"I... trust you..."
Facing Leon's "clean and wipe off" method of gaining trust, as the only other survivor of the Aquarius Branch, the middle-aged man felt utterly defeated and chose the only available path after a moment of silence.
After all, if what Leon said was true, then the people of the Aquarius Branch could still be saved, but if he was lying... it wouldn't matter whether he believed him or not.
"Leon... sir."
Uneasily adding an honorific after Leon's name, the middle-aged man, with his Heart Lake in turmoil, powerlessly asked:
"So what exactly are you planning to do? Take everyone from our Aquarius Branch and head straight down to the Earth River to find Director Baltro?"
"That was my initial thought."
Leon nodded upon hearing this and then said sincerely:
"But after hearing your analysis just now, I think your analysis makes a lot of sense.
Clearly, the Earth's core conduit has been open for more than half a month, but the Slaughter King Association waited until Director Baltro entered the Earth River to take action, only to be caught by him.
I also find this timing too coincidental; they likely have ulterior motives, seemingly preparing to unlock the Clean-up Bureau's seal on the Stone Marrow Realm, but actually intending to divert Director Baltro and take action on Rehe City.
Hmm... they might even be greedy enough to attempt both moves, to release the three clans trapped below and also target the Ashito royal family in Rehe City!"
"So what should we do?"
After listening to Leon's words, the female Cleaner, having returned to her senses, couldn't help but ask anxiously:
"If the Slaughter King Association really plans to strike both sides simultaneously, should we stay to guard Rehe City or go down to find Uncle Grandpa?"
"If we consider it from the most logical perspective, pursuing downwards might be the safer choice."
Leon thought for a while before speaking:
"The ultimate goal of the Slaughter King Association is quite evident from their name; their ultimate aim is to eliminate those who can 'enhance' the Watcher's Palace, namely the royal families.
And since you are of royal lineage, I can take you with me, ensuring that even if something happens to the royal family above, as long as you remain safe, the Slaughter King Association's purpose will not be fulfilled.
Additionally, considering the worst-case scenario, if the seal of the Stone Marrow Realm is indeed broken, then Director Baltro, who chased after them, would have to face both the Slaughter King Association and the three clans below, most likely landing in grave danger.
If we hurry over immediately, we can not only prevent the Slaughter King Association's objectives but also keep Director Baltro safe, which should be the most secure choice at the moment, though..."
Although Leon didn't finish his sentence, everyone present understood what he implied.
However, choosing this path would mean utterly abandoning the Northern Kingdom's royal family, including the entire populace of Rehe City. If the Slaughter King Association really is drawing the tiger away from the mountain, those left without protection could only face inevitable slaughter.
So, is it the citizens of Rehe City on one hand and Uncle Grandpa and the safety of the Watcher's Palace on the other?
...
When met with Leon's probing gaze, the female Cleaner instinctively clenched her fist, her two beautiful large eyes filled with confusion.
Just as Leon said, the most "correct" choice now naturally is to go underground first, to thwart the Slaughter King Association's plan and ensure Uncle Grandpa's safety, but...
"The cost is too great."
Glancing at the hesitating female Cleaner, the middle-aged man "Hope's" eyes momentarily went blank, then frowned at Leon:
"It is our duty as Cleaners to stand at the forefront of humanity, blocking those things beyond 'ordinary life' and protecting the stability of the real world. If we choose to sacrifice the citizens of Rehe City, it would mean abandoning our duty.
Next, although Sir Leon's proposed choice is the safest, it seems to lack confidence in Director Baltro. As the oldest qualified Yellow Road Director, his strength is among the top. He may not necessarily fail to catch up with the Slaughter King Association's people.
Moreover, Director Baltro has been pursuing them for a long time, probably already entering the Earth's core conduit; we almost can't catch up at their speed, so going down might actually be a burden. Therefore, we might as well focus on defending Rehe City first..."
When the middle-aged man paused for a moment, he then turned to the female Cleaner, looking earnest yet slightly sorrowful:
"Finally, if the worst-case scenario actually occurs... then I believe Director Baltro will make the choice a Cleaner should make, just like your mother did back then!"
The choice a Cleaner should make...
Upon hearing the middle-aged man's words, the female Cleaner's body trembled slightly, and she bit her lip hard.
"Uncle Hope, you... you are right!"
Seemingly having made a decision, the female Cleaner, with red-rimmed eyes, looked at Leon, her voice slightly trembling as she said:
"Leon, we should stay! Uncle Grandpa told me that as a Cleaner, he... he... boohoo!"
"..."
No... your Uncle Grandpa is still alive, okay? Why are you acting as if he's about to have a funeral?
Watching the female Cleaner, who went silent halfway through her sentence and suddenly started sobbing, Leon couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed.
Aren't we brainstorming ways to maximize the benefits for both sides? How did the conversation suddenly skip the research and discussion stage, directly deciding to sacrifice your Uncle Grandpa, and then immediately turn into an emotional appeal?
"Sir Leon!"
Perhaps influenced by the atmosphere, the previously despondent middle-aged man suddenly raised his head, looking at Leon, with tears in his tiger-like eyes:
"Stay and defend Rehe City! Director Baltro often told us that his greatest wish in life was not to die old without purpose, but to heroically sacrifice himself in the defense of humanity's..."
"Stop! Hold it right there!"
Not knowing how to react to the extraordinarily emotional outbursts of the two Cleaners, Leon couldn't help but sarcastically remark:
"Was Director Baltro treating you guys poorly or something? Why do I feel like you two can't wait for him to die? Please calm down and listen to me; now is not..."
"No! This is a necessary sacrifice!"
Interrupting Leon, the middle-aged man clenched his fists, passionately responding:
"Director Baltro won't die in vain! His death will bring about... uh... what's this?"
"Something to help you calm down."
Taking out a small bottle from the Mirror World, after flicking a few drops of the viscous liquid inside at the middle-aged man, Leon pulled the female Cleaner over and placed the small bottle in her hand.
"Drink! It's best to drink it all!"
"???"
Looking at the peculiar small bottle in her hand, the female Cleaner first sniffed it, then blinked in surprise, puzzlement filling her eyes:
"The taste is so familiar... what's inside this bottle?"
"Your saliva."
"Huh?"
"While you were unconscious on the Sky Clipper, drooling in your sleep, I casually collected some."
After explaining the origin of the small bottle of [Calming Saliva], having realized something amiss, Leon urged with a frown:
"Hurry up and drink! You both have been affected! Drink it all first before continuing!"
