Chapter 966: Taking the Bait
Arevalo had a bald patch between his graying temples. Holding a pair of long-handled spectacles, he lowered his head as he flipped through a document. Beside him stood a tall, powerfully built man. At first sight, Hesta had thought she was seeing Instructor Arnold from the old base again.
Simoya also examined the unfamiliar man in Arevalo's study. He wore a military uniform and looked to be in his thirties or forties, but bore no insignia of rank, making his identity difficult to determine.
The man gave the two women entering the room a slight nod. Hesta and Simoya did the same.
A few minutes later, Arevalo sighed and looked up. Upon seeing Hesta and Simoya, he blinked as if waking from a dream and set the document aside.
"The guests have arrived," Arevalo said, opening a drawer and fitting his long-handled spectacles into a groove inside it. "And I didn't even hear... Good afternoon, ladies."
Arevalo rose and shook Hesta's hand.
The man standing beside Arevalo's desk smiled. "Governor, who are these two ladies?"
"This is Simoya, Secretary Kendall's secretary," Arevalo said softly. Then his gaze fell on Hesta. "And this one has an even more remarkable background."
Arevalo waited for Hesta to modestly introduce herself. Yet after waiting for quite some time, she said nothing. She looked as though she were happily waiting for him to continue, her expression seeming to say: That's right, keep boasting. Let's hear it.
"This young lady can truly be called accomplished beyond her years," Arevalo said, obliging her. "Barely in her early twenties, she is already an experienced Chelated Being hunter, a dependable guardian of the people, an exterminator of evil in the Habitable Zone, a tireless frontline fighter with the courage to battle—"
"Jane Hesta." Hesta