SCP International

Hà Trung, Thanh Hoá, snow was falling down. Indeed, in this corner of the world, on this Vietnamese delta, snow was falling.

"Reporting to honourable Assistant Envoy Ngô, I saw this anomalous phenomenon since dawn and immediately rushed here for news. I wasn't expecting thee sir to be here this early." - A man that looked neither old nor young, wearing official's uniform, spoke up. - "The anomaly in front of us, dost thou know…"

"I immediately arrived here upon seeing this phenomenon occured, yet I am unable to find the cause of it."

"It will be unpleasant for us if that is the case…"

"Worry not, I have set up circles of magic to hide this from the public eyes. Commoners in the citadel won't be seeing this strange scene."

"Oh great visionary, Ngô sir. If the common people saw what is happening now, it would have been recorded in history for years to come. Though, if even thou with all thy capabilities were unable to find the reason behind such phenomenon, it must be something to be concerned of."

"I did not thoroughly investigated the cause of this anomaly, simply because I did not want to show off my axe skills to an axe expert." - The Judge talked while pointing his finger ahead.

Flickered behind the heavy white snow, there was a low but vertical mountain cliff, on it lied the shadow of a mansion with half of its front gate covered in the snow.

After signaling the other bureaucrat to leave the place, Assistant Envoy Ngô walked calmly towards the mansion, carrying an assertive manner though still showed a bit of hesitance deep inside.

"I, Assistant Envoy Ngô, report to Chief Bureaucrat Trần. Earlier this morning, upon witnessing the anomalous phenomenon around thy private mansion, I decided to immediately go here for investigation…"

"Come in." - A weak, feminine voice raised up, slightly shivering even though she seemed trying to maintain a firmness in it.

The Judge carefully opened the door and stepped inside. He only saw the Trần lady lying fragile on a hammock placed in the middle of the hallway. Although her face still appeared young as usual, her hair had turned into a silver white colour.

"This is…"

"I have lost control over my magics, so I need some resting time to harmonize the qi in me… Please guard the door to prevent the evil-minded from taking advantage of this opportunity…"

The young lady that accompanied thee, she will be thy significant other for the rest of this life.

All that remained were a body frozen to the bones and marrow, and a little doubt inside of me.

Two echoes, two images, two thoughts which the Judge had deeply buried all this time, now being uncovered in front of his eyes. He put his hands inside the sleeves to hide his worried shiver. But even though his eyes and breath only moved slightly, they still could not escape the sights of the lady in front of him.

"Chief Bureaucrat Trần,…" - Assistant Envoy Ngô hesitated for a second. - "There's this one thing that keeps bugging me for a while now, and I hope that thee can resolve this doubt in my heart…"

"This is not the time…" - Despite Chief Bureaucrat Trần's effort to raise her voice, Assistant Envoy Ngô still stood firmly, acting as if he heard nothing.

"The magic ability thou hast, I have seen it before. Ah no, what I meant was that, it is similar to a form of magics that I once saw on an acquaintance. Ah no…"

Through her half-closed eyes, the lady of the Trần clan showed a joyful light. Indeed, she had waited for this moment for a very long time now. The last three years, neither short nor long, passed through the thoughts of the Chief Bureaucrat. But her mission to the people, the duty to her clan, they liked a sword cutting through those running memories.

"Quit beating around the bush and say what’s on your mind…"

After a brief silence, Assistant Envoy Ngô clenched his fists so hard that it seemed as if blazes of fire were forming between his fingers. Then also in that moment, he gathered his courage, took a step forward, raised his voice firmly and assertively, and began to question:

"My younger brother was harmed by someone, his remains was identical in every detail to that enemy thou killed. Because of this event, my family and I became foes, eventually led to the massacre tragedy in Lạng Giang that day. If I cannot solve this mystery, I'm afraid my mind will never find peace. I request thee, honourably, an explanation."

A line of thought passed through the mind of Chief Bureaucrat Trần: "The opportunity for me to complete my mission in this world is still very far off, but for now, my kinship needs someone to save them. Pulling thee into this hundred-year mess, a thousand times is my fault…"

Then she stayed silent, showing a smirk as if she was trying to provoke the psychopath standing beside her. A fire erupted strongly in the eyes of the Judge, the fire flared up, covered both his mind and heart, leaving only deep anger in his soul. The surrounding atmosphere even seemed to be burning with him.

Only one little thought tried to suppress the fire. Yet, in just a split second, everything snapped and a blaze of fire shot out from the Judge like a flying arrow. The young lady from the Trần clan calmly accepted the muderous light spearing through her soul and body.

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