Chapter 142: Flipping the Table!

Chapter 142 Turning the Table!

Karen stood up too, for the grand adjudicator had returned much earlier than he had anticipated, having originally thought the man would not step foot here again before dawn, yet the truth remained that in the eyes of that grand adjudicator, this place was what truly mattered.

A miscalculation...

Karen looked toward little John; had the Lachesis copper coin been damaged so that it required re-nourishing, for even a damaged Lachesis copper coin was nothing a common sacred artifact could compare to, this was... a divine artifact.

"Are you afraid?" little John asked.

"Yes."

"Why does your answer not sound like a hero who has come to save someone?"

"What did you think a hero was like?"

"They told me stories of heroes, and the heroes in their tales were all very similar. I even feel that the soulless man from before looked more like a hero than you do."

"Right, which is why he died."

"I think I can tell you another piece of good news."

"The good news being that the last bad news was a joke, and he actually didn't come back?"

"No, he is back, he has already landed outside the factory building, though I sense he is heavily wounded, is that not good news?"

"I feel that no matter how heavily wounded he is, as long as he returned on his own feet rather than being carried back, it makes no difference to me."

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Kevin barked loudly toward a spot down below.

Alfred immediately began arranging a magic circle there, while Mr. Pavarotti's body swayed as he turned his head in disbelief, looking up at Karen standing above.

"I think I seem to know what you plan to do," little John said, "so, it wasn't wrong in his memory, you really did have everything planned out long ago."

"This child has a bit of a problem with his head, truly."

"But I can feel that he holds you in great awe, the current you is his sole reliance, one could even say his pillar."

"I will find an orphanage for him straight away, where he can have many little companions to play with."

Having finished speaking, Karen turned and walked downward.

"Do you want me to help you stop Grandfather?" little John asked.

"Why would you do that?" Karen asked.

"Didn't you say before that you and I share the same stance, and since we share the same stance, we will surely do the same things."

"Actually, there isn't much need."

"But I want to go, I feel that at a time like this, if I don't speak some of the words in my heart right to his face, I will feel regret."

"I can understand that sentiment of yours, even though such sentiments easily lead to failure and being overthrown;

but I can give you a tiny bit of time, I also want to give Mr. Pavarotti a moment to prepare."

Little John smiled, and then, his smile froze, his entire being swooned into unconsciousness, and Karen stepped forward to catch him in his arms.

In the next instant, Karen felt a wave of coolness before his eyes, as if someone had wiped his eyes with a hand.

Immediately after, he saw a little girl wearing a dark red divine robe appear before him.

"This is Grandfather's clothing," the little girl said.

Then, with a turn of her form, the clothes upon her body changed into the same suspender outfit as little John's.

"Hmm..."

The little girl turned once more, transforming into a set of attendant's attire identical to the clothes on Karen's body.

"I'll choose this set then, because I think you look best wearing these clothes."

"Thank you."

The girl drifted out toward the sliding door, not opening the door, her form passing directly through it.

Karen carried the unconscious little John down from the high platform, walking toward where Puer and the others were.

...

The black mist drifted into the factory building, going all the way down, coming to a halt at the entrance where the trucks came in.

Because before him stood a girl dressed in attendant's attire.

"Loya, where did you see this set of clothes?"

Because she had seen it, she could be "clothed" in it.

"An older sister brought in yesterday was wearing this garment, she said it was her favorite piece of clothing, does it look good, Grandfather?"

"My Loya looks good in whatever she wears."

"Oh, Grandfather, are you injured?"

"Yes, a minor injury."

Beneath the old man's dark red divine robe, white bone was already visible, the residual power of light continuing to flare up, leaving him with no way to promptly recover from his wounds.

"Let Loya help Grandfather heal."

"No, you must not touch this wound, the residual light power upon it will burn your existence, we cannot let our Loya get hurt, Grandfather would be heartbroken."

"Grandfather is so good to Loya, heehee."

"That goes without saying, you are Grandfather's granddaughter, the only one in Grandfather's eyes."

"Mm, I will also definitely grow up quickly, so that I can leave this place and accompany Grandfather forever, with me around, no one will be able to harm Grandfather in the future, whoever dares to strike at my grandfather, I will tear him to shreds a step ahead!"

"Cough cough... Heheh."

"Grandfather, I want to go out and play, won't you take me out for a stroll, just nearby, not anywhere far."

"That won't do, Loya, the wind is very strong outside tonight, it isn't suitable for going out, and it is precisely because the wind is strong that I rushed back in a hurry to see you."

"Oh, so that's how it is."

A look of grievance appeared upon Loya's face.

"Grandfather promises you, after a while longer, when the wind subsides, Grandfather will take you out to play, alright?"

"Alright, Loya listens to Grandfather."

"Mm, truly a good girl."

Just then, the smile upon the old man's face suddenly froze, for even at night, this area would have scheduled patrols, yet he had stood here for so long and spoken for so long, yet had not seen the patrol team come by.

He immediately realized something, his form turning to mist once more as he wished to go deep into the sliding doors.

The smile upon Loya's face vanished at this moment too, revealing a cold gaze:

"Qi He!"

The grand adjudicator's form in the midst of misting stopped instantly, turning his head back to look at Loya:

"What did you call me?"

"Qi He, what, is your name not Qi He, old thing?"

"Have you been corrupted? Perhaps, I ought to cleanse you."

"It is futile, Qi He. Unless you choose to annihilate me outright, no amount of purging will ever turn you into a kindly grandfather in my eyes.

In my heart, you will forever remain nothing but a loathsome, sickening old wretch whom I wish I could curse to perdition!"

"The patrol—you drugged them into unconsciousness?"

"Yes, they are presently wandering in circles around a few pillars out there, unable to find their way out."

"And the array here? You have veiled it too?"

"Indeed, which is why those few divine servants in the array chamber still believe absolutely nothing has happened."

"What is it you truly want to achieve?"

"Me? I merely wished to seize this opportunity to speak my mind to you."

"Luoya, you are unwell, but I can cure you."

"It is futile, Qi He. Do you honestly believe my consciousness materialized out of thin air? Look at those whose sacrifice nourished me; it was their resentment that served as the sustenance for my awakening.

When I first opened my eyes, it was your face I beheld, yet there was never any possibility of a newborn opening its eyes to see its parent and deeming them the closest kin.

For the moment your visage entered my sight, my mind was already flooded with the heartfelt hatred of countless of her kind toward you, along with that curse, accumulated night after night!"

Hearing these words, the Lord Adjudicator silently clenched his fists, for he realized one thing—that all these years, he had been deceived, utterly deceived by the girl before him.

"Are you angry?" Luoya asked with a smile. "You wished to tame me, to nurture me from infancy so that I would develop feelings and bonds toward you. Thus you would control my true form, the copper coin. That was your calculation, that was your grand plan;

But, I am terribly sorry.

When you attempt to use me to control the coin, you had better pray I never find an opening, or I will assuredly choose the perfect moment to bite the master's hand."

The Lord Adjudicator's eyes flickered with a crimson light:

"The Lux copper coin is indeed the fountainhead of sin."

"Yes, I am the fountainhead of sin, hahahahaha..."

Luoya threw her head back and laughed uproariously,

Laughing and laughing,

Until glistening tears began to slide down the corners of her eyes,

"Yet why is it that you, a believer in Order, treat them as swine to be bled, while I, the fountainhead of sin, am filled with pity for them?"

"I was wrong."

"Hmm?"

"I realize now that I was wrong," the Adjudicator said with utmost gravity.

"Will you... put an end to all this?" Luoya inquired.

As she uttered this question, a faint sense of contradiction and hesitation actually arose within her heart.

"I misunderstood the true meaning of the fountainhead of sin," the Lord Adjudicator smiled faintly. "The True God Lux forged the greed of the mortal world into nine copper coins. Though they are deemed the source of sin, in truth, the coins themselves are exquisitely pure.

For only the most pristine white can be stained by the greatest amount of black!"

The Lord Adjudicator let out a sigh:

"A pity I have only just understood this; yet fortunately, understanding it now is still not too late.

I shall begin anew, Luoya."

"Begin... anew?"

"Though you are the crystallization of my painstaking efforts over these years, since your core nature is as such, and since I have allowed you to witness the filthy side of my soul, I have no choice but to completely annihilate you.

I shall continue to use this method to nurture a fresh consciousness for the copper coin;

But I will not show my face. I will dispatch a subordinate to play the role I have played these past years;

When you reach maturity,

I shall descend in the guise of justice, rescuing these poor girls, and rescuing you.

I believe,

The next you will successfully form a bond with me."

"This pigsty—you intend to open it once more?"

"Mm. This world, after all, is never lacking in such livestock."

"Qi He, you are the one who truly belongs in a pigsty!!!"

"Heh."

Qi He extended his hand:

"Order, Cage!"

A cage materialized, instantly locking Luoya within;

The Lord Adjudicator's cage could imprison not only physical entities, but also the ephemeral void.

Luoya, who would willingly turn her back to Karen without a second thought,

How could she possibly be a match for the Lord Adjudicator.

Confined within the cage, Luoya roared fiercely:

"You can undo my seals!"

Layers upon layers of seals had continuously suppressed her to a very low threshold. The most she could manage was to inadvertently corrupt a person or two on occasion; it could be said that even among aberrant demons, she belonged to the weakest variety.

Qi He smiled faintly,

Opened his palm,

And began to chant an incantation, preparing to annihilate this consciousness that had been raised "wrong."

Yet at that very moment,

He abruptly cast his gaze deep into the earth below:

"Down there, there is someone else!"

Luoya laughed wildly: "Hahaha, yes, a madman who is no hero!"

...

"Karen, have you lost your mind?"

Mr. Pavaro asked Karen, who was walking toward him holding little John.

By this time,

Alfred had already laid out the array around the location designated by Kevin.

This was a very basic array, so simple that the only reason it appeared in Mr. Hoffen's notes was to be included in the sequence of novice exercises for easy practice.

In reality, its function was merely to assist villagers in digging water wells.

Nowadays, many villages would still perform certain rituals before digging a well and draw a rune at the site of the borehole. In truth, that rune was derived from this very array, though the former now retained nothing but its ritualistic function.

Cullen set young John down, letting him lie upon the ground.

The boy, newly possessed, seemed gripped by a nightmare, murmuring softly: "I don't want to go to the orphanage, not the orphanage..."

Cullen clapped his hands clear of dust and turned his gaze toward Alfred.

"Master, everything is prepared."

"Woof!"

"Meow!"

"Mr. Pavarotti, the Inquisitor General has arrived, and he will likely appear on that high platform shortly. If you have anything to say to him, you may begin drafting your thoughts now."

"Cullen, you cannot do this, it is far too dangerous!"

"Madam Anne is already dead."

"I know, but..."

"You are dead as well, sir. You gave me your promise just moments ago that, as a dead man, you would not interfere."

"I was merely guessing before. I truly never imagined that you would actually be able to... Had you planned this all along?"

"Yes."

"So, when I asked you several times what you intended to do once you found the place, and you replied we would see when we got there—in truth, you had already resolved to do this?"

"Yes."

"Though I do not comprehend how it was managed, I have a premonition. This hound, the location it discovered, is correct, and it is precise!"

"Woof!" Kevin raised his canine head in proud validation.

Looking at Kevin, Cullen smiled and replied:

"Yes."

"You mean to detonate this source of corruption?"

"Yes."

"I wager that the moment this source is detonated, the resulting shockwave and commotion will immediately alert the Church of Order. Not only them, but the other ecclesiastical powers within York City will be swiftly roused as well.

This will carry an impact far greater than the remnants of Light operating within the city."

"You wish to draw the gaze of the Church's high authorities here by detonating the source, exposing the secrets and crimes of the Inquisitor General?"

"Yes. Since we have no avenue to report this to the true lords above, we shall drag their eyes down to this very spot."

"But have you considered what happens if the high authorities arrive too late, failing to contain the overflow of corruption in time?

How many ordinary souls dwelling nearby will be afflicted?

This is York City; even if it is but a single neighborhood that is corrupted, do you know how vast the population is?"

"Mr. Pavarotti, I respect you deeply. From the moment I first read your journals, I have held you in the highest regard."

"Now is not the time to speak of such things..."

"No, do you know why I respect you? It is because I am incapable of doing what you did. Therefore, I offer my reverence to those who can achieve what I cannot.

Mr. Pavarotti, to resolve this case, Madam Anne has perished, and you have perished as well;

I, too, wish to resolve this case,

However,

I do not wish to die."

"..." Pavarotti fell silent.

"You must have faith in the reaction speed of our Church, and even more so in the response of the other churches within York City. When the immense power of this source is detonated, the sheer impact will inevitably draw the eyes of all of them at the very first instant.

They will contain the overflow of this corruption,

They absolutely will."

Pavarotti closed his eyes, offering no further words of protest. When Cullen spoke so bluntly of his own aversion to death, he, a man who had already departed this life, lost all right to persuade him otherwise.

Cullen took a deep breath, surveying the ritual array Alfred had already laid out.

In truth, once he learned that young John had been infected here, combined with the clues within the investigative journals, he could be nearly certain that a terrifying source of corruption resided in this place.

And indeed, reality bore it out. The women lying within these swine pens existed solely to perish in torment, using their resentful corpses to nourish the consciousness within that copper coin.

The consciousness of the coin had been cultivated precisely within this artificially manufactured wellspring of filth.

What Cullen must do now was detonate this volatile septic tank.

Mr. Pavarotti and Madam Anne, who had played by the rules of the table, had already died upon it. Cullen did not believe himself qualified to take their places and win this card game;

Thus, his intention from the very beginning was... to flip the table entirely!

For he possessed an unparalleled advantage, which was the evil god by his side.

It possessed the keen ability to capture the exact coordinates of a source of corruption. It was an evil god, after all; if it lacked even this measure of power, it would truly be unworthy of the title.

As for Alfred’s ritual array, it was simple and low-level enough to evoke a slight embarrassment, yet it required neither complexity nor immense power. So long as the position was chosen correctly, even if it were a mere needle, it could pop a colossal balloon in an instant.

"Alfred."

"Master."

"A cigarette."

"Yes, Master."

Alfred produced a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and handed one to Cullen, who caught it between his lips.

Immediately after, Alfred wiped his palm against his clothes, brushing away sweat that wasn't truly there, his mind recalling the cigarette-lighting movements he had practiced countless times in the past;

Swish!

The lighter traced an elegant arc in Alfred's hand,

Snap!

By the time it reached Cullen's lips, the flame was already perfectly formed, allowing the flickering outer cone to ignite the tobacco before it vanished.

With the sequence complete, Alfred breathed a long sigh of relief. Once upon a time, he felt he might rely on this very artistry to earn a place upon a mural;

He needed to reflect. Though the Master had quit smoking now and rarely touched them on ordinary days, he absolutely could not let his hands grow stiff.

Just then,

A cloud of black mist coalesced upon the high platform,

And the figure of the Inquisitor General materialized within it.

Cullen, who had originally intended to grant Mr. Pavarotti a final dialogue with the Inquisitor General, immediately cancelled all his prior, cumbersome plans the moment the man appeared, overturning every step that might invite unforeseen complications;

Yet he still allowed himself the composure to flick his ash twice,

The ash fell to the ground;

"Alfred."

"Present!"

"Ignite it!"