I! Cleaner!

"By the time the Bureau completes its self-check and decides who should be sent to capture the Aquarius, this hair you secretly placed will definitely give him a big surprise."

"That's fantastic!"

Leon couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness at these words.

*In the Aquarius's eyes, his past self was just an insignificant character, but after a fierce debate, he had almost been drained by the Scale of Truth. Now, he was undoubtedly marked in the Aquarius Director's mind. The sooner the Aquarius Director was caught, the safer his family would be.*

"Hey, Leon."

As Leon tried to recall the scenes from back then, pondering if there was any way to hasten the demise of the Aquarius Director, the Red-haired Director suddenly remembered something and instructed,

"The sun is almost setting. You, Jerry, and Prince Joshua will likely be sent back to the Capital City the moment the sun sets.

I need two to three days to wrap things up here. Although Emma has been cleared of suspicion, it will still take a day or two for her to return. Which means, only you and Jerry will be here at the Bureau tomorrow..."

"I understand, Director."

Leon immediately straightened up and promised,

"I will cooperate with Senior Jerry and work hard to maintain the situation at the Bureau to ensure nothing goes wrong before you return."

"Uh... Your determination is really commendable, but actually, that wasn't what I was trying to say..."

Seeing Leon's somewhat perplexed expression, the Red-haired Director embarrassedly added,

"I have some newspaper and magazine subscriptions that are bi-weekly, and tomorrow is the last renewal day. So... could you drop by the post office across from The Sun News and help me fill out the subscription forms?"

"Alright..."

Defeated by this overly down-to-earth request, Leon, the hero who had just thwarted the Aquarius Director's conspiracy and successfully protected the world, nodded speechlessly and agreed to run the errand for his Director.

Shortly afterward, as the sun set, the Purge Bureau Headquarters faded into the world's dark side. Lacking sunlight's support, the figures of Leon and his companions briefly distorted, and then transformed into countless tiny specks of light, disappearing from the Bureau's Headquarters.

Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace's secret chamber housing the Syllabic Stele, the three individuals who had been missing for half a day reappeared, landing head over heels onto the wool carpet.

...

"We're finally back..."

With genuine relief, Jerry, the fittest of them, rose first, then helped the still-dizzy Leon up and gave him a thumbs-up.

"Impressive, Leon, not only did you deliver crucial evidence, forcing the Aquarius Director to accept memory reading, but you also managed to escape unscathed after being targeted by him! Honestly, I have a feeling you'll become an extraordinary figure in the future. Perhaps within my lifetime, I might even see you take a Director's seat!"

"Ugh... Just luck..."

Closing his eyes for a moment, Leon shook off the disorientation and replied,

"The one who truly seized the crucial evidence was you, Senior Jerry, with your Cunning Hand of Fate. I merely caught Prince Joshua who came back from the future. As for managing to escape unscathed from the Aquarius, that was pure luck. If I'd been off just a little bit, I'd be nothing but dust... By the way, what's up with that dumb prince? Why hasn't he said a word?"

"Let me check..."

Upon hearing Leon's question, Senior Jerry released the now steady Leon and examined Prince Freckles on the carpet. Although everything seemed normal, his gaze was inexplicably despondent, as if he had suffered an indescribable blow.

*Could it be... I'm really just a useless person?*

While Leon had briefed the Director, he hadn't deliberately hidden anything from Prince Freckles. Though Joshua didn't entirely grasp what had happened—especially regarding some palace and god stuff—he got the gist of it.

*The things in my dreams really happened in another future, where I was a clown who lost almost everything. Lured by the Purge Bureau's Aquarius Director, I used some gate to return to the past, created a rebellion to try to change the future, and became nothing but a pawn manipulated by the Aquarius Director. Meanwhile, this villain who repeatedly beat me to a pulp was entrusted by my sister Veronica, not only capturing my future self but also restoring everyone's erased memories and thwarting the Aquarius's scheme. He's like the nemesis to both of my selves. What's worse is he seems to be my de facto brother-in-law and might even marry Veronica, truly becoming part of the royal family in the future... Damn it! Why him?*

Suddenly sitting up from the ground, Prince Freckles struggled out of his self-doubt and glared angrily at Leon.

"You damn... uh..."

Seeing Leon's right hand twitch slightly, Joshua, already familiar with the starting posture for a powerful move, instinctively bit back the curse he was about to hurl. He propped himself up with his hands and scooted back, threatening with not much conviction,

"The Purge Bureau and the kingdoms have an agreement not to interfere with royal affairs. So, your proposal to Veronica doesn't count! If I complain a few more times, they'll definitely stop you!"

"..."

*You've improved; you're already learning to be cautious.*

Mulling over Prince Freckles' words, Leon found the tone rude but not affronting enough to warrant a beating. Regretfully clicking his tongue, he decided to ignore him and turned to leave the chamber.

Just then, Prince Freckles called out from behind,

"Hey! Have you ever considered working with me?"

???

*Wow, is Joshua really saying this? Did someone else take over in just a short while?*

...

*Stay calm, make judgments rationally, try to win over talented individuals, engage in beneficial exchanges targeted at what matters most to each person, and even dealing with enemies if necessary...*

Watching Leon turn back in surprise, the matured Prince Freckles, recalling past advice he'd once scoffed at, forced down his old grievances and promised calmly,

"The reasons you side with Veronica are either for power, wealth, or beauty, all of which I can offer you—perhaps even more than she can! What's more, compared to Veronica, I have a clear advantage she absolutely doesn't... I know what happens in the future!"

Seeing Leon didn't leave but rather started scrutinizing him, Joshua, for the first time feeling like he was leading the conversation, couldn't help but curl his lips into a confident smile.

*I've got this! Even if in the original future, I was an incompetent clown, nothing's happened yet! With the future's memories, from now on, if I try hard, I can definitely change it! As for this guy in front of me, aside from the Bureau's background, he's just a Duke who lucked out. In the past, I just tried to kick him away, of course he bit me back hard, but if I threw a few bone scraps smeared with grease his way, he'd wag his tail at me, like a...*

"If you hadn't said anything, I might have almost forgotten."

Looking at the confident Prince Freckles before him, Leon couldn't help but flash a kind smile. He then took out paper and pen from the small mirror he always carried and handed them over, speaking with a smile,

"Come on, write down everything you know about the future! Especially intelligence on the Crolock Kingdom, don't leave anything out! For instance, what mineral resources do Crolock Kingdom's agents know about; why are they invading the kingdom, when did they invade, and what has the Aquarius Director been up to in the future... jot down everything you know, don't miss a single piece!"

"You?!!!"

"You what?"

Having checked Joshua's soul and confirmed no switch, Leon immediately put on a stern face. In the midst of Prince Freckles' shock and anger, he first pointed at the paper and pen in his hands, then shook his right hand,

"Either write that, or take this beating, your choice!"