https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-28-Investigation-Mission-Part-2-/12969525/
Chapter 29: Questions
Chapter 29: Questions
"Director, the investigation task is complete..."
"Hmm?"
After glancing at Leon, who had entered, the red-haired director noticed not only the dust on his clothes but also the bandages on his hands. She was sipping water when she paused, her curiosity piqued.
"This time, your task was just to investigate the situation, and you can even peek into others' soul states. How did you end up like this? Was the anomaly dangerous?"
"The anomaly wasn't dangerous, and it was even a pretty good thing. But the problem is, I didn't get along with it..."
After briefly recounting his experience, Leon looked at the red-haired woman in front of him, who was smiling with amusement. He hesitated for a moment, but eventually, he couldn't help but ask:
"Director... Can I ask you something?"
Upon hearing this, the red-haired woman's smile instantly vanished, and she cautiously pressed down on her empty purse.
"Leon, it's not that I'm stingy. As the director of the Virgin Bureau, my salary is just a little higher than yours, but my daily expenses are also exceptionally high. So... um..."
"You misunderstood. I'm not asking to borrow money from you; I genuinely want to ask you a question..."
Leon blinked, speechless for a moment. Recalling the information he had seen, he furrowed his brows deeply and said, "Director, before coming to report to you, I went to the records department of the neighboring Road Maintenance Department. I looked through their records from over 90 years ago and found the file related to the Happiness Residence... um... the one related to the anomaly today.
The elderly couple who donated the almshouse had, at its peak, housed more than 300 orphans and disabled individuals. Aside from a small water bill discount from the Water Supply Company due to the high water usage, they never received any help from the kingdom. They primarily relied on their savings to maintain the almshouse.
Later, when the old lady became seriously ill and realized she didn't have long to live, she made over 30 applications to the Road Maintenance Department, hoping to turn the almshouse into a legal municipal facility. She wanted to continue operating it with her property, at least until the residents passed away, and then close it down. But her applications were never approved."
After summarizing the situation, Leon took a deep breath and then clasped his hands, saying, "On my way here, I kept thinking about this. It's clearly a win-win situation, so why wasn't it approved?
These people without the ability to work could barely survive by relying on the elderly couple's savings to maintain the almshouse. The Road Maintenance Department didn't need to contribute anything; they didn't have to incur additional expenses or even assign more staff for management.
But why did the person in charge of the approval at that time prefer to see those orphans and disabled individuals being driven out, starving and freezing to death right in front of their former home, under the sign of 'Happiness Residence,' instead of approving her application?"
"You're wrong; the Road Maintenance Department would have to give up quite a lot."
After listening to Leon's question, the red-haired woman closed her eyes slightly, then calmly asked:
"Suppose you were in charge of this aspect back then. I'll ask you, if the kingdom already has its own almshouse, why didn't your almshouse take in those people, and instead, they were accommodated by a citizen-built almshouse? What exactly have you been doing in your daily work?
Moreover, if you took over this almshouse, even if you didn't need to assign staff for management, there would still need to be a responsible administrator. If a fire or other accident caused casualties, would you be willing to take responsibility? If the fire was caused by someone from the almshouse, could you accept being fired for negligence?
Lastly, taking over a citizen-donated almshouse can't be considered a merit. Once it becomes a legally recognized municipal facility, if this almshouse can't sustain itself due to a lack of income and eventually closes down, the administrator will undoubtedly be held accountable.
How could anyone be willing to take on a task with no benefits but only a pile of troubles, and almost certainly leave a stain on their resume?"
"..."
...
It's so similar... Sigh...
Looking at the young man in front of her, who had fallen silent and whose expression was becoming increasingly grim, the red-haired director sighed softly in her heart. She fixed her gaze on his eyes and said solemnly:
"Leon, I understand that you can't stand these things, but don't forget that our job at the Cleanup Bureau is only to keep 'anomalies' out of normal people's lives. We can't just interfere in other matters."
According to the agreement between the Cleanup Bureau and the various kingdoms, the use of Abnormals' powers to interfere is strictly prohibited unless it involves Anomalous Creatures. This is not only the survival rule of the Cleanup Bureau but also the bottom line that the kingdoms can tolerate.
So listen up, absolutely do not cross this line. Think carefully before acting, and don't get yourself into trouble, understood?"
"You're worrying too much, I really don't intend to do anything..."
Upon hearing this, Leon couldn't help but clench his fist tightly, then lowered his head, and calmly retorted:
"That was over ninety years ago. Not only are those who were driven away at the time already dead, but even the person in charge of the approval is also gone. What more can I do?"
"..."
Yes, you can't do anything about this matter, but what about the Road Maintenance Department and the Water Supply Company? What about the many other matters you'll encounter in the future?
Glancing at Leon's shopping bag, which was slightly trembling in his hand, the Red-Haired Chief couldn't help but sigh inwardly once again. Her gaze towards Leon became increasingly complex.
Although I can no longer use Soul Vision to check your status after losing that Black Sheep, I know that damn Black Sheep too well. From the moment you lowered your head and remained silent, it has been trembling with excitement...
"Then let's leave it at that... You've worked hard today."
Without continuing the discussion on this topic, the Red-Haired Chief took the report written by Leon, scanned it, and tried to suppress the strange sense of deja vu in her heart. She comforted him in a soft voice:
"Seeing that you're injured, I'll grant you another half-day off. Go home and get some good rest."
"Don't worry, I won't force you to turn a blind eye to those matters, nor will I stop you from investigating the Water Supply Company. I've even arranged for an Anomalous Creature to protect you, and it will be delivered tomorrow, allowing you to safely evacuate after causing trouble.
But you must remember that when you want to do something, you must find a suitable reason to intervene, just like with the Water Supply Company this time. And you must never casually use 'Anomalies' to influence ordinary people. This is my bottom line, as well as that of the Cleanup Bureau!"
"Yes, I'll remember..."
Looking at Leon, whose complexion still didn't improve, the Red-Haired Chief couldn't help but rub her forehead. She continued to admonish him:
"Leon, I know that you're someone with strong morals and a sense of justice. I don't dislike your personality; in fact, I quite admire your perseverance in adhering to the bottom line after enduring so much hardship.
But you also need to understand that even with our extraordinary abilities, we are still part of humanity and cannot exist independently of the human group. We must still abide by some basic rules for society to function.
Even if you're the king of a kingdom or even the chief of the Cleanup Bureau, you can't make everything go according to your wishes, nor can you handle all the matters that you find disagreeable... I know these words may not be pleasant to hear, but I still hope you'll think about it carefully."
"I will... Sorry for bothering you today."
After bidding farewell to the Red-Haired Chief, who had repeatedly given him earnest advice, Leon slowly returned to his office. He fixed his gaze on another shopping bag placed on the desk, but his mind was replaying the chief's evaluation of him.
Is my moral sense noble?
Is my sense of justice strong?
Is my bottom line firm?
The confiscated pension that was taken away from me, the alchemy factory that refused to compensate Anna for her lung disease, and the hundreds of patients who are still lying in the hospital corridors after drinking the dirty water provided by the Water Supply Company.
And those pitiful people who were mercilessly expelled from the almshouse and died in the cold winter of ninety-four, not even worthy of having their names recorded...
Although saying these words seems to bring a strange sense of shame, I genuinely want to know right now—is the problem with me, or is it this damn world?
...
"Let's go."
After standing by his desk for a while, Leon picked up the shopping bag filled with gray cigarette boxes. He gently touched the sheep's horn, which had a small dent from the scissors, and said softly: "Let's find a quieter place... I'll treat you to a smoke."
(End of Chapter)
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