Chapter 1143: Chapter 6: Forming an Alliance

Rest... truly a comforting word.

Walking through the narrow corridor, after a conversation with Lebius, a handover of work, and various orders from the Decision Room, Bologue finally got a moment of rest from nearly a month of high-intensity combat.

But suddenly feeling relaxed, Bologue felt like he had lost his goal, his eyes filled with confusion, not knowing where to go. In a daze, he even started to miss his early days on the job, when he was carefree compared to now.

But that’s unavoidable. As one’s Tier rises and authority expands, even if Bologue maintains his inner essence, the changes in the world are beyond his control.

With a gentle wave of his hand, Ether wandered and lingered at Bologue’s fingertips. Although he hadn’t been a Negative Power User for long, Bologue could clearly perceive the increase in his strength.

This was not an illusion but a real change. When Bologue rescued Yoni at the Ethereal Vortex Point disaster site, the amplification of this power was even more obvious.

Bologue knew where this change came from; it was due to the rise in Ether’s concentration.

In the past, if the Ether that Condensers could mobilize in the environment was just a stream, now, in the current environment, casually triggering an Alchemy Matrix could unleash the power of a mountain flood.

Just like a countdown.

The more power Bologue gained, the more uneasy he felt. It was hard to imagine what the world would look like in the future...

No, actually, Bologue had already seen it.

At the place where he found Yoni, Bologue saw bizarre scenes—the forest fell in patches, the clouds were pierced, the sunlight was so intense that it almost scorched everything it touched.

Fortunately, the disaster site was a primeval forest. If it had erupted in a city, Bologue couldn’t imagine the devastation.

"Take a break, Bologue, you can’t just keep thinking about work." Bologue rubbed his temples, muttering to himself.

Bologue was a pure person. The word pure, as a prefix, could describe many of Bologue’s qualities.

A pure assassin, a pure thug, a pure expert, and purely...

Bologue didn’t continue to think. He knew what he should do next. After all, he was such a pure person that, apart from work, he had only a few other matters to attend to.

...

The Sublimation Furnace Core, while serving as the Order Bureau’s technical center, also functioned as its equipment production workshop. Several automated assembly lines were set up within it, providing a continuous supply of standard armaments for the Field Staff.

Aimou sat in her office, reviewing file after file with her head down. To be honest, reviewing documents was a highly challenging task for her. She was always fearful of making mistakes, so she had to read each document several times.

A Steel Body doesn’t tire, but the individual’s mind and spirit inevitably feel exhausted. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Aimou sighed. Even though she had been in this position for almost two months, she still found it hard to adapt to such a work-life. Although having her own office was quite pleasing, Aimou still missed the days and nights spent in the lab.

"I know, little sister, you are very dedicated to research, but as a researcher, you can’t just focus on technical studies."

Belli’s voice echoed in her mind. Just thinking of her voice, Aimou could picture her smug smile and how she would raise her arms to hug her head.

"After all, just having brains isn’t enough in research; it also burns money. So where the money comes from is a very serious problem."

Amidst Belli’s mischievous laughter, Aimou was promoted. Besides her usual research projects, she took on many administrative tasks, such as grant applications.

Aimou once thought she was somewhat sensitive to numbers, but after tallying accounts for a few days, she started to get dizzy at the sight of numbers.

Applying for funding is an art, and Belli was undoubtedly a master artist.

Aimou couldn’t imagine how Belli managed to keep the Sublimation Furnace Core running smoothly while skimming so many accounts from the funds.

Just as Aimou was struggling with the accounts, a knock was heard at the door, and without lifting her head, Aimou said.

"Please come in."

A figure walked in, naturally pulled up a chair, and sat opposite Aimou. Lifting her head, Aimou saw Bologue’s face.

The two exchanged a glance, their expressions extremely calm, maintaining a corresponding silence.

After a long time, Bologue finally forced himself to speak the first words.

"Sorry, I meant to bring back some gifts," Bologue pondered, recalling scenes from movies, "but work has been so hectic, either involved in cutting people or on the way to cutting people. The villages and towns I passed through were completely destroyed, not to mention souvenirs or gifts, nothing was left but ashes."

"Oh," Aimou nodded, "it’s alright... have you just returned?"

"Hmm, just got back."

After Bologue finished, they fell into an eerie silence again.

The Decay Plague incident changed many things, like dispelling the Great Rift’s haze, promoting many people, and perhaps advancing Bologue and Aimou’s relationship...?

Bologue still remembers that night vividly. After a scream, Aimou abruptly opened the door, her eyes filled with streaming garbled text, indicating her extreme panic at the moment.

One stood inside the door, the other outside. They exchanged a glance; Bologue had a calm face, while Aimou’s face turned visibly red. She wanted to say something, but only wheezing breaths came out, and in a rush, she even resorted to sign language, but unfortunately, Bologue couldn’t understand her gestures.

After nearly ten minutes of calming down, Aimou finally caught her breath and asked Bologue seriously.

"Are you serious? Is this not some strange joke?"

Aimou was utterly bewildered. She fantasized about bridging their gap through a movie marathon but never expected Bologue’s surprise counter. Should it be said he is indeed an expert? Even in such matters, he excels effortlessly.

"Hmm..."

Bologue hesitated for a moment, puzzled, "Do I need to provide a formal written report?"

Within the Order Bureau, for safety reasons, office romances aren’t encouraged but aren’t outright banned.

"Ah?"

Aimou found her mind a mess and couldn’t predict Bologue’s next actions.

"Then... then..."

Aimou tried to calm herself down, first by controlling her facial muscles and then by stabilizing her emotions. She strived to immerse herself in Bologue’s logical way of thinking.

That efficient, cold, even somewhat mechanized logical thinking.

"Then... are we supposed to engage in some intimate gesture to practically confirm our close relationship?" Aimou asked tentatively.

To this, Bologue thought for a moment, furrowing his brows, clearly giving a negative answer to Aimou’s response with his expression.

Aimou’s rationality was further shattered. She tried matching Bologue’s thoughts, but why was the actual outcome entirely different from her expectations?

Aimou murmured, "Is there something wrong?"

Bologue asked earnestly, "And what about you, Aimou?"

"Me? What?"

Aimou pointed to herself, looking clueless.

"Although I think you harbor similar feelings toward me, I’d like to confirm it myself to prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings."

Bologue claimed not to be adept at administrative tasks, yet his words seemed like a model official document.

"So..." Bologue drew out the sound, not continuing further.

"So I feel the same as you!"

Aimou tried to keep her composure, but evidently, she failed.

"Hmm, not bad. This can be the foundation for forming a close relationship."

Saying this, Bologue extended a hand; Aimou, somewhat foggy-headed, also extended her hand, and they shook gently.

Aimou suddenly found it strange; it didn’t resemble a heartfelt revelation but an alliance agreement formalizing a close partnership.

Aimou even wondered if Bologue would pull out a contract for her to sign next... Sometimes, Bologue’s quirky nature was quite offbeat, making one want to laugh and cry.

"Want to go out for a walk?" Bologue invited.

"I’m somewhat nervous and a bit excited, elated," Bologue said with a calm demeanor, uttering words in stark contrast. "Based on my understanding of you, Aimou, you must feel the same... It’s not like we can sleep anyway; is that okay?"

Aimou blinked, checked Bologue’s physiological values, and looked at his facial expression. She started to wonder if Bologue was indeed expressive at all.

But none of these mattered, and Aimou nodded vigorously.

"Of course!"