Upon hearing Aquarius Director’s inquiry, the female reporter’s body stiffened slightly, while chills crept up Leon’s spine.
Leon wasn’t like the female reporter!
Given the enmity between himself and Aquarius, if Aquarius knew he was there, he would be delighted, then slice him into pieces, grind his bones, sprinkle them into his meal, and even laugh aloud about it someday in Watcher’s Palace.
And the female reporter...
Although she intended to cover for him, Aquarius was right about her. With her expertise in this field, trying to protect Leon might be no different than directly selling him out!
Realizing that the time for concealment was over, Leon risked exposure by extending his almost invisible right hand to press against the female reporter’s waist.
In a place unseen by Aquarius Director, Leon’s thoughts and intentions traveled through the tight soul connection, passing from the female reporter’s waist into her mind.
’Do what I say! Hesitate first, and then say that another soul was accidentally expelled from its body and entered the Realm of the Dead during interrogation by Scarlet Hair Lady, invited as an expert by the police department. However, its soul was too weak to survive and was already digested by the Canine Deity!’
After awkwardly adjusting her posture, the female reporter tried hard to control her emotions and relayed Leon’s words.
Upon hearing the report from the female journalist, Aquarius Director nodded slightly and, without further questioning, said calmly:
"Nicole, after this meeting, it seems we will be parting ways forever. While there is still time, let me talk to you a little more."
Hearing Aquarius Director’s words, the female reporter couldn’t help but clench her fist involuntarily, her mind in turmoil.
Although the Three-Headed Canine Deity is dead, its ability to "digest" souls remains! If this conversation continues, Leon, still enshrouded in unpurged "digestive fluids," will likely suffer, potentially unable to withstand the erosion, leading to his soul’s dissolution!
So... should she make up an excuse, tell the director that safety comes first, and suggest that the Scarlet Hair Lady might arrive at any moment, so he should leave first and release Leon?
’No! Absolutely not!’
Through their soul connection, Leon discovered the female reporter’s intentions and vigorously halted her:
’You can’t fool him this way! He might leave and then sneak back later, which would definitely mean certain death for me! Just nod and lower your head, stay silent!’
After simultaneously responding to both individuals, the female reporter, feeling restless, pressed her lips together, lowered her head, and fell silent.
Meanwhile, Aquarius Director, receiving the response, spoke with a slight guilt:
"There is something I’ve never told you... Although I didn’t harm your parents, when I found you initially, I actually had the chance to save them. However... I chose not to."
Upon hearing Aquarius Director’s words, the female reporter trembled, raising her head to glare at him intently.
Not meeting the female reporter’s eyes, Aquarius Director closed his eyes momentarily and said with regretful tones:
"Regarding this matter, I have nothing to explain. As for the reason I chose this way, you understand without me elaborating."
"I must say, I really regret it now."
He glanced at the female reporter’s lips, now white from pressing tightly, and sighed:
"If I had known it would end like today, I probably would have chosen differently back then. But now it’s too late to regret; your parents won’t come back, and my choice was indeed poor...
Nicole, although I wanted to leave you with a good impression during our last meeting, if I don’t tell you now, these words won’t have another moment to be spoken. After much thought, I decided to be honest with you."
Hearing Aquarius Director’s words, the female reporter’s fist clenched tighter, wanting so much to confront him. But worried that without her energy concealing it, Leon’s soul would be exposed, she suppressed her urge and asked in a hoarse voice:
"Just because... I’m excellent material, potentially producing extraordinary abnormal objects?"
Aquarius Director nodded slightly, his expression void of regret, calmly stating:
"You know, after the last relative’s passing, there is nothing left in this world for me aside from the Creation Mystique. My only wish, my final one, is to ascend to Watcher’s Palace and see the pinnacle of Abnormal Genesis Sorcery."
"Is the Abnormal Genesis Sorcery that crucial to you?"
Upon hearing this, the female reporter gritted her teeth, then questioned tearfully:
"Even if it means ruining countless lives, betraying the Clean-up Bureau and facing pursuit, potentially in the silent deep space, sitting alone until your soul collapses... Even knowing all this, you don’t regret?"
"That’s a problem for the future."
Upon hearing this, Aquarius Director blinked, his expression becoming serene:
"In the future, when I’m seated in the deep space, I don’t know if I’ll regret or not. But if I clearly have the chance and don’t seize it to witness the spectacle, I’ll start regretting right now."
"Nicole, you wouldn’t understand this feeling."
Looking at the female reporter biting her lip in silence, a trace of intense fervor appeared in Aquarius Director’s eyes.
"In this secret technique, my skill surpasses nearly all predecessors, yet falls short comparing to [Watcher’s Palace]. Even understanding it proves difficult, as it contradicts everything I’ve learned and known.
Over the past century, most abnormal objects I’ve created using the Abnormal Genesis Sorcery have sprung from extreme emotions such as rage, hatred, and fervency.
Yet the ultimate masterpiece of this sorcery, the root of [Watcher’s Palace], is love, a kind of non-intense, obvious benevolence and compassion.
If Watcher’s Palace is indeed the masterpiece, then I, who started incorrectly yet possess incomparable talent, might never reach the true zenith of this sorcery in my lifetime...
Nicole, do you know how despairing it was for me to realize this?"
"I neither want to know nor care!"
Seeing Aquarius Director’s eyes filled with fervor, the female reporter angrily and disappointedly snarled:
"You’re nothing but a madman! You’re utterly insane!"
"Hmm... perhaps I’ve indeed gone mad."
Upon hearing this, Aquarius Director fell silent briefly, his ardent emotions slightly diminishing, then seemed to notice something, turned his head back before looking away again, regretfully shaking his head:
"Nicole, I must leave now. Remember my earlier words, only if you keep..."
"Leave! I don’t want to see you again!"
Glancing at the female reporter, Aquarius Director shook his head, turned and stepped away, disappearing quietly beyond the Gate of the Deceased.
As Leon sighed in relief, hesitating whether he should crawl out immediately or wait a moment to guard against Aquarius’s sudden return, a light cracking sound came from the skull of the Three-Headed Canine Deity.
Soon, an oddly shaped paper knife easily pierced through the Canine Deity’s upper palate, then fell onto Leon with a click, along with a low murmur.
In Leon’s suddenly widened eyes, the thin and sharp paper knife quietly circled to his soul’s neck, slicing a small cut.
Then, peculiar characters seeped through this cut, permeating Leon’s soul, and transforming into the familiar voice of Aquarius Director.
"I’ve already ruined my relationship with Nicole, she’s now harmless to you all, so I’d like to exchange this knife and your life for her protection from the Virgin Branch... Are you interested in this transaction?"