Chapter 213

“N-no…!”

In the grand crimson-velvet draped bed, amidst murmurs of reluctant protest, the young freckled prince suddenly jolted awake. With a swift kick, he sent the covers flying and bolted upright in bed.

“No! No! NO!!!”

Looking around his familiar, opulently decorated sleeping chamber, where the faint aroma of incense lingered from before he slept, Prince Joshua, clad in silk pajamas, couldn’t help but exhale deeply as the crackling fireplace warmed him. Leaning back against the headboard, relief washed over him.

It was just a dream…

After catching his breath for a while to calm his racing heart, drenched in cold sweat, the freckled prince rubbed his eyes, feeling exhausted as he swung his legs out of bed. Stepping onto the plush white wool carpet, he made his way to the armchair opposite the fireplace, plopping down heavily into it, lost in thought as he stared at the flickering flames.

Even if it was just a dream, this recurring nightmare felt far too real. It was like there truly existed another version of himself, living through an unbearably tragic future.

First, the kingdom’s defense against the Crocodile Kingdom failed, losing two counties. Then neighboring countries took advantage of the situation, leading to the capital falling, rebellions breaking out everywhere, his mother being deposed, his father dying of illness, his sister killed—leaving the entire kingdom on the brink of destruction.

And though he survived, due to his lack of talent, he could do nothing to turn the tide. He had to sell off everything he could, barely managing to keep the royal family from being completely wiped out, drowning his endless regret and self-blame in alcohol every day.

No! This won’t happen! It’s all a dream! All fake! Some rebel group must be trying to influence me through nightmares! Grabbing a biography from the side table and hurling it at the fireplace, a fierce anger flared up on the freckled prince’s tired face.

All because of that damned Clearing Bureau!

Especially that bastard who got lucky and inherited the position of Lionheart Duke! According to agreements with the royal family, these branches are supposed to prioritize the safety of royal families by sending personnel, but that cursed Virgo Subdivision takes our funding and does nothing! They can’t even ensure my safety and instead let that bastard beat me!

Touching his cheek, which had been slapped multiple times, the freckled prince clenched his teeth in frustration.

When I ascend the throne in a few years, I’ll make them pay…

…

“Knock, knock-knock.”

As the freckled prince seethed silently, a soft knocking sound came from outside the door.

“Your Imperial Highness.”

A maid responsible for his daily care asked softly from beyond the door, “Are you rested?”

Taking a deep breath to suppress his anger, Joshua replied,

“What is it?”

“It’s like this: two guests wish to visit you. They have credentials from the Clearing Bureau and say they’ve come to address the issue you mentioned last time.”

Two people from the Clearing Bureau… the problem from last time?

Hearing the maid’s report, Joshua’s heart leapt unexpectedly as he recalled the brutal mixed-gender double teaming from a few days ago, nearly causing him to topple off his chair.

“Are those two people… one man and one woman? Is the man black-haired, wearing an old coat, and looking somewhat thin?”

“No, two men arrived.”

Noticing the slight tremor in the prince’s voice and knowing what happened the other day, the maid quickly reassured him, “Your Highness, I checked thoroughly. These two visitors aren’t the same ones from the other day; their faces and builds don’t match.”

If they don’t match, then good… very good…

The hellish experience from a few days ago, where he endured both punishment and healing—fainting from pain only to wake up in more agony—had left quite a psychological scar on Joshua. Hearing that the disrespectful bastards from last time weren’t here, he exhaled deeply in relief and ordered:

“Let them wait in the reception room. I’ll go after I change clothes.”

“Understood.”

Once the maid’s footsteps faded away, Joshua, sporting two black circles under his eyes, left the warmth of the fireplace, changed out of his sweat-soaked pajamas, and immediately headed toward the reception room.

Although the Virgo Subdivision of the Clearing Bureau was despicable, these nightmares were making him unable to sleep for days—it was unbearable! The nightmare-plagued Joshua rushed to the entrance of the reception room, shooed away the maid who wanted to open the door for him, and impatiently pushed it open himself. Seeing two unfamiliar men of different heights sitting on the sofa, he nodded satisfactorily and slightly lifted his head as he asked:

“Can you solve my nightmares?”

“Yes.”

Leon, disguised as Xiaoba Jin, nodded and stood up, saying, “Prince Joshua, may I…”

“Disrespectful!”

Seeing that this person from the Clearing Bureau hadn’t bowed to him, reminded of a certain someone who also didn’t bow, the freckled prince couldn’t help but relapse into bad habits, glaring coldly as he rebuked:

“How dare you call me by my name directly? Furthermore, your Virgo Subdivision has seriously neglected its duties this time, jeopardizing my safety. You didn’t even…”

Shock spread across Joshua’s face as the man’s features twisted, eventually morphing into the demon-like visage of the black-haired, black-eyed “devil” he’d never forget. Shivering violently, Joshua turned and ran without hesitation.

Unfortunately, both reaction speed and physical fitness were lacking in the freckled prince.

Before he could take even a single step after turning his body, someone grabbed the back of his collar and dragged him back purely by brute force.

“Relax, I’m not going to hit you this time. I need your help with something.”

After resisting the urge to slap him again with his restless right hand, Leon negotiated amidst the maid’s screams outside the door:

“Tell me, does your royal family have a direct method to contact the General Bureau of the Clearing Bureau?”

…

Since the location of the General Bureau of the Clearing Bureau was extremely secretive, even Jerry, a Level 2 crisis handler, didn’t know how to find it. Naturally, Leon decided to target the royal family.

The reason? After the previous mixed-gender double-team beating involving Emma Senior and Joshua, the General Bureau received a complaint letter from the king that same day, and the bureau director immediately demanded they be reprimanded.

So the royal family definitely had a fast way to contact the General Bureau! Realizing this, worried about changes in questioning, Leon immediately brought along Jerry Senior for a second visit to the freckled prince, planning to use the royal channel to report the Aquarius Director’s plot to the General Bureau.

However… it seemed the prince wasn’t very cooperative.

“You… let me go!”

Shutting his eyes and trembling for a while, when no slap landed on his face, Joshua finally regained a bit of courage he’d lost during his first encounter with Leon. Stiffening his neck, he warned: “This isn’t like last time. You won’t get away with excuses like helping me break free from control! If you dare lay a hand on me again, beware I’ll…”

Watching the suddenly defiant freckled prince in his grip, Leon, eager to report to the General Bureau and crush the Aquarius Director, had no patience for arguments and urged directly:

“I have urgent news to inform the General Bureau and must borrow your royal communication channel. Take me there now!”

“…”

So… this bastard needs my help now? Hearing Leon’s words, the freckled prince paused briefly, then his eyes lit up with excitement. His previously haggard appearance from the nightmares vanished as he perked up.

“Let go!”

Regaining his collar from Leon’s grasp, Joshua straightened it while sneering: “Want me to help you? You’re absolutely…”

Glancing at Leon’s slightly narrowed eyes and his instinctively rising right hand, having learned from two beatings, the freckled prince instantly swallowed the phrase “delusional hope.”

“Using the royal channel to contact the Clearing Bureau isn’t entirely impossible.”

Rationally revising his statement, Joshua crossed his arms, looked up at the much taller Leon, and ordered proudly: “But first, you must apologize and bow. Then…”

“I’m sorry, I was wrong before.”

Without letting Joshua finish, Leon, desperate to deal with the Aquarius Director, gave a half-hearted apology without further ado, then warned menacingly with narrowed eyes: “Prince Joshua, know when to stop.”

Know when to stop? Do you think I’m stupid? Hearing Leon’s warning, the freckled prince couldn’t help but snort.

It’s such a rare opportunity to have leverage over you. If I don’t settle all scores this time, who knows when I’ll get another chance.

“I haven’t finished yet.”

Seeing Leon, who needed his help, acting so subservient for the first time, Joshua felt immensely satisfied. With a haughty expression, he commanded:

“To get my help, you must kneel and kowtow to me! Then slap yourself! At least five…”

“Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!”

I’ve already told you to know when to stop.

Lifting his hand and striking left and right, Leon delivered five resounding slaps to the prince who couldn’t position himself correctly. Watching Joshua fall dumbfounded to the ground, Leon sneered:

“As per your request, five slaps are done. Did you receive my apology?”

“…”

Is this how you treat someone you need help from?

Feeling the familiar pain on his face, Joshua’s eyes instantly cleared. He began to rejoice that he’d only said “five” and hadn’t gotten to “ten” before being knocked down. Otherwise, based on his cheap brother-in-law’s style, the number of slaps would likely multiply tenfold…

Wait… Brother-in-law?

Realizing something strange had entered his mind, the freckled prince lying on the ground started recalling in confusion.

That’s not right! I’m an only child, I don’t even have a sister, so where did this… hmm? Could it be that woman… Veronica?!

…

“Hmm?”

Just as the freckled prince in the palace suddenly recovered his lost memories, an old man with narrow eyes, downturned corners of his mouth and eyebrows, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

[Lost Memories] unlocked? Did Nathan suddenly change his mind? Or…

Thinking about this, the old man slightly lowered his head and glanced toward the seat below where the Virgo Director used to sit, where a woman with vibrant red hair sat. She smiled radiantly at him.

“…”

I see…

Upon seeing the smile on the Red-haired Bureau Director’s face, the Aquarius Director understood immediately.

I planned to have Nathan retrieve the photos when Olivia initiates her inquiry and leaves the Virgo Subdivision. She probably had similar intentions.

Likely, she dispatched the cleaners from the Virgo Subdivision during my absence, found the rebels’ hideout, and managed to break Phoebe’s ability.

Heh, looks like we’re thinking alike.

Shaking his head slightly, the Aquarius Director voluntarily withdrew her gaze, lowering her brows as she sat quietly in her director’s seat, expressionless.

The General Bureau of the Clearing Bureau is located inside a hollowed-out small planet, currently over 70,000 kilometers away from the surface. Even if I detect any issues, by the time I return, it will definitely be too late. She picked a great moment.

Hmm… I hope Nathan evacuates in time. Otherwise, I might have some trouble.

…

Brilliant job!

Similarly noticing the change in memory, the Red-haired Bureau Director couldn’t help but mentally give Leon a big thumbs-up! I gave Little Leon two weeks, but it’s not even the third day yet, and he’s already resolved the princess’s issue, completing one-third of the mission. It seems his undercover operation is proceeding smoothly.

Also, removing this memory ability will certainly alarm the future Prince Joshua. Given Leon’s cautious nature, unless he’s identified the prince or determined there’s no way to capture him, he wouldn’t act rashly.

Now that the memory ability has been removed, it’s possible the future Prince Joshua has already been captured. Even if not, there should be significant discoveries. Leon’s actions are probably nearing conclusion.

Most importantly, from start to finish, it only took two days. There’s no way Little Leon could accomplish much in such a short time. Finally, I don’t have to worry about him becoming the leader of the rebels~ ‘Olivia?’

Seemingly noticing her joy, a subtle mental ripple came from the seat of the Leo Subdivision nearby.

Looking at her smiling best friend, Beverly, the director of the Leo Division, while secretly munching on cookies, curiously questioned telepathically:

‘Your division ranked last in the annual review, and the bureau director scolded you so harshly. How can you still smile like that?’

(End of Chapter)