"It seems you've noticed it as well."

Looking at Leon, who had pointed out the key issue right in front of him, the blue-haired old man couldn't help but nod appreciatively, then praised:

"Sir Aquarius, truly a once-in-a-millennium genius. It took me almost two days to figure out the crux, yet you found a way to break the illusion in such a short time."

"Uh... You're too kind, it was just luck on my part."

"Humble as well, but this can't be explained by luck alone."

Seeing Leon, young but already in a 'high position', still remain polite and humble towards someone ranked slightly below him, the director of the Aquarius Branch couldn't help but grow fonder and voiced his praises:

"I previously thought, since the board member hadn't been with the Clean-up Bureau for long and hadn't experienced many tasks, he might excel in talent but lack in details.

But now it seems your excellence isn't limited to secret techniques and anomalies; in other aspects, you're equally impressive... Discovering such a hidden flaw in such a short time, you're already more seasoned than most Cleaners."

"..."

This old... elder, has quite the knack for compliments, huh?

After furtively touching the Black Goat's horn and discovering it was all genuine, Leon's expression turned quite eager.

After exchanging a few compliments, quickly closing the distance between them, the Aquarius director glanced at the blue-haired youth still asleep on the Nightmare's back, then gently said:

"Board member, may I ask for your help with something?"

"Go ahead."

"Haha, it's nothing major really, just asking if you could divert part of the Nightmare River to send these two kids back up. They really can't be of much help with the upcoming tasks, so…"

"Uncle Grandpa!"

Before Leon could respond, the female Cleaner beside him widened her eyes, showing a hint of displeasure:

"Sending Harvey up is one thing, but I'm a Cleaner at the Aquarius Branch! You..."

"You're just a 'level three' Cleaner!"

"And I'm a board member!"

"Reserve board member!"

After glaring at the female Cleaner, the Aquarius director's face darkened slightly as he admonished:

"Do you know what's going on below? The best outcome for us and the board member going down is facing two True Gods of the Slaughter King Association!

But in the worst-case scenario, we might face True Gods of the Slaughter King Association, nearly a hundred thousand clansmen of the Earth Three Tribes, and three Earth Clan Leaders of the Yellow Road level! Can you handle such a mission?"

"I can definitely help!"

The female Cleaner said anxiously:

"Even if I can't fight those leaders, I can fight the ordinary Earth Three Tribe members! Uncle Grandpa! I want to be with you..."

"Listen! This is not the time for you to be willful!"

The blue-haired old man, usually gentle toward the female Cleaner, frowned and scolded:

"Have you forgotten about the Watcher's Palace event? With your and Harvey's bloodlines being so important, you shouldn't be risking yourself here! If just to take out a few Earth seedlings, you two ended up getting trapped down there, how would I explain to the Bureau? To all of humanity?"

"I..."

...

I think I've figured it out. This old man is hinting at me!

After hearing the Aquarius director outwardly scold Melly while his words seemed directed at him, a flash of realization crossed Leon's eyes.

He probably suspects that since I brought the blue-haired King, a 'regular person', along, I'm aware of the truth about my 'parents' revenge' and plan to bring the Cleaner siblings into the battle below with the intention of finding a reason to get rid of them to avenge my parents.

But since I haven't done anything yet, he couldn't directly point out my supposed 'malicious intent.' Furthermore, with the looming battle to protect humanity, internal conflict must be avoided, so he resorted to an indirect approach to persuade me to abandon the idea of harming the Cleaner siblings.

The problem is, I never had that intention...

Shaking his head somewhat helplessly, Leon raised his hand to stop the conversation between the grandparent and grandchild, then pulled out the Black Goat and handed it to the slightly tense blue-haired old man.

"Sir Baltro, I did indeed bring Melly and her brother down here for other plans, but it's definitely not what you suspect. It is to ensure the completion of this mission and the protection of humanity in the North and worldwide."

Pointing to his own steady, clearly non-deceptive soul, Leon sincerely said:

"Rest assured, if it gets extremely dangerous down there shortly, I will immediately find a Nightmare messenger to swallow Melly and her brother and hide them in the safest place possible... or should I just eat them myself?"

"Uh… no need for that..."

Seeing Leon's unreserved, honest, and sincere soul, a hint of guilt appeared in the blue-haired old man's eyes as he returned the disdainful sheep head, then solemnly bowed slightly to Leon.

"I'm sorry, board member, I misjudged you."

"No problem, my actions were indeed a bit strange, so it's understandable you'd think that way."

"But I didn't talk to you directly, instead… sigh!"

Sighing with a sense of shame, the Aquarius director shook his head, self-deprecating:

"One grows older with many thoughts, always tending to think the worst of people... I've been completely outmatched by you young ones."

"..."

(＠_＠;) ???

No… what exactly are you all talking about? I don't understand.

"Sir Baltro, let's discuss the mission details instead!"

Glancing at the genuinely perplexed young person across from him, Leon inquired:

"I've only recently become a board member, so I haven't read many files or secrets, and I know nothing about past events, so could you tell me about the Earth Three Tribes?"

"Sure."

Likewise, glancing at the female Cleaner's puzzled face, the blue-haired old man shook his head slightly, then began to explain:

"The so-called Earth Three Tribes are actually one of the original inhabitants of this world. They lived here long before we humans arrived.

However, the world back then was not as vast as it is now, and the environment was a thousand times harsher, with most areas uninhabitable. Only through the [Great Court] that simultaneously penetrates the Earth, Ocean, and Sky could living beings barely survive.

So those original inhabitants built nine large tribes centered around the [Great Court] in the world's core based on their lifestyles and environment, collectively known as the Great Court Ten Clans, including the shamans residing in the [Great Court].

The Earth Three Tribes now confined in the Stone Marrow Realm are, in order: the Deep Valley Tribe from the gorge valleys, the Great Plains Tribe from the vast plains, and the Great Cliff Tribe from cliff edges, naturally gifted with the mysterious power to wield the Earth."