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Chapter 21: The Chief's Weakness
“You’re saying that the older nurse might also be someone who naturally carries an ‘anomaly’?” After listening to Leon’s report, the red-haired woman raised her eyebrows slightly, deep in thought.
“No wonder… I remember Emma’s report mentioned a nurse who could resist the hospital director’s control. At first, I thought it was because she was kind-hearted and upright, able to maintain her stance without being swayed by power, which allowed her to avoid the influence of that authority-based anomaly. But now, it seems more likely that she herself carries some sort of ‘anomaly,’ which is why she wasn’t manipulated… Leon, good job!”
After praising Leon with a glance, the red-haired chief smiled warmly. “Even though you’ve just finished a grueling cleanup mission, you still insisted on volunteering for fieldwork, diligently revisiting victims and uncovering new leads about anomalies from scarce clues. You’ve worked hard!”
Huh? Wait, that’s not right…
Leon blinked in surprise at the chief’s summary before hesitantly correcting her. “Thank you, Chief, but this afternoon wasn’t actually fieldwork—I took leave to visit my sister. And this information didn’t come from visiting victims either—it was—”
“Taking leave deducts half a day's salary, but volunteering for one field mission lets you apply for two gold coins as compensation.”
“…”
“It came from when I was out on duty, actively communicating with the gas company’s claims officer, and using the methods Chief and Senior Agent Emma taught me to analyze the situation.”
“Hmm, as expected of the person I have high hopes for. You really are suited for the Cleansing Bureau.” Satisfied with Leon’s tactfulness, the red-haired chief chuckled.
“Go ahead and file a fieldwork report based on what you said earlier, but don’t mention me or Emma. Embezzling funds is one thing; credit is another. What’s yours is yours. Unlike other departments, we don’t mix those things here. Besides, you gathered valuable intel during your downtime, so the special fieldwork allowance is well-deserved.”
“In that case… thank you, Chief! I’ll get started on the report right away!”
“Mm-hmm, go ahead.”
…
Leon wasn’t quite sure how to feel about his chief, who openly talked about embezzling funds yet somehow maintained an oddly “upright” demeanor. Still, a leader who fought for their subordinates’ benefits while refusing to take credit for their work would undoubtedly be popular within the bureau. No wonder Emma always spoke of her with such respect… Oh, right!
Suddenly remembering something, Leon, who had been about to leave, stopped and hesitated before speaking again. “Um… Chief, could I go on another field mission tomorrow?”
“…” The red-haired woman blinked in surprise, then instinctively narrowed her foxy eyes, smirking faintly.
“What? Short on cash again? Planning to scam more funding?”
“No, no, no, this time it’s real fieldwork—or you can count it as leave if you prefer.” Shaking his head earnestly, Leon explained sincerely.
“Yesterday, I reviewed Senior Agent Emma’s archived materials on the Red Brick Road Hospital Incident. It struck me as too much of a coincidence that all those patients appeared at once, almost as if they were deliberately ‘manufactured’ to amplify the contaminated individual. After all, the hospital only has around a hundred beds under normal circumstances. Unless both the waterworks company and the Department of Public Works had issues simultaneously, there wouldn’t have been so many patients for the hospital director to absorb. So I was thinking, maybe the bureau could investigate these two places—to see whether there’s a hidden hand causing trouble or if the companies themselves are problematic…”
“And, conveniently, use your position as a member of the Cleansing Bureau to dig up evidence of negligence from the waterworks company and the Department of Public Works, so you can secure compensation for the patients still lying in the hospital… Am I right?” The red-haired woman opened her charming fox-like eyes, gazing softly at the startled Leon with a mischievous smile.
“Heh, it seems that the goat wasn’t wrong about you—you’re the type with a strong sense of morality. Whenever you see something unjust, you can’t help but step in. Hmm… don’t be nervous. Though your proposal does include a tiny bit of ‘self-interest,’ I don’t dislike it. Innocent and kind-hearted youngsters are always endearing~”
After giving Leon an ambiguous evaluation, the red-haired woman stretched lazily, showcasing her elegant figure, then leaned back comfortably into her plush chair, smiling warmly.
“Fine, go ahead. This will count as fieldwork, but don’t make it a habit.”
“Thank you, Chief!”
“You’re welcome, but…” Resting her cheek on her hand, the red-haired woman eyed Leon with amusement, her lips curling into a sly grin.
“You’re just going to thank me verbally? No action?”
“Uh…”
Caught off guard by her sudden demand for “bribery,” Leon glanced at the mountain of empty bottles behind her desk and tentatively suggested, “uh… how about I treat you to a few drinks after work today?”
Hmm? Drinks? At Leon’s words, the red-haired woman’s eyes lit up slightly, and she instinctively straightened her posture.
Oh dear… By action, I actually meant that the bureau is short-handed lately, and I wanted him to volunteer for overtime. After investigating the waterworks company and the Department of Public Works, I’d like him to visit that middle-aged nurse, Hanna, and check on her situation. But since he insists on treating me to drinks… Hmm… It’s rare for a newcomer to join, so perhaps I, as his superior, should bond with him and foster camaraderie?
Secretly reaching for her waist to feel the emptiness of her purse, the red-haired chief sat up straight, cleared her throat loudly, and folded her hands, adopting a gentle expression. “In principle, I shouldn’t accept your invitation, but since you’re newly hired, consider it a welcome party—and a celebration of your joining the Cleansing Bureau.”
“Oh, alright!” Leon nodded, then suggested, “Should I invite Senior Agent Emma and the others who just returned?”
“Ahem… There’s no need to bother them.” After quietly calculating Leon’s salary, the red-haired woman stopped him, her tone stern and righteous.
“Emma needs to rush home to take care of kids, and as for the two who just returned, I’ll assign them new tasks—they’ll be leaving before sunset. So tonight, I’ll drink alone!”
“…”
You’ll drink alone… Seriously? Not even pretending anymore? You could’ve at least said that you will wecolme me alone!
Watching the red-haired woman, who suddenly seemed to lose all pretense and became utterly imprudent, Leon was momentarily speechless. He recalled the black goat’s evaluation of their chief.
“Listen up, kid. That wench may seem calm and cunning, and her strength is terrifying, but once she gets drunk, she turns into a complete lightweight. Her brain practically fizzes with alcohol. As long as booze isn’t involved, she’s sharp and capable against anyone. But once she starts drinking, she becomes utterly unreliable and her behavior drops to rock bottom. Be careful—don’t let her latch onto you!”
“…”
Oh no… I think I’ve dug myself into a big hole!
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