Chapter 386

“I’m afraid that’s impossible…”

After hearing the request from the Taurus Director, the middle-aged man with a square face hesitated for a moment, then frowned and refused:

“Even if headquarters is sealed off, there’s no guarantee of absolute safety. And you’re about to ascend soon; you cannot be disturbed in any way. I can’t leave now!”

“It should be fine… it’s less than a week.”

The Taurus Director thought for a moment and tried to persuade again: “Headquarters’ location is extremely safe. Normal people can’t get here, and there are two of us directors here—me and Mimi. Even if we were targeted by a horde of True Gods, we could hold out until your return without issue.”

“This… still won’t work. You understand the importance of the Watchtower Palace. We simply can’t take the risk.”

The square-faced middle-aged man was slightly swayed but ultimately shook his head:

“You aren’t particularly skilled in combat. The real Twin Fish Director’s soul is asleep, and Mimi has the mind of a six-year-old. Aside from being able to activate the Star Palace normally, she can’t bring out the effects of the Pisces secret art at all.

If I leave headquarters and leave you two alone, and something unexpected happens, everything will be ruined. I can’t take this risk!”

“But Olivia’s situation is urgent too!”

The Taurus Director pulled her collar together and said worriedly: “Her abilities are strong, but she’s no match for the Nightmare King. Even if she risks going deep into the Soulfall Black Abyss, she can’t catch the Nightmare King who moves freely through the living realm’s dreams.

If we just let it go, once the Nightmare King successfully descends, even if we help remotely by using a quarter of the Sun’s power to burn the Dream Realm and reduce the damage caused by the Nightmare King, millions of people will be affected!”

“While the impact is large, those people will only have nightmares their entire lives—they won’t die!”

The Archer Director insisted: “After this attack, we can increase the effect of the [Phantom Vase]. That way, even if people have nightmares, they’ll forget as soon as they wake up, minimizing the impact on their lifespan and souls!”

“But there will still be an impact!”

The Taurus Director exclaimed anxiously:

“When these nightmare-suffering people grow old, their souls will detach from their bodies earlier than normal. Many years before their true death, they’ll start losing memories, or even become empty shells without souls! What about the cleaners from the Virgo Subdivision? Once the Nightmare King descends, he’ll surely gather their souls first! Those kids are still on missions—if…”

“The people from the Virgo Subdivision can evacuate early!”

The Archer Director’s face tightened slightly, her expression stubborn:

“Aren’t they already dispatched? Now send out the Scorpio Division and Leo Division people to find them according to the addresses, notify them to evacuate the kingdom within three days!

The Nightmare King is always cautious and never leaves the Soulfall Black Abyss lightly. If the Virgo Subdivision cleaners evacuate quickly enough, they have a high chance of escaping. They might even come back after the Soulfall Black Abyss leaves, and nothing will change…”

“How can nothing change?”

Facing the square-faced middle-aged man’s repeated refusals, the usually good-tempered Taurus Director finally lost her temper. Her kind face emitted white light, losing its previous warmth and friendliness. A concentrated blood-red hue spread from her cheekbones to her eyebrows.

“Andrew! That’s hundreds of thousands of people! And the Clearing Bureau’s job is to protect…”

“The Clearing Bureau’s job is to ensure the continuation of humanity. Only after confirming that premise do we consider protecting ordinary people from harm!”

Facing the Taurus Director’s anger, the square-faced middle-aged man furrowed his brow deeply, meeting her gaze unflinchingly with a determined expression: “Since Aquarius can cooperate with the Nightmare King to repair souls, there’s no telling what other collaborations might happen. If anything goes wrong on your side, more than just hundreds of thousands of people will be affected, so I absolutely will not leave!”

“But it’s only a week! I can…”

…

“Both of you, stop arguing.”

Faced with the disagreement between the current directors, the Red-haired Bureau Director finally managed to interject.

After glancing at the obstinate square-faced middle-aged man, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, knowing that she likely wouldn’t be able to move him. She then spoke up:

“Lady Taurus, let’s follow the Archer Director’s suggestion for now… Please help me contact the other subdivisions nearby and find Emma and the others as soon as possible, letting them evacuate the kingdom ahead of time.”

“Olivia?! How did you…”

“Lady Taurus, please let me speak first.”

Interrupting the Taurus Director, the Red-haired Bureau Director looked calmly at the square-faced middle-aged man in the [Celestial Sphere Mirror] and said:

“Director Archer does have a point. My personal guess is that Aquarius wants to use the Nightmare King’s power to repair souls, but his real purpose might actually be to lure Director Archer out of headquarters.

After all, the anomalous item that helped stabilize Mimi’s soul was created by him and you initially. Aquarius knows the cycle of the four souls of the Twin Fish Director very well.

Knowing that headquarters is actually quite empty, we can’t rule out the possibility that he plans to attack while we’re vulnerable. We should indeed exercise caution.”

Seeing that the Red-haired Bureau Director also acknowledged this possibility, the Taurus Director’s expression faltered momentarily, then frowned and asked:

“What about your side? Are you really going to leave the Nightmare King unchecked?”

“That’s certainly not an option either.”

The Red-haired Bureau Director shook her head:

“Though it’s difficult, we must still do what needs to be done… Please prepare yourselves, Directors Pisces and Archer, to mobilize three zodiac star palaces before and after the descent of the Soulfall Black Abyss, burning the Dream Realm in advance to ease our pressure.”

At this point, she hesitated briefly but took a deep breath and made a request:

“Also, please help me contact the director of the Scorpio Division. Using your identities, forcibly summon him to help immediately. If he comes, during this year’s year-end review, I can kneel and apologize in front of everyone at headquarters!”

“Olivia…”

Looking at the Red-haired Bureau Director with clenched fists, the Taurus Director’s lips moved slightly, then sighed:

“I’ll tell him. This time, you’re truly suffering.”

Suffering is indeed suffering… but enduring a little is better than mass deaths. At least it feels better mentally.

Hearing this, the Red-haired Bureau Director smiled faintly without saying anything. Meanwhile, the square-faced middle-aged man on the other end of the Celestial Sphere Mirror, after looking at her, hesitated for a moment, then extended his finger and used his nail to draw the emblem of the Archer—a figure holding a bow—on the surface of the mirror.

(End of Chapter)