*Wasn't it... could you at least have a little dignity as a Great Demon?*
Seeing the other version of himself not just fawning but utterly shameless, the Black Goat felt a surge of anger and an intense sense of crisis.
When he persuaded Leon to stand by his side earlier, the reasoning was that the soul was exceedingly arrogant and definitely wouldn't be as obedient as himself. But looking at this dog's attitude now...
Damn it! Is it this competitive to be someone's lapdog now?
"It's deceiving you!"
After getting horribly outmaneuvered by his own soul and encountering cutthroat competition, the Black Goat's fury surged as he menacingly said to Leon,
"It's arrogance personified! Based on our understanding of it, this guy would never be so compliant. So, it's probably just stabilizing you and waiting for a chance to report to the Purification Bureau! Hurry up and act!"
Watching Leon suddenly squint and grab the pendant again, the Heart of Ambition, having been ruthlessly backstabbed, flared up furiously.
Before I was split into seven pieces, I was undoubtedly number one. You, a pathetic third, are only ranked there because the fourth was Sloth and couldn't care less to compete with you!
You, a trashy number three, just found a suitable host before me, and now instead of bowing before the big brother, you're plotting to instigate him to take me down?
*You're forcing my hand!*
Disgusted by the sixth behavior of their third brother, the Heart of Ambition ground its metaphorical teeth and raised the stakes,
'Aside from those damned horns, over the years I've found the whereabouts of the stomach and tail too!
As long as you erase its will and let me be your heart, not only will I obey you completely, but I'll also reveal the locations of those items to you!'
You're even adding to the competition?
Seeing Leon looking a bit tempted, and realizing the situation might be turning unfavorable, the Black Goat shuddered and hurriedly raised the stakes,
"Do I need you to tell me where those other items are? Once Leon climbs to the top of the Purification Bureau, we'll have all kinds of ways to get others to investigate!
Plus, who are you to compete with me?
I've been cooperating... with the Purification Bureau for years, staying next to the director of the Zodiac Branch Office, learning countless hidden secrets and mysterious tales!"
At this point, the Black Goat sneakily glanced at Leon's soul and, seeing it seemingly leaning towards him again, relaxed and continued,
"Leon! As long as you crush it, I'll answer whatever you ask in the future!
Haven't you always been curious about Emma's experiences and that red-haired woman's past? Just erase its will, and I'll tell you right away!"
"You! Damn it! I can also offer him money! Power! A chance to reach the pinnacle!"
"Laughable, those things are garbage in the face of absolute power!"
"I think you're the garbage one!"
"You're garbage! The most garbage! You're worse than that blasted thing!"
Watching the two sheep fighting tooth and nail to serve him, Leon remained silent for a moment before making a decision.
Only kids make choices, adults want it all!
"Stop arguing, the heart is definitely not yours."
As the Purification Bureau's top-class discipline on par with [The Emma's Remnant Scripture], the "Director's (Anomalous Object) Training Manual" stated that one must never trust any intelligent Anomalous Object. Regardless of their subservience, skepticism should always be maintained.
Especially when they offer seemingly enticing conditions, it's crucial to remind oneself that most Anomalous Objects are born from extreme emotions and experiences, or are even part of some Outer God or evil entity. Trusting them is committing a crime against oneself and the world at large.
After repeating the "Director's Training Manual" to himself several times and suppressing the impulse to agree, Leon felt the immense disappointment emanating from the Heart of Ambition's soul and cautiously suggested,
"However... if you're willing to cooperate and prove that Bobby Layne did everything this time, I might reapply for you after the bureau checks you."
'Fine! Ahaha! Good! Good!'
Though it couldn't "ascend in one step" and replace Leon's heart immediately, the Heart of Ambition was still overjoyed, repeating "good" several times.
As for when it could truly rise to power... hehe, once he uses me a few times and experiences the absolute control over everything, the kid will eventually beg me to be his heart!
"Leon! Did you forget what that red-haired woman told you?"
Feeling the Heart of Ambition's smugness, the dethroned first lapdog Black Goat hurriedly said,
"How can you trust the words of a demon? At times , you need to be ruthless! If you don't erase it and it turns around to inform the Purification Bureau..."
"You're right, I indeed can't easily trust the words of a demon."
Giving a sideways glance at the soul of the Black Goat, with its vile intentions leaking out, Leon dryly reminded,
"And have you forgotten that when I hold you, I also have soul vision and can see more clearly than you? If it was lying, I would have spotted it by now, alright?"
Exposing the first lapdog's scheming, rendering it speechless, Leon shifted the target for the second lapdog back to Bobby Layne, then looked down at his blood-soaked coat.
While preparing the motive and means for crime, corroborating his story with the Black Goat, and bribing the remaining eyewitness, the only thing left unexplained was why he lost so much blood but wasn't wounded...
Taking a deep breath, Leon looked around, found a relatively clean spot to lie down, and gripped the Holy Spirit pendant tightly.
Commit fully to the act!
After knocking on the director's office door, a short man rubbed his hands with anticipation and asked impatiently,
"Well... I don't actually have anything urgent, just wondered how long the person you mentioned who can appraise items will be before they're back at work?"
Isn't Little Leon here yet?
Hearing the short man's question, the red-haired director furrowed his brows slightly, then after sensing the situation of that hair of his, he replied,
"He went on a field assignment yesterday to track down the whereabouts of an Anomalous Object. If he isn't here yet, he might have found something, investigated through the night, and is now catching up on sleep. If the task is done, he should be here soon."
"That's good... haha, by the way, what task was he on? Just so happens my 'friends' are free, maybe I could..."
"Hmm? Jerry, are you being so kind to newcomers?"
Knowing well what the short man was thinking, the red-haired director smirked and teased,
"But I'm afraid you can't help. It's just a regular investigation task. While he lacks a bit of experience, Leon is steady and reliable. I trust his handling!"