The Scales Gold Sect had been a bit too active recently...
After reviewing the results from Jerry's "friends" on the table, the Red-haired Director's fox-like eyes narrowed slightly. She then curled her knuckles and tapped the table thoughtfully.
That toad previously smuggled itself in, causing havoc at Charl Department Store's shopping plaza, and nearly triggered a mass casualty event. Later, it allied with several major aristocrats, led by the Rose Massini family, and gathered many followers among the Kingdom's nobles. The Scales Gold Sect's activities over the past two months had already crossed a line.
*She should have driven these rats out from the sewers immediately, but was held up by the Aquarius Director's issue, busy investigating with Beverly, and had no time to take action.*
*Her "weak" stance seemed to send the Scales Gold Sect the wrong signals, making them misjudge her tolerance and even daring to hold a meeting right in the Capital City...*
*It seemed she needed to take some severe action to give the Scales Gold Sect a lesson they wouldn't forget!*
Having decided on the approach to take against the Scales Gold Sect, the Red-haired Director stopped her habitual movement of thinking, and looked up at Emma in front of her.
"Emma, what do you think about the news Leon uncovered?"
"I'm sorry, I just got a little distracted."
Hearing the Red-haired Director call her name in confusion, Emma snapped back to reality and smiled apologetically, then asked as if nothing had happened, "Director, what did you just say about Leon?"
*Why did it feel like since you sent Leon back yesterday, you've been acting a bit strange?*
"What I meant wasn't what's going on with Leon; what I asked is, what's your opinion on this meeting information Leon obtained?"
The Red-haired Director looked at Emma suspiciously but didn't find anything particularly notable, so she temporarily set aside her doubt and continued explaining:
"Previously, Leon took on a mission to rescue people at Rose Manor, where he encountered the Bishop of the Scales Gold Sect's Wealth-Consuming Lineage. He learned about their plan to hold a meeting and threatened the Massini family to notify him immediately once they received news of the Scales Gold Sect's gathering.
"And this morning, someone from the Massini family came, saying the Scales Gold Sect plans to meet three days from now. The location is set on Redwood Avenue in the Capital City, specifically underground at the Massini family's Rose Manor."
After briefly explaining the context, the Red-haired Director shared her thoughts.
"Compared to other secret cults, the Scales Gold Sect poses the least threat, but they've been quite unruly recently—not only choosing the Capital City for their gathering but also bringing along three bishops. So, I want you to go over there and ensure they behave for a while."
Taking on the task without hesitation, Emma glanced at the report on the table and then asked, "To what extent should this be done? Complete eradication? Or just capturing those three bishops?"
"As for the extent..."
Hearing Emma's question, the Red-haired Director thought for a moment and then said firmly,
"Why don't you take the Coffin of Condemnation with you this time and see what the Scales Gold Sect people are up to?
"If it's the less harmful kind, you can go easy on them. After all, the Scales Gold Sect's doctrine isn't particularly extreme. Many join just to restore limbs or regain sight, so there's no need to be too harsh.
"But for those cat believers of the Wealth-Attracting Lineage and snake believers of the Wealth-Consuming Lineage, as long as their crimes are not severe, just scare them and expel them, preventing them from gathering and causing trouble.
"However, if it involves the Wealth-Spitting Lineage, those toad believers responsible for acquiring limbs, health, happiness, and other 'exchange items,' and the Coffin of Condemnation reacts, then eliminate them all, leaving none behind."
After carefully listening to the Red-haired Director's instructions and noting the mission objectives, Emma nodded slightly, prepared to leave, but was called back by the Red-haired Director.
"Emma, did something happen yesterday?"
"Hmm? Why do you ask?"
"Because you seem a bit off today."
Seeing her best friend turn back with a puzzled look, the Red-haired Director narrowed her eyes slightly and said with certainty,
"Emma, tell me the truth: after you took Leon back yesterday, something else must have happened. Otherwise, you wouldn't suddenly seem distracted... He didn't try anything on you, did he?"
Emma couldn't help but laugh at this and said,
"What are you talking about? Leon isn't that kind of person. I was distracted thinking about something else, unrelated to him."
Although still feeling something was amiss, Emma's expression was completely normal, showing no signs of anything off. The Red-haired Director had to temporarily shelve this thought and ask with genuine concern,
"Emma, how have you been lately?"
"The wound from the Blood-Oath Swordfish during the mission at Ryan Harbor—has it healed?"
"It's all healed long ago."
"With the Coffin of Condemnation consuming so much, can your body still handle it?"
"Leon really didn't harass you yesterday?"
"He really didn't..."
Seeing the Red-haired Director sneakily ask once again amid some not-so-sincere concern, Emma couldn't help but respond with a face full of helplessness,
"Ollie, if you keep this up, I'm really going to get angry."
"Alright, alright, I won't ask anymore, is that fine?"
Annoyed, the Red-haired Director clicked her tongue and said,
"Anyway, you be careful. When people get drunk, their self-control slips, often revealing suppressed thoughts... Anyway, Leon doesn't seem as honest as he looks, I think he has some intentions towards you, so don't let yourself get..."
"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore, I really won't!"
Surrendering under Emma's slightly exasperated gaze and honestly watching her leave, the Red-haired Director stared at Emma's retreating figure, noticing three black marks and one red mark on her back, and couldn't help but frown and ponder.
*She asked Emma four questions, and Emma's replies were one falsehood and three truths... so did Leon harass her yesterday?*
"I told you to wear more, and now you're catching a cold!"
Anna glared at Leon, who was wearing autumn clothes in winter and looked rather "thin." She pulled out a scarf she had prepared and handed it to Leon, who was sneezing repeatedly, and also produced a pair of gloves from her bag.
"Put these on quickly. Stop trying to be tough!"
"I'm not trying to be tough, I really am not cold... Fine, I'll put it on."
"Yeah, sure, you're not cold... wear the gloves too!"
Rubbing his nose, which suddenly itched frequently due to his "attempt to be flirtatious" being noticed and his family status plummeting, Leon could only take the scarf and gloves and honestly start putting them on under his sister's glare.
But frankly, even though the Level One Corrosion Value had already provided some reinforcement, making him somewhat cold and heat resistant, after putting on the scarf and gloves and blocking the cold wind from entering his collar and cuffs, it felt noticeably more comfortable.
"Stand still, don't move."
Anna rose on tiptoe to adjust Leon's scarf, sealing off any remaining drafts, then nodded in satisfaction, reaching out to hold Leon's arm.
"Let's go, since you're free today, we'll go to Beverly's parents' meeting!"