Chapter Twenty-One: A New Discovery—Suspicion

September 6, 2237, Europa Capitalist Federal Republic, England Member State, Capital London.

“Greetings, I am Count Feilong, a diplomat,” said a lavishly dressed ambassador, welcoming Mingchuan and his companions at the airport of the base. “You’re the squad from the Turkish military district, right? You’ve arrived quite early. The new model of mechs won’t be ready until next week.”

“Even a Count can only be a diplomat? That’s rather humiliating,” Mingchuan remarked, leaving Count Feilong visibly embarrassed. Mingchuan paid little heed to his discomfort. “We’re simply here to sign in and collect the first batch of mechs. The first batch probably won’t take that long. Besides, aren’t we allowed to tour the London headquarters?”

“I suppose you could,” Feilong replied. “Let me take you to your district’s London station first. Here are your passes.” He distributed the access cards, but as he prepared to lead them away, Mingchuan slipped out of the group. “You all go ahead. I intend to visit the British Museum directly, and perhaps drop by the British Library.”

As Mingchuan was about to leave, Wenxin caught up to him. “I’ll go to the museum with you, but you’ll have to visit the library on your own. I don’t care for books.”

“Well, if you want to come along, I have no right to stop you,” Mingchuan said.

“Very well,” Feilong sighed, watching them go. “You two head off, I’ll handle the rest myself.”

“Alright, we’ll be on our way then.”

After leaving the British Museum, Mingchuan and Wenxin each received a phone call. After answering, they both spoke in unison: “Looks like something’s come up!”

“Oh? Seems you got the news as well.”

“I’ll leave it be. I’d rather continue to the library, though it’s nearly time to eat.”

“Then I’ll head back alone.”

After they parted, someone quietly chuckled to themselves: “Heh, finally I can act alone.”

That evening, Mingchuan returned to the station alone, having gotten lost and wandered to an unknown area. Just as he was about to leave, he saw Wenxin enter a room. Mingchuan followed, thinking it was his own room, but as he approached he noticed the room number didn’t match the one on his pass. He realized either Wenxin had gone into the wrong room, or there was something special happening—something even he, the squad captain, had no right to know. Instantly, connecting the dots, he began to suspect Wenxin’s identity was questionable. He pressed his ear to the door, hoping to overhear something.

Sure enough, he caught a peculiar sentence: “Count, do you believe Mingchuan is concealing his true abilities to hide his real identity?”

Count? Mingchuan was puzzled: Was it the same Count from this morning? Why would he summon Wenxin, and discuss Mingchuan himself? Were they hiding secrets?

“Mingchuan’s abilities, I can vouch for. But whether he is the person His Majesty the King seeks, I cannot say for certain. I don’t know his name, nor his appearance—only some habits and aspirations. We could eliminate suspects based on habits, and Mingchuan’s align strikingly.”

“That’s only strikingly, not definitely him.”

“What, are you defending him? In intelligence work, genuine feelings are forbidden.”

“True, but I do rather like him. I just don’t know what a normal girl ought to do.”

“No wonder you act so strangely—you’re nothing like a normal girl. I noticed Mingchuan doesn’t seem to appreciate it much.”

“Speaking of Mingchuan, he should be back soon. If he doesn’t see me, he might grow suspicious.”

“Then return quickly! Test him if the opportunity arises…”

———Author’s Note———

Sorry for such a late update today; I couldn’t use my computer and had to update via phone, which is rather uncomfortable.