Chapter 21: Investigation
The investigator was left somewhat confused by Rong Mi’s words.
Investigator: …Why does it sound like Rong Mi didn’t know about Lu Yi’s military rank before?
The Federation’s star regions were vast, and the safety zones were peaceful. Especially deep within the safety zones, many people felt that the battlefield with the Zerg was distant from their lives, a place they would never have to deal with in their entire lives.
Therefore, Lu Yi’s name wasn’t known by everyone. But those who did know him should be aware that he was the youngest legion commander and the youngest general in the Federation.
“The First Legion has been stationed in the war zone for a long time,” the investigator could only mention a little about Lu Yi’s military rank. “The general is very capable, the fastest-promoted officer in nearly a hundred years.”
Rong Mi was deep in thought.
…He didn’t know how close Lu Yi was to the commander of the First Legion.
But since Lu Yi had promised to keep it a secret, it should be fine!
Lu Yi seemed like a reliable person who would never break his promises.
“Please come in.” The investigator had already opened the inquiry room door ahead. Rong Mi snapped back to his senses, preparing himself for the upcoming questions.
However, the investigator’s questions were very restrained.
He asked Rong Mi about his reasons for entering the competition, the initial fall into the ice butterfly cocoon area, and the entire process of encountering and fighting the ice butterflies.
After Rong Mi finished his basic statement, the investigator nodded.
“As part of the routine process, we need to check your background records, including your family background, upbringing, and so on… Your authorization is needed,” he said, handing Rong Mi a holographic screen with an agreement. “The report will only be submitted to the investigation team for this ice butterfly incident, as well as to the senior officers of the legion closely involved with this case.”
“This is to eliminate the possibility that you have secret connections with the Zerg,” he added. “If you refuse the investigation, you will need to write a detailed reason report and submit it to the military for approval.”
“I have no problem.” Rong Mi quickly signed the agreement for the investigation. His original background was clean, so he had nothing to fear. His bigger concern was the investigation team asking about the significant changes in him.
However, after receiving Rong Mi’s signed consent, the investigator put down his pen.
He didn’t ask Rong Mi why he could skillfully pilot the mecha or how his mental energy level had increased so dramatically. He also didn’t ask about any issues related to the Zerg’s hypnosis waves.
“Your competition mecha’s space button needs to be handed over to us as important evidence,” the investigator said instead. “Do you have the space button with you?”
“Of course.” Rong Mi handed the space button back to the investigator. “I was being chased by ice butterflies on the desolate planet. There might be a special scent on the mecha that attracts them.”
The investigator’s expression became serious. “We will investigate it carefully.”
The coating that could emit such a scent, along with the remnants of attractants found on the outer layer of their destroyed competition starships, were all controlled military products.
Rong Mi nodded, stood up, and prepared to leave.
He opened the door, but hesitated for a moment and turned back to confirm. “Has the inquiry been completely finished?”
“Yes.” The investigator looked at Rong Mi.
He turned off the recording pen, understanding where Rong Mi’s doubt came from, and then explained seriously, “We do have questions about your mecha piloting and mental energy level.”
“But General Lu Yi will directly report to the Supreme Commander. He has already submitted a request to be your security guarantor.”
“So, this investigation will not involve any questions about your mecha piloting or mental energy.” The investigator shrugged. “Even if there are follow-up inquiries, they won’t be handled by us, but by special investigators from Capital Star.”
“So, today’s inquiry has been fully completed. You will not be asked any more questions before General Lu Yi returns to Capital Star for his report.”
“When the investigation report is released, we will also explain to the public that you have privately received mecha and mental energy training.”
Rong Mi stood still for a moment, then remembered what Lu Yi had told him earlier and the conversation he had overheard while half-asleep. He couldn’t help but smile.
General Lu Yi was thoughtful!
He had solved a big worry for him!
Rong Mi boarded Lu Yi’s starship again. Worried about Lu Yi’s mental domain, he hurried up the gangway, entered the starship, and found the silver wolf sitting at the door.
The moment the door opened, the silver wolf suddenly stood up, its fur bristling, its upper body crouched down.
When it saw it was Rong Mi, the wolf relaxed, wagged its tail, and let out a low growl.
The wolf had already forgotten the little grievance from earlier.
It moved aside to make space for Rong Mi to enter, then sat back down at the door, one paw instinctively scratching the starship floor.
Rong Mi could tell the wolf was very alert and a little anxious.
“What’s wrong?” the young man crouched down.
“Woof.” The silver wolf turned toward the inside of the starship and let out a short bark, almost urging Rong Mi to come inside.
Rong Mi looked inside the starship, his heart tightening slightly.
When the wolf had woken him up earlier, its emotions had seemed calm, but now its sudden change in behavior could only be related to Lu Yi.
He was somewhat concerned about Lu Yi’s mental domain. Fortunately, as he walked inside the starship, he didn’t feel the cold air of the general’s mental energy leaking out, which meant Lu Yi’s mental domain was relatively stable.
As they neared the small conference room on the lower level of the starship, Rong Mi heard voices.
“Great! Both you and General Yin’s mental domains have been treated… This is nothing short of a miracle!”
Following the voices, Rong Mi reached the conference room door.
The door was open, and inside was a round table with seven or eight people sitting around it.
Lu Yi was sitting facing the door and looked up at Rong Mi.
With his movement, everyone else in the room turned in unison, casting their gazes at Rong Mi.
“My therapist,” Lu Yi stood up, supporting himself on the table, and introduced Rong Mi to his guard team.
Rong Mi lightly raised an eyebrow.
The few members of the First Legion’s guard team in the room immediately stood up at the same time.
The captain, Allen, who was standing at the farthest, stood at attention and gave Rong Mi a very standard military salute.
The other guard members followed the captain’s lead.
The entire room, including Lu Yi, gave Rong Mi a coordinated, standard military salute.
Rong Mi’s expression shifted slightly before he finally smiled.
He knew this was the most sincere way the soldiers of the military expressed their gratitude.
However, Rong Mi was no longer a member of the military, so according to protocol, he couldn’t return the salute.
The young man stood still, then said earnestly, “General Lu Yi also helped me a lot.”
Without Lu Yi, the situation on the desolate planet would have been far worse.
If he had tried to restrict the movements of the high-level ice butterflies and put them under hypnosis, the price would have been much higher than it was now.
Lu Yi noticed how Rong Mi addressed him, and his expression subtly changed.
He met the young man’s gaze, but didn’t see the kind of unusual expression that might appear when the young man learned of his position as the commander of the First Legion.
…He still didn’t know?
Lu Yi hadn’t let anyone conceal his identity in front of Rong Mi, but he also wouldn’t reveal it himself.
It seemed that Rong Mi held some resentment toward the commander of the First Legion.
“I’ll wait for you in the lounge,” Rong Mi said, not seeing anything amiss in Lu Yi’s unchanged expression. He raised a hand and tapped his temple, reminding the other not to neglect the issue with his mental domain.
Rong Mi didn’t want to disturb the military meeting, but with a sense of responsibility toward his patient, he walked out of the meeting room and emphasized again, “Hurry up and come when you’re done!”
Lu Yi nodded.
“Meeting adjourned.”
The general straightforwardly postponed the topics that were to be discussed, announcing the adjournment. His expression was calm as he walked through the meeting room, following Rong Mi’s footsteps.
Inside the meeting room, the representatives of the First Legion’s guard team exchanged glances.
“…Is it over already?” someone couldn’t help but whisper. “They left right after being called? Are we not discussing the next topics today? This doesn’t seem like our general’s style!”
“The follow-up to the encirclement of the high-level ice butterflies shouldn’t be led by us. The Third Legion is on its way, so we’re not in a rush to discuss those…”
“But I’m still surprised! Is it because of Rong Mi? Wow… This is quite something!”
“Quiet down first.” Allen’s voice sounded gently. “Are you all out of your minds? General and Rong Mi aren’t far away, they can still hear you.”
Rong Mi: “…”
The meeting room door wasn’t closed, and though the people intentionally lowered their voices, Rong Mi could still vaguely hear their conversation.
He glanced at Lu Yi.
Lu Yi’s expression remained neutral, and he met Rong Mi’s gaze, his eyes questioning.
All therapists hoped for their patients to cooperate with their treatment. Rong Mi didn’t ask why Lu Yi hadn’t waited to finish the meeting, but instead asked a topic that concerned him greatly.
“Ah Yin seems to be in a bad mood.”
Lu Yi grunted in response.
“There are too many people on the starship,” he said. “Ah Yin is very averse to anyone approaching its territory right now.”
Rong Mi nodded, keenly observing. “The people who just came to the meeting should be your direct subordinates, right? Ah Yin should be familiar with them. Was your mental domain affected by betrayal within the legion?”
“Yes.”
Rong Mi hummed in understanding.
“But long-term rejection of contact with anyone isn’t good for physical or mental health,” he added, recalling a star beast documentary he had watched. “You could try to find some way to help Ah Yin relax.”
“Does it have any favorite toys?” The young man’s tone unconsciously became a little lighter. “Like small toys? A rubber ball?”
“If you need to entertain guests in the future, I can play ball with Ah Yin to help it relax.”