Chapter 280

"The Director told me exactly that."

After relaying the Red-haired Director's words, the man shimmering with silver light smiled gently, then turned to Li Ang, who stared at him in astonishment, and said:

"So this mission is under your command—you decide how to execute it. My main role is to protect your safety and handle any troubles you can't deal with yourself."

"Senior, you're too kind."

Unexpectedly, Senior Pioni—who had an affair with the Prime Minister's Lady—was such an easygoing person. Li Ang, who always returned kindness with double, quickly waved his hand in polite refusal:

"The Director arranged it this way probably because I've been handling this case all along, and the two abnormality holders responsible for erasing and altering memories are more familiar with me."

"I've only been with the Virgin Branch for a short time and am still learning the Bureau's procedures. If there are any issues during future missions, please don't hesitate to point them out."

Huh? This new recruit—who, on his first investigation, caused hundreds of nobles to die, slapped Prince Joshua multiple times, spat in his face publicly, and mocked the Scorpio Director at headquarters—was supposedly so arrogant… yet privately he's this polite?

Equally surprised by Li Ang's attitude, the silver-shimmering Pioni paused, then smiled even more warmly.

"You're being too modest."

Recalling the Red-haired Director's evaluation of Li Ang, the small silver man spoke in a magnetic, metallic-toned voice, his face beaming with warmth:

"When the Director isn't drinking, her decisions are always right. Since she chose you to lead this mission, it must be correct. Tomorrow, when we go on duty, just give me orders—whatever you need, I'll do my utmost."

Ah… the seniors in the Bureau really are all good people!

After cautiously patting his ram's head—confirming the silver man spoke truthfully—Li Ang's gaze toward him softened considerably.

The seniors of the Virgin Branch truly were kind: Emma, who taught him how to stay safe; Jerry, who gave him many useful items and accompanied him on adventures to headquarters; and now this dazzlingly bright yet gentle Senior Pioni—all had treated him with great care.

Though each senior had minor flaws—Jerry's stealing habit, Pioni's private life—compared to them… oh right!

As this thought struck him, Li Ang suddenly slapped his forehead, then brushed his polished cufflink, retrieving the envelope the Prime Minister's Lady had given him, and handed it to the silver man before explaining:

"Senior Pioni, this is…"

"This fragrance—like laurel leaves, sweet yet slightly sharp… Marsha! It's Marsha, isn't it?"

Eagerly taking the perfumed envelope, pressing it to his nose, the silver man's hard, metallic face unexpectedly softened with a tender, sweet expression, his eyes glistening with faint moisture.

"I never thought she still remembered me."

Holy cow—Senior Pioni was actually a romantic fool?

Watching the silver man's exaggerated reaction, Li Ang froze slightly, then recalled the Lady's situation, feeling a quiet pang of pity for this kind, devoted senior.

Just as Li Ang hesitated, wondering whether to hint at the Prime Minister's Lady's true condition so Pioni could judge for himself—

The silver man didn't rush to open the letter. Instead, he gently traced the cursive signature on the envelope with his glowing silver fingers, his eyes filled with nostalgia:

"When I met her cousin and got caught, I thought she'd never speak to me again—but she forgave me. Later, when my affair with her aunt was exposed, I thought I'd lose her—but she still forgave me."

"Ah! Marsha, my gentle Marsha—you'll always be the most beautiful laurel in my heart. Only your tenderness and passion could make me so unforgettable…"

"…"

Alright, I overthought it—you two really are a perfect match…

"By the way, is this the only letter—from Marsha alone?"

After carefully folding the envelope, the silver-faced Senior Pioni looked at Li Ang, whose mouth twitched uncontrollably, and asked with hopeful eyes:

"Sophie, Grace, Holly… I mean, Marsha's cousin, aunt, and her…"

"No! Only her letter!"

Fearing that if this senior kept talking, he'd hear an even more shocking revelation, Li Ang, his face stiff, cut him off:

"I only happened to meet Lady Marsha. She asked me to deliver this letter—I never met the others."

"Also, besides this letter, she had one message for you: every Monday at noon for the next few weeks, she'll wait for you at the usual place."

"The usual place… the Prime Minister's office lounge?"???

Wait—I thought your "usual place" was some street, bridge, park, or at least a cheap inn… but it's the Prime Minister's office? Aren't you two a bit too bold?

Amid Li Ang's increasingly bewildered expression, the silver-faced Senior Pioni—his face gleaming with… something—gently kissed the folded envelope, tucked it into his chest, and looked at Li Ang with deep gratitude.

"Thank you! Truly, thank you! Thank you for reconnecting me with Marsha—this is the best gift I've received this year!"

"N-no problem…"

After silently apologizing to the fat Prime Minister—who, though unkind to him, had at least been polite—Li Ang, utterly at a loss for words, shifted the topic to business:

"Senior Pioni, besides you and me, this mission requires the help of several other abnormality holders."

As he spoke, Li Ang pulled out his small notebook and drew a bold "7" with charcoal, indicating the shape of the Boarding Tower, then continued:

"Although our Bureau credentials allow us to enter the tower, the private ship bound for the Kingdom of Krok is docked in Migang—and they won't let us aboard. That's where the abnormality holders come in."

He circled a bend in the "7," marking Migang's location, then tapped the vertical stem's midpoint with his charcoal:

"This is the tower's control room. When the operation begins, someone will knock out the operator from a kilometer away using a slingshot. Then another person will sneak into the adjacent restroom, take over the operator's body, and control the room to open the path to Migang."

"But the ship's control system is connected to a separate differential engine—we can't manipulate it from the control room. Forced intrusion would cause irreparable damage and likely trigger detection."

"So we must climb onto the ship and position ourselves near the entrance. One abnormality holder who can warp a small space will act—flipping the space we're in."

"Once he twists us onto the ship, you and I will subdue the guards and replace the sniffers' reports. The other two abnormality holders will erase and alter the sniffers' memories. Then we return to the ship's entrance, where the outside team will use the same method to twist us back out."

"Finally, we return to the control room, alter the operator's memory, and pretend nothing happened—then evacuate normally from the Boarding Tower. Mission complete… Senior, any questions?"

"Uh… your plan is excellent, but I do have one question…"

Looking at the slightly messy but clearly structured plan in the notebook, the silver man scratched the back of his head, embarrassed:

"I'm afraid of heights… what do I do?"

"…"