Endless Debt Chapter 733 - 213 Departure

"So our journey to Free Port ends like this?"

Palmer looked out the car window at the port city. After a few days of restoration work, people had gradually healed the city’s wounds from the storm. The bustling city was operating again, as if it had never stopped.

"What else?"

Bologue sat opposite Palmer, holding a newspaper filled with information about the Paradise incident.

After restoring order, conspiracy related to Paradise emerged like mushrooms after a rainstorm. Originally thought to need the Logistics Department for information control, the United Company, as the master of Free Port, displayed their power.

The United Company did not forcibly silence everyone, but rather flooded people’s cognition with a large amount of fake news. Various absurd statements spread among the crowd. Within just a few days, this horrifying event had become somewhat entertaining. It was said someone wanted to write a book about it, and investors said they wanted to make a movie, but first needed to consult with the United Company...

Throwing the newspaper aside, Bologue understood that they were only leaving Free Port, and this incident was far from over.

Nolen was injured, and local forces suffered a heavy blow from the Zongge Orchestra. Meanwhile, those responsible for hunting Hert, the Raging Tide Guards, perfectly filled the power vacuum. The Horror was anchored in the near waters of Free Port, deterring all those with ill intentions.

His gaze extended down the aisle, and at the end of the carriage, Lebius’s figure appeared in Bologue’s view. He still remembered the conversation between Lebius and Nolen at the train station before departure.

"In the end, you guys dragged me into this, Lebius."

Nolen’s tone was devoid of emotion, like a cold machine, and his eyes were the same, with complex twisted emotions hidden in the indifference.

Hert was slain by Lebius’s own hand...

Nolen was already prepared to lose Hert. Over the years, guilt had tormented everyone, but when the truth was really before his eyes, the intense mental shock still left Nolen exhausted.

Nolen knew Lebius simply made the right choice. He also understood that an invisible gap had appeared between him and Lebius, uncertain if it could ever be mended.

"No one can remain unaffected; it’s been this way from the beginning."

Lebius did not have many complicated thoughts; his rationality was akin to that of a Sage.

"What will you do next? Resign as Navigator, then appoint another puppet to maintain neutrality?"

Faced with Lebius’s question, Nolen didn’t know how to answer for a moment. He had never thought about what would happen afterward.

"Let me offer you some advice, from a friend’s perspective," Lebius leaned closer to Nolen and whispered in his ear, "This world has been peaceful for too long, Nolen. Have you not heard the storm approaching from the sea?"

Nolen stared intensely at Lebius, knowing he wouldn’t joke about such matters. A phantom pain radiated from his broken wrist.

Nolen asked, "What do you know?"

"This isn’t much of a secret," Lebius estimated, "With the efficiency of your Synergy Tide people’s intelligence network, you’ll probably know in a few days."

Lebius didn’t want to explain too much to Nolen, and a rare smile appeared on his typically stern and indifferent face, "So we’ll be on our way first."

Geoffrey caught up with Lebius, not forgetting to wave at Nolen, "Don’t worry, the Logistics Department is on the way, and you can just hand the bill over to them."

Bologue observed all of this, and Lebius did not hide anything from him when advising Nolen, as if intending for him to overhear.

Bologue did not pursue what had happened from Lebius; from certain angles, Bologue was also a foolish person. Once he trusted someone, he maintained absolute trust rather than endless suspicion.

Lebius was a trustworthy group leader, and when Bologue needed to know this piece of information, he would naturally tell him in person.

His gaze moved away from Lebius. The previously spacious armed carriage now seemed extremely crowded; it contained more than just members of the Special Operations Group.

Canary sat on the other side of the aisle, and since getting on the train, she had been gazing out the window, occasionally handling the wrapped head, playing with Bai Ou like a ball.

Regarding Canary’s information, Lebius didn’t explain much to the team members; others, like Bologue, trusted Lebius’s decision.

Bologue knew the inside story. Canary had a special identity; she could fully be regarded as a member of the Order Bureau, though she was directly affiliated with Yubelvinger.

According to subsequent communication, she needed to bring Bai Ou before Yubelvinger, as the Tooth of Deathly Silence restricted the Alchemy Matrix of both. Canary simply took the Special Operations Group as bodyguards to travel together.

On the seat at the other end of Bologue, sat Ewen and Cinderella. The atmosphere in the carriage was somewhat suppressed, and everyone remained silent. Though bandaged and with a crutch, Ewen maintained an upright and serious posture, while Cinderella curiously looked around; she had never seen such a luxurious carriage.

Bologue quietly asked Palmer, "How did you manage it?"

"What?"

Palmer stopped daydreaming and refocused his gaze on Bologue’s face.

"Them," Bologue’s gaze shifted to Ewen and Cinderella, "logically, they should have been detained by the Tidewave People, had their memories cleared, and then released. But now they’re on the same train as us. Does this make sense?"

Palmer smiled slightly, "Just a little trick."

Bologue looked at Palmer curiously, unable to imagine what Palmer had done to make the always meticulous Lebius agree with his idea.

"Have you seriously read the regulations? Memory clearance doesn’t apply to all situations," Palmer explained to Bologue, "The essence of Condensers is human. We always have to deal with ordinary people, so among them, we have a whitelist."

"You really seem to be his hardcore fan, must’ve been quite an effort."

Bologue glanced at Ewen again, having read the book Ewen wrote, Bologue thought it was quite good. If he had to say, he also counted as a fan of Ewen... probably.

Palmer’s eyes shone brightly, "But it’s very worth it."

"Oh?"

Bologue became more curious. Getting Palmer, that lazy dog, to spend time and strive for effort seemed to indicate it wasn’t just a simple fan relationship.

There must be some secret deal between Palmer and Ewen.

Just as Bologue was about to further question Palmer, the train wobbled and stopped. Looking out the window, Free Port was clearly visible, they hadn’t traveled far before stopping again.

Before departure, Lebius had informed the others, Bologue glanced at the platform then returned his gaze to the newspaper, while Palmer looked expectantly toward the rear of the carriage.

"Has... something happened?"

Ewen shifted in his seat, leaned out, and asked Palmer.

Among these mysterious Condensers, the only one Ewen was relatively familiar with was Palmer. The others seemed difficult to interact with.

Now the train hadn’t departed Free Port but had stopped again, inevitably making Ewen feel a bit tense. Ordinarily, the most dangerous thing Ewen encountered was slashing and shooting the Demon. Ever since meeting these Condensers... no, since meeting Cinderella, the intensity of incidents he encountered directly escalated several levels.

Palmer said, "Don’t be nervous, it’s just a rendezvous with friends."

The train track shifted, two trains crossed paths, and at the end of another train, an armed carriage detached and was subsequently connected to the end of Ewen’s armed carriage.

To avoid accidents, this train was a special train, and besides them, there were no other passengers.

The two armed carriages were connected, and the train slowly started moving again. At the same time, someone came out from the newly joined armed carriage.

"Good morning, everyone."

Yas pushed the door open, his armed suit had a few holes and blood stains that hadn’t been completely cleaned. Prior to this, the Sixth Group had endured considerable pressure for the Special Operations Group.

Ewen looked at these new arrivals with vigilance, Yas also noticed the unfamiliar faces in the carriage but didn’t pay much attention to them. Lebius stood up and led Yas to see Gold, which was the most important thing.

After Yas left, another guy walked in. His stature was overly tall, his head hitting the ceiling, forcing him to stoop heavily.

Ewen noticed the newcomer’s proportions seemed eerily large, and then a pair of big hands lifted and he struggled to pull off his helmet, causing his fluffy hair to puff out instantly, revealing an intimidating bestial visage.

"Hey! Hart!"

Palmer excitedly waved to his friend, and Hart stooped low and sat next to Palmer, almost squeezing him out of sight. Bologue felt the space was even more crowded.

Ewen’s face turned a bit pale. He rubbed his eyes, doubting his vision.

"By the way, Hart, let me introduce you,"

Palmer struggled to show his head and arm, pointing at Ewen. In a voice trying to suppress excitement, he said, "He’s the Crested Blue Jay!"

Hart abruptly turned his head, his gaze falling on Ewen, and for an instant, Ewen felt as if he was immersed in ice water, which then boiled around him as Hart’s gaze became fervent.

Ewen struggled to accept reality, "You... hello."

"Crested Blue Jay!"

Hart embraced Ewen, and Ewen felt like he was attacked by a beast. He vaguely heard Hart say something about being a fan in the process. Over the past few days, Ewen had heard similar things countless times.