Chapter 32: A Trace of Glimmering Light

"The Saints again?"

"That's right! Was that investigation team member also one of The Saints?"

The Doctor adjusted his monocle.

"If even he is one of The Saints, then we Wardens might as well disband right now!"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the communicator.

The Doctor continued.

"Although that Enzo isn't one of The Saints, he is a vampire!"

"That is an established fact. It seems we have some serious problems within the Warden organisation."

The Doctor's gaze was like a sharp knife.

"An investigation procedure has already been initiated for Asylum U01. Results should be available in a few days."

"When the time comes, the Executive Management Council will convene a roundtable meeting to announce the findings."

The Doctor said softly, "Is there anything I need to prepare for the roundtable meeting?"

The sound of fingers tapping on a desk came through the communicator again.

"There was some... unpleasantness when securing S097."

"They will likely target you during the meeting. You'll need to think on your feet."

"However, S09 absolutely cannot be handed over to them."

Hearing this, the Doctor said flatly, "I know what to say."

…………

"Captain! Do we really have to go see that guy?"

"Can I not go?"

Slick looked hesitantly at Dart.

Before Dart could speak, Glimmer snorted coldly.

"What are you afraid of? Is he going to eat you?"

Slick nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. "Yes, I'm afraid he'll eat me!"

Glimmer was speechless.

"He saved our lives. Shouldn't we go thank him?"

"Besides, aside from being a bit terrifying..."

As he spoke, even Glimmer began to have second thoughts.

He thought for a long time but couldn't figure out how to describe Lu Xiao.

Dart said gravely, "Don't overthink it. S292 bears no malice towards humans."

He then looked specifically at Glimmer.

"Especially you, Glimmer. You could say S292 saved you three times."

Once was at the prison doctor's place; because Lu Xiao brought him back, the Ghost-Face Moth parasitizing him was removed by the doctor.

Then there was the incident with investigation team member Enzo and finally, Lu Xiao subduing the Puppeteer at the villa estate.

The entire City Fire Squad essentially owed Lu Xiao their lives, twice over.

Little Rain, however, pursed her lips.

"You two grown men, acting all timid!"

"Mr. Lu is actually quite nice!"

"Of course, it would be even better if he weren't so... unsettling!"

Unknowingly, Little Rain had become something of a fan of Lu Xiao.

As they spoke, the group arrived at the door of Lu Xiao's containment room.

Dart raised his hand and pressed the doorbell.

The door soon opened, revealing a disheveled and dejected Lu Xiao.

He looked up at the squad members, his lifeless fish-eyes sending shivers down their spines.

Finally, Dart said solemnly, "Salute!"

Upon hearing this, the squad members instantly stood at attention, then placed their right fists inverted over their hearts.

Lu Xiao was baffled.

But he didn't dwell on it, simply sitting back down on the bed.

The words of the Omniscient Mirror had greatly affected him.

According to the prison doctor's diagnosis, the result of the curse was to turn into a mindless, instinct-driven mass of rotting flesh.

Faced with this outcome, Lu Xiao was panicked.

Becoming a pile of rotten flesh was somehow less acceptable than simply dying.

Lu Xiao trusted the prison doctor, but he also didn't doubt the Omniscient Mirror.

He was now caught in a dilemma.

"I have one year left. Should I trade for the answer with the Omniscient Mirror or not?"

His resolve was wavering.

Seeing this, Little Rain stepped closer.

"Mr. Lu Xiao, are you troubled by something?"

Lu Xiao nodded.

"My friend, the prison doctor, told me I only have one year left."

"After one year, I will turn into a mindless mass of rotting flesh, driven only by instinct."

Hearing this, everyone present was stunned.

"So sudden?" Slick blurted out.

Dart smacked Slick on the back of the head.

Slick realized it was clearly not the time for jokes and shut his mouth.

"Is there a way to resolve it?" Little Rain asked with concern.

Lu Xiao nodded.

"The Omniscient Mirror knows how to resolve it! It's just that the cost for the answer is a tiny bit high."

Little Rain asked curiously, "What is the cost?"

"Sacrificing the entire present world!"

Lu Xiao's words were like a stone dropped into water, sending out ripples of shock.

Slick stammered, "Dude... you like joking too, huh?"

Glimmer narrowed his eyes.

"So, Mr. Lu Xiao, do you want to trade for the answer?"

Lu Xiao shook his head.

"I don't know."

"It's mainly that I can't really accept this outcome."

"If it were just death, I wouldn't care."

"After living in the Dark Prison for three years, I've practically been no different from dead already."

This was Lu Xiao's heartfelt truth.

Those lifeless fish-eyes seemed filled with the gloom of twilight.

Little Rain said sadly, "How could this happen?"

Although she didn't know what Lu Xiao had experienced in the Dark Prison, he had finally returned to the human world, only for reality to play such a cruel joke on him.

Glimmer said very seriously, "Mr. Lu Xiao, first of all, I am very grateful that you saved me three times."

"But I cannot approve of your current state of mind."

"You just said you still have one year left."

"Why not shine brightly and make an impact in this remaining year?"

As he spoke, his tone became somewhat impassioned.

"Do you know why my codename is Glimmer?"

Lu Xiao shook his head.

"Sorry, I'm not interested."

Lu Xiao's blunt response choked Glimmer, but he continued anyway.

"If the world is plunged into darkness, humanity needs light."

"I am willing to be that light that illuminates the world, even if it's just a trace of glimmering light!"

His words were passionate and stirring, enough to make one's blood boil.

But Lu Xiao's confusion couldn't be resolved by just a few words.

He looked up calmly at Glimmer and said nothing.

Seeing this, Dart also felt a headache coming on.

He knew more than Glimmer and the others. His worry was Lu Xiao's choice.

If Lu Xiao chose to trade for the answer, or even showed a tendency to do so, the Wardens would absolutely terminate him.

Although Lu Xiao was strong, it wouldn't be difficult for the Wardens to eliminate him if they decided to.

Right now, he didn't want Lu Xiao to reach that end.

It wouldn't be fair to Lu Xiao.

He scratched the back of his head; it was itching a bit.

"Mr. Lu Xiao, have you asked the prison doctor for his opinion?"

Hearing Dart's words, Lu Xiao looked up sharply.

Seeing this, Dart continued, "It's clear you are currently lost and need guidance from a wise man."

"I think the prison doctor would be very willing to be that wise man!"

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