"Yo, welcome to Uncle Ben's castle!"

As soon as he opened Randy's door, he saw Randy's whole body sunk into the soft orange couch, he casually put on a black shirt and brown-gray trousers, and his hair was not tied up, just loose and loose on his shoulders. At this time, Randy was leaning on the sofa with Erlang's legs crossed, raising one hand to greet Lloyd, and holding the latest issue of "Midnight Kiss" in the other.

"Did you come to me so soon to borrow a magazine?"

Randy said with an incomprehensible smile. Lloyd quickly denied: "How is it possible." ”

"Haha, whatever it is, sit down and talk about it beforehand." Randy said as he put the magazine aside, patted the back of the couch, and motioned for Lloyd to sit down.

Randy's room was a lot rougher than Ellie's. The orange sofa that takes up a lot of space is the kind that is common in bars, and can accommodate about four or five people together. In front of the sofa is a low table, on which unfinished whiskey and magazines are piled up, and how many playing cards can be vaguely seen in it?

The rest of the décor didn't change much, as the size of the room itself severely limited the number of decorations. Still, Randy fills his desk with his collection of beers. There is also a cabinet in the corner dedicated to various magazines, and it seems that the part of the table is taken out from there for temporary reading.

Lloyd was also not polite and made it on the couch, which was polite to a person of Randy's personality and was a kind of alienation.

The touch, is it really good?

Feeling the comfortable touch of the sofa, Lloyd, who was sitting next to Randy, asked, "Looks like Randy has already come to a conclusion, right?" ”

"Huh? Is it about resignation? Randy said, with a hearty smile on his face, adding, "It seems that there is not much work for copywriters, and the atmosphere is relatively relaxed, which suits my personality very well." Also, it's easy to work and live together, so I'm ready to stay. ”

"Yes......" Lloyd nodded thoughtfully.

"Looks like you're still confused, huh?" Randy said and patted Lloyd on the shoulder. "You don't want to waste your hard-earned qualifications as an investigator in a place like this, do you?"

"Haha, there's a reason for that, too. What's more...... I always feel that I am getting farther and farther away from my original goal......" Lloyd said, his expression slowly becoming heavy and a little depressed.

"The original goal?"

Randy asked curiously, and Lloyd scratched his head and prevaricated a little embarrassedly, "This...... Actually, it's not a big deal - why was Randy assigned here? You seem to be older than us, but you didn't go to police school, did you? ”

Randy naturally understood that he didn't really want to say it now, or that he didn't know what to say it himself. Shrugging his shoulders absently, Randy raised an eyebrow and replied, "That's right...... Why was I assigned here......"

Randy made a serious look and asked, "Do you really want to hear it?" ”

Lloyd nodded: "If you don't mind." ”

Randy continued to maintain a serious expression and said, "Since you want to hear it so much, there is no way to do it. Actually......"

In fact?

Lloyd swallowed a little nervously. Is there really something hidden?

"Actually, it's all the fault of the relationship between women~Oops~~ I have been stepping on many boats at my previous place of work, and I was finally dismantled."

Quite different from the seriousness just now, Randy explained with a prank-stricken-witting smile. As for how credible it is, I don't know.

"Just when I was about to be fired, my uncle took me in, this is also the guidance of the goddess of emptiness, right?"

Randy...... Definitely kidding me......

Lloyd was naturally not stupid enough to believe it, so he decisively skipped the topic: "So, where did Randy work before?" ”

"Oh, it's the garrison. Specifically, it is the border gate west of Crossbell, in the direction of the Empire, which seems to be called ...... Belgard Gate, you know, right? I was supposed to stay over there. ”

"Garrison...... I see. No wonder you can handle such a large axe and gun with ease. There was a hint of admiration in Lloyd's tone.

The Krosbel Autonomous Oblast, because of its peculiarities, was not allowed to have an army under pressure from both the Reich and the Republic. To compensate for this, Crossbell set up a garrison. By its nature, the garrison is the "army". However, compared to the conventional army, the armament is weaker, and there are many restrictions on movement.

It is precisely because of this that the training of the garrison is very rigorous. When it comes to combat effectiveness, it can be said that it gathers many combat elites of Cross Bell.

Lloyd's martial arts instructor at the police academy was a member of the garrison, a master of using a guided axe gun. At the beginning of training, one person won a landslide victory against all the trainees.

If Randy is in the same department as him, then it is not difficult to understand Randy's strong strength-based tactics.

"After all, I've always been near the border, and there's nothing else to do other than training and patrolling."

If you are familiar with Randy, you will know that now this red-haired man with a helpless face has no truth in his mouth at all. Not to mention the extremely perfunctory attitude in training and patrolling, even if he has spare time, he has not done any combat training, basically spent sleeping and playing cards, if the rest is longer, maybe he will take the guide bus to Cross Bell's casino to play until late at night.

"In this way, if you work in the city, you can go to places like Happy Street to have fun! It's the right choice to leave the garrison~" Randy said with a heartfelt smile.

This time it's the truth. It's heaven to be able to work so close to entertainment venues – and, judging by previous information, to be running around the city and maybe skipping work.

"Haha, this mood is understandable......" Lloyd could only laugh.

"Oh-oh?! We're a good match. Randy said this, putting one hand around Lloyd's shoulder, leaning into his ear, and mysteriously lowering his voice: "Anyway, I've found several shops with sexy beauties!" If you officially become a companion, do you want to go together? The eldest lady looks stubborn, and children can't make appointments, which can be regarded as men's entertainment! ”

Randy's body is full of the smell of men's shampoo, and the rich fragrance wraps his body, it seems that he is still using a rather high-end brand?

After Randy finished speaking, he laughed as if he had been poked by himself, and laughed as he pulled away.

Lloyd was also infected, and smiled: "Understood, I'll think about it." ”

With that, Lloyd took his leave and left Randy's room.

It seems that all three of them have come to their own conclusions. Am I the only one who is confused?

Chaotic thoughts once again wrapped tightly around Lloyd, like weeds, dragging him towards the abyss known as Chaos.

No, it's starting to drill again......

"Let's go out and blow the wind."

Saying this to himself, Lloyd walked towards the main entrance. Although the second floor of the building also had a door to the outside, Lloyd opted for the main entrance. The reason for this was not very clear to him, but he suddenly felt the urge to go back along the route he had come.

Open the door, lean against the railing, and let the cool breeze blow across his face.

It's so comfortable......

I used to be able to get the wind on the roof, but the wind over there always felt much colder than here.

Looking to the side, on West Street, an old brick and stone apartment like the support department building was lit up in orange red.

"'Belheim'...... You can see it from here. Lloyd sighed. A picture flashed through my mind.

A cheerful man with flaxen hair sits at a table with a boy of the same color, waiting for a woman with long wavy hair to cook lunch.

I miss the feeling very much.

"There must have been other people moving in by now, right? However, Cecil's sister's home should still be in the old place......"

Lloyd seemed to hear the woman's gentle voice again.

I'll have to say hello tomorrow.

I suddenly felt a little sad in my heart.

It's been three years since then...... After boarding at my uncle's house for a while, I entered the police academy......

Reckless study and training...... Finally obtained the qualification of an investigator......

But the result is ............

I...... What do you want to do when you become an investigator?

Fleeing in order to no longer grieve, being empty because of fleeing, starting to imitate that person in order to make up for the emptiness, and completely losing yourself because of imitating that person......

Lloyd even wanted to go back in time, grabbing the boy before he left Crossbell, piercing his disguised words and questioning him what was going on inside.

"Hey!"

Lloyd was startled, and instinctively turned his head to see the figures of two children trotting from the central square.

It was Long and Henry, who were rescued by Lloyd's party in the afternoon.

The two children ran to Lloyd's side, panting slightly. Although they only started to run after seeing Lloyd, they were children after all, and it was not enough to be angry a little bit.

"Oh, but let's find it. I went to the police station first, but they said you weren't there, big brother. ”

Ryu grumbled.

"Then he told us the address. It's called ...... Isn't it right to support and aid the department? Henry said, taking a closer look at the note in his hand.

"Well, that's right. But why did you come here? Lloyd asked subconsciously. If it was usual, he would have thought about it, but now his mind is in turmoil, and Lloyd really doesn't have the heart to think about it.

"That...... I just suddenly remembered that I haven't thanked you properly! ”

Takashi said a little embarrassed, wiping his nose as he spoke.

"Huh?"

The expected simple answer stunned Lloyd.

"If it weren't for you, big brother, the two of us would probably have been seriously injured. So...... That, I just want to come over and say thank you again. ”

Looking at Long's somewhat embarrassed face, Lloyd couldn't help but smile: "Really." Thank you, it's so late, and I came here. ”

As if to hide his embarrassment, Long hastened to say, "Although, although you are still very unreliable compared to Mr. Arios...... However, being a police officer is still remarkable, haha. It doesn't matter if you don't have the ability, just work hard from now on! ”

Takashi tried to pretend to be mature and talked eloquently. If it weren't for the wandering eyes and some incomprehensible tone words, Lloyd would probably have felt that he was actually a very mature child.

Seeing that his companion began to "get carried away" again, Henry hurriedly pulled his cuffs. "Hey, Rumble...... I'm here to thank you, but why is your attitude still like this? ”

"Haha......" Seeing the intimacy of the two children, Lloyd suddenly felt that everything was not so important.

Even if you don't have enough strength, even if you don't understand it, as long as you can protect other people and let them live without worry, wouldn't that be good?

"You're right. It's good to work hard from now on. ”

From now on, it's good to go and find your purpose. Lloyd said in his heart.

"By the way, where do you two live? Otherwise, I'll send you back. ”

"It's okay, it's okay~~ I live on West Street, it's very close." Takashi said, pointing in the northwest direction.

"I live on the other side of the street, so don't worry. Please also say hello to the rest of our brothers and sisters on our behalf. Henry said and bowed to Lloyd.

"Well, I will. You two should be careful when you go back. ”

Seeing the two children disappear away, Lloyd laughed at himself.

I'm so innocent.

Just a word of thanks, and the mood immediately dissipated......

The essential............ Or is it still my state of mind?

"—Listen, Lloyd."

"As a man, when facing anything in front of you, you have to be brave enough to hit it."

"Use your own heart to grasp the truth that belongs only to you."

"That way, you should be able to find your purpose."

The words of the eldest brother once sounded in my ears again.

Enlightened. The previous troubles had vanished, and Lloyd had made up his mind in his heart.

"Can't you figure it out if you don't crash into it first?"

With that, he strode back to the Support Section.

It's late at night, and I'll report it tomorrow, so let's go to bed today. Roy thought so and headed for the stairs.

"Jingle Bell"

Suddenly, the bell of the guide communicator on the first floor rang.

Who is it?

Thinking so, Lloyd hurriedly ran to the communicator and picked up the earpiece.

"Hello, huh...... This is the Closbell Police Station Special Mission Support Division Building. ”

After a little hesitation, Lloyd firmly said the long list of names.

"Lloyd? This voice, it's Lloyd, right? ”

The woman on the other side hesitated for a moment, and asked a rhetorical question that was not quite sure.

"What...... Is it Sister Cecil?! ”

Lloyd was also stunned......

The person on the other end of the earpiece was the resident next door to their house. The woman who took care of him like a sister, Cecil Inoace.

But...... Since three years ago, there has been little contact between them.

"I contacted the police and they told me the number. It's called [Special Mission Support Division], right? Have you been assigned to that department? ”

Cecil's voice sounded reassuring. I'm afraid I've been desperate to contact him before, right?

"Ah, actually...... There is no official decision yet. Then again...... I'm sorry, I was going to greet Sister Cecil as soon as I got back......"

"It's okay, don't mind. It's me, I should have picked you up at the station. ”

"That's really not a bother. Busy at work, right? It's good to see each other again when we're on vacation. ”

During the conversation, it was as if I had returned to the days when I hadn't moved away.

Lloyd's nose was suddenly a little sour. I miss the feeling very much.

"Woo...... Lloyd was so cold...... How can you be so ruthless in the face of your sister who has been absent for three years......" Cecil's voice sounded a little lost.

"Alright, alright, I'll find a way to find time." Lloyd had no choice but to make a promise first. "By the way, I'll go say hello to my uncle and aunt tomorrow."

"It's fine. Mom and Dad have always been concerned about Lloyd's ...... But ......"

Cecil's voice paused, and then he burst out laughing.

"Hehe, I'm so happy. You're finally back in Crossbell. ”

"Hmm...... I am back. Sister Cecil. ”

"Welcome back, Lloyd."