Chapter 575 - 368: Burning in the Darkness
"Let’s turn our attention to today’s hot news. Alan, a special-grade hero of the New Moon City Council and the director of the Public Security Bureau, has recently been embroiled in a scandal. A young woman has accused him of sexual assault on her social media page."
"A spokesperson for the City Council stated that the authorities have taken notice of this rumor circulating online. The Municipal Guard Team has taken strict protective measures for the young woman in question and has launched an investigation into the scandal. The first court hearing will take place tonight."
"Director Alan, known as the architect of the Golden Era at the border, has always been a model figure in New Moon City. However, beneath those brilliant achievements lies such an ugly facade, leaving us deeply disappointed."
Fenrir sat on the living room sofa, the sound of the news on TV echoing coldly around her.
Bruises covered her face, as if she had just been in a fight. Swollen purples and the red of iodine blended, making that once handsome face look filthy and grimy.
Her fists were clenched, covered with cuts and bruises, some still oozing blood.
At that moment, footsteps came from the hallway as Alan descended from upstairs. He wore a brand new suit, his hair neatly done, and rimless glasses giving him an efficient look, as if he was off to handle important business.
Seeing Fenrir in the living room, Alan paused in surprise and then hurried over.
He examined the wounds on Fenrir’s face and checked her battered fists, asking with concern, "How did you get hurt like this?"
Fenrir looked down, her voice low: "Everyone at school says I’m the daughter of a rapist. I have to show them you’re innocent."
A bitter smile appeared on Alan’s face. He took out a medicine box from the cabinet, carefully tending to Fenrir’s wounds, and softly said, "Child, fists can’t fight against rumors."
Fenrir looked at Alan’s formal suit, her eyes full of desolation: "You shouldn’t go to court today."
"Last night in the borderlands, I caught a person from the Raven’s Nest and forced out of them that it was the Heaven-Reaching Tower behind this. It’s the giant corporation targeting you."
"They’ve set a trap; the entire judicial department of New Moon City has been bought. Every piece of forged evidence is linked, and you don’t stand a chance."
Alan brushed Fenrir’s disheveled hair behind her ear, smiling gently at her: "Silly girl, do you think your father is a fool? How could I not know what you could uncover?"
Fenrir looked at him sadly, her voice trembling faintly: "If you know, why are you still going to court? If you walk out that door, I might never see you again."
Alan pulled Fenrir’s head into his arms. Because of the wounds on her face, his movements were careful and gentle, as if cradling an infant.
"Getting through this ordeal is really simple. The Heaven-Reaching Tower has already sent people to talk to me. As long as I give up on a series of reform policies at the borderlands and do as they say from now on, they’ll ensure my safety."
He gently stroked the back of Fenrir’s head, though his voice brimmed with unshakable resolve: "But, child, remember this, it’s the worst of times. We live in a vast, oppressive darkness."
"Darkness won’t disappear on its own. Eventually, someone must turn into a flame to illuminate the path ahead. Even if it burns out in the end, it must not submit to the dark."
"If even I kneel, no one else will be able to stand up."
With that, he left one last kiss on his daughter’s forehead and resolutely walked out of the house.
Reporters, long awaiting outside, immediately swarmed, the blinding flashlights reflecting in Fenrir’s eyes, drowning her father’s figure in noise and chaos.
...
...
...
"She’s out!"
With a shout from the crowd, reporters couldn’t wait to rush forward, cameras in hand, not daring to blink, lest they miss any detail.
The moment Fenrir emerged from the Wolf’s Assault residence, her inherent aura of pressure cast a hush over the scene. Those caught by her dark purple eyes instinctively turned away, avoiding direct eye contact.
Several seconds later, the flashbulbs began to pop, capturing the regal stature of the Wolf King.
Soon, the reporters collectively noticed something unusual.
Fenrir hadn’t donned the elegant gown everyone had expected for the occasion.
Instead, she wore her signature black leather jacket, the back adorned with an intricately embroidered red wolf head, as if roaring at the world, the leadership-symbolizing Wolf Head Badge pinned over her heart.
A bold reporter was first to ask: "Miss Fenrir, for this upcoming awarding ceremony, why aren’t you wearing a dress?"
Fenrir looked at him, her dark purple eyes deep as if without focus: "This outfit suits me better, doesn’t it?"
The reporter was nearly jumping with excitement, being able to engage with the Wolf King on such an occasion. Regardless of the topic’s significance, being chosen was a mark of luck. A promotion and raise were almost certain when he returned.
He was the only lucky one, as Fenrir answered no other reporter’s questions, striding through the crowd.
Outside, a serpentine convoy awaited, totaling 21 ceremonial cars, the highest level of official ceremony under the World Government’s system.
A noble-looking attendant stood by the main vehicle, intending to open the door for Fenrir as rehearsed.
Unexpectedly, Fenrir unceremoniously reached out, opened the door herself, and after taking her seat, casually closed it.
The attendant was momentarily stunned by this minor mishap but quickly recovered, covering his heart in salute to Fenrir before respectfully stepping back.
After Fenrir boarded, the embassy personnel lined up entered their respective vehicles, and the convoy moved smoothly onto the cross-district highway amid cheers and attention from onlookers, headed for the Municipal Center District.
Under normal circumstances, during this morning rush hour, a metropolis like New Moon City’s elevated highways would be clogged with traffic. However, the convoy advanced without obstruction. Not a single stray vehicle was on the roads, all held back by sheriffs below the overpass.
An hour later, the convoy arrived at Crown Plaza in the Municipal Center District.
The plaza, expansive in scale, had a ceremonial stage set at its center, with a welcoming party of over ten thousand lined up alongside the red carpet, stiff and solemn.
At the plaza’s rear stood the Heaven-Reaching Tower, the symbol of New Moon City’s ultimate power, its three joined towers looming as if to pierce the sky, casting vast shadows over the ground, even blocking the mighty sun above.
History records this moment in varied ways.
Some say the attendant, making up for earlier mistakes, bowed low to open the car door and welcomed Fenrir out.
Others claim Fenrir herself pushed open the door and descended the car with her head held high.
No matter how these minute details vary, one thing remains indisputable.
After stepping out, Fenrir raised her gaze toward the distant Heaven-Reaching Tower, truly beholding the structure from up close for the first time in her thirty-year life journey.
Then she spoke slowly, that soft murmur audible to everyone nearby.
"Dad..."