"..." X6

Facing the obstinate resistance of the Cleaner Bureau Chief's disbelief in the supernatural, the board members exchanged glances, then looked over at him rather awkwardly.

Chief, the times have changed!

If it were two years ago, most Cleaners would first trust your judgment as the Chief, and your approach might actually have succeeded.

But after conquering the Realm of the Dead, the situation is completely different now. Aquarius, his... very close female friend, is the real highest authority in the Underworld Sub-bureau.

In the past few months, Director Emma has personally resurrected nearly two hundred Cleaners who died on missions. The situation in the Underworld Sub-bureau has spread across all sub-bureaus, and Aquarius' reputation among the lower and middle Cleaners is impressively high, even the title of the Food God is rarely mentioned now.

You must know, even if we as board members speak collectively, it's not necessarily more influential than Aquarius. If your proposal can't pass a board vote, there's no need to expand the scope further and embarrass yourself again, right?

"Of course, calling everyone might be a bit too troublesome."

Upon seeing the complex expressions of the board members, the Cleaner Bureau Chief realized something was amiss and quickly changed his tune with a smile:

"Or should we just call the Zodiac Chiefs? It seems almost enough if they participate?"

"..."

It may not be that far off, but it would still be significantly lacking...

Seeing the Cleaner Bureau Chief still unwilling to give up, the Cancer Board Member, who had been an old friend for many years, couldn't help but privately remind him:

'Don't mess around anymore, let's end this here!'

'Ah?!!!'

'Aquarius is also highly esteemed among the Zodiac Chiefs. Calling them will result in the same outcome!'

Knowing his old friend only realizes when things get dire, the Cancer Board Member explained:

'Olivia from the Virgo Sub-bureau is involved with Aquarius, Beverly from the Lion Sub-bureau is Olivia's close friend, Baltro's granddaughter from Aquarius Sub-bureau was saved by Aquarius, Pisces Sub-bureau owes him a favor because of the Narration of Nonexistence, and the Scorpio Bureau Chief has been saved by him more than once.

Besides these five staunch supporters, during the incident at the Heavenly Mountain, the other Zodiac Chiefs trapped there were also rescued by him venturing into the abyss and returning. If you really call the Zodiac Chiefs as well, he could easily secure nine or ten more votes; how will you win against him?'

'...'

After hearing the advice from the Cancer Board Member, the Cleaner Bureau Chief was left speechless and couldn't help privately asking:

'What exactly have you all been doing! He joined the Cleaner Bureau not long ago, how has he managed to sway all of you?'

We've leaned towards him... rather than us choosing him, Aquarius has indeed brought changes to the Cleaner Bureau.

Although he hasn't been with the bureau long, he's accomplished more than most in a lifetime. The changes in the Cleaner Bureau and the current world in recent years exceed the past thousand years combined, Aquarius has indeed shown us hope for change in the world.

Hmm... compared to that intangible "hope" from Old Soil, this homegrown hope looks much better.

'Regardless of why we support him, your plan definitely won't work.'

Without explaining his thoughts to the Cleaner Bureau Chief, the Cancer Board Member earnestly advised:

'I know you like to tinker, always thinking about giving it another try, but Aquarius is truly different this time; no amount of tinkering will help.

Even if you do find a way, Aquarius can still get the third-generation to support him... although you're the current Chief, surely you don't think your prestige matches the third-generation, right?'

'...'

You... this is too much bullying...

With the help of the Cancer Board Member, tallying up the influence of the "Leon faction" in the Cleaner Bureau, the Cleaner Bureau Chief felt his nose tingle, and his neck suddenly stiffened.

When I left, everything was fine; the Cleaners admired me, the Chiefs respected me, the board members supported me, even the third-generation had helped forge abnormal items for me. But turning my head, everything has changed, and all these have become someone else's!

'How can you do this to me...'

Feeling like he was severely swindled, the Cleaner Bureau Chief couldn't help but complain privately:

'How old is he this year? He could work for another hundred years or more! If you continue like this, the Cleaner Bureau should just be called the Leon Bureau in the future!'

What do you think?

Hearing the complaint from the Cleaner Bureau Chief, the Cancer Board Member couldn't resist casting a sideways glance at him.

You do have experience and dedication, but Aquarius has strength, benefits, influence, accomplishments, vision, potential, and even looks much more handsome than your sharp-featured self; what do you have to compare to him?

Though Aquarius does lack some seniority and can't directly overthrow you as Chief yet, it's indeed his voice that counts up and down in the bureau. What is this Chief living far away on Old Soil if not a figurehead?

"Alright then..."

Through a simple vote, having re-established his position, the Cleaner Bureau Chief closed his eyes with reluctance, then replied with a tense face:

"Since everyone favors Aquarius' plan, then... let's try that for now, as for my end..."

"You might as well continue to try your approach."

Though he did not agree with the Cleaner Bureau Chief's idea, and even hated the plan involving the sacrifice of numerous ordinary people, Leon still respected him for spending decades in Old Soil looking for humanity's lost treasures.

Furthermore, even though he had little interest in "hope," filling in some virtue is still pretty good. After calculating the personnel needed to explore the Fourteenth Dimension, Leon proactively suggested:

"Actually, the two things need not be entirely contradictory; if you find it suitable after interacting with Old Soil's inhabitants, you can help them migrate in small numbers, but try to keep it minimal."

"And they must be willing to migrate themselves!"

After giving the Cleaner Bureau Chief a wary look, the Taurus Board Member emphasized:

"The inhabitants of Old Soil are a branch of humanity as well; no coercion, threats, or deceit! Tell them the truth! The advantages and dangers, all must be told! If you mess around..."

"Then I will resign on the spot and let Aquarius become the next Chief!"

Unable to suppress his irritation, the Cleaner Bureau Chief interrupted the Taurus Board Member's warning with displeasure:

"I may be stubborn, but I won't blatantly disregard the rules, right? The vote's results are already in; do you think I'd still act recklessly?"

Well, that's true…

Hearing the Cleaner Bureau Chief's response, and feeling perhaps he isn't that reckless, the Taurus Board Member's expression relaxed slightly.

Yet, just as she was about to add a few more words, the thick fog above the Sage's Cemetery suddenly parted, and an incredibly intense sunlight pierced the veil between the realms of the living and the dead, landing precisely on Leon's head.

Under everyone's stunned gaze, that fierce sunlight transformed and condensed into an incorporeal crown of solar flames... the very symbol of the Cleaner Bureau Chief!