Chapter 590: Chapter 58: Imperfect
No one spoke, and the room was filled with oppressive silence.
Creyah Kalash was the first to react; she asked in a panic, “Sorry, I didn’t understand. Is this a new mission? Do we need to go outside the city…”
“No,” Aorus shook his head, “The Light Core has failed, the organization will be dissolved, and there will be no more missions. I am simply offering my own advice as a friend, not your superior.”
“But, but we were preparing the welcome party for the new members this afternoon!” Creyah Kalash was at a loss, “This morning you were still giving a speech to everyone… still discussing the expansion plans after absorbing Wing of Death!”
“Putting on a show has never been difficult,” Aorus explained to her, “I’m also quite good at acting, though not as good as Gongsun Ce.”
Gao Yu couldn’t sit still anymore; he anxiously stood up, “Leader, what are you talking about?! The Light Core has not failed, we have always been——”
“The ideal of the Light Core was wrong from the very start,” Aorus gestured for him to sit down, “We once thought that by gathering enough geniuses we could change the world, but this is nothing more than the naive fantasy of students. It’s a variant of the ancient electivism and even more absurd than that.
We are all minor characters, Gao Yu. No matter how smart we are, how strong our combat power is, that on the scale of the world is just like a bright lamp in a small town. Enough to light up a house, but unable to illuminate the entire world.”
Gao Yu racked his brains but couldn’t think of any retort; he was never good at this. In the end, he could only say eagerly, “But we all believe in the ideal of the Light Core. We all believe in you, Leader!”
“I know, Gao Yu.” Aorus smiled, “And I also know that from the moment I failed three years ago, you all no longer truly believed in me.
You are still willing to help me because you regard me more as a friend than a leader. It is because I once helped you, and you care about the favor I have left. I’m grateful, my friends. I appreciate everything you have done, and now it is enough.”
Gao Yu’s feelings were completely hit home, and he sat down with sorrow. Kawai Yoshizo took over the conversation as he was always a pragmatic person speaking practical words.
“Leader, where do you want us to go?”
Aorus had clearly made arrangements in advance.
“Gao Yu can return to his hometown, Bridge Mountain City in the northern part of the Empire. Most of your childhood friends are still in that city. I know you still keep in touch with them now. That is a friendship worth cherishing. I think you would enjoy having a face-to-face chat with them.”
“Kawai, you like your current job, managing money, away from strife. I have arranged a position for you in Weiyuan City; the Ninja Army that is being rebuilt indeed needs talents at a time .”
“Ed, you…,” Aorus smiled, “actually, you quite enjoy your time in the capital. However, Longyue City is also a good place; it’s one of the cities in the world with the most tolerance for bionic technology, and it’s close to your hometown.”
The ministers were speechless; Aorus’s exit plans hit them right in their hearts. He had always understood his subordinates, he knew what they wanted.
“Putting it in the terms commonly used among civilians, these are four spots for leaving the capital,” Aorus said, “Of course, you will continue to be under official surveillance, but it’s definitely freer than staying in the capital, I guarantee it.”
Ed observed the expressions of his companions and scratched his own face.
“Okay, Aorus. The arrangement is pretty good, really great… but…” Ed shook his lab coat, “Let’s be frank, we know too much, particularly me. Letting people like us just leave the capital directly? That’s not like you, Aorus. Even I know the risk is too great.”
Aorus walked up to him and started ruffling Ed’s hair. It didn’t seem like the deliberate affection of the past, but truly casual, like a brother to Ed.
“Aorus?” Ed asked in surprise.
“Don’t worry, Ed. There’s never truly been a secret in the world; something is always known by others, it’s just a matter of sooner or later.” Aorus lifted his hand, “It’s not rational, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve already made many wrong decisions, and I don’t mind making one more mistake… at least it will put my mind at ease.”
He gave Ed a deep hug. He hugged Gao Yu and Kawai one by one, like a truly caring and close friend. Finally, Aorus took out three envelopes and handed them to his friends.
The ministers knew his mind was made up; once Aorus decided something, he would never change his mind. They all chose to accept Aorus’s arrangement. So one by one they said their goodbyes, leaving the room with lingering shock, confusion, and newly sprouted understanding, leaving behind the space for the two who knew each other first.
Creyah Kalash met the Leader’s arrangement with silence, and Aorus shook his head in distress, reaching out to her.
Creyah hesitated for a moment before grabbing the young man’s hand with brown hair. In an instant, the world turned upside down. They left Aorus’s office, flashing through the campus like phantoms, crossing the streets of the central district.
Due to the continuous teleportation, Creyah Kalash felt dizzy and finally felt solid ground beneath her feet. She moaned and opened her eyes, then let out an astonished gasp.
She saw a vast expanse of blue.
Huge amounts of sea water wrapped around the corridor she was in like a cradle. Turtles lazily swam through the water, colorful corals stood like rocks, and transparent jellyfish floated slowly beside schools of fish, as if playing with the vibrant little fish. A flat, large fish swam from afar, startling the small fry into scattering, with its massive body occupying most of the view.