Chapter 282

“The situation outside… is currently going pretty smoothly.”

As the burned man was dragged out, struggling for a moment before being choked unconscious, Leon, who had snapped back to reality, couldn’t help but repeated with an odd expression: “Just now, a sniffer came out with a cigarette in his mouth, probably wanting to take a break. He conveniently opened the cabin door for us, but… uh… the bottle containing your butt, Senior Pione, got hit by the door and fell down. It should have already dropped to the bottom of the tower by now.”

“…”

“Relax, Senior Pione.”

Sensing the complex emotions of the “Silver Person” senior, Leon quickly reassured him:

“To avoid someone attacking the airship’s gas bag with ranged weapons, the area under the boarding tower is off-limits. Your butt shouldn’t fall into anyone else’s hands. Once our task here is done, we’ll immediately go down the tower to find it. We promise to retrieve your butt!”

“…”

Butt or no butt… it’s not too bad. The thing in front of the butt, though, mustn’t be lost at all! “Alright… fine.”

Since they’ve finally made it onto the private ship, and completing the mission is just one step away, it wouldn’t be good to send everyone down right away to look for his butt. So, Pione could only reluctantly remind them:

“You better hurry up; the feeling without a butt is really quite strange…”

“Don’t worry, Senior. So far, aside from your butt having a little mishap, everything else is going very smoothly. This mission will definitely be quick.”

After comforting the Silver Person senior who had lost his beloved butt, Leon handed over the hot water bottle to the strongest burned man, while he himself touched the horn slightly protruding from his cufflink, checking the situation inside the airship.

Soon, as the world around him slightly wavered, one soul flame after another was directly “marked” by the Black Goat’s soul vision.

“5 people in the forward cabin, they should be the airship operators; 23 people in the rear cabin, judging by their positions, they’re likely the guards escorting mineral samples; there are only 11 people in the largest space, the mid-cabin, and their positions are scattered.”

“Based on the structure diagram of the airship, the mid-cabin is divided into many small rooms. Those who can have individual rooms on a private ship are probably the sniffers.”

After briefly describing what he “saw,” Leon began to arrange the operation:

“Just ahead a bit more, it should be the storage cabin of the airship. Next, use spatial abilities to twist this unconscious sniffer into the storage cabin and lock him up.

Then we move forward along the corridor straight to the control area of the forward cabin, close all the sealed valves between cabins to prevent the guards responsible for escorting from coming out. Finally, we return to the mid-cabin to find the remaining sniffers and completely modify their memories… Any problems?”

“No.”

“Simple!”

If it were about giving speeches or canvassing votes, these rebels might struggle a bit, but when it comes to infiltration, sabotage, and attacks, these old “criminals” know exactly what to do.

After Leon finished speaking, except for Lucy and Phoebe, who were only responsible for modifying memories and stayed put, the rest quietly moved toward the forward cabin like cats.

Not even twenty seconds after the rebels’ souls reached the control area in Leon’s soul vision, the five operators had already lost consciousness, and the sealed valves between the cabins of the airship were efficiently closed.

This infiltration level is way beyond my own.

After marveling at the efficiency of the rebels, Leon led Lucy and her sister into the mid-cabin of the airship once the others returned from the forward cabin. The startled sniffers had just run out of their rooms when they were hit by the spiritual force shockwave from the Holy Spirit Pendant, flipping their eyes white and collapsing one after another.

The operation went so smoothly~ In less than a minute since jumping down, they controlled the entire cabin of the airship, which stretched over 120 meters, and successfully took down all key targets. Leon couldn’t help but nod in satisfaction. While Lucy and her sister modified the memories, Leon entered the sniffer’s room with the group and retrieved their sniffing records.

…

[Code: 941001]

[Location: North of Lane County and Merino County, Hespiro Volcano Cluster, Gray Spine Hollow]

[Objective: Crustal Heat Source Exploration]

[In Charge: Isaac Asimov]

[Geological Condition: Mainly composed of basalt and andesite, making excavation relatively difficult…]

[…]

[Quality Analysis: A-, relatively challenging to process, requiring construction of an S-rated giant excavation site and related facilities…]

[Reserve Estimate: SS+, without significant geological changes, the crustal energy can semi-permanently provide energy output, with a total duration exceeding 300 years…]

[Value Assessment: Ordinary cooperative extraction is B+ grade, extreme special extraction is S-.

However, if extreme extraction is adopted, it can meet over 80% of current energy needs, but it would cause catastrophic environmental impacts within a 12,000 square kilometer radius. Dust clouds mixed with volcanic ash would drift westward along oceanic seasonal winds, causing acidic rain for several years… The cost is too high, recommended abandonment…]

It seems this report about the crustal heat source and volcanoes is the target.

Successfully finding his goal among numerous sniffing reports, Leon couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief, then rubbed his cufflink, took out a small bottle, unscrewed it, and poured its contents onto the report.

“Plop!”

With a sticky sound, a black-and-white worm-like creature fell onto the report, lazily rolling around as if still asleep.

[Name: Word-Eating Worm Larva (Knowledge, Simulation)]

[Appearance: A thumb-thick multicolored ringed worm that automatically adjusts its color according to the paper base color and the text color on it. Its lower body has numerous strange organs similar to octopus suckers.

These tiny suckers are actually its mouthparts. Any text on the paper disappears instantly as it crawls over it.]

[Ability: Extract text, simulate output]

[Cost: After asking it for help, you need to write a creative, knowledgeable, or interesting piece of writing as compensation. Note, it’s very picky.]

[File: A larva split from a divine-level word-eating worm, one of the tools issued by the Clearing Bureau to each Director-level member.

Mainly responsible for eating confidential documents generated after cleaning work to prevent outer gods from forcibly peeping through borrowed powers. It can also assist in modifying documents that need changes, reducing the workload of directors.

This larva was issued seven years ago to Director Olivia of the Virgo Subdivision of the Clearing Bureau. During this period, it has consumed 617 classified documents and 215,307 words on alcoholic beverage labels, and is currently temporarily lent to Level 3 Accident Handler Leon Lane of the Virgo Subdivision.]

[Assessment: A very interesting little worm. After eating so many wine labels in Olivia’s office, it developed a keen interest in alcohol. You can try offering it a sip of whiskey after it finishes modifying your document, about a capful will do.]

[Taint Value: 0.1]

Eat away! If you can modify this report, I’ll treat you to a whole barrel of whiskey, not just a cap!

After being awakened by Leon’s finger prodding, the black-and-white [Word-Eating Worm Larva] lazily stretched, then slowly started crawling across the sniffing report held by Leon.

As it moved along the grid on the paper, line after line of text on the entire sniffing report began to disappear. When it was almost done, the [Word-Eating Worm Larva] turned around and began returning the eaten words line by line.

One character after another, vastly different in content but indistinguishable in handwriting from the original, fell from the pin-sized “*” of the [Word-Eating Worm Larva], naturally blending into the paper as if written from the start, likely impossible even for the author to tell apart.

[Code: 941001]

[Location: North of Lane County and Merino County…]

[Objective: Crustal Heat Source Exploration]

[…]

[Quality Analysis: D+, relatively challenging to process, requires construction of an S-rated giant excavation site and relevant facilities, but excessive energy impurities necessitate repeated purification before use…]

[Reserve Estimate: S-, without major geological changes, the crustal energy can semi-permanently provide energy output, but the region experiences frequent crustal changes, with low estimated exploitable years…]

[Value Assessment: Ordinary cooperative extraction is C- grade, extreme special extraction is B-.

Advantages lie in enormous reserves, providing semi-permanent supply if no geological changes occur, but large-scale exploitation costs are too high, not only causing catastrophic environmental impacts within a 12,000 square kilometer radius but also triggering highly intense wars… Benefits do not match expenditures… Recommended abandonment…]

Good enough, although the modification method is a bit disgusting, this little wine bug’s ability is truly excellent, looking just like the real thing.

Check every single content on 69 Book Bar!

After checking the nicely altered file and finding no obvious loopholes, Leon couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, then took out the first three chapters of last night’s randomly written “The Overbearing Duke Loves Me” and handed it to the Word-Eating Worm larvae looking up at him for rewards.

Great job, eat up, eat up, there’s more if this isn’t enough…

“Leader.”

Just as Leon curiously stared at the [Word-Eating Worm Larva], wondering how it would react after eating “The Overbearing Duke,” a pot-bellied middle-aged rebel squeezed in from the doorway, smiling and reported:

“Lucy’s side is done, the memories of relevant personnel have been fully modified. If your side is also finished, then we can withdraw.”

“Good!”

Hearing that Lucy’s side was also completed, Leon felt much relieved, threw the Word-Eating Worm devouring “The Overbearing Duke” into the Mirror World, instructed the Black Goat to open another bottle of whiskey for it, then walked out of the sniffer’s room.

“One final check, see if there’s anything left undone. Try to erase all traces of our visit. Leave no trace if possible…”

After making the request for everyone to conduct a final review, Leon habitually touched his cufflink, using the Black Goat’s soul vision to check the surrounding situation.

“Wait!”

Seeing the soul guarding at the secret port entrance with a very familiar smell, Leon couldn’t help but be greatly surprised.

Nathan… No! Middle-aged Joshua who returned to the present through the Otherworld Door? Wasn’t he taken away by the Aquarius Director? How did he appear at the boarding tower?

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing Leon’s unusual expression, the group of rebels immediately became tense, and the pot-bellied middle-aged man couldn’t help but ask:

“Leader, did the guards discover the forged credentials and come up the tower to find us?”

“Not that.”

Shaking his head slightly, Leon frowned and said:

“It’s Joshua… Not the confused prince, but the former leader disguised as Nathan.”

What? Nathan?

Upon hearing Leon’s words, the group of rebels were surprised and looked at each other.

As the one who founded the rebellion and led them against the kingdom, middle-aged Joshua still held some prestige in their hearts. Now they were using intelligence obtained from him and carrying out the attack on the boarding tower he wanted, only to be “caught” by him right at this moment. This feeling was indeed a bit strange.

“Let’s go out and meet him first.”

After detecting the soul states of the rebels and confirming no one was wavering, Leon glanced at the soul fire of middle-aged Joshua and decisively said:

“What we’re doing now is precisely what he dreams of. Therefore, if the person controlling the body is Joshua, he won’t act at this moment. But we fear his backers might make trouble.

If something happens on his side and he attacks you, I’ll hold him off first. You seize the opportunity to retreat back into the airship, then open the thermos you’re holding. The stuff inside can ensure your safety.”

“Understood!”

After hearing Leon’s instructions, the group of rebels nodded and followed Leon out of the airship, ready for battle.

…

“It’s been such a long time since we last met.”

Clearly knowing the “maximum lethal radius” of the Holy Spirit Pendant, middle-aged Joshua didn’t approach but waited until everyone stepped out of the airship, staring intently at Leon standing at the front from seventy to eighty meters away, gritting his teeth mockingly:

“I thought you’d accomplish something extraordinary after taking the position of the rebellion leader, but you’re just using the intelligence I gave to do what I intended to do? Then how are you any different from me? Huh?”

“There’s a huge difference!”

The pot-bellied middle-aged merchant stepped forward, his face flushed with anger as he replied:

“N… Joshua, for you, we are merely tools. All you need is for us to listen to you and do things for you. As long as it helps you achieve your goals, you don’t care how many tools die.

If you were leading this operation, half of us would be lucky to survive. However, Mr. Bakings not only ensures our safe return but also genuinely shows us the path to the future. He truly values us!”

“Hmph, fine, think whatever you want.”

Having given up on reclaiming the position of rebellion leader, middle-aged Joshua didn’t bother arguing with them. With a sneer of disdain, he asked with full contempt: “But are you sure following this ‘Little Bakings’ will get this thing done?”

Hmm? What does he mean by that? Looking at Joshua’s soul and realizing he wasn’t bluffing, Leon’s eyebrows couldn’t help but furrow. Meanwhile, the burn victim behind Leon, who had been suppressing his impatience for a while, couldn’t hold back anymore and stood up, his face filled with irritation as he said:

“How can it not be done? If it weren’t for you blocking the way, we would have finished and retreated by now! Hurry up, spit it out!”

You damn savage…

With his face turning dark after being cursed by the burn victim, middle-aged Joshua’s cheeks twitched twice. Wanting to curse back but unable to, and knowing he wouldn’t win in a fight, he could only sullenly comply:

“Simply modifying memories is useless. If you want to conceal the news of the volcano, you must completely blow up the entire airship!”

(End of Chapter)