Chapter 233

“Huh?”

Just as Leon was astonished by the difference between bird eggs and bird eggs, he saw him wildly rubbing in thin air, not only completing the processing of materials, but even directly creating an anomalous item. The Taurus Director couldn’t help but be surprised and widened her eyes.

Although his technique was terribly rough, and the operation process of handling the material was absolutely unbearable to watch, everything was correct in a broad sense. Leon wasn’t just all talk; he had truly grasped the basics.

And even more outrageous, what he seemed to have mastered wasn’t limited to the secret forging techniques of the Taurus line. During the final selection rule, his method clearly carried the flavor of the “Anomalous Creation” from the Aquarius line.

Without any prior practice in the past, relying solely on fragmented memories of observing others, he had self-taught himself two secret arts quickly and successfully created an anomalous item on his first attempt…

Could it be… this kid isn’t just all talk, but has enough confidence in his own abilities? He might even be a super genius in secret arts, just like the runaway Aquarius Director?

With hopeful eyes, she beckoned, took the bird egg that had turned into an anomalous item, carefully examined its specific quality, and the smile on the face of the Taurus Director immediately deepened.

“Not bad, I underestimated you.”

Looking at the newly born anomalous item in her hand, although the technique was unfamiliar and rough, with balanced internal rules and smooth operation without any obvious errors, the delighted Taurus Director couldn’t help but heap praise:

“I was originally thinking that since you hadn’t touched secret arts before, being able to successfully complete the processing of materials would be fine. But who would’ve thought you actually made a complete anomalous item! Let me see… hmm… this feeling, the usage cost is very low, it should belong to the most basic physical consumption type, which is also the most stable type for beginners, a very wise choice.

As for the ability aspect, blood and flesh rules are primary, with demon rules as secondary. It seems to be a dual-ability anomalous item, and the casting process is quite hidden… Nice! Really very good!”

Relying on her familiarity with anomalous items, the Taurus Director just looked at it in her hands and analyzed the [Egg of Acuity] almost perfectly.

After finishing the inspection and handing it back to Leon, the kind old lady smiled and asked happily:

“I won’t guess the rest. You tell me directly, what are the two abilities of this thing?”

“Hmm…”

After hesitating slightly, Leon’s gaze wandered as he answered: “The first ability is the corruption attribute, which can make one’s aura evil, looking more like a demon.”

“Oh, I see…”

After pondering for a moment, the Taurus Director nodded:

“Although it’s a bit niche and can’t be applied in many situations, as an additional ‘secondary ability,’ having it is better than not having it… What about the main ability derived from the blood and flesh rules? What’s the effect?”

Facing the kind ‘elderly woman,’ Leon really didn’t feel comfortable explaining clearly, so he vaguely explained: “The main ability… as you said, belongs to the blood and flesh enhancement type, making some organs more sensitive…”

“Be more specific.”

Upon hearing this, the Taurus Director frowned and then earnestly advised: “Leon, not everyone is like you, able to touch something and get information about the anomalous item. If you’re going to work as an anomalous item craftsman in the future and create items for others, remember to describe them as accurately as possible… exactly which organs does this enhance?”

“Eggs… and only the left one…”

Eggs? What eggs?

At first, the Taurus Director didn’t quite understand what Leon meant and wanted to ask again, but seeing his hesitant expression, she instantly realized the exact meaning of these “eggs,” causing her kind smile to freeze on her face.

“That… one?”

“That one…”

“…”

“…”

The elder and the youth remained silent for a while until the Taurus Director finally broke the silence, turning her head away with a somewhat awkward expression, saying: “It… it’s still okay, though the result is a bit too creative. But I watched your operation, and it’s indeed Taurus secret art without a doubt.

Hmm… So your talent in this secret art is still good. Even if you don’t get the recognition of the Taurus Star Palace in the future, you should still become a top forging craftsman.

Keep it up! We older generations will also slowly step aside. The future of the Clearing Bureau relies on young people like you.”

“Thank you for your kindness. I will definitely work hard.”

…

After leaving the seat of the Taurus Director with the bird egg and returning to his bureau director’s position, the Red-haired Bureau Director, who had already finished revising the performance stone tablet, curiously asked:

“Leon, what rewards did Honorable Taurus give you?”

“In case I’m not selected by the Star Palace, she exceptionally taught me the complete version of the Taurus secret art.”

Because he didn’t bring her along when he “asked for alcohol” from the Taurus Director, Leon felt slightly guilty and quickly changed the subject:

“Director, compared to my reward, how’s it going with Aquarius? Did he notice the hair I secretly placed on him?”

“Not yet.”

After hearing Leon’s words, the Red-haired Bureau Director glanced at him appreciatively and quietly replied: “Although the spatial distance was too far, causing me to lose control over that strand of hair, I can still faintly sense it moving towards the direction of the Crocodile Kingdom.

Once the bureau completes its self-inspection and decides who will pursue Aquarius, the hair you secretly placed will surely give him a big surprise.”

That’s great! Upon hearing this, Leon couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy.

In the past, I was just a minor character in Aquarius’ eyes, but after a fierce verbal debate where I almost got drained by the Balance of Truth, I must have been marked in Aquarius’ mind. The sooner the Aquarius Director is caught, the safer my family will be.

“By the way, Leon.”

Just as Leon was trying to recall the scene and think of other ways to make the Aquarius Director fail faster, the Red-haired Bureau Director seemed to remember something and reminded him:

“The sun is about to set. You, Jerry, and Prince Joshua will likely be sent back to the capital the moment the sun sets.

It will take me another two or three days to finish handling things here, and Emma, though cleared of suspicion, will also need a day or two to return. Tomorrow, there will only be you and Jerry in the bureau…”

“I understand, Director.”

“Hmm… Your determination is really commendable, but what I actually wanted to say isn’t this…”

With a somewhat embarrassed look, the Red-haired Bureau Director told Leon, whose expression was slightly stunned: “Many of the newspapers and magazines I subscribed to pay every two weeks, and tomorrow happens to be the last renewal period. So… could you go to the post office opposite the Sun Newspaper and fill out the subscription form for me?”

“Alright…”

Defeated by this down-to-earth request, Leon, the great hero who had just thwarted the Aquarius Director’s conspiracy and successfully protected the world, helplessly nodded and agreed to run an errand for his director.

A short while later, as the sun set, the headquarters of the Clearing Bureau shifted to the dark side of the world. With the support of sunlight gone, the existence of Leon and the others wavered slightly, then transformed into countless tiny specks of light, disappearing from the bureau’s headquarters.

Meanwhile, in the palace’s secret chamber where the [Common Writing Stone Tablet] was stored, the three people who had disappeared for half a day reappeared, falling neatly onto the wool carpet headfirst.

…

“Finally back…”

After sincerely sighing, Jerry, with the best physical condition, stood up first, then helped the still dizzy Leon up, raising his hand to give him a thumbs up.

Impressive, Leon. This time, not only did you deliver the key evidence, forcing the Aquarius Director to accept memory reading, but even after being targeted by him, you managed to escape unscathed!

To be honest, I have a premonition now that you will definitely become an extraordinary person in the future, and perhaps within my lifetime, I might even see you sitting in the director’s seat!

“Ugh… Just luck…”

After closing his eyes for a while and shaking off the upside-down imbalance, Leon shook his head: “The one who truly obtained the key evidence was your [Fortune Stealing Hands], and I just caught the Prince Joshua who came back from the future.

As for escaping from Aquarius unharmed, that was purely luck. If anything went wrong, I would have been ground into dust… By the way, what’s up with that foolish prince? Why haven’t we heard him speak?”

“Let me check…”

After hearing Leon’s question, Senior Jerry let go of Leon who had already stabilized, looked at the freckled prince lying on the carpet, and found that although everything appeared normal, his eyes were filled with an unusual desolation, as if he had suffered some indescribable major blow.

Am I really such a waste? When Leon was reporting the situation to the director, he didn’t deliberately hide it from the freckled prince. At this point, Joshua, although not fully understanding what happened and unable to grasp the details involving palaces and gods, had roughly understood the gist.

The events in his dreams were real occurrences from another future, and the clown-like version of himself in that future, after losing almost everything, was lured by the Aquarius Director of the Clearing Bureau, using some sort of door to return to the past, attempting to change the future by creating chaos, but ended up becoming a tool controlled by the Aquarius Director, manipulated like a puppet.

And this thug beside him, entrusted by his sister Veronica, not only captured the future version of himself but also restored everyone’s erased memories and successfully thwarted the Aquarius Director’s plot, becoming a nemesis to both versions of himself.

Even worse, he seemed to be his nominal brother-in-law and might even marry Veronica in the future, officially becoming a member of the royal family…

Shit! Why him?! Suddenly sitting up from the ground, the freckled prince struggled out of his doubts about his own abilities and glared at Leon: “You this… uh…”

Seeing Leon’s slightly trembling right hand, realizing it was the starting gesture for a big fight, Joshua instinctively swallowed back the curse about to burst out. Supporting himself with his hands, he scooted backward, his threats lacking vigor:

“The Clearing Bureau has agreements with various kingdoms prohibiting members from interfering in domestic affairs, so your proposal to Veronica doesn’t count! If I complain a few more times, they will definitely stop you!”

“…”

He’s grown up a lot, learning to follow his heart.

After pondering the words of the freckled prince, Leon found that although the tone wasn’t very polite, it wasn’t yet at the level where he needed to beat him up. Leon sighed regretfully, deciding to ignore him and turn around to leave the secret chamber.

But at that moment, he suddenly heard the freckled prince behind him say:

“Hey! Would you consider cooperating with me?”

???

What the heck? Could those be words coming out of Joshua’s mouth? Was someone else swapped in this short while…?

One must act calmly, judge rationally, try to recruit capable people, exchange interests based on what each person values most, and sometimes even deal with enemies when necessary…

Recalling the teachings he once disregarded, the freckled prince, who had matured significantly after the incident, forcibly suppressed his past “grudges” and promised calmly:

“The reason you sided with Veronica is either for power, wealth, or beauty, and I can offer you the same, even more than her! And compared to Veronica, I have an advantage she absolutely lacks… I know what happened in the future!”

Seeing Leon, who hadn’t left but was instead looking at him curiously, Joshua, feeling for the first time that he was leading the conversation, couldn’t help but curl his lips into a confident smile.

I can do it!

Even if I was just a powerless and arrogant clown in the original future, now none of that has happened yet! With memories of the future, as long as I start working hard now, I can definitely change it!

As for this guy, apart from his background in the Clearing Bureau, he’s nothing more than a lucky empty duke.

In the past, I only thought of kicking him away, naturally getting bitten hard by him. But if I throw him a few greasy bones, he’ll wag his tail toward me like a dog…

“You wouldn’t have remembered if I hadn’t mentioned it.”

Seeing the confident freckled prince in front of him, Leon couldn’t help but smile kindly, then took out paper and pen from his pocket mirror and handed them over, smiling broadly: “Come on! Write down everything you know about the future! Especially the intelligence regarding the Crocodile Kingdom, don’t miss a single detail!

For example, what mineral resources do the sniffers of the Crocodile Kingdom have? Why are they invading the kingdom, and when did they invade? Also, what did the Aquarius Director of the Clearing Bureau do in the future… Write down all these critical pieces of intelligence, don’t miss a thing!”

“You?!!”

“What about me?”

After checking Joshua’s soul and confirming no one had switched places, Leon immediately stiffened his face. Under the shocked and angry gaze of the freckled prince, he pointed at the paper and pen in his hand first, then shook his right hand.

“Either write that, or take this hit. Choose yourself!”

(End of Chapter)