"Caused such a big commotion after only a week..."
At the Military Police Headquarters, Commander Nile looked at the report from the Stohess District, and his impression of Rayan deepened once again.
Although the report stated, "Under the leadership of the Branch Commander, a robber gang of more than ten people was successfully eliminated," no one knew the inner workings of the Military Police better than Nile.
So, he naturally knew that it was actually Rayan who had done it.
In fact, when they escorted the robbers back to headquarters, they deliberately chose to walk along the main street, and many civilians saw it with their own eyes. With word of mouth spreading, the Branch Commander's attempt to steal the credit was rather pointless.
"Let's keep an eye on him for now."
Nile couldn't possibly promote Rayan directly; that would disrupt the unspoken rules of the entire system.
It was like the relationship between the emperor and the nobles. The emperor himself was the greatest noble, or rather, the representative of the nobles. In feudal times, if the emperor went against the interests of the nobles, the only result would be a change of emperor. Of course, with the awakening of people's awareness of freedom in modern times, the nobles' ways were useless; the power of the people was the strongest.
However, judging from the current situation within the walls, that time was still far away.
"But there are quite a few people watching this kid..."
Nile looked at a secret letter on the table, sent by Erwin of the Survey Corps, asking him to closely monitor Rayan. No reason was given, but with Erwin's personality, he definitely wouldn't act without a purpose.
Another thing that surprised him was that even President Zackly had mentioned Rayan to him, the implication in his words seemed to be wanting to bring the person over to work under him. However, since he hadn't said it directly, Nile at the time hadn't proactively brought it up.
In short, many eyes were watching this kid. However... standing out too quickly wasn't necessarily a good thing.
...
"Branch Commander, what do we do now?"
"Damn it..."
In the Branch Commander's office at the Military Police Headquarters in the Stohess District, a captain was wearing a bitter face. "Now several other gangs have changed their locations. They thought we didn't want to cooperate anymore, so we suddenly took action to eliminate one."
The Branch Commander's face was grim, the veins on his hands clenched on the table bulging. "How the hell was I supposed to know that kid would act without even filing a report? Fine, really fine! Just arrived and already trying to cut off my source of income!"
"But, after all, he was received by the King and has the Warrior's Medal," the captain said cautiously. "Commander Nile also said he's quite special, so we definitely can't deal with him the way we deal with other disobedient people."
"Yeah, 'the King's favorite' can't be dealt with using conventional methods," the Branch Commander sneered, waving his hand. "Doesn't he like catching bad guys? Fine, you go and discuss it with the other gangs. We'll give him a chance, let him catch them!"
"Uh..."
"Then if that kid dies at the hands of robbers, it has nothing to do with us," the Branch Commander said, lighting a cigarette and taking a puff. "Oh right, also investigate that kid's subordinates, find a breakthrough."
"Understood," the captain nodded. "Then I'll go do it now."
"Good, go on, and be discreet."
"Yes."
...
Early morning.
Today was the day off for Rayan's batch of new recruits, one day of free time. Many had changed into civilian clothes and gone out shopping or returning home. After all, even though the credit hadn't fallen much on them, they had received some bonuses, which was quite a bit for most people.
After all, most of those who joined the Military Police didn't have much money at home. And for most, they still had family. Unlike Rayan and Annie, one had grown up alone since childhood, and the other's only relative was tens of thousands of miles away. Of course, in Rayan's opinion, that selfish old man wasn't worth Annie's concern.
"Marlo, aren't you going home?"
Rayan said while changing into civilian clothes, looking at Marlo who was sitting on the bed reading a book. The latter nodded. "I only left a little over a week ago, so there's no need to go back. I want to take advantage of this day off to read more and supplement my knowledge."
"I see."
Rayan thought that the books within the walls were really nothing to look at, all products of ignorant education. Even recreational novels weren't allowed to write about anything outside the walls. Fantasy wasn't allowed either; if you wrote it, you'd be invited for tea one could imagine how boring it was.
"Oh right, Captain, there's something I still don't understand," Marlo suddenly said.
"What is it? Also, when we're alone, you don't need to add 'Captain,' just call me Rayan."
"Oh... it's just, what you said to that child yesterday, asking her if she wanted to become a soldier... I don't think she really wanted to."
"Huh?"
"I could see it. She wanted to become a Military Police officer like you because she admired you, or rather, was grateful... But if she grows up in the future and really joins the Military Police, and sees an environment completely different from what she imagined, she'll definitely be very disappointed, right?" Marlo said, sounding a little sad.
"..."
"After all, to be honest, there aren't many people like you, Rayan, in the entire Military Police. Most of them are those extravagant and dissolute guys..."
"You're right," Rayan nodded. "But what does it matter?"
Marlo looked at him, somewhat puzzled.
"How to distinguish right from wrong is something she has to do herself; no one can help her. You're right, she might not want to be a soldier and only agreed because of me. But that's my purpose," Rayan said calmly. "If her parents were both alive and her life was stable, I wouldn't have said those words at all. However, for her now, being a soldier can at least allow her to spend her most vulnerable three years in the safest way. You should also know what young girls without protection would encounter in the slums. And after three years, when she has a certain degree of self-protection, then whatever choice she makes will be fine."
Marlo listened blankly, nodding somewhat mechanically. "Rayan, have you thought that far ahead?"
"Far? Maybe it's just that you haven't thought about it at all."
"..."
Marlo was silent for a moment, then sighed heavily. "There must be many more children like that, right? It seems we can't help them all."
"Help one if you can, don't worry too much," Rayan said, looking at the book in Marlo's hand. "I'll give you a book sometime, you definitely haven't read it. There's a sentence I really like in it: 'Whoever saves one life, saves the entire world.'"
Marlo's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "What's the title of the book? I'll go look for it in the bookstore later!"
Rayan smiled. " 'Schindler's List.' Don't worry, you definitely won't find it."
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Need More Chapters
Every 300 Power Stones
2 Bonus chapter
Every 500 Power Stones
4 Bonus chapter.
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