CHAPTER 554: CHAPTER 489: TARGET LOCKED

Okay, maybe I spoke a bit too fast...

After listening to the explanation from the female reporter, Leon couldn’t help but awkwardly scratch the back of his head. Then, under the guidance of the flight attendants, he sat down by the Sky Clipper’s window and continued to ask:

"So, you’re saying that as long as we find Research Zone 001 and the administrative zone, we’ll be able to find the royal family and Atifei-01?"

"Theoretically, yes."

The female reporter nodded at his words, then somewhat helplessly reminded him:

"But to know the exact location of those two places, you’ll first have to ask for directions on the route finder. And even if we could get in, just typing the numbers for Zone 001 would already attract the attention of Atifei-01."

Indeed, this is quite a troublesome matter...

Upon hearing her reminder, Leon pondered slightly before speaking:

"The palace should be easier to deal with; I’m carrying a Prince’s identity. According to international correspondence conventions, the Crolock Kingdom must also send a royal family member to receive us.

At that time, I can remember the other person’s soul vibrations and track them to find the location of the Palace’s Administrative Zone 001. But the Research Zone is a bit of a headache... Do you know anyone who can access Research Zone 001?"

"No, I don’t."

The female reporter shook her head, her expression slightly apologetic as she said:

"The important zones in Crolock Kingdom are mostly closed off to each other. If there’s nothing unusual, I only move between my residential area, Gemini Branch’s administrative zone, and some living areas. So I rarely come into contact with people from the Research Zone... Uh... Wait!"

At this point, she seemed to recall something, furrowed her brows in thought, then said excitedly:

"I remember now! Living Zone 039 is a green park. I went there once to handle a case involving a suspected abnormal object and met a very capable scholar. He might have the credentials to enter Research Zone 001!"

A scholar eligible to enter Research Zone 001?

Upon hearing the reporter’s words, Leon was instantly intrigued and asked curiously:

"Where does he live? How can we find him?"

"I don’t know where he lives, nor am I sure how to find him..."

"What’s his name then? What’s he called?"

"Uh... It’s been years, I’ve forgotten his name, or maybe I didn’t even ask back then..."

"..."

Seriously... So all you know is that he’s a scientist and might be eligible, but nothing else? Then why even mention it?

"I’m not familiar with him. We just happened to meet once, and I honestly don’t remember the details."

Seeing Leon’s speechless expression, clearly holding back a torrent of complaints, the female reporter couldn’t help but blush slightly and quickly added:

"But I still remember his research findings; maybe we can find him through that!"

"Research findings?"

"Yes!"

After trying hard to recall the situation, the female reporter somewhat uncertainly said:

"I remember it was either summer or autumn, we received a report at the bureau saying that strange sounds were often heard around the park in Living Zone 039.

According to the report, although there was no one around, strange sounds of a man constantly asking if anyone could hear him were coming from bushes, public toilets, and trees.

And since I was on duty at the bureau that week, I took my stuff and visited the park, squatting overnight by the tree near the public toilet, where I waited for a slightly shabby-looking man."

"Was he the scholar?"

"No, he was a homeless man hired by that scholar."

The female reporter shook her head and said:

"The homeless man said someone paid him a bit of money and gave him a map, instructing him to wait in various places like water, trees, bushes, and public toilets to see if he could hear anything.

Then, I took the homeless man and followed the map back, finding a man with a strange iron rod on his back by the tree near the park entrance. When I found him, he refused to come down from the tree, saying he would lose the signal."

Lose the signal?

Upon hearing this, Leon suddenly grasped the situation and, somewhat amused, asked:

"Is his research a device that enables long-distance communication?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

Surprised, the female reporter incredulously asked:

"Do you know him? Or have you seen something similar before?"

"I’ve seen something somewhat similar."

After giving a vague answer, Leon mused:

"I can probably guess what his research is about. If he truly has come up with something useful, he’ll certainly have a place in Research Zone 001.

But if he’s likely a scholar from Research Zone 001, wouldn’t our rash actions to find or track him draw the attention of Atifei-01?"

"Of course not."

The female reporter blinked at these words, somewhat puzzled as she replied:

"Aren’t you a Prince? Just change the mission objective of the delegation. Since you call the shots in the delegation, tell the reception side of Crolock Kingdom that Kingdom wants to purchase a set of similar devices.

After receiving and testing the samples, express great satisfaction with them, then request to meet the scholar who’s behind this technology. Wouldn’t that settle it?"

"..."

Right! I could use my status as a Prince + ambassador!

Prompted by the female reporter, Leon immediately realized that he didn’t necessarily have to rely on "abnormal" actions to solve problems. His official Prince status was often sufficient, sometimes even more convenient.

Sigh... Even without a reminder, I should’ve thought of this plan myself. It seems I’ve been using "muscle" solutions for uncertainties lately, and that reliance has left my mind a bit idle.

"You’re absolutely right."

Secretly reminding himself to use his brain more and to avoid becoming a brute, Leon noted down the matter of acquiring the "phone." Then he somewhat admiringly praised:

"Truly, a wise one among the foolish! I never expected your mind to be so sharp. I underestimated you before."

"..."

Though genuinely complimented, for some reason, she felt as if she was being cruelly insulted.

Parsing Leon’s words, the female reporter couldn’t help but glare in return.

"What do you mean ’didn’t expect’ my mind to be effective? Did you always think I was an idiot?"

"Uh..."

Well, it’s not that you’re dumb; being fooled by an old fox like the Aquarius Director isn’t entirely your fault. However, based on your past performances, you’ve not exactly seemed bright.

Damn you!

Reading between the lines of Leon’s stifled expressions, the female reporter felt a bit suffocated.

But just when she was about to argue for a fair assessment of her intelligence, a loud explosion suddenly erupted in the cabin.

A masked man, holding a somewhat makeshift nail gun, fired and shattered the panel above the passengers. Then, with fierce eyes, he shouted:

"Don’t move! This Sky Clipper is now under our control!"

"..."

What?

Hearing this standard declaration, Leon’s mind blanked briefly, then, with an utterly dumbfounded expression, exchanged a glance with the female reporter.

Seriously... Although my luck is bad, how did we encounter a hijacking right after takeoff? And they’re hijacking an entire diplomatic mission too? Could it be any more ridiculous?