Me! Cleaner!.

Chapter 1152 A Glimmer of Hope and a New Badge

No... do you really mean what you say?

Staring at the Sunfire Crown that should have belonged to the Director of the Cleanup Bureau on Lyon's head, everyone present, including the Director of the Cleanup Bureau himself, was stunned. Then they all turned their heads and looked at the dumbfounded Director of the Cleanup Bureau with wide eyes.

Just now, Joan of Arc demanded of the head of the cleanup bureau, "No coercion! No threats! No deception! No reckless actions!"

Then, feeling that his character was being questioned, the director of the Cleanup Bureau angrily swore that if he did not follow the rules, he would step down on the spot and make Aquarius the next director.

Then, no sooner had the director of the Cleanup Bureau finished speaking confidently than the Corona, representing the director's position, was replaced on the spot, and without saying a word, it was slapped on Leon's forehead.

Given ("Taurus demands A" + "Chief swears B") multiplied by "Chief's actions in the Old World X", it equals "Chief should swear to Leon's ascension to the throne C". Adding the time difference between the Old World and the present world, then...

What exactly did the bureau chief do in Laotu?
"I'm not! I didn't!"

Upon receiving the furious and shocked look from the Golden Bull Director, the Director of the Cleanup Bureau, recovering from his initial shock, trembled and hurriedly waved his hands, saying:
"I was telling the truth just now! Now that the voting results are in, and none of you support my plan, what am I supposed to do if no one helps me? I... wait a minute!"

Realizing something was amiss, the head of the cleanup bureau touched the top of his head, then looked at Leon's head, and suddenly hissed, a complex expression flashing across his eyes.

After recovering from the shock of the sudden change of director, the other directors, including Lyon, also came to their senses. Their eyes began to unconsciously dart back and forth between Lyon and the two former directors, and deep worry appeared on their faces.

Although everyone is communicating "face to face," time and space in the Old Land are in chaos. At this moment, the time in which the director is located should be the "past" of the present world, and he is on his way to the plane where the remnants of the Old Land reside.

If we shift the timeline to the present day, then in the time we are in, the Director and Aries have probably already reached their destination, and... they may have encountered some potentially fatal danger. That's why the Director took the initiative to step down and handed over the crown representing his identity to Leon!
"wrong!"

After figuring out the logic behind this bureau chief's title, Scorpio Director couldn't help but widen his eyes.

"It's dangerous over there! You can't go!"

"it's useless."

The head of the Cleanup Bureau, who had grasped this earlier, had calmed down. After glancing at the familiar crown atop Lyon's head, he shook his head with a complex expression and said:

"My voluntary abdication and relinquishment of the crown was already a fait accompli during your time, and it cannot be changed. Even if I were to turn back now, the outcome would not be different."

"But if you continue any further, you really might die..."

After glancing at the crown atop Lyon's head, the Taurus director frowned and reminded him:

“The crown on Lyon’s head wasn’t given to him by the Star Palace, but was directly ‘designated’ by you, the previous director! You should know what that means.”

"This means that I have most likely encountered a situation where I am doomed and I feel that there is no way to escape, so I temporarily appointed Aquarius to succeed me."

After speaking on behalf of Director Taurus and stating her judgment, the head of the Cleanup Bureau shook his head and said:

"But there's no use looking back. In a sense, the time of the old land is an irreversible destiny."

Since your 'ending' is already decided, whether I move forward or backward, I will inevitably reach the same future. In fact, my choice to change my course might even become the catalyst for that 'ending.' What I do now is no longer important."

"..."

Indeed... since the outcome is already decided, the choice itself has lost its meaning. If the director continues forward, danger lies ahead; if he turns back, danger awaits him behind.

What's even more fatal is that, given the bureau chief's habit of not shedding tears until he's faced with a death sentence, the only way to make him completely give up and resign would be a dead end with no chance of survival...

"It seems my journey is coming to an end!"

Looking at the silent board members, the head of the purging bureau, who knew his own stubborn nature all too well and was certain of his demise, smiled and said with a hint of regret:
"It's a pity that after so many years away from the mortal world, I originally wanted to go back and take one last look before I died, but now it seems that it's too late... Well... it's fine this way. To die on the road of fighting for the future of humanity is a pretty good end for a cleaner."

"..."

Seeing the director of the cleanup bureau's carefree yet somewhat relieved expression, the board members fell silent once again. Coupled with the damp and gloomy environment of the Sage's Cemetery and the numerous toppled tombstones around it, it truly had a somber atmosphere reminiscent of a funeral.

"I think I can still struggle a little longer."

After looking at his newly acquired identity badge, Leon broke the deathly silence around him and said thoughtfully:

"The 'outcome' we know so far is not that the director died in the old land, but that he encountered a crisis at some point in the future and handed over the position to me... If he didn't wait for that future and handed over the position to me now, would he still face the inevitable situation of death?"

"?!!!"

Yup!

Upon hearing Lyon's words, the Scorpio director, realizing what was happening, beamed with joy and quickly looked up in the direction of the head of the Cleanup Bureau. However...

"No way."

Looking at Leon, who hadn't given up despite facing this dead end and was still trying to find a solution, the head of the Cleanup Bureau couldn't help but show a hint of appreciation, then shook his head slightly and said:
"In fact, some people who have encountered similar situations in the past have already tried this method, but the time I live in is different from the present world. In the time I live in now, you are people in the 'future'."

"And the star palace that bestowed the crown is also on your side, at the same time as you. So how can I, someone who exists in the 'past,' use the star palace of the 'future' to appoint someone I can only meet later as the successor to the director?"

"..."

It seems that it really won't work...

After hearing the director of the Cleanup Bureau's words, the hope in Scorpio Director's eyes immediately dimmed again, and the other directors who also knew this sighed inwardly.

However, just as the head of the cleanup bureau smiled, preparing to say a few more "last words" while there was still time, Leon, sitting opposite him, hesitated for a moment before asking again:

"Director, since you've given me your position, it's an irreversible fact. So, can we turn things around and make use of this inevitable timeframe?"

Conversely, how can we utilize time?
The head of the cleanup bureau paused slightly upon hearing this, then frowned and warned:

"Aquarius, I appreciate your kindness, but you must know that time is something you absolutely cannot mess with, and you should never have any thoughts of using time for your own purposes!"

There's a widely circulated saying in the Old Lands: "Those who disregard time will become puppets of the years. All plans that attempt to use time to achieve their goals may succeed once or twice, but will ultimately be discovered; your plan itself is part of time." The Four Pillar Gods dared to use time because the Old Kings themselves were pillar gods existing in the past, and could withdraw if things went wrong. But even so, they were still punished by time.

Without the ability to turn back time, recklessly attempting to manipulate time could trap you forever in a closed time loop—a punishment infinitely more terrifying than death!

"I understand."

After recalling the situation of the mermaid beauty and the Abyss Realm, Leon nodded in agreement, then stared at the Director of the Cleanup Bureau and said:

"Time should not be taken lightly, but what I mean by using time is not manipulating the past like the Four Pillars of Destiny to create a future that is favorable to oneself, but rather indirectly influencing time by changing ourselves."

Change yourself?

"What do you mean?"

The Scorpio director, whose intelligence was at the bottom among the board members and who was somewhat confused by what he heard, couldn't help but speak up:

"How do I change myself? Could you be more direct about it?"

"To put it bluntly... that means the director must completely abandon any thought of handing over the position to me from this moment on, and absolutely not do so under any circumstances."

After touching the non-existent phantom crown above his head, Lyon calmly spoke:

"This is what I think: if the future cannot be changed, then we might as well change our approach and instead of resisting the future, try to postpone its arrival as much as possible."

"?!!!"

Upon hearing this, the other directors had already reacted. The Cancer director couldn't help but take a deep breath, his eyes filled with shock as he said:
"what do you mean……"

"What I mean is that the director's decision to hand over his position to me can be seen as a task he had to complete before he died."

Pointing to the crown on his head, Leon opened his eyes, which shone brightly in the light of the crown, and asked earnestly:
"So, if we think about it the other way around, since the director hasn't completed this task yet, does that mean that before he returns to the same time as me and voluntarily hands over his position to me, he definitely won't die no matter what danger he encounters?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Is this even possible?!

After hearing Lyon's proposed solution, the board members looked at each other in surprise, and saw a strong sense of joy on each other's faces.

Yes! The future may be predetermined, but no one can dictate when it will arrive! As long as the director insists on not stepping down and delays the arrival of this future indefinitely, doesn't that mean he will never face certain death?

"Actually, it's probably not that good."

After recovering from the euphoria of surviving a near-death experience, the cleanup bureau chief, his face slightly flushed, shook his head and analyzed the situation as rationally as possible:
"Although I probably won't die before I step down, it doesn't mean I won't get injured or imprisoned. And if someone manages to control me and force me to give up my position, then this protection will be useless."

"That's not it!"

Having finally understood Leon's meaning, Chief Scorpion couldn't help but slap his thigh, then excitedly shouted:

"Who would have the chance to kill you but instead control you and give up their position to Aquarius? Nobody would do that! You... oh dear! Your life is spared this time!"

Indeed, I might actually be able to save my life.

Upon hearing Scorpio Director's words, the director of the Cleanup Bureau, who had been feigning seriousness, finally couldn't help but reveal a smile.

The other board members seem to be right; Aquarius is indeed a very promising person!

Having found the only possible way to break the deadlock, Leon, who had given himself a glimmer of hope, nodded reservedly in acknowledgment. The director of the Cleanup Bureau, who had been feeling depressed because of being thoroughly humiliated, instantly felt incredibly relieved, and a very enthusiastic smile appeared on his face.

Cancer is right. Compared to the hope of the old land, the hope of this "native" land seems more appealing... No wonder Joan of Arc and the others value him so much; this young man is truly remarkable! If the future Cleanup Bureau were entrusted to him, he would seem to have a great future!
Tsk, he was all sullen when Lyon opposed you before, but now he's all smiles like an old chrysanthemum...

Thanks to Lyon's reminder, the situation took a dramatic turn for the better, and the director of the Cleanup Bureau, who was almost certainly going to die, was given a new lease on life. The tense nerves of the Taurus director couldn't help but relax.

After giving the ecstatic head of the cleaning bureau a disdainful look, the Taurus director spoke up, telling him to leave:

"Alright, now that you have hope, hurry back! There's nothing more for you here. Go find your own hope!"

"No hurry, no hurry."

After waving to the Taurus director, the head of the Cleanup Bureau, who for some reason found Lyon increasingly pleasing to the eye, couldn't help but lean closer and praise him with a smile:
"No wonder you're the fastest-promoted cleaner in a thousand years. I never expected that you would save my life before we've even met... By the way, my great-granddaughter should be about your age this year. Would you like to get to know her?"

"..."

[By being personally appointed by the current Director of the Cleanup Bureau, Armando, you have successfully succeeded him as the current Director of the Cleanup Bureau, and you have obtained the unique identity badge "Director of the Cleanup Bureau (Golden Dung)"]

【Director of the Cleanup Bureau (Other Color, Excrement Gold, Cannot Upgrade): After discovering that individual human strength was too weak, the current director of the “Cleanup Bureau” is a human organization that was spontaneously formed over an extremely long period of time with the aim of protecting its own race.

It oversees the Sun Shade Headquarters, 88 Branch Bureaus, and the Underworld Branch Bureau, and commands 13 Star Palace Directors, 13 Zodiac Branch Bureaus, 75 Non-Zodiac Branch Bureaus, Level 1, 2, and 3 Cleaners, and related non-official personnel, totaling 6157 people. It is the nominal supreme ruler of the human race.

[Effect of wearing: Human affinity: The closer a sentient being's physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional qualities are to humans, the higher their affinity for you will be.]

[Advanced Path: Maximum level reached, no further advancement possible]

[Hidden Trait: This young man has a bright future: The effect of "Human Affinity" will be slightly enhanced when dealing with older humans, and their level of trust in you will also increase accordingly. After the affinity reaches a certain level, there is a chance that they will take the initiative to introduce you to a mate.]

　Two-in-one... Or 2...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)