Chương 88: Countermeasures

The air in the office seemed somewhat stagnant due to the heavy conversation that had just taken place. Director Roland looked at Xing Shuang, and a complex light seemed to flicker in her blind eyes.

He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, his voice tinged with seriousness: "Miss Xingshuang, are you really planning to... face that enemy lurking in the shadows alone?"

Xing Shuang's gaze was calm and firm as she nodded slightly: "If the situation really deteriorates to the worst possible point, and if I need to face that hidden threat alone, then I will do so without hesitation."

There was no hesitation in her words, and that resoluteness made Director Roland's heart sink.

Upon hearing this, Director Roland's brows furrowed instinctively, his face clearly showing his opposition: "No! This is too dangerous!"

"We know almost nothing about that enemy, except that it caused several Crescent Moon-level magical girls to disappear one after another. Although you have powerful magic, you are still a rookie after all, and the risk of facing it alone is too great..."

"I know it's dangerous, Director Roland," Xing Shuang interrupted him, her tone still calm.

"But right now, in this city, perhaps only I... or rather, only I have any chance of confronting that enemy head-on."

"The enemy's power likely surpasses that of an ordinary Crescent Moon-level magical girl. Involving ordinary agents from the Special Affairs Bureau in a battle of this level would only result in unnecessary casualties."

Director Roland was speechless for a moment. Although Xing Shuang's words were cruel, they also revealed a fact that he was unwilling to admit.

Although the Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs possesses a certain level of armed force and magic/ethereal energy affinities, and is experienced in logistical support, its strength is indeed insignificant when faced with such an extraordinary enemy that specifically hunts magical girls.

The office fell silent again for a short while, with only the ticking of the old-fashioned wall clock standing out clearly in the stillness.

Xing Shuang didn't dwell on that topic, but instead turned to another issue that concerned her more: "Director, Senior Yue Xi mentioned that she contacted Esmeralda for help through 'special channels.' Are you aware of this?"

Director Roland frowned slightly upon hearing this, a hint of confusion on his face: "A special channel? Contacting the Magic Kingdom?"

"I am unaware of this matter. Our Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs and Esmeralda mainly communicate through established official channels for intelligence sharing and resource requests. I have never heard of any 'special channel' that Yuexi mentioned."

"Is that so..." Xing Shuang nodded thoughtfully, understanding dawning on her.

It seems that what Yuexi said was indeed a secret communication method known only to magical girls, or at least to magical girls of the New Moon level or above, and the Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs was not directly involved in it.

"Did she tell you when the support from the Magic Kingdom will arrive?" Director Roland asked with a hint of anticipation.

"Yes, Senior Yuexi told me that an inspector will be coming to investigate soon," Xingshuang relayed truthfully, but her tone did not become any more relaxed.

Upon hearing this, Director Roland's tense face finally showed a relieved expression, and he let out a long sigh: "With the arrival of the Inspector General to provide support, the situation may... not have reached the worst point yet."

Xing Shuang was not as optimistic as him. She didn't know exactly when Yue tide sent out the distress message through that "special channel," but even counting from the day they met, three whole days had passed.

Three days is a long time for a city where magical girls may be disappearing continuously.

She knew almost nothing about the Magic Kingdom, nor how efficient the inspectors were, but she was prepared for no external assistance for the foreseeable future.

Director Roland looked at Xing Shuang's face, which showed a calmness and determination beyond her years, and knew that this "newcomer" magical girl was far more mature and determined than her petite appearance suggested. He also knew that her mind was made up and that any further persuasion would be futile.

He sighed softly, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness but also a touch of respect: "Alright, Miss Xingshuang, since you've made your decision, I won't try to stop you anymore."

He paused, leaned forward slightly, and asked, "So, what is it that you've come here so late at night hoping the Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs can provide assistance with?"

Xing Shuang took a deep breath and revealed the true purpose of her trip: "I hope the Bureau of Extraterrestrial Affairs can provide me with all the requests for assistance related to infiltration incidents in Jiangchuan City over the past two months... no, three months."

"Including the time and specific location of each infiltration, as well as the code name of the magical girl who first responded to the call for help."

"A request for assistance?" Director Roland was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Xing Shuang to make such a request.

"Yes." Xingshuang nodded, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable determination.

"I want to explore these locations and try to gather some information."

"Since the enemy ambushes lone magical girls by infiltrating the void, the locations where each infiltration occurs, especially the places where those missing seniors last responded to their calls for help, may bear traces of battle."

"Perhaps through these traces, I can analyze the enemy's fighting style, ability characteristics, and even... find clues left by those missing predecessors."

Upon hearing this, Director Roland's expression became extremely solemn. He remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his tone filled with worry: "Miss Xingshuang, your idea is bold and valuable."

"However, the effort required to do this is immeasurable, and some time has passed since the incident, so many clues may have disappeared or been deliberately erased by the enemy."

"I know it will be difficult, and the chances of success may be slim." Xing Shuang met Director Roland's gaze, her eyes unwavering.

"But I have to try. There are many people I want to protect, and this sense of crisis drives me to take action. Letting that enemy lurk in the shadows for even a second longer is unacceptable to me."

Director Roland sensed from Xing Shuang's words an almost obsessive determination and a will to protect, as well as a resolve to protect those important to her at all costs.

He knew he could not refuse the request, nor did he have the right to refuse.

"I understand." Director Roland finally nodded, his tone filled with deep respect.

"The Bureau of Extraterrestrial Intelligence will fully cooperate with you. I will have the relevant request records compiled and given to you immediately."

He stood up, walked to his desk, pressed the internal communication button, and gave a brief and clear explanation.

A moment later, there was a knock on the office door, and a uniformed staff member walked in, holding an encrypted electronic storage device.

"Chief, the information you requested is ready."

Director Roland took the storage device and handed it to Xing Shuang: "This contains detailed records of all virtual realm infiltration incidents in Jiangchuan City over the past three months, as well as related preliminary reports. I hope... it will be of some help to you."

Xing Shuang accepted the storage device and solemnly thanked Director Roland: "Thank you very much, Director Roland. This intelligence is of utmost importance to me."

"Whatever assistance you need, or any clues you discover, please notify the Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs immediately," Director Roland instructed.

"We... will do everything possible to support you."

"I understand, I won't hesitate to offer my support when needed." Xing Shuang carefully put away the storage device.

Just then, the "Star Tear" gem on her chest, which represented her identity as a magical girl, suddenly vibrated slightly and rhythmically.

A thought struck her, and she immediately took out the signal receiver, which was provided by the Bureau of Paranormal Affairs and looked like an exquisite silver pocket watch.

The watch face was now gleaming with a faint red light, and the hands were pointing to a certain location in the city.

"Northern part of the city... Industrial park..." Xing Shuang read the information transmitted by the device, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Erosion-level infiltration of the void."

She put away her pocket watch, stood up, and said with a hint of apology, "Director Roland, it seems I have to leave immediately."

Director Roland also stood up and solemnly instructed, "Miss Xingshuang, please be careful in everything you do. You are extremely important to this city right now."

Xing Shuang turned around and walked to the office door. Just as she was about to push the door open, she turned her head slightly and revealed a confident and dazzling smile.

"Don't worry." Her voice was calm and confident, carrying a power that could dispel all gloom.

"After all, I am... Magical Girl Starfrost."

Before she finished speaking, her figure had already disappeared outside the door, leaving only silence in the room and the complex expression on Director Roland's face, a mixture of worry and expectation, that lingered for a long time.