After listening to the little one's story, Loren stroked his chin and fell into thought.
Why does it feel like the little one's father planned his escape, even arranging a way out for his daughter...
"Forgive my bluntness, but based on my experience, little one, your father likely has a complete plan."
"And your act of hiring me might completely disrupt his plans."
"Even so, do you still want to find him?"
After some contemplation, Loren directly voiced his opinion.
Ayla Morningstar lowered her head and thought for a moment, then raised her head and said to Loren with determination:
"Of course! Anyway, the plan prepared by my not-so-reliable father is probably unreliable too!!"
Loren nodded, "Alright, I understand your decision."
"By the way, little one, what about your mother?" Loren then asked.
"She went missing when I was very young. My unreliable father lied to me, saying she died."
"But after I awakened my psychic ability, I could sense the direction of blood relatives. I finally confirmed my father was lying."
"My mother is still alive, just in a very distant place."
I see, little one, your background seems quite complicated... Loren silently imagined a melodramatic story of grudges and entangled relationships in his mind.
"One last question, what is your father's name?"
Loren stood up from the sofa.
"Marcus Rhine, a handsome middle-aged man, around 30 years old."
"Wait, your surname is Morningstar?" Loren narrowed his eyes.
"I inherited my mother's surname. My father told me it's a surname with special meaning, and I should inherit it."
Hearing the little one's serious explanation, a smile appeared on Loren's face.
Things seem to be getting more and more interesting...
"Little one, now tell me, in which direction is your father?"
Ayla Morningstar began to close her eyes.
After a while, she pulled out a small knife from her bosom and made a deep cut on her wrist.
After her blood flowed for a bit, her entire body began to emit a dazzling green light. Immediately after, she raised her hand and pointed in a direction.
"That direction, not far. I can feel he is within the Radiant Flow Main City."
Loren noted the direction Ayla Morningstar pointed, silently taking out his portable computer.
On the map software, he marked a straight line.
This straight line represented the approximate search range he would cover later.
And after Loren finished marking on the map, the deep wound on Ayla Morningstar's wrist had already quietly healed.
Seeing this, Loren silently sighed in his heart, "What an exaggerated ability, little one."
Loren raised his hand and patted Ayla Morningstar's head, saying gently:
"Wait for me in this lounge. I will bring your father back."
"Big brother, don't you need to take me along?" Ayla Morningstar was somewhat puzzled.
"Don't worry, I also have abilities for finding people. Moreover, snatching someone from the Star Traveler Society might involve combat. Taking you along wouldn't be very convenient."
Loren declined the eager Ayla Morningstar.
"Alright, big brother, do your best!! I believe in you!!!" Ayla Morningstar was very sensible and didn't act willfully.
"Good girl." Loren ruffled the little one's head.
I like obedient human cubs.
Also, the feel is really nice...
After removing his large hand from the other's head, Loren turned and walked out of Lounge 104, heading straight for the top floor by taking the stairs.
Arriving outside Room 001, Loren knocked on Retab Collin's door.
Loren pushed the door and walked in.
"Is something the matter, Mr. Loren?" The other party looked up from behind the desk, asking Loren who had just entered.
"I need to leave the Interstellar Hunter Association for a while. Can you guarantee the safety of the little girl who came with me?" Loren stated his purpose.
Loren always had a feeling that the little one's origins weren't simple. To prevent any accidents, he specifically came to this office to add an insurance policy for the little one.
"Oh? How surprising. The cold and cruel Mr. Loren from the intelligence reports has also formed attachments?"
"No, she's just one of my few surviving clients. My reputation can't afford to get any worse." Loren shrugged.
Alright, a rather reasonable explanation.
"Rest assured, I will look after that little girl." Retab Collin nodded at Loren.
"Thank you. In that case, I won't report your embezzlement of funds to the Interstellar Hunter headquarters in the Central Star Domain."
"???" Retab Collin's face changed dramatically!!
Was I that obvious?! You discovered it after just one day?!
"Quite obvious, Chief Collin." Loren said with a smile, as if knowing what the other was thinking.
"...I guarantee it! I will use all my strength to protect that little girl!!"
Loren chuckled lightly, "Of course, I know nothing."
The deal was reached so easily.
Retab Collin guaranteed Ayla Morningstar's safety within the castle, and Loren would not formally report Retab Collin's embezzlement of association funds to the Interstellar Hunter Association headquarters.
Loren lightly tipped his hat towards the figure behind the desk.
"Farewell, Chief Collin."
He turned and left the office, heading towards the castle's first-floor lobby.
Upon reaching the first-floor lobby, Loren walked to a reception window and handed over his Interstellar Hunter license.
"I need intelligence on the Star Traveler Society and their outposts within the Radiant Flow Main City."
"Understood, please wait a moment, Mr. Loren."
Loren received a sheet of paper filled with intelligence on the Star Traveler Society.
Level 9 clearance really lets you do whatever you want...
Loren stood right in front of the window and began reading the intelligence about the Star Traveler Society.
After memorizing the information on the paper, Loren handed the sheet back through the window, retrieving his Interstellar Hunter license in the process.
"Madam, please handle the destruction of this intelligence for me."
"Of course, it's no trouble at all, Mr. Loren. I wish you a pleasant hunt."
The lady inside the window was clearly aware of Loren's working style and expressed her well-wishes to him.
"No, this time it's just an ordinary search mission." Loren said somewhat regretfully.
After speaking, Loren lightly tipped his hat, turned, and walked towards the outside of this combat castle.
Loren, alone, traversed the square filled with mechas and small warships, then walked without pause out through the gate in the castle's outer wall.
When Loren stood outside the Interstellar Hunter Association, he looked back at the war fortress behind him and shook his head.
"A flashy but impractical building."
Along the way, Loren had simulated at least three methods to breach this war fortress in his mind.
After evaluating this fortress, Loren spread the wide black wings behind him and soared into the sky.
With a light flap of his wings, instantly, his figure vanished without a trace...