Roots' 'quantity' and 'quality'?

After hearing Leon's conjecture, the directors on the other end began to ponder.

Absorbing the debris and survivors from other material planes definitely puts pressure on the present world and may even lead to large-scale chaos in the long term. Even though the Clearance Bureau has been recruiting more personnel for over half a year, it's still hard to cope with this situation.

But if the director's speculation is correct, if doing this really can enhance the 'quality' of the roots and help humanity resist No. 1, then this cost is not unacceptable... No! It's not even a question of whether to accept or not, it's not even worth considering!

If No. 1 ends up 'winning,' the entire present world will be destined for destruction like the Abyssal Realm, and the pressure and chaos brought by accepting other material planes are nothing in the face of this life-and-death issue!

"I agree!"

After weighing the pros and cons carefully, the Capricorn Director, now recovered from injury, was the first to raise his hand and express:

"Heavenly Mountain has already stabilized, and once the demons surviving the Hundred Abyss are taken to the abyss, I can leave Heavenly Mountain to guard the Abyss Hundred Prisons along with the Cancer Director.

Moreover, the Original Sin Demon Gods in the abyss currently dare not defy the director's orders. With their cooperation, suppressing these migrated demons should not be a problem."

"Then I'll go to Cloud Country to talk to the Feather Three Clans."

When Capricorn Director finished speaking, Gemini Director hesitated a bit and said:

"However, the past conflicts with the Mad Ten Clans make the Bureau's attitude a subject of caution for them, and with the extremely xenophobic nature of the Feather Three Clans, it's unlikely they'd share their territory. Persuading them to accept the Feather People from Shepherd's Plain might be very difficult."

"There is a way."

After pondering for a moment, Leon spoke up and suggested:

"Baltro, the director of the Aquarius Branch, has some rapport with the Earth Seedlings' side, and after they lost to me, they promised to obey the Bureau's orders, so you might ask Baltro to get a Clan Leader to act as an envoy.

Additionally, Wendy from the new Clan Leader of the Merfolk Lineage, and Catherine, the Grand Witch of the Witch Kingdom, can represent the Ocean Three Clans and the Grand Witch lineage. If you invite these two to take a stand and explain the stakes to the Clan Leaders of the Feather Three Clans, they should relent."

"Then there's no problem for me."

After listening to Leon, the reluctance on the Virgo Director's face vanished, and he followed up by raising his hand.

So, are the demons of the Hundred Abyss and the Feather People from Shepherd's Plain arranged in all three planes?

Realizing the problem seemed mostly solved, the directors gradually relaxed from their serious expressions, and the Scorpio Director volunteered by standing up:

"Then I'll go to the Beast..."

No, no, no! Don't! Please don't!

Unexpectedly, despite usually being all about "charging into battle," the Scorpio Director volunteered this time, only to be quickly urged by the Cancer Director beside him:

"Don't go! Your mind isn't crafted for this!"

"?!!!"

"Don't misunderstand, what Cancer means is that your extraordinary combat skills rival that of the Four Pillars Gods. Placing them in situations that instead require diplomatic prowess would indeed be a waste."

Helping the Cancer Director with a slip of the tongue, Capricorn Director explained smilingly:

"We must certainly receive the survivors from these material planes, but we must also continue exploring the surrounding fourteen planes. Thus, the Bureau needs a stable, reliable director with strong skills to assist those exploration squads in distress, and this role is tailored for you!"

"..."

Enough already! I'm just a slow thinker, not really dumb! Cancer already explained so clearly, how could I still be in the dark?

Scorpio Director glared at Cancer Director apologetically and disputed with a sagging face:

"The Beast Garden is different from other places. The Abyss Hundred Prisons and Cloud Country have those... those sort of social structures. Finding the Original Sin Demon Gods and Clan Leaders to impose constraints on the entire race can solve the problem.

But the Beast Garden's Beast King only recognizes strength and tribal belonging, and there are at least hundreds of them. To make them accept migrating beasts from Shepherd's Plain, you must defeat each one before carving out new territories, and that task is perfect for me."

"..."

Gasp... Don't say it, just don't say it!

Looking at Scorpio Director, who typically doesn't enjoy critical thinking but offered a fitting rationale this time, the directors couldn't help but exchange glances and show expressions of realization.

Indeed, Scorpio's usual way of thinking resembles that of the beasts, and Scorpio addressing those 'kindred' is akin to treating the ailment. Others might complicate the matter.

"Then it's settled!"

Although not all directors have stated opinions, and some worry about possible effects without expressing them aloud, no one outright opposed. Hence, Leon decided:

"According to the intel I gleaned in the dream, Amendo Director and Aries Director are most likely heading to Ring Time Mountain in the center of Old Soil. Only there can they withstand the surrounding True Gods' onslaught.

And from Slumber Ravine passing to Ring Time Mountain, it just happens to go through the Hundred Abyss and Shepherd's Plain. I plan to take a look at the situation and, if conditions are right, begin collecting the debris of planes and their survivors immediately.

Also, please prepare those in the present world, set the star gates' location at the corresponding [ferry] in advance, and start the migration as soon as possible to prevent complications once No. 1 detects it."

"At your command." x N

As the directors rose one by one to solemnly accept their respective tasks, Leon dispelled the roots' splendor beside him, returning to the chaotic timeline of Old Soil.

"Moo!"

Just as it seemed to sense the time's "restoration," the old yellow cow carrying Leon towards the Hundred Abyss mooed and curiously asked:

"Moo Moo Moo?"

"Currently, this is only my guess; I can't confirm if it's really about 'quality,' but on one hand, we can't rule out this possibility, and on the other, they are just pitiful folks whose homes were destroyed. If we can save them, naturally we should extend help."

"Moo Moo."

"Indeed demons don't align with being pitiful, but since we're here, it's worth trying to save them."

After patiently answering the old yellow cow's questions, Leon recalled the demons' nature and smirked slightly, adding:

"Moreover, it's not like I have to save them. If those demons behave properly, I, of course, am their savior. If they harbor ill intentions, then I..."

"Moo? (Then it's going to be dinner time, right?)"

"..."

Dinner time! Right now! Besides, I'm darn well going to eat beef!