I! Cleaner!

One night passes without a word.

Early the next morning, as the warm yellow winter sun had just crossed the skyline pieced together with metal and earth, spreading over the long street filled with gears and copper pipes, Leon and the female journalist had already left the accommodation arranged by the Crolock Kingdom and boarded the oddly shaped tram.

Due to the rather complex planning between different sectors and frequent changes in locations, the Crolock Kingdom has almost entirely abolished private transport nearly a hundred years ago, switching to a comprehensive network of trams.

In addition to the Crolock Kingdom's dual-layered city structure, except for several special roads like deliberately open airways, small floating cars are also completely banned from flying, so even visiting foreign envoys cannot enjoy the special treatment of "chauffeur service" and have to rely on public transport just like everyone else.

However, compared to ordinary citizens, Prince Leon, as an envoy, still received a little privilege—like being able to have breakfast on the tram.

…

"Wait a minute... while you were in the Crolock Kingdom, did you eat this stuff every day?"

Stirring the purplish pink meat paste in the bowl with a fork and pressing down on the green and yellow mixed vegetable puree on the plate, squeezing out a pool of greenish juice, the appetite-less Leon put down his utensils, turned to the female journalist next to him, and asked with difficulty:

"Regardless of whether this thing tastes bad or not, I just want to know one thing now—what's the point of using a fork for this cold mush they serve?"

"Well... it may not look appealing, but it's still very good for your health."

Upon hearing Leon's speechless criticism, the female journalist, a former native of the Crolock Kingdom, was instantly embarrassed, then helplessly explained:

"I'm not entirely sure of the specifics, but supposedly many years ago, the Science Department of the Crolock Kingdom, relying on Atifie-01's computing power, discovered the optimal food ratio for human health.

After completely eliminating the original food and enforcing it for ten years, the Crolock Kingdom's annual medical expenses were directly reduced to 15% of what they used to be, and it's even said that the average lifespan could increase by six to ten years."

But if living longer means eating cold mush for sixty years, I'd rather live a shorter life…

Scooping a spoonful of unseasoned vegetable puree and stiffly forcing it into his mouth, feeling its bizarre texture like half-chewed cud forcibly taken from a goat's mouth during regurgitation, Leon's facial features involuntarily twisted.

Honestly, I've never understood the Aquarius Director more. Anyone who eats this semi-fermented wet garbage for over a hundred years would definitely start going insane!

Sigh! Forget it, it's only for a few days anyway.

Suppressing his disgust, Leon swallowed the life-supporting meal in his mouth, digging into various mushes without tasting them, while using his finger to touch the black goat's horn, leveraging soul communication to ask:

'Let's not talk about the food... Nicole, are you ready for the operation?'

'Ready.'

Upon hearing Leon's inquiry, the female journalist first glanced inside the carriage at the few reception staff following herself and Leon, then nodded slightly:

'I know all the cleaners at the Gemini sub-bureau. If someone is protecting Prince Andre, no matter who it is, I'm confident I can subdue them first.'

'As long as you're confident.'

Nodding at her words, Leon reached into his pocket and tapped the little flower inside with his fingertip.

'What about the two seniors? Are you ready?'

'No problem.'

'We're ready too.'

Receiving Leon's soul wave, the two Second-level Cleaners hiding in the flower bud also responded affirmatively.

'Great, before we start the operation, let's go over each of our tasks one last time.'

Blinking, Leon spoke seriously:

'According to the plan I discussed with Director Edward, when we meet Prince Andre, I'll ask him to take me on a tour of the Crolock Kingdom festival, trying to create a chance to separate him from his guards amidst the crowd.

After that, Nicole will handle the cleaners possibly accompanying him, and I'll take the opportunity to knock out Prince Andre and hand him over to Senior Ruben, who will then use the Flower Fairy to hide him in a flower bud and take him away.

Meanwhile, Director Edward and several other seniors are stationed in the 05 living area three districts away to back us up. If something goes wrong, Senior Frankie will lure us away and directly send us to Director Edward, who will assist in our immediate evacuation... Is there any problem with any of this?'

'No problem!'

The female journalist nodded slightly, swallowing the vegetable mush in her mouth.

'I'm ready.'

In Leon's pocket, Ruben, dressed in a leaf outfit, patted his chest.

'Rest assured, everything will definitely go smoothly!'

Also hiding inside the flower, Frankie, with a miniature fishing rod on his back, made an okay gesture and confidently assured:

'As long as Prince Andre appears, we're guaranteed to catch him!'

…

"I apologize."

An elderly attendant dressed in formal attire bowed towards Leon and the female journalist, his expression slightly apologetic as he spoke:

"Prince Andre suddenly caught a cold last night and is now running a high fever, so he might not be able to accompany you to the festival."

"..."

What rotten luck...

Looking at the sincerely-faced elderly attendant in front of him, Leon's mouth couldn't help but twitch hard, his face turning as green as the vegetable mush churning in his stomach.

To facilitate today's operation, I had a hard time persuading the Scorpio Bureau Chief, preparing meticulously for half the night, not only memorizing the map of the festival blocks but also planning an escape in case of an ambush.

And just at the crucial moment when the bullet's loaded and the trap's set, the prey unexpectedly didn't leave its burrow and stayed home napping!

"Are you sure he caught a cold?"

Having prepared his bow and arrow only to miss the shot, seeing before him the soul visibly dancing as the elderly attendant obviously lied, the disappointed Leon couldn't help but darken his face and say:

"Why do I feel like your Prince Andre just simply doesn't want to come out?"

"This... you must be joking..."

Hearing Leon's questioning, the elderly attendant's eyelids couldn't help but twitch slightly, awkwardly chuckling twice before insincerely saying:

"His Highness Andre is usually... quite diligent, but unfortunately, his health has always been poor since childhood, so catching colds occasionally is inevitable. I hope you can understand."

"Heh, how do you expect me to understand that?"

Since the target Prince Andre wasn't present, Leon naturally had no interest in touring the festival, directly feigning "indignation":

"How many times has this happened now? Even though our nation's strength is nothing compared to your Crolock, I'm still a Prince! Isn't it outrageous that you can't even arrange for a single royal member to accompany me?"

"Sir Leon~"

Just as the prince was about to make a scene and leave, a crisp greeting suddenly came from afar.

"Apologies for being late."

Nodding apologetically towards the somewhat surprised Leon, a young lady, strolling over with a group, lifted her skirt corners gracefully to give a standard ladylike curtsy, then with a smile like a blooming flower said:

"I am Feiliya, the sixth princess. Andre's brother is unwell, but to show respect to Your Excellency, a special envoy was sent to find me so that I could accompany you for the festival... Is this arrangement to your satisfaction?"