Chapter 1393: Chapter 1236: Disappearance, Interrogation, and... Talent! (Part 2)
"The Graveyard Dominator would not hide for the sake of hiding; he must have discovered something or wants to investigate something. Whatever he plans, he will definitely have contact with our Underworld Bureau. A recently deceased would be the perfect disguise.
Moreover, based on the situation described by the Star Ruler, that Graveyard Dominator is not a particularly cautious person; he is even a bit careless, so when disguising his identity, he might not meticulously plan his background, probably just making it up.
So, after discussing with several directors stationed in the Realm of the Dead, we thought we could start from this aspect, thoroughly investigating new souls that entered the Realm of the Dead in the past five months, especially those whose identities before death cannot be confirmed; maybe we could directly identify the Graveyard Dominator."
"I see..."
After nodding slightly, Emma, who was almost lying on Leon’s back, straightened up and, while continuing to massage his temples, asked:
"By the way, what about the child? What did he say?"
"Uh..."
Faced with Emma’s inquiry, Leon’s posture stiffened slightly, then he hurriedly replied:
"Although he knows the general situation, revealing too much information from the future can easily change the present, thus creating a whole new future, and possibly even another version of himself.
For now, it seems like everything is developing towards a ’good ending’. Rather than revealing the future and disrupting this steady progress, it’s better to let things take their course, so he’s unwilling to directly tell me the location of the Graveyard Dominator, and I can’t force him."
"Oh..."
Nodding with partial understanding, Emma pursed her lips slightly, then, with some hesitation, gently cupped Leon’s head and said:
"Leon, when you brought that child to the Realm of the Dead before to inquire about the situation, why did he call me..."
"Cough, cough, cough, cough!"
A sudden, intense coughing fit interrupted Emma’s question, causing Leon, whose heart was fluttering, to respond evasively, saying:
"Kids, you know, sometimes wake up a bit fuzzy and mistake people. It’s normal, haha."
"But that’s not an ordinary child!"
Identifying Leon’s evasion, Emma applied a bit more force with her palms and chided lightly, her eyes carrying a hint of dissatisfaction:
"Even though he was only a little over a month old at the time, aside from not having a vast vocabulary, he was already very mature in intelligence and speech, wiser than many adults, I’d say!
If it were another kid mistakenly calling someone, I’d believe it, but that child is different. He wouldn’t just randomly call... call someone else mommy, there must be something odd here!"
Extending her arm forward, she wrapped it around Leon’s neck, pulling him back as he attempted to slip away, as the usually gentle Emma took a firm stance, pursing her lips and stubbornly questioning:
"Leon, are you hiding something from me?"
"No..."
"Yes! You definitely are!"
Though she didn’t want to disturb Leon’s work with personal matters during such crucial times, Emma’s heart couldn’t help but tremble slightly, recalling the baby with big, bright eyes sweetly calling her mommy and reaching out for hugs. With a firm resolve, she continued:
"I’ve been thinking about this for several months now! There’s definitely something wrong here! Though that child is yours and Veronica’s, I can’t shake off the feeling that, like Amy, he bears... he bears my shadow as well!"
After expressing this incredible notion, the usually gentle yet determined Emma circled to stand in front of Leon, forcibly sitting him down into a chair, as she gazed intently with burning eyes and inquired:
"Leon, tell me the truth, is that child... is he...?"
"Uh... don’t overthink it."
Looking at the hesitant yet seemingly sure Emma in front of him, Leon, sweating profusely from the cold sweat that flowed down his back, regretted his actions immensely.
As the message about the "Graveyard Dominator planning to seize the Underworld Bureau" originally came from his son, and due to failed attempts in finding the whereabouts of the Graveyard Dominator, he thought of asking his son for more detailed intelligence.
However, the situation, originally solvable through a cross-dimensional ’call,’ escalated as the little rascal directly appeared in the Realm of the Dead right after he finished asking the question and immediately called Emma "mommy."
This damn troublemaker... because of the previous uproar caused by the "cross-world son," Veronica is still mad at me, and if Emma "confirms" this claim, I fear being expelled from the Ryan Family!
"It’s just a misunderstanding."
Already having a vague relationship with Emma and afraid of confirming this cross-dimensional mother-child bond, Leon had to bring out his Master Performer badge, honestly explaining:
"The child probably just felt closer to you, so..."
"Leon, hold on a minute."
Rarely interrupting Leon, Emma, who had pinned him to the chair, bit her lip, with a complex expression in her eyes, she said:
"I don’t wish to make things difficult for you. If you don’t want to tell me the truth, there must be a reason, so whatever you say afterward, I’m willing to believe your response...
So what’s truly going on with that child? Why... why do I feel like he could be my own?"
"..."
Seeing Emma, who had already guessed he was hiding something from her but still left the decision up to him, Leon opened his mouth, hesitant, and said:
"It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, it’s just that the situation is, indeed, a bit complicated..."
"I’m not afraid of complications!"
"..."
You’re not afraid of complications, but I... if another me is my counterpart, then I fear I’m culpable!
"Alright then..."
Determined, as if making up his mind, Leon stared at Emma, who almost straddled him stubbornly, and took a deep breath. Sneakily, he reached out over her slim waist, seemingly ready to kiss her... then suddenly turned his head sharply toward the door!
"I-I’m sorry!!!"
Seeing Leon almost embracing Emma, the [Miss Crash] at the door, holding a huge stack of documents, instinctively screamed, then hurriedly dropped the files in her hand and covered her eyes tightly.
"Sorry for the interruption! I-I came at the wrong time!"
No no no! You came at the perfect time! Or rather, I specifically looked at your special talents, which is why I temporarily reassigned you here!
Seeing Emma’s cheeks turn slightly red, and then immediately releasing her grip, Leon, who had deliberately asked for [Miss Crash] from the Red-haired Director to be his secretary, couldn’t help but let out a long sigh, then waved at the door toward Miss Crash:
"It’s nothing, we weren’t doing anything... What are you holding? Is it also the investigation files requested by Lord Taurus?"
"Ye-yes..."
Timidly glancing at the helpless Emma, Miss Crash gingerly picked up the scattered files, trembling around in a large arc before placing the files on one corner of Leon’s desk, nervously reporting:
"These are the names of all the formal employees at the Underworld Bureau who joined in the last five months, along with relevant background checks and all records. Lord Taurus said... said that you should pay extra attention to the first person listed inside."
"I got it... don’t go just yet, wait until I finish writing the receipt before sending these files back."
Stopping the fleeing [Miss Crash], leaving her to help ’calm’ the bashful Emma afterward, Leon opened the files Miss Crash brought and looked at the personnel file specially highlighted by Director Taurus.
Name: Lair Des
Gender: Male
Position: Level 2 Judge, Tribunal of Criminal Acts (Malfeasance Penalty Status)
Origin: East Carleighwen Kingdom, Vine County, an unnamed village at the foot of the Bier Mountain Range (Under verification)
Cause of Death: Starvation (Under investigation)
...
Resume: A distinguished graduate of the 57th Human Culture Literacy class from the Underworld Bureau who completed a three-year course in just two months, rapidly passed the judicial exam in twenty-nine days, and was employed as an apprentice judge in the Tribunal. Later received a promotion for significant contributions.
Assessment: This employee is forward-thinking, proactive, and has demonstrated exceptional professional capability. Rising from complete illiteracy to an excellent judge in the tribunal showcases an eager learning attitude and extraordinary talent. Suggested for inclusion in the year-end promotion list.
