Leveling Up by Executing Monsters

’Although the Grand Judge didn’t specify what kind of "certain clique" he was talking about, it couldn’t possibly be a civilian organization like the "Rejection Saint’s Support Team," right?’

"So... you made your big brother here look good, and naturally, some people started getting crooked ideas..."

The Grand Judge continued speaking. A small vial appeared in his hand as if by magic. He uncapped it and poured its contents onto the table between them.

A pool of mercury-like metal flowed from the vial’s mouth, spreading across the table and forming a shimmering, mirrored surface.

Lloyd glanced down and saw that the makeshift mirror reflected not his own face, but Weiya’s.

She was sitting in what looked like a conference room, resting with her eyes closed, her expression placid. It seemed she was waiting for some kind of result.

Next to her sat Chief of Staff Glaucus, who struck a defiant pose, leaning back in his chair with his feet propped up on the table, looking like he was playing hardball with someone.

There were several other Judges whom Lloyd recognized by sight, each responsible for other towers. They all put on an air of utter boredom, acting completely obstinate. Some were dozing off, some were filing their nails, and others were reading novels, clearly just stalling for time with someone.

The targets of their stonewalling were seated on the other side of the conference room. Each wore the uniform of a Saint’s Grace Court Hunter, but their faces were adorned with flamboyant, masquerade-style masks that covered only half their faces.

These masks were more decorative than concealing, a stark contrast to the cartoonish, full-face masks of the Saint’s Hunters, suggesting they didn’t mind being recognized.

The Hunter sitting in the center was still trying to verbally pressure the people from the Eighteenth District:

"There’s no point in dragging this out. You should all be well aware that the cargo is definitely not coming back."

The Chief of Staff grinned like a street punk and shot back:

"Who says? You’re not the one looking, so how would you know it can’t be found?"

Someone from the opposing side immediately retorted with a sneer:

"Heh, you’ve tried everything, haven’t you? From Divination at the beginning to on-site investigations later on, you even borrowed a Holy Artifact from the Saint’s Favor Court. And in the end? Nothing. Is it so hard to admit you lost this important shipment? Do you really think you can solve this just by being difficult?"

Watching this, Lloyd couldn’t help but look up, casting a confused glance at the Big Brother across from him.

The man shrugged helplessly and replied:

"There are some things I can’t easily get involved in. After all... Ah, forget it. Better not to tell you about this stuff."

With that, he took another sip of his cocktail, but he no longer laughed as heartily as before.

Lloyd mimicked his shrug and pressed on:

"I just want to know why this involves our Eighteenth District. Besides, didn’t I already find the cargo?"

"Heh heh, of course I knew my little brother here would never disappoint. It’s just... the important news of it being ’lost and found’ hasn’t been delivered yet. You’ll see in a bit..."

The Grand Judge spoke mysteriously at first, clearly trying to build suspense, then added:

"As for why things developed this way... let’s just say your Eighteenth District is too dazzling. That Tirtus fellow can be too overbearing at times... Oh no, I should say too assertive? That’s not right either... I guess ’too capable’ is the right word?

"In any case, ever since he took charge, your Eighteenth District has become a very special place, rather conspicuous. And now with you in the mix, it’s not just conspicuous—it’s brilliant."

After this explanation, Lloyd had a much better understanding of the situation.

He had heard bits and pieces before about how resource allocation issues within the Radiant Sect had caused some minor conflicts that undermined unity.

No matter how powerful the Veto system was, or how dominant the Radiant Sect became, it couldn’t magically conjure enough resources to satisfy everyone. Uneven distribution was inevitable.

Perhaps everyone could queue up fairly for core materials for Transcendence, but for resources like the standard three-piece set, Spiritual Ink, Divination Tools, Spiritual Blades, and New Firearms, Lloyd had never felt a shortage. He could apply for and receive them as he pleased.

’So it’s only natural that others would find this unfair, right?’

Lloyd then continued to listen to the argument coming from the mirror and began to understand the other side’s demands.

’They’re actually trying to use the stolen cargo incident as a pretext to transfer jurisdiction of the Eighteenth District to the Saint’s Grace Court as compensation?’

It was also through their argument that Lloyd learned the processed raw materials were primarily intended for the Saint’s Grace Court, making them critically important with major implications for them.

But for such an important shipment, the Saint’s Grace Court had actually used the excuse of being too busy dealing with the Forgetfulness system and being short-staffed to not send anyone to supervise...

And yet, the moment something went wrong, they came looking for the Eighteenth District...

’Isn’t that going a little too far?’

And the pretext for their attack was the tricorn hat that had been neatly sliced in half—Lloyd’s "masterpiece" from a few hours ago.

"Well... I was a bit impulsive earlier, but their attitude was so arrogant, I just couldn’t stomach it."

Lloyd quickly explained.

The Grand Judge laughed and replied:

"Don’t worry about it. They were just looking for an excuse. Even if you hadn’t done anything, they would’ve gotten their heads cracked open by some Executor-in-training and then just continued the conversation. In fact, it’s a good thing you were the one to step up. It actually made them more hesitant."

But then, his tone shifted as he asked:

"In this matter, who do you think is right and who is wrong?"

The question stunned Lloyd for a moment. He pondered it for several minutes before answering with a frown:

"Wanting a fairer distribution of resources... there’s nothing wrong with that desire, it’s understandable. But they shouldn’t have used such methods."

"Haha, well said."

The Grand Judge laughed at first, but then he heard Lloyd add:

"But if I have to say who’s right and who’s wrong... I think the real problem is just a lack of resources, right? If we had unlimited resources, this kind of conflict wouldn’t exist, would it?"

The Grand Judge paused, slightly stunned, then broke into an even bigger smile.

"Hahaha! The fact that you can think like that puts my mind at ease... And of course, you can rest easy too. From now on, you won’t need to participate in this kind of internal competition anymore."

As he spoke, he reached out and touched the mirror on the table. The mercury-like metal instantly contracted into a ball, which he collected back into the small vial.

Then, the Grand Judge casually tossed the vial to Lloyd.

"It’s a little toy the Saint’s Favor Court came up with. It’s yours to play with. In the future, if you want to secretly watch a certain girl, just find a way to leave a Mark, and then you can activate this thing. But remember to be discreet, don’t let her old man find out."

Obviously, while the Big Brother seemed nonchalant, he had actually noticed the changes in Lloyd’s gaze and expression earlier. He saw how Lloyd kept staring at Weiya in the mirror and decided to give his little brother a nudge.

’Lloyd didn’t feel any reaction from the Book of Truth in his memory, which meant this thing wasn’t a Holy Artifact, but some kind of new, cutting-edge technology? But using such a powerful item to spy on people... that’s not right, is it? If I want to look at Weiya, I’ll do it openly!’

Lloyd didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but he still carefully put the vial away.

’But then again, did Big Brother pull me out for a drink just to have that conversation? I don’t know what he’s thinking, but I just feel like Big Brother seems... even friendlier now?’

As Lloyd’s mind was racing with wild thoughts, the Big Brother across from him suddenly changed the subject to matters of romance, and actually began to earnestly impart his life experiences and wisdom on chasing girls from his youth...

’Other people’s butlers teach them about PvP, the Chief Judge teaches about studying, Shandu teaches about fitness... and Big Brother? He’s teaching me dating advice...’

For a moment, Lloyd was at a complete loss for words, unsure how to even react.

...

Meanwhile, back in the conference room that Lloyd could neither see nor hear, the stalemate had suddenly and dramatically reversed.

Several people from the Saint’s Grace Court left, gritting their teeth, their faces full of resentment and dissatisfaction.

The members from the Eighteenth District, however, pressed their advantage, sending them off with a volley of sarcastic remarks.

This change was brought about by a black-clad Priest with a grim expression who looked like a chauffeur.

He had marched stiffly into the conference room and conveyed two messages from the Grand Judge.

The first was good news: the cargo had been found.

The second was a firm statement, telling the people from the Saint’s Grace Court to stop getting ideas about the Eighteenth District.

Just two simple sentences completely decided the matter’s outcome, bringing this case—or rather, this farce—to a close.

But unlike her overjoyed colleagues, Weiya remained serious, asking the Chief of Staff in a low voice:

"Why would the Grand Judge get involved? And send his driver all the way here? Didn’t you say before that it was inconvenient for him to intervene?"

The Chief of Staff thought for a moment and replied:

"Perhaps we moved him, or perhaps Lloyd did... To be honest, I can’t guess the thoughts of a man like that, nor do I know what concessions he might have made to do this. But one thing is certain—

"Even if Lord Tirtus doesn’t return anytime soon, we won’t be harassed like this again."

"Is that so?"

Weiya looked down, silently pondering something.

Then, a smile blossomed on her face as she said:

"It’s also thanks to Lloyd for finding the cargo in time."

Her tone held an undisguisable note of relief and pride, which made the Chief of Staff smile as well. He replied:

"Then you’d better keep a close eye on him. He’s only going to become more sought-after from now on."

But upon hearing this, Weiya’s mood immediately soured.

She thought of her unreasonable father...