Endless Debt-Chapter 788 - 249: Return_2

"Original Object?"

Bologue noticed an important point, "So, you’re saying the Original Object didn’t disappear with us?"

"No," Lebius shook his head, "The Original Object is currently under the protection of the Sublimation Furnace Core."

Geoffrey, who was beside them, spoke up, "It’s strange, I thought the attack from Joyful Garden was to take the Original Object, yet it only took you few."

Geoffrey couldn’t understand this aspect most. For the Original Object, the Zongge Orchestra, Unfettered Poetry Society, and the Order Bureau—these three factions were constantly clashing, even involving the Tide People. After leaving countless corpses behind, when Joyful Garden had the best opportunity to steal the Original Object, they instead abandoned it and took these unlucky ones away, disappearing without a trace.

At this moment, Hart spoke up, "Actually, we just got here not long ago, and haven’t had the chance to report."

The awakening process for Hart and Aimou wasn’t smooth. When the two suddenly appeared in the dormitory within the Order Bureau, it was like triggering some kind of alarm. The field staff quickly surrounded their room, and to ensure safety, Lebius personally conducted a brief interrogation to verify their identities.

Soon after was the return of Bologue and Palmer. Perhaps because the two arrived indoors from outside the Order Bureau in a normal way, they didn’t trigger any alarms. After all, logically speaking, their actions were just like a normal commute.

Without any small talk or comfort, Bologue sorted out his thoughts and immediately explained to Lebius their experience inside Joyful Garden, from meeting Ewen, to Cinderella’s mutation, and finally Ewen’s Wish Card.

Bologue and Lebius narrated everything but specifically concealed the part about Belphegor. Most of the staff were unaware of Belphegor’s existence, so to avoid trouble, Bologue chose to conceal this matter together with Lebius.

After combining their information, Hart, who had been in a coma, then realized what had happened during his unconsciousness. But when Bologue and the others asked him what he experienced in the nightmare, Hart became hesitant and ambiguous.

Bologue didn’t continue to press him; from the previous discussion with Aimou, he roughly guessed what Hart had gone through, and he didn’t like to expose people’s wounds.

"So, Ewen saved you?"

Even the battle-hardened Lebius, after hearing their experiences, his expression couldn’t help but become complicated, especially upon learning about Ewen and Asmodeus.

The temptation of mortals by Devils is a common theme, so common it’s almost happening all the time, yet this was Lebius’s first encounter with a scenario where a Devil could be deceived.

Lebius developed some interest in Ewen, not expecting that the seemingly ordinary mortal on the train would possess such willpower.

"From the outcome, yes, he used the Wish Card to release us."

After finishing, Bologue paused, looked at Lebius suspiciously, and requested, "Can you let everyone else leave for a moment?"

"What’s the matter?"

"I want to confirm some things."

Lebius roughly understood Bologue’s intention, he said, "You’re afraid this is also part of Joyful Garden’s plot? You haven’t really escaped."

Bologue nodded very honestly, "That’s one twisted Devil, whatever she does, I wouldn’t be surprised."

Lebius permitted Bologue’s request, and the others cooperated by leaving, closing the office door, leaving Bologue and Lebius alone inside.

"This incident isn’t that simple."

Bologue’s words surprised Lebius, the lack of trust in Lebius was merely a guise; what Bologue wanted was to create a scenario where he could talk alone with Lebius.

"Belphegor also joined this game."

Bologue recalled Ewen’s words and actions, "Belphegor seems to have made a bet with Asmodeus, and Ewen is the core of that bet."

Upon hearing Belphegor’s name, Lebius remained very calm; his intervention had been anticipated by Lebius long ago, after all, back at the Wrecked Ship Shore, Lebius had already had some contact with Belphegor.

Belphegor and Asmodeus’s strife had started long ago, but this time their dispute was fully revealed.

Lebius asked, "What exactly do they want to do?"

"I don’t know," Bologue continued, "To be honest, in those circumstances, it was hard enough just to survive, let alone explore the Devils’ secrets."

"But you came back alive, from Joyful Garden."

Lebius’s tone carried a hint of admiration, "This is indeed one of the incredible achievements. You should know we have almost no records of the inside of Joyful Garden."

Bologue sighed, "I understand, I’ll write a detailed report for you later."

Sometimes, Lebius’s way of thinking was easy to understand, simple and straightforward.

"I... I feel uneasy."

Bologue was silent for a moment, then conveyed his feelings to Lebius, "The Devils’ actions are growing larger, not to mention their wagers."

Bologue still remembered his identity as a Chosen One, and the disputes among the Devils. Thinking about these, Bologue began to suspect whether everything that happened in Joyful Garden was also part of the Devils’ strife.

"Instead of thinking about these, why not ask him directly?"

Bologue thought he had misheard, looked at Lebius with a surprised face, but Lebius was not joking. He crossed his hands in front of himself, with a highly serious attitude, suggesting to Bologue.

"Instead of guessing aimlessly, why not listen to what Belphegor has to say."

Bologue questioned, "Are you sure?"

This feeling was so strange; your superior recommending you to chat with a potential adversary. But thinking carefully, Bologue truly had no qualms; he was, after all, another Devil’s Chosen One.

"I’m sure. Didn’t you also feel this incident wouldn’t end so simply?"

Lebius continued, "I don’t like Devils, but at the necessary moments, our interests do align."

Bologue took a deep breath, pondered for a moment, then asked, "How should I find him?"

Belphegor was hidden deep within the Order Bureau, but in normal circumstances, he wouldn’t interfere with reality; previous contact was because Belphegor actively reached out to him.

"He might be waiting for you just outside."

Lebius said, "The Unfettered Poetry Society has already declined, and the power he can use is limited. Even if you don’t go to find him, he will come to you actively."

"Hearing this, the Devil seems somewhat pitiful."

Bologue murmured, "Possessing omnipotent power, yet needing mortals to execute."

Devils were prisoners, slaves to power.

Bologue stood up, exchanged a glance with Lebius, "Honestly, I don’t like Belphegor."

"Why?"

"I think he’s a narcissist, and a very tasteless one."

Bologue prayed that he wouldn’t be forced to watch films by Belphegor. Freely speaking, Belphegor truly should go to a film school for further study, to see how others edit films.

Belphegor never spared any frame from cutting, just like his pursuit of the Endless Poems, he would gather all creations, regardless of how bloated they became.

Lebius laughed as if he too had been forced to watch films by Belphegor, and Bologue also chuckled a couple of times to himself. After the laughter, Lebius put away his smile.

"By the way, Bologue, there’s something else you need to be notified about."

"What is it?"

Lebius picked up a document; it was information from the Decision Room, "You’ve done very well, both now and previously."

Bologue asked, "And then?"

"The Decision Room has prepared materials for your upcoming promotion, meaning, in a short time, you might begin advancement as a Negative Power User."

Lebius then added, "And from my personal standpoint... welcome back."