Chapter 187

“Big Brother?”

After emerging from the inner room with a clean little cloth bag, only to find the doll-faced girl had vanished and Leon still stood by the door, Anna couldn’t help but ask curiously:

“Where’s Miss Amy?”

“I don’t have much time left at home, so I sent her back after deciding there are a few things I need to ask you.”

Glancing out the window and spotting the burly old man nearly climbing in, Leon prepared to cut straight to the chase. He grabbed his sister’s shoulders and said earnestly: “Anna, tell me…”

“When did you and Sister Veronica start…?”

“Huh?”

With a slightly perplexed look in her eyes, Anna beat him to the punch, biting her lip before softly complaining: “It’s just… how did you two meet? And how did you decide to get married? Why didn’t you even tell me anything about it?”

“…”

“Can I say that I’m still kind of confused myself?”

After hesitating for a moment, Leon began explaining:

“Anna, you should know that there are many things in this world that aren’t within the ‘normal’ range. Like your photo, they possess all sorts of inconceivable abilities.”

“And Miss Veronica, she was influenced by something similar, causing everyone in the kingdom to lose their memories of her, including you and me.”

What?! Everyone forgot about her?!

When Anna first heard about the photo, she instinctively tightened her grip on the hem of her skirt. But after learning about the princess’s plight, she couldn’t help but express surprise and sympathy:

“So… does that mean she lost everything? Not only her identity, but also her friends, family… even her lover… all gone?”

“Yes.”

Receiving an affirmative answer from Leon, Anna fell into silence.

If she were in such a situation, losing everything suddenly, she’d probably fall apart right away. Yet Sister Veronica not only didn’t show any signs of pain, but yesterday she could still chat and laugh with her.

Aside from slightly dark circles under her eyes, indicating she hadn’t slept well recently, there was almost no sign of abnormality on the surface. Truly…

“She’s so strong…”

“Hmm, she really is an incredibly ‘strong’ person.”

Understanding what his sister was marveling at, Leon nodded in agreement after seeing the princess’s soul.

In the vision of Black Goat’s soul, every person’s soul has its own ‘base color,’ which isn’t referring to actual colors like red, orange, yellow, or green, but rather a feeling closer to essence.

Anna’s base color was yearning and warmth; female police officer Isa’s base color was compassion and responsibility. As for Princess Veronica’s soul, its base color was unparalleled resilience, her belief hard as steel, almost frighteningly unyielding, as if she’d never known despair.

And this belief wasn’t the kind of confidence that assumes success, but rather the determination to move forward without hesitation, even knowing the chances were slim. She would keep walking until her legs were worn down to stubs, stopping only when death came—her resolve having no other endpoint.

Hmm… in a certain sense, her younger brother’s soul felt the same way. Of the two royal family members he’d encountered, both had astonishingly tough souls.

Just one difference—if Princess Veronica’s base color was called belief, then her younger brother’s could only be called arrogance. Even after getting beaten up by himself and Senior Emma, losing several teeth, the guy still looked down on him from the bottom of his heart.

Maybe that’s the royal family genetics!…

Shaking his head slightly, putting aside thoughts of the freckled prince’s bizarre soul, Leon glanced at the progress of the burly old man climbing through the window. Then, looking at his sister who wore an admiring yet somewhat envious expression, he asked seriously: “Anna, can you tell me what you thought after meeting Miss Veronica yesterday?”

Huh? What was I thinking? Taken aback by Leon’s question, Anna hesitated for a moment before replying: “I… envied her?”

“Just envy?”

“A little… wanting to become someone like her…”

Subconsciously glancing at the papaya placed in the kitchen, Anna said enviously: “My body isn’t good, but Sister Veronica is very healthy and full of vitality; I’m too thin, while her… figure is particularly good; and her personality too.”

“Compared to me who doesn’t talk much, she’s very talkative, outgoing, and has a charm that makes people trust her naturally… reminding me of Mom’s character.”

Recalling past events, Anna’s eyes filled with warmth: “Actually, since I was little, I’ve wanted to become someone like her and Mom, but I just couldn’t do it…”

“…”

So… Princess Veronica is Anna’s ideal type, and the envy and desire to become her that arose after interacting with her led to the repair of [A Warm Home], and transformed it into a [What If] capable of replacing others? It feels reasonable, but the degree seems a bit off.

For an anomalous item’s ability to change, this “If I were her, it would be great” notion must have been quite strong. Would mere envy alone cause Anna to have such a strong idea?

Furrowing his brow in contemplation, worried that returning the photo to Anna might truly let her replace the princess, Leon refrained from taking it out. Instead, he grabbed Anna’s shoulders and said solemnly: “Anything else? Is that really all? Think harder! Is there anything else?”

Other things…

Upon hearing this, the frail girl couldn’t help but bite her lower lip. A crying man’s face flashed in her mind, and she looked at Leon with a complex expression.

If I obtained the family photo and it was taken by that man, restoring everything, you, William, Melanie would regain your original lives, and I wouldn’t be part of your family anymore.

If that happened, I’d go back to being alone, and your family would consist only of Sister Veronica. I really envy her…

But because I used that photo six years ago, I deprived you of your original lives, separating you from your real families. Do I have the right to stop that man from returning everything to its original course? No, I don’t…

Her lips moved slightly, and with a somewhat dim expression, Anna shook her head and muttered: “I haven’t…”

“You do! Anna! You’re definitely hiding something from me!”

Even without using the soul vision, Leon could see the hesitation in his sister’s heart.

It would be fine if it were something else; everyone has their secrets. But whatever Anna didn’t want to say likely concerned the anomalous item created by the Aquarius Director. That absolutely couldn’t be taken lightly! “Although I don’t know why you’re keeping it from me, it’s related to that photo, isn’t it?”

Using the power of the Holy Spirit Pendant, he threw the already-climbed-in burly old man out, then grabbed his sister’s shoulders and stared into her eyes seriously:

“Anna! Listen to me!

Whether it’s trying to avoid past mistakes or thinking keeping it from me might be better for me, or for some other reason, you absolutely shouldn’t do that!”

Pausing briefly, seeing his sister didn’t deny it, Leon continued emphatically while thinking:

“I… I just…”

“Don’t say anything else. Right now, you can either choose to tell me or continue hiding it from me.”

Stealthily touching the horns of the Black Goat and checking Anna’s soul state, Leon’s expression softened slightly. He said gently: “As I mentioned earlier, the choice is yours, and I can’t make it for you. However, I hope you’ll tell me the situation.

Anna, you should be prepared. If you continue hiding it from me, I will get extremely angry, very, very angry!

But you can rest assured, because I am your big brother, no matter how angry I get, I will eventually forgive you! Now you can start choosing!”

Though the choice is yours, if I’ve already said this and you still choose to hide it from me, I’ll go to the Bureau Director later and try to borrow a mind-reading anomalous item!

“I…”

Unaware of Leon’s devious plans, seeing that even in such a situation he still trusted her and returned the choice to her, Anna couldn’t help but feel her eyes water. With a slight sob, she whispered softly:

“I choose to tell you! I’ll tell you everything!”

…

Not a single word was wrong, the content was entirely in 69 Book Bar!

“What? The Aquarius Director has already been to the capital? And even visited your house?”

After hearing the selected recount from Leon, even the usually composed Red-haired Bureau Director was startled by the news.

“Yes, and it was very recent, just the night before the investigators from the bureau arrived.”

After recounting Anna’s encounter and her conversation with the Aquarius Director, Leon clenched his teeth fearfully: “Director, this person is truly dangerous and may be planning something extremely perilous. Can’t the internal inquiry be expedited?”

“Can’t be done.”

The Red-haired Bureau Director shook his head helplessly:

“The year-end review in six days is the fastest time I can think of, there’s really no way to move it up further…

Hmm… if you’re worried about your family’s safety, these few days you can let your younger siblings take a break from school and temporarily stay at the bureau. I’ll protect them, and we can return home after the year-end review.”

“I was thinking the same thing… thank you, Director!”

After sincerely thanking the Red-haired Bureau Director, feeling the pressure finally ease a bit, Leon couldn’t help but exhale deeply. He then took out the photo and handed it over.

“Director, although I don’t know why Aquarius wants it, whatever he intends to do is something we should prevent. It’s better if you keep this thing. I’m worried I won’t be able to protect it.”

That identity-replacing photo, huh?

After examining the image of Princess Veronica on the photo, the Red-haired Bureau Director paused in thought for a moment. He then didn’t take the photo but instead pulled out a dirty little mirror from the drawer and waved it toward the photo.

Seeing the photo flash momentarily and then split directly into two identical ones, Leon couldn’t help but widen his eyes in surprise.

This? A replication-type anomalous item? Could the Director be thinking of…

“This thing is called [Duplicate Duo]. It’s one of the anomalous items I privately hold, and it’s a numbered-level anomalous item, with a true strength ranking around number thirty.

Its ability is simple—it can replicate anything into a completely identical duplicate, including anomalous items, though the ability aspect will have some attenuation. Additionally, only one duplicate can exist simultaneously.

Moreover, as long as the duplicate hasn’t been destroyed, it will continuously consume my strength, and the longer it exists, the more strength it consumes. It’s a troublesome anomalous item with many limitations… but it’s quite useful, especially for fishing.”

Pushing one of the photos over, watching Leon’s eyes flicker with understanding, seemingly realizing something, the Red-haired Bureau Director couldn’t help but curl the corners of his mouth upward, smiling: “Looks like you’ve figured it out. I haven’t reported [Duplicate Duo] to the bureau, and Aquarius probably doesn’t know about it. It’s perfect for setting a trap for him.

To avoid him having any ability to perceive the location of the anomalous item and stealing it with strange anomalous items, I’ll place the fake photo here as insurance, while the real photo will be kept in your personal pocket mirror.

You don’t need to worry about safety issues. For non-mirror-world beings, everything in the mirror is merely an illusory reflection, lacking any substantial form. Unless you take it out, he’ll never discover it.”

Good grief, it can fish and provide double security; a sober Director is truly reliable!

“Okay!”

After respectfully glancing at the Red-haired Bureau Director, Leon was about to put the photo away when he saw the Director take out a small box and push it along with the real photo towards him.

“What’s this?”

“That goat’s heart… um… isn’t it called [Ambition Heart]?”

Looking at Leon’s suddenly delighted expression, the Red-haired Bureau Director smiled faintly and said:

“Although its evaluation was shockingly low, you indeed passed the bureau’s investigation. Around the time you and Emma slapped Prince Joshua, the headquarters sent the item over.”

“Eh…”

“Wasn’t it you who initiated the beating?”

Seeing Leon’s slightly awkward expression, the Red-haired Bureau Director’s smile disappeared. Narrowing his eyes, he said: “Emma claimed it was her doing and you were merely standing up for her, but the truth shouldn’t need explaining, right? Do you know how long that idiot prince complained through the king to the headquarters?!”

“…”

“Through the king, he lodged a complaint accusing our bureau of negligence, violating the agreement between the Cleaning Bureau and the kingdom, ignoring the safety of royal family members, failing to capture illegal anomalous item holders, acting recklessly by assaulting a royal heir, affecting innocents during cleaning missions, and nearly wiping out a noble family… writing down more than thirty complaints! Truly… fortunately, you hit him today, and the complaint letter reached us before the year-end review. Otherwise, with the intensity of his complaint this time, next year we might end up at the bottom again!”

“…”

After grumbling a bit, the Red-haired Bureau Director habitually picked up the wine bottle, wanting to take a sip to relieve his sorrow, but after reconsidering, he set it down and instead lifted a cup of hot tea. Smiling at Leon, whose face showed embarrassment, he said: “Little Leon~ Since you’ve caused me so much trouble today, don’t you think you should accept a slightly challenging mission to compensate me?”

“…”

Looking at the Red-haired Bureau Director’s narrowed fox-like eyes, Leon instinctively felt something ominous. But since he’d just been caught in a weak spot, he could only resign himself to nodding.

“Alright…”

“Great!”

Pointing at the photo on the table, the Red-haired Bureau Director smiled and said:

“After I use the review to lure Aquarius away and confirm there’s no danger, how about you use it to infiltrate the rebel faction?”