The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 721 - 346 Mr. Hastings Appoints_3

Arthur held his pipe and flipped through the documents in front of him, the only sound in the spacious office was the rustling of pages being turned.

In the silence, Arthur’s hoarse voice broke the stillness.

"Ledley, take off your epaulettes," he said.

Ledley, hearing Arthur summon him, was just about to stand up like a spring when he heard the second half of the sentence; his legs that had just straightened suddenly went weak again.

In a room that was so stiflingly hot, Ledley felt as though he had fallen into an ice hole.

He had thought Arthur had called him over today for some good news, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect such a bolt from the blue.

"I... Sir... Did I hear that wrong?"

Arthur put down the document, looked up, and asked, "What did you hear?"

"I..." Ledley, with an awkward smile and forehead beading with sweat, said, "I heard... you ordering me to take off my epaulettes?"

"Yes, you heard correctly," Arthur stood up, poured a glass of wine, and handed it over to him. "You look a bit off, care for a drink to steady your nerves?"

"There’s no need, Sir!" Ledley stood, saluted, and said, "Your command, I will execute it without question!"

With these words, Ledley steeled his heart and clenched his fingers on the insignia. With two swishing sounds, the three ’V’ epaulettes that marked his rank as a police superintendent were now resting in his palm.

Arthur looked at him and gave a slight nod, then unapologetically took the epaulettes into his own hands. "Very good, Ledley, you’ve followed orders well."

Arthur turned, opened a drawer of the filing cabinet, and casually sealed away the epaulettes that were so precious to Ledley.

However, before he could turn around, he heard Ledley’s voice behind him: "Sir, I will execute any command, but I need a reason!"

"A reason?"

Arthur rummaged through the filing cabinet and pulled out two documents—which had been prepared earlier—flaunting them at Ledley: "The reasons are right here; the one on the left represents your past, the one on the right your future. It all depends on which one you choose."

"Past? Future?" Ledley frowned, confused by Arthur’s meaning: "Can’t I choose both?"

"Both? No, that’s not possible."

Arthur, holding a glass of wine, leaned against the desk: "The Intelligence Department has no such precedent, and I don’t intend to set one. However, as someone with experience, I do have some advice on making choices. Would you like to hear it?"

Ledley pursed his lips; at this point, he had nothing left to worry about.

"Receiving your guidance would be an honor," he said.

Arthur smiled as he spoke: "As someone with experience, I don’t recommend that you pick the past, because you are well aware of what has happened. You’re a smart man, so you don’t need to relive the past to learn from it. But the future that is a different story. The future represents unknown possibilities, as well as new challenges and opportunities."

"Challenges and opportunities?"

Upon hearing these keywords, the dim light in Ledley’s eyes reignited. His heart pounded fiercely; it seemed he had guessed Arthur’s implication, but before his joy, he needed absolute confirmation from Arthur’s lips.

"Sir, I choose the future."

Arthur smiled as he handed over the document symbolizing the future to Ledley: "It seems what everyone says is true, Ledley, you indeed strive for advancement. Since you’ve chosen the future, the past is now struck from the record."

He raised his hand and tossed the document symbolizing the past directly into the lit fireplace, where the cracks and leaps of the orange flames joined Arthur’s gleaming red eyes.

Under Arthur’s gaze, Ledley nervously opened the document envelope, barely revealing a corner of the document, and the title that came into view made him tremble all over.

"Feasibility proposal for establishing a special task force under the Greater London Police Department’s London Police Intelligence Bureau"

Ledley looked up sharply.

Arthur raised his glass in a congratulatory toast: "Ledley, from today on, you’ve been transferred to the London Police Intelligence Bureau. Your police rank and code change from MPS to PIS and come under the jurisdiction of the Intelligence Department. Remember to collect your new uniform and epaulettes from logistics once the transfer procedures are approved."

Of course, I must say the unpleasant part upfront. Transferring you here doesn’t mean a promotion because once you’re in the Intelligence Department, you will be facing a very difficult task. If you feel unable to undertake it, I won’t make it difficult for you. We are very democratic in this respect at the Intelligence Department, and I don’t want you to think I’m forcing you into a job you dislike."

Upon hearing this, Ledley was so excited he was practically shaking all over. He quickly stood at attention and saluted, fearing any hesitation would let this chance slip through his fingers: "Of course, Director, I’m a hundred percent committed to democracy! Officer Ledley King, ready and at your service 24/7!"

"That’s good to hear. In that case..."

Arthur took a freshly drafted appointment document from his desk and blew on the ink to dry it. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"Ledley, I, Arthur Hastings, Assistant Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police and Director of the London Police Intelligence Bureau, hereby formally authorize you to establish the Intelligence Department’s Special Operations Division Five."