Chapter 377: Task Assignment
Chapter 377: Task Assignment
"Have you all understood the situation?"
Glancing at Lyon and Emma's intertwined hands, the red-haired director tapped her finger joints on the intelligence board beside her with a snap, waiting for them to release their grip.
"According to the information provided by the Watchtower Palace, the Black Cult of Nightmares will mobilize over seven hundred followers. Starting tomorrow, they will establish a total of thirty-five bases."
"In five days, when the Abyss of Fallen Souls reaches the 'convergence point' between the kingdom and the Dead Realm, these thirty-five bases will simultaneously conduct rituals to provide coordinates for the Nightmare King. This will allow it to carry the Abyss into reality."
"Our task is to clean up all thirty-five bases before that happens. We must eliminate at least thirty-three of them. As long as we leave no more than two bases intact, the Nightmare King will be unable to fully enter reality."
After explaining the mission objective, the red-haired director tapped the intelligence board again and pointed to the dozen or so maps pinned to it. With a serious expression, she said, "These maps mark the locations of the bases, as identified by the Watchtower Palace and pre-marked by the headquarters. They cover the kingdom's twelve counties, two cross-county mountain ranges, and the eastern sea."
"I've just requested support. The Lion District Bureau will handle the nine bases in Merino County, Wales County, and Barrow County. The Aquarius District Bureau will take over the six bases in the eastern sea and the Hesperito Volcanic Range. We only need to deal with the remaining twenty bases. Now, let's assign the tasks."
Twenty bases...
Lyon quickly calculated as he looked around the conference room at the eight people present, including himself.
With the director staying in the capital to oversee the operation, that left eight people to handle twenty bases.
Considering that he was the only Level 3 Purifier among them, with the rest being Level 2 or even Level 1, Lyon expected to be assigned fewer bases or perhaps just one.
"Emma, you take care of the seven bases in Ryan County and Coast County. If time is tight, don't hold back."
"Yes, ma'am."
Huh? That's it for seven tasks?
As Lyon looked on in surprise, the map with the most red marks was directly placed on the table in front of a burly colleague sitting across from him. Emma nodded without hesitation and began studying the map, focusing on the marked times and locations.
"Next is Tom... You're in charge of the four bases in the Snow Mountains. Be mindful of your actions; the snow there hasn't completely melted yet, so don't trigger an avalanche!"
"I'll try my best!"
"Not try, you must!" The director glared at Tom, who looked a bit lazy. She continued assigning tasks, "Pio, you go to Pav County and Bale County..."
"Amien, this map is for you in Bale County... Pay attention to your actions, and no more unauthorized use of drugs..."
"Harry, these maps are for you..."
"Spike, and you..."
Lyon couldn't help but stand up in bewilderment as the last two maps were stacked together and handed to the burly colleague. "Director, what about me? What's my task?"
"You stay here and hold down the fort."
"..."
Noticing Lyon's slightly speechless expression, the red-haired director raised her hand and pointed in the direction of the palace. "The Nightmare King has a grudge with the royal family's ancestors, so we must be cautious. Your unique identity allows you easy access to the palace, and you're also familiar with the princess and prince. This makes you the perfect person for this task. If I encounter any unexpected situations, you'll be responsible for protecting the royal family. In that case, seek aid from the Watchtower Palace."
"An unexpected situation?"
Although the Red-Haired Director didn't explicitly state it, Lyon immediately understood her meaning after a glance, knowing she was worried about that female reporter from the Gemini Bureau.
Ever since stealing the Director's wallet, the reporter named Nicole hadn't shown up again, and she was a genuine Level 1 Purifier with the ability to conceal her aura using her goat tail. It was a situation that couldn't be ignored.
So, the protection of the Royal Family was probably just an excuse. The Director's true intention in arranging for him to enter the Palace was likely to get him closer to the Royal Family's Unity Slate. If something happened on her end, she could immediately seek aid from the Headquarters through the Royal Family's channels.
"I understand."
After nodding in understanding, Lyon, who had received the task, sat down contentedly. Meanwhile, the Red-Haired Director, having arranged all the tasks, clapped her hands firmly and succinctly summarized:
"If there's nothing else to add, let's set off! Additionally, considering that two other Bureaus are involved this time, and we can't be sure how far they'll go or if they'll make mistakes, our side should aim to capture all twenty of the assigned locations without missing a single one!"
...
The next day, late at night, in the Palace.
After a busy day, Joshua, the freckled prince, who had endured receiving six or seven groups of guests, had just fallen asleep when a knocking sound echoed from outside his bedroom door.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"..."
The freckled prince, who had been exhausted all day, was sleeping soundly. But after waiting a while without a response, the sound of his knuckles knocking on the wooden board suddenly intensified, and the rhythm became more intense, forcefully pulling him out of his slumber.
"Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock!"
???
Who was it? Who dared to knock on his door so boldly? Did they want to die?!
Startled awake by the knocking, the freckled prince irritably got out of bed, rushed off his soft bed, and yanked open the bedroom door.
"Damn it! I was going to... is that you?"
After seeing the visitor's face, Joshua, who was about to explode with curses, turned pale. He hurriedly closed his mouth and subconsciously took a big step back. But feeling that he had shown some weakness, he forced himself to take half a step forward and sternly rebuked:
"Who let you in! You... get out! I said, get out!"
"Make way, please."
After giving Joshua a sidelong glance, Lyon, who was holding a pillow and a thin blanket, directly pushed past the freckled prince blocking his way and entered his room. He then leaned the pillow against the armrest.
"Can't you understand human language?"
Joshua's face twisted with anger as he was ignored. He quickly rushed over, intending to lift his foot and kick the sofa and the man lying on it. But after Lyon stared at him for a moment, he eventually put his foot down, his cheeks twitching as he angrily said:
"Get out! This is my room! Don't go too far! Be careful, or I'll..."
"I'm here to protect you."
After interrupting him, Lyon, looking tired, yawned and then lay down on the sofa. Without much sincerity, he informed Joshua:
"Recently, something happened, and you might be in danger. The Bureau assigned a task for me to protect the Royal Family members.
But I'm just one person, and I can't protect everyone. So, I thought about it, and during the day when I'm awake, I'll protect your father, your mother, and your sister. When I'm tired at night, I'll come here to protect you. That way, I can consider myself as having fulfilled my duty...
Hmm... if you have no objections, then let's go with this plan for now. I'm going to sleep."
(End of Chapter)
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