The system handed me over to the state.

Ten minutes later, Tong Xi walked out of the room. Compared to her previous state, she was now much more dignified and her expression was much more normal.

"Sorry... I was a little... out of sorts just now. I've been playing too much these past few days."

Bronya patted the sofa next to her, and Tong Xi sat down beside her.

"Where's Yuxin? I remember Yuxin should be living with you, why isn't she here?"

"Yuxin went back to see her parents. Because she left, I completely...indulged myself. And then, as you said, I've been playing for three days straight and still haven't won. I know I'm bad, but I still can't help wanting to beat this game..."

"But your body isn't a normal human body, is it? Staying up all night... could it turn into this?"

Tong Xi shrugged. She had just used the power of her system to quickly adjust her appearance and mental state, so naturally there was no longer any problem with dark circles or red eyes.

"Well, let's not worry about those issues. Let's talk about your problem first. Was it because things got a little easier the other day that you were able to come back?"

Bronya shook her head. "No...it's actually more serious."

Next, Bronya told Tong Xi all the intelligence and information they had obtained. After listening, Tong Xi was stunned, and finally scratched her head in distress, "How...how did it turn out like this?"

Are you that surprised?

"Of course! Because according to our records, this shadow empire couldn't possibly be that powerful, directly occupying the entire United States and its European member states. That's almost impossible..."

Tong Xi couldn't understand, but Bronya shook her head. "That's not important. We can now see that American and European troops are heading towards Britain, but we're still unsure of the specifics. We can only... wait for news from you."

"We need you to check on the situation of the contractors and systems in Europe and the United States. If the contractors have been controlled by the Shadow Empire, then we're in big trouble, and your system's arrangements will be disrupted. You should also take action, right?"

Tong Xi frowned deeply... "I understand, come with me."

Tong Xi waved her hand gently, and her home pajamas transformed into a formal white dress. A golden door stood in the living room, and the two of them passed through the golden door and entered the system's unique space.

Tong Xi turned her head and said, "Don't say anything from now on. I need to confirm this with the administrator."

Bronya nodded. "The administrator... is it the same administrator from last time?"

As Bronya pondered, a metal door suddenly appeared in front of Tong Xi. The door opened, and a man walked out. Hmm? It wasn't the female administrator from before?

"System staff, what can I do for you?"

The male manager asked in a cold and indifferent tone, without the slightest inflection.

Tong Xi raised her head, her pupils turning a brilliant gold. The administrator's eyes also turned a brilliant gold. The two stared at each other for a few minutes before their pupils returned to their original color. The administrator nodded. "The information has been received. We are notifying other system members to confirm the situation."

"Please wait a moment..."

Next, Tong Xi and Bronya waited. A few minutes later, the administrator suddenly spoke up: "The situation has been confirmed. Otto Apocalypse is the only surviving contractor in the European Union region. All other contractors are dead."

"The American contractor is dead, the American and North American contractors are confirmed dead, and the Asian contractor is confirmed to be alive."

"Tong Xi, your report is commendable. The system will immediately provide feedback and take action regarding this intrusion."

Tong Xi nodded, then asked with concern, "What about our side..."

"Please wait. The system needs more information to make a judgment. The Shadow Empire has ruined this operation. We need to readjust the plan."

"Oh... then... the other systems are okay, right?"

"The entire system is safe and there are no abnormalities. However, traces of an attempted intrusion by the Shadow Empire have been detected, indicating that the Shadow Empire once launched an intrusion into the system but failed. System members, please be aware of your safety."

Tong Xi nodded, but Bronya panicked. This... the Shadow Empire actually hacked into the system! Hacking into the system meant gaining its powerful abilities, which... made things even more complicated!

"Tsk...Is it really that amazing?"

Tong Xi was also surprised that the other party had actually tried to hack into the system. Fortunately, she was safe, otherwise she would have been really doomed if something had happened.

After their exchange, Tong Xi and Bronya both had slightly complicated expressions. Could the Shadow Empire really be powerful enough to invade a system? If they really did invade one system... wouldn't there be a second, a third, and eventually even Tong Xi herself would be invaded?

Bronya couldn't help but feel a lingering fear...

Chapter 230: Have you ever thought about...changing jobs?

"I never imagined that things would get this serious during my time slacking off."

Tong Xi rubbed her eyes, quite surprised, and said Bronya sighed helplessly, "You still know you're slacking off?"

"Well...it's a vacation after all. What's the point of working if you don't slack off on vacation?"

Tong Xi spoke with confidence, but Bronya waved her hand, not wanting to dwell on the issue. "I'm just curious about one thing now: how will your system administrator handle this situation?"

"To be honest, I don't think the current situation is very good. If the Shadow Empire can invade your system once, it can do it again. Does that mean I should avoid encountering them on the battlefield in the future?"

Tong Xi pinched her chin. "I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, but what I'm certain of is that our records of this Shadow Empire will definitely need to be updated. As for you, don't worry. You're very powerful, and they can't control you. Moreover, as the Herrscher of Reason, if you encounter danger, you have the consciousness of those 300,000 people. They will help you overcome the difficulties."

"I hope so... I'm still thinking about something. If the Shadow Empire already knows about the existence of the Contractors and the System, what do you think they will do?"

Bronya tried to guess the Shadow Empire's possible tricks, but Tong Xi's answer was completely different.

"There's nothing they can do. At most, they can strengthen their forces, send more troops to attack you, or infiltrate your country. They can't do anything to the system and the contractors."

"The system is a higher-dimensional life form. If they really invade the system's body and try to control the system's body, then their own dimension will be transformed and stretched. As a three-dimensional life form, they cannot withstand such a dimensional ascension, and in the end they will just die."

"As for you contractors, do you know why all the contractors in Europe and the United States died, except for those from Britain, with no one surviving?"

Bronya shook her head, and Tong Xi sighed, "I won't lie to you... those people were actually dealt with automatically by the system."

"Because contractors are still human at heart, even if they sign a contract with the system and become contractors, their human nature and the nature of three-dimensional beings will not change. Therefore, the Shadow Empire can control them. After control, the power belongs to the contractors themselves, and the system has no right to take it back. Therefore, the system will automatically dispose of the contractors."

Tong Xi raised her hand and smeared it across her neck. "Do you understand? If a contractor is controlled or possessed, the system will handle the contractor's affairs. If it is certain that the contractor can be saved after breaking free from control, the system will save them. If there is no hope, it will simply dispose of them."

"Bronya, you too. I like you very much, and Seele too. So, don't let me have to deal with you one day, okay? No matter what, protect yourselves."

Hearing the expectation in Tong Xi's words, Bronya nodded solemnly, indicating that she understood. She would of course protect her own safety, but there was still a small problem. If she wanted to protect herself, she could simply stay away from the battlefield. The Shadow Empire could not possibly invade Research Institute No. 1.

However... she couldn't do that. If she did, the battle on the front lines might be stalemated or even worse due to the Shadow Empire's special powerhouses. She still needed to rush to the front and do what she was supposed to do.

You seem very tired lately. Have you been too busy?

Suddenly, Tong Xi asked, and Bronya was taken aback for a moment before shaking her head and saying, "It's okay, I'm fine. But we can't let our guard down yet. China may face attacks from the controlled United States and European forces. And at a critical moment, Britain will need support. I might have to step in then."

"In short, there will be a lot going on in the coming period."

Tong Xi's tone was tinged with a sigh, "What you're saying... I'm almost embarrassed to ask you to take time out of your busy schedule to perform system tasks..."

"Isn't it possible to adjust the time ratio?"

Tong Xi nodded. "Yes, it can be adjusted, but there is a limit. For example, if you spend six months here, then at least one month will pass here as well."

"We are a system, but that doesn't mean we can abuse these special abilities. There are rules for everything."

Bronya's lips twitched slightly. She really was... very professional. She had long believed that the system would favor her in various ways and give her all sorts of special treatment or preferential treatment because of their good relationship.

It now seems that they will indeed give it, but it cannot exceed the upper limit of their system rules. This makes Bronya curious again: what kind of existence is this system and the organization above her?

"Tong Xi, what exactly is the reason for the existence of your system?"

"Why do I exist...? Why did I suddenly think of asking this question?"

Tong Xi tucked a strand of long hair behind her ear and asked with a smile. Bronya leaned closer to Tong Xi and asked curiously, "I'm curious. You keep emphasizing that your system is not a three-dimensional life form, but that you have a higher dimension. So why would such powerful high-dimensional beings like you transform into a 'system' to help us humans and provide us with technology?"

This is something Bronya has never quite understood. The system had previously stated that both sides had their own needs. What they sought was the technology and various forms of assistance that the system could provide. But... what about the system?

She has now gone through missions, faction wars, and so much time has passed, but she still doesn't know what the system really wants.

"What I want... I don't actually know myself. All my procedures and solutions are done according to the organization's instructions. To put it bluntly, I'm like a corporate slave in your society, and a very obedient one at that. I do whatever you tell me to do, and I don't even have social insurance, housing fund, year-end bonus, or other benefits."

Bronya's expression was somewhat strange. "You guys... also have... the five social insurances and one housing fund?"

"I don't know. I've been with the organization since I was born. Everything I have now was given to me by the organization, so naturally I help them. I haven't done anything bad or exploited them. Although I'm a bit lonely, I'm relatively free most of the time."

Bronya blinked, a thought suddenly popping into her mind, "Tong Xi... have you ever thought about... changing jobs?"

Chapter 231: Bronya Still Has a Lot to Learn

"Now, we need to conduct a video communication with the contractors in Britain and the Queen of Britain. Communications team, confirm the communication channel is secure!"

"understand!"

Old Yu turned around and bowed slightly to Su Mengyao behind him, saying, "Your Majesty, everything is ready. However, just a heads-up... please remain restrained when you find the Queen of Britain. You will be given a private chat opportunity later."

Su Mengyao nodded seriously, while Bronya tilted her head. Why was that? What was Su Su's relationship with the Queen of Britain?

Bronya then quietly nudged Seele's waist. Seele shuddered and turned to look at Bronya, asking, "Is...is something wrong?"

"Are you aware of the secret relationship between His Majesty and the Queen of Britain?"

"A private relationship...Bronya, you mean...their best friend relationship?"

Bronya blinked, signaling Seele to continue. She hadn't expected Seele to know so much about gossip; she had no idea before. Where did Seele get all this information?

"It is said that... His Majesty the late King of Britain had an arranged marriage with His Majesty's parents when they were still children, saying that unless both of their children were male, they would become partners and the two countries would remain friendly forever. This is why Britain never kicks China when it is in trouble, but instead helps us."

"As a result, both children were born to be women, and the two women would become partners in the future. However, suddenly His Majesty's parents disappeared, leaving the throne for her to inherit. His Majesty had a great burden on her shoulders, so the late King of Britain postponed the matter. Of course, it was only postponed, not a direct denial or abandonment."

"However, due to the relationship between the country and the royal family, the two queens are quite friendly, even closer than best friends, and they are currently the only pair of lesbian queens with a specific relationship."

"You know, many of our private yuri (lesbian) doujinshi (fanfiction) feature His Majesty and... oh dear!"

Before Seele could finish speaking, Bronya punched her on the head. "Shut up! Don't talk about things like that. Watch less of that stuff in the future. How old are you? Aren't you afraid you'll turn into a weird girl?"

"Live your life honestly and don't look at these messy things."

"Um...but...but Bronya, I feel like you know a lot about this! Have you seen it too?"

Bronya narrowed her eyes slightly. "I've seen it, so what? But I don't watch it anymore. It's fine to watch it during the confused period of adolescence, but staring at it for too long is not right!"

"Hmm... I know!"

Seele complained under her breath, it seems she'll have to watch it secretly from now on. The artist just released a new version, and she doesn't want to be suddenly stopped following the updates.

At this moment, the video communication quickly confirmed that it was safe. Soon, their communication with Britain was connected, and after a few seconds of delay, a familiar face appeared in front of Bronya: Otto Apocalypse.

However, compared to Otto from those two worlds, the Otto from her world looked somewhat...overly haggard, as if he had been staying up all night for a long time. At the same time, he didn't have that usual haughty arrogance or gentlemanly demeanor.

In other words, apart from their faces and names, they are basically two different people.

"Is the call connected? Can you hear me?"

Otto's familiar voice came from the other end of the line, and Lao Yu took the microphone and said, "Mr. Otto, we can receive your signal and your voice."

"Oh, that's good... Now let's move on to the formal communication... First, I need to confirm one thing: on your end... are you sure there are no people corrupted by the shadows?"