Chapter 911

"Sorry... just now... I felt a bit dizzy..."

After vomiting freely, Li Ang’s complexion finally improved a bit, and he turned to the ashen-faced Director of Scorpio Bureau:

"Your Excellency Edward, our plan went smoothly. Although Prince Andre did not appear, we ultimately captured his sister—this still counts as securing a royal member."

"..."

The Director of Scorpio Bureau, caught off guard and drenched in vomit, fell silent for a moment, then grimaced and nodded.

"Good... does she know anything about the royal family?"

"Probably not much."

Hearing this, Li Ang shook his head:

"She’s only twelve or thirteen, and didn’t even realize she was under control. The intelligence we got from her isn’t reliable. But besides her, Nicole captured two cleaners from the Gemini Branch—maybe we can extract something from them."

After hearing Li Ang’s words, the Director of Scorpio Bureau finally let out the breath he’d been holding.

Though the plan had gone slightly off-track and failed to capture the original target, seizing the princess and two Gemini Branch cleaners was far from a wasted trip.

Moreover, since this operation was not only proposed by Li Ang but also executed by him personally, the fact that it concluded without any major commotion was already a decent outcome.

"You’ve worked hard."

After giving Li Ang a slight nod, the Director of Scorpio Bureau turned his head to glance at the female journalist and the girl with emerald eyes, now caught in the net. He exhaled in silent relief, then smiled warmly at Li Ang:

"Here’s my thought: we currently have one royal member in custody, and you, having kidnapped the princess, can no longer show your face.

So why not let Miss Nicole stay behind to assist us with further investigations, while you temporarily suspend your mission and escort this young princess away? What do you think of this proposal?"

"..."

I think your proposal is just a plain excuse to get rid of me...

Glancing at the Director’s insincere smile, Li Ang knew the hidden trait of [Verbal Pollution] had activated—he’d instinctively want to avoid working with him—and he shook his head without hesitation.

"I can’t leave yet."

"Why not?"

The Director of Scorpio Bureau’s expression didn’t change; he smiled and pressed:

"Is there something else you haven’t done?"

"Yes."

Recalling what he’d learned from the kidnapper siblings, Li Ang nodded slightly, his expression equally calm:

"There’s something I want to investigate. It likely has little to do with the mysterious organization or the Corock royal family, but it might spawn a very dangerous anomaly. I think it’s worth monitoring."

"I see."

Upon hearing Li Ang’s request, the Director of Scorpio Bureau nodded immediately—without a single second of hesitation, and without even asking what Li Ang intended to investigate:

"Then here’s the arrangement: Miss Nicole will accompany us to investigate Atrifi-01 and the Corock royal family, while you personally protect this young princess—and in the meantime, you can investigate what you wish to know.

To facilitate your movement and ensure the princess’s safety, I’ll assign Alger to accompany you. Once you’ve finished your inquiries, join them and leave the Corock Kingdom. How does that sound?"

Alger? That Level One Cleaner nicknamed “Thread Man”?

Hearing the Director’s words, Li Ang glanced sideways. A tall, muscular cleaner with a full beard was staring at him in surprise—presumably the infamous “Thread Man,” Alger.

Hmm. Looks like a brute, and he’s Level One—his strength must be solid.

If I temporarily withdraw from the mission, I get a Level One Cleaner as bodyguard, plus the chance to investigate Floating Crystals and Cheshire... not bad at all?

[Don’t agree to him!]

Just as Li Ang was about to nod, the female journalist’s anxious voice suddenly rang in his ear:

[He’s setting this up to steal the credit!]

Having used some method to transmit her voice to Li Ang’s ear, the journalist—just dragged over by [Skyhook Line] and still adjusting to the dizziness—urged:

[We now have one Zodiac Director, two Level One Cleaners, three senior Level Two Cleaners, plus you, the freak—enough to capture a true god. There’s no need to be this cautious!

Even if you can’t show your face, you could’ve just been hidden inside a flower and carried with you. He’s giving you Princess Philia and assigning personnel to follow you—he’s clearly planning to monopolize all the credit for this investigation!]

Oh? You seem to understand workplace politics pretty well?

Li Ang shot the journalist a surprised glance, then gave her a reassuring look before smiling and nodding to the Director of Scorpio Bureau:

"Alright, let’s follow your proposal, Director... I’ll rely on you, Mr. Alger."

"Uh... no problem, no problem..."

[Wait, didn’t you hear what I said?]

Seeing that Li Ang had clearly heard her warning but still agreed to the Director’s proposal, the journalist’s eyes widened in disbelief.

[The royal members are already captured. If you don’t participate in what comes next, and he takes all the credit, you’ll have contributed nothing to this investigation—just attacked the Corock royal family. The Bureau’s evaluation of you will plummet!]

[It’s fine. Let it plummet.]

Smiling at the journalist, Li Ang walked over and patted Princess Philia’s back as she clutched her mouth, looking like she might vomit again, while transmitting a soul message:

[I’m not interested in rising through the Bureau’s ranks. I don’t need credits or rewards. Most anomalies hold little value for me, and I rarely need credits to claim them. So the Bureau’s evaluation means nothing to me.]

[But you can’t just let him get away with it!]

Defeated by Li Ang’s “indifference,” the journalist pretended to help pat Philia’s back, leaning in to glare:

[So you do the dirty work, and Scorpio Bureau gets all the benefits? Don’t you feel cheated?]

[I don’t feel cheated or not.]

Li Ang shook his head slightly, continuing to pat Philia’s back as he explained:

[This mission was always led by Scorpio Bureau. Our Virgo Branch was only here to assist. And they even sent their Director. It’s natural they take the lion’s share of the credit.

Besides, even though I’m taking responsibility for the unauthorized royal attack, as the lead investigator, if anything goes wrong, he still bears the main burden. The risk he’s taking is substantial—he’s entitled to more rewards.]

[Wait, why are you defending him?]

The journalist grew irritated, slapping Philia’s back harder, exasperated:

[He’s clearly using his Zodiac Director status to bully you! Why don’t you fight back?]

Li Ang could only sigh helplessly, then added a firmer pat himself, retorting:

[You know he’s a Zodiac Director, right? The power gap is obvious—I can’t fight back.

Besides, given the terrible relationship between him and the Director—where they’d start yelling the moment they meet—he’s already being generous just by taking the fruit. When you can’t win, it’s smarter to trade for something useful!]

"Slap!"

[But you can’t just let him get away with it!]

"Slap!"

[What do you want to do? Fight him over some credits?]

"Slap!"

[Even if you don’t fight, at least make him know... Oh no, why is this child vomiting again?]