Conscription and a warning

After deciding to take Castorice with her to the front lines, Luo Li's life was instantly put on fast-forward.

I originally thought three days would be more than enough time to prepare, but when I actually got busy, I realized there was so much to do.

The first issue is Castorice's identity.

Luo Li's name was on the recruitment list for "Furnace Project," Castorice was considered an "unofficial member."

According to regulations, individuals who are not registered superhumans or military personnel are not permitted to accompany the military to core front lines such as the "Ironwall" fortress.

Luo Li attempted to submit a "family accompaniment application" to the guild, using the oldest and most difficult-to-verify reason. "A mental bond support-type ability user who needs to maintain the ability effect at close range."

The application was returned in less than half a day, with a cold and formulaic reply, "Does not meet the requirements, not approved."

"Tsk, what a hassle." Luo Li looked at the rejection notice on the screen and scratched her hair in frustration.

Sitting next to him, Xia Die, who was painstakingly typing on the keyboard with two fingers, brainstorming Castorice for her Amphoreus fanfiction, looked up and blinked her purple eyes. "Is that not allowed?"

"It's not allowed according to the rules." Luo Li sighed, but then a nonchalant smile appeared on her lips.

"However, rules are rules, but people are flexible."

He thought of someone— Lu Jingheng.

That seemingly gentle and harmless, yet unfathomable, researcher—given his position at the institute and the power he demonstrated last time—might have a way of handling this "trivial matter."

Although Luo Li was extremely wary of Lu Jingheng, this seemed to be the quickest way at the moment.

He took out his phone, hesitated for a moment, and then dialed Lu Jingheng's number.

The call connected quickly, and Lu Jingheng's usual gentle voice came from the other end. "Mr. Luo Li? I'm really surprised you'd contact me."

"Mr. Lu, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."

Luo Li got straight to the point and briefly explained how Castorice had accompanied them.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by Lu Jingheng's chuckled voice, "I see... Miss Castorice is also going to the front lines? That does seem a bit irregular."

He paused, then continued in a relaxed tone, "However, since it's Mr. Luo Li and Miss Castorice's request, I think I can find a way to coordinate it."

The Star Rail Research Institute happens to have one spot available for data docking and technical support at the ' Ironwall ' Fortress. I can Castorice as my 'research assistant'.

The vetting process for accompanying personnel of researchers at frontline bases is much more lenient.

"That's simple?" Luo Li was somewhat surprised, but also breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you very much."

It was nothing.

Lu Jingheng smiled and said, "After all, you two are important 'observation samples' for us... ah, sorry, I mean important partners. I look forward to meeting you two on the front lines."

After hanging up the phone, Luo Li looked at Castorice and gave her an OK sign. "It's all settled. You're now an 'assistant' for the researcher at Lu Da University."

Castorice frowned slightly, seemingly concerned about the "assistant" title and Lu Jingheng's mention of "observation samples," but ultimately nodded. "It's good that we can go together."

With the identity issue resolved, the next step is equipment and supplies.

The guild provided recruits with standard combat uniforms, weapons, and basic supplies.

Luo Li picked up a set; the combat suit was Longxia's latest "Dragon Scale Type III" nano combat suit, which had basic bulletproof, impact-resistant, and harsh environment adaptability capabilities, so it was pretty good.

The weapons were some standard alloy swords and firearms, which were practically useless to Luo Li, who possessed Enma, but he still accepted them, intending to put them in his Portable Space for emergencies or to use as a disguise in critical moments.

The real preparation lay in his own "personal agenda."

He took Castorice to Jiangcheng's largest black market for superhumans—a chaotic trading point located in an area undergoing underground drainage system expansion.

This place is full of all sorts of things of dubious origin, but which often come in a life-saving way.

Luo Li's goals were clear: high-energy compressed food, a universal antidote, potent healing needles, a small environmental detector, and some alchemical items with special effects.

With his ample contribution points and his B+ level ability user status, he quickly purchased enough supplies for the two of them to last for three months with some left over, filling his 1.5 cubic meter Portable Space to the brim.

Castorice showed great curiosity about the bizarre and wonderful goods in the black market, especially lingering for a long time in front of a stall selling all kinds of strange plant seeds.

Seeing this, Luo Li casually bought a small packet of "Moonlight Moss" seeds, which are said to be able to grow in extreme environments, and gave them to her, which earned her a faint but sincere smile.

"Consider it as something to take to the front lines; maybe it will improve the environment there."

Luo Li said with a smile.

Castorice carefully put the seeds away and softly replied, "Mm."

After finishing their shopping, the two returned home and began the final tidying up.

Luo Li checked his usual equipment again and again, gave the Bloodblade Enma a thorough maintenance. Looking at the dark red blood light flowing on the blade and feeling the jubilant fighting spirit emanating from it, he took a deep breath and suppressed the vague unease in his heart about the unknown battlefield.

"Xiao Hong," he called out.

A chibi-style red energy ball immediately popped out of his shadow, circling him disgruntledly. "[Master! Master! I haven't had enough to eat these past few days! The vampire snacks are out of stock!]"

"What's the rush? There will be plenty when we get to the front lines."

Luo Li flicked it.

"Be quick-witted then, and try to retrieve as many useful Remembrance as possible."

[Yes, ma'am!] Xiao Hong immediately perked up.

[I promise to expose all those vampires' secrets!]

On the other side, Castorice was also quietly packing her things.

She changed into a dark purple tracksuit that Luo Li had bought for her, which was more suitable for movement. She neatly tied her long silver-purple hair into a high ponytail, losing some of her usual gentleness and gaining more competence.

She carefully placed her few changes of clothes, the potted green ivy that had sprouted new shoots, the amethyst hair clip that Luo Li had given her, and the packet of Moonlight Moss seeds into a small backpack.

Her movements were unhurried, with an ancient rhythm, as if she were not heading to a bloody battlefield, but rather on a long pilgrimage.

Looking at her like this, Luo Li's restless heart strangely calmed down.

With her by my side, even the most dangerous journey no longer seems frightening.

On the eve of their departure, Luo Li and Castorice invited Yang Shan to their home for a farewell dinner.

When Yang Shan saw Castorice all ready to go, his eyes widened like saucers. "Holy crap! Li Zi! You're really taking Castorice with you?! The front lines are no joke!"

"Otherwise what?" Luo Li picked up a piece of braised pork made by Castorice with her chopsticks and mumbled, "I'd be even more worried about leaving her home alone."

Yang Shan glanced at Castorice, who was eating quietly with an ethereal air, then at Luo Li, whose face said, "My mind is made up." He opened his mouth, then finally sighed, raised his glass, and said, "Fine! You two... you win! Anyway, when you get there, look after each other and come back safe and sound! I'm still waiting to drink your wedding wine!"

"Nonsense!" Luo Li clinked glasses with him and drank it all in one gulp.

After the meal, Yang Shan left drunk, leaving only Luo Li and Castorice in the room.

Outside the window, Blood-Erosion Clouds stained the moonlight with an eerie dark red, casting an ominous filter over the city.

Luo Li sat on the sofa with Castorice in her arms, neither of them speaking, enjoying the last moments of Tranquility and tenderness before the storm.

"Castorice," Luo Li called softly.

"Um?"

Are you scared?

Castorice gently shook her head in his arms, tilted her face up, and her purple eyes appeared particularly deep in the dim light. "With you here, I'm not afraid."

She paused, her voice softening further. "In Amphoreus, I've seen sights more desperate than war itself. As long as the destination is by your side, no matter how treacherous the journey, it doesn't matter."

Luo Li's heart skipped a beat, and he hugged her tightly.

Just then, his phone screen lit up, and a message from an unknown number popped up.

The message was very short, consisting of only one sentence:

[Beware of the "Harvester".--V]

Luo Li's pupils suddenly contracted.

V? Lu Jingheng?

The Harvester? What's that?

He immediately called back, only to find that the other party's phone was switched off.

This abrupt and incomplete warning, like a cold needle, pierced the previously calm atmosphere.

Luo Li looked out the window at the crescent moon shrouded in blood, her brows furrowed tightly.

The road ahead seemed even more shrouded in mist than he had imagined.

"What's wrong?" Castorice noticed his unusual behavior.

Luo Li put away his phone, shook his head, and hugged her tighter, as if trying to dispel the ominous premonition.

"It's nothing," he said softly, as if to comfort her, or perhaps to reassure himself.

"We're leaving tomorrow, so get some rest."

(PS: I'm a fan-favorite group admin, so I'll post one more chapter today—just so you know, remember to show me the free ads!)