Chapter 233: The Director's Request
Chapter 233: The Director's Request
"Huh?"
Just as Lyon was astonished by the difference between an egg and a bird's egg, he witnessed the Bull Director's seemingly random gestures in mid-air, not only processing the materials but also directly creating an aberration using the Bull Secret Art. Lyon couldn't help but be surprised, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Although the technique was executed clumsily, and the material processing was cringe-worthy, the overall direction was correct. Lyon wasn't just all talk; he had genuinely grasped the fundamentals.
What's more, it seemed that the Bull Director's mastery wasn't limited to the Bull Secret Art. During the final rule selection, his technique clearly carried hints of the Aquarius Secret Art's "Anomaly Creation."
In the past, without any practical experience, Sophie had quickly grasped both secret arts through scattered memories and successfully created an aberration on her first attempt.
Could it be... that this child wasn't all talk after all? Was she confident in her abilities, perhaps even a secret art prodigy like the defected Aquarius Director?
With anticipation, the Bull Director waved her hand, taking the now-transformed aberration egg and examining it closely. Her smile grew even brighter as she inspected the aberration's quality.
"Not bad, I underestimated you," she praised, surprised by the newborn aberration in her hands. Despite its crude technique, the internal rules were well-balanced, and the operation was smooth, with no apparent errors.
"I thought that since you had no prior experience with secret arts, successfully processing the materials would be an achievement. But you've surpassed my expectations by creating a complete aberration! Let me see... Hmm... This feeling... The cost of use is kept low, making it a basic physical exhaustion type, the most stable choice for a novice.
As for its abilities, it primarily uses the Blood and Flesh Rule with Demon Rule as a supplement, indicating a dual-ability aberration. Moreover, the release process is quite discreet... Excellent! Truly impressive!"
With her familiarity, the Bull Director merely held the egg and analyzed it, deducing most of the details of the Sharp Egg.
After the inspection, she returned the egg to Lyon and, with a kind smile, asked, "I won't guess further. Why don't you tell me directly? What are this aberration's two abilities?"
"Um..."
Lyon hesitated slightly before answering with a somewhat dazed expression, "The first ability is the Fallen attribute, which can make one's temperament more evil, resembling a demon."
"I see..."
The Bull Director pondered for a moment and nodded, "Although it's a bit niche with limited applications, as a secondary 'sub-ability,' it's better to have it than not. And what about the main ability derived from the Blood and Flesh Rule? What's its effect?"
Facing the amiable "elder," Lyon felt awkward explaining it clearly, so he provided a vague description, "The main ability... as you said, it's a blood and flesh enhancement type, capable of enhancing the sensitivity of certain organs..."
"Be more specific."
The Bull Director frowned at Lyon's response and then spoke with a solemn tone, "Lyon, not everyone is like you, able to understand an aberration's information just by holding it. If you plan to become an aberration craftsman in the future, crafting aberrations for others, remember to provide precise descriptions. What organ does this aberration enhance?"
"The egg... and only the left one..."
Egg? What egg?
The Bull Director was initially confused by Lyon's words, but upon seeing his hesitant expression, she realized the meaning of "egg." Her kind smile froze on her face.
"That... thing?"
"That... thing..."
"..."
"..."
The two of them fell silent for a while, until the Bull Director finally broke the silence, turning away slightly, her expression strange as she said, "Well... it's acceptable, although the result is... quite unconventional. But I did see you perform the technique, and it was indeed the Bull Secret Art.
So, your talent in this secret art is indeed remarkable. Even if you don't gain recognition from the Taurus Star Palace, you can still become a top-notch blacksmith.
Keep up the good work! We elders are reaching the time to gradually step back. The future of the Purification Bureau rests on the shoulders of young people like you."
"Thank you for your encouragement. I will do my best."
"As the sun began to set, Lyon, with the bird's egg in hand, returned to the seat next to his own Director. The red-haired Director, who had been working on the performance monument, looked up curiously and asked:
'Lyon, what reward did the Taurus Director give you?'
'In the unlikely event that I wasn't chosen by the Star Palace, she taught me the complete version of the Taurus Secret Art as an exception.'
Feeling a little guilty for not having taken her along when asking for a drink from the Taurus Director, Lyon quickly changed the subject, 'Director, more importantly, what about the Water Bottle Director? Has he discovered the hair I secretly placed on him?'
'Not yet.'
Hearing Lyon's words, the red-haired Director glanced at him with appreciation and replied softly, 'Although the distance is too vast for me to maintain control over that strand of hair, I can still vaguely sense it moving towards the direction of the Corrock Kingdom. Once the Bureau completes its internal investigation and decides who will pursue the Water Bottle Director, that hair you secretly placed will surely give him a big surprise.'
Lyon couldn't help but feel a surge of relief at this news. In the past, he was just a minor character in the Water Bottle Director's eyes, but after a heated verbal debate, almost drained by the True Balance, he was certain that the Water Bottle Director had him marked in his mind. The sooner the Water Bottle Director is captured, the safer Lyon's family will be.
'Oh, right, Lyon.'
Just as Lyon was reminiscing about the initial scene and pondering if there were any other ways to hasten the Water Bottle Director's downfall, the red-haired Director seemed to remember something. She instructed him, 'The sun is about to set. You, Jerry, and Prince Joshua will likely be sent back to the royal capital at the moment of sunset.
I still need a day or two to wrap things up here, and although Emma has been cleared of suspicion, it'll take her a day or two to return as well. Tomorrow, you and Jerry will be the only ones at the Bureau...'
'I understand, Director.'
Upon hearing the red-haired Director's words, Lyon nodded solemnly, 'I will do my best to assist Jerry and maintain order at the Bureau until you return. I promise there won't be any issues.'
'Um... It's great that you have this determination, but that's not what I wanted to say...'
Slightly embarrassed, the red-haired Director continued, 'Many of the newspapers and magazines I subscribe to are paid bi-weekly, and tomorrow is the last day to renew them. So... could you make a trip to the post office across from the Sun Daily to fill out the subscription forms for me?'
'Okay...'
Defeated by this down-to-earth request, Lyon, who had just thwarted the Water Bottle Director's plot and saved the world, could only nod in silence.
Soon after, as the sun set, the headquarters of the Purification Bureau transitioned into the dark side of the world. Lyon, Jerry, and Joshua's existence, no longer supported by the sunlight, twisted slightly before transforming into countless fine specks of light and disappearing from the headquarters.
At the same moment, in the royal palace's secret chamber where the Identical Stone Tablet was kept, three individuals who had been missing for most of the day reappeared, falling head over heels onto the woolen carpet.
'Finally, we're back...'
Jerry, with his superior physical condition, was the first to stand up. He then helped Lyon, who was still feeling dizzy, to his feet and gave him a thumbs up.
'You're amazing, Lyon. This time, you not only delivered crucial evidence, forcing the Water Bottle Director to accept memory reading, but you also managed to escape unscathed after being targeted by him. I have a feeling that you'll become an extraordinary figure in the future, and perhaps even see you sitting in a Director's seat within my lifetime!'
'It's... just luck...'
Lyon closed his eyes for a moment to steady himself, then shook his head, 'The one who obtained the crucial evidence was you, Senior Jerry, with your Thief's Sleight. I merely caught Prince Joshua, who had traveled back from the future.
As for escaping unscathed from the Water Bottle Director, that was pure luck. If I had been a little slower, I might have been crushed into nothingness... By the way, what's wrong with that idiot prince? Why hasn't he spoken a word?'
'Let me see...'
Hearing Lyon's question, Jerry examined the freckled prince on the carpet. Although he appeared normal, his eyes were filled with an unusual gloom, as if he had suffered some indescribable and significant blow.
Could it be... am I really useless? Lyon hadn't intentionally hidden anything from Joshua when recounting the situation to the Director, and at this moment, although Joshua didn't fully understand everything, he had a general idea of what had transpired."
In his dreams, Joshua witnessed a potential future where he, resembling a clown, lost almost everything. In this future, he was lured by the Deputy Director of the Purification Bureau, an Aquarius Director, and used a mysterious gateway to return to the past. He established a rebel group to alter the future, but instead, he became a pawn manipulated by the Aquarius Director.
Meanwhile, the ruffian who repeatedly punched and kicked Joshua was entrusted by his sister, Veronica, to capture the future Joshua and restore everyone's erased memories. He succeeded in thwarting the Aquarius Director's scheme, becoming a nemesis to both Joshuas.
To make matters worse, this ruffian seemed to be Joshua's nominal brother-in-law, and in the future, he might even marry Veronica, truly becoming a member of the royal family.
Joshua couldn't believe it. He stood up abruptly, his freckled face contorted with anger as he glared at Lyon.
"You... you..." Joshua began, but he stopped himself, remembering Lyon's right-hand gesture, a telltale sign of an imminent fight. He swallowed his curse, propped himself up with his hands, and spat out a threat, albeit with less conviction.
"The Purification Bureau has agreements with the kingdoms, prohibiting members from interfering in internal affairs. So, your proposal to Veronica won't work. If I file a few more complaints, they'll stop you for sure."
Lyon was impressed. Joshua had learned to control his emotions.
Lyon turned to leave the secret room, dismissing Joshua's threat. But just then, Joshua spoke up.
"Hey! Want to consider working with me?"
Lyon was taken aback. Could Joshua have said this? Had someone else taken over his body?
Lyon recalled Joshua's past advice: stay calm, make rational decisions, and try to win over capable individuals by appealing to their interests.
Lyon turned back, suppressing his past grudges. He calmly offered, "You sided with Veronica for power, wealth, or beauty. I can offer you all that, even more than she can. And I have one advantage she'll never have... I know the future!"
Lyon, surprised by Joshua's newfound confidence, studied him. Joshua, feeling in control for the first time, smiled.
"I can do this!" Joshua thought. "In the original future, I was just a powerless, arrogant clown. But now, nothing has happened yet! If I work hard from now on, I can change everything!"
As for the guy in front of me, he's just a lucky bastard without the Purification Bureau's backing. In the past, I wanted to kick him away, and he bit me. But if I dangle a few oily treats in front of him, he'll wag his tail like a..."
"I almost forgot," Lyon said, smiling warmly. He took out a small mirror, paper, and pen from his pocket and handed them to Joshua. "Write down everything you know about the future! Don't miss a single detail about the Corrock Kingdom!
"What do they know about mineral resources? Why are they invading the kingdom? When did they invade? What did the Aquarius Director do in the future? Write down every crucial detail you know, not a single one!"
Joshua was stunned.
"What?!"
Lyon checked Joshua's soul, ensuring no one had taken over his body. He pointed at the paper and pen in Joshua's hands and then at his own right hand.
"Write or face the consequences. Your choice!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
