"Sir, the Arch of Light reported an intrusion of unknown creatures. The danger level is unknown."
"…Which Arch of Light? All our arches are called Arches of Light."
"The southern Arch of Light. The polycrystalline one. Sir."
"Uh... all our arches are on the south side and have polycrystalline carvings. So which arch of light on the south side has polycrystalline carvings?"
"That's naturally the one who needs a pass to enter and exit. Sir."
"All our arches require passes. Uh..." Keqier took off his glasses and sighed. "So where did that thing come from?"
"Come from the arch, sir. According to the "Crystal Plains Reporting Code Final Edition", as an informant and your direct subordinate, I must provide you with accurate information." The informant's body leans forward to maintain the A perfect fifteen degrees, turning the page in the record book in my hand. "And, I must always address you as sir. Sir."
"...Okay. I heard it. So what is the intruding creature?"
"It's an unknown creature, sir. The danger level is unknown." The informant turned the notebook forward. "This matter has been reported."
His voice didn't change at all, it was crisp and sweet. Ke Qier felt a headache. "Okay." He frowned. "Then where is this unknown creature now? I'll go and see for myself."
The reporter kept his body angle, flipped the notebook to the last page, and moved his fingers along the page. Keqier looked at him with almost no hope.
Accurate information. Accurate information. It's hard to say whether it disappointed him or the other way around. "I don't know." The reporter's finger slid to the end of the page. He looked up seriously. "It says 'Insufficient space to provide records' here, sir."
"Not enough space. Unable to provide records." Help. Ke Qier felt like fainting. "Well. I don't want to criticize you. But couldn't the place where I wrote this be used as a record?"
"Not according to the rules, sir."
"Oh. Oh my god." Ke Qier couldn't bear to interrupt him. "So this creature came from nowhere, we don't know what it is, and we don't know where it went. Is this all you reported? Maybe my language was too rough. I'm sorry. But... …”
"It doesn't matter. You are forgiven, sir. Just as the code states. Subordinates must forgive their immediate superiors." The messenger's voice was pleasant. It sounds pleasant to the ear. "My report today goes beyond that. If you want to know-"
"I wanted to know. Thank you very much."
"The content of my report——"
The reporter flipped the notebook forward. "——Also includes all the changes in the Arch of Light from yesterday to now. Sir."
"What's changed?"
"No change at all, sir. I must emphasize that when we use the phrase 'no change at all' in our records, we mean absolutely no change—"
"Not at all. I understand. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much for the report. It was very valuable. It taught me a lot of things-"
Keqier put his hand on his forehead. "That's it for today. My dear colleagues. I am touched by your hard work." He stood up unsteadily, feeling like he was about to faint. "I'll go see for myself."
"Sir. Are you experiencing any physical discomfort? If so, I suggest you go to the crystal pool to recuperate for six to seven days. Of course, the specific time will depend on the queue and the speed of the application process. You know."
"No need really. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." Ke Qier tried to control his expression and walked out. He wanted to run out, but the rules didn't allow it. It made him want to cry. Not because I was moved. And out of a somewhat dark feeling - he subconsciously didn't want to identify it.
He turned his head and found that the newsman was still following behind him. Not even the distance between them changed at all.
Absolutely not.
"Uh. You don't need to accompany me anymore. Really. I just plan to look for that unknown creature and observe it-"
"Accompaniment is required, sir."
The reporter smiled and closed the notebook. "As I just reported. The danger level of the unknown creature is unknown."
"...Okay...then come together."
"Sir, have you forgotten? Even if it is such a necessary request, I must apply. Then it will be approved by my immediate superior, that is, you."
"May I approve? Uh. No offense. I don't agree with that."
"You can't disagree. Like I just said, you have to approve. But special circumstances like this can be expedited. According to the code, we only need to go through a seven-step simple process - Ah. Sorry. Do you have anything to say? ?Sir?”
Keqier sighed deeply. "No." He walked back to the desk and sat down blankly. "Tell me about the seven-step process."
Thirteen hours later. Keqier ran out of the room, threw himself on the railing and cried.
The newsman appeared silently from behind, still a standard distance away from him.
"If you need me to remain silent. I will remain silent, sir. It is within our code." The messenger's voice was pleasant, pleasant to the ear.
Ke Qier covered his face. I felt tears falling from my fingers in large drops. He felt ashamed, sad, painful, bored, and extremely lonely despite being accompanied. Although I don't understand why.
There is no use keeping anything. He just thought desperately. "I'm trapped here." Keqier cried. At the same time, he tried his best to look down through his tearful eyes, hoping that his tears would not damage the flowers that had just formed crystal grains.
"Why do you think so? Sir." Of course. Of course the messenger will answer. Because although he could remain silent, as the commander, he did not make and approve this request. This made him even more sad and speechless.
"Why do you think so? Sir. Isn't everything fine?" The source continued to ask without getting an answer. This is of course also prescribed. "This is the most beautiful and sacred place in the world."
Yes. Keqier thought. Yes. Can't refute.
"crystal". This is indeed the most sacred and orderly place. It was here that he was born. You should live very well here without any discomfort. Besides, isn't thirteen hours very short compared to his life? He can endure it completely...
No. Not patience. All is well. Standardized. Gentle, polite and pleasant. He should be satisfied. So he shouldn't have the feeling of being patient at all. It must be his problem——
"It's my problem." Ke Qier said, wiping his face.
"If you think so. I have no right to object, sir." The messenger's voice was pleasant. "If you think it's your problem, then you may need to confess. I can accompany you to the confession hall. But then our process will have to start over. And -"
"I guess there are also queues and applications required at the confession hall."
"Yes. Do you still want to go?" the newsman asked.
Keqier looked at him blankly for a moment. He just thought a lot. At this moment, he was thinking about nothing.
"...Then go." He said blankly.
(End of chapter)
