Espers... Organization

(This chapter is free)

After Lin Xue was seated, I got straight to the point. "Alright, you can tell me why you're here now. I don't believe you came all this way just to apologize."

Despite her annoyance, Lin Xue forced a smile, though it was as awkward as could be. "I did come mainly to apologize, and also to confirm something with you..."

Seeing Lin Xue's forced smile, I waved my hands repeatedly. "Okay, okay... You can confirm whatever you want, just please stop smiling. It's creepy."

Lin Xue seemed to give up on trying to be pleasant with me and promptly dropped her smile, saying with a cold expression, "Alright, I'll be direct then. Do you, and your sister, have any special abilities?"

"Hmm?" Although I had vaguely guessed her intentions, I was still a bit surprised. I wondered when this girl had noticed Pandora and me. It seemed she thought we were people with special abilities?

Well, strictly speaking, I could control the Shilin Mother Planet's ultra-long-range fire support and nearby Shilin Army through mental power, which should count as an Esper ability. As for Pandora... as an unknown life form who could transform herself into various weapons of mass destruction, if she wasn't an Esper, then no one in this world was...

Of course, I couldn't reveal my and Pandora's identities to this unknown Lin Xue. To be precise, our identities had to be kept secret from any Earthling. The question now was, should I admit to having Esper abilities?

Seeing my silence, Lin Xue knew I was hesitant about something. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small card, saying, "You can look at this... I work for a certain organization, and like you, I am also an Esper."

...In other words, the legendary National Espers Bureau?

My right hand, which I was about to extend, stopped in mid-air. I asked in surprise, "You're from the National Espers Bureau?"

"Have you read too many novels?" Lin Xue lectured me without ceremony. "While Espers do exist in reality, where are there so many Espers who are powerful enough and suitable for missions? Our organization has a total of just over 20 Espers. Because of the small number and the fact that most Espers have rather peculiar personalities, we are actually an independent organization similar to a special operations team. Although we are not under government jurisdiction, we have been secretly assisting the country, for example, dealing with some accidental incidents that only Espers can resolve."

So, this beautiful woman named Lin Xue was quite a significant figure?

"You want us to join?" I could easily guess Lin Xue's intention. An independent Esper team secretly working for the country? It sounded pretty impressive.

"Aren't you surprised? Suddenly learning about the existence of our organization, most people would find it unbelievable." Lin Xue looked at me strangely. How could she know that after experiencing such bizarre events, my nerves were now so thick that I could accept anything?

"Alright, since you are both people with Esper abilities, it's understandable that you wouldn't be so surprised in this situation... So, what are your intentions?" Lin Xue looked at me and the silent Pandora with expectant eyes. Although these two people had caused her so much trouble, if they could join...

"This..." I hesitated. Joining such an unheard-of organization so rashly made me feel uneasy, and I was naturally a bit afraid of trouble. Joining this organization would probably mean never having a peaceful day.

At this moment, Pandora's voice came through the mental link, carrying a hint of excitement. "Brother, you can agree to her."

"Huh?" I was very curious. Why would Pandora, who had always been indifferent to external affairs, be so interested in this matter?

"According to the law, if Brother, as the Shilin Emperor, joins an organization involving political sensitivity, it can be considered a declaration of conquest by the target civilization against the Empire..."

...Actually, you just want to say that if I join this organization, you can find a reason to start a war, right? You little war-mongering brat!

"I'm sorry," I shook my head. "I don't think I'm suitable to join your organization. Of course, if there's anything I can help with in the future, I'd be happy to."

Thank me, thank me. I just saved all of humanity from a devastating disaster!

Unfortunately, Lin Xue had no idea that the person in front of her had just saved the world...

She was very depressed. She had humbled herself to apologize and even revealed her identity, but she didn't expect this guy to refuse so outright. The long speech she had prepared was completely useless. More importantly, this person now knew the organization's secret. Did she really have to bring in that annoying man in the organization who could erase memories? Not to mention that she had always been at odds with that guy, it was still unknown whether that guy's ability would be effective against these two powerful Espers.

"You can rest assured, I will absolutely not reveal your secret," Seeing Lin Xue's unpleasant expression, I roughly guessed what she was thinking. "And, as I said just now, if there's anything I can help with, I'd be happy to."

"Can't you reconsider?" Lin Xue still held a glimmer of hope. She didn't want to go back dejectedly and be laughed at by those guys in the organization.

"This... for various reasons, I cannot join..."

Various reasons, huh? Is the survival of humanity a relatively important reason?

"What about you?" Lin Xue turned her attention to Pandora. "What are your plans? Having such powerful abilities is not necessarily a good thing. You might get into trouble because of it. Joining us is also like finding a backer, and wouldn't it be a good thing if your power could contribute to the country?"

To Pandora, not a single word you said was on point...

As expected, Pandora shook her head and said coldly, "Not interested."

I was worried that this little guy would deliberately agree to Lin Xue, but thankfully, it seemed she still knew to follow my wishes.

"Alright..." Seeing our firm attitude, Lin Xue knew it was impossible to persuade us today at least. As for erasing the memories of these two people to prevent the organization's secrets from being leaked, she thought about it and gave up on the idea. After all, if it failed, not only would it not serve the purpose of secrecy, but it would also offend two powerful Espers, which would be a loss.

"Let's keep in touch in the future," Lin Xue stood up somewhat dejectedly. "Although we can't be partners, at least we're not enemies. I hope we can cooperate if there's a chance in the future."

Cooperation, huh... At least from my perspective, if an Imperial Expeditionary Force couldn't solve the problem, then 20-plus Espers wouldn't be able to do anything either. Looking at it this way, Lin Xue is getting a huge bargain from me!

After Lin Xue left, Pandora and I began to discuss the information we had received today.

"I didn't expect such an organization from novels to actually exist." This was my exclamation.

"A completely harmless small organization. Although those humans who have mastered special powers can already contend with elite Shilin Regular Soldiers, their numbers are too small and they cannot form a complete combat team. Even combined, they cannot withstand a Pandora Carrier Mecha Soldier transformed into full combat mode." This was Pandora's analysis.

Hearing Pandora's blunt evaluation, I said helplessly, "Please, don't compare human Espers with the Shilin who once ruled the entire universe, okay? Putting everything else aside, just your life form alone already has an absolute advantage compared to humans."

Although I said that, the Shilin's strength was indeed not to be underestimated. Espers, who could be considered superhumans among humans, were only at the level of a regular soldier among the Shilin?

Thinking about it, it made sense. Putting everything else aside, just thinking about the Anti-Ship Psionic Cannon Pandora used that day, you could imagine how abnormal the Shilin's weapons were...

Forget it, what's the point of thinking so much? Anyway, there are so many Shilin Commanders, a human Esper team won't have much impact. As for those Shilin Commanders with serious war tendencies, there's even less to worry about. Without my permission, the Shilin Apostles who completely obey orders will absolutely not act recklessly...

I turned my head and looked at the indifferent Pandora.

Uh, the premise is to keep an eye on a certain little loli with war-mongering syndrome