Chapter 432: Question

"Director, the investigation mission is complete…"

"Hmm?"

After glancing at Leon as he entered, the red-haired director, who had been drinking boiled water, paused slightly—she noticed he was covered in dust, and even his hands were bandaged. Curious, she asked:

"This mission was just to investigate the situation. You can peek into others' souls—how did you end up like this? Was the anomaly dangerous?"

"The anomaly isn't dangerous—it's actually quite a good thing—but it just doesn't get along with me…"

After briefly recounting his ordeal, Leon, his expression grim, watched the red-haired woman before him, her eyes crinkled with amusement. After hesitating, he couldn't help asking:

"Director… may I ask you something?"

Upon hearing this, the red-haired woman's smile vanished instantly. She gripped her empty purse tightly, wary.

"Leon, it's not that I'm stingy—just as Director of the Virgin Bureau, though my salary is a bit higher than yours, my personal expenses are enormous, so… uh…"

"You've misunderstood. I'm not here to borrow money—I truly have a question for you…"

After blinking in disbelief, Leon recalled the documents he'd seen and frowned deeply:

"Director, before reporting to you, I went to the Road Administration Department's archives and requested access to their records from over ninety years ago. I found the file on Happy Apartment… yes, the one tied to today's anomaly.

The elderly couple who built the charity home once sheltered over three hundred orphans and disabled people. Aside from a small water fee discount from the Water Company due to high usage, they received not a single cent from the Kingdom. They sustained the home entirely from their own savings.

Later, when the old woman fell gravely ill and realized she wouldn't live much longer, she applied to the Road Administration Department over thirty times, hoping to convert the charity home into a legal municipal facility so she could continue operating it with her own assets—at least until everyone inside passed away before closing. But she never succeeded."

After summarizing, Leon took a deep breath, then clenched his fist:

"I kept thinking on the way here—this was clearly a win-win. Why was it never approved?

Those without labor capacity could survive, supported by the couple's wealth; the Road Administration wouldn't need to spend anything—no extra budget, no added staff.

So why, back then, did the official in charge refuse her application? Why let those orphans and disabled people be driven out, left to starve and freeze to death right outside their home, beneath the sign that read 'Happy Apartment'?"

"You're wrong. The Road Administration would have paid a heavy price."

Hearing Leon's question, the red-haired woman closed her eyes briefly, then asked calmly:

"Suppose you were the official in charge back then. Tell me: the Kingdom already has its own charity homes—why didn't yours take in those people? Why did they end up in a citizen-built one? What were you even doing in your job?

And if you took over this charity home, even if you didn't need staff daily, you'd still need a responsible director. What if a fire or accident caused deaths? Would you accept responsibility? If the fire was started by someone in the home, could you accept being dismissed for negligence?

Finally, accepting a citizen-donated charity home isn't a merit. If it becomes an officially recognized facility but later collapses due to lack of funding, the director will be held accountable.

Why would anyone willingly take on a task with no benefits, only endless trouble, and a near-certain stain on their record?"

"…."

……

So similar… sigh…

Watching the young man before her fall silent, his face darkening, the red-haired director sighed inwardly, then fixed him with a serious gaze:

"Leon, I understand you dislike this—but don't forget, our Clearance Bureau's job is only to keep 'anomalies' out of ordinary people's lives. Other matters aren't ours to meddle in.

According to the agreement between the Clearance Bureau and the Kingdoms, we are forbidden from using 'non-human' power to interfere unless directly tied to an anomaly. This is our survival code—and the Kingdoms' absolute limit.

So listen carefully: never cross this line. Think twice before acting. Don't ruin yourself, understood?"

"You're overthinking. I never intended to do anything…" Leon clenched his fist tightly, then lowered his head, his expression calm as he asked:

"That happened over ninety years ago. Everyone driven out is dead. Even the official who approved it is dead. What can I possibly do?"

"…."

Yes, you can do nothing about this. But what about the Road Administration and the Water Company? What about all the other things you'll face later?

The red-haired director glanced at the shopping bag in Leon's hand, slightly trembling. She sighed again inwardly, her gaze growing complex.

Though I can no longer use Soul Vision to see your state without that goat, I know that damned goat too well—since you lowered your head and stayed silent, it's already trembling with excitement…

"That's enough… You've worked hard today."

Without pressing the topic further, the red-haired director took Leon's written report, scanned it, suppressed her strange sense of déjà vu, and softly comforted him:

"I see your hands are injured. I'm granting you half a day off. Go home and rest properly."

"Don't worry—I won't force you to ignore those things, nor stop you from investigating the Water Company. I've even secured an anomaly to protect you—it'll arrive tomorrow, so you can escape safely if you get into trouble.

But remember: whenever you want to act, you must find a valid reason to intervene, like with the Water Company. And never, under any circumstances, use 'anomalies' to affect ordinary people. That's my bottom line—and the Clearance Bureau's.

"Yes, I remember…"

Watching Leon's still-unsettled expression, the red-haired director rubbed her temples, then added:

"Leon, I know you're someone with strong morals and a sharp sense of justice. I don't dislike your nature—I actually admire how, after struggling through hardship for so long, you've held onto your principles.

But understand this: even with abilities beyond ordinary humans, we're still human. We can't exist apart from society. We still must follow its basic rules.

Even if you were a Kingdom's emperor—or even Director of the Clearance Bureau—you couldn't make everything follow your wishes. You can't fix every injustice you see… I know these words may sound harsh, but I hope you'll think about them."

"I will… Sorry for disturbing you today."

After bidding farewell to the red-haired director, who had urged him so earnestly, Leon walked slowly back to his own office. His eyes fixed on another shopping bag on his desk, his mind replaying the Director's words.

Is my morality noble?

Is my sense of justice strong?

Is my bottom line firm?

The stolen war widow's pension. The alchemy factory that caused Anna's lung disease and refused compensation. The hundreds of patients still lying in hospital corridors, sick from the Water Company's contaminated water.

And those poor souls, driven mercilessly from the charity home, left to die in the bitter winter of ninety-four years ago—names never recorded…

Though saying this feels strangely shameful, I really want to know now: is the problem me… or this damn world?

……

"Let's go."

After standing by his desk for a moment, Leon picked up the shopping bag full of gray cigarette packs, then touched the goat's horn, chipped by the scissors, and murmured softly:

"Find a quiet place… I'll treat you to a smoke."

(End of Chapter)