Chapter 24: Born Noble

Under the interrogation of the living dead, Maho Watanabe initially attempted to maintain a defiant attitude, but she quickly succumbed to the physical torture, especially after the living dead brutally twisted and broke her fingers.

"Stop, stop... I'll talk, I'll talk... please, stop..."

The living dead gripped her throat, forcing her chin up so she would not choke on the stomach acid rising in her throat.

Maho Watanabe did not reveal much, perhaps because her rank within the Human Rights Observers was not high. In short, the order from the elves was to stir up gender-related issues within Takamagahara as much as possible.

She and her human colleagues were focused on women’s issues. It was said that there were corresponding men’s issues being handled by elf colleagues with whom she was relatively unfamiliar, so Maho Watanabe was unsure of the progress there.

Seiko Takano listened to her confession in silence, her face expressionless. From the woman's words, she had gained a general understanding of the "Human Rights Observers" organization. The next step was to extract the locations of her colleagues to follow the trail and wipe out the organization entirely.

Under the threat of the living dead, Maho Watanabe disclosed the locations and contact information of two more colleagues. After that, no matter how much pressure was applied, she could provide no further information—her direct superior was within the Federation and communicated with her almost exclusively via chat software, leaving no other leads.

Just as Qingyu Xia had predicted, "This person is nothing more than a pawn thrown out to scout the path."

The water-like anomaly slowly "flowed" over, and under Maho Watanabe's terrified gaze and screams, it coldly consumed her into its own body.

Seiko Takano then turned toward the wall—from the perspective of Zi'ang Chen and Qingyu Xia, she was looking directly at them through the screen, likely having sensed traces of a mysterious presence.

"Shall we talk?" Qingyu Xia asked coldly.

"...What is there to talk about?" Seiko Takano paused, shaking her head toward the wall.

Zi'ang Chen noticed her gaze shifting; it was clear she could hear their voices and sense she was being monitored, but she could not see through the wall.

"We have noted your actions," Qingyu Xia said indifferently. "You are attempting to root out the forces behind the manipulation of gender issues, and you are trying to destroy them through violence."

"But your actions are in vain; your goal is unreachable, and your delusions are destined to fail."

"Hey!" Zi'ang Chen whispered, "That’s enough!"

It’s one thing for you to be sharp-tongued, but what is the point of mocking Seiko Takano directly? Aren't you afraid she’ll turn on you?

"The midterm elections are approaching," Qingyu Xia continued, ignoring Zi'ang Chen’s reminder. "The word from above is that they hope you will exercise some restraint lately."

"Ha." A hint of mockery finally appeared on Seiko Takano’s deathly pale face. "Exercise some restraint?"

"When women were sexually harassed and had nowhere to turn for justice, why didn't you step in to help?"

"When people were secretly twisting the name of equality to incite gender conflict, why didn't you come out to stop them?"

"When those villains, corrupted by money, wantonly harmed innocent people, why didn't you step out to correct them?"

"Now that things have spiraled out of control, you high-and-mighty bureaucrats suddenly decide you should step in, and the first thing you do is ask me... to exercise some restraint?"

Her voice trembled with increasing intensity, as if she were enduring immense grief and bitterness. She gritted her teeth and said:

"Fine. If I am willing to exercise restraint... how will you handle it? How will you manage these issues!"

"Qingyu, let me speak to her," Zi'ang Chen said.

"Very well," Qingyu Xia nodded.

"Ms. Takano, it’s me," Zi'ang Chen said in a deep voice.

The expression on the other side stiffened visibly. After a long silence, she said in a sorrowful, low voice:

"Ah, Zi'ang Chen... have you come to stop me too..."

"Ms. Takano," Zi'ang Chen said quickly, "The Human Rights Observers organization is indeed one of the masterminds, but destroying them is not the solution."

"The root of the problem lies in the 'Civil Rights Act' signed with the Federation. As long as this act remains in effect, even if you eliminate the Human Rights Observers, there will be Human Rights Defenders, Human Rights Protectors... there will be countless Federation organizations infiltrating incessantly, stepping into their predecessors' shoes. You cannot kill them all."

If this were Mie Nishikawa, such a logical, fact-based approach would be useless; they had already tried it once before.

But Seiko Takano had been a lawyer, and given their prior acquaintance, she patiently listened to him until he finished, then smiled bitterly:

"Then what do you propose?"

"The only way is to address the issue of the act from the top down," Zi'ang Chen said firmly. "But the prerequisite is that there can be no mishaps in the midterm elections."

"Conspiracy theories are already appearing in society, claiming that those you killed were secretly eliminated by the authorities to silence dissent."

"If you continue your reckless killing, more people will believe these claims, further impacting the midterm elections. By then, the politicians will be focused on winning back votes rather than solving the problem with this act."

Seiko Takano was naturally aware of the situation Zi'ang Chen described.

The Shi family had held the position of Governor of Takamagahara for four consecutive terms, and the National British Party held an absolute majority in the Sector Council. However, the opposition People's Vanguard Party was known for its unscrupulous tactics and ability to stir up trouble, posing a significant threat.

If the election results were compromised, politicians would prioritize votes above all else and would never touch issues that might ignite public opinion.

"Fine," Seiko Takano said, gritting her teeth. "I will not take action until the midterm elections are over."

"But I must see progress in solving this issue, otherwise..."

Her voice cut off abruptly. Her entire body suddenly transformed into clear water, collapsing into a puddle on the floor and splashing in all directions.

Zi'ang Chen let out a sigh of relief and turned to Qingyu Xia:

"Does that count as pacifying her?"

"By the standards of an ape, it is indeed a commendable display of quick wit," Qingyu Xia said coldly. "I shall refrain from further judgment, lest I bruise your fragile self-esteem."

Zi'ang Chen: "............"

It was meant to be a compliment, surely, but this woman’s linguistic functions were impaired, making it sound like a mockery.

*Sigh*, how pathetic. Such a beautiful girl, why did she have to have something wrong with her brain?

"Shall we go back then?" he asked, ignoring her sharp tongue.

Qingyu Xia stood up.

They took the elevator down to the underground garage, where they suddenly saw a strange man standing by the car, smiling and waving at the two of them.

The man’s features were somewhat similar to Qingyu Xia’s, but his irises and pupils were also pure black. Although his smile was gentle and amiable, it gave Zi'ang Chen a subtle sense of discomfort—as if he were wearing a hypocritical mask.

"Qingyu," the man said with a smile after they approached. "I’m in North Pole City on a business trip, so I thought I’d stop by to see you."

"Uncle," Qingyu Xia nodded indifferently. "Give me the car keys."

Zi'ang Chen blinked, quickly realizing the second half of the sentence was directed at him, and hurriedly fished out the car keys to hand them over.

The man opened the passenger door, and Qingyu Xia, having taken the keys, climbed into the driver’s seat and suddenly said:

"You can take a taxi back on your own."

As soon as she finished speaking, she closed the door, started the car, and drove slowly forward, leaving Zi'ang Chen alone in the empty garage.

He stood there stunned for a long time before he finally realized what had happened.

*Hey! We came here together, and you're making me take a taxi back!*

*Is that even reasonable?!*

As the car drove out of the underground garage, the man in the passenger seat spoke with a smile:

"That Zi'ang Chen doesn't seem very bright."

"Mediocre talent, unfit for major tasks," Qingyu Xia said coldly.

"And yet you appointed him as the section chief of the Field Division of Intelligence Department Five," the man said with a smile.

"Can't you see my intentions, Uncle?" Qingyu Xia sneered. "Have you stayed in the Imperial Capital so long that your brain has rusted?"

The man was not offended; he simply continued to smile:

"Are you in a bad mood today, Qingyu? Let’s be more frank, then: I know you put him in that position to control that witch, Suzuna Tsukimiya."

"But regarding what happened at the Takamagahara History Museum, I have yet to fully understand it myself."

"Logically, you haven't known Suzuna Tsukimiya for very long, yet she seems to harbor immense hostility and... hatred toward you?"

"Who knows?" Qingyu Xia said with contempt. "If you need to investigate every person who harbors jealousy or hatred toward me, I can only assume you have become so idle that you have to go looking for trouble."

"It is precisely because it is not a major matter that I came to ask you personally," the man said cheerfully. "Rather than simply erasing her."

"Don't forget, Qingyu. We are of the Imperial Family."

"We are born noble and destined to dedicate our entire lives to humanity, so we have no need for superfluous emotions, whether it be love, friendship... or hatred."