Chapter 253: The

Inside the private cabin of the Courage Anthem.

Sui Bian, with his uniform jacket draped over the chair back and his shirt sleeves rolled up, sits behind the desk, watching the files compiled by the White Queen.

The holographic screen's lower right corner shows the date 2042/07/14.

This indicates that exactly thirty‑one days have passed since Leon and Ai Da arrived in Arcadia to begin the investigation and pre‑emptively expose the traitor up to today.

During this period, the upgraded Courage Anthem and the Shadow of the Dark Raven also rushed to Arcadia, averting the predicament of the Third and Sixth Legions lacking a flagship.

The file notes that beginning January 5, 2042, as the chief of the Security Bureau of Metropolitan District 04, Fei Si Tuoluo Ni carried a decorative curved blade (a deadly poison curved blade) at all times while on duty.

The White Queen, via the surveillance footage from January 21, captured Fei Si appearing to mutter to himself.

From February to April, Fei Si frequently interacted with Security Bureau officials from other metropolitan districts.

Then on April 4, the district Security Bureaus, together with the UNSC 203rd Infantry Division, conducted an anti‑terrorism drill.

Until April 24, Fei Si, citing health issues, voluntarily submitted a resignation.

After May 12, Fei Si never again left his home in public, and the various surveillance cameras placed throughout District 04 never captured his figure.

However, the surveillance cameras were repeatedly maliciously damaged, especially the underground system of District 04.

On June 13 thereafter, Leon and Ai Da arrived in Arcadia and, in the underground drainage canal of District 04, discovered a corrupted, three‑meter‑tall swollen Fei Si.

Fei Si's actions over the past six months have confirmed that the deadly poison curved blade is the source of the corruption among Arcadia's upper echelons.

Sui Bian also inferred that Sa Mai Er, who continuously observes humanity from the shadows, must have realized that the Solar System was no longer a viable target, thus selecting Arcadia, far from the Solar System.

Meticulously planned and fully prepared, using the sacrifice of two hundred million Arcadians as a bargaining chip, to grant it greater power and to venture into the real universe.

Just as that bull‑headed demon said when Artemis exiled it back to the alternate dimension, "Humans are an interesting species."

That is why, even after ten thousand years, Sa Mai Er, who managed to slip into the mid‑tier demons, still clings tenaciously to humanity.

To those demons, humanity seems to be the optimal "food."

Finished reading the files.

Sui Bian lightly waved his left hand, dispersing the holographic screen displayed on the desk, then he reclined against the chair back and turned his head toward the large virtual window placed on his left side.

At this moment, the virtual window showed no rainforest, desert, or prairie scenery, but a real‑time view outside the ship.

The Courage Anthem was moored above Arcadia's shallow sea, and the real‑time scene Sui Bian saw was a metropolitan district undergoing reconstruction.

After a month, the effects caused by the rebellion and demons gradually faded, preparing Arcadia to return to its former tourist‑spot status.

Moreover, Umbrella also used this month's buffer to delete and alter the memories of those who had witnessed Sui Bian release Spiritual Energy and directly observed the demons and Gray Knights.

Then, the UEG official announcement to the entire society reported a meteorite bearing parasitic worm eggs that fell onto Arcadia.

The covert spread of alien parasites caused hundreds of thousands of people to go mad and violently attack ordinary humans, attempting to increase their numbers, resulting in the deadliest casualty event since humanity entered the twenty‑first century.

The announcement also stated that, together with Umbrella, UEG had resolved the parasite infestation ravaging Arcadia.

Humans in the Solar System and various colonial star systems, upon learning of the incident, offered assistance to Arcadia, launching online fundraisers or signing up to help with reconstruction.

Building on the colonist invasions of twenty years ago, and during the terraforming of Earth‑like planets with atmospheres, humanity also discovered many microorganisms, even insect life and small animals.

Therefore, the general public is relatively receptive to events involving "aliens" and "parasites."

Even if officials claim that numerous intelligent species exist within the galaxy, people are not particularly surprised.

As for extraterrestrial microorganisms, insects, and small animals, they pose little threat to humanity, given the widespread nanomedicine.

Yet hearing the word "parasite" still evokes disgust and fear.

Regarding memory deletion and alteration.

Visually, the number of people who saw Sui Bian release Spiritual Energy, as well as the demons and Gray Knights, was not large—only over four hundred thousand.

Because people without the ability to resist who saw a demon faced death or forced corruption.

However, the tech team did not delete Arcadians' memories of the Spiritual Shock nor their recollections of witnessing Astate of the Third and Sixth Legions.

First, over two hundred million people saw the "golden light," making complete deletion or alteration impossible; second, it prepared the OriginalBody and Astate to emerge openly.

Active and retired UNSC soldiers have long known of Astate's existence; now only the general public remains.

After the relay station was repaired.

Arcadians posted numerous online threads titled "Golden Light" and "Super Soldier," sparking intense public uproar and debate.

UEG, UNSC, and Umbrella chose silence, while the pre‑prepared Red and White Queens merely conducted appropriate public‑opinion control.

And Leon, Ai Da, Andre, the Battalion Commander, as well as the mixed unit and Krig's 087th Regiment.

As contributors who thwarted Sa Mai Er's plan, the two intelligence officers Leon and Ai Da received bonuses and leave according to company policy.

Sui Bian likewise granted Andre and the mixed unit ample compensation, as well as a choice.

They could choose to erase their memories and continue enjoying a carefree life, or join Umbrella to keep fighting, because they were entangled in too many truths.

Andre and most veterans chose to join Umbrella, while the remaining individuals opted to return to ordinary life.

The 087th Regiment under Krig, where the Battalion Commander serves, was transferred by Sui Bian to the Courage Anthem, becoming part of the Dark Angel auxiliary forces, while Arcadia's defense will be handled by other regimental units.

For the 087th Regiment, being stationed on Sui Bian's flagship is the ultimate reward.

Lastly, the Plague Doctor.

Sui Bian employed his Spiritual Energy to cleanse all of Arcadia, except for the equipment crate containing "thick soup" seized by the Battalion Commander and others.

The Plague Doctor, who arrived in Arcadia aboard an engineering vessel, upon first seeing the thick soup, repeatedly exclaimed, "This is the most incorrigible plague!"

"With these experimental materials, I can finally perfect the vaccine!" and similar remarks.

In response, everyone, including Sui Bian, accepted the Plague Doctor's statements without doubt.

It was the vaccine developed by the Plague Doctor that granted humanity resistance to the whispers of the alternate dimension.

Now, with thick soup as material, Sui Bian believes the vaccine's full completion is just around the corner.

He refocused his thoughts.

He shifted his gaze from the virtual window to a lavish wooden chest placed on the desk.

He reached out and opened the chest.

The moment the lid was lifted, a pale green light surged from the gap, revealing the deadly curved blade placed inside the box.

Sui Bian picked up the curved blade and examined it closely; he could see delicate engravings on the blade, which was wrapped in green light.

From tip to the end of the hilt, it measured about one meter, its overall style resembling Greek and Persian curved swords, with hints of Nepali military blades.

He observed it for a moment.

"Hong Hou, White Queen."

Sui Bian placed the curved blade back into the wooden box, then suddenly turned to the artificial intelligences standing at his sides and asked, "How is society responding to Arcadia?"

Hearing this,

The White Queen, adept at shaping public opinion, replied immediately: "In online and media discussions, people believe the giants appearing in Arcadia are super soldiers of the Company or the UNSC.

After all, the Company has, for the past twenty years, used film, games, comics and other industries to inject information about super soldiers into society.

But the most heated discussion centers on the Spiritual Shock you released, sir; people cannot comprehend this extraordinary phenomenon."

"." Hong Hou nodded in agreement.

"Is that so," Sui Bian said, gazing at the curved blade on the table in silence, then ordered:

"Notify the informants stationed everywhere to monitor the newly formed religions. If it is confirmed that these religions intend to exploit the Arcadia incident to manipulate public sentiment, carry out immediate arrests."

"Understood," the two artificial intelligences replied in unison.

"By the way," Sui Bian glanced at them peripherally and tried to ask, "If the Company were to fully disclose the existence of the OriginalBody and Astate, do you think I

Never mind, you two can continue handling the Company's affairs."

?

Hearing Sui Bian stop mid‑question, the two artificial intelligences tilted their heads slightly left and right.

Their previously indifferent expressions showed a faint confusion, as if puzzled by what their boss was wrestling with.

After numerous updates and upgrades by Umbrella, the two have gained autonomous thinking ability and have even begun to exhibit emotions akin to humans.

Coupled with their extremely expensive proprietary prosthetic bodies, they can also produce a limited range of micro‑expressions.

Yet even so, their thinking still differs vastly from humans, unable to resolve Sui Bian's dilemma.

If Sui Bian were to explain his point of contention to the two, he might receive a very strange answer.

As for the point of contention

it is, after the OriginalBody and Astate become fully public, what kind of position he should occupy.

At some point, Sui Bian's future plans always prioritized humanity as a whole.

Even his grand expedition ambition aims for humanity to purge dissent, gaining greater strength and a broader territory.

Sui Bian has indeed considered emulating, in some hammer, another "father" who liked to wear golden powered armor, but the result—

"Hmm"

Sui Bian furrowed his brows, shook his head in silent contemplation.

"Swish~!"

At that moment, the sound of the metal automatic doors opening ended Sui Bian's brief hesitation.

He looked to his right side.

There, he saw Artemis, having shed the powered armor, now wearing a black military uniform, long hair flowing, stride into the cabin.

She mockingly said, "Boss, I heard the White Queen say you have business for me? Is it that you want to give me processing funds?"

Having said that, Artemis adopted a pretended expectant expression.

"It's not processing funds."

Sui Bian ignored the teasing, rose from his office chair, walked to the left side of the desk, glanced at the wooden box on the surface, and said:

"But I think this blade is not a weapon that can be measured by money," he said.

"A blade?"

Artemis dropped the joking demeanor, walked to the table, and upon seeing the deadly curved blade inside the wooden box, instantly understood Sui Bian's intention.

She was somewhat shocked.

Sui Bian continued:

"I gave your hunting bow to Shengjilesi, and you have lost your divine power, causing your artisan‑god elder brother to be unable to forge a weapon comparable to the hunting bow for you.

As compensation, I handed it to you; with its aid, I hope you can more efficiently slay demons."

Listening to Sui Bian, Artemis extended her left hand, her fingertips touching the icy blade, feeling the pure Spiritual Energy contained within the sword.

She recalled that this curved blade was the weapon used by the traitor Phils.

It should have been saturated with chaos, yet now it is pure and flawless; Artemis needed no further thought to know it was inseparably linked to her boss.

Curiously, she asked, "What is its name?"

"You won't like it; give it a new name," Sui Bian chuckled.

"Fine, although this blade can't match my bow, something is better than nothing, so I thank you, boss."

Artemis gave a satisfied smile and then closed the wooden box.

"What are you thanking for? Moreover, this blade isn't a free gift," Sui Bian waved his hand and said, "The Company is establishing a new department and needs you and the Grey Knight to serve as consultants."

"A new department? Is it about alternate dimensions and demons?" Artemis asked, lifting the wooden box.

"Exactly," Sui Bian replied without denial:

"In a few days, you will go yourself to Minos Island, select promising informant graduates, and then bring them to Titan, where they will undergo training targeting alternate dimensions and demons.

Also, I think the retired major named Andre, as well as veterans of the former UNSC First Airborne Division, are all suitable; have them also go to Titan for training."

"What is the department's name?" Artemis asked again.

"It's the Department of Alternate Dimension and Demon Regulation, but I prefer the unofficial nickname for this yet‑to‑be‑established department... Demon Hunters," Sui Bian said, his tone slightly heavier, and continued:

"The Grey Knight and the six divine servants have overly obvious objectives, unsuitable for covert investigation, but specially trained informants and soldiers should be able to handle it perfectly."

"Demon hunter?" Artemis muttered to herself, then nodded and replied: "Rest assured, leave it to me."

———————

"All crew members, please note: our ship is about to arrive at Luna Base's spaceport; check your carry‑on items and prepare for disembarkation."

Inside the cabin.

Those seated in the spacious seats were either working on notebook computers as thin as wafers, or resting with eyes closed.

After hearing the broadcast reminder, people stopped what they were doing, began to tidy up briefly, and waited for the ship to dock.

Meanwhile, the woman seated in the last row on the right side did not get up to tidy.

Through the sealed porthole installed in the cabin wall, she silently gazed at the cosmic view outside.

She had blond‑yellow short hair and a visage resembling that of William BoKen and his wife, indicating her true identity was Shirley BoKen.

She was also an intelligence operative belonging to Umbrella.

(End of chapter)