CHAPTER 627: CHAPTER 138: SECRET OPERATION

In the dawn’s dim light, the steel creation emerged from beyond the horizon.

The train crossed plains and scaled steep ridges along the tracks, like a giant serpent traversing the vast earth, surveying the grandeur of the world, dragging behind it a plume of smoke that gradually dissipated, like a banner merging with the sky.

After a night of traveling, the passengers in the carriage were already feeling weary, leaning on one another in all kinds of sleeping positions. The carriage swayed gently, like a giant cradle soothing the restless hearts of the travelers.

Bologue silently moved through the crowded carriage, pushing open one car door after another. When he reached the spaces between carriages, he would pause for a moment, letting the cool wind brush across his face, dispersing the strange smells from inside the carriage, bringing along a penetrating sense of comfort.

He came to the last carriage of the train. This carriage looked no different from the others, but its door was locked. Only a few people on this train had the key to open this door, and Bologue was one of them.

Turning the lock, Bologue opened the door into the wind and returned to the exclusive carriage of the Field Operations Department.

Compared to the conditions for ordinary passengers, the Field Operations Department’s exclusive carriage was nothing short of luxurious—no crowded passengers, no densely packed seats.

The interior of the exclusive carriage was divided into several sections. Near the door was a small lounge, further in were arranged single rooms. Though narrow, there was no room for picky preferences in such an environment; even further back was a small warehouse storing Alchemy Armament.

All the members of the Special Operations Group were on this train, located in this very carriage.

Since they boarded the train yesterday afternoon, this iron serpent did not stop for a moment. Now they had already left Oubos and were heading towards Free Port at full speed.

Silence filled the carriage. Bologue seemed to be the first to awaken, but he suspected others were awake too, like Lebius, only they remained in their small rooms, enjoying the last calm before the storm.

Bologue found a spot to sit down. In this enclosed space, there was really nothing much to do. Picking up the document, he read the report he had reviewed countless times yesterday once again.

"Sorry, this is an emergency action, we don’t have much time to prepare."

After meeting Lebius at the train station yesterday, the first words out of Lebius’s mouth were an apology.

Everyone said it was fine; that’s just how it is with the Field Operations Department. One second you’re sleeping at home, and the next you’re called up for work. This time, at least Lebius gave them some time to pack.

The team members gathered inside the train station, their bags and baggage piled together like a small travel group.

Bologue didn’t bring much with him, just a few changes of clothes that fit into a small bag. Before leaving the Order Bureau, someone from the Logistics Department had come, and they went to great lengths to retrieve the Phantom Dagger. This small dagger only required a pocket to hold.

Palmer brought a bit more luggage; besides clothes, there were some things for entertainment. No one knew how long this mission would last, and Palmer didn’t want to lie in bed idly.

The others didn’t bring much either, as everyone was familiar with the style of the Field Operations Department. They knew they would receive the most comprehensive support.

Palmer looked up at the huge train station, seeing it as a heart forged from steel, with the extending tracks as the blood vessels, transporting human blood to faraway places with each heartbeat.

"Are we taking the train to our destination?"

Palmer hadn’t ridden a train in many years. Usually, his activities were limited to Opus; even when traveling far, he used the Curved Path Gate.

Putting aside the unknown tasks ahead, Palmer had already begun treating this trip as a journey. He actually packed a swimsuit in his luggage.

Geoffrey, dragging a suitcase, answered casually, "Yes."

"It seems this mission really is important."

Bologue noticed something different about Lebius. Unlike before, this time, Lebius was without his cane, as if the physical impairment completely disappeared.

"Indeed it’s very important. It’s probably the first time we’ve left Opus since the secret war," Geoffrey said, glancing at Lebius and joked, "Look, he’s not even using a cane."

Lebius remained silent. For this mission, he had equipped a support frame on his leg to help him walk like a normal person. Although he couldn’t perform intense movements, it was enough for regular activities.

Upon reaching the platform, many passengers were already waiting there,

Bologue cautioned, "We’re really mixing in with ordinary passengers like this?"

Taking on this mission meant facing unknown dangers, and unlike Palmer’s optimistic view of this as a vacation, Bologue stayed vigilant, like a tiger prowling through dense forests.

The train station was crowded. If an extraordinary conflict broke out, a large-scale casualty among ordinary people was inevitable. Bologue could restrain his power, but opponents likely wouldn’t, and might even use this to their advantage, threatening their side.

Onboard the train, Bologue felt even worse. At high speeds, the train could easily be seen as a narrow and confined space. If a conflict broke out, it was likely the entire train would derail, turning into a burning fireball.

"Don’t worry. Before we reach Free Port, we won’t encounter anything unexpected."

Lebius noticed Bologue’s discomfort and reassured him, "The confidentiality level of this mission is very high."

"Before we arrive, let’s just consider it a vacation."

Geoffrey patted him on the shoulder. Bologue was dedicated, but sometimes too much so, always tense and making it hard to breathe.

...

Bologue put down the report, feeling the atmosphere in the carriage was a bit stifling. He walked towards the end, passing through the small doors, behind which came the steady sound of breathing, which was so reassuring.

Opening the last door, Bologue appeared at the very end of the train, enclosed by a railing, convenient for passengers to stand and enjoy the view.

Leaning against the railing, the landscape swiftly retreated from his sides, forming a landscape painting in his eyes.

After spending some time reading and discussing with the team members, Bologue had a rough understanding of this mission.

Lebius had disclosed all the details to the team. The tenth group had discovered a trade item in Iris Town called the Primal Object, which was extremely important, prompting the group leader to make the decision to escort it back to the Order Bureau urgently.

Then, as Bologue knew, the tenth group was attacked, and half of the members went missing along with their leader.

To Bologue’s shock, apart from the attack on the tenth group, all Order Bureau strongholds within the Narrow Countries were subsequently hit by unknown forces. The outcome varied among the strongholds.

"The opponents aren’t aiming to eliminate our presence in the Narrow Countries," Lebius evaluated, "Their goal is clear, just to destroy the Curved Path Gate."

The gates in each stronghold were damaged, severing their connection with the Transfer Station, preventing the Order Bureau from rapidly sending personnel to the Narrow Countries.

Lebius deduced that after the attack, the tenth group should have protected the Primal Object during the assault, and the enemy continued to pursue it. To stop the Primal Object from escaping the Narrow Countries, they used this method to block Order Bureau reinforcements.

It seemed that the tenth group and the Primal Object were safe, yet after the crisis was over, they hadn’t proactively contacted the Order Bureau.

No one knew exactly what happened.

While Lebius was struggling with headaches, Bologue arrived with Belphegor’s insignia and intelligence on the Zongge Orchestra, leading to the formulation of a temporary operation plan, which then... unfolded.

It was all so intricate, as if a carefully crafted conspiracy, a long-conceived vengeance.