A Scientific Urban Detective.

Chapter 1170 Tears' Collection
Aleister proposed a rather attractive and indeed feasible solution.

However, Lin Wuming shook his head and refused almost without thinking: "No need, I already have a telekinetic clone. I don't want any more clones for the time being."

Aleister narrowed his eyes slightly—he hadn't mentioned that he had other clones; Lin Wuming, as always, knew many secrets.

Lin Wuming was unaware that his subconscious response had already given him away, but it didn't matter to him now that he had revealed some secrets.

Compared to this, Lin Wuming was even less willing to complicate things for "himself".

Perhaps Chairman Aleister is right. Having an extra "clone" means having an extra possibility, which is equivalent to giving Lin Wuming another chance to start over as he prepares to go further and acquire stronger power.

Lin Wuming was well aware of this, but it was precisely because he understood that he was even more determined to refuse.

"I see." Aleister nodded, accepting Lin Wuming's decision without pressing further.

In fact, Aleister himself knew better than anyone that Lin Wuming's choice was not wrong—while the "clone" brought convenience, it also came at a price.

These "avatars" are oneself, yet not "oneself"; in terms of the concept of "Aleister," all avatars are one, but when it comes to each individual...

Different possibilities, different "selves," can also lead to contradictions. Or rather, it is precisely because various different possibilities exist simultaneously that contradictions are normal.

From this perspective, although Aleister did not become a demon god, this form of existence is actually quite similar to that of Othinus in the present day.

Because it encompasses all possibilities, it is actually very difficult to successfully accomplish any specific task.

Since Lin Wuming has realized the risks involved and chosen to refuse, we should respect his personal wishes.

—The current Lin Wuming deserves this respect.

“Then proceed according to your own plan, Lin Wuming,” Chairman Aleister said. “If you need anything, please let me know, and I will provide support as much as possible.”

—So generous?
Lin Wuming was somewhat surprised by his bluntness.

“Our next opponent is a demon god from the mortal realm,” Aleister explained, noticing his expression. “We can’t afford to overextend our strength.”

Aleister was telling the truth. Although they had a trump card like "Imagine Breaker," the facts over time have proven that Lin Wuming is also an equally useful trump card. Moreover, his interests are highly aligned with Academy City's—often, Lin Wuming will proactively resolve many troublesome incidents without needing anyone to urge him.

It would be difficult for Aleister not to support such talent.

“I have high hopes for you, Lin Wuming,” Aleister said frankly. “At least so far, our cooperation has been very pleasant, and I am willing to trust you. I hope you can trust me as well.”

“In that case…” Lin Wuming immediately thought of one of the purposes of his trip, “I happen to have something I need to discuss with you.”

Regarding the 10,000 Misaka Sisters who were deployed outside Academy City.

All ten thousand Misaka Sisters were managed and cared for by Aleister, making them a key element in his deployment of "artificial heavens" worldwide.

Sending them all back to Academy City... that's obviously impossible, but implementing a shift system and improving the sisters' living conditions abroad isn't difficult. As long as it doesn't interfere with Aleister's plans, he's willing to give Lin Wuming that face.

Having confirmed that Lin Wuming would not change the overall deployment structure of the Misaka Sisters, Chairman Aleister readily handed over their command and management authority to Lin Wuming.

"The world outside is undergoing dramatic changes right now. For their sake, it's best not to make any large-scale mobilizations immediately," Aleister advised finally.

"I know."

Lin Wuming nodded. He was happy to have the command authority. As for how to mobilize the 20,000 Misaka Sisters, he needed to go back and discuss it properly.

Leaving the "windowless building," the people waiting outside had grown from Shirai Kuroko to a small group. Shokuhou Misaki, Misaka Mikoto, and Tohkaze Toumi had all arrived, along with the extra characters and Kazakiri Hyouka, Hokaze Junko, and Dolly Dolly...

Almost everyone who was on the hospital rooftop not long ago has now arrived.

Even Haru Shiori got the news and came over.

Apart from Saten Ruiko, almost the entire core of the "Nameless Force" is here.

After sharing his conversation with Aleister with everyone, Lin Wuming couldn't help but ask, "Saten Ruiko, she..."

“Saten-san also went to the hospital to visit Misaka just now, she went with me,” Uiharu Kazari said quickly. “But it seems she suddenly had something to do and went home, so she couldn’t be here to greet Mumei-senpai.”

"No, there's no need to greet her." Lin Wuming waved his hand. He didn't care whether they came to greet him or not. He was just worried that Saten Ruiko was also prone to encountering incidents, and that she might have run into some kind of accident if she was the only one absent.

Since she just left, there's nothing to worry about.

Saten Ruiko was in a hurry to get back to her dormitory because a package had arrived.

This was something she had gone through considerable trouble to acquire, even resorting to the influence of an "unknown force."

The seller was stingy and even chose to pay for the package upon delivery. In addition, it was a "special package" that was not convenient to ship publicly, so Saten Ruiko had to rush back to pick it up in the middle of the night.

As for the contents of the package—after excitedly opening the layers of packaging, a small, fist-sized golden stone appeared before Saten Ruiko's eyes.

"Oh!!!" With a small cheer, Saten Ruiko turned off the room lights and saw the golden stone emitting a faint golden light, mysterious and elegant.

"Oh!! Just like the legend says, it really does glow!" Saten Ruiko exclaimed excitedly.

Then he became cautious again and took out the Geiger counter that he had prepared in advance from the drawer.

“…Good, no reaction, which means it’s not radiation.” Putting away the Geiger counter, Saten Ruiko finally felt relieved and picked up the golden stone, bringing it close to her eyes for a closer look. “Is this a fragment of the ‘Golden Arm’?”

That's right, what Saten Ruiko acquired this time was a fragment of the "Golden Arm." It was a small fragment of the "Golden Arm" that Right Flame had summoned from the ley lines not long ago to purify the earth.

(End of this chapter)