The Other Side

Meanwhile, at the Lungmen Guard Department Special Operations Group office.

Swire sat on the sofa in the reception area, savoring a freshly brewed cup of black tea. Across from her sat a female Guard Department officer in heavy armor, with long dark green hair.

Judging by the single horn on her head, she was an Oni from Higashi.

Such things were not uncommon in the Lungmen Guard Department. Thanks to its open-door policy, Lungmen had gathered people of all races from across the land, including quite a few who had settled here.

Thanks to Wei Yenwu's relatively open-minded policies, even an important institution like the Guard Department recruited employees from other races.

However, since they did not accept the Infected, there were naturally no Sarkaz among the Guard Department officers. Aside from departments related to the Outer Ring, no one selected by the Guard Department and successfully hired was Infected—not even auxiliary officers.

At the moment, the two were waiting. Since the Six Harmonies Society matter had recently concluded, the Guard Department had organized a meeting attended by the heads of various departments. According to the information Swire had received, those who had rendered meritorious service would be rewarded at this meeting, while those who had died in the incident would be officially recorded.

Of course, that had little to do with the Special Operations Group.

After all, aside from one person who had left, they had suffered no personnel losses. If anything, they had gained another member.

"I hope that guy's all right..."

At that moment, Swire rose to her feet. Just then, Chen returned.

She had gone to the meeting empty-handed, yet she came back carrying quite a few things.

"Yo, Pink Sausage Dragon, what did they say at this meeting?"

"What else could it be... rewarding merit and mourning the dead. That's all."

Chen did not look to be in a good state of mind, which was unusual. With Chen's personality, how could she possibly show such an expression in front of others?

Although Swire and Chen often bickered, Swire considered herself fairly familiar with Chen. That only made her more confused.

She was curious about what exactly had happened at the meeting to make Chen look like this after returning.

"Stop giving me that useless crap. Be specific!"

"The Special Operations Group has been renamed the Special Inspector Group. You and I have been promoted to Superintendent. Hoshiguma, an elite officer from the Special Task Group, has been transferred to the Special Inspector Group."

Chen stopped there, then returned to her seat without saying another word.

Swire froze slightly where she stood. She did not particularly care about what Chen had just said. To her, even the rank of Senior Superintendent was hardly beyond reach, let alone Superintendent.

What she cared about was something else—the matter concerning the former Special Operations Group member.

"That's it? That old dragon didn't mention Roy at all?"

It was not as though Swire had any unusual feelings for Roy. On the contrary, her first impression of him had been poor. Not only had he been recommended by Chen, but she had also found it strange that he had become a full officer so smoothly while retaining his previous rank.

She had once suspected that Roy had used certain connections, or that someone with ulterior motives had planted him in the Special Operations Group as an informant.

However, after their brief time working together, her impression of Roy had changed completely. Like Chen, he clung to his own sense of justice and could be rather rigid in its pursuit, even doing things that crossed the line. But compared to Chen, he was far more adaptable.

As for his abilities...

Swire had never doubted those from the moment he joined. No matter how many connections one had, the necessary procedures still had to be followed. Becoming an instructor for one of the auxiliary police corps' battalions, and attaining the rank of Inspector at roughly the same age as her and Chen without any background—every one of those things was proof of his capabilities.

Still, Roy's abilities had exceeded Swire's expectations somewhat.

Yet now, such an officer had become a murderer and was currently wanted by the Guard Department. Swire naturally understood the reasons behind it, but she did not believe that justified quietly sweeping the matter aside.

"No. He didn't even mention anything related to that 'Young Master,' much less Roy."

"You [Lungmen expletive], what kind of meeting was that? Fine, they didn't give him the honors he deserved, but they couldn't even clear his name?!"

The moment Chen finished speaking, Swire began cursing furiously. Even Hoshiguma, seated nearby, was somewhat surprised.

Naturally, Hoshiguma knew of the Roy the two were talking about. He had been a member of the Special Operations Group, and according to rumors, he had personally killed that all-powerful "Young Master." As for whether the rumors were true... hadn't those wanted notices already proven it?

From their words alone, she could tell there was more to the matter. Perhaps Roy's assassination of the "Young Master" had been ordered by these two superiors, or even by people higher up.

Now that it was over, however, the Guard Department had not restored his reputation or position. Swire was clearly blaming the newly returned Chen for that.

Hoshiguma was not surprised by such things. They were not unheard of in the Lungmen Guard Department. More than that, she was curious how Chen would respond to Swire's words.

After all, though the two held the same rank, Chen was the head of the Special Inspector Group. Naturally, her position was somewhat higher than Swire's.

Not just in the Lungmen Guard Department—even in other organizations or companies, speaking to one's superior like that was a grave sign of disrespect, and it could end badly.

"Char Siu Cat, could you watch your tone?"

"Why is it that those people sitting in offices get all the credit, while the ones fighting on the front lines can't even get the credit that should rightfully be theirs?!"

Swire paused for a moment. Then, as if she had suddenly thought of something, she fell silent. She knew there was no use blaming Chen here. After all, Chen was not the chief of the Lungmen Guard Department, nor was she the ruler of Lungmen.

If she wanted to resolve this, the only option was to find Wei Yenwu. With the influence she possessed, perhaps she could change his mind.

Her relationship with Roy had not reached that point, but that did not mean she would stand by and watch someone's achievements be buried. Swire could not bring herself to do such a thing.

Just then, a pleasant ringtone rang through the office...