Dimensional Rifts leading to otherworlds typically maintain a time flow consistent with the outside world. As such, the entire Dimensional Rift Incident lasted less than two class periods.
The Longcheng Bureau of Anomalous Investigations responded swiftly. Within minutes, residents near the Rift had been evacuated, police had cordoned off the area, and Zhong Wanhong, Yu Lin, and Artyom had entered the Rift's perimeter to begin their investigation.
While Firefly and the other four involved were certain it was an otherworld-type Dimensional Rift, others might not perceive it that way. Five people had vanished from a bustling area without anyone even noticing.
To most observers, the Dimensional Rift had simply appeared out of nowhere, and nothing else had happened. Zhong Wanhong and his team were now investigating the situation in detail.
Then, in this seemingly empty street, five figures suddenly materialized. Firefly glanced around at the deserted street, then at the heart she had dropped on the ground, and finally at the four unconscious figures lying nearby.
The next moment, a familiar voice called out from behind her, "Didn't we evacuate everyone? How are there still civilians here... Wait a minute..."
Turning around, Firefly saw Yu Lin, the Dragon Lady, her expression alert and wary.
Some time later, the Longcheng Investigation Branch had been fully rebuilt. It might sound strange, but seeing the familiar layout again, Firefly felt a sense of coming home.
"So, you're saying that only the five of you experienced a Dimensional Rift that led to another world? And that this Rift was artificially created by an official from the Sakura Nation?" Zhong Wanhong asked gravely, seated across from Firefly.
"That's exactly what happened," Firefly confirmed with a nod.
Shortly after arriving at the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations, she had provided a detailed account of their experience in the Dimensional Rift.
Of course, she omitted the part where SAM had transformed and rampaged through the area. Instead, she recounted how, after enduring countless hardships, they had managed to kill the Sakura Nation official. However, the commotion from the battle had drawn the attention of the Principal within the Rift. Left with no choice, they had also eliminated the Principal, at which point the Dimensional Rift had finally closed.
"Alright, this sounds pretty far-fetched," Zhong Wanhong thought, staring at the adorable girl sitting before him with her legs neatly together and hands resting demurely on her lap. He couldn't help but ask again, "Are you absolutely certain you were the one who took out that Sakura Nation operative and the Principal?"
"Yes, it was me," Firefly confirmed with another nod.
Zhong Wanhong glanced down at the tablet displaying Firefly's ostensible identity: an ordinary foreign tourist with "official European Union certification." After all, Wesley himself had personally arranged her travel documents.
But no matter how he looked at it, there was nothing remotely ordinary about this girl!
So, was she an official agent of the European Union? Yet for an unregistered Evolver or Transformer to infiltrate another country without proper reporting was a clear violation of international law. The Dragon Nation and the European Union maintained relatively cordial relations; Zhong Wanhong struggled to comprehend their motive for such a clandestine operation.
However, that could wait. More pressing questions demanded attention. "Are you absolutely certain... that Sakura Nation operative mentioned the name 'Martyr' in his final moments? Did he say his actions were retaliation against the Dragon Nation for the Martyr's death?"
It was ironic, to say the least. When Zhong Wanhong first learned that Evolvers from the European Union had infiltrated the Dragon Nation, he struggled to fathom their motives. But upon discovering that Evolvers from the Sakura Nation had also infiltrated the Dragon Nation and engaged in sabotage, he instantly believed the story wholeheartedly.
Firefly nodded again, confirming his suspicions.
This revelation elevated the matter to an international scale. White Eagle had supposedly reached an agreement with the Dragon Nation to put the incident behind them. So why were they now secretly sending operatives to retaliate?
While the entire scenario made sense in terms of motives and logic, it still seemed odd from an international perspective. White Eagle's credibility wasn't stellar, but secretly engaging in sabotage so soon after reaching a peace agreement seemed strangely out of character.
"Sakura Nation..." Zhong Wanhong murmured to himself, a possibility forming in his mind. Could this be a deliberate attempt to sow discord?
Everyone knew the Sakura Nation was White Eagle's lapdog. But if White Eagle truly wanted to retaliate against the Dragon Nation, why not deploy their own operatives? Why outsource the task to the Sakura Nation?
The Sakura Nation and the Dragon Nation were old enemies, their relationship as strained as that between the European Union and Great Britain. If the Sakura Nation were to learn of the Martyr's death in Dragon Nation territory, wouldn't it be perfectly logical for them to exploit this incident to provoke a conflict between the Dragon Nation and the White Eagle? In such a scenario, the Sakura Nation would side with the White Eagle, wielding its influence like a fox riding a tiger. Considering all this, wasn't it perfectly plausible?
Tap—tap—tap—
Zhong Wanhong's index finger tapped rhythmically on the table. If his hypothesis was correct, while the Sakura Nation was stirring up trouble in the Dragon Nation to incite suspicion of the White Eagle, they were likely doing the same in the White Eagle, aiming to provoke distrust toward the Dragon Nation.
For example, they might fabricate false intelligence claiming the Dragon Nation had lied about the Martyr Incident, spreading rumors that they had deliberately lured him into a trap and assassinated him. After all, how could someone so powerful die so quietly?
This was just a quick thought; there was no limit to the excuses they could fabricate.
Just as Zhong Wanhong was about to press for more details, the other four individuals slowly began to regain consciousness under Bai Yuanju's treatment. Without hesitation, Zhong Wanhong immediately approached Invincible Bro and Lü Heng for their accounts.
Their descriptions and assurances completely validated Firefly's credibility.
Zhong Wanhong's expression turned grave. "This matter is extremely serious. I must report it to the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations immediately."
Such asymmetrical information, mutual suspicion, and distrust could easily ignite a war. Yet resolving this crisis wouldn't be difficult if everyone could sit down calmly, communicate openly, and allow the truth to naturally unravel.
After Zhong Wanhong hurried off, only Firefly, Invincible Bro, and Lü Heng remained, exchanging uneasy glances. After a moment, Lü Heng spoke up. "Peace Dove, don't let the Captain's stern demeanor fool you. He's actually a softie at heart. Trust me, you haven't done anything wrong in this incident—in fact, you might even be commended for your actions!"