books44 Chapter 310 [Empire] Freedom
Chapter 310 [Empire] Freedom
He took back the makeshift communicator from my wrist and pulled out a bracelet that resembled an external wearable optical computer. "You will have a new identity: a mercenary identity, and a legal citizenship. Now tell me, what is your nickname?"
I looked at the sleek, simple bracelet in his hand, and a complex mix of emotions welled up within me. This seemingly ordinary object held a power that could not be ignored. It represented a change of identity, signifying my official entry into the world he had shaped—a world both vaster and more dangerous. For me, it was more than just a shift in identity; it was a double-edged sword, holding both opportunity and burden.
Having a second legal citizenship means that I am no longer a "legal citizen" in the true sense.
Nightingale handed me the bracelet, his eyes still calm, as if all this had been part of his plan. He didn't rush me to accept it, but simply waited quietly for my reaction.
I was slightly startled, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity and invisible pressure. His question left me momentarily stunned. A nickname? I had never thought I'd have one. The circumstances just now hadn't given me time to consider it, but now, Nightingale's words forced me to make a choice.
"Ayaji," I blurt out, my voice dripping with an unconscious firmness. This name, once used by me in another world, carries with it hidden memories and a farewell to the past.
Nightingale didn't seem surprised by my answer. He just smiled slightly, a hint of meaning flashing in his eyes. "Ayaji, it's an honor to meet you." His tone was as calm as ever, but there was an indescribable meaning in it.
I looked down at the bracelet in my hand and felt a faint vibration in my palm, like the signing of some kind of contract, another form of agreement, or the beginning of a new chapter. In that moment, I knew that my life would be inextricably linked to this person and this world from now on. There would be no turning back... right?
"Ayaji," he repeated my code name, as if savoring the syllables of the two words, "It's a good name." The corners of his mouth raised slightly, the smile not visible in his eyes, but with an inexplicable depth.
I didn't respond, but put the bracelet on and gently adjusted its position.
Nightingale seemed to sense my inner turmoil and sighed softly: "You don't have to worry too much, Ayaji. This identity will bring you not only power, but also the freedom you want." As he spoke, his eyes were deep as he looked at the city in the distance that was gradually swallowed by the night, as if he could see a more distant future through layers of light and shadow.
I looked up at him, trying to find some answer in his expression, but I found that I still couldn't see through his heart. His calmness, composure, and almost emotionless tone made me feel a conflicted feeling of both attraction and repulsion.
"Freedom?" I raised my eyebrows slightly, seeming a little unconvinced. "Is the freedom you're talking about really something I can control?"
Nightingale's eyes swept over me, the smile on his lips never fading. "You'll understand, Ayaji," he said in a low voice, "but everyone's way of achieving freedom is different. Some pay a price, while others simply choose to stand in the right place."