Chapter 264

After having listened to the report titled “Abnormal Clearance Incident Report of Central Cross Theater” on the table, the Red-haired Bureau Director couldn’t help but gave a satisfied smile. He then looked at Leon with an approving face and said, “I’ve only been away for two days, yet you not only uncovered the contingency plan Aquarius Director left behind in the Capital City but also eliminated an out-of-control Anomalous Item while watching a play… Excellent work! Haha, the year has just started, and we’ve already resolved so many issues; this is definitely a good omen. It seems like our bureau’s performance will soar this year!”

Soar…

“Hopefully…”

Upon hearing this less-than-encouraging metaphor, Leon’s lips couldn’t help but twitch slightly. He then quickly changed the subject and asked:

“Director, how did your meetings go these past two days? Has the General Bureau decided how to handle the Aquarius Director?”

“I guess they’ve made a decision…”

The Red-haired Bureau Director, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but pouted slightly, then somewhat dejectedly said,

“After deliberation among the three directors, they decided to use two numbered Anomalous Items against him: No. 017 [Instruction List], and No. 049 [Deathscape Streetlamp].

These two items, the former is a paper list that sends itself to someone once their name is written down. The person who receives it must carry out the corresponding actions at a fixed time and place as written on the list.

The latter is a streetlamp that connects to the Death World. If someone stands under its light for a whole night, by the time the sun rises and the lamp turns off, regardless of how much life remains, their soul will be forcibly stripped away and sent to the Death World.”

“…”

Wow, that’s quite underhanded…

After listening to the Red-haired Bureau Director’s words, Leon pondered for a moment and understood the three directors’ intentions.

Judging from the effects of these two Anomalous Items, they were probably planning to write the Aquarius Director’s name on the [Instruction List] first, then order him to stand under the [Deathscape Streetlamp] at a fixed time, directly taking him out and sending him straight to the Death World.

“Isn’t this great?”

Looking at the clearly unhappy Red-haired Bureau Director, Leon couldn’t help but asked,

“Since the three directors have decided to do this, they must believe these two Anomalous Items can completely send the Aquarius Director away. Isn’t directly eliminating him a good thing?”

“If we could really take him out like this, I wouldn’t be so troubled… Sit down.”

Pointing towards the sofa in the office with his hand, signaling Leon to sit down, the Red-haired Bureau Director took a sip from the wine bottle on the table, then pinched his brow and said somewhat helplessly,

“Indeed, when combined, No. 017 and No. 049 are extremely terrifying. Especially the [Instruction List] activated by the three directors together; normally, it could make a dozen True Gods commit suicide collectively. Even the strongest director in the bureau, Aries Director, couldn’t resist and would have to wait to die under the [Deathscape Streetlamp].

But specifically against the Aquarius Director, I always feel uncertain. His strength may not be strong, even weaker than some Yellow Path Directors, but over these decades, he has created countless Anomalous Items, with various bizarre means too numerous to count, making people uneasy.”

At this point, the Red-haired Bureau Director took another gloomy sip of wine and frowned at Leon, saying, “No. 017 and No. 049 are often used together, so the Aquarius Director must know about them. Moreover, the [Instruction List], being an instruction-type Anomalous Item, must reach his hands to complete the ‘issuance’ process before it takes effect.

If he prepares beforehand, like during the previous interrogation, creating targeted Anomalous Items such as ‘absolutely unable to receive letters’, ‘unable to see the content of the letter’, or ‘illiterate’, etc., although the [Instruction List] might still force-effectively act on him, its effectiveness will surely be greatly reduced, and it might not thoroughly eliminate him.”

Is it possible to pull something like this?

After hearing the Red-haired Bureau Director’s concerns, Leon thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

“Indeed, the Aquarius Director has too many tricks up his sleeve. And after preparing for so long to ascend to the Watchtower Palace, no one knows what other cards he might have up his sleeve…

Uh, Director, if you don’t mind… Could you possibly…”

“I know what you’re going to say, but this method won’t work.”

Glancing at Leon’s hesitant expression, the Red-haired Bureau Director’s eyes dimmed slightly, then shook his head and said, “You want me to go upstairs, open the [Twelve Ant Nests], find the ant corresponding to the Aquarius Director among all the ants representing humans, and crush it to kill him, right? To be honest, I’ve had this thought too. However, though I am the holder of the [Twelve Ant Nests], I don’t have the authority to use it alone. Only with the approval of the directors do I have the qualification to activate the [Twelve Ant Nests].

Even if approved, to directly kill the Aquarius Director using this thing requires twice his strength to suppress the resistance of the ant representing him, ensuring his death. I can’t achieve this alone.”

So… We can only gamble that the Aquarius Director has no contingency plans and will obediently die under the effect of the [Instruction List]?…

“Alright, although the General Bureau’s method isn’t very reliable, you don’t need to worry about it too much.”

Seeing the frowning Leon in front of him, the Red-haired Bureau Director consoled him,

“The most dangerous time for the Aquarius Director was when the General Bureau didn’t know he was planning to move against the Watchtower Palace. Now that the General Bureau knows his intentions, there’s no way he can succeed.

Currently, the General Bureau’s vigilance has reached its peak. In the six months before ascending, Honorable Taurus will definitely not leave the General Bureau. The other two directors will also stay and fully activate the General Bureau’s abnormal shielding capabilities.

In this situation, even if the Aquarius Director were ten times stronger, he couldn’t possibly ascend to the General Bureau. As long as he doesn’t meet Honorable Taurus face-to-face, naturally, he cannot replace her to become the ascender.”

At this point, the Red-haired Bureau Director sighed and said,

“To be honest, thinking about it now, the choice of the three directors is actually correct. After all, what truly matters for the General Bureau and all humanity isn’t resolving the Aquarius Director issue but ensuring the stable operation of the [Watchtower Palace].

Rather than taking risks of being tricked or ambushed, trying to capture the Aquarius Director worldwide, it’s better for the three of them to guard the General Bureau together and wait until Honorable Taurus safely ascends before discussing further actions.

Anyway, it’s only half a year. As long as the Aquarius Director doesn’t get a chance to act within these six months and Honorable Taurus ascends peacefully into the Watchtower Palace, we’ll have plenty of time afterward to deal with him slowly.”

“…”

Although it sounds like that, for some reason, the bureau’s decision to seek stability feels just as unreliable as what you said earlier about our branch’s performance soaring this year.

(End of Chapter)