Chapter 36: Chapter 33 Abnormal Strategy Bureau
Chapter 36: Chapter 33 Abnormal Strategy Bureau
"The Abnormal Strategy Bureau of Nanyun City replied yesterday, saying that their Seeder has already submitted a report to the Magic Kingdom and confirmed the existence of a Seeder registered under the name 'Moke,' although the related resume is completely blank."
Several days had passed since Emerald Sparrow defeated the pupal-stage Remnant Beast. Lin Yun and Hong Siyu were driving together towards the Abnormal Strategy Bureau.
Flipping through the documents in her hand, Hong Siyu sat in the car, her voice flat as she said, "Regarding the disappearance of Fangting City's former Seeder 'Nini,' the kingdom's response was 'a case has been filed, please contact the new Magical Girl to continue the previous investigation'? Strange, was this matter already reported to the kingdom before? And they don't plan to send any reinforcements?"
"... I expected as much; it's probably related to me."
Hearing Hong Siyu's words, Lin Yun, who was driving, suddenly spoke up with a sigh, "When I retired, I should have erased my name directly from the investigation agency."
His identity as a Magical Girl was a hidden card for the local Abnormal Strategy Bureau, but not so much for the Magic Kingdom.
Magical Girls in the material world gain their power and, after serving for ten years, will come to their retirement period. At this stage, they have two choices: one is to join the Magic Kingdom, which is abundant in magic power, to become a native of the kingdom, thereby solving issues like magic power decline and continue serving as a Magical Girl; the other is to stay in the material world, but retire from the identity of a Magical Girl, become an ordinary person, and receive a generous financial package from the kingdom, enough to ensure financial freedom for the latter half of their lives and lead a peaceful and happy life.
Most Magical Girls, tired from ten years of battle, choose to retire. There are also those who do not wish to give up their magic power or their youthful appearance who decide to settle in the Magic Kingdom. But regardless of the choice, a record is left with the kingdom.
Besides the rules mentioned above, there is actually an exception, known as "Lifetime Magical Girl."
When a Magical Girl earns enough merit on significant occasions, the royal court will host a ceremony to bestow this title upon her. From then on, neither aging nor illness will cause her to lose the power of the Magical Girl, and the choice to stay in the kingdom or the material world is left to them.
Lin Yun and An Ya were actually both exceptions to this rule.
As a result, even though Lin Yun had long registered to cease activities, his codename still remained on the list of the royal court and the investigation agency, even noting his retirement location in Fangting City.
More detailed information would not be stored there, but it was enough to let people know that Fangting City had an "old predecessor."
"Predecessor, are you very familiar with the investigation agency?" Having gone through the normal retirement process, the former Magical Girl Hong Siyu turned her head with some confusion.
"After all, I held the title of Patrol Envoy and had some dealings with them in the past."
Gripping the steering wheel, Lin Yun muttered to himself in astonishment, "I can even guess who made the decision."
"So no reinforcements then?" Hong Siyu rested against the back of her seat with the documents in her arms.
"It means that from now on, we can just consider looking for new people," Lin Yun replied with equal resignation.
However, it was better for them not to send anyone, he thought. After all, he didn't want to renew contact with some "old acquaintances."
"Looking for new people... there are only three of us now," Hong Siyu counted on her fingers, "Wouldn't it be better to have a few more?"
"I don't know, and, when counting people, don't include me."
Lin Yun corrected with a look of discomfort, "I don't want others to know about my comeback."
"Alright, alright—I've heard you say that so many times my ears could grow calluses."
Hong Siyu pretended to cover her ears, fudging over it with an indistinct reply, "But if you continue to act, word will get out eventually, right?"
"Then we'll deal with that when it happens."
Lin Yun set the tone for the conversation with that remark, and for the rest of the trip, the two did not broach that topic again.
As the car gradually approached its destination, the imposing building of the Abnormal Strategy Bureau slowly came into view.
The existence of the Abnormal Strategy Bureau was not a secret; however, its mode of operation varied depending on the city.
In Fangting City, the Abnormal Strategy Bureau operated openly as an official organization, with its office boldly situated in the midst of the city.
The car passed the security checkpoint, where Hong Siyu showed his work credentials to the guard, and after a brief verification, they were granted entry into the office area of the Abnormal Strategy Bureau.
Lin Yun, while adjusting the steering wheel, looked through the window at the building not far off, his mind teeming with thoughts.
His request for a meeting had been accepted by the Abnormal Strategy Bureau several days ago, and not only that, this meeting was arranged to take place within the bureau, where he would be received by the current director.
Without a doubt, the director's personal involvement in the conversation meant the matter was receiving considerable attention; however, whether this attention was well-intentioned or had an ulterior motive, he did not yet know.
"Relax, don't look so tense as if facing a great enemy, our director isn't that stern," Hong Siyu remarked with a somewhat frivolous tone as he walked into the building beside Lin Yun. "The old lady is quite talkative, whatever you want to ask, just go ahead and ask."
"Your opinion of her seems pretty good?"
Scanning a few key points of his attire, Lin Yun responded with some surprise, "Usually over the phone, you have a litany of complaints about your colleagues at the Abnormal Strategy Bureau; I thought there weren't many people there you held in high regard."
"Shush! Don't talk like that here at the office!"
Hong Siyu immediately signaled for him to be quiet, and after making sure no one was around, he slapped Lin Yun lightly, "You're scaring me. If a colleague heard that, wouldn't they think I was badmouthing them behind their backs?"
"I think the word here should be 'exposing' rather than 'misunderstanding'."
When they reached the elevator and Lin Yun pressed the button to go up, he looked at Hong Siyu and asked, "Which floor?"
"The eleventh floor," Hong Siyu replied, then added, "When I first started working here, I was quite looked after by the director. It's evident that she's a person with a lot of ideas. As someone who doesn't possess magic power and can't reach the extraordinary, she's really trying her best in many aspects."
"Really?" Lin Yun's expression remained unchanged, but his interest in the upcoming meeting grew stronger.
The elevator ascended swiftly amidst a mechanical hum, with the numbers on the display screen rapidly changing, and in a short while, they reached the designated eleventh floor.
The two exited the elevator, and Lin Yun followed Hong Siyu towards the interior of the floor. After turning a corner, they saw a pair of imposing wooden swing doors on the wall.
Hong Siyu knocked on the door gently, and after a voice from inside called "Come in," he looked at Lin Yun beside him, then gestured for him to precede with a "please" gesture. Thus, Lin Yun straightened his collar and walked into the office behind the swing doors alone.
What caught his eye was a full floor-to-ceiling window, bookcases standing solemnly against the walls on either side, and a massive desk in the center.
And behind the desk, a standing elderly lady who was bowing slightly in greeting to him.
—"Good day, Mr. Lin Yun."