“That’s how it is; anything beyond this point cannot be disclosed. If you wish to know more, you’re welcome to join us.”
Bai Zhi’s recounting came to an abrupt halt, her hands spread in a gesture of helplessness.
Beside her, Ling Ru’s expression flickered with a mix of emotions.
“So… Sister Yue’an… she was taken by a bad man?”
She clenched her teeth, seemingly indignant at the news she had just heard.
Yet, beneath her indignation, a sense of relief seemed to wash over her.
“Hmm… At least Sister Yue’an didn’t truly abandon me…”
Observing her reaction, Bai Jin nudged her in the side.
“Oi~ Brat, what’s your relationship with that fox spirit? You’re always talking about her…”
“Fox spirit?”
Ling Ru didn’t grasp the meaning at first, but then realized the only person she constantly talked about was Sister Yue’an.
“Hey, you…!”
As soon as the realization dawned on her, Ling Ru was about to retort, but Xiyin promptly intervened.
“You two can just introduce yourselves. And Bai Jin, I’ve told you not to call Yue’an that anymore.”
“Hmph.”
She snorted dismissively.
“I’m Bai Jin, Bai Zhi’s younger sister,” she declared, gesturing towards Bai Zhi.
Seeing her demeanor, Ling Ru felt a wave of relief, realizing Bai Jin truly harbored no ill will.
“My name is Ling Ru, Qi Yue’an’s best friend, and someone whose wish she saved.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
She offered a polite smile, which in turn brought a sigh of relief to Xiyin.
It seemed not all her companions were entirely abnormal; Ling Ru appeared quite composed, except when matters concerning Qi Yue’an arose.
“Now that introductions are done, let’s discuss the task at hand.”
Xiyin steered the conversation towards serious matters, her expression turning grave.
“Just yesterday, I failed to protect An’an, allowing Lin Xiao to take her.”
“Despite her unwavering trust in him and her constant pursuit of that man, he blatantly betrayed her.”
“At that moment… I stood by her side, watching as she humbled herself, pleading on the ground, all to save me…”
She clenched her fists, searching for reproach in the eyes of those around her, but found only concern or indignation.
“I’ve decided to join the Night Watchmen to gather as much information as possible, hoping to rescue her one day.”
“This path may be perilous… If anyone wishes not to partake… please inform me.”
Her words hung in the air, yet no one present stirred from their seats.
Bai Zhi’s gaze conveyed unwavering support, while Bai Jin, clutching her greatsword, seemed eager for action.
Ling Ru, meanwhile, was digging her nails into her palms, her eyes burning with terrifying coldness and resentment.
Xiyin surveyed them, finding a measure of solace in their resolve.
Her heart ached for that familiar figure, who had been lost in the past for far too long, trapped and unable to reach the future.
She had always been so adrift, and just when a faint smile had returned to her face, when she seemed less burdened by pain… she was forcibly dragged back into the mire.
Having made their decision, they assembled and set off for the Night Watchmen’s local headquarters.
It was not a conspicuous building, but rather an underground facility situated on the city’s outskirts, cleverly disguised as an abandoned biotechnology research institute.
Only after navigating layers of identity verification and a concealed elevator did they truly gain access to the base’s interior.
The sight before them starkly contrasted with the dilapidated facade outside; the base exuded an aura of futuristic technology.
Silver-white metal walls shimmered with a faint energy glow, while the domed ceiling mimicked a natural blue sky adorned with white clouds, casting a soft yet brilliant light.
Magical girls in uniform and a few demonic beings moved about, filling the air with an efficient and solemn atmosphere.
Holographic projection screens displayed intricate data streams and city surveillance footage, occasionally revealing operating instruments that emitted faint magical fluctuations, beyond their comprehension.
Sister Lan, apparently having been notified in advance, awaited them in the entrance hall.
Standing beside her was someone who had just finished speaking with her and was now preparing to depart—the very woman they had previously seen, hooded and masked, revealing only a pair of deep blue eyes.
As the woman brushed past Xiyin, her steps paused almost imperceptibly.
Her icy blue eyes seemed to linger on Xiyin for a fleeting moment before returning to their usual composure.
After a slight nod of acknowledgment to Sister Lan, she departed swiftly and silently.
“Who was that?”
Xiyin instinctively asked.
Sister Lan watched the retreating figure, her tone even:
“A colleague responsible for external intelligence liaison. Her personality is rather… solitary. Pay it no mind.”
She then turned her attention to Xiyin and her companions.
“Welcome to the Night Watchmen’s Seventh Division Branch. Since you’ve decided to join, I’ll take you through basic registration and authorization shortly.”
“Ling Ru, Bai Zhi has already briefly explained your situation. Your lineage should be ‘Envy,’ not yet fully transformed, and you’re provisionally designated as a Level Zero provisional member, requiring basic training and observation.”
Ling Ru nodded obediently, yet a subtle yearning flickered deep within her eyes.
What would her unawakened characteristic be? She herself had no idea.
Just as Sister Lan was about to lead them to complete the procedures, a thin device on her wrist suddenly vibrated urgently and emitted a faint glow.
She glanced at it, her expression instantly turning solemn.
“The procedures will be postponed for now.”
Sister Lan looked up, her gaze sweeping over Xiyin, Bai Jin, Bai Zhi, and Ling Ru.
“You four, follow me immediately. There’s an emergency meeting at the High Command, ‘Shadowfall’ level.”
“The intelligence we just received… might be closely related to you, especially to Qi Yue’an.”
Her words carried an undeniable urgency.
Xiyin’s heart stirred, and she immediately connected this to the message the mysterious silver-haired woman had conveyed moments earlier. Could it be…?
They followed Sister Lan, passing through several sealed doors that required high-level authorization to open, until they reached a circular strategic meeting room.
Several people were already seated inside, and the atmosphere was oppressive.
The holographic projector in the center had not yet been activated.
Sister Lan gestured for them to take seats at the back, then hurried to the front, where she conversed in low tones with a stern-faced middle-aged man.
Soon, the lights in the meeting room dimmed, and the central holographic projector illuminated, displaying a summary of encrypted intelligence.
The title sent a shockwave through everyone present:
[TOP SECRET]
Subject: Demon Lord’s Movements and Follow-up Announcement on the “Horror School” Major Incident
Summary:
· Confirmed that Demon Lord Lin Xiao will soon hold a ceremonial ritual within his domain, “Dawn Star Palace.”
· Nature of the Ceremony: A wedding.
· Candidate for Queen: A magical girl imprisoned by him. The intelligence source is highly confident that this girl is the same core figure from the previously occurring “Horror School Incident.”
“The Horror School Incident…”
Sister Lan repeated the codename in a low voice, her gaze sharply sweeping over Xiyin and the others.
“That was the rule-based anomaly outbreak you were involved in, which led to Qi Yue’an’s disappearance.”
A ripple of uproar spread through the meeting room.
The Demon Lord… was going to hold a wedding? And the queen, astonishingly, was Qi Yue’an?
Ling Ru’s breathing quickened abruptly, her eyes swirling with disbelief and a violated fury.
Bai Jin and Bai Zhi exchanged glances, their faces etched with profound shock.
However, the most profoundly shaken was Xiyin, who had once conversed with the one who called herself Qi Yue.
‘Lin Xiao, what exactly does he intend?’
‘What is the purpose of this sudden “wedding”?’
‘This is certainly no mere romantic affair; it must be intimately connected to his ambition for “completion” and the so-called “End.”’
‘The plan to rescue Qi Yue’an must seemingly be expedited, otherwise, not only her personal safety but also her chastity, and even her very existence would be imperiled.’