"Lord Taurus."
After confirming that the Pure White Holy Mother wasn't up to anything tricky and was honestly doing as required, Leon jumped down from the old Yellow Bull's head and found the board mbers of the Clearing Bureau looking shocked at the summit of Heavenly Mountain.
"Long ti no see, you still look pretty much the sa as before."
After greeting the silver-haired Taurus Board mber, Leon nodded to the other board mbers gathered around and then spoke gently:
"We still need to bother everyone for a while longer. Although the Pure White Land has already been unified with Heavenly Mountain, it was quite a stretch to bring it back. To fully expand it to its original form, it'll probably take a few more months.
The situation over at the Abyss Hundred Prisons is similar, and since the Evil Abyss Dominator is dead, it can't actively unify with the Abyss Hundred Prisons. So, for the next few months, soone needs to keep an eye on it. Please bear with the troubles."
"It's no trouble, no trouble!"
"No, no, it's still tougher on you, Director."
Except for the Taurus Board mber who had a close relationship with Leon, the other board mbers had only known Leon for a few months, so there was naturally so awkwardness after not seeing each other for over two years. However, after exchanging a few pleasantries, the initial awkward atmosphere gradually ward up.
Looking at Heavenly Mountain underfoot, which was continuously expanding, the impatient Scorpio Board mber couldn't help but give a thumbs up and exclaid:
"Earlier, while collecting star fragnts in Old Soil, these Angels tried to catch , but unexpectedly, you caught them all back this ti in one go... Director, I truly admire you this ti!"
???
Admires this ti? So, he had quite a big issue with before?
Raising an eyebrow in slight surprise, Leon quietly noted the Scorpio Board mber's "boastful words" in a black ledger and then seed to suddenly rember sothing, turning towards the Taurus Board mber with a hint of apology in his voice:
"Lord Taurus, speaking of the director, I haven't completely accomplished my goals this ti in Old Soil. Based on a ssage I got from the Dream Rest Ravine, Director Ando seems to be trapped in Ring Ti Mountain.
I originally planned to gather the Abyss remnants and then go find him, but I got sidetracked by the search for allies and the Pure White Land, and was worried that after leaving, the Pure White Holy Mother might escape, so I had to change plans and move her and the Pure White Land back first..."
"It's alright. Knowing Ando, he'll likely understand and even prefer you to do so,"
comforted the Taurus Board mber, saying:
"Since he hasn't 'passed' the director position to you yet, it's certain that he won't die, and if he doesn't die, the chance of Aries being in danger is low. They can wait a bit longer and should be able to hold out, whereas the chance to move the Pure White Land back might not co again... Oh, Leon."
After montarily hesitating, the Taurus Board mber said with so apology:
"After you left with that No. 1 incarnation, there were quite a few happenings over here in the real world... please don't worry, it's not bad news but good news. Still, your family worried it might weigh on your mind and asked us not to tell you for now..."
"I know."
Hearing the Taurus Board mber's words, Leon instinctively clenched his fist and then responded by asking:
"My child was born, right?"
???
"Yes..."
Glancing at Leon in surprise, the Taurus Board mber nodded and said, sowhat puzzled:
"A healthy boy, born just a few days ago... Leon, how did you know?"
With the badge out, what is there I wouldn't know?
Smiling at the Taurus Board mber, Leon, feeling quite emotional, casually made up a story:
"Let's call it a kind of intuition? On the way back, I suddenly felt like my child should have been born... Lord Taurus, I want to return to the real world for a while, and I'll be taking the Pure White Holy Mother. Can I trouble you to keep an eye on things here?"
"It's no trouble at all."
Seeing the rare show of eagerness in Leon's usually calm eyes, the silver-haired old lady smiled and nodded:
"It's rare to see you this anxious... go ahead, they're all waiting for you at your ho."
"Alright, I'm off!"
Having received the news through his badge, Leon's heart was already yearning to return, had it not been for the importance of the situation with the Pure White Land and Heavenly Mountain, he might have rushed straight to the real world the mont he stepped out from the stargate.
Finally having completed his duties, he could no longer contain the excitent in his heart, imdiately beckoning to the stunned Pure White Holy Mother, transforming her into a white-feathered hen, tossing her onto the back of the old Yellow Bull, and headed straight for the real world.
What a youngster... seems he's really in a hurry, although it's understandable.
Watching Leon's fading figure, the Taurus Board mber shook her head slightly, then beckoning the other board mbers who were whispering amongst themselves, she rose to walk towards the hole at the peak of Heavenly Mountain.
Based on the information Leon previously relayed, these Angels are considered trustworthy. Once they awaken from the dream, they'll maintain the order of Heavenly Mountain, whereas the demons of the Abyss Hundred Prisons need to be strictly controlled.
Peaceful coexistence is almost impossible among demons, if not monitored closely, the demons on both sides might wage a bloody battle before the Abyss Hundred Prisons can unite with the Abyss Hundred Prisons, leading to a substantial reduction in numbers.
The Abyss Hundred Prisons had been thoroughly destroyed earlier, and the number of demons Leon brought back is already limited. Any further reduction might affect the subsequent acquisition of root strength, so they must be "cherished" properly.
While the board mbers left Heavenly Mountain and proceeded to the Abyss Hundred Prisons to maintain it, outside the now-expanded Heavenly Mountain, a deep cyan spatial rift suddenly appeared. Four figures in cyan, red, yellow, and black squeezed through it, and collectively sighed deeply with their eyes closed.
We're late, damn that bull for being so fast, dragging an entire Pure White Land along and still arriving ahead of us...
"What should we do?"
After cautiously glancing in the direction of the real world, the Crimson King spoke with furrowed brows:
"The secret pattern [Father] left in the real world has been activated, indicating that the true No. 3 has appeared, but the Food God returned ahead of us. Should we still try to sneak in and search for the true No. 3?"
"Of course!"
Omnia Cicada glanced at him, then decisively said:
"With the Ring Ti imprint [Father] left for , we're no longer affected by the Watcher's Palace. Sneaking in won't be detected, and with Thrush Crow's Disaster Avoidance, we can definitely give it a try."
"But after all, it's the Food God..."
Having witnessed Leon's dining in the Pure White Land, the Yellow King, previously skeptical, was now fully integrated into the so-called Four Coward Gods team, and he worriedly reminded:
"Even if he's not truly No. 3, the real world counts as his territory. Also, aside from the Pure Land and Abyss Hundred Prisons, the roots of Dream and Death are wildly inclined towards here. Should he notice us..."
"We'll just run."
Interrupting the Yellow King, Omnia Cicada raised his hand marked with the lighthouse imprint, confidently stating:
"We have the imprint [Father] left for . If the Food God notices us, this imprint will imdiately signal a warning, then we can use Thrush Crow's authority to escape, and we will definitely have enough ti.
Moreover, our goal isn't to attack the Food God this ti but to find the true No. 3. We don't have to risk approaching him, which lowers the chance of sothing going wrong.
And if we're lucky enough, the true No. 3 might not even be in The Twelve Kingdoms, just a brat in so city-state far, far away from the places the Food God would visit.
We'll find the target according to the imprint, and get Thrush Crow to take us away. The Food God may notice but might not be able to catch up... Thrush Crow, what's your opinion?"
What do I think?
With the other Three Pillar Gods casting their gazes towards him, since just now feeling a throbbing sense of dread, Thrush Crow's throat moved slightly as he fearfully confessed:
"You three look ashen, like... like you're close to death!"
(*ﾟДﾟ*)?!(*ﾟДﾟ*)?!(*ﾟДﾟ*)?!
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