When Belle called out to him for help, McCleary froze for a moment. He couldn't understand—inside Papal Hall, who could possibly hurt Belle?
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind. Unless the person who wanted to harm Belle had come from within Papal Hall?
McCleary didn't think much of it. He stepped forward twice, but just as he was about to speak, two soldiers turned around and aimed their black muzzles at the old man.
McCleary's expression changed. He roared, "Are you insane?"
"This is Papal Hall! I'm McCleary, and you actually dare point guns at me?"
"Sergeant, what's going on?"
"Who is your superior? I want to file a complaint!"
The old man looked at the leader of the soldiers, a sergeant.
The sergeant said expressionlessly, "Officer McCleary, this matter has nothing to do with you. Please step aside and don't make things more complicated."
McCleary pointed at Belle. "She's my subordinate. Tell me, does this have nothing to do with me?"
The sergeant said coldly, "Allow me to remind you that you're no longer the head of operations. Belle is no longer among your subordinates either."
"Even so..."
Just as McCleary was about to insist, a hand pressed down on his shoulder. The old man turned around and saw Colonel Caesar's sharply defined face.
"McCleary, as the sergeant said, this has nothing to do with you."
"Leave."
Caesar patted the old man's shoulder, then walked over and crouched beside Belle.
"Major, you're a soldier. Now is the time to fulfill your duty."
Belle shouted, "I refuse! I absolutely do not approve of what you're doing. I have the right to defend my own interests, and you are violating the rules you yourselves established!"
Caesar said expressionlessly, "In extraordinary times, some rules can be changed flexibly."
With that, he