The soldier's ears pricked at the question. Most of them barely stopped themselves from laughing out loud. They especially don't want to make fun of the Marshal and his favorite trainee.

But the question is ridiculous, and it sounds too funny coming out of the Marshal's mouth when he was wearing such a solemn face.

What? In love? With a 'Suit'? That's the same as saying she fell in love with a pig and wants to build a family with it.

Alice did not answer, but she glared at the Marshal, convincing everyone that it was not why she dared to disobey his commands. The Marshal nodded at the two soldiers to take her away.

When they are out of earshot, Marshal Klein waves his hand to dismiss the soldiers gathering behind him. He ordered the Commanders to take charge and patrol the fortress. Because of Alice's actions, the intention of patrolling the monster alien's base was delayed. Checking at the time, it was already too late to head out now.

His assistant and secretary, McLorry, came forward with a thick document in hand.

"Marshal, the Golden Raven Guild was scheduled to have a VR training at 9 in the morning."

Marshal Klein massaged his temples. Now that he sent Alice to the fifth level basement, who will take over the role of the Captain now? The schedule for monthly meeting with the Marshals was also scheduled for 9 in the morning.

"Tell the acting coach of the Golden Raven Guild to move their training schedule to next week. Say it's a reward vacation for winning the National Championship. We still need to look for Lance's replacement who has the same skills as him to not alert the other teammates."

McLorry nodded thoughtfully before asking, "What about Alice and the Captain of the Golden Raven's position?"

"Nothing will change. She will have that position as planned. No one is more suitable to lead Golden Raven Guild than her."

Marshal Klein turned to walk towards the elevator, and McLorry followed behind him. When the button was pressed, Marshal Klein opened his mouth.

"McLorry, do you have any ideas why Alice wanted to find a 'Suit' like Lance and risk her life and position as a trainee?"

McLorry did not answer. So Marshal Klein continued. "It couldn't be because she fell in love with him, right? After all, she and that 'Suit' acted lovey-dovey and we once saw Lance kissing her…"

McLorry coughed awkwardly. His stern face was barely displayed. If one looked closely, his lips were quivering slightly, trying hard not to smile.

"Marshal, I believe Alice herself is not that foolish. We all know girls are weak to pretty boys, but Alice went through a lot to get here, so the possibility of falling in love is slim. If I may, I believe she wants to find him because of his abilities."

Marshal Klein raised his brow in surprise. Then he began to ponder. On the day Lance sacrificed himself, Alice went to his office to complain. On the day before that, Alice submitted strategy reports that highly involve Lance.

When she explained each one to him, her words were full of praise and calculations on how she would handle Lance and make him her center for the team if she became the captain.

Then could it be…

Because Lance's abilities were top-notched and extremely valuable in conquering monster aliens, she was experiencing reluctance. After she learned he died and couldn't accept it unless she saw it herself?

The more Marshal Klein thinks of it, the more he thinks this reason is plausible. After he reached his floor, he and McLorry went into his office to attend the Marshal's monthly meeting.

Meanwhile, in the fifth floor basement,

Alice was locked inside a cell. She slumped her back against the hard cold wall when the guard suddenly approached her cell and threw a box of first aid kit.

She glanced at it coldly, then expressionlessly scattered the contents on the ground. The guard had long disappeared, and she was left alone inside the cell.

Before long, a voice whispered in her mind.

[Good job preventing Marshal Klein and his troop from patrolling the area around the monster alien's base.]

Alice did not respond.

[Do not worry. The troops from the Southern parts are coming as planned, with 1000 trainees to dispatch. The Research Facility Fortress will also send 300 'Suits' to the different fortress to start a new cleaning C-grade monster alien base operation.]

Alice glanced around vigilantly. After confirming that no one was around and the camera monitoring her could not detect any sounds, she opened her mouth.

"What about him? Did he make it out?"

[Yes. Lance's mutation was successful. As of now, he will cross paths with the troops and join them. You will soon meet him again under a different identity.]

"Mm,"

[You're not curious? Hehe, did you know? That Marshal actually thought you were in love with him. He, too, is in love with you. Ah, I'm really looking forward to how he will react once he learns the truth.]

"As long as he is useful, I won't care about other things." Alice tossed the half empty bottle of medicine, and after checking her wound on the temple was healed, she curled up into a ball and closed her eyes.

[Oh, you're going to sleep? It's good if you take a rest first. We will never know when would that Marshal will come to interrogate you. By the way, if they ask why you rebelled today, remember to answer that you envy Lance's abilities, okay? Just say that you created a hundred strategy battle plans highlighting Lance's abilities as the key to success. But now that he is dead, you were angry and wanted to confirm his death personally. In Marshal's mind, you are a very stubborn and competitive person. You hate being on the losing side. You can mention any of your rival's names to add credibility to your words.]

"I know."

[Looks like Lance had encountered the troops from the Southern Parts. I like his new look. Let me check if the mutation was successful….Ooohh ohhh!!!! This is great! This exceeded far greater than I imagined. Alice, look! Your dear boyfriend has - ah eh? You're already asleep? I better go -]

Before these words were finished, a black shadow suddenly appeared outside Alice's cell. A woman in a black combat uniform was scowling at Alice's curled up figure. The guards who saw her were nervous. They reluctantly glanced at each other before one of them dared to move forward and speak.

"Lady Krystal, may we know what brings you here?"

"Is this her?"

"Ah?"

"The impudent trainee who dared to go against my cousin's orders and attempted to escape the fortress?"

"Ah… yes."

In the next second, a bullet exploded in the narrow prison cells. All the prisoners were frightened and ran towards the farthest corner, covering their ears with trembling hands. The guards were also horrified.

Lady Krystal drew a handgun from her waist and fired at Alice's head. If it wasn't for Alice's quick reflex, her head should have a bloody hole dripping with blood on the ground right now.

Lady Krystal fired in every second. Not giving Alice leeway to escape her bullets. But, for some reason, Alice still managed to avoid them. Her bright eyes were staring right into Lady Krystal's darkened face. As if she can read in which direction she will point the gun and escape the bullets.

"How irritating!"

Lady Krystal was not satisfied with the result. Alice is like a small annoying fly. Too hard to follow and kill. Lady Krystal had already shot 15 bullets from her small hand gun, but it did not hit Alice at all.

What's even more irritating is that in this small prison cell, a small bed was placed specifically for her. The other prisoners do not get to enjoy this type of luxury at all.

"My cousin really favors you, huh. Tolerating such behaviors, do you think relying on my cousin's high position will let you pass the trainees trials? Do you think you can ascend to the second floor -?!"

Lady Krystal was not yet finished when suddenly, Alice rushed in from below. She threw a small brick stone directly at Lady Krystal's face.

Lady Krystal was taken aback. She subconsciously took a step back. And Alice took that opportunity to steal the gun from her hand and push her away.

Lady Krystal directly clash against the prison bars right across Alice's.

"Eeekk!!!" The prisoner inside the cell was frightened. He was a skinny man with deep scar wounds on his bald head. An obvious indication that he pulled on his own hair and bald himself. His gaunt face and the frightening bony figure clearly indicate that he's already driven mad by staying inside this fifth level basement for a long time.

The guards were scuttling around, wanting to avoid being pitted between the battle of an official Challenger and a trainee.