[10:45] [Police Station Conference Room]

“…… Sorry, let me go to the toilet. ”

With that, Dudley ignored the stunned faces of the higher-ups and left on his own.

At the police station, a meeting begins over whether Kia should be handed over or not.

Even now, as it is, the police station is as inefficient as ever, and only now, it has just entered the subject.

Dudley's face was reflected in the bathroom mirror, like a lost dog.

"the ...... of the X"

As if angry, he took out a handful of ice water from the faucet and splashed it on his face.

The intention of the top brass of the police department was unexpectedly unanimous, that is, Kia should be handed over in exchange for peace.

"Isn't it great that one person can be sacrificed in exchange for the stability of everyone."

So said a certain high-level person.

Bastard bastard bastard!

Dudley was so angry that he wanted to pull out a gun and make a hole in his head.

It's hard to imagine that the police would seriously consider such a thing!

It is international common sense not to compromise with terrorists. Do these bastards who only have power struggles in their minds really think that handing over a child will solve everything?

If it is really handed over, not to mention the dignity and order of the police, the police, who have lost their sole use, will of course be eliminated. Because there is no use value anymore.

Moreover, this kind of thing, once there is, there will be a second ......

Ah, speaking of which, this kid shouldn't be the "first time".

Dudley couldn't help but think back to the archives he had read from twenty or thirty years ago. At that time, there were more than a dozen "accidents" almost every year. The deceased were either imperial or republican, or honest people who were serious and responsible and genuinely considered for Crossbell......

You guys! How far do you want to destroy the dignity of the police!

Dudley looked at himself in the mirror, embarrassed.

"Alex? Dudley...... is a search officer. Attached to the Crossbell Police Station, Search Section 1. ”

He silently read his name.

"I, absolutely not, this kind of thing, appear in Cross Bell."

Determined, Dudley hurried back to the conference room.

As soon as Gelon spoke, all the eyes of the conference room were focused on him.

Dudley represents the Search Division, and if he can agree, then it is basically a unanimous agreement from the upper echelons of the police department. Therefore, almost all the top brass looked at him with eager eyes.

"Guys—I would never agree with that. Okay, let's move on to the discussion. ”

――――――

"Kia, will you be taken away?"

Outside the conference room, Lloyd and the other four accompanied Qiya. The child, who was always cheerful, was now sitting gloomily on Lloyd's lap, without energy.

She also somewhat understands that all these tragedies today seem to be caused by herself.

"No, it won't. I won't let anyone take you by force. Kia, you can decide whether you want to stay or go by your own will. ”

Lloyd comforted her, pressing his face against Kia's long, soft green hair.

"Well, and me too."

Ellie also expressed her will gently.

"If Kia doesn't laugh, then it's boring."

Randy grinned and gave her a thumbs up.

Theo nodded silently and expressed his wish with a warm hug.

"Big, everybody......"

"Kia, do you want to leave us?"

Lloyd's gentle voice.

"Kia...... Kia don't! Kia wants to be with Lloyd! Together with Support Division! Together forever! ”

"Ah, let's do it. We will protect your ......"

Lloyd tried his best to hold the trembling child in his arms.

And...... I don't know exactly what he's doing, but if it's you, there's no doubt that he's paving the way for us. In our own way, we are looking for ways to break the status quo.

――――――

【10:10am】【Crossbell City】

"You, aren't we really going to join Lloyd?"

Noelle asked the same thing for the fourth time.

"No, no."

Yu Tatsumi gave the same answer for the fourth time.

The first three times, Noelle stopped the topic here, and this time, it seems that he can't help it.

"So, why?"

"It's simple. Even if we were to merge and become seven, it wouldn't help. ”

With the help of the flow, you re-medicate the body. Half-naked upper body with unsightly scars stacked on the skin.

"But ......"

"There is strength in numbers. But you have to understand that now many people are enemies. Rubache said that there are also 500 people in Cross Bell, the elite force is about 300 people, and there should be people in the garrison who are controlled, the number is unknown. But certainly more than us... Hiss-"

Flow accidentally touched the wound on Yu Tatsumi's left rib that would not heal, and the pain made him gasp.

"What's wrong?"

Noelle was concentrating on driving, and he couldn't see him in the rearview mirror, so he could only ask out loud.

"It's fine, it hurts a little when you treat the wound - to continue, in terms of numbers, we are still at a disadvantage when we go. Therefore, we should not simply choose 'convergence', but should take the most efficient approach. ”

"So, what's the most efficient?"

"Of course it is - to restore communications."

"Really?!"

Noelle turned around excitedly, and his majestic face was full of anticipation at this time.

"Drive well! ――I'm not sure, but if it's just a method, I do. ”

Yu Tatsumi took care of the wound and began to put his clothes back on, listening to the sound of the cloth behind him, Noelle tried his best not to let himself think about his body.

"Joachim's method is to destroy the leylines and generate powerful conductive waves to interfere with communications. So, just calm the earth pulses. Although I have mastered the corresponding arts...... However, I have never tried to use this technique on such a vast land. So, I don't know if it has any effect. ”

You Chensi said, showing a wry smile.

"Also, I don't have enough rune paper. Whether it will succeed or not, I don't know. ”

“…… That's ......."

Noelle responded to him with some frustration. But soon she rekindled her hope, and maybe she would succeed, right?

"Huh?!"

Noelle suddenly exclaimed, and before You Tatsumi could ask her what was wrong, she immediately stepped on the brakes, and the two of them fell to the floor by inertia.

"What's wrong?!"

"Someone!"

Noelle explained as he pulled out his submachine gun.

"Hey, it's for Lao Tzu inside—"

An extremely unpleasant voice came from outside the door.

"Since you see that Lao Tzu will choose to brake, it means that you haven't been controlled yet, right? Open the door to Lao Tzu, he X, Lao Tzu is a friendly army. ”

Listening to these vulgar words, Noelle and You Chensi were both shocked.

"Vincent?!"