The Jaegers squad left, and although no one dared to utter a word in front of Minister Honest, each of them felt somewhat displeased.
"We're clearly Imperial Guard directly under Lady Esdeath's command, so why are we being controlled by that Honest...?"
"This is the rule of might makes right. He holds a high position and wields great power, and even General Esdeath is powerless against him."
"..."
Two members of the ' Jaegers ' squad complained about the injustice in their hearts, while only Kurome, although thinking similarly to Ran and Bols, quietly opened her snack package and started eating.
"You all probably know about the Four Rakshasa Demons, right? I really don't want to associate with that group; it just disgusts me."
"Even Wave, you think so? I thought you were on the minister's side."
"Yeah, Wave, I thought you were the kind of inflexible old-fashioned person I knew, since you used to be a soldier under General Budo."
"Haha... I'm not old, am I?"
"That's truly disrespectful."
Despite the complaints, the tasks still need to be done.
Since Honest had already arranged things for the three ' Jaegers ' companions, they all went back to prepare early, leaving Wave alone on the spot, unsure of what to do.
Although they were temporarily assigned to work together, their accommodations remained the same as before, without any new divisions.
As a result, Wave had no choice but to stay where he was, on the corridor not far from the council chamber, waiting for his new companions.
Chelsea witnessed all of this.
She had sensed their unusual behavior the moment the Jaegers Unit stepped out of the council chamber. She transformed from a fly into a butterfly and listened to their conversation from among the flowerbeds and decorations.
"Looks like I should go find Lin Feng."
Chelsea said this and then flew off in the opposite direction, leaving Wave there lost in thought.
"I wish I could be like Lin Feng."
Wave thought about it, gritted his teeth, and spoke with a tone full of resentment towards himself.
Like Lin Feng, Wave was once from the countryside. But through his daily hard work and exceptional talent, he rose to a very high position.
However, even the most skilled soldiers could not overcome two formidable obstacles— Esdeath and Budo.
On one side is a queen with extraordinary talent and near-invincibility, and on the other side is a seasoned pragmatist who has built up countless prestige through his seniority. In the end, he can only kneel before these two.
However, even with power, one is subject to manipulation by ministers. Even if one only wants to uphold the justice in one's heart, one cannot avoid having justice carried out against one's will.
The biological Teigu human modification experiments in the District Thirteen once attracted much attention. Wave was sent to assist Captain Ogre in eliminating those who knew the inside story, but because he did not want the dark truth to be buried in the public eye, he chose to conceal his strength and stand by.
This time, too, the Four Rakshasa Demons Four Rakshasa Demons an organization that Wave desperately wants to avoid getting involved with, yet his superiors insist that Wave cooperate with them.
Some time ago, Wave heard about Lin Feng.
This new recruit from the Imperial Guard, whom I had met in District Thirteen, had actually assassinated the Dr. Stylish from the ' Jaegers ' group and the ruthless Nyau from the Three Beasts.
These are not the key points. What's even more outrageous is that after doing all this, he was able to run to the palace to gain the trust of Lord Honest, thereby exonerating himself from all his crimes.
Perhaps this is what Wave understands as 'following one's own conscience for justice'.
Although he himself was lazy and determined not to do things he didn't want to do, he ultimately had to obey the ministers' orders in every situation.
Does someone like me truly possess the qualities of justice?
Wave fell into deep thought.
Just then, a voice came from behind.
"You don't seem very happy, Wave."
It was a voice that was all too familiar. Wave turned around and saw a man who was completely different from before.
The Imperial Guard he used to wear have now been replaced with high-end black military uniforms, and he exudes an aura unique to powerful individuals.
But those crimson eyes have never changed.
" Lin Feng, it's been so long!"
Wave couldn't hide his excitement. He had thought that this righteous young man was like his past self, destined to go through many hardships. But he never expected that the young man would soar to such heights and unknowingly reach almost the same level as him.
" Wave, let's get straight to the point."
Lin Feng looked at Wave. He already knew from Chelsea's intelligence that Wave was dissatisfied with the Four Rakshasa Demons.
"You're also a man who longs for the Imperial Capital to recover from its current state of corruption and chaos, aren't you?"
"Why did you arrive at such a perfect time...?"
"Don't worry about that. I've been keeping an eye on you ever since your time in the Imperial Guard."
"I guess I've been paying too much attention to you..."
"If you have a love for peace in your heart, how can you not shine and contribute?"
Hearing Lin Feng's resounding words, Wave's fighting spirit was ignited, but he still bit his lower lip with considerable reluctance.
"Now you should be assigned to cooperate with the Four Rakshasa Demons, right?"
Wave's eyes widened suddenly; he was astonished at how detailed Lin Feng's intelligence was.
This was clearly what Minister Honest had told him not long ago, but at the time, only the Jaegers Unit, Esdeath, and Honest were present.
Seeing Wave's surprise, Lin Feng gestured for him to calm down.
"Never mind how I know. Since I said I've been keeping an eye on you, I'll know more than I imagined."
"... I understand. But what's done is done, and it seems I have no choice but to cooperate with the Four Rakshasa Demons. What would you do, Lin Feng?"
Wave's expression hardened.
"Thank you so much for being so direct in pointing out my doubts today. I've always believed that the one who truly upholds justice is you, not me."
"Indeed, I have my own convictions, but what good are they? I am ultimately just a pawn in the hands of the ministers, only able to choose the order in which I am to be played, not the option of not playing at all."
"You can choose not to fall behind, Wave. Your life is your own choice."
"You mean, you want me to defy the minister's decree, lose this official position, and join the Revolutionary Army?"
"No, Wave, it doesn't need to be that serious."
Seeing that no one was around, Lin Feng focused his gaze on Wave. There seemed to be a captivating power in Will's blood-red eyes, making it impossible not to believe him.