Great! I'm surrounded by villains!
Chapter 195 - 115: Silence of the Lambs

Chapter 195: Chapter 115: Silence of the Lambs

Ning Ruyue held her lunchbox, sitting nervously in a spot close to the corner of the cafeteria.

Across from her sat a girl who appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with beautiful dark golden long hair and features as delicate as a Barbie doll’s. Upon seeing her sit down, the girl gave her a slight nod and then elegantly bit off a small piece of fried chicken leg, her face immediately showing an expression of bliss.

This girl was someone she had met in the choir. After hearing her play the harp, she had approached her on her own initiative.

This was the first friend she had made on the flagship, which should have been a light and pleasant start. However, after the choir activities, Ning Ruyue accidentally stumbled upon the new friend’s secret — this was not her normal appearance. It seemed that she only showed herself in this way during choir activities and meal times.

Usually, this friend dressed in an ill-fitting, wide black cloak, wore a golden mask on her face, and kept her head covered with a hood, exuding a rather gloomy aura.

Baptism, this was the new friend’s name.

Her other identity was that of an inspection officer from Ashen Consortium, the true master of this flagship.

This put immense pressure on Ning Ruyue.

But it wasn’t without its opportunities. Teacher Mingyuan had said that an inspection officer held the power to decide the fate of civilizations. She could promote the signing of a non-interference treaty between Blue Star and the company, and recommend their joining the Sixteen Star Summit; or she could deem Blue Star a planet corrupted by "cancer," in which case Universe Company’s Destruction Fleet would arrive and obliterate the planet in a barrage of artillery fire.

Ning Ruyue found it hard to imagine that the fate of them, or even the entire planet, was in the hands of a child who looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old.

After much thought, she decided to be forthright with her, revealing that she was aware of her identity as an inspection officer.

It was just that communicating with Baptism was very difficult.

Ever since they met, the child had not spoken a single word, nor made the slightest sound; her face lacked expressions, resembling that of a true porcelain doll.

Even the name "Baptism" was conveyed by an eyeball robot that always followed beside her.

Baptism’s role in the choir was to play instruments. She stayed very close to the choir but never joined them.

Ning Ruyue always felt that the inspection officer was unfathomable. Logically speaking, with so many changes occurring on the flagship, Hei Misa making a fool of himself in public, and the Head Chef tumbling down the stairs — all of which were her direct subordinates — the inspection officer should have been furious. But Baptism seemed rather happy instead.

This abnormal behavior made Ning Ruyue feel uneasy.

She tossed and turned on her bed last night, unable to comprehend the purpose behind Baptism’s request for them to live as devotees on the ship for three days.

Could it really be that she believed that merely three days were enough to convert them into devout followers of the Sun King?

Keep in mind, not even hundreds of years of autocratic rule by the Huagang Consortium and Qing Hua at the Imperial Court had managed to brainwash her and the Third Prince.

Ning Ruyue also failed to see how the devotees’ way of life could attract her.

Instead of continuing to speculate alone, it was better to inquire directly about the inspection officer’s intentions.

She cleared her throat lightly, successfully catching Baptism’s attention.

"Actually, I saw you changing your clothes yesterday," she said.

At these words, Baptism tilted her head, displaying a puzzled look.

"So I know that you are actually the inspection officer," she continued.

Baptism’s expression remained calm as she nodded lightly, acknowledging that she understood.

It seemed that she did not mind others knowing her true identity.

Not bad, at least they could communicate normally.

Ning Ruyue breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time, she encouraged herself inwardly. Although Baptism looked like a fragile porcelain doll, each inspection officer’s combat ability was terrifyingly strong. They were the elite chosen from billions of devotees, and their control of Scorching Sun Power had already reached a masterful level.

The Ashen Consortium’s corporate inspector was also the only civilian in the company who didn’t need to be escorted by a Long Branch Guard, and rumors had it that if they were to engage in combat, their fighting ability would not be inferior to that of the Long Branch Guards.

At such a close distance, if Jiuyue decided to harbor a murderous intent, she could complete the action in the blink of an eye.

"You are not angry?"

Faced with Ning Ruyue’s question, Jiuyue once again revealed a questioning look, asking her "Why".

"Because we caused such a commotion on your flagship and even injured your subordinates."

Jiuyue suddenly understood, then shook her head.

There was nothing worth getting angry about.

"Why do you want us to live on your flagship for three days as believers?"

"Because I have heard about your affairs."

The eyeball robot lifted its head and floated to Ning Ruyue’s side, while Jiuyue stopped staring at Ning Ruyue and began to enjoy the rare delicacies of the restaurant canteen; she seemed to share an unspoken understanding with the eyeball robot. Whatever Jiuyue was thinking, the eyeball robot would articulate for her.

The eyeball robot then said, "You have a strong spirit of rebellion."

"Are you trying to crush our spirit?"

Ning Ruyue speculated Jiuyue’s intentions.

Hei Misa regarded Duan Mingyuan as The Impure, and the head admin chef’s beliefs were diametrically opposed to those of Jiuyue. When two such incompatible individuals met, there was no possibility for a peaceful end.

"I hope you can carry on with your spirit of rebellion."

This unexpected answer left Ning Ruyue stunned for a good while.

"The staff sent by headquarters to the flagship are very annoying. No matter what method you use, teach them a lesson. That is what this trial is about."

?

Ning Ruyue could hardly believe her ears.

This sounded just like something a fifteen or sixteen-year-old would say. They had imagined the corporate inspector to be profound and inscrutable, thinking these three days would hold significant meaning, enough to usher in great changes to their perception and outlook on life. Yet here was Jiuyue, inviting these "spirited rebels" onto her ship, solely to teach a lesson to the subordinates that the Consortium had forced upon her?

So the speech by the eyeball robot when they first met was actually meant to provoke their spirit of defiance.

"If you teach them a lesson, I will write a letter of recommendation for you."

The eyeball robot’s response once again emphasized that Jiuyue was not joking.

This child...

Seems to be a rather pure person.

"I originally thought so, but after hearing your music, I changed my mind. I really like your music; would you like to stay on my flagship? Your world is just too small. I can show you a much wider universe. Actually, becoming part of the Ashen Consortium’s territory isn’t so bad."

"Thank you for the invitation, but there are many people waiting for me on Blue Star."

Ning Ruyue rejected the offer.

The eyeball robot fell silent and lowered its head, slowly returning to Jiuyue’s side.

Jiuyue also stopped looking up, sinking into complete silence.