CHAPTER 550: CHAPTER 485: END OF VACATION

"In short, the current situation is rather special. Although those kingdoms seem to be in trouble, the royal families haven’t truly been severed. To avoid pushing them to desperate measures, the Bureau can’t afford to make too much noise."

Upon saying this, the red-haired director couldn’t help but glance thankfully at Leon.

Compared to those already "fallen" branches, his own Virgin Branch is hardly any better. Whether it was the fleshly manifestation of the doe nearly descending six years ago, or the iron doll that lurked beside the princess for six years, success was only a step away.

If it weren’t for his luck being good enough, that the doe’s plan was accidentally foiled, coupled with recruiting someone as capable as Leon, whose rebellion happened to sabotage the opposing plot, perhaps the Virgin Branch would be the most disgraceful one.

"Does avoiding too much noise mean that the headquarters is preparing to take its time again?"

Leon, having no mind to ponder which branch is more humiliating, felt frustrated knowing the Kingdom might be sanctioned for at least half a year or more.

"Last time when the Aquarius plot was revealed, the Bureau said Watcher’s Palace was more urgent, and didn’t directly move to arrest the Aquarius Director, sealing off headquarters itself instead. Now upon discovering that someone plans to harm royal families, we don’t act immediately but continue to slowly investigate? Do we have to be so indecisive?"

"Mr. Taurus, they just have no choice..."

The red-haired director sighed in response:

"You know the responsibility of the Clean-up Bureau is heavy, and if a decision goes wrong, it’s never a small matter. Hence, over the years, caution has become the norm."

"Just forget about it."

Leon shook his head in disagreement:

"If the Bureau were truly cautious, they should’ve immediately moved upon sensing anything, stopped potential threats at the outset, rather than dithering here, hesitating and afraid to make moves. This isn’t caution; it’s pure hesitation!"

Indeed...

Hearing Leon’s words, the red-haired director sighed inwardly, thinking that although careful planning is beneficial, overthinking, demanding perfection before any action, may result in missing opportunities.

Since the director went to Old Soil, while the Bureau could maintain normalcy usually, but when big issues arose, if the directors had divided opinions, there was no one to make the final decision, leading to poor responses to many situations.

It’s not that the directors are incapable, but compared to the director and the Aries Director, other directors lack a bit of force with "leadership qualities." No one has overwhelming superiority in identity or strength, causing every decision to be unusually conservative.

Currently, the Clean-up Bureau feels like a muscular strong man torn between decisions, clearly able to easily defeat opponents by full force yet constantly hesitates considering pros and cons, waiting for perfection before acting.

It’s frustrating, frustrating to the point of wanting to scream.

...

"Director."

Feeling disheartened about this dysfunctional Clean-up Bureau, Leon suddenly inquired:

"Since the Bureau decides to take its time again, should the investigation with Nicole in the Crolock Kingdom also switch to covert operations?"

"Hmm..."

The red-haired director nodded in response:

"Although personnel remains largely unchanged, it’s still a Scorpio Branch-led investigation with our Virgin Branch aiding, but the approach has indeed shifted to be more covert. Conveniently, in Orleson... oh, I mean the Kingdom where the Scorpio Branch is stationed.

You know, Orleson, known as the Green Shade Country, is the largest grain exporter. Thousand Sails Maritime Country Seo, City of Machinery Crolock, Refraction Kingdom Riviere, Ice Plains Nation Ashito... Four out of The Twelve Kingdoms purchase grain from Orleson Kingdom every year.

Lately, the Orleson Kingdom is preparing to send a mission to exchange for the newly developed irrigation technology from the Crolock Kingdom. The Scorpio Branch members might mix into the mission, heading over these days... Oh yes."

Recalling something, the red-haired director chuckled slightly:

"Last time with the King of Nightmares, apparently Edward was deeply impressed by you. Upon hearing it’s you in this joint task, his expression was particularly complex.

How to say... it’s like a tiger starved for ten days finally seeing a passing creature, but it happens to be a spiny hedgehog, wanting to eat yet fearing to be pricked. Quite amusing."

"..."

"Furthermore, after some contemplation, he finally asked Mr. Taurus for a request, welcoming you but hoping you’ll follow instructions.

Also, when encountering situations, you should avoid recklessness, notify him before taking any actions, refrain from making impulsive decisions, and choose milder approaches..."

"..."

Come on... what kind of absurd request is this?

During the incident with the King of Nightmares, I was cornered so I couldn’t hold back; I’m usually very rational, is it necessary to repeatedly emphasize this? As if I’m some impulsive brute...

With a speechless pout, Leon pondered a while and then thoughtfully proposed:

"Director, how about we tweak the plan and learn from the Scorpio Branch’s approach?"

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing Leon’s suggestion, the red-haired director blinked and understood:

"Have your paramour send a mission too?"

"..."

What paramour...

With a slight lip twitch, Leon replied speechlessly:

"With the Crolock Kingdom urging, why not send a mission there, explaining the Boarding Tower situation, then Nicole and I mix into the mission, drawing less attention."

"Yes, yes, not bad at all."

The red-haired director nodded approvingly, smiling:

"Compared to disguising as travelers or merchants to sneak in, indeed this approach is better. Although more eyes might be watching you, it also offers more ways to confuse the Crolock Kingdom, making operations more convenient.

Moreover, having a mission identity also has a benefit – as a Prince leading a visiting mission, the Crolock Kingdom must dispatch royal family members to receive you as per diplomatic etiquette.

If so, you have the best excuse to contact the Crolock Kingdom’s royal family, investigate the situation, and even lend a hand for rescue — truly the best of both worlds... no! Truly a win-win-win scenario!"

"That’s what I was thinking."

Leon agreed and added:

"Sending missions simultaneously with the Orleson Kingdom also allows official contacts with the Scorpio Branch members, minimizing suspicion from the Crolock Kingdom, facilitating our joint action."

"Indeed, however if we proceed, the timeline needs moving forward, not only cutting your vacation short, but Mr. Taurus won’t make it either, leaving you time to acquire new main combat abnormal objects..."

Frowning slightly in thought, the red-haired director asked:

"By the way, I recall the dagger the Aquarius used to kill the Canine Deity, it should also be a strong abnormal object?"

"Hmm... but its ability doesn’t quite suit me."

Leon thought for a moment before answering:

"Its name is [Silver Dagger of Cutting], capable of slicing anything as easily as cutting paper, even intangible things can be severed.

However, effectiveness requires manually cutting, and my physical condition and reflexes are only at the lowest of second-level Cleaner standards, enough to bully ordinary people but if facing those controlled Cleaners from Gemini Branch, wielding it is probably futile."

So the issue is insufficient reflex speed, making it hard to effectively attack stronger Cleaners?

After listening to Leon’s answer, the red-haired director pondered again, then reached for her ear, removing an earring, half of a heart.

"Here, I’m giving you this~"

"???"

Seeing Leon’s puzzled look, the red-haired director handed over the [Heart-stealing Stud], smiling as she explained:

"Leon, your greatest strength has always been taking hits, even without using the substitution from the sheep heart, combining [War Cornerstone] and post-drunken state, you have two types of Undying Body, lacking only in reflex speed means missing targets.

My thought is, since your issue is reaction, unable to hit with the blade, why bother reacting?

Rather than improving reflex speed, directly take a hit relying on your two types of Undying Body, then utilize this [Heart-stealing Stud] during impact, to steal the opponent’s thoughts.

And when they land a blow, slightly relax vigilance, preparing to continue attacking, you can directly prepare in advance, poised with your blade ready for them to charge onto it themselves!"

"..."