“Olivia!”
As the red-haired Bureau Director seemed ready to give up, Beverly couldn’t help but glare angrily: “He’s obviously making things up! Besides him, there’s absolutely no one else…”
‘Don’t say another word; it’s useless.’
After giving her a glance that said “stay calm,” the red-haired Bureau Director communicated telepathically: ‘I know you’re not satisfied, but our Clearing Bureau is a relatively loose organization. Though the rules are very strict, the enforcement power is insufficient. Whether or not we can drag Aquarius over for memory extraction doesn’t depend on who’s right or wrong—it depends on how many people are willing to stand by us.
Aquarius has made friends with quite a few Division Directors over the years, and he’s got a good number of supporters. Before, no one stepped in to speak for him because Lady Taurus, who’s about to ascend, was on our side, and Aquarius’ suspicion was indeed significant. They didn’t want to get themselves into trouble.’
Glancing at the various expressions of the Subdivision Directors in the room, the red-haired Bureau Director sneered:
‘But now things are different. Even though anyone with eyes can tell Aquarius is probably bullshitting, he did come up with an explanation that could pass muster. Among the other Division Directors, those who value his ability to create anomalous items far outnumber those concerned about the massive casualties he’s caused over the years.
Plus, in the past two days, Aquarius has met with a lot of people, likely promising countless benefits behind closed doors. Faced with tangible interests, even if they know Aquarius most likely violated the rules, when it comes to voting, quite a few will still side with him.’
‘If we could take Aquarius down immediately, these people wouldn’t have much to say. But now that Aquarius has given an excuse that passes scrutiny, it gives them room to play around. Even if we insist, it would just end up in endless bickering.
As for the Bureau Director, if he were here in person, to uphold the Bureau’s rules, he’d probably forcibly apprehend Aquarius. But now, since he’s stuck in the Old Land and can’t return, compared to maintaining the Bureau’s rules, he’d prioritize stability here.
Based on my understanding of him, the Bureau Director will likely step forward to smooth things over, ensuring no chaos erupts within the Bureau, then record this matter and deal with Aquarius later when he returns… Just bear with it. No matter what happens to Aquarius in the future, today we’ve clearly lost.’
…
“In my opinion…this matter requires careful deliberation.”
The subsequent developments indeed matched the red-haired Bureau Director’s guess almost exactly. After glancing at the expressions of the various Division Directors, the Bureau Director, who had already figured everything out, gave Aquarius Director a significant look before stepping in diplomatically:
“Aquarius Director’s ‘replica’ may have caused many problems, but ultimately, it was to prevent the [Twin Mirror Lake] from causing greater destruction. The merits and demerits balance out, so let’s drop the talk of resignation.
However, although the twelve directors have the authority to independently handle anomalous incidents, they should report when unable to resolve the situation. Concealing such matters must be punished… Aquarius Director, do you have any objections?”
Upon hearing the words of the Clearing Bureau Director, Beverly couldn’t help but clench her fists tightly, glaring furiously at the composed Aquarius Director across from her.
Objections? What objections could he possibly have? Compared to having his brain licked by a god-level brain-eating demon during memory extraction, this punishment was nothing! “I have no objections.”
Smiling faintly at the furious Leo Division Director, Aquarius Director slightly bowed toward the central hologram:
“Your judgment is highly appropriate. Furthermore, please don’t overly criticize the several Division Directors too harshly.
Though their direct questioning of me without knowing the full truth was rash, it wasn’t entirely baseless. There’s no need for them to face the Bureau’s punishment, right?”
“…”
With a casual move, using a long-standing contingency plan, Aquarius effortlessly dismantled the entire line of inquiry, even going as far as seemingly magnanimously pleading for mercy on behalf of the others, requesting to waive punishments that were impossible anyway.
Faced with this top-tier humiliation disguised as pleas for leniency, apart from the Gemini Division Director remaining unfazed, the other five Division Directors who stood up couldn’t help but flare with anger, even the red-haired Bureau Director narrowing his eyes involuntarily.
Regretfully glancing at the red-haired Bureau Director, with the intention of avoiding further conflict, the Clearing Bureau Director nodded:
“Agreed, then this matter will first—uh…wait.”
Just as he was about to declare the inquiry over and let Aquarius Director off scot-free, the stone slab beside the Clearing Bureau Director gently trembled, soon displaying a series of strange wriggling symbols.
After stroking the symbols a few times and interpreting their meaning, the Clearing Bureau Director couldn’t help but frown.
This was a complaint message delivered via [Homoglyphic Stone], nine-tenths of its content complaining about the Virgo Subdivision cleaners being disrespectful,擅自 intruding into the Royal Palace, and beating up a prince, demanding the Clearing Bureau punish them.
However, after detailing the repeated beatings inflicted by a cleaner named Leon, the beaten prince seemed coerced, forcing him to also relay some messages for Leon to the General Bureau…
…
“Aquarius Director!”
After deciphering all the meanings of the symbols, the Clearing Bureau Director suddenly turned around, his eyes locking onto the Aquarius Director sitting in the eleventh seat, nearly enunciating each word: “Nathan… Do you know this person?”
Noticing the subtle change in the Director’s expression, Aquarius Director couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow slightly before nodding: “Yes, I know him. He’s the leader of the rebels and seems to have had contact with another version of me.”
“Yes, he had contact with ‘another you.’”
Deliberately emphasizing ‘another you,’ repeating this cryptic statement, the Clearing Bureau Director narrowed his eyes slightly: “Aquarius Director, when you came to attend the year-end review, a cleaner from the Virgo Subdivision successfully captured the leader of the rebels and obtained some interesting information.
After reading through the messages he sent over, I believe this information could be very helpful in capturing ‘another you.’ Would you be willing to lend a hand to gather the Twelve Zodiac Palaces, moving Nathan and the two cleaners over here?”
So…Nathan didn’t escape and was captured by the Virgo Subdivision cleaners? And some information detrimental to me was exposed?
After hearing the Clearing Bureau Director’s request, Aquarius Director couldn’t help but furrow his brows, sensing something was amiss.
To protect the dangerous items stored inside to the greatest extent possible, aside from rejecting the majority of anomalies, the core part of the Clearing Bureau Headquarters was deliberately set up on a small asteroid 70,000 kilometers above the ground and orbited the world like the moon year-round.
Even the most advanced flying ships from Mechanopolis Crolock can only reach heights of eight or nine thousand meters, and the highest unmanned probes barely exceed 400 kilometers—mere fractions compared to the 70,000-kilometer distance.
Thus, it can be said that apart from high-ranking Clearing Bureau officials capable of teleportation via star palaces and a very small number of individuals possessing special anomalous items, no one can quickly reach here.
The sole exception is gathering the twelve directors or heads of the Zodiac Divisions, utilizing parts of the Sun’s power reconstructed through the Zodiac Star Palaces, and using sunlight to forcefully refract someone from 70,000 kilometers away.
Even so, the person brought here can only stay for one day. Once the Clearing Bureau Headquarters moves to the other side of the world, diminishing the influence of the Sun’s power, they’ll instantly be pushed back to their original position by the repelling force of the headquarters…
So what exactly did the message say that made the Director propose gathering the Twelve Zodiac Palaces, wanting to bring them here to confront me face-to-face? (End of Chapter)
