Chapter 218

"Olivia!"

Seeing the Red-haired Director seem ready to give up, Bevili couldn't help glaring:

"He's clearly lying! Aside from him, there's simply no…"

"Enough. It's useless."

After giving her a look to stay calm, the Red-haired Director communicated via mental link:

"I know you're unwilling to give up, but our Clearance Bureau is a relatively loose organization. Though our rules are strict, enforcement lacks sufficient strength. Whether or not we can bring Aquarius in to extract his memories doesn't depend on who's right or wrong, but on how many people are willing to stand with us."

Over the years, Aquarius has cultivated many connections with branch directors—his supporters are far from few. No one spoke up for him before because Lord Taurus, who was about to be promoted to the Palace, stood with us, and Aquarius's suspicion was indeed strong—they didn't want to invite trouble upon themselves."

After glancing at the branch directors scattered throughout the hall, the Red-haired Director sneered:

"But now it's different. Though everyone with eyes knows Aquarius is likely lying, he has indeed offered a plausible explanation. And among the other branch directors, far more value his ability to generate anomalies than they care about the massive casualties he's caused over the years.

Moreover, during these past two days Aquarius has met with many people—he's surely promised untold favors behind the scenes. When faced with tangible benefits, even those who know Aquarius likely broke the rules will still side with him when it comes to voting."

"If we could have crushed Aquarius outright, these people wouldn't have said a word. But now that he's provided a plausible excuse, he's given them room to maneuver. Even if we insist repeatedly, it'll only turn into endless bickering.

As for the Director—if his true body were here, he'd likely force Aquarius's removal to uphold bureau rules. But now he's stuck in the Old Lands and can't return. Compared to upholding bureau rules, he'll prioritize stability here.

Based on my understanding of him, the Director will probably step forward first to mediate, ensuring no chaos breaks out in the bureau, then record this incident and deal with Aquarius after he returns… Just endure it for now. No matter what Aquarius does later, today we've already lost."

…

"In my view… this matter requires further deliberation."

The subsequent developments matched the Red-haired Director's predictions almost exactly. After scanning the expressions of the branch directors, the Director—who understood the situation—gave Aquarius a meaningful glance, then stepped forward to mediate:

"Although Aquarius's 'replica' caused many problems, ultimately it was meant to prevent greater destruction from the 【Twin Mirror Lake】. His merits and faults cancel out—there's no need to mention his removal.

Though all twelve Directors have the authority to handle anomalies independently, they must report when unable to resolve them. Those who conceal such matters must be punished… Aquarius, do you have any objection?"

Hearing the Clearance Director's words, Bevili clenched her fists and glared furiously at Aquarius, who sat calmly across from her.

Objection… what objection could he possibly have? Compared to being dragged off to have a god-tier Brain-Eater lick his brain grooves, this punishment is nothing!

"I have no objection."

After smiling at the Lion Director, who glared at him, Aquarius bowed slightly toward the central shadow:

"Your judgment is most appropriate. Also, please don't be too harsh on the branch directors.

Though they questioned me directly without clarifying the truth, their actions were rash—but not entirely baseless. Should they really be punished by the bureau?"

"…"

With a subtle maneuver from years ago, he casually dismantled the entire inquiry's foundation, then twisted the truth, and even pretended to show mercy by pleading for the others' pardon—demanding the removal of a punishment that never existed.

Facing this Kanchengdingjixiuru, only the Gemini Branch Director remained unmoved. The other five directors who had spoken up bristled with rage—even the Red-haired Juzhang narrowed his eyes.

Unfortunately, Olivia's mind was sharp, but her tactics were still too naive—Aquarius had exploited her weakness.

With a regretful glance at the Red-haired Director, and wishing to avoid further conflict, the Clearance Director nodded:

"Very well. Then let this matter rest… hmm… wait."

Just as the Director was about to declare the inquiry over and Aquarius safe, the stone tablet beside him trembled slightly, then revealed a line of writhing, strange symbols.

After tracing the symbols a few times and deciphering their meaning, the Clearance Director frowned.

It was a complaint delivered via the 【Same Script Stone Tablet】. Nine-tenths of its content accused the Virgo Branch's clearance officer of disrespect, breaking into Wang Gong, and assaulting the Prince, demanding punishment from the Clearance Bureau.

But after denouncing the clearance officer named Li Ang for multiple beatings, the assaulted Prince—apparently under coercion—added a few messages meant for the central bureau…

…

"Aquarius!"

After deciphering all the symbols, the Clearance Director spun around, eyes locked on Aquarius seated in the eleventh seat, speaking almost word by word:

"Nathan… do you know this man?"

Noticing the subtle shift in the Director's expression, Aquarius's brow twitched slightly, then nodded:

"I know him. He's the leader of the rebels. He apparently had contact with my other self."

"Yes. He had contact with 'your other self.'"

Emphasizing "your other self," the Clearance Director repeated the ambiguous phrase, then narrowed his eyes:

"Aquarius, while you were coming here for the year-end review, a clearance officer from the Virgo Branch captured the rebel leader and obtained some intriguing information.

After reviewing the message he sent, I believe it could greatly aid in capturing 'your other self.' Would you be willing to help by gathering all twelve Star Palaces to teleport Nathan and the two clearance officers here?"

So… Nathan didn't escape? He was captured by the Virgo Branch's clearance officer? And he exposed some damaging information about me?

Hearing the Clearance Director's request, Aquarius frowned. Something felt off.

To maximally protect its stored dangerous artifacts, the core of the Clearance Bureau's headquarters was deliberately built on an asteroid over seventy thousand kilometers above ground, orbiting the world like the moon.

Even the most advanced airships from the Machine Capital Kolok can only fly at eight to nine thousand meters. The highest unmanned probes never exceed four hundred kilometers—barely a speck compared to seventy thousand.

Thus, except for high-ranking Clearance Bureau members who can use Star Palaces to teleport, and a tiny number of individuals possessing special anomalies, no one can reach here quickly.

The only exception is gathering all twelve Zodiac Branch Directors or Directors, combining their Star Palaces to partially harness the Sun's authority, and forcibly refracting a person up from seventy thousand kilometers away using sunlight.

Even then, the person can only remain for a single day. When the headquarters rotates to the opposite side of the world and the Sun's authority weakens, they're instantly ejected back to their original location…

So… what exactly did that message say? Why would the Director propose gathering all twelve Star Palaces just to bring someone up here to confront me face-to-face?