"Will the source remnant who controls death strike at the Realm of the Dead in the future?"

After hearing Leon’s words, the Cancer director, who is currently responsible for communicating between the present world and the Realm of the Dead and coordinating operations with the Underworld branch, couldn’t help but tense up and asked Leon:

"Director, where did you get this news? Are you sure it’s correct?"

"Uh... it shouldn’t be wrong? Although I can’t say for certain, it should be quite likely."

Not daring to tell the Cancer director that the news actually came from his own toddler’s babbling, Leon spoke some empty phrases and glossed over the source of the information, then added:

"In any case, everyone knows the importance of the Underworld branch, so regardless of the truth of the news, we must pay attention and try to make the necessary preparations."

"The director is right."

As soon as Leon finished speaking, the Scorpio director, who had become a steadfast supporter of the "Director faction," immediately chimed in:

"Since the establishment of the Underworld branch, excluding the initial half-year when it was not yet organized, the casualty rate among the Cleaners of the bureau has decreased by over 900-fold, and in the past half-year alone, there’s been an unprecedented zero death rate. So I support the director’s view; the Underworld branch must be defended!"

"Scorpio, defending the Underworld branch is certainly without objection from any of us, and the discussion right now isn’t about that."

Giving Scorpio a stern look to signal not to disrupt such an important meeting, the Virgo director, with furrowed brows, queried Leon: 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Director, as you previously said, the Graveyard Dominator eyeing the Underworld branch is also a member of the Death... Death Mule Alliance. In fact, that Death... that alliance was co-founded by him and the Hanging Star Dominator.

And currently, Number 1 poses the greatest threat to the present world, needing ally support. If we sour relations with the Graveyard Dominator because of the Underworld branch, might it affect the Death... Death Mule Alliance’s stance towards us?"

"..."

I don’t know if a fallout with the Graveyard Dominator would affect the Death Mule Alliance’s stance, but from your stuttering every time you mention the Death Mule Alliance, it seems the name chosen by the Hanging Star Dominator really gets to you.

"To be honest, I’m not very sure about this either."

After glancing at the similarly worried directors, Leon candidly admitted:

"Currently, the anti-Number 1 alliance members include Number 2 from Hanging Horn Star Gorge, Number 4 from the Graveyard, Number 10 from the Boundless Wilderness, and Number 11 from the Ancestral Land of Ten Thousand Spirits, with Number 12 from Extreme Sublimation likely joining soon.

But among them, I’ve only engaged with Number 2 and Number 11; the rest are merely names I’ve heard of, and I’m unclear on their intentions. Thus, I’m unable to ascertain whether a fallout with the Graveyard Dominator would impact their stance towards us."

"Should we temporarily make concessions?"

Upon hearing Leon’s response, the Capricorn director couldn’t help but frown and asked:

"Just as Virgo mentioned, the greatest threat currently comes from Number 1. If we don’t wish for the present world to follow in the footsteps of the Abyss of Ten Thousand Evils, then support from the Death Mule Alliance is crucial.

And in the Death Mule Alliance, the two strongest members happen to be the Hanging Star Dominator and the Graveyard Dominator. Falling out with the Graveyard Dominator now doesn’t seem like a wise choice?"

Yes, I’m worried about this too.

As Capricorn finished speaking, Leon sighed inwardly.

Recall that during the time at the Pure White Land, the mule once mentioned that it was quite familiar with Numbers 4 and 10, maintaining a fairly good relationship, which is why they banded together against Number 1.

If this "fairly familiar" relationship surpasses mere acquaintanceship and reaches a mutual assistance level, then a fallout with the Graveyard Dominator might inadvertently offend Numbers 2 and 10, which would be quite detrimental to the present world.

"Taurus."

Suppressing his inner thoughts temporarily, Leon turned to the ever-silent Taurus director on his left and proactively asked:

"What’s your view? If the Graveyard Dominator demands too much, exceeding our concession baseline, would you prefer safeguarding the Underworld branch or prioritizing maintaining relations with the Death Mule Alliance?"

"I haven’t decided yet."

Taurus shook his head, then countered with a question:

"Leon, what about you? How do you view this matter?"

"I also haven’t decided."

After pondering for a moment, Leon answered:

"Since the Graveyard Dominator hasn’t arrived yet, we are unaware of his exact attitude and what concession baseline he might accept. I intend to first negotiate with him to see if there’s a peaceful resolution.

However, from my interactions with other source remnants, I’ve observed that most possess extremely resilient minds, are quite clear on what they want, and once they make a decision, it’s hard to change it. The likelihood of conflict is significant.

Therefore, although I plan to prioritize negotiations and consider conceding to a certain extent, I also think it’s essential to prepare for confronting it, even engaging in direct conflict."

"Then let’s follow your plan!"

To Leon’s surprise, the rarely decisive Taurus director promptly made a decision:

"All of us directors have minimal contact with source remnants, so our judgments might be incorrect, and we lack the strength to resist them. Ultimately, it rests upon you.

Leon, you are now the bureau’s director, so whether we negotiate or fight, whether to safeguard the Underworld branch or alliance relations, it’s up to your decision. I trust your judgment!"

"Seconded."

Beside Taurus, the Cancer director pondered for a moment before raising his hand:

"Joan is right. We’ve had too little contact with the source remnants, so our ideas might not be accurate. The decision should be left to the director."

"I agree."

Both the Capricorn and Scorpio directors nodded in agreement.

"Though the director’s choices tend to be somewhat radical, considering the end results, they aren’t bad. They’re not the worst choices, so let’s continue to trust this time."

"Yes, if negotiation works, great; if not, fight! The director relocated the entire Pure White Land; if it doesn’t work, we’ll do it again, and directly move that Graveyard back!"

You’re quite optimistic... if only it were that simple...

Seeing the eager Scorpio director, Leon couldn’t help but shake his head in slight dismay.

The Pure White Holy Mother and the Graveyard Dominator are Numbers 5 and 4 respectively. Despite sounding close, according to the old bull’s wisdom, Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 are apparently stronger by a tier than other dominators.

The Graveyard Dominator’s strength should be similar to the Hanging Star Dominator, and even after engulfing the Evil Abyss Dominator and absorbing a substantial amount of evil’s source, I’m still not assured of defeating that mule.