The lieutenant colonel's choice
Vera looked in the direction of the familiar voice and saw her superior, the Deputy Director in charge of Logistics MI9:
Lieutenant General Bendit.
He sighed softly, and asked with a bitter expression:
"So, Jon didn't betray you; instead, he discovered your despicable acts and killed the two ' Interrogator ' in the process of resisting, right?"
Lieutenant General Bendit ignored his subordinates' questions and continued speaking to himself:
The first time was before you were Advancement Sequence 5.
"You investigated the companies in the East Borough that recruited foreign laborers and uncovered several Human Trafficker, rescuing about 1,200 slaves."
"Actually, you should have died by now, but I saved you."
"The second time was last night."
"I heard from the people searching for Jon that you were the one who killed him, so I canceled a very important dinner and rushed back to my office from Empress Borough."
I waited there all night, but you never came.
As they spoke, members of MI9 kept approaching, but Lieutenant General Bendit gave them a brief, indifferent glance and they all bowed and left.
He looked regretful and said in a deep voice:
"Because we come from the same ordinary background."
"You should know this all too well. Compared to those aristocratic children, it's so much harder for people like us without connections to get ahead."
"You should know that even though I'm in this position now and seem very prestigious on the surface, I still don't have much say in front of the others."
"Vera, you're a talent I value; you should understand what I mean."
"Come back with me and accept ' Secrecy.' I'll cover for you today." Lieutenant General Bendit paused, his gaze suddenly sharpening.
"This is the last chance I'm giving you."
Vera remained silent throughout, standing there quietly.
After his boss finished speaking, he chuckled self-deprecatingly, raised his gaze to the other's authoritative face, and took a deep breath:
"So, Jon didn't betray you; instead, he discovered your despicable acts and killed the two ' Interrogator ' in the process of resisting, right?"
As he finished speaking, Lieutenant General Bendit's sharp gaze gradually calmed down.
A hint of sarcasm appeared at the corner of his mouth as he slowly shook his head.
"No, he did betray MI9, and he wasn't the only one who chose to betray MI9; you did too."
Vera's pupils dilated, and her normally mellow voice involuntarily changed tone:
What do you mean by that?
Lieutenant General Bendit looked at his subordinate with pity, chuckled, and said slowly, "Dead men don't need to know much."
He stepped forward, pressing his right palm downwards:
"The mystery here has diminished, reality has increased!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Vera felt her Spirituality rapidly waning, as if it were sealed away, suppressed deep within her mind and unable to be activated.
At this moment, he was unable to use any Beyonder Ability.
Similarly, Sealed Artifact cannot be used.
This is an ability possessed only by the Demigod "Imperative Mage" of the "Arbiter" Pathway, who establishes Decree and enforces their own order.
Vera had only recently Advancement Sequence 8 when she witnessed similar tactics.
At that time, the Deputy Director in charge used this Decree to turn everyone on his side, including an enemy who was a "Black Emperor" Pathway Demigod realm, into ordinary people.
Although the Deputy Director Death in the Line of Duty the line of duty, they were the ones who ultimately won.
He still remembers how terrified, angry, and indignant those enemies who suddenly lost their power were when facing the skilled fighter "Arbiter."
He never imagined that one day he would fall into the same predicament.
"I was the one who approved your Advancement application."
Lieutenant General Bendit, rolling up his suit sleeves as he walked forward, said, "Looks like I'll have to put that Beyonder Characteristic back into storage again today."
With that, his body tensed abruptly, and he charged forward like a cheetah, raising his right arm high and punching Vera in the elbow.
"Bang!"
Their fists and elbows collided, creating a sharp, explosive sound in the surrounding air.
Whether they are "Disciplinary Paladin" or "Imperative Mage," their physiques are exceptionally strong under the enhancement of Potion, which is something that the Decree cannot suppress.
However, both are "Arbiter" Pathway.
The former still belongs to the Mid-Sequence, while the latter is called Demigod!
"Bang bang bang!"
The sounds of intense physical collisions echoed along the empty riverbank.
Punches, kicks, feet, elbows, knees... For a skilled fighter like the "Arbiter," every part of the body can be turned into a deadly weapon.
The two figures were locked in a fierce battle, with one clearly at a significant disadvantage.
Suddenly, Lieutenant General Bendit sidestepped Vera's knee strike, took a half-step back, and then quickly clenched his right fist, seizing the opening to unleash a powerful punch.
Sensing the chilling killing intent, Vera immediately threw a punch to defend herself.
"Snap!"
A crisp sound of bones cracking rang out.
Vera's face turned deathly pale, and she staggered back several steps, enduring the excruciating pain.
Lieutenant General Bendit stood there expressionless, watching coldly as his subordinate retreated, without taking the opportunity to pursue him.
This is not due to his arrogant personality.
Rather, it's an absolute confidence in one's own strength!
When those in higher positions take on those in lower positions through the same Pathway, it's an absolute crushing defeat.
Lieutenant General Bendit dusted off the dust from his suit, his breathing steady, as if the battle he had just fought was nothing more than a minor skirmish.
I knew I hadn't misjudged him.
"You were able to hold that position for more than three minutes!"
Three minutes... Vera was panting, drenched in sweat, and filled with bitterness.
He didn't think it was anything to be proud of.
Despite using every means at his disposal, he could only barely hold on for a few minutes, while his opponent seemed completely relaxed, more at ease than if he were on a picnic.
Faced with this contrast, Despair welled up in his heart.
The air was silent for a moment. Vera suddenly exhaled forcefully, used her left arm to stabilize her broken right hand, and gave a bitter laugh.
"Lieutenant General, do you think I still have the opportunity to accept ' Secrecy '?"
Lieutenant General Bendit was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, a look of speechlessness flashing in his eyes.
He stood there expressionless, neither answering Vera's question nor making any further moves, letting her sit on the ground, supporting herself on her arm.
Time passed swiftly in silence.
A few minutes later, Lieutenant General Bendit felt the effects of the Decree had worn off and was about to release "Secrecy" when his pupils suddenly contracted.
He was silent for a moment, then lowered his raised hand and let out a cold laugh:
"Idiot."
Then, he sighed softly.
I've done enough; it's their choice.
In the bizarre and illusory world, Vera sensed familiar coordinates and quickly returned from the Spirit World to reality, her body rapidly being outlined inch by inch.
Suddenly, inspiration struck like a whirlwind.
He felt a chill run down his spine and immediately prepared to "Teleportation" again when a familiar voice suddenly rang in his ears. "Haven't seen you for days, leaving without even saying goodbye?"
Vera stroked the White Bone Ring, then turned to look at the source of the laughter.
"Lieutenant Colonel Vera, no, Colonel," Parliamentarian Begat smiled and extended his right hand across the room, "Welcome to my Manor."