Chapter 856

The Critic: "Outrage! Numerous Legislators Suspected of Kidnapping; Police Department Accused of Gross Negligence!"

Daily Headlines: "Wang Gong Attacked! His Majesty Shocked and Ill, Plans Underway for Princess to Ascend Early!"

Royal Gazette: "Duke of Lionheart Saves the Emperor; His Majesty Praises: 'Pillar of the Nation, My Virtuous Son-in-Law!'"

Horn Alley Report: "Two Major Military and Political Cases Passed; Kingdom's Upper Echelons May Face Major Purge!"

The Sun: "Personality Interview—Minister of Finance: 'I blinked, and the throne was gone!'"

The Sun: "Correction: Coup Was Rumor; Former Finance Minister: 'I Was Just Jealous; I Will Publicly Apologize Soon!'"

"..."

After reading the front-page headlines accumulated during his trip to the Dream Realm, the Red-Haired Director couldn't help but pull open a drawer and glance at the calendar inside.

Holy hell… I was gone a whole week? Not a month? How the hell did so much happen in just a few days?

"Li Ang!"

Slapping his desk hard, the Red-Haired Director narrowed his eyes and barked:

"About what happened these past few days—don't you think you owe me an explanation?"

"Uh..."

Seeing that the Director seemed genuinely angry, Li Ang hesitated, then cautiously explained:

"These past few days… should count as a good thing, right?

Look, Director, an unknown organization took advantage of your absence to launch a surprise attack on Wang Gong, aiming to slaughter the royal family—that's a direct provocation against you, against our Virgo Division, and against the entire Cleanup Bureau!

But I arrived in time, representing our Virgo Division; after a brutal battle, I not only protected the royal family but ensured zero casualties, and the royal house even sent a letter of thanks to headquarters. Isn't that great?"

"Don't play dumb with me!"

The Red-Haired Director laughed bitterly at Li Ang's answer, lowering his voice and gritting his teeth:

"Your story might fool headquarters, but it won't fool me!

You know damn well who the remaining anomaly-holders among the rebels answer to! I'm telling you—you probably first kidnapped the legislators, then led the assault on Wang Gong to help the princess seize the throne!

As for that so-called unknown organization, either you discovered their plot but didn't report it, or you didn't even know they existed and just happened to run into them during the attack. Am I right?"

"..."

Holy hell, you're telling me you don't have mind-reading?

"Cough, cough… Director, you've misunderstood."

Seeing the fury nearly overflowing from the Director's fox-like eyes, Li Ang blinked and desperately denied:

"They're rebels! To get them to risk their lives with me, I had to negotiate terms—and their condition was that I help kidnap the legislators. Ask them yourself—they really did demand that.

At the time, we were short-staffed, and the situation was desperate: on one side, Wang Gong was under attack and the royal family was about to be slaughtered; on the other, just a few legislators being kidnapped. I had no choice, did I?"

"Then how did you know the royal family would be in trouble?"

"My ability is forced information extraction—I pulled it from the minds of those affected by my ability."

"And what about leading the assault on Wang Gong?"

"No choice—their anomaly's power controls anyone in the kingdom of lower rank than her; only the rebels are immune."

"What about the anomaly that released the power?"

"They killed it."

"What's left of the remains?"

"Just ash. I kept it in a canning jar. Headquarters can take it anytime."

"What about the princess and the old king…"

"Father and daughter, deeply affectionate. Any investigator can ask—they'll confirm the old king genuinely wants to abdicate."

"..."

Holy hell, you're ruthless!

Having asked every possible doubt and found every answer blocked, the Red-Haired Director rolled his eyes and snapped:

"Fine, I'll admit I misunderstood you! But when the investigators come down, make sure you say the same thing—if you get caught lying, don't come crawling to me to bail you out!"

"Got it~"

"One more thing!"

Watching Li Ang relax slightly after confirming his story, the Red-Haired Director frowned and warned:

"Remember: this is a one-time exception! You got lucky this time! What if you hadn't encountered that anomaly—or if it was something you couldn't handle? What then?"

"If you can't handle it, just come back and call for help—or use the things you left behind. I've got two layers of immortality; I'll survive. And if I hadn't encountered that anomaly…"

Knowing his story could fool headquarters but not the Director, Li Ang paused, then spoke plainly:

"I just wouldn't have acted. The rebels kidnapped legislators and attacked Wang Gong—what's that got to do with me, a Level-3 Cleanup Officer? And afterward, there's no need to worry about them being punished.

The princess will never pursue it, and according to bureau rules, criminals who committed serious offenses can join the Cleanup Bureau by atoning through anomaly cleanup. Everyone wins, right?"

"You've thought this through thoroughly."

The Red-Haired Director grunted disapprovingly:

"What if I report you, or someone at headquarters insists on a formal review? Even if I block it, they might still investigate the anomaly-holders among the rebels. What then?"

"It's Aquarius's conspiracy!"

Hearing the Director's question, Li Ang—having already prepared this excuse before acting—answered firmly:

"The anomalies weren't mine—they were all created by Director Aquarius. I can't be blamed for this. Besides, a few nights ago, Director Aquarius attacked Prince Joshua's dream, and I drove him off—I reported it too.

Linking these two events, we have every reason to conclude that Director Aquarius, having regained his power, has grown utterly mad and now plans to strike the royal family!

Fortunately, Director, you were one step ahead—you sent me undercover among the rebels, earned their trust, and steered them toward the right path, recruiting many valuable assets for the bureau.

As for the assault on Wang Gong? That was purely bait to lure Director Aquarius into revealing himself, so we could eliminate this great threat. But Aquarius is too cunning—he sensed something was wrong and didn't take the bait."

"..."

Holy hell… if I were willing to go along, this actually sounds plausible…

"One more thing."

Watching the Red-Haired Director lost in thought, Li Ang pressed on:

"As for whether the old king's abdication might raise suspicion—no need to worry. He won't hold the abdication ceremony anytime soon; he needs to recover his health first. So there was no coup.

Besides, he's supported the princess's reforms for over six years, and the public mood has always favored her succession. How could it suddenly switch to Prince Joshua? And Joshua couldn't even handle the king's duties—this whole thing reeks of foul play!

Considering Director Aquarius invaded Prince Joshua's dream, we have strong reason to suspect this isn't his first time. The old king has been subtly influenced by Aquarius without realizing it. So we're correcting the chaos—not violating rules."

"..."

You're a goddamn genius. Even if headquarters went completely insane, cracked open the seal, and pulled out the time-reversal anomaly, they still might not be able to convict you.

Because with your logic, no amount of evidence matters—you just say, "I acted out of loyalty," and your true motives? Only the worms in your belly know.

"By the way, Director."

Watching the Red-Haired Director's lips twitch, utterly speechless, Li Ang ventured cautiously:

"This time, we not only anticipated the enemy, thwarted Aquarius's conspiracy again, uncovered a sinister organization, completely defeated a god-tier anomaly, protected the royal family, and recruited new talent for the bureau.

So no matter how you look at it—we've got to submit a major commendation request to headquarters!"