Chapter 899

"Hmm, the Cleanup Bureau is investigating me—I already know."

After hearing the meeting host's reminder, the girl wearing a white owl mask nodded slightly, then let out a light laugh.

"What surprises me more than them sending someone to investigate me is that they only just now decided to do it—apparently, despite having plenty of strong members, the Cleanup Bureau's efficiency is terrifyingly low."

"Don't be careless."

After the girl codenamed Snow Owl finished speaking, the person at the head of the table frowned.

"Don't forget how the Ophiuchus Branch and the Eastern Karlev Kingdom disappeared. Though the Cleanup Bureau has decayed considerably over the past few centuries, its foundation remains solid enough—if you push them too far, no one knows what they might pull out."

"Also, according to the intelligence provided by 'Puppy,' this investigation into the Krook Kingdom is likely a joint operation carried out by two Zodiac Branches, meaning in the worst case, two 'Pseudo Pillar God'-level humans might come for you simultaneously."

"Thank you for the warning—I'll be as cautious as I can."

The girl wearing the white owl mask smiled and replied.

"But before you called us together, I already suspected that someone from the Cleanup Bureau might come to investigate me."

"Under my control, the Krook Kingdom is almost completely sealed off from the outside, with only a single channel of access—foreign visitors are extremely limited, so any unusual guest would be easy to spot."

"Moreover, although these visitors from the Oleson Kingdom refused to use the identification cards I provided, instead moving stealthily between districts via methods I don't understand and evading my surveillance…"

"They've repeatedly appeared in locations they shouldn't be able to reach without any travel records—that's practically shouting at me that they're suspicious."

Oleson Kingdom?

At this, a member of the Execution King's Society wearing a bull mask beside Snow Owl subtly shifted expression and suddenly spoke up.

"That must be the Scorpio Branch. Though most of my followers in the Oleson Kingdom have gone dormant and can't relay messages frequently, I can still conduct basic surveillance."

"Recently, many high-ranking members of the Scorpio Branch haven't been carrying out cleanup operations—including Branch Chief 'The Puppeteer' Edward, Level One Cleaner 'Threadman' Algernon, and Level Two Cleaner 'The Open Road' Mo Na—all five cleaners have been missing."

"And the method Snow Owl described—moving directly between Krook Kingdom districts without using identification cards—is almost certainly the unique anomaly of 'The Open Road.' The infiltrators are almost certainly them."

"Good. Now that we know who we're dealing with, it's much easier."

After the bull-masked member finished speaking, the person at the head of the table nodded slightly in satisfaction.

"Inform Snow Owl privately later about the Scorpio Branch's intel so she can prepare. What about the rest of you? Has anyone noticed unusual activity among high-level cleaners in your monitored regions?"

"…"

After the head's words fell silent, the Execution King's Society members around the long table fell into thought, then gradually shook their heads—either admitting ignorance or stating no anomalies.

That's strange.

Watching the lack of feedback from the Execution King's Society members, the person at the head frowned.

According to 'Puppy's' intelligence, this investigation into the Krook Kingdom should be a joint operation by two Zodiac Branches—so why are only Scorpio Branch cleaners showing unusual activity?

"Uh… I do have something to report."

At that moment, a member of the Execution King's Society wearing a thrush mask raised a hand, hesitating slightly.

"It's not a high-level cleaner, but a Level Three Cleaner… Leon Ryan has taken on a diplomatic mission to visit the Krook Kingdom as a Prince—he's likely already arrived."

Leon Ryan…

Hearing this familiar name, the Execution King's Society members fell into a brief silence.

The God-Eater Leon, the Cleanup Bureau's hyena, the humanoid gluttonous demon… The average lifespan of Execution King's Society members is extremely long, and though they've encountered many insane cleaners, few have been as deranged as him.

Especially after learning from the Elk that he chose to violently devour the Death Dog's guards purely out of hunger, making an eternal enemy of the entire Death Realm, most Execution King's Society members now equated the name "Leon" with "madman."

"He's exceptional."

After a brief pause, the person at the head declared.

"Though he joined the Cleanup Bureau recently, don't treat him as an ordinary Level Three Cleaner—he should be regarded as a Level Two… no, treat him as a Level One Cleaner directly. Specifically, one of the elite Level Ones qualified to replace non-Zodiac Branch Chiefs."

"From now on, any intelligence regarding him should be elevated by three tiers in priority. If he approaches any of the other Twelve Royal Houses and makes close contact, activate the mask to convene an emergency meeting."

"Also, though the Scorpio and Virgo Branches have a terrible relationship, given his past collaboration with 'The Puppeteer' Edward, Virgo Branch's involvement is far from unlikely… Snow Owl, prepare to face both 'The Puppeteer' and 'The Blood-Haired Lady' simultaneously!"

"Understood."

Hearing this, Snow Owl, who had previously seemed relaxed, grew slightly serious and asked:

"So what do you think I should do? Continue suppressing information and buying time? Pretend the royal family hasn't been controlled? Or… eliminate 'The Puppeteer' and that Level Three Cleaner Leon before 'The Blood-Haired Lady' arrives?"

"For now, try to buy as much time as possible."

The person at the head considered for a moment, then suggested:

"We're all blocked by the Watch Palace and can't provide direct support. 'The Blood-Haired Lady' is the second most dangerous Branch Chief, and her destructive power is unmatched—especially with 'The Puppeteer,' whose abilities are bizarre and complex. Direct confrontation is a terrible idea."

"The Cleanup Bureau likely suspects something about the Krook Kingdom, but hasn't confirmed it yet—that's why they've only sent investigators. Before the Taurus Director ascends, they won't have the manpower to deal with you."

"Considering the Aquarius Branch's preparations, we're also waiting for the Taurus Director's ascension. The best outcome now is to maintain the status quo and prevent the Cleanup Bureau from confirming the Krook Kingdom's true situation."

"Given the Cleanup Bureau's current indecisive nature, as long as their core boundaries aren't touched, they'll likely compromise temporarily rather than disrupt the apparent stability—waiting until after the Taurus ascension. If so, your troubles will be temporarily resolved."

"Understood."

The girl wearing the white owl mask nodded slightly, acknowledging the approach—but after a brief pause, she asked again:

"What if they actually uncover something?"

"Then act immediately."

The person at the head glanced at her and replied coldly without hesitation:

"The worst thing in any operation is hesitation. If the status quo can be maintained, maintain it—but if you sense even a hint it can't, eliminate all Jiaoxing. Whoever investigates you—whether 'The Puppeteer' or the God-Eater—kill them."