I! Cleaner!-Chapter 1024 - 782: The Sins of the Present World

Sure enough, I didn't expect you to really find the crux of the matter.

Looking at the "Prince Vernon" who stopped speaking after expressing his own ideas, and was now staring at him intently, a hint of surprise appeared in Leon's eyes, making him slightly reevaluate "Prince Vernon."

Although both sides had not directly laid all their cards on the table, "Prince Vernon's" series of remarks just now were no different from doing so. The true identity of the "Prince Vernon" before him is undoubtedly the former snake charmer director of the Cleansing Bureau.

According to what he heard from the Taurus director, this snake charmer director seems to be a typical "slacker." Although he is exceptionally talented—arguably the most outstanding snake charmer director in thousands of years—he seems to be a bit lacking in intelligence... or rather, common sense.

There's an old saying, though, that even a fool making a thousand considerations may have a good idea. Although the solutions he proposes are extremely unreliable, the snake charmer director still successfully found one of the roots of the current world's problems—the Cleansing Bureau.

...

In a certain sense, the snake charmer director's judgment isn't wrong; the world is decaying precisely because the Thirteen Kingdoms and the Cleansing Bureau have existed for too long, basically losing their ability to "self-regulate."

If it weren't for the Cleansing Bureau looming overhead, a typical human kingdom after operating for several centuries would see the vested interests divide everything up to the point where, with nothing left to take, those who've been bled dry would find ways to bleed others in return.

Eventually, when there's nowhere left to bleed dry and the lowest tier has no way out, they'd likely resort to the most direct means of violence, toppling and killing those clinging to power above them. Then the cycle would repeat, either with another among the vested interests rising or a hero turning into a dragon, and starting all over again.

Theoretically, it should work like this, but the world just happens to have a Cleansing Bureau.

Recalling the siblings who escaped from the Floating Crystal Mine in Crolock Kingdom, and the royal ship in the Realm of the Dead with its lower cabin full of instruments of torture and cages, Leon shook his head slightly.

To maintain the effectiveness of the Watcher's Palace and ensure absolutely no issues on the frontlines of resisting external gods, the Thirteen Royals have been semi-forced to preserve their status under the Cleansing Bureau, with the sharpest contradictions being constantly suppressed without any real outlet.

So, although the Cleansing Bureau didn't act directly, the bloodthirsty and limitless exploitation of the Floating Crystal Mine by Crolock Kingdom, Thousand Sails Maritime Country maintaining at least a millenium-long campaign of plunder, and all those inhumane operations by other kingdoms—all these have the Cleansing Bureau's hand behind them.

Under the protection of the Cleansing Bureau, the Thirteen Kingdoms have clung to existence for an unknown amount of time until recently when two were lost.

One was destroyed by the snake charmer director's catastrophe, where all citizens were swept away, unable to rebuild—the East Carleighwen Kingdom. The other pursued "elitism" to the point of having too sparse a population and ultimately, with some … assistance, the entire kingdom was incorporated into the Kingdom of Lutung—the Crolock Kingdom.

As for the other kingdoms forcibly maintained by the Cleansing Bureau, they're indeed mostly dilapidated beyond recognition, as the snake charmer director said. If one had to judge which smelled a bit less foul, it would be the Northern Kingdom, Witch Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Lutung where I reside.

...

Not bothering to pay attention to "Prince Vernon" on the opposite side, Leon glanced at the flying buttress beneath him and the relief of the Cleansing Bureau helping the Carleighwen brothers establish their nation, then found his thoughts slipping away uncontrollably. He considered the three relatively harmonious countries also established with Cleansing Bureau's aid.

The relative civility of the Northern Kingdom is because it uses a "tribal" system; the king is more like a leader of the largest tribe than a king, power is not centralized, and thus their capacity for exploitation is relatively limited.

Moreover, the vast expanse and sparse population of the Northern Kingdoms mean people live very scattered, and occasionally experience cataclysmic disasters that affect the entire region, often leaving them snowbound for months. So going out to plunder others is actually risky work and might lead to perishing along the way.

In summary, it's not that they intend to act decently, but rather they lack the means to act indecently.

The situation in the Witch Kingdom is somewhat similar, as the Great Witch King lineage is mostly single-line inheritance, and each generation reaches near True God levels, being able to arbitrarily glimpse into past and future times, holding little interest in the power and wealth within the kingdom.

In previous times when I was... helping, I deliberately observed this; the lifestyle of the Great Witch King lineage is actually quite simple. The so-called palace is merely a modest yet elegant courtyard that seldom involves itself in any state affairs.

As for the actual power structure in the Witch Kingdom, which includes the seventeen large and many small associations, they are groups formed by studying the great arcane secrets, being more interested in materials and secret techniques than wealth or power.

Thus, the "ecology" in the Witch Kingdom is very peculiar. To control power, one must join the seventeen large associations, but if you can't learn secret techniques, then you simply can't learn them. And if you can, you're likely to become engrossed in them, losing excess desires for wealth and power.

Even if a truly chosen jerk appears, talented in secret techniques yet acting indecently, resisting the allure of secret techniques and rising to power, they would likely be easily squashed by the Great Witch King's lineage.

Even if he manages to conceal himself from the future-seeing Great Witch King, his children and descendants may not inherit his talents, nor his overwhelming lust for power. Thus wealth and status rarely pass down generations, and the upward mobility path always remains open.

So aside from being loosely organized, somewhat mystical, and having shockingly low efficiency, the internal situation of the Witch Kingdom is surprisingly healthy, standing uniquely in the Thirteen Kingdoms. The only significant risk comes when a major disaster strikes, as they aren't particularly robust in their rescue efforts.

However, what the Witch Kingdom lacks the least is all kinds of prophets, including a Great Witch King who can see the future. Disasters are often evacuated well before they occur.

Overall, apart from the lack of channels for advancement without secret technique talent, the Witch Kingdom might even be called a Land of Bliss, rare and peaceful.

As for the last relatively civil Kingdom of Lutung... it's mainly too weak.

Recalling his younger brother's "Kingdom History" textbook, Leon couldn't help but sigh slightly.

The history of the Kingdom of Lutung is essentially a series of beatings: beaten by the impoverished and hungry Northern Kingdom, by the seafaring Kingdom of Saio, by the Thunderstorm Country with which they have long territorial disputes, and if it weren't for him, they'd eventually be targeted by the Crolock Kingdom for their volcanoes...

And with arrogance running in the blood of the Royal Family of Lutung, naturally proud and lofty, how could they bear such humiliation? Thus, each generation tries to rejuvenate their governance with plans to turn the tables and retaliate.

Despite the generally lackluster capabilities and numerous internal issues of the predecessors of the Royal Family of Lutung, their tireless quest to make a difference has indeed achieved some practical results, at least stirring a stagnant country into movement and giving some relief to the severely suffering lower populace...

...

Heh, in the end, they are still a bit immature!

Seeing Leon's expression change repeatedly in just a few seconds, from surprise, contemplation, disgust, helplessness... and more, "Prince Vernon" couldn't help but slightly curve his lips, discreetly retrieving the half-broken reins from his hand.