On the Ark.

“Griffin…as commander…”

Chapter Twenty-Two: Your past is truly fascinating!

Griffin.

Zilan wrote the name on the report paper, then lightly tapped the paper twice with the tip of her pen, her brows furrowing slightly. Because, in her recollection, there was no company or organization called Griffin. This wasn't due to a lack of experience; after joining Rhodes Island, she occasionally worked part-time as a diplomat, and had dealt with at least a handful of large companies and organizations. And if she broadened her criteria to include hearsay, there shouldn't be anyone on this continent she didn't know, as long as they had some reputation.

However, she had absolutely no recollection of this place. Could it just be a small company? There are indeed countless small companies in those small cities, like stars in the sky; she couldn't possibly have heard of them all.

The problem is, why didn't Lin Ye mention this name at all during their previous conversation? If she hadn't used drugs, Lin Ye probably wouldn't have brought up this place.

Looking at the drowsy Lin Ye, Zi Lan recalled the conversation between Lin Guang and her an hour ago.

……

"This is a new employee's file. Take a look at it, and you'll be the one to give him the onboarding test later."

"Hmm, no problem, let me see. Hmm? Applying for a psychologist position? Your previous medical experience was as a veterinarian?!" When Zilan saw Lin Ye's information, she was completely dumbfounded. Of course, she was even more dumbfounded by the description of Lin Ye's abilities. "He has a natural affinity for living beings, and can even restore the sanity of uncontrolled infected individuals? How is that possible!"

Lin Guang's expression was complicated: "A normal person would think it's impossible."

"But how could Shining believe that?"

"That's the crux of the problem. As a medical professional, Shining should know more about this than we do. But she has unwavering faith in Lin Ye's abilities. This man is probably not as simple as we think."

"what do you mean……"

Nearl said with a serious expression, "The person who could fool Shining couldn't possibly be an ordinary person, nor could they have just been a veterinarian in Chernobog for a few years. Unfortunately, we can't find his old files, and he certainly won't tell us willingly, so I need your help. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Hypnosis? But you just said he's not an ordinary person. Is it really possible to fool him with this technique?"

"We should at least give it a try."

"But what if I anger him..."

“This is Rhodes Island, so what can he do?” Nearl said coldly. “Actually, I don’t care about his past, but only if his past doesn’t harm Rhodes Island.”

"...Could it be that you're overthinking it?"

"Someone with an unparalleled understanding of the infected's neuropsychic abilities chose to be a lowly veterinarian in Chernobog, and has repeatedly shown surprising qualities." Nearl looked into Zilan's eyes. As a Radiant Knight, Nearl's eyes were as piercing as the sun, burning with an inextinguishable flame. "Such a person has shown an unusual interest in Rhodes Island, and even applied for a key position. If he gets the job, he'll have direct access to our mentally unstable operators... Do you want me to continue?"

It's no longer necessary. Lin Guang's words had made Zi Lan understand the importance of the matter.

After taking a deep breath, she nodded and assured Lin Guang, "I will try my best to find out his background. Just wait for my news."

“I won’t wait,” Lin Guang said calmly. “When you test him, I’ll be waiting outside. If anything goes wrong, I’ll rush in and subdue him immediately.”

……

Zilan raised her head and glanced at the gate. She knew that Lin Guang was guarding outside the gate, and she couldn't help but feel relieved.

As expected of the Radiant Knight.

Since the Radiant Knight is right here, let's continue.

Zilan turned her gaze to Lin Ye again, knowing that Lin Ye had been hypnotized.

So come on, show me your whole past.

A fighting spirit ignited in Zilan's heart.

This is about protecting Rhodes Island! She won't give up!

“A harbor,” Lin Ye suddenly spoke.

Zilan immediately smiled again: "What did you say?"

"Harbor... Naval Base... I was once an admiral," Lin Ye said haltingly.

Zilan was very surprised.

Naval base? Admiral? So he had other jobs besides being the commander.

Zilan immediately wrote the report down.

Commander, Admiral. They sound like very dangerous people. Luckily, Nearl has a keen sense of smell, otherwise this guy would have become Rhodes Island's psychologist. Zilan thought to herself, then heard Lin Ye's words.

"...did a split in mid-air..."

What?

Zilan was stunned, not understanding what Lin Ye was talking about.

"Excuse me, what did you just say?" Zilan asked.

Lin Ye continued speaking as if he hadn't heard her. Left with no other option, Zilan could only write the nonsensical phrase "aerial splits" on the report paper.

"Saving humanity..." Lin Ye's voice grew softer and softer.

What kind of job is this?!

Zilan was even more confused, wondering if she had given him too much medicine. Lin Ye seemed completely off. However, Lin Ye was clearly still under her own influence, so he should be telling the truth.

Never mind, I'll write it down first. What did he just say?

Saving a wife...?

Yeah, saving married women.

Zilan quickly jotted it down, then felt even more uneasy. The commander of Griffin, the admiral of the naval base—that was somewhat plausible, but what the hell was this "aerial splits" and "saving a married woman"?! What kind of job did he have that he could possibly save a married woman?!

Is something wrong?!

Before Zilan could figure it out, she saw Lin Ye preparing to continue.

You still want to say more?! Just how rich are your past experiences?!

No, this can't go on. Zilan knew she hadn't added too much hallucinogen to the tea; for an adult male, the effects should have worn off in about ten minutes. Letting him continue talking about these completely incomprehensible things would only be a waste of time; she had to get him to get to the important stuff.

“Ahem, Mr. Lin Ye. Although I know you may have extensive work experience,” Zilan organized her thoughts, “our time is limited, so please get to the important points. Before Chernobog, where did you work, for whom, and what did you do?”

Lin Ye's head was still spinning, and only a few words from Zilan's words could enter his mind.

For example, talk about the less important things, and focus on the important ones.

...It doesn't matter. What doesn't matter? Oh, none of what I just said matters. None of these games matter.

...These games are all on mobile phones.

...She doesn't like playing mobile games.

Yes, girls don't like playing mobile games.

So he answered dazedly, "Hello..."

"Hey?"

"for."

"for?"

Ashina...

"Yes, Ashina." Zilan carefully noted it down. "Is this where you worked? What did you do there?"

"...forging iron."

Zilan's lips twitched.

"Oh."

"...Are you making fun of me?"

"Oh."

"Mr. Lin Ye..."

"Heliford Base... counter-terrorism..."

Zilan was unsure whether she should continue writing, but Lin Ye kept rambling on.

Summoner's Rift, Azure Star, and then there was the fire at Mole Manor.

Zilan suspected she had been tricked.

It wasn't until Lin Ye said, "I played Connect Four in elementary school," that Zilan finally realized she'd been tricked. She crumpled the report paper in her hand, staring intently at Lin Ye, but before she could speak, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Lin Guang walked in.

Lin Ye was also startled awake by the noise. He looked up and saw Lin Guang staring at him with angry eyes.

Both sides remained silent.

Lin Ye didn't dare to speak, not knowing when he had offended this beast-eared girl again. Lin Guang was so angry that she couldn't speak. She waited outside and, like Zi Lan, was completely played by Lin Ye.

“You can…” Lin Guang said through gritted teeth, “Very good, you passed the test. But it’s not over yet, Lin Ye, this isn’t over yet.”

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Lin Ye completely bewildered and Zi Lan looking indignant.

Zilan took several deep breaths to calm herself down: "Mr. Lin Ye, please forgive me for the little bit of hypnosis I did to you. It was for the safety of Rhodes Island, after all, the position you applied for is very special. I now admit that you are an excellent psychologist, we all underestimated you, your disguise was simply flawless. However, since you have already seen through the hypnosis, yet you still insist on playing along with us, I have to say," her chest heaving slightly, "you are really boring."

Lin Ye remained silent.

But inside, a storm was raging.

Holy crap! When was I hypnotized?! How did I get hypnotized?! Why didn't anyone tell me?!

I remember this girl was talking to me about games, right? I was just talking to her about games! How did she become an outstanding psychologist?! My only research in psychology is petting cats and dogs when they're all agitated!

"But congratulations anyway, Mr. Lin Ye." Zilan tossed Lin Ye a black briefcase. "From today onwards, you are Rhodes Island's only psychiatrist, though you're only an intern for now. You'll need Amiya or the Doctor's certification to become a full-fledged psychiatrist."

Lin Ye silently picked up his briefcase, thinking that this test was too surreal. He didn't even know what had happened, yet he passed directly.

"Then, shall I leave?" Lin Ye asked cautiously.

Seeing Lin Ye's appearance, Zi Lan was so angry that her teeth ached.

Showing off! You're still pretending!

After taking several deep breaths, he slowly replied, "Okay, just come here to report tomorrow morning. Remember not to be late."

Lin Ye nodded repeatedly, assuring himself that he wouldn't be late, and prepared to slip away, but Zilan called him back.

"Although you may find it disdainful, I still have to say it." Zilan looked at Lin Ye, "You can play me, and you can play the Radiant Knight. But if you insist on becoming Rhodes Island's enemy, then your end will not be good. Rhodes Island is not just a simple pharmaceutical company, and you should know that."

Lin Ye turned around with a wry smile: "I..."

boom!