“You guessed right; that young man with a face like he’s about to cry is indeed likely one of the directors.”
After hearing Leon recount the situation, the red-haired bureau director thought for a moment before explaining:
“Since I figured you wouldn’t have run into any other directors, I haven’t told you this yet. To become a director of the Clearing Bureau, aside from having enough strength, you also need the qualifications to master corresponding secret arts.
The Taurus Director who came earlier to deliver an anomalous item has mastery over forging-related secret arts, allowing her to bypass material limitations and create superior anomalous items. The Aquarius Director, on the other hand, supposedly has the ability to directly create anomalies under certain conditions.
So if I’m not mistaken, the elderly couple at Happiness Apartment probably encountered this generation’s Aquarius Director… or possibly the previous one if we consider their age.”
It was indeed a director from the Clearing Bureau! After confirming his suspicion with the red-haired bureau director, Leon hesitated slightly considering her extremely respectful attitude towards the other Taurus Director, then gently asked:
“Director, may I ask what the general ‘reputation’ of the Aquarius Director is?”
After glancing at Leon’s eyes, the red-haired bureau director immediately understood his meaning and furrowed her brows as she counter-questioned,
“Do you think… it’s possible that the Aquarius Director had ulterior motives in creating Happiness Apartment?”
“I do have some doubts. The actions of the Aquarius Director seem somewhat illogical.”
Seeing that she wasn’t upset by his “offensive” question toward the director, Leon directly admitted his suspicions and warned seriously,
“Let’s assume he’s someone who likes meddling. If he helped out of pity after learning about the old couple’s plight, shouldn’t he have helped them get approval through the Alms House? That kind of thing wouldn’t be too difficult for a director, right?”
Of course, it’s also possible that he’s a more rigid personality type, very strict about the Clearing Bureau’s rules, unwilling to act unless necessary, and wouldn’t casually use the privileges of the Clearing Bureau. But if he were such a person, why didn’t he report the creation of the anomaly as per regulations?”
After explaining his reasoning, Leon paused briefly while observing the increasingly furrowed brows of the red-haired bureau director. He then took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and continued, “Also, I find it most suspicious that he placed the souls of the elderly couple inside the apartment.
When the elderly couple died, they were probably filled with resentment. Having their souls put inside the apartment where they witnessed people being evicted from the Alms House and subsequently freezing or starving to death due to municipal inaction would only intensify their hatred.
With so much hatred in their hearts, the Aquarius Director gave them the possibility to become anomalies. Once their anger and hatred reached its peak, they’d likely ‘awaken’ as anomalies, seeking out their ‘enemies’ to slaughter indiscriminately.
Moreover, since this isn’t just the act of a single individual but rather the widespread apathy and dereliction of duty of an entire collective, their killing range could easily expand without limit, accumulating and absorbing even more dangerous concepts until they completely lose control!”
“You’re correct; there’s indeed a possibility of this happening. However, based solely on this, it’s hard to prove that the Aquarius Director is problematic.”
Nodding slightly in agreement with Leon’s judgment, the red-haired bureau director frowned deeply as she pondered,
“Although I think your judgment makes sense, let’s set that aside. Just the fact that the elderly couple ended up becoming positive anomalies is enough for him to defend himself.”
“The outcome of the elderly couple, I believe, was an accident.”
Recalling what the administrator matron said, Leon’s gaze became quite complex as he softly muttered,
“When the Aquarius Director decided to ‘create’ the anomaly, he might have only considered the evil in human nature.
He noticed the anger and hatred of the elderly couple, but perhaps failed to realize that their anger wasn’t for their own misfortune but for the suffering of others.
In fact, they weren’t extreme or crazy personalities themselves. Even if they harbored immense hatred due to unfair treatment, the essence of their souls remained kind.”
“As for what happened afterward, it likely didn’t go according to his design. He probably didn’t expect that the decades-long kindness of the elderly couple would also earn them gratitude and remembrance from those they helped.”
“The more than a hundred people who smiled as they died near Happiness Apartment, and even more who felt happiness because they were still ‘there.’
The thoughts and blessings of these people gathered together, not only diluting the hatred in the souls of the elderly couple but also forming a high wall between them and the abyss, preventing them from being entirely consumed by hatred.”
“It’s probably exactly as you say…”
“That’s why the two abilities of Happiness Apartment differ so greatly and seem almost unrelated. Originally, these two seemingly unrelated abilities had different causes. Truly… sigh…”
Shaking her head and sighing, the red-haired bureau director slowly straightened up, unusually serious as she praised,
“Leon, you’ve done well!”
“Although I previously thought that apartment seemed strange, since besides you, it hadn’t harmed anyone, and its power wasn’t particularly high, I didn’t investigate further.
If it weren’t for your extra caution and asking these questions, the actions of the Aquarius Director might have gone unnoticed!”
After speaking approvingly with a pleased expression, the red-haired bureau director’s demeanor gradually grew solemn.
“As for the issue with the Aquarius Director, we’ll need to wait a bit longer.
Aquarius and Taurus are different; their true identities are almost always kept confidential, and even whether they’ve changed roles isn’t disclosed. I can’t confirm if he’s the current Aquarius Director.
But I’ll find a way to gather a few bureau directors to discuss with familiar directors and aim to initiate an immediate review! If the review reveals he truly has issues… there will be consequences!”
Though the red-haired bureau director didn’t specify what the consequences would be, the chilling look in her slightly narrowed fox-like eyes made the answer clear enough.
Who would’ve thought that booze-loving woman could be so imposing…
“Good to know you have a plan.”
Part surprised, part admiring, Leon glanced at the red-haired bureau director, nodded slightly, then bid farewell,
“This time, I just felt the matter was suspicious, so I came to report it to you. If there’s nothing else, I’ll just…”
“Hold on, there’s still something.”
Interrupting Leon’s departure, the red-haired bureau director beckoned with her finger, causing the red hair wrapped around Leon’s neck to pull his ID from his collar into her lap.
“Relax, it’s good news.”
She retrieved a stamp from the drawer and stamped Leon’s ID with a flourish before smiling brightly and saying,
“Yesterday, after the Taurus Director went back, she believed you were fairly competent in both strength and other areas, so she used her recommendation quota to promote your file… congratulations, you’ve been promoted ahead of schedule.”
Meaning… I’m no longer a “probationary employee”?
Although Leon already knew that with his contributions, promotion should be no problem, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy upon hearing the news.
Now that I’ve been officially promoted, the Black Iron Badge for “probationary employee” should level up to the “full-time worker,” right? “Zzzz…”
Sure enough, after the red-haired bureau director handed back his ID, the harsh buzzing sound rang again in Leon’s ears.
[Through the recommendation of Bureau Director Olivia of the Sixth Bureau, you successfully pulled strings with the Taurus Director, earning her favor and completing your probation a month early]
[Your Black Iron Badge “Probationary Employee” has successfully leveled up to the Bronze Hidden Badge “Connections”]
“…”
???!(End of Chapter)
