Endless Debt Chapter 1008 - 91: Vicious Cycle

For many new recruits in the Field Operations Department, the secret war is merely a somewhat distant term categorized under history, but for those team leaders active on the front line and wielding a certain amount of authority, the secret war is a scar engraved deep in their souls.

Now, most of the team leaders in the Field Operations Department have experienced the secret war, honing themselves in blood and fire, forging sharper blades.

Even standing on the broad street, Bologue felt a vague pressure, as if he were confined in a narrow solitary cell.

Bologue said, "That joke isn’t funny."

"I think so too," Lebius nodded in agreement. "I think I’ll never learn what humor is in this lifetime."

"Are you trying to tell me something? About the past," Bologue asked, as sharp as ever.

"Let me think... it’s been a long time since I recalled these things, it seems like not long ago, but the memories have become mottled."

Lebius then asked Bologue, "Have you ever heard of what’s called the Second Group?"

"Not at all."

Bologue shook his head. The field operations team had many classifications, arranged by serial numbers, but he had never heard of a Second Group in the combat sequence.

"The Second Group, Blade of Order, was once the main action unit of the Order Bureau, with a large number, at its peak, there were dozens of Condensers on standby; you could consider it the Condenser corps of the Order Bureau."

Lebius’ words caused Bologue’s heart to tremble slightly; long ago, Bologue had imagined a large-scale brigade of Condensers, which would be a terrifyingly extraordinary force. Now it seemed that this was more than just a fantasy, as the Order Bureau had done just that long ago.

"I was also a member of the Second Group at that time. When Xilin invaded, as the main action unit, we were fully mobilized to confront the King’s Secret Sword."

Lebius’ tone was extremely calm, as if telling someone else’s story that was completely unrelated to him.

"As you know, we waged a full-scale war in the shadows, countless bodies fell, some in dark alleys, some on busy streets, and others into the Great Rift."

"More details?" Bologue probed, "About your part... the part that caused you to become who you are today."

Bologue agreed with a statement that humans are the sum of their past experiences.

It was because of the wrath on scorched earth, the Fall of the Holy City, and such crazy things that the present Bologue Lazarus was born. Any missing link would not let Bologue grow into what he is today, and the same is true for Lebius.

Bologue wanted to know the part that changed Lebius’ life and led him down a different path.

Lebius glanced at Bologue, with a look of contradiction, "To be honest, I don’t want to talk about these things."

"Yet you initiated this," Bologue said, "What are you hesitating about?"

"Perhaps the fear of showing my vulnerable side."

Bologue genuinely felt, "I don’t think you’re vulnerable, Captain. To be honest, sometimes I think you’re even more stubborn and crazy than I am."

Bologue knew that Lebius would tell him everything, but for now, he just wasn’t used to opening up to others.

Thinking of this, Bologue couldn’t help but feel a sense of honor. Lebius trusted him, accepted him, so he would tell him the story that followed.

Being recognized feels pretty good; Bologue’s heart felt light.

Lebius laughed after hearing this, but the laughter didn’t last long, and his expression turned cold again.

"I met Geoffrey a long time ago, long before our jobs."

As he spoke, Lebius gradually became more real and comprehensive in Bologue’s eyes, no longer just a single-tagged workaholic, but grew more sentimental.

"I have little impression of my parents, they can be ignored... Geoffrey and I grew up in the same orphanage, which outwardly took care of us homeless children, but secretly was selecting fresh blood for the Order Bureau."

Lebius explained, "You can understand it as a military academy that cultivates from childhood."

"I understand." This wasn’t unfamiliar to Bologue, then he realized something, "You didn’t say that to me before, you said you had a happy family."

"That was my facade declaration to the outside world, as you said, no one wants others to see their vulnerable side," Lebius continued, "After rounds of selection, Geoffrey and I had a certain Ether affinity and were selected into the list. As we grew older, they found us and asked for our intentions. After careful consideration, Geoffrey and I decided to join the Order Bureau, thus stepping into this extraordinary world."

Lebius continued, "At first, I regretted it, thinking it was a wrong decision; the extraordinary world was much tougher than I imagined."

"Didn’t they tell you the pros and cons at first?" Bologue asked. This sounded like the Order Bureau was deceiving these kids.

"They were clear. They said we would step into another strange and magnificent world, but at the cost of possibly dying somewhere... I was just in my teens at the time, the age of raging hormones and missing a few screws. I thought fighting and killing were super cool." Lebius hadn’t given up on his humor.