered the possibility of a Defender promotion, but when Lebius confird the news, Bologue still couldn’t help but feel a ntal shock.
Bologue murmured, "I thought I could catch up to you..."
The first ti Bologue encountered extraordinary power was battling Lebius’s Blade-Biting Wolf. Although it was just one of Lebius’s Domination Objects, it left a deep impression on Bologue, marking his first fight in the Extraordinary World.
"What’s there to catch up on," Lebius said, "Besides, the team mbers have all been promoted to Negative Power Users. If I linger at Negative Power User for too long, then who’s the group leader, you or ?"
Bologue laughed, "We’re both group leaders; officially, that’s correct."
The pen paused for a mont before Lebius realized Bologue was referring to his status as the leader of the temporary action group.
Lebius said softly, "It’s really strange to have one’s team mber beco a group leader..."
"What’s so strange about it? When you retire, I’ll take your place. You know I’m an Undead," Bologue felt this was a kind of legacy.
"Hmm... retire and replace, huh?"
Lebius put down the pen, leaning back to stretch his limbs, his brow full of fatigue.
Suddenly, Bologue asked, "Why did you choose to get promoted at this ti?"
Not waiting for Lebius to respond, Bologue continued pressing, "Is it because of the King’s Secret Sword?"
"Why do you think that?"
"It’s too coincidental," Bologue said, "You’ve been working within the Order Bureau for many years, participated in the Secret War, and you’re part of the Unshakable, which ans your qualifications were more than sufficient, yet you didn’t advance.
Bologue said, "If you were waiting for retirent, that would make sense, but suddenly choosing to advance at this point... it’s hard not to overthink."
Pausing for a mont, Bologue added, "Whenever I’m idle, my thoughts are uncontrollable and spread in all directions."
Lebius nodded, "I can tell, your energy seems almost infinite, whether it’s about killing the enemy or strategizing on how to kill the enemy. I understand."
Seeing that Lebius wasn’t overly resistant, Bologue continued to express his curiosity.
"You never told about your specific experiences during the Secret War, but from others’ words, I can imagine you were outstanding during the Secret War, possibly even saving the day. But you never ntion these things, as if they aren’t your honors but shaful incidents."
To defeat your enemy, you must first understand him. Bologue wants to know what the astronauts plan to do. He needs to understand the mysteries of the past, not only the Fall of the Holy City but also the secret war.
Lebius rubbed his eyes, "Why do you want to ask about this?"
"It just suddenly ca to mind, coupled with previous curiosity," Bologue softened his tone, "If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine."
"Hmm..."
Lebius pondered for a mont, then suddenly laughed, "If it were before, I would definitely keep my mouth shut, but now... I actually feel like talking about it."
Bologue was sowhat surprised, but then he realized sothing, "Is it also because of the King’s Secret Sword?"
"Perhaps?"
Lebius hesitated for a mont, explaining, "It might also be that I just want to talk about it myself. Keeping these stories bottled up inside isn’t easy."
"It’s not bad to talk to you, consider it as a way to open up."
"All these years, you never opened up, and today you suddenly changed?" Bologue felt a bit strange, "This is really odd, Chief."
There was a hint of aversion in Lebius’s eyes, he found Bologue too clever, clever to the point of being excessive. He just wanted to speak so pretty words and bring up the topic, but Bologue stripped away the guise of his words.
Standing up, Lebius glanced at Bologue, asking abruptly, "Do you have anything to do next?"
"No, I’m sort of on vacation, why?"
"Co out with for a walk, it’s too stuffy here," Lebius said, "Even though I’ve been here for so long, I’m still not used to it."
Bologue was taken out of the Cultivation Room by Lebius in a haze, it’s now the afternoon, so sunlight penetrated through the clouds, falling warmly on the ground, with few people on the road.
Outside the Order Bureau, the two of them walked side by side.
"Chief, you’re acting a bit strange."
It’s Bologue’s first ti seeing Lebius like this, full of hidden thoughts, it seems like it’s also the first ti walking together on the streets.
Lebius leaned on his cane, as if engaging in so fierce psychological battle, ultimately Lebius made a decision, he spoke to Bologue.
"Bologue, I disagree with the Decision Room’s decision, we shouldn’t have any dealings with the King’s Secret Sword, not even negotiations."
Lebius’s voice beca more stern.
"Xilin’s body absolutely cannot be handed over to the King’s Secret Sword, no matter what!"
The series of words hit Bologue like a heavy hamr, making him feel dizzy for a mont, then he realized sothing, his guess was correct.
The arrival of the King’s Secret Sword had led Lebius to decide to rise to be a Defender, now Lebius took a great risk to beco a Defender, and the situation in Oubos had beco chaotic again.
Bologue vaguely slled the scent of sulfur, as if the sulfur sll from the Fall of the Holy City had seeped into this land, even after so many years, it still couldn’t disperse.
Lebius’s emotions stabilized, he rarely lost control like this, he searched his pocket and took out a crumpled cigarette box; it looked old, but what surprised Bologue even more was Lebius skillfully lighting the cigarette, taking big draws.
It was Bologue’s first ti seeing Lebius smoke, he had thought this workaholic would never have such a bad habit.
Lebius spoke words Bologue couldn’t understand, "Speaking of, it’s really nostalgic, Bologue."
"A long ti ago, my chief said similar things to ."
Stopping by a long bench by the street, Lebius sat down; it’s not far from the Cultivation Room, towering giant pillars cast formidable shadows.
Bologue sat beside Lebius, listening closely to his words.
Lebius said wistfully, "She told that once she rose to be a Defender and was transferred elsewhere, I could take over for her and beco the chief of the second team."
Bologue maintained a calm facade, but inside waves were raging; in his mory, there never was a second team in the Order Bureau.
No, perhaps there once was a second team, but due to sothing, the entire action group disbanded.
Such as the secret war.
"And then?" Bologue asked, "The secret war erupted, is that right?"
Lebius took a deep inhalation, coughing painfully afterward, the cigarette taste was foul, it felt like smoking a bunch of rotten twigs.
"That day was as usual, very calm, no life-threatening ergencies to handle," Lebius looked at the corner convenience store, throwing the burning cigarette stub into the garbage, "I bought a pack of cigarettes there, joked with Geoffrey that after finishing this pack, I’d quit smoking."
Flipping open his pocket watch, he checked the ti.
"I rember that mont," Lebius said, "About half an hour later, Xilin invaded the Cultivation Room, the secret war erupted."
"That bastard took everything from ."
Lebius remained silent for a long ti this ti, until Bologue began to feel uneasy sitting, then he turned his head and joked with Bologue.
"Look on the bright side, at least I successfully quit smoking."
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