I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

She'd already gone to such lengths to remind her, hopefully Muirsey can connect the dots with what happened before and realize that Ifrit is just missing, and won't be so worried...

After all, after spending this time together, Sakura had come to regard Muirsey as a friend.

Unfortunately, there are some things and secrets that you can't tell even your friends.

----------------

General Office —

"With such a big commotion, is everything done?"

In the office, Christensen rested her chin on her hands, her expression showing a long-lost air of languor, and asked the "uninvited guest" beside her.

"Hmm, the person has already been taken away, without leaving a trace. I bet right now, your dear Saria is still wondering whether the person simply disappeared or was burned to ashes~"

When Christensen asked the question, Möbius replied casually.

"However, you've really neglected your duty as commander-in-chief. Don't you even ask how many people were injured or killed in this accident?"

“I trust you’ll know what’s good for you. My gut feeling tells me you’re not the kind of person who likes to kill indiscriminately… In that case, you can naturally handle the rest, Saria, perfectly.” Kristen said calmly without even raising her eyelids.

"You really trust her." After hearing Christensen's confident words, Möbius raised an eyebrow slightly, then a cryptic expression appeared on his face.

Although Mebius wasn't sure whether Christensen knew that Seria had been investigating Hayden's Lab and Ifrit, she could clearly sense the arrogance emanating from the person in front of her.

It's as if Saria wouldn't do anything to her even if she knew; in Snake's opinion, this might just be the confidence of someone who is favored.

However, regardless of her thoughts, Mebius had no intention of reminding Christensen. After all, she was prepared to let things unfold as they might.

Moreover, in her view, this incident was also an important "growth" point for Christensen. Seria's departure made her gradually and completely abandon all distractions other than her goal.

“Saria is my most important friend…”

Hearing Mebius's exclamation, Christensen slowly lowered his eyes and then spoke in a low voice, word by word without any attempt to conceal his feelings.

"Ha~"

Upon hearing this, Mebius chuckled lightly but did not refute it.

"..."

But it was a soft laugh from Mebius that made Christensen close her eyes completely, and a moment later, she gave him the order to leave.

"If there's nothing else, go ahead and do your work. Aren't you going to treat that experimental subject?"

"Hmm~ It's almost time. In that case, I'll take my leave... Oh, I almost forgot, don't forget what you promised me." At the end, Möbius seemed to remember something and reminded him.

"Don't worry, we've already sent people to investigate and contact Rhodes Island, which you mentioned."

"Heh~ that's good."

Having received the answer he wanted, Möbius, who had only taken a little time out of his busy schedule to come up here, turned and left without any hesitation.

"..."

Watching Mebius's departing figure, Christensen thought about her earlier words and felt a sudden unease creep into her heart.

Is Christensen truly completely fearless?

No... that's not it. She was actually gambling to some extent, betting that... Saria wouldn't abandon or leave her.

If she were truly completely fearless, she wouldn't have kept many things from her longtime best friend.

It's because I understand Saria's personality and character so well, and I also know in my heart that there's a slight possibility that I might be abandoned...

Therefore, over the years, Christensen has kept many things from her close friend, such as the relationship between Rhine Lab and Hayden Laboratory, and Ifrit's "Flame Demon Project," etc.

"Ugh……"

Kristen, sitting in her office chair, sighed softly, slowly opened her eyes, and then stretched out her hand, looking at the ceiling as if she wanted to break through the layers of obstacles above her head and grasp the starry sky in her hands.

------------------

Structural Engineering

After Sakura left, Saria tried her best to suppress her anger and investigated many more times out of resentment. However, apart from the fact that Ifrit's "disappearance" itself was a suspicious point, she still couldn't find any useful clues.

The surveillance cameras didn't capture any intrusion of people or objects, and no one witnessed Ifrit's situation in the flames behind her. There were no remains left in the burned ruins...

……

"Müllseth, you stay here and keep watch. Let me know if you find any clues." With that, Saria left the knife at her waist, her face grim and her anger barely contained as she picked up her shield and slowly walked away.

If the previous fear was about missing the best time to find and rescue Ifrit, then the current lack of clues is, in Saria's opinion, a perfect opportunity to wake up.

P.S.: Going to sleep now.

Alright, everyone.

Chapter 145 Clash of Ideas (Beautiful Women Fighting)

"Click——"

With a loud bang, the door to the general manager's office was violently pulled open by a bandaged hand.

Christensen, sitting in the center of her desk, showed no surprise at the arrival of the guest. Instead, she rested her chin on her hand and said with a smile, "Saria, I knew you could handle this."

"The Structural Engineering Department just submitted a rapid report saying that there are some suspicious points regarding the cause of this accident. The experimental subject 'autonomously' broke out without being stimulated. Do you have any clues?"

"..."

With a gloomy expression and suppressed anger, Saria did not immediately answer Christen's question. Instead, she remained silent for a moment before saying, "Are you really sure she hasn't been agitated?"

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

Upon hearing this, Christen raised her head slightly, looked directly at Saria, whose face was dark, and said.

Standing there, Saria lowered her eyes to meet Christensen's gaze before gritting her teeth and retorting, word by word:

"You're telling me that the child didn't suffer any trauma from the heinous and illegal human experiments described in the 'Flame Demon Project'?"

"[The Flame Demon Project]..."

After hearing Saria's question, Christen seemed to suddenly remember something. She glanced at the report in her hand with a casual expression and said, "Ah... the report is referring to this project."

She then put down the report in her hand, smiled at the person in front of her, and continued:

"Why bother? This is just another cooperation to appease official demands."

"So you knew... but you kept it from me."

Upon hearing Christensen's words, a hint of disappointment flashed in Saria's eyes, before she spoke with certainty, enunciating each word clearly.

"No, if I remember correctly, it was a biochemical project. The Defense Department was never in the scope of the internal bidding from the beginning. Director Palvis was very interested, so I handed it over to him."

Kristen calmly retorted after hearing Saria's words.

"Including condoning his illegal human experiments?" Kristen's rebuttal sharpened Saria's eyes; she was barely able to contain her anger...

Noticing Saria's gaze, Kristen's smile faded, and she leaned back slightly, replying expressionlessly:

"As I said before, I trust my colleagues' judgment and I have no intention of interfering with how experiments are conducted; this applies to all departments as well."

"Ah-"

Christensen's words ignited Saria's anger, causing her to clench her fists so tightly they cracked.

"Your indifference has led them to disregard all human ethics!"

"Once the truth about Hayden Pharmaceuticals comes out, you will drag Rhine Life into an abyss of no return!"

At this moment, Saria, who could no longer suppress her anger, roared at her best friend who was sitting on the high platform with a nonchalant expression.

Looking at her furious best friend Saria, Kristen's lips curled up again, and she retorted in a louder voice, "Then don't let the outside world know the truth."

"Kristen!!!"

Upon hearing this, Saria's face darkened, and she roared out her best friend's name in anger before slamming her fist into the supporting pillar beside her.

"哐——!!!"

With a loud bang, one of the massive load-bearing columns in the top-floor office snapped and crashed down toward Christensen, who was sitting at the back.

Faced with the sudden crisis, Christensen made no move and remained remarkably calm.

The next instant, a mechanical alarm sounded in the huge office.

【beep--】

[Physical attack detected. Emergency defense system activated.]

"beep--"

"Wow—"

"Om - hum -"

As the mechanical electronic voice faded, the entire office seemed to come alive, with the surrounding walls and ceiling opening up to reveal silky "ribbons" inside.

"Shua——!!!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

However, these seemingly thin and silky "ribbons" suddenly burst out, piercing and shattering the huge load-bearing pillars, leaving only a pile of rubble.

Taking advantage of this moment, Christensen, who had been sitting calmly, slowly stood up, walked to the desk, opened her arms, and asked the person in front of her with a smile, "What's wrong, Saria?"

"What happened to the idea that venting emotions is meaningless?"

Saria ignored Christensen's question and said to herself with a stern face, "You installed the [Bohai] system in your office... which means you still have a fear of threats from the mortal world."

"Then, suffering some physical pain might bring you back to your senses."

"Sareya..."

Her close friend's words must have struck a nerve with Christensen, causing her to completely suppress her smile.

She waved her hand gently, and with a hum, the flat ground quickly opened up, revealing a platform with a special control device that rose rapidly in front of her.

"Click."

With a crisp click, Chris, who had strapped the control device to her left wrist,...

Teng pointed at Saria and said, "Look up and look into the distance."

"Ecology, energy, mineral disease... Only by exploring with all our might and completely overcoming all these difficulties can we see the day when humanity is truly saved."

"Swish-swish-swish-"