Chapter 1448

Seven sins, six virtues...

After hearing the secrets revealed by Director Aquarius, Li Ang hurriedly noted down this intelligence while also asking with some curiosity:

"Director Barto, why do we humans have seven types of original sin, but only six types of virtue?"

"I'm not too clear on that either."

The blue-haired old man shook his head at these words and said:

"Perhaps we humans ourselves are a race where evil outweighs good, so there are more original sins than virtues... hmm... or perhaps there are some other reasons."

After frowning and recollecting for a moment, Director Aquarius spoke with some uncertainty:

"You should have heard about the Old Earth by now, right?"

Old Earth? Weren't we talking about human good and evil? How did it get dragged over there?

Blinking in some surprise, Li Ang nodded in response:

"I have heard Director... oh, Director Olivia mention some things. It seems that the three Directors Bai Yang, Bai Yan, and Tian Xie, a long time ago, went deep into the Old Earth together with the Chief Director, and are searching for four treasures lost by us humans."

"Hehe, since you know about the Old Earth, that makes explaining much easier."

The blue-haired old man laughed relaxedly upon hearing this, then continued to explain:

"You should know that we humans escaped from the Old Earth. And according to the speculation of the Bureau's seniors, besides us survivors, there should still exist a branch of humanity in the Old Earth.

The ancestors of that branch of humanity most likely did not leave together with our ancestors, but in order to avoid the attack of the Four Supreme Pillar Gods, they instead hid into the chaotic spacetime currents, concealing themselves in the deepest part of the Old Earth.

If this remnant clan truly exists, as part of humanity, they most likely happen to possess the seventh virtue of humanity. As for the authority that virtue represents, I guess it should be 【Hope】."

Humanity's seventh virtue, the 【Hope】 lost in the Old Earth?

Although Director Aquarius repeatedly stated that what he just said was merely a guess, it indeed sounded very reasonable. After recording all seven original sins and seven virtues, Li Ang, having gained a large amount of intelligence, finally completely retracted his previous unimpressive impression of the blue-haired old man, and spoke with a face full of respect:

"Truly, listening to your words for a while is better than reading ten years of books. Director Barto, you are indeed a great senior of the Bureau; whether in knowledge or experience, you are top-tier extensive."

Listening to me ramble for a meal's time is more useful than reading ten years of books?

Hearing Li Ang's "literal translation" of an interesting metaphor, and seeing the genuine admiration on his face, the corners of the blue-haired old man's mouth couldn't help but curl up, and he laughed modestly:

"It's actually not as amazing as you say. I just traveled around more when I was young. At that time, I basically went to all Thirteen Kingdoms once or twice, so I just saw a bit more than others."

Thirteen Kingdoms...

Hearing this number that has now become eleven... ten point five, Li Ang's brow couldn't help but furrow. He thought of his own Director's head of brilliant blood-red hair, and also thought of Director Aquarius's fourth prophecy.

The Twin Kingdom of Caleven, Lumen Restoring Day, Youjing Night Exhausted, West Falling East Rising, Enemy Citizens All Slaughtered.

The content of this prophecy has basically been confirmed. According to the Bureau's saying, the state religion of the East Caleven Kingdom destroyed by the Director, the Lumen Church built by the Light Worshippers, should have returned under the support of the King-Slayers Assembly.

And these returned Light Worshippers, taking off their original cloth white robes, putting on rusted iron masks and a suit of blood-colored clothes, are launching a war against the Youjing Church of West Caleven, seemingly preparing to seize West Caleven's territory and citizens, and restore the former East Caleven Kingdom.

"Director Barto."

The blue-haired old man has a close relationship with that Great Witch King, so he probably watched quite a few past secrets. Li Ang took the initiative to ask:

"I've been in the Cleanup Bureau for too short a time; many things I haven't had time to understand. So regarding the situation of the East and West Caleven Kingdoms, could I trouble you to tell me about it?"

"Hehe, it's not really any trouble. Since Director wants to hear, I naturally know everything and will say everything."

Seemingly having his interest in talking aroused by Li Ang's question, the blue-haired old man stroked his beard, and spoke with a face full of nostalgia:

"The East Caleven Kingdom and West Caleven Kingdom were always collectively called the Twin Kingdoms. The ancestors of the two royal families were a pair of brothers. Among them, the East Caleven royal family is the bloodline of 【Valor】, while the West Caleven royal family is the bloodline of 【Justice】."

"Oh right, have you heard that proverb? The one about justice and courage?"

The proverb about justice and courage?

Hearing this, Li Ang couldn't help but frown and recollect, then asked back somewhat uncertainly:

"I think I saw it in my younger brother's textbook... Director Barto, is the proverb you speak of that 'Justice and Valor are a pair of brothers'?"

"Yes, that's the one!"

The blue-haired old man nodded slightly, then spoke with a somewhat melancholic expression:

"Justice and Valor are a pair of brothers. True valor necessarily stems from persistence in justice, and with the courage to practice one's beliefs, justice will not become empty words."

"This proverb passed down for nearly a thousand years actually refers to the two ancestors of the East and West Caleven Kingdoms. The reason they are called the Twin Kingdoms, besides the blood relationship of brothers, actually also has this proverb's reason.

It's just that now, although this proverb is still passed down, that kingdom representing courage, the East Caleven Kingdom, has already disappeared before this proverb, leaving only some scattered bloodlines that flowed out... oh right, Director, your ancestors should have the bloodline of the East Caleven Kingdom."

Huh? How did this get dragged onto me? Why would I have the East Caleven Kingdom's bloodline?

"Because of your hair and eyes."

Glancing at Li Ang's dark eyeballs, the blue-haired old man laughed and explained:

"The East and West Caleven Kingdoms, besides being collectively called the Twin Kingdoms, are also called the 【Black-Haired Kingdom】 and 【White-Haired Kingdom】 respectively because of their people's characteristics.

The citizens of West Caleven Kingdom are generally white-haired and white-eyed, therefore they dislike strong light and like darkness. Their state religion is the Youjing Church built by the Dark Prayers. The black-haired, black-eyed East Caleven Kingdom loves light. Their state religion is the Lumen Church built by the Light Worshippers. Hair color is the biggest characteristic of the two kingdoms' citizens.

Although besides the two great kingdoms, other kingdoms also have black-haired and white-haired humans, their hair and eye colors are generally slightly mixed, the luster not 'pure' enough. Only people like you, whose ancestors have a blood relationship with the East Caleven Kingdom, would have this kind of black hair and black eyes without a single trace of mixed color."

Is that so? But I remember my hair isn't very black?

Lifting the empty plate on the table, looking at the reflection inside, Li Ang immediately discovered to his amazement that the blue-haired old man was right. His hair and eyes were indeed black to a very pure degree.

He hadn't noticed before, but after becoming a Cleaner, his hair which had become dry and yellow from malnutrition had slowly turned black again. The turbidity of exhaustion in his eyes gradually faded, and they were no longer full of bloodshot veins, like two bright black gems.

"I was right, wasn't I?"

Looking at Li Ang, in whose eyes a trace of surprise had emerged, Director Aquarius couldn't help but laugh, then seemed to discover something, staring carefully at his pupils.

"Hmm... speaking of which, your brows and features, I always feel they're a bit familiar. Back when the East Caleven royal family still existed, I had contact with them. I feel you look quite like the East Caleven royal family.

If it weren't for knowing your background beforehand, knowing you've never been to the East Caleven Kingdom, I might very well think you are a cadet branch of the East Caleven royal family, or even simply a royal bloodline carrying a fragment of the 【Valor】 authority... hmm... excuse me!"

The clothes on the blue-haired old man's chest suddenly bulged. He hurriedly reached into his bosom and grabbed something, then apologized and stood up to leave, walking quickly out of the restaurant.

And Li Ang, left in place, looked at himself reflected in the dining plate, spacing out somewhat blankly. He knew his own affairs best. The blue-haired old man thought he was from the Lvying Kingdom, but in Li Ang's heart, he knew clearly that he was not Anna's real older brother, but a 'fake' she had brought over using an Anomaly Object.

So... I really might be a person from the East Caleven Kingdom? And on top of that, might even be a royal bloodline carrying a fragment of the 【Valor】 authority?

Pulling at his own eyelid, looking at the dark black eyeballs in the reflection, the somewhat dazed Li Ang couldn't help but mutter to himself:

"It won't be that melodramatic, right... And do I look 'heroic'? Am I the type of person with great courage?"

"We don't know if you have courage, but for those creatures of the Dead Realm and Dream Realm, facing you indeed requires quite a bit of courage."

"Hm?"

Interrupted by the snarky voice ringing in his mind, Li Ang subconsciously looked toward the nearest mirror — the serving tray, and Heishanyang poked its head out from the clean, reflective plate, holding a small mirror in its mouth, saying with a displeased face:

"Hey, that red-haired broad is looking for you!"

The Bureau Chief is looking for me?

Catching the small mirror Heishanyang spat out, wiping the sticky goat saliva off its forehead, Li Ang ran his hand over the dung beetle maiden carvings on the mirror's edge, and the small mirror flickered twice before reflecting the red-haired Bureau Chief's figure.

"Little Li Ang~ *hic*... Li Ang ha~"

Spraying a mouthful of wine breath at the mirror, the red-haired Bureau Chief with drunken, hazy eyes laughed hehe:

"The Snow Linden Wine and White Bear Fresh Beer of the Northern Kingdom are famous, when you come back can you bring me some... wait! Don't hang up the mirror yet! I have other business! Wait for me!"

Stopping Li Ang, who had a dark face and was preparing to "hang up," the red-haired Bureau Chief didn't dare spout nonsense anymore, hurriedly raising the old broom in her hand and asking:

"Li Ang, do you still remember this broom?"

Broom? 【Sloth Witch's Rental Broom】?

Identifying the broom in the red-haired Bureau Chief's hand, discovering it was indeed the one that had been snapped in two, Li Ang couldn't help but ask in surprise:

"After this thing was sent back, wasn't it said it couldn't be repaired?"

"The point isn't whether it's repaired or not, but when the cat brought this broom back, someone had wrapped a handkerchief around the handle, with a letter for you written on it."

"???"

A letter for me?

Narrowing his eyes at the small mirror, identifying the handkerchief the red-haired Bureau Chief unfolded, Li Ang's brows immediately furrowed involuntarily.

No other reason, besides writing to give the letter to himself, the vast majority of the handkerchief was blank, only the bottom right corner where it ended had three cat paw prints like exclamation marks stepped by a kitty.

However just as he prepared to question further, a line of embroidered words suddenly appeared at the top of the handkerchief.

"Help! I need your help!"

"..."

So this is a distress letter? But you didn't even give a name and address, how would I know who you are?

And the person who sent the handkerchief seemed to know what Li Ang was thinking, the embroidery on the handkerchief appeared one after another, perfectly answering the questions Li Ang wanted to ask.

"My name cannot be spoken, once spoken it will be known by people, my address also cannot be told to you, otherwise I'll be caught immediately! As for who I am exactly, you'll know when you come!"

"..."

This damn thing... not enough money, cast undecided, script temporarily unavailable? Damn it, not even giving an address, even if I want to save you I don't know where to go!

"Rest assured, you don't need to know the address to find me."

The embroidery on the silk handkerchief once again appeared before Li Ang could speak.

"When the time is right, you just need to ride that broken broom, and it will bring you to find me."

"But I haven't decided..."

"You haven't decided to come save me now, but the bedtime story has already begun, when the right time comes you will definitely come according to the story's arrangement, then we will definitely meet!"

"Then the bedtime story you speak of..."

"This also cannot be said, same for you, best not to mention it at all!"

"Then you..."

"I'm safe for now, but if you come too early or too late, then whether I'm safe or not is hard to say, as for when exactly to come, you'll know later."

"So..."

"The reason I know what you want to ask is because I saw in advance... you should understand what I mean, right?"

Saw in advance...

Staring at the somewhat aged embroidery on the handkerchief, Li Ang's brow couldn't help but raise slightly, vaguely forming some guesses about this riddler's identity.

Time... could she be the Great Witch King's daughter? The missing Princess of the Witch Nation Mifara?

"Exactly as you guessed, but you must absolutely not speak it out!"

As if an invisible clever hand was flying needle and thread on the handkerchief, once again beating Li Ang to the punch, embroidering a big red X on it.

"If we follow the bedtime story's content, we'll most likely be killed, but if you directly expose the story, or before the story begins, have contact with 'characters' who shouldn't be met, then the result will definitely be worse than death!"

"..."

So you mean I've already been dragged into your business over there? Is your thing this unlucky?

"It's not that you were dragged into my business, it's that I was dragged into yours! I'm the one who got implicated, okay? *sob sob*... and I was almost getting away with it, but then..."

This Witch Nation Princess's heart seemed exceptionally anguished, the embroidery on the silk handkerchief getting faster and more crooked, complaining several lines with flying needle and thread, then the content at the already embroidered end suddenly turned, leaving only an inexplicable admonition, before disappearing all together.

"When you come, remember to bring a high-end toilet, the kind with a plush padded seat!"

""

"Ah?"

(End of Chapter)