"That's what the director told me."
After recounting the words of the Red-haired Director, the man shimmering with silver light smiled gently, then said to the astonished Leon in front of him,
"So this mission will be led by you. Ultimately, how to execute it is up to you to decide. My main responsibility is to ensure your safety and resolve any troubles that you find inconvenient."
"You're too kind, Senior."
Leon, who never expected that Senior Pioni, rumored to have an affair with the Prime Minister's wife, could be so agreeable, quickly waved his hands politely in response. He always believed in treating others with even greater respect if they treated him well.
"The reason the director arranged it this way is probably because I've been working on this matter. I'm already familiar with the two Anomalous Object holders responsible for memory eradication and modification, that's all. I haven't been with the Virgo Branch for long; I'm still trying to get familiar with the department's dealings. If there are any problems in future tasks, I hope you will point them out for me."
Hmm? This newbie, who on his first investigation mission ended up involving the deaths of hundreds of nobles, slapped Prince Joshua several times, spat in his face publicly, and even mocked the Scorpio Director in the central office—reportedly outrageously arrogant—is actually so polite in private?
Also surprised by Leon's demeanor, Pioni, aglow with a silvery shine all over, was taken aback for a moment, then smiled even more warmly.
Recalling the Red-haired Director's evaluation of Leon, the Little Silver Man said warmly, with a slightly "metallic" and magnetic voice,
"When the director isn't drinking, her decisions have always been right. Since she chose you to lead the task, there must be no mistake. When we depart on the mission tomorrow, anything you need me to do, just let me know, and I'll put forth my utmost effort."
Ah, well... every senior in the department is indeed a good person!
With a bit of self-evasive suspicion, Leon patted the sheep's head, confirming that the Little Silver Man's words were sincere, then looked at him more kindly.
The seniors in the Virgo Branch were genuinely kind, whether it was Senior Emma, who taught him how to ensure safety, Senior Jerry, who gave him plenty of good things and accompanied him on adventures to the central office, or Senior Pioni, who was quite dazzling but had a very gentle character; all were very caring towards him.
Although each senior had their little quirks, like Senior Jerry's kleptomania and Senior Pioni's private life, compared to them... oh right!
Thinking about it, Leon suddenly clapped his forehead, then reached out to rub the shiny cufflink, pulled out the envelope given by the Prime Minister's wife, handed it to the Little Silver Man before him, and explained,
"Senior Pioni, this is..."
"The scent is like a fragrant yet slightly spicy bay leaf... Marsha! It's Marsha, isn't it?"
Excitedly taking the perfume-scented envelope, smelling it gently under his nose, a strangely soft and sweet expression appeared on the metallic face of the Little Silver Man, his eyes even showing a slight hint of moisture.
"I didn't expect that she still remembers me."
Wow, who would have thought that Senior Pioni would be a hopeless romantic?
Seeing the exaggerated display of the Little Silver Man, Leon was momentarily stunned, then recalled the situation with the lady, and faintly felt that this kind-hearted, love-sick senior deserved better.
And just as Leon was pondering whether to disclose a little about the Prime Minister's situation, so Senior Pioni could weigh it on his own.
The Little Silver Man opposite didn't rush to open the letter, but instead gently caressed the flowery signature on the envelope with his silver-glowing fingers and recalled,
"When I was caught in a tryst with her cousin, I thought she would ignore me forever, but she eventually forgave me; later, when my relationship with her aunt was exposed, I thought I would lose her, but she still forgave me. Ah! Marsha, my gentlest Marsha, you will always be the most beautiful bay leaf in my heart. Only your tenderness and passion can make me so hard to forget..."
Alright, I overthought it; you two really are a good match...
"By the way, is there only Marsha's letter?"
As he carefully folded the envelope, Senior Pioni, his face aglow with silver, looked at Leon, who was twitching at the corner of his mouth, and asked eagerly,
"Sophie, Grace, Holly... I mean, Marsha's cousin, aunt, and her..."
"No, there's just her letter!"
Afraid that if he let this senior continue speaking, he would be hit by some more shocking revelations, Leon hurriedly interrupted with a slightly stiff expression,
"I just happened to meet Lady Marsha and helped her deliver a letter at her invitation. I didn't come into contact with the other ladies. Additionally, besides the letter, she asked me to tell you that during the following weeks, every Monday at noon, she will be waiting for you at the old place."
"The old place... the lounge in the Prime Minister's office?"
Wait, I thought you were talking about some street, some bridge, some park—or at worst, some small inn—but it turns out to be in the Prime Minister's office? Aren't the two of you overdoing it a bit?
As Leon's expression became more and more perplexed, the Little Silver Man, glowing so brightly with his...silver sheen, kissed the folded envelope tenderly, tucked it into his chest, and looked over gratefully.
"Thank you! Really, thank you! Thank you for helping me reconnect with Marsha; it's the best gift I've received this year!"
"No... no problem..."
After sincerely apologizing in his heart to that plump Prime Minister, who although had no good intentions towards him, was at least polite, Leon didn't know what to say anymore. He could only change the subject proactively to discuss the matter,
"Senior Pioni, besides you and me, this mission also requires the help of other Anomalous Object holders."
While speaking, Leon took out a small notebook he carried with him, drew a bold "7" with charcoal to signify the shape of the Boarding Tower, and then explained,
"Though the Purification Bureau's credentials can allow us to board the tower, the private ship to Crolock Kingdom anchored at the Secret Port will not grant us access, hence the need for assistance from those other Anomalous Object holders."
Adding a circle at the bend of the "7" to mark the position of the Secret Port, Leon tapped the vertical middle of the "7" with charcoal and continued,
"This is the management room of the Boarding Tower. Once the operation begins, someone will use a slingshot to knock out the operator from a kilometer away. Then, another person will enter the adjacent restroom, take over his body, and control the management room to open our way to the Secret Port."
However, the private ship's control system is connected by a separate difference engine and can't be operated from the management room. Forcibly intruding would cause damage that's difficult to repair and might alert others to the abnormality."
"So we need to find a way to climb onto the private ship, standing near the entrance. Then an Anomalous Object holder who can distort a small space will act, flipping the space we're in. Once we're warped onto the private ship, you and I, Senior, will be responsible for subduing the guards and replacing the sniffer's report. The remaining two Anomalous Object holders will remove and alter the sniffers' memories. Following that, we will return to the private ship's entrance and be warped out using the same method. Finally, we'll return to the management room, alter the operator's memory, and disguise it as if nothing happened, then withdraw from the Boarding Tower smoothly, completing the mission... Senior, do you have any questions?"
"Uh... Your plan is great, but I do have one minor question..."
Examining the plan, though somewhat messy, the process and sequence were very clear on the notebook, and the Little Silver Man couldn't help scratching his head, a little embarrassed.
"I'm afraid of heights... what should I do?"