TN: And we're back! sorry for the week long hiatus, it was not intentional since I had to get my right leg in a cast after tripping 3 floors down a stairwell (like an idiot ://) and be unable to use my PC setup upstairs BUT I should be OK now.
Anyways, Thanks for Arcanic Madness, WeissAkumu and WolfWTF for becoming as Supporters!,
===BREAK===
"The identity of the Proxy has been confirmed. Please come with us."
Yanagi put on a professional, official demeanor.
Hearing that she was being taken into custody, Belle cast a pitiful glance at Arden.
She felt that, here, the only person who could save her was her student Yiji's husband—Arden Xu of Yunkui Summit.
Sensing her gaze, Arden paused his teasing of Nekomata with the Beast Ration Pills. However, facing Belle's plea, he simply pressed his hand downward in a calming gesture, signaling her to stay calm.
In Arden's view, the Proxy's identity was not a big deal. Even Zhu Yuan and Qingyi, as Public Security officers, had no intention of interfering upon learning Belle was a Proxy. Hollow Special Operations Section Six's responsibilities only covered Hollow-related matters.
Even though Hollows and Proxies were connected, back at Scott Outpost, the Hollow Special Operations Section Six knew Yiji was a Proxy too, yet they didn't intervene.
Arden suspected that Yanagi suddenly demanding to take Belle away must have another plan.
"She's just an old acquaintance working with us Cunning Hares—she really has nothing to do with the case!"
Arden didn't panic, but Nicole did.
She hadn't anticipated that the people she called in weren't the elephants, but wolves. If Belle were actually taken away, Nicole would become a criminal in history—after all, it was she who brought the Hollow Special Operations Section Six into the village.
"New Eridu is currently at a critical point in the municipal elections. All functional heads are gathered together. Any slip-up could shake the very foundation of the city."
Miyabi explained. Clearly, whatever Yanagi was about to do had her approval. Otherwise, the methodical deputy section chief wouldn't have acted so abruptly.
"Of course I understand! That's why I asked you to help uncover the hidden hand. But why involve an innocent person?"
Nicole was going crazy. She couldn't comprehend—so what if Belle was a Proxy? Most of the people here had done some illegal or improper things themselves. How did that relate to Bringer being a villain?
In Nicole's eyes, the Hollow Special Operations Section Six completely missed the point!
At this stage, Arden looked at Nicole with slight surprise, and at the steadfast figures beside her: Anby, Billy, and Mana. He hadn't expected the Cunning Hares to be even more loyal than he imagined—they could have stayed on the sidelines, but instead, Nicole stood firm against the Hollow Special Operations Section Six, and the other members trusted her decision.
Arden felt a little envious, though… there wasn't much to be envious about.
If it were me instead of Nicole, Yixuan and Ju Fufu would also stand firmly on my side, right?
Arden's bond with his wives had been tested through life-and-death experiences—not any less solid than the loyalty of the Cunning Hares.
"You've only shown us a fragment of a conspiracy story, and the full picture could take any form," Miyabi continued patiently. "The truth you advocate is just one version. Any potential threat to the city must be completely eradicated—that is the creed of HAND."
Miyabi was not as simple-minded as Nicole thought. At least now, she considered many aspects. The label of a martial fanatic was only a one-dimensional view of her.
"But this person really isn't a bad guy, nor a threat!"
"Evil must be eradicated. What constitutes evil… we decide. Even if this person is not inherently evil, they may hold critical information about the case. Your current protective stance only reinforces that belief."
"Belle is one of us. No matter what, you won't take her away!"
"We are taking her. What are you going to do about it?!"
Both sides were on the verge of an all-out fight.
"Enough! Quiet down, this isn't a market!"
At that moment, Arden shouted, his aura surpassing even the Void Hunter's presence. The sheer force of it froze the entire scene.
All eyes turned to Arden.
"Good!"
Seeing both sides calm down, Arden nodded in satisfaction. "I think—"
Before he could finish his sentence…
Bang, bang, bang… swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
Rapid, violent gunfire suddenly erupted, accompanied by the launch of rockets.
Arden turned his head to see a torrent of bullets cutting through the air toward everyone, interspersed with several RPGs.
Miyabi reacted faster than the bullets.
With a single drawn strike, she slashed across the air, cutting down a dozen incoming rounds.
Shattered metal bullets scattered across the ground, mixed with substances resembling gunpowder, though in different colors.
"As sharp as steel!"
Almost simultaneously, Arden unleashed several streaks of golden light, destroying the RPGs midair.
Boom, boom, boom~!
"They hired rebels."
Miyabi sheathed her blade. This level of attack was minor to her—but the source of the attack was critical.
"Gun- and RPG-wielding Rebels…"
Arden couldn't help but comment.
Indeed, the seemingly 'dull' Miyabi was far more endearing.
"From the sound and type of ammunition, they seem to be Falcon Ether Rifles—the rebels' favorite. Durable, versatile, and compatible with special rounds."
Hidden behind cover, Zhu Yuan gave a professional assessment.
She didn't understand sword techniques, but her knowledge of firearms was unmatched even by Miyabi and Arden.
Just as Arden couldn't compete with Miyabi on swords, Miyabi couldn't understand Taoist arts—each had their own specialty.
"Rebels? Where did they come from?"
Arden pressed Yiji and Belle under the table, remaining alert.
At first, he thought they were from Bringer—Public Security officers or hired thugs—but didn't expect the rebels to be mobilized as well.
Rebels, in terms of firepower, were militarily trained—far more dangerous than Public Security or thugs.
"They probably intend to silence Perlman!"
Nicole hid behind Billy, while Mana stayed behind Nicole. Only Billy's steel body provided a sense of security.
"If you're taking Perlman, don't turn Blazewood into a battlefield and harm civilians."
Qingyi agreed with Nicole. This group of rebels was ninety-nine percent coming for Perlman.
If the rebels realized that Miyabi and Arden—the two prodigies—were here, they wouldn't dare attack lightly; it would be suicide.
"Qu-quick, protect me!"
Hearing Qingyi's assessment, Perlman panicked.
He knew Bringer's faction would never let him go easily—and he didn't know which wretched person had leaked information.
At this moment, Perlman desperately wished Arden could cast a divination for him, to see his fortune, and ensure this master of Yunkui Summit kept him alive.
===BREAK===
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