Chapter 406: No Fooling the Mouse
Adele left the containment center and found Director Yashi waiting for her outside. The woman held one hand to her chest, the other raised to her wrist, gently waving a greeting. Adele hurried over.
Slightly breathless, like a friendly kitten, her fine black hair trembled with her movements. “Director Yashi, I’ve finished the interrogation!”
“Yes, and what were the results?” Yashi wanted to hear Adele recount the events herself. This was also a subtle, everyday test.
Adele faithfully relayed her entire conversation with Ain, almost verbatim, exactly as Yashi had seen and heard through the surveillance cameras.
“So, Director… will you agree to the Evil God’s request?”
“Although the Bureau doesn’t yet understand why the Evil God Ain underwent such a drastic change overnight,” Yashi said, her gaze on Adele profound, “her conditions and requests aren’t unreasonable.”
“And the priority is indeed to awaken Mage Victoria.”
“I’ll tell you the final decision after the meeting, Adele.”
“Do you want to attend the meeting with me now, or do something else?”
The thought of sitting stiffly through a long, nerve-wracking meeting made Adele shake her head rapidly. “A-Attending a meeting… I think I’ll pass…”
“Um! Can I move freely within the Enforcement Bureau?”
“Of course. Not everywhere, but with your clearance… you can explore almost any corner of the Enforcement Bureau.”
Adele mistook the “clearance” Yashi mentioned for her “mid-level operative” status. The true nature of her clearance remained unknown.
“Thank you, Director Yashi!” After thanking her, the girl parted ways with Yashi. Yashi went to the meeting, while Adele purposefully explored the Enforcement Bureau.
She wanted to find the department responsible for managing Foreign Races. She was still worried about the mice she had rescued from the Eastern Capital’s sewers. Although mouse-girls were a somewhat peculiar existence, they were still beast-eared girls, so they weren’t repulsive. Moreover, the little one she knew was a hamster-girl.
A hamster-girl named Xiao Su. And hamsters were undeniably cute, small, soft, like fluffy puddings, tempting one to take a bite~ They were, after all, a type of mouse bred as pets.
Thanks to Adele’s burgeoning reputation within the Enforcement Bureau, she received enthusiastic welcomes and assistance whenever she asked for directions. Soon, she arrived at the “Foreign Race Resettlement Bureau.” And there, in the corner, waiting in line, she spotted the hamster-girl, Xiao Su.
Her complexion looked much better, her energy restored. She was with an elderly mouse woman with gray hair, ears, and whiskers. That must be her “mother.”
Adele politely knocked on the door and entered after receiving permission. She walked briskly towards Xiao Su. Xiao Su’s reaction to seeing Adele was no longer the initial shock and awe. Instead, she showed surprise and excitement.
Xiao Su knew that Adele had saved her and her fellow mice from that indescribable Evil God. Adele was her and her mother’s benefactor!
“We meet again, Xiao Su~”
“Ad-Adele… Sister.” As if remembering something, Xiao Su blushed, hesitantly calling her “sister.”
Adele immediately understood, returning a shy smile. This was the role she played in the library when Xiao Su was caught “stealing books.” She pretended to be Xiao Su’s older sister to rescue her from the librarian. This led to the subsequent series of events involving the Evil God’s capture.
Fortunately, the ending was happy. Both she and Xiao Su, along with the other mice, had a bright future.
“Are you… the benefactor Xiao Su mentioned?” the old woman beside Xiao Su asked with a kind smile, her voice trembling slightly.
Adele scratched her cheek shyly. “A-A benefactor… that’s too much, Granny.”
“I just did what I should have done.”
The old woman shook her head. She deeply understood the significance of Adele’s actions. Not only had they survived the Evil God, they would also have a peaceful resettlement area to live in with her children. Without Adele’s help, they would have either been killed by the Evil God as useless waste or lived as rats forever hiding in the shadows of the city.
But now, they could finally leave this dangerous city and go to the countryside, perhaps not exciting, but safe and stable. She bowed deeply to Adele, who looked much younger than her.
Following the old mouse woman’s bow, the other mouse-girls and mice also bowed to Adele. Unaccustomed to such a scene, Adele waved her hands, flustered.
“Whoa, whoa, th-that’s not necessary!”
Finally, Adele helped the old woman up. She also spoke a few kind words to Xiao Su, encouraging her to live well and study hard, as Foreign Races could also attend special schools through education and achieve their dreams. Not like the malicious rumors spread by some, claiming that the Human Race’s establishment of autonomous zones for Foreign Races was like raising livestock, treating them as resources to be harvested at will!
By now, many Foreign Races had adapted to human society through education in special schools, even becoming operatives or clerks in the Enforcement Bureau. Like the strong male Minotaur staff member sitting at the desk in the Foreign Race Resettlement Bureau office. Their existence debunked those rumors.
However, Adele glanced at the “Minotaur” a few times, receiving a slightly displeased response. “Please don’t look at me like that, Madam.”
“I have a family and a pair of lovely children. I’m happily married.”
“And I’m not interested in human or Foreign Race women, nor do I have any particular interest in married women, schoolgirls, female subordinates, etc.”
“You understand what I mean.”
“…I-I understand, perfectly clear!” Adele blinked sincerely. It seemed this “pure-hearted Minotaur” also suffered from stereotypes.
“Next.” The pure-hearted Minotaur called out indifferently. It was Xiao Su and her family’s turn to process their resettlement documents.
Adele gently stroked Xiao Su’s soft white hair and, of course, her fluffy ears, which Adele adored. Then, the girl reluctantly waved goodbye.
“Well, goodbye~”
“I wish Xiao Su, Granny, and everyone a bright future!” Adele offered her heartfelt blessings.
Hearing the girl’s farewell, Xiao Su’s eyes reddened for some reason. She pursed her lips and nodded at Sister Adele.
But just as they turned to part ways, Xiao Su suddenly turned back and ran towards Adele, hugging her tightly from behind just as she was about to open the door. For the first time, the impulse to hug someone so strongly became a reality.
Adele froze, then heard Xiao Su sniffling behind her, her soft voice saying, “I’ll definitely remember… remember Sister Adele…”
“I won’t steal anymore!”
“I’ll study hard, because only then…”
“Will I have the chance to return to this city…”
“To return to Sister Adele’s side?”
The innocent young girl still didn’t understand love, only instinctively feeling a reluctant attachment to Adele. Adele responded with a smile.
“Okay~”
“Go for it, Xiao Su.”
“Sister will be waiting for that day.”
“…No fooling the mouse?”
“Pfft, no fooling.”
“Let’s make a pinky promise.” Adele extended her pinky finger. Xiao Su did the same.
Their pinkies intertwined. The promise was made.
Chapter 407: Vampire or Human?
After bidding farewell to Xiao Su and the others, Adele felt a sense of fulfillment from doing a good deed. She left the Foreign Race Resettlement Bureau and wandered aimlessly through the vast office building.
As an Enforcement operative, her days were quite leisurely, except when she was on missions. She didn’t have to handle complex and tedious paperwork, the work of clerks. The two career paths offered different rewards and required different sacrifices. Operatives risked their lives on the front lines, fighting against unruly Foreign Races, while clerks dealt with endless documents and computer software, a more mentally taxing job. The advantage of being a clerk was safety and the comfort of air conditioning and heating.
Lost in her thoughts, a calm voice suddenly caught Adele’s attention. “Hello, Adele.”
“Hmm?” Adele turned around, surprised to see Wen Weiran, the Student Council President of Cromwell Academy. She still had the adorable stature of a middle or even elementary school student, but her aura was no less imposing than any aloof older woman. In short, she was a girl with a striking contrast, possessing formidable power.
Adele felt a twinge of nervousness. She politely replied, “Hello, President Wen…”
Wen Weiran didn’t seem to mind Adele’s address. She calmly walked to Adele’s side and started walking alongside her as if it were the most natural thing to do. For a while, neither spoke, simply walking towards the end of the corridor.
In terms of actual strength, Adele was now far more powerful than Wen Weiran, the former strongest student and Student Council President of Cromwell Academy. But perhaps she lacked the aura of a powerful individual. At a glance, most people would likely assume Wen Weiran was stronger.
“President Wen… is there something you need?” Adele asked, unable to contain her curiosity after a moment of hesitation.
Wen Weiran looked up, her bright, sharp eyes like swords gleaming beneath her bangs. “Nothing in particular. I’m just curious about what happened that day… during the amusement park incident.”
The human higher-ups were tight-lipped about the “amusement park incident,” as it involved the death of a True Ancestor. That day, Wen Weiran wasn’t qualified to enter the heart of the incident, only responsible for evacuating visitors from the periphery. So it was understandable that she remained curious.
“Adele, you were there, weren’t you?”
“…” Adele nodded, then quickly added, “B-But I don’t know exactly what happened either… uh, I fainted! Yes, that’s right!”
Although she hadn’t signed any “confidentiality agreement,” many human higher-ups, including the Elf True Ancestor, Lislotte, had subtly reminded Adele to keep it a secret. So, when President Wen asked, Adele paused, then fabricated a story.
Wen Weiran seemed understanding, the corners of her lips curving up almost imperceptibly as she softly said, “I thought Adele would be the type of girl who’s good at lying.”
Adele’s cheeks flushed. She felt inexplicably embarrassed and quickly retorted, “N-Not at all!” Where did President Wen get that idea?! Was it because her reputation for flirting at the academy made her seem like someone skilled at deceiving girls?
As Adele pondered, Wen Weiran changed the subject. “By the way, I often see you at the Enforcement Bureau these days.”
“Ah, that’s because of special training and some other things…”
“Are your studies at the academy alright?”
“Well, there’s definitely some impact, but my situation is special… Headmistress Winona granted me permission to choose all courses.”
Wen Weiran nodded, seemingly unsurprised by the girl’s answer. “You are the Chosen Girl, after all,” she said calmly, the light in her eyes, whether an illusion or not, seeming sharper.
Adele felt like a student being questioned by a teacher, feeling uneasy. Perhaps sensing the girl’s mood, Wen Weiran suddenly said frankly, “Actually, I’m not very good at communicating with people.”
“I’m just worried that my next question might be difficult for you to answer.”
“So I tried to bring up other topics first, to smoothly transition.”
“I see…”
“It’s okay! I’m fine, President Wen. Ask whatever you want!” Adele reassured her.
Wen Weiran nodded and stopped walking. Adele, influenced by her, also stopped, nervously awaiting Wen Weiran’s question. Wen Weiran’s gaze became serious, her eyes piercing as if trying to see through Adele. Whether she could truly see through her was unknown.
After all, if Adele remembered correctly, President Wen’s abilities were formidable, wielding the authority of “certain hit” and “penetration.” If this power could be applied to abstract things, like “words that always hit a nerve,” it would be a terrifying weapon!
“Then I’ll ask.”
“Adele, do you consider yourself human?”
“???” Trying to break her defenses, huh?
“Sorry, I misspoke.” Fortunately, Wen Weiran realized her rudeness and rephrased her question. “I mean, do you consider yourself part of the Human Race, or the Vampire Clan?”
Here it comes, the classic question of belonging. Adele’s allegiance was complicated, being a hybrid of vampire and human. But answering either side would be a rejection of the other!
Wen Weiran knew this question would be difficult for Adele. But she didn’t expect Adele’s answer to be so… She wasn’t sure how to describe it, perhaps “honest”?
“Um… can I be a vampire when I’m with vampires, and a human when I’m with humans?”
This was Adele’s answer. A vampire among vampires, a human among humans! No need for further interpretation!
“What an interesting answer.”
“I understand.” Wen Weiran gave a rare smile. Then, she asked, “By the way, Adele, have you heard from Senior Lige recently?”
Wen Weiran suspected Adele and Li Lige were still secretly in contact, like before.
“No, I don’t know how Senior Lige is doing now.” The girl spoke truthfully. And Wen Weiran was confident in her ability to discern lies from truth. Clearly, Adele was telling the truth.
“I see.” Wen Weiran said, then bid farewell to Adele and walked away.
Adele finally relaxed. Although both were Student Council Presidents, talking to Senior Lige was definitely more comfortable. Wen Weiran always gave off an unreadable vibe. Adele thought to herself.
