I! Cleaner!

"Hmm, I already know the Clean-up Bureau is investigating me."

After listening to the moderator's reminder, the girl wearing the white owl mask nodded slightly, then chuckled lightly and said:

"More surprising than them sending people to investigate me is the fact that they only sent people now. It seems that, although the Clean-up Bureau has many strong individuals, their efficiency is frighteningly low."

"Don't be careless."

After the girl codenamed Xue Xiao finished speaking, the person in the main seat frowned and said:

"Don't forget how the Ophiuchus Sub-bureau and the East Carleighwen Kingdom disappeared. Although the Clean-up Bureau has deteriorated considerably over the past few hundred years, its foundation is still strong enough. If you truly push them to the brink, no one knows what kind of things those people might pull out.

Moreover, according to the information provided by 'Little Dog,' the investigation targeting Crolock Kingdom might be a joint mission carried out by two Zodiac Branch Offices, which means, in the worst-case scenario, you might even face two 'Pseudo Pillar God' level humans simultaneously."

"Thanks for the reminder, I'll try to be more cautious."

The girl with the white owl mask smiled slightly upon hearing this and said:

"However, before you gathered us, I had already roughly guessed that someone from the Clean-up Bureau might be coming to investigate me.

The Crolock Kingdom, under my control, is almost completely sealed off to the outside, and the channels are very limited, making the number of outsiders extremely low. So if there are any strange visitors, they are still easy to spot.

In addition, although these guests from the Kingdom of Orleson refused to use the identity recognition cards I provided and instead used a method I didn't understand to secretly move between various blocks, successfully avoiding my surveillance,

they appeared in places they shouldn't be without travel records frequently enough to essentially shout at me directly, indicating they have issues."

The Kingdom of Orleson?

Hearing this, a member of the Slaughter King Association wearing a yellow bull mask beside Xue Xiao couldn't help but slightly change expression and suddenly spoke up:

"That should be people from the Scorpio Branch. Although most of my followers in the Kingdom of Orleson have gone dormant and cannot frequently transmit messages, they can still conduct some basic surveillance activities.

Many high-level members of the Scorpio Branch, including the branch chief 'Puppeteer' Edward, Level 1 Cleaner 'Thread Man' Algy, and Second-level Cleaner 'Smooth Path' Mona, among a total of 5 cleaners, have not appeared recently for cleaning activities.

And the method Xue Xiao described, which allows people to traverse different blocks of the Crolock Kingdom without the use of identity recognition cards, should be the exclusive abnormal object of 'Smooth Path.' The people who infiltrated Crolock Kingdom are probably them."

"Indeed, now that we know who the opponent is, it becomes much easier."

After the yellow bull mask finished speaking, the person in the main seat nodded slightly in satisfaction and said:

"Relay the information regarding the Scorpio Branch to Xue Xiao privately later, so she can be prepared. As for the others, what can you say? Is there anyone in charge of surveillance areas where high-level cleaners are showing any unusual movements?"

"..."

After the person in the main seat finished speaking, the members of the Slaughter King Association around the long table pondered for a moment, then shook their heads one after another, either admitting they didn't know or indicating no abnormalities.

That's a bit strange then.

Looking at the Slaughter King Association members who offered no feedback, the person in the main seat couldn't help but frown.

According to the information provided by 'Little Dog,' the investigation targeting Crolock Kingdom should be a joint operation by two Zodiac Branch Offices. So why is it that only the cleaners from the Scorpio Branch are showing unusual movement?

"Well... I do have a discovery."

At this moment, a Slaughter King Association member wearing a Dongya mask hesitantly spoke:

"However, it's not a high-level cleaner, but a Level 3 Cleaner... Leon Laine took on a diplomatic mission and went to the Crolock Kingdom as a prince. He's probably already there by now."

Leon Layne, huh...

Upon hearing this somewhat familiar name, a group of Slaughter King Association members couldn't help but fall into a brief silence.

The Glutton God Leon, the Clean-up Bureau's hyena, the humanoid glutton demon... The average lifespan among Slaughter King Association members is exceedingly long, and although they've encountered many crazed cleaners throughout their long lives, not many are as crazed as he is.

Especially after learning from the moose that this person, seemingly merely out of simple hunger, decided to viciously kill and eat the Guardian Hound of Death, forming a deadly enmity with the entire Realm of the Dead, in most Slaughter King Association members' minds, Leon's name became synonymous with madness.

"He is special."

After a brief contemplation, the person in the main seat made a decision and said:

"Although he's been with the Clean-up Bureau for a short time, this person cannot be viewed as an ordinary Level 3 Cleaner. He should be regarded as a Level 2... no, better yet, directly treated as a Level 1 Cleaner, and a top-notch elite who can take over a Non-Zodiac Branch Office Chief role.

From now on, any news about him should be raised three levels in terms of importance. If it is discovered that he is close to any of the twelve royal families and is in close contact, the mask can be activated to call for an emergency meeting.

Although the relationship between the Scorpio Branch and the Virgo Branch is extremely poor, considering that he once fought alongside 'Puppeteer' Edward, the possibility of the Virgo Branch getting involved is not low... Xue Xiao, be prepared for an encounter with both 'Puppeteer' and 'Scarlet Hair Lady' at the same time!"

"Understood."

At this point, Xue Xiao, who had been acting rather relaxed, slightly furrowed her brows with a touch of seriousness, then asked:

"So what do you think I should do to respond? Should I keep delaying by blocking information, pretending the royal family is not under control? Or... should I find a way to deal with the Puppeteer and that Leon, the Level 3 Cleaner, before the Scarlet Hair Lady arrives?"

"Focus on delaying as much as possible for now."

After some thought, the person in the main seat suggested:

"We are all blocked outside the Watcher's Palace and cannot provide direct support to you, while Scarlet Hair Lady is the second most dangerous among all the branch chiefs and surpasses all in terms of destructive power, coupled with the unpredictable and complex abilities of the Puppeteer, going head-to-head is not a good choice.

Currently, the Clean-up Bureau should have some guesses about the situation in Crolock Kingdom, but they have not fully confirmed it. That's why they're only sending people to investigate. Before the Director of Taurus ascends to the palace, they probably won't have any room to deal with you.

And considering the preparations on Aquarius's side, we're actually also waiting for the Director of Taurus to ascend to the palace, so for now, the best result is to maintain the current situation, keeping the Clean-up Bureau from confirming the situation in Crolock Kingdom.

With the Clean-up Bureau's current indecisive approach, unless they are pushed to the absolute edge, they are most likely to temporarily compromise, not breaking the seemingly stable situation for the time being, and only act after the Director of Taurus ascends. This will temporarily resolve your troubles."

"Alright."

The girl with the white owl mask nodded slightly, indicating her agreement with this solution. However, after some contemplation, she asked again:

"But what if they actually discover something?"

"Then act directly."

The person in the main seat glanced at her upon hearing this and coldly said without hesitation:

"The worst thing to do when taking action is hesitating. Maintain the status quo if possible, but if it becomes apparent that you cannot maintain it, do not harbor any wishful thinking. Whether it's the Puppeteer or the Glutton God, if anyone discovers you, kill them without hesitation!"