“Why is our team called the Flaming Squad? Is it because all three of us are fire attribute?”
A young woman, along with several other young men and women, asked.
“It’s got a little to do with it, but not that much. When the squad was first formed, you weren’t even Tier Three yet, Fenghua.”
Everyone let out friendly laughter.
Today was to celebrate the squad member Yu Fenghua’s successful promotion to Tier Three, and it was also the day before their first team mission. The group gathered at a modest restaurant on the outskirts, uncorked a bottle of mild red wine, and considered it both a celebration and a pre-departure feast.
“Then why are we really called the Starfire Squad?”
After downing more than half a glass of red wine, the young woman still couldn’t let go of the question.
“It’s because of the kind of missions our squad takes on, I suppose—they’re rather sharp-edged. In this world, there are so many places thick with filth that haven’t been swept clean. We’re like tiny sparks, burning them away one by one.”
The one who said this was the Team Captain of Starfire Squad, a short-haired woman who, though not much older than the others, gave off a reliable air.
She said this because the squad’s tasks were always at the core—if not eliminating mountain bandits, then clearing out lurking evil parties.
“After we’ve burned all the garbage away, what will the world look like?” The young woman asked.
The Team Captain smiled. “We’re just little sparks—tiny flickers of fire in the night sky. How could we possibly think about burning everything clean? Still, no matter what, at least it’ll be better than now.”
Just then, the Captain remembered something to tell everyone: “Right, this time our mission will be a little easier. We might not have to fight at all. We just need to safely escort someone to the city.”
The young woman froze in place, an inexplicable fear rising inside her, tears streaming uncontrollably.
“Don’t go…”
“What?”
“Don’t go… You can’t go!”
The vision blurred!
“Teacher Yu, it’s noon. I’ve left lunch at your door. Remember to eat later.”
From outside came Cheng Chen’s voice.
Yu Yan quietly wiped away her tears, pulled out the sand-stained handkerchief hidden at the branch, and put it back into her jacket pocket.
After all, it was all in the past now.
“At school it’s one thing, but how did you manage to sleep till noon even when traveling?!” Xu Chuyao scolded Xiao Si Nuo, who had just rushed over to eat, “Really, you shouldn’t do that!”
“Even the class rep got up early.”
Xiao Si Nuo didn’t argue back, mainly because he was hungry. He ate and drank as he listened to the scolding. Only after finishing did he have the energy to defend himself: “Officer Li, I really didn’t play games last night. I stayed up late researching—about that Mon… whatever it’s called.”
“Monrose?” Xu Chuyao perked up. “Then you actually did something useful. Quick, tell us what you found.”
A white-haired girl who had been quietly reading looked up at her, and spoke softly, “It’s Monrose.”
“Right, Monrose.” Xiao Si Nuo wiped his mouth clean with a napkin. “He’s been operating in this city for many years, so there’s a lot about him. They say Monrose has been Director of the Judicial Department for years, keeps work and private life strictly separate, incorruptible and upright. One day, he…”
“Hold it,” Xu Chuyao raised her hand, “skip the local fables and touching anecdotes—tell us something with more objectivity.”
“Objectively, then, let me think… Well, let’s talk about his career. I checked the archives of Yingxunsi City’s national library for this.”
While his record might be polished a bit, the general facts shouldn’t be too far off. All in all, there probably wasn’t anything fabricated out of thin air.
Monrose is already over a hundred years old—a venerable age even ‘elderly’ can’t describe. He lived through the chaotic era, the Pacification War, and now the post-war present. Naturally, his life is filled with both hardship and fortune.
According to the library’s documents, after his awakening in his youth, he held a set area, fought off countless invading warlords, and even killed many mutated monsters in the local area.
He stayed true to his heart during the turbulent times. In the Pacification War, he sided with the right people and made his contributions.
Later, he took charge of the Judicial Department, putting all the war criminals on trial. Now, in the aftermath, he spends most of his time serving in Pilos City, working tirelessly, famously strict and impartial.
In summary, his merits and faults break about even… But that’s the record in the books. The reality is probably that he established his own faction early on, stood with the right side in the middle, and now enjoys his power in his twilight years.
“Worth mentioning—he also took part in establishing the Conquest Department,” Xiao Si Nuo added.
“According to records, the first few batches in the Conquest Department were all old subordinates of Monrose, and he also gave input on defense lines. The library’s account says that, at the time, no one knew more about the Human Defense Line than he did.”
Xu Chuyao raised an eyebrow, “He knows the defense lines? What about the Equator Defense Line?”
Li Yao had been planning to write an article about the Equator Defense Line. Could it be that Monrose had a hand in that as well?
“That was in the past—nowadays, he probably doesn’t keep up,” Xiao Si Nuo shook his head. “A few years ago, because of personnel shifts, the major defense lines all got restructured, so the responsibilities are completely different now.”
“I see.”
Anyway, one thing’s clear—Monrose definitely has ties to the Conquest Department, so it’s possible he’s connected to Li Yao’s case.
There wasn’t much else to discuss. As for Yichen Sand, Xu Chuyao told Shen Ning to keep holding onto it; she didn’t want to try it now. After all, even if she did, it’d just be like getting hit by a truck all over again—hardly appealing.
Two days later, Li Yao finally received the last summons from the Interrogation Office, and Monrose himself would be present.
Everyone got up in the morning, set off together, and arrived at their destination. The four of them got out of the car at once.
Except for Xu Chuyao, Yu Yan, Cheng Chen, and Shen Zhi were all waiting at the entrance of the Interrogation Office. Xiao Si Nuo, whose strength was well-hidden, went to park the car.
“Don’t worry, he’s not going to make trouble here.”
Even though Li Yao had brought all her team’s firepower, she didn’t think there’d be a fight—because Monrose wanted to live. Whether he could extend his life was another matter, but he surely wouldn’t seek his own end.
The familiar Director and a few others were waiting at the entrance, smiling as they welcomed them inside.
“Miss Xu, please come with me. Salier Lord has been waiting for you for a long time.”
“For a long time?” Xu Chuyao smiled sarcastically, “He’s so old—what’s he doing up so early? Hope he doesn’t blame me for tiring him out.”
The Director was momentarily speechless.
The truth was, Monrose hadn’t arrived long ago. When he came, he looked a bit unwell, as if facing a major headache.
Of course, the Director would never tell the girl about this—it’d sound far too sentimental. Salier Lord always said he was going to retire, but for now, he hadn’t stepped down.
So, just how long until he really retires?
“Here we are, Miss Xu, please go in.”