"What's she doing here, without even telling me beforehand?"
Han Xiao was slightly taken aback.
This woman is no good. Decades ago, she left the Black Star Army and went to cause trouble with those bastards, Silver Revolution. Now she's suddenly back. I wonder what she's up to.
"Commander, do you wish to see her?"
"... Let's meet."
Han Xiao nodded; he was quite curious about Lothaire's purpose in coming.
Thanks to its own butterfly effect, Silver Revolution has virtually no chance of escalating into a major event like the one in his previous life. He also doesn't know what changes might occur within this group. Could it be that Lothaire came to him this time seeking help?
While speculating, Han Xiao got up and left the office, walking down the corridor to the meeting room. On the Logistics Department, he called out to Reynold, who was working himself to the bone, and took him to see his sister, Lothaire.
Soon, the two arrived outside the reception room. The door opened with a whoosh, and they saw Lothaire, whom they hadn't seen in a long time.
"Long time no see."
Han Xiao gave a casual greeting and glanced at Lothaire.
After many years, Lothaire's appearance seemed largely unchanged. She wore an exquisite dark blue priestess robe and exuded a more composed demeanor than she had decades ago, bearing the marks of time.
"Yes, it's been many years. You've become a legendary figure renowned throughout the universe, and even the Three Universal Civilizations now consider you their number one danger. Thinking back to your honeymoon period with the Empire, it's truly a sad state of affairs." Lothaire smiled.
"What's there to lament? Different positions require different considerations. Things always develop in a spiral, with ups and downs being normal," Han Xiao replied casually as he sat down opposite Lothaire.
"This isn't a spiral upward, is it? If it weren't for the Sanctuary Revival you orchestrated, this era wouldn't be what it is now. As expected of you, you easily accomplished what I couldn't. Your ability to subvert the times is far stronger than mine. Don't you feel a sense of accomplishment?" Lothaire blinked, her tone teasing.
"You're not worthy of making me feel accomplished." Han Xiao laughed it off.
Lothaire wasn't angry. She smiled sweetly, turned to look at Reynold as if she had just seen him, and feigned surprise, "Oh, little brat, you're still alive! I thought you'd died from overwork long ago."
Reynold: "..."
Even though you're my older sister, if you keep talking nonsense, believe me, I'll give you my favorite slap!
Han Xiao shook his head and smiled, "Let's not talk about me. It's you, though. Decades have passed and you've barely made a peculiar move. The only thing you did for me was help me with a small favor in Modo. How's your so-called career going?"
"Nothing's going well. What you did indirectly hindered our business, so what else can we do... But that's none of my business anymore, I've already withdrawn."
Lothaire shrugged, her tone nonchalant, as if she didn't care at all about decades of fruitless efforts.
The Intelligence Plague incident solidified the hearts and minds of the Three Universal Civilizations, while the recent sanctions against the Beyond Grade A Association have garnered support from a large number of ordinary people who resent the powerful. Silver Revolution is unable to shake the foundation of the ordinary people in the Three Universal Civilizations, and its efforts have come to a standstill.
Han Xiao narrowed his eyes.
This woman actually withdrew from the Silver Revolution... This was somewhat unexpected.
So why did you come back to see me today?
Upon hearing this, Lothaire shrugged and smiled knowingly:
"I can't stay idle. I need to find a new job after losing my job. So, Commander, are you still going to take me on?"
"What will you do if I say I won't accept it?" Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.
"Then I'll have no choice but to pester you relentlessly..." Lothaire's eyes darted around, and she deliberately feigned a tearful expression. "Given our relationship, you wouldn't bear to see me fall for someone else, would you?"
"... Speak properly, don't say such incomprehensible things." Han Xiao coughed. "The Three Universal Civilizations are currently imposing sanctions on us, and your sudden return suggests you may have other intentions."
Lothaire clapped twice symbolically, a smirk playing on her lips. "As expected, you can't hide anything from you. You know my goal is to deal with the Three Universal Civilizations, but I've recently discovered that joining the Association seems to offer a better chance of success in this Three Universal Civilizations."
Han Xiao was speechless.
It seems that this is indeed the case. To some extent, the Beyond Grade A Association has already achieved some of the functions of the Silver Revolution in the previous life. Now, it has formed an opposing camp with the Three Universal Civilizations, and the commotion it has caused is not much smaller than that of the Silver Revolution.
Silver Revolution, however, made no progress, leading Lothaire to feel that the future was bleak. So she returned to her old employer to try a different approach to deal with the Three Universal Civilizations. Her goal remained the same, and given her personality, she was certainly capable of doing such a thing.
If this "key figure" leaves, Silver Revolution will only have a handful of cats and dogs left, and will have no chance to rise again.
This means that although he did not deliberately target Silver Revolution, the butterfly effect he created indirectly killed Silver Revolution, which was quite like collateral damage.
So, could it be considered that Lothaire abandoned darkness and embraced the light?
Han Xiao shook his head, emphasizing his words, and said:
"... Alright, since you're willing to brave the storm and return to the Legion, I can make an exception and take you in. However, from now on, you can no longer have any contact with the Silver Revolution. If you leave the Legion again, even with Reynold around, I won't give you the face to come back. Understand?"
He wouldn't mind recruiting Lothaire again. Although the woman's ideas were rather dangerous, her abilities were indeed rare and strategically significant. She was practically a trump card to overthrow the regime, and it was best to keep such a talent in his own hands.
"Okay, I won't leave you this time." Lothaire blinked, her tone ambiguous.
Upon hearing this, Reynold frowned immediately.
Something's not right with this woman. Is she trying to seduce Black Star and turn the legion commander into his brother-in-law?
Pah! Shameless!
Han Xiao remained unmoved, stood up, and said, "Alright, I'll have someone arrange your position later. You and your siblings haven't seen each other for many years, you must have a lot to talk about. I have other things to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
With that, he turned and walked out of the reception room, leaving behind a burly the Sight of Father's Back.
Watching Han Xiao walk away, Reynold turned to stare at Lothaire, frowning, and said, "I'm warning you, if you come back with any other ill intentions, I'll arrest you first!"
"You really don't trust your sister that much?" Lothaire raised an eyebrow.
"Hmph, I know you all too well!" Reynold said, arms crossed, expressionless. "Also, I advise you to show some respect to the legion commander. Subordinates should act like subordinates!"
"Wow, decades have passed, and you've become this loyal to Black Star?" Lothaire clicked her tongue in amazement, then suddenly her eyes lit up, and she lowered her voice, chuckling, "So, how about it, want another brother-in-law?"
"What are you going to do?" Reynold's brows furrowed even more.
"A man like Black Star, who can overturn the universe with a flick of his wrist, I think is a perfect match for me. What do you think?" Lothaire teased.
Reynold scoffed dismissively:
"There are enough people who covet Black Star's body to circle the base six times, and you? Get in line!"