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Chapter 160: Walking Out of Prison
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Athena was hardly taken aback by the implications in her words. She was, at this point, in so much pain that she leaned against the wall for support.
“Is that so? Did you just decide this and inform , or has it been announced nationwide already?” she inquired with a faint, dry tone.
Yuris gestured to the jailer, who had been standing silently at the side, and with a deliberate pace, she stepped forward, opening the door to the cell.
Upon seeing her attire, it was clear that Yuris had been promoted to the position of Deputy Director. Yet, the question remained- who had been appointed the Director? After all, the Eagle Claw Bureau could not function without a leader.
“It was rely Babron's instruction for to inform you,” Yuris said with asured calm. “You may interpret it as you wish.”
She stepped into the cell, her footsteps asured and assured. Her gaze lingered on the iron bars, and with a small jangle of keys, she selected an old-fashioned one from the bunch and unlocked the window. The dimly lit cell, deprived of sunlight for what seed an eternity, finally saw a sliver of light.
“Well, after all, so explanation must be given to the public,” she murmured.
Athena’s voice carried a note of grim acceptance. “This was indeed my mistake, wasn’t it? I am more than willing to offer all my wealth, all my treasures and collections, and volunteer to be transferred to the frontlines, to the warzones. I am prepared to make my final contribution to the Empire.”
At this, Yuris visibly flinched, a small tremor running through her hand as she turned her head, staring at Athena in surprise.
She had not expected such an abrupt capitulation. It was wholly uncharacteristic of this person before her, whose temperant had always been far from malleable.
But Athena was in no mood to engage in the petty power struggles of these elderly officials. She had a task to complete, and ti was of the essence. She needed to reach the warzone and carry out her first mission with urgency.
Had her past evaluations not reached an S rank, the system might have stripped her of all player capabilities. It was this ranking, however, that had triggered the special mission from the system- the only chance she had now.
"I can pass along your ssage," Yuris replied, her tone neutral.
Yet, she did not leave imdiately. She simply stood across from Athena, gazing at her intently, as if waiting for sothing, or perhaps, for nothing at all. The silence stretched on, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension and awkwardness.
“...”
“I am grateful for your guidance and the life you saved, but my loyalty will always lie with the Eagle Claw Bureau,” Yuris stated firmly, her eyes locking with Athena’s, no hesitation in her gaze.
Though she did not believe she had done anything wrong, a sense of guilt gnawed at her. It was this that motivated her to say these words. Even now, she could not fathom why her superior had made that sudden decision.
Nevertheless, if Athena was truly willing to make this concession, the frontlines were in such a desperate state that the higher-ups would likely accept her offer without resistance.
For reasons unknown, there had been explosive outbreaks across the entire front, and things were becoming tight all over. If Athena was willing to relinquish her amassed fortune and data, and offer herself as a prisoner to be sent to the warzone, drained of all her utility, that was precisely what they had hoped for.
As for the public’s perception, the official line would be that their Director, misled by so monstrous influence, had fallen to such a state. After all, how else could one explain such actions?
Of course, the corrupt Director would still face the appropriate judgnt and be sent to the frontlines. As for the prince, no objections would be raised on his end.
Finally, as she had done before, Yuris gave Athena a standard bow, then exited the cell. She gestured to the doctor standing nearby, signaling that it was ti for the dical treatnt to begin.
The doctor entered and began assessing Athena’s injuries, moving with practiced care. After confirming the severity, she raised her right hand, palm glowing with a soft green light. This energy seeped into Athena’s wounds, revitalizing them with a faint but undeniable life force.
However, this treatnt was far from gentle. It felt like being sliced slowly with a dull knife, each movent a fresh wave of agony.
Athena gritted her teeth, enduring the pain in silence, her eyes fixed on the doctor’s busy form. She knew that if she was to face the upcoming trials, recovery was crucial.
When the treatnt finally ended, Athena could feel her condition improve, but only partially. The worst of her injuries had been tended to, preventing permanent disability, but she was far from restored to full combat readiness.
She tested her limbs, finding so lingering pain but enough mobility to move freely. The healing had been precisely calibrated- not enough to restore her battle capacity, but just enough to allow her to function.
After her bandages were changed, the doctor left, and the jailer returned to lock the door again.
Athena was still confined to her cell, but now, for the first ti, there was a window through which she could glimpse the outside world.
Not long after, the jailer returned once more, this ti under the guise of secrecy. He held a al, a blanket, a chair, and a water cup- essentially, everything that could be found in the vicinity was brought in for her.
He opened the door once more, though it was against protocol, and placed everything neatly beside Athena. Then, he gave her an expression that was more pitiful than sorrowful, offering a low, awkward bow before stepping back out of the cell.
With the chair now at her disposal, Athena no longer saw any reason to remain seated on the sparse straw bedding.
She knew that in a matter of hours- two at most- she would be released. The ti would be sufficient for a short nap.
Witty was equipped with both a small turret and massive bee wings, rendering it more than capable of carrying out operations. Once she was freed, Witty and the others would likely make their move. The bear grass ball, Paopao had the worst injuries, and conventional treatnt wouldn’t suffice to heal it.
Athena did not touch her food. Instead, she leaned back in the chair, closing her eyes, resting her mind. Hours passed, and then, outside, a commotion broke the quiet. The door to the cell creaked open.
“We et again,” a familiar voice echoed, and Athena opened her eyes to find Carter standing there.
“It seems you’ve made your decision,” Carter said calmly.
“The higher-ups have approved your request. You are free now, and...,” he paused, “You are not being sent as a prisoner but as the leader of a special operations team, deployed to the frontlines. Rest assured, your team mbers have been carefully chosen.”
Athena’s eyes widened in surprise for a brief mont, but the shock quickly passed, replaced by composure.
She had not expected Carter to still be alive. He appeared more mature now, though life had not likely been kind to him.
After all, his earlier foolishness and recklessness had been of use at tis, and his own strength was nothing to scoff at.
“I will do my best,” she said as she rose, stretching her limbs.
Though she had been given this position, she suspected the team would consist of condemned criminals and other troubleso individuals- likely a last-ditch effort to assign her so troubleso tasks.
“Good. Your gear and team will be waiting for you at the base,” Carter said, nodding.
The jailer, upon Carter’s signal, rushed over and hastily unlocked her shackles.
The heavy chains clattered to the floor with a dull thud, the noise startling the insects scattered around the cell. They scurried away in panic, vanishing in a flash.
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