Chapter 682: The Senior

"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 Leon, who stared at him in astonishment:

"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 Piony, who had an affair with the Prime Minister's Lady, was such an easygoing person. Leon, who always returned kindness with twice as much, quickly waved his hand in polite refusal:

"The Director arranged it this way probably because I've been handling this matter 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 operations. If there are any issues in 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 outright at headquarters—was supposedly arrogant beyond measure, yet here he was, so polite?

Similarly surprised by Leon's attitude, the silver-shimmering Piony blinked, then smiled even more warmly.

"You're being too modest."

Recalling the Red-haired Director's evaluation of Leon, the small silver man spoke in a magnetic voice tinged with "metallic resonance," 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 it without reservation."

Oh my… every senior in the Bureau really is a good person!

Slightly suspicious, Leon rubbed his sheep's head, confirming the silver man was telling the truth. His gaze toward the man instantly grew warmer.

The seniors of the Virgin Branch truly were all 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 silver man, dazzlingly bright yet remarkably gentle—Piony—all had treated him with great care.

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

As this thought struck him, Leon suddenly slapped his forehead, then reached up to stroke his polished cufflink, pulling out the envelope the Prime Minister's Lady had given him, and handed it to the silver man. He explained:

"Senior Piony, this is…"

"This scent—like laurel leaves, fragrant yet slightly sharp… Martha! It's Martha, isn't it?"

Eagerly snatching the perfumed envelope, the silver man pressed it to his nose and inhaled lightly. His metallic face unexpectedly softened with a tender, sweet expression, and faint moisture shimmered in his eyes.

"I never thought she still remembered me."

Holy cow—Senior Piony was actually a hopeless romantic?

Watching the silver man's exaggerated reaction, Leon paused, then recalled the Lady's situation. He felt a quiet pang of pity for this kind, devoted senior.

Just as Leon hesitated, wondering whether to subtly reveal some details about the Prime Minister's Lady so Piony 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! Martha, my gentle Martha—you've always been the most beautiful laurel in my heart. Only your tenderness and passion could make me so unforgettable…"

"…"

Right. I overthought it—you two really are a match. "By the way, is this the only letter from Martha?"

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

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

"No! Only her letter!"

Fearing that if this senior kept talking, he'd uncover even more shocking secrets, Leon cut him off with a stiff expression:

"I only met Martha by chance. She asked me to deliver this letter. I've had no contact with the others.

Also, besides this letter, she had one message for you: every Monday at noon for the next few weeks, she'll be waiting 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 you mean the Prime Minister's office? Aren't you two a bit too bold?

As Leon's confusion deepened, the silver-faced Senior Piony, glowing with a lecherous sheen, gently kissed the folded envelope and tucked it into his chest. Then he looked at Leon with deep gratitude.

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

"N-no problem…"

After silently apologizing to the fat Prime Minister—who, though not well-intentioned toward him, had at least been polite—Leon, utterly at a loss for words, changed the subject to business:

"Senior Piony, for this mission, besides you and me, we'll need the help of several other abnormality holders."

As he spoke, Leon 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 Korok is docked at Migang Harbor and won't let us board. That's where we need those abnormality holders."

He circled a bend in the "7," marking Migang Harbor's location, then tapped the vertical stem of the "7," explaining:

"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 Harbor."

"But the ship's control system is connected to a separate differential engine. We can't manipulate it from the control room. Any 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 area of space will flip the space we're in."

"Once he twists us inside 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 the Boarding Tower normally. The mission is 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?"

"…"

(End of Chapter)