I! Cleaner!-Chapter 1142 - 1050: Upper Limits and Lower Limits (2)
"Considering your age, you might be even more formidable than the Third Generation."
After marveling at Leon, the Virgo Director spoke softly:
"Although it's a pity we only managed to retrieve a small portion of the [Longevity], at least we haven't come away empty-handed. For the next 130 years that Aquarius is still alive, neither Heavenly Mountain nor Abyss Hundred Prisons will require people to guard them. Cancer and Capricorn can return to the real world... hmm..."
As she spoke, the Virgo Director paused slightly and then expressed her resignation: 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
"However, Capricorn's injuries are quite severe this time; it will take two or three years to recover. Cancer has only five or six years left of his lifespan, and I need to recuperate to preserve [Longevity]... Alas... Though the bureau has always been winning, we have fewer and fewer active personnel."
"…"
Ah... this…
Upon hearing the Virgo Director's lament, Leon, who indirectly caused trouble for several directors, couldn't help but glance up at the golden ceiling of Taurus Star Palace with a slight sense of guilt.
Anyway, my conscience is clear. My past achievements are verifiable; I've always been the MVP, never a 'lucky winner' who got carried along, and even the recent loss was solely due to unavoidable circumstances. As for why there are fewer directors every time... perhaps it's a matter of luck?
"In any case, just as Joan previously said, Aquarius, your contributions this time outweigh the faults."
After reflecting on the complicated situation within the bureau, the Virgo Director looked around at her colleagues and then concluded:
"In my view, Aquarius has done his utmost; let's leave it at that. What do you all think?"
"I agree."
"Alright."
"Hmph, I've said from the start; I have no objections!"
"This matter cannot be settled like this."
"?"
Amidst the astonished gazes of several directors, Leon turned apologetically towards the Scorpio Director and Virgo Director, saying:
"The [Longevity] this time was braved back by you two from afar; it was also you, along with the Director and Aries Director, who spent years in Old Soil, risking great danger and enduring hardships to retrieve it."
While I don't regret my choices, and even if given another chance, I would still choose this way, the compromise I made indeed wasted your years of efforts... I will definitely make amends."
Compensation?
Upon hearing Leon's words, the directors didn't readily accept but rather frowned in succession.
Aquarius' intention to take responsibility is certainly good, but what was lost this time isn't something trivial; it was humanity's lifespan. Equivalent compensation would naturally have to be one of the four [Treasures], so...
"Leon!"
After calling out once, the Taurus Director's face slightly darkened, and he warned:
"Don't be impulsive; this isn't something you should force!"
"Joan is right."
The Cancer Director nodded in agreement, seriously saying:
"You're still young, with ample time to fulfill your potential, there's no need to delve into Old Soil now."
"Yes, things like this can't be rushed."
The Virgo Director discreetly tapped the Scorpio Director's foot and then persuaded:
"We have spent years searching in Old Soil, only encountering a few [Treasures]; our abilities have long reached their limits. While spending time to try our luck isn't much, you don't need to go this route... Scorpio, don't you agree?"
"Yes... "
After subtly adjusting his aching foot, the Scorpio Director grumbled:
"The reason I'm annoyed with you isn't for returning the [Longevity]; it's because you beat me up. As a director, you must remain calm; don't act rashly out of spite!"
"Uh... thank you all for your advice..."
Seeing how his single sentence prompted denouncement, agreement, persuasion, and encouragement, as if they were afraid he'd go to extremes, Leon shrank back slightly before explaining:
"I understand your good intentions, but I didn't say I would go to Old Soil to find treasures right now..."
"???" x4
"What I meant was, the [Longevity] lost this time for all humanity, I can supplement some using another method."
After organizing his thoughts, Leon explained:
"Regarding longevity, in the end, it's merely a theoretical 'maximum limit' while postponing the onset of aging and similar aspects."
And the lifespan limit of us humans, though fixed at 150 years, excluding us Cleaners who've been immersed, most people wouldn't just reach the 150 years limit, there aren't even many who exceed ninety."
When she heard this, the Virgo Director spoke somewhat bewildered:
"So what you mean is..."
"What I mean is, since the increased [Longevity] was taken back, then we can completely start from another perspective to improve our human race's lifespan 'minimum limit'... such as these."
While speaking, Leon reached into his cufflink and pulled out several thin booklets, handing one to each of the puzzled directors.
"After requesting a token from Veronica, I asked the Fourth Research Institute of Robin to conduct research topics on the relationship between human lifespan and societal environment, productivity surveys of the Eleven Kingdoms, possibilities of cross-national resource allocation, as well as how to utilize anomalous items in large-scale production and so on.
Oh, by the way, the researchers in Robin's First to Seventh Research Institutes are mostly scholars from the former Crolock Kingdom. While their research results may not be entirely accurate, they definitely offer significant reference value; the Fourth Institute currently specializes in investigating social issues and conducting field surveys..."
