Chapter 216

Every agent plays a crucial and indispensable role—internal strife during highly dangerous missions is like a string of beads being snapped, causing the entire agent front to collapse instantly, often leading to serious consequences.

For Lapith, it was like placing the Funeral Bird Squad in a precarious position. As the captain, Lapith was responsible for her team, so she was particularly concerned about the two consecutive unexpected incidents involving the Muse Squad.

Efnir was also aware of Lapith's dissatisfaction, so when she reconnected the communication, she gave the order, "Herul, withdraw the investigation team. Suspend the investigation for today."

The investigation cannot continue unless the problem is resolved.

Command Room

Efnir, Lapith, and Shinomiyami Nami were all gathered here, while the Muse Squad was represented by Herul, who was also responsible for reporting on the situation.

Commander Kusei Maki demanded sternly, "Herul, can you tell me what exactly happened?"

Even in the midst of fierce battles, she always maintained an exceptionally calm demeanor; this was the first time Efnir had ever seen her experience such a significant emotional fluctuation.

"Commander, the matter is because..."

Herul briefly explained the classified documents and research projects that Anilas had discovered within ICS, which were not much different from what she had reported to Efnir, and then mentioned her reasons for confronting Efnir.

"There's been a misunderstanding between Anilas and me, and I will take responsibility for investigating this matter," Efnir said, making no attempt to hide anything.

Kusei Maki glanced at Efnir, then softened her tone, "Thank you for your hard work, Major General Efnir." After a pause, she added, "The next investigation mission will be readjusted, and you and Lapith will be assigned to each other."

Turning her head, Kusei Maki asked Herul again, "So what's the deal with Maple and Ran?"

"They seem to have argued about the captain..."

"Hmm?" Kusei Maki frowned.

"It's like this, Commander. During our investigation, we discovered classified documents, which led to the captain's departure. Feng and Lan were the other two present," Herul, perhaps unsure how to explain further, could only state the truth tactfully. "They couldn't tolerate the actions of the ICS Research Institute, and they were also uneasy about the captain's departure, which led to a verbal argument..."

Herul recounted what happened between Maple and Lan— Anilas's experience and anger, so she impulsively said some harsh words targeting the Human Federation, several major research institutions, and Efnir. After receiving Herul's "standby" order, she was extremely dissatisfied and wanted to leave with Anilas. Maple tried to dissuade her and said a few words from Efnir's perspective. At this point, the verbal conflict between the two escalated, and soon their emotions got out of control, leading to a direct confrontation in which Maple injured Lan.

This was roughly what Herul recounted, but in reality, everyone present felt a strong sense of unease—frankly, to others, especially those like Efnir who knew Maple and Lan, there was nothing serious between them, nor was there any fundamental conflict involving others or principles like that between Efnir and Anilas. Why did it ultimately escalate into a conflict? Even worse, why did it result in a vicious assault that disregarded teammate bonds?

"That's all? Nothing to add?" Kusei Maki asked coldly.

Clearly, Kusei Maki believes that things are not as simple as Herul says.

Herul shook her head. "That's all I know, Commander."

"I'll investigate this matter," Kusei Maki was about to say when she heard Efnir's voice. "I'm partly to blame for this, and there are some misunderstandings between Anilas and me that need to be cleared up. Let me give it a try before the investigation is restarted."

What are you planning to do?

"I have already sent Tobi and Nishizaki Yuki to find out what's going on. I will go there myself after the meeting, and with me there, safety can be guaranteed."

Tobi is a current member of the Main Sequence Star and a teammate who has traveled with Anilas, Ran, and Maple all the way, making it easier for her to communicate with the three of them. Nishizaki Yuki is the chief researcher and physician of Xijing City, and can also provide counseling assistance in the field of psychotherapy.

It would be best to send the two of them over to get a preliminary understanding of the situation.

"Hmm..." Kusei Maki pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you, Major General."

After leaving the command room, Herul approached Efnir.

"Senior, the captain...?"

Efnir knew perfectly well why Herul had summoned her, and simply said, "Come with me."

She put Shinomiyami Nami in command temporarily, isolating and securing the ICS Research Institute headquarters and the area near the water tower, while she took Herul alone to the place where Anilas was being held temporarily.

As she walked, Efnir glanced at Herul, who Herul worried. As the vice-captain of the Muse Squad, she was clearly frustrated and helpless because of what had happened within the Muse Squad.

"Herul, in your impression, are Maple and Lan the kind of people who would argue or even fight?"

"They usually get along very well..."

"Is there some particular reason?"

"I don't know either..."

Herul spoke sincerely and did not hide anything.

"They seemed a bit emotionally disoriented; that's all I know..."

Soon, Efnir and Herul arrived at the place where Anilas was temporarily imprisoned. Maple and Lan had also been temporarily brought there. After the guards were dismissed, Efnir led Herul inside.

However, as soon as they arrived, they heard arguing coming from deep in the corridor behind the door.

Efnir frowned slightly, exchanged a glance with Herul, and both recognized the voice as belonging to Iris.

Why are they arguing?

Herul sensed something was amiss, and Efnir felt even more suspicious.

They were exploring the underground space together that morning, and so much has happened so suddenly.

"Hurry up and go!"

Efnir said, pushing open the door and running inside first.

121. Doubts

Efnir wasn't sure if she had arrived in time or at the wrong time. When she appeared with Herul in front of Tobi, Kaede, Ran, and the others who were arguing, the situation had already escalated to a point where Nishizaki Yuki couldn't control it.

Upon seeing Efnir and Herul, Nishizaki Yuki immediately went to greet them.

"Efnir! You've come at the perfect time!"

"What exactly happened?"

"It's a long story... In short, get them calm down! They've lost control of their emotions!"

Efnir and Herul cast their gazes into the room. The table had been dismembered, its cut surfaces smooth as mirrors. Iris stood coldly before Maple, knife in hand.

The guards stood by helplessly, because Tobi was someone sent by Efnir to conduct the investigation with Nishizaki Yuki. Without Nishizaki Yuki's orders, they couldn't stop her, nor could they not stop her. Nishizaki Yuki was also in a dilemma—she was just a doctor, and although she had learned some basic self-defense skills, her strength was simply not enough in front of the agent.

Yuan and Feng refused to cooperate, and Nishizaki Yuki had no way to deal with these two human violence machines.

Fearing the situation would worsen, she immediately prepared to contact Efnir for help after realizing something was wrong, only to find that Efnir and Herul had arrived.

"Yuan is acting very strangely; she even wants to kill Feng!"

Shinomiyami Nami's expression was somewhat unpleasant, but fortunately, Tobi had not yet made a move. At this moment, Kaede was unharmed, but her eyes were somewhat dull, and she did not react at all to Tobi standing in front of her with a sword.

"Herul-- "

Before Efnir could speak Herul rushed into the room, completely disregarding the fact that Iris was still holding a katana, and slapped her hard across the face.

Snap--

"Yuan! What are you doing?!" she demanded sharply.

"Herul! Come back, don't be impulsive!" Efnir hurriedly followed and stood in front of Herul. Looking at the agitated Kite, who was almost unrecognizable, her brows furrowed tightly.

Perhaps Herul didn't even notice, but Efnir was constantly watching the "dust" surging and changing, and clearly saw that the energy fluctuations of the kite's entire body were very unstable just a moment ago, as if it would draw its sword at any moment.

"Don't come any closer... I'm dealing with the traitors among us, this has nothing to do with you!"

Yuan's expression was strange; she bit her lower lip hard, as if regretting something or enduring something, but then suddenly became extremely angry. "I'm sorry, I don't know why... Damn it... Why you guys? Why her..."

"She's very emotionally unstable and keeps talking nonsense..." Nishizaki Yuki whispered in Efnir's ear.

"Something's not right... something's really not right..."

Efnir murmured, "First Anilas, then Maple and Lan, and finally Iris...?"

Taking a deep breath, Efnir strode past Herul and walked straight toward the kite.

"Senior!" Herul out with concern and tried to pull Efnir back, but she was immediately grabbed by Nishizaki Yuki.

"Don't worry, since Efnir won't hurt Anilas, she certainly won't hurt Iris."

Efnir took a step forward, which immediately provoked a strong reaction from the kite.

"Don't come any closer!" Yuan turned to face Efnir and shouted, a chilling red glint in her eyes. At the same time, she sheathed her weapon—her initial stance for drawing her sword. She gritted her teeth and warned, "Senior Efnir, this is our team..."

Before she could finish speaking, Efnir suddenly lunged forward, closing in. In an instant, Iris pushed her sword down and drew it—but with a crisp click, the silvery edge of the blade had barely revealed itself when Efnir kicked her hard, forcefully pushing the sword, which was only two inches from its sheath, back into place.

Her first strike failed to register, and Yuan took a step back to draw her sword again, but Efnir had already closed in on her. With a grip, she seized the opportunity, threw her to the back, and used a chokehold. Yuan had no chance to fight back and was subdued and pinned to the ground.

With a swift chop, Efnir let out a muffled groan and passed out.

It only took a few seconds.

"Senior, Yuan..." Herul with concern.

"Don't worry, she's fine. Let's take her Beacon for now." Efnir picked up the unconscious kite and handed her to Herul.

"Senior..." Feng, who had been watching this scene from the side, finally spoke softly, "I'm sorry... for causing you so much trouble..."

Efnir glanced at her sideways. At this moment, Feng didn't seem much different from usual, except that her pupils were dull, as if she hadn't slept for days and had no energy at all.

"Have you calmed down?"

"A little..."

Can we talk?

"I guess... I'm not really sure either..." Feng pursed his lips, hesitating. "My mind is a mess, I don't know why..."

Efnir and Nishizaki Yuki exchanged a glance. Nishizaki Yuki understood immediately, and instructed the other soldiers to tidy up the room. Then, she led Kaede to another quiet room.

"Let Nishizaki Yuki talk to her over there first; this kind of thing probably needs to be handled by a professional."

Efnir said to Herul, "I'll take you to see Anilas."

Only when she arrived at Anilas's room did Herul finally feel a little relieved.

"Captain, I'm so glad you're alright..."

"Thank you... I'm fine."

Anilas seemed to be in pretty good shape. Although her clothes still had some dust and Trace on them from the battle, she wasn't seriously injured.

She gave Efnir a complicated look. "Thank you too, Efnir."

"You seem to have calmed down now?"

It would be more accurate to say that the Anilas of today is the gentle girl that Efnir knew.

Efnir recalled the extremely unfamiliar and unsettling feeling she had towards Anilas when they confronted each other, a feeling that still lingered in Efnir mind to this day.

"Yes, it's all over now..." Anilas lowered her eyelashes. "The anger that felt like it was burning me alive... suddenly disappeared without me even realizing it... I'm sorry, Efnir, for saying those hurtful things to you back then..."

"Don't worry about it," Efnir shook her head. "I understand how you feel, so I can understand your hatred for those people."

After a pause, Efnir added, "I'll help you investigate that matter you mentioned. We'll talk about it later."

"Feel sorry..."

"It's nothing. What's more important is what's happening right now, and we need your advice."

"What's wrong? What happened?" Anilas frowned slightly. "I heard a lot of noise outside. Did something happen again?"

"Captain, it's about Feng, Lan, and Yuan..."

Then Herul told Anilas everything that had happened between Maple and Lan, as well as what had just happened between Iris and Maple.

After listening to Herul's account, Anilas frowned deeply, her face showing profound doubt.

"How could this be? They're usually very close!"

Otherwise, Anilas wouldn't have deliberately chosen a group of them to explore the tunnel with Efnir.

122. Shard

"That's just my opinion... I'm sorry, I can't help you any further," Anilas her head in frustration. "As the captain, I was completely oblivious to the growing rifts among my teammates, and even openly harmed them. It was a serious dereliction of duty of my duty..."

Anilas looked dejected, Herul looked at Efnir with concern, hesitating to speak several times.