Chapter 1130: The Commander Assumes His Role
Chapter 1130: The Commander Assumes His Role
"Your invitation, I accept", Qiudao said.
She had learned the truth.
Dewen was not the person she had imagined him to be, not from the very beginning. She now understood what she meant to Dewen, and what the Shangri-La movement and all its members meant to him.
They were nothing more than tools, disposable weapons. Dewen would exploit their full potential without a second thought, and once they were spent, he would discard them casually.
Qiudao cried all night, her world shattered.
But fortunately, just the day before she discovered the truth, her world had already expanded beyond Dewen and the Shangri-La movement. This is why she didn't immediately fall apart, and why she had come here, once again standing before Youxuan.
The man before her, Officer Godwin, reminded her of her original path, the dream she had once thought she would never achieve in her lifetime.
But Godwin and the Law Enforcement Bureau could give her that chance, the chance to once again walk the path of a Duelist of Light.
Moreover, through the Duel she had participated in, she realized that this man was incredibly strong, with depths she couldn't fathom. Her intuition told her that if she got closer to him, it might help her grow faster and learn to control her powers.
Yes, for the first time in years, Qiudao no longer despised her own strength. After listening to the words of Yusei Fudo and Godwin during the Lucky Cup, she began to seriously reflect on herself, considering the possibility of fully mastering her powers and using them to improve herself.
"Oh? You've made up your mind?" Youxuan chuckled. "No longer hate me?"
Qiudao shook her head, hesitated for a moment, and then softly said, "I'm sorry for what happened before. You're a good person, I know."
"Cough, cough."
Youxuan cleared his throat and said, "Good person or not, it's all just for our own purposes."
He paused and continued, "But I organized the Lucky Cup to gather you Dragon Marked and to fight the Shadow Marked, who are about to bring about the end of the world. My desire to protect this world is genuine."
Qiudao nodded. "What do you need me to do?"
"Primarily, to fight the Shadow Marked", Youxuan said. "As for where they are, you don't need to worry about that. Each Dragon Marked has a destined Shadow Marked counterpart, and she will likely come to you soon.
I've already collected information on the Shadow Marked who corresponds to you. She believes you killed her loved one, and she will stop at nothing to avenge them, even if it means descending into hell."
Qiudao was startled. "I killed her loved one? Who?"
"It wasn't you, it was Dewen. He made you take the blame. It's a complicated story, but I'll send you the detailed file. Go over it carefully when you get back.
But I want to warn you, don't think that explaining the misunderstanding to the Shadow Marked will prevent the fight. They have sold their souls to Yeshen. Even if they lose the will to fight, Yeshen won't allow it. You will have to fight, and you must win.
I've gathered information on your enemy to help you understand both sides and gain the upper hand. It's also to remind you that you shouldn't feel guilty or burdened by the enemy. The truth can be a weapon to shake their resolve during the fight.
This isn't just for yourself, but for the entire world. Do you understand?"
Qiudao hesitated, bit her lip, and slowly nodded.
Then she asked, "Is there anything else you need me to do?"
What he had just said was important, but it sounded more like the inherent mission of a Dragon Marked. She had originally thought she was invited here to take on a specific task, perhaps one related to her innate psychic abilities.
"Anything else? Not really. Right now, the top priority is dealing with the Shadow Marked."
Youxuan thought for a moment and then said, half-jokingly, "If it comes to that, you could be my secretary. Just handle the tea and water, run errands, and do some document sorting."
Qiudao nodded seriously, "Okay. When do we start?"
"I was joking", Youxuan said, looking at the young girl who seemed to have no sense of humor.
"You haven't even turned eighteen, have you? The Law Enforcement Bureau doesn't employ minors."
Although Qiudao looked mature, she was only sixteen, a high school student, and he hadn't forgotten that.
"Once the Shadow Marked issue is resolved, finish your studies at Duel Academy first. If you still want to, you can come back and apply. Oh, and there's one more thing about the Shangri-La movement."
Youxuan changed the subject.
"Even though Dewen is gone, some of the ideas he proposed—whether they were just a facade to cover his lies—still have merit. Regardless of the intentions, the Shangri-La movement did provide a home for many who were homeless. Although the organization was initially a scam, it doesn't mean it can't become what you envision."
Qiudao's expression changed, "You mean..."
"The Shangri-La movement can still be shaped into the home you want. No more lies, no more deceit, no more conspiracies and harm. When necessary, the Law Enforcement Bureau can provide funding and support to help you get things on track. But no matter what, I'm an outsider. You need someone from within the organization to take the lead, preferably someone with enough influence and recognition."
He looked directly at Qiudao, his eyes almost spelling it out.
"You mean... me?"
Qiudao shook her head repeatedly.
"I can't do it. I don't have the ability, and I'm not the kind of person who can give people hope or lead them in the right direction."
"You can't, or you don't want to?" Youxuan asked.
Qiudao lowered her head and remained silent.
"I thought as much."
Youxuan smiled, stood up from his chair, and patted her shoulder.
"You can become much better than you are now, and you can do much more. You're not the Black Rose Witch, and you don't bring despair and fear. You can also be a symbol of hope, someone admired and needed by many. I knew from the first moment I saw you that you have this potential. The key question is... do you want to change?"
"I do."
Qiudao looked up and met his gaze, seemingly determined.
"I want to be needed."
"If you want it, then go for it", Youxuan said with a smile. "You can become anything you want, Qiudao."
Qiudao's eyes welled up, and she felt a lump in her throat, almost on the verge of tears.
She nodded vigorously, "Yes!"
A moment later, she said with a complex expression, "Thank you."
Youxuan turned to face the window and waved his hand casually.
"No need to thank me. I'm the city's officer, and making this place better is my responsibility. You can go now."
Qiudao nodded, turned, and left the room.
Outside the door, she paused, wiping away the tears that had finally overflowed. She then lifted her head, and her gaze became resolute once more.
Back in the office, Youxuan sat down in his chair and closed his eyes.
It felt like he was really starting to step into the role of an officer...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
