242 Chapter 240: Celebrate

I know Webnovel recently updated to include Bold and Italicize, so I'm trying these out this chapter. Let me know how it is!

Giliath is on vacation but he still demands your power stones!

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S1200. January 1st.

Shortly after midnight.

Crossbell City. Administrative District. Outside the CPD HQ.

Several figures could now be seen gathered around the entrance to the Crossbell Police Department. Not because of an ongoing crime scene, but quite the opposite in fact. A festive mood currently wrapped around Crossbell City as a whole, and these people gathered around the CPD Building were no less different than the other Crossbellans.

"You feeling better now, Jill?", Noel's voice asked, only to come from a young girl with short brown hair and brown eyes, but her hair contained hints of orange in it. It was clear worry could still be seen in her eyes after their HQ received such a sudden short notice. It wasn't any emergency request or anything, but an urgent news that was flashed all around the Orbal Network. This girl still appeared young, considering she was still in the Crossbell Police Academy. Yet thanks to her talents as a soldier prospect, she was already in the process of being recruited by the Crossbell Guardian Force's Commander, who was one of the figures standing beside Noel. As far as Noel went, she has shown exemplary results in her current studies at the Academy.

To the left of Noel was a lilac haired girl who seemed a few years older than Noel. She was already in the CGF under Sonya's direct command, but also served as a receptionist at CPD's HQ. She was of course Jillian Sky, older sister to that of Sherryl Sky. Earlier in the night where the CPD HQ was closing up shop for the day, that emergency broadcast distracted everyone who was present there. Out of everyone present, Jillian was the one who received the biggest shock.

But thanks to some helpers who came in at a good time along with Elie and Guy, they helped with the remaining paperwork the two had to officially close up for the night. Despite going through such, however, a few hours still passed, and it was already shortly past midnight for his group in Crossbell.

Yet Crossbell's city life seemed to be in a fervor presently as everyone would hear orbal fireworks shoot off in the distance, or kids would be out with their families showing off tiny fireworks. During these few hours of time, Jillian was able to cool her head down thanks to some mindless paperwork. Her eyes were crystal clear unlike the earlier murkiness resting within.

Jillian nodded her head after hearing Noel ask that, who still appeared to be worried.

"Yes. I am feeling much better now. I am sorry if I gave you all a fright earlier.", Jillian said, doing a light bow at the few figures standing before her. They returned her gesture with either a smile or a nod of their head. Guy even let out a laugh, patting Jillian on the shoulder as he laughed.

"Haha, that's a normal reaction anyone would give. Didn't think you'd be the type to have a little sister. Sounds like some shit happened in the past, but isn't it good that you've finally found a trace of her again?", Guy happily responded.

"I thought that case was closed already too...What do you think, Sergei? The Divine Blade spearheaded that operation and we can't talk about it in public like this, do you think it warrants enough to go through its records one more time?", The dark green haired man said in the group, looking toward the scruffy haired man beside him. This man wore glasses and he pushed his frames up a bit as he asked that. He was Dudley, part of the First Division now together with Guy.

"Quick to discern the gaps in the information we were given I see, Dudley. It wouldn't hurt to go through those files again. Jillian's little sister was counted among those missing persons on the list we received several years ago. We closed the case, but there were still some people we couldn't find. Even I found it a surprise that one of the missing persons would show up out of the blue like this, and at such an event no less.", Sergei responded, showing a serious look in his eyes. As he said that, he reached into his pocket, only to grab what appeared to be a cigarette lighter. The stern woman next to him frowned the moment he lit it, causing a weird aroma to spread around them.

"There's still kids around you know, Sergei. I thought I told you to quit smoking already. It's bad for your health.", Sonya retorted, seeing Sergei take a puff of his cigarette not long after he lit it.

"You were never around to care in the first place, Sonya. Why bother taking an interest in what I do now?", Sergei simply responded, ignoring Sonya's remark just now.

"Hey hey, the night's only started for us and you two are already bickering. Save that for later. If there are files to revisit later, we can do that after tonight is over. It's a rare moment where all of our schedules are free to celebrate the new year.", Guy retorted, urging Sergei and Sonya to stop bickering, despite being two adults.

"Hohoho, it would seem quite the gathering has taken place I see. Mind if the two of us join in as well? I dare say we've some free time on our hands now.", An aged voice said, only to draw the group's interest. Before long an aged man with white hair and a beautiful long brown haired woman appeared before the group. Elie's eyes immediately lit up as she immediately recognized the aged man.

"Grandfather! So you did have some time to spare for the new year's celebration after all. It does mark it quite a memorable one too, considering it is the start of the next century.", Elie happily responded, greeting Mayor MacDowell's arrival. He wasn't alone. Even Guy's eyes lit up as he recognized the woman who was with him.

"I could say the same to you Cecile. Guess you were doing a check-up on the Mayor. Glad that you have some time to spare. We all were about to head to our reservation. Long Lao is staying open late tonight, despite it being past midnight already. The whole city is still in an uproar.", Guy responded, sporting a smile on his face.

"Hehe, you two never change, do you? Still, it's nice to see so many familiar faces. It's been a while since I've last seen you too, Arios. You as well, Ian.", The woman said, who was Guy's current fiancé, Cecile.

"Likewise. I've had some free time on my schedule, so I decided to see if everyone was free. Didn't think we'd create a big crowd like this though. A bit more than what I'm used to handling.", Arios said, welcoming the two. The lawyer also nodded his head as well.

"I could say the same. It's good to see you in good health, Cecile. I thank you for coming to join us as well, Mayor.", Ian said in a polite tone. After all, the present Mayor of Crossbell was now in their group, so he remained polite.

"Well we all got something to celebrate tonight. Are you sure you are alright though, Jill? You seem much better than before, at least.", Elie wondered, also showing a hint of worry in her eyes. She had gotten acquainted with Jillian ever since she had returned from Arteria after her studies finished and her training at the Septian Church. It took Elie a good moment to realize where she found such a sense of familiarity with Jillian, but she recalled that passing moment she had with Naoto and immediately recognized one of the girls who was with him at the time. She could only assume that it was Jillian's little sister, but remained quiet on the matter.

At least now, Elie saw the First Division was showing interest in revisiting those files. It was a closed operation to many, and was kept in secrecy. But being the granddaughter of the current Mayor, she had access to certain files more than a normal person did. At least she knew that Naoto helped assist the operation that helped eliminate that bad group that tried to kidnap those young children. That was enough to put a smile on her face.

It has been a few years since she had last seen Naoto, so she found it pleasant to see him appear on the news again all of a sudden. Still, Elie wasn't expecting it to be under such a circumstance. She knew Naoto was a prince of an entire country so it was common for such a person to receive several marriage proposals, but she hadn't a clue how many girls liked him presently.

Only a look of anticipation appeared in Elie's eyes as she projected her worry toward Jillian again. She was her friend now after all. Jillian nodded her head once again to assure everyone that she was fine now.

"Yes. Truly, I have calmed down from that announcement. I'm famished too, so why don't we all head over to Long Lao?", Jillian suggested.

"Sounds like a plan to me! I'm starving!", Guy responded, letting his easygoing attitude create an air of laughter around the group. In no time, they all proceeded along the Administrative District, eventually arriving at East Street all sporting happy smiles or calm looks as a few idly chatted away while they walked.

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Updated chapter title. Counted wrong!