Esper X Family – Chapter 234 – Operation Lullaby

Ye Yao used to think that the Countermeasures Bureau was overly cautious, always treading on thin ice.

They had even been silently infiltrated by the Sanctuary for so long.

But after carefully observing the Countermeasures Bureau headquarters, she began to sense the awe-inspiring presence of this colossal entity.

This also made Ye Yao realize just how important she was.

Even the Countermeasures Bureau had to treat her with utmost care.

Such a massive entity, yet they seemed powerless against the tide of world destruction.

In that case, was the Sanctuary any different?

“Ye Yao, this place is huge.”

Wu Mi walked beside Ye Yao.

Mental power that far surpassed an ordinary person’s extended like invisible tendrils.

Carefully sensing her surroundings.

She could “hear” countless energy fluctuations, strong and weak, with varying attributes from deep within this steel forest.

Harmoniously coexisting yet mutually restraining.

Forming a vast and heart-stopping energy ecosystem.

This invisible grandeur was even more overwhelming than any visual impact.

“Cat, this place looks so fun. There must be lots of interesting spots.”

Fang Tang followed closely behind Ye Yao.

Her small hand clutching the hem of the white-haired loli’s clothes.

Curiously surveying this unfamiliar yet imposing environment.

She didn’t feel any sense of oppression.

Perhaps after witnessing grand scenes with Sequence Zero.

Fang Tang thought that all these things combined were still no match for Ye Yao beside her.

Yu Yayin’s commentary was light and lively.

As if she was introducing a fun amusement park.

Skillfully neutralizing the solemnity of the space.

“Over there is the research center, where many cool new gadgets come from!

And over there, see that building that looks like a giant crystal cluster?

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That’s the Energy Core Control Tower, the heart and engine of the entire headquarters!

Don’t worry about getting lost. With your pass, you can freely explore most places.

Of course, you have to behave and stay out of some restricted zones.”

Her smile was like sunshine, trying to dispel the newcomers’ unease.

But Ye Yao wasn’t uneasy to begin with.

She only caught the keyword in Yu Yayin’s words.

Restricted zones?

The headquarters must have its own restricted zones.

Those are probably important areas for containing Sequence Espers.

Ye Yao had speculated before.

Among the high-risk Sequence Espers, there were rarely any complex and dangerous “conceptual god”-like abilities.

Most were just simple and brutal abilities.

But those like Wu Mi’s【Cycle】, Jiang Huashen’s【Painting the Common People】, and other Sequence Zero members with high-mechanism abilities seemed to have been pre-classified as Sequence Espers.

These complex and dangerous Espers might’ve been detected early.

To prevent them from becoming high-risk Sequence Espers that wreak havoc.

Ye Yao guessed that it might be the Prophet’s work.

Back to the point.

Are there any top-ranked Sequence Espers detained in the headquarters’ restricted zones?

Like Sequence 003, the one who fell from Sequence 001 and Sequence 002?

Or maybe other single-digit Sequence Espers?

Ye Yao’s curiosity was itching.

She wanted to learn from Mu Luo and pick up some “family members”.

Unfortunately, this was the headquarters.

With Fu Qi and Lou Wei guarding the place.

Even Mu Luo, who had reached S-rank, would find it hard to come and go freely.

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They passed through a giant aerial bridge that connected different areas.

Beneath their feet was a dizzying height and facilities as small as ants.

Finally.

The group arrived at the living quarters.

Before them stood several dormitory buildings with a minimalist yet futuristic design.

Nestled at the relatively quiet “foot” of the headquarters.

Yu Yayin stopped in front of one building and entered specific access keys into everyone’s passes.

“Alright, this will be your ‘home’ for the foreseeable future!

Your rooms have been assigned, and the facilities are very complete.

Rest well for a couple of days, familiarize yourselves with the environment, and if you need anything, just let me know!

Remember, this is the Countermeasures Bureau headquarters, the pinnacle of our nation’s Esper power, so soak in its strength!”

As her words fell.

Behind her, the massive, intricate, and powerful silhouette of the headquarters appeared even more grand and mysterious under the daylight.

Silently declaring the authority and heritage it represented.

The metal door leading to their personal space slid open silently, separating the grandeur outside from the tranquility within.

Ye Yao felt deeply satisfied.

She hadn’t explored carefully the last time she was here.

This time, she finally satisfied some of her curiosity.

Too bad she didn’t see the restricted zones.

Nor did she know where they were.

Otherwise, she might’ve passed by.

And see if there were anyone sending out “SOS” signals like Fang Tang.

Yu Yayin led the group to the dormitory.

“The rooms assigned to you are all single rooms.

Of course, if you feel lonely, you can apply for double or triple rooms.

The management is quite humane~”

The girl’s expression was meaningful.

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Ye Yao asked curiously, “How big is a single room?”

“Hmm… about 40 to 50 square meters.”

Ye Yao blinked.

That was quite large for a single person.

And this was a dormitory.

Ye Yao quickly made up her mind.

“No need to change, then. I’ll take the single room!”

What a joke.

The four lolis beside her were all giving her subtle glances.

If she chose a double or triple room, who would she pick and who would she leave out?

Ye Yao had to be fair!

Seeing her decision, the other girls’ eyes flickered with disappointment.

But Luo Jianhua quickly recovered.

Although she couldn’t openly live with her sister.

There was no rule against visiting.

After all, the rooms were big.

Her room at home had almost become a decoration.

So, the dormitory assigned to her at the headquarters could also become a decoration.

Yu Yayin chuckled.

“Don’t worry. Your dormitories are adjacent, so you can visit each other anytime, and occasionally sleeping together is fine too~”

Wu Mi and the others’ eyes lit up.

Hearing this, Ye Yao knew her dormitory was about to become a “public space”.

Sigh.

They’re all such clingy little ones~

Occasionally sleeping together?

More like always sleeping together!

Thinking of this.

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Ye Yao couldn’t help but feel a lump in her throat.

My dorm room… what will it be like in the future?

Headquarters Meeting Room.

Key personnel from the residential complex had also followed Ye Yao to the headquarters.

In the residential complex, they were responsible for analyzing Ye Yao’s preferences, deciphering her personality, and understanding her from various angles.

Like the staff responsible for monitoring screens and collecting online information.

Or the enthusiastic netizens who were always active in Ye Yao’s group chats.

And even the gaming expert who occasionally sniped or carried Ye Yao in online games.

These people essentially formed the “Ye Yao’s Circle”.

Wherever Ye Yao went, they would follow.

Like a strategy guide group in the gaming world.

No one understood Ye Yao better than them.

Although they weren’t familiar in real life.

In terms of online “friendship”, they were top-tier within the Countermeasures Bureau.

“The plan’s goal is to eliminate Sequence 001’s anxiety and pull her out of the vortex of struggle, as well as encourage her to embrace a relaxed life.”

“The success of this operation is tied to the world’s safety. Failure is not an option.”

“I hereby declare, ‘Operation Lullaby ¹ Different ‘Lullaby’ from Magical Girl Lullaby. As I mentioned before, it’s supposed to be Nursery Rhyme, but I thought that it sounded a bit strange so I translated it as ‘Lullaby’. This time it’s actual lullaby (摇篮曲) so I have to clarify that they’re different. ’ begins now. We must not allow the world-ending evil to awaken!”

The prophecy of world destruction might be difficult to resist.

Even so.

They would fight with all their might to survive.

Author Note

It’s so cold! I don’t wanna get out of bed, damn it! How much longer am I going to be elbowed by winter?! Can’t spring just come already?! I’m starting to envy the heaters they have in the North.

Text: Good Human, Human is not bad, pat pat