Though it was wartime, after the initial rush and chaos, London seemed to have returned to normal operations.
Swiftly, precisely, efficiently, everything was running again—the Astronomical Society headquarters, the shops along the streets, the surrounding districts, malls, residences, even public spaces.
Hurrying crowds streamed through overpasses and walkways, bustling with activity.
Every now and then, traffic restrictions would suddenly be imposed, followed by an unmarked mysterious vehicle speeding past.
Everyone had long since grown used to it.
But that did not mean life had become any easier for the Unified Bureau.
Quite the opposite. As the war intensified, the workload had continued to balloon to brain-hemorrhage-inducing levels. Everyone felt that the end of their work was still impossibly far away... especially when some heartless Old Turtle had set its sights on them.
"Everyone's been very busy lately."
In Yegor's office, Russell leisurely brewed tea and sighed. "Did I come at a bad time? Am I disturbing you? This won't affect your work, will it? Yegor, are you listening?"
"Yeah, yeah."
Without even looking up, Yegor nodded, his pen flying across the page.
He treated the turtle's words as nothing but noise.
"Come to think of it, everyone seems a little restless lately."
Russell shifted on the sofa and crossed his legs, utterly at home. "The mess Golden Dawn caused hasn't even settled down yet, and the new Present Realm management draft has already entered the consultation stage.
Even the legislation governing Ascenders is being revised again. Isn't that a little too hasty?"
"Yeah, yeah," Yegor replied absentmindedly.
"It's truly worrying to watch."
Russell sighed earnestly. "Tell me, wouldn't it be wonderful if some kindhearted person came along to lend a hand at a time like this?"
"Yeah, yeah... wait!"
Yegor's hand paused for an instant. He looked up, immediately on