Chapter 169: Empty Grave Plot

Chapter 169: An Empty Grave Slot

On his return journey, Karen made another stop at the hotel to visit Mrs. Lake and Mr. Pavarotti's two daughters, though he did not transform into Mr. Pavarotti.

Even if he were to take on Mr. Pavarotti's guise, Mrs. Lake knew who he truly was, and the two daughters would likewise know the man before them was not their father.

Masks, after all, were meant for outsiders; to one's true family, they were entirely useless.

Once his greetings were concluded, Karen drove back to the apartment, by which time night had already fallen.

Pushing open the door, he found Purr perched upon the coffee table, daintily eating sliced fruit, while Kevin gnawed on a large marrow bone to pass the time and sharpen his teeth.

"Xili has just left; dinner is in the kitchen," Purr said.

Karen tossed the equipment bag onto the rug and sat down upon the floor himself.

"Ooh, what is that?"

Abandoning her fruit, Purr padded over, and Kevin stopped gnawing his bone, drawing close as well.

"The basic equipment bag for the Whiplash of Order squad. I picked it up this afternoon, though it doesn't seem to warrant much anticipation."

Karen unzipped the bag, pulling out a thick sheaf of papers first, which turned out to be an instruction manual.

Unfolding it, he found it unexpectedly illustrated with diagrams and highly detailed descriptions, giving Karen the distinct impression that he was opening a grand toy set rather than a bundle of tactical gear.

Tossing the manual aside, Karen retrieved the first item: a revolver. It felt rather light in his hand, the material seemingly of mediocre quality, though closer inspection revealed numerous intricate lines etched across its surface.

Next, he picked up the ammunition box and opened it; the bullets inside were entirely red, and they too felt somewhat light when pinched between his fingers.

"Is it a spell pistol?" Karen inquired.

Purr examined it closely and said, "Yes."

Kevin, meanwhile, pawed open the manual Karen had discarded nearby and nodded, giving a low "Woof."

Purr explained, "The lowest grade of spell pistol. The bullets possess a certain purifying effect, but don't hold your breath for much."

Immediately following that, Karen drew forth a stack of scrolls—yes, a whole stack; yet these scrolls were remarkably narrow, and far from the pristine white of the ones Alfred had previously bought from the black market for Purr and Kevin. The discrepancy was akin to that between a genuine diamond ring and a toy trinket.

Purr offered her commentary: "The lowest tier of scrolls. They can only imprint the most rudimentary spells, essentially saving you a fraction of the time it takes to chant an incantation, and the success rate hovers around fifty percent."

"So, no matter how ineffective the spell pistol might be, it at least fires actual bullets to make a sound, serving to startle people or aberrant demons. These scrolls, on the other hand, are truly of no use at all, and might even carry side effects?"

"If measured against yourself, that is indeed the case. Your success rate when casting spells—especially low-level ones—is virtually flawless, and by now you should be capable of instantaneous casting for basic magic. Therefore, it really is quite useless to you."

Next, Karen drew from the bag a pair of leather boots, a set of black divine robes, and a silver-white mask.

This silver-white mask stirred a memory within Karen: "We have one of the exact same color back home."

"It should be in the radio elf's bedroom. Stupid dog, go fetch it."

"Woof!"

Kevin immediately bolted toward Alfred's bedroom to rummage through it.

The luggage Karen had brought from home had always been kept in Alfred's care, including several suitcases of notes and books bestowed by Mr. Hoffen. Karen harbored absolute trust in Alfred; the man would never abuse his position to steal, chiefly because he already possessed the explicit right to peruse them openly.

The physical tokens his grandfather had left him were few indeed, and that silver-white mask was one of them.

Back then, when he sat in his grandfather's study wearing that mask during Dis's blood sacrifice ritual, it was precisely thanks to its protection that he became the "one that got away." Not only was his inner spirituality spared from being stripped, but he also became the sole heir to the Inmeris spiritual bloodline.

Karen slowly placed the mask over his face and then looked toward Purr; Purr looked back at him.

After a brief silence, Karen removed the mask and remarked:

"It really is just an ordinary mask."

Just then, Kevin emerged from Alfred's bedroom, holding the silver-white mask brought from home in his jaws. He laid it before Karen, who reached down to pick it up.

The style was identical, yet the texture when held in his hand was entirely different.

This mask had remained packed away in the suitcase, untouched by Karen ever since his arrival in Wien.

Now, Karen placed this particular mask upon his face, and a piercing chill instantly descended from his features to permeate his entire body.

Suddenly, the ring upon the ring finger of Karen's left hand flared with a violet light. It did not transform Karen into the likeness of Mr. Pavarotti; instead, within that radiance, the silver-white mask upon Karen's face began to exhibit signs of melting. Gradually, the mask dissolved into streams of silver liquid that began to slide downward—from his face to his chin, then to his chest, and finally tracing down his arm to reach the ring, where the two forces began to fuse.

It did not resemble the ring absorbing the mask, but rather the ring being "conquered."

Karen lowered his head, watching the transformation unfold as the violet glow slowly turned to a silver-white. When the light finally dissipated, the original amethyst ring had completely transformed into a silver-white band.

"It couldn't... be broken, could it?"

Karen worried that some mutation had occurred within the ring which might prevent him from assuming Mr. Pavarotti's form, so he attempted to channel a measure of spirituality into it.

With a flash of white light, Karen assumed the exact appearance of Mr. Pavarotti.

"Is there any difference?" Karen asked Purr and Kevin.

Both Purr and Kevin shook their heads, indicating there was no difference; it remained as flawless and lifelike as before.

In the next instant,

With a thought from Karen, he reverted to his original appearance, but a silver-white mask now rested upon his face.

Immediately following that,

The silver-white mask vanished as well, and Karen returned entirely to his true form.

"Do you know the origins of this mask grandfather gave me?"

Purr shook her head and said, "But considering it reacted with the ring the Worth family crafted for you, I suspect it might also originate from the Worth family."

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

"The stupid dog says it must indeed come from the Worth family, but a Worth family from a very distant past, quite unlike the Worth family of today."

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

"Because it helped shield you from the blood sacrifice ritual back then, it implies that when you wear this mask, even the tug of bloodlines is completely severed."

"Sounds quite formidable."

Karen nodded, then casually tossed aside the silver-white mask he had taken from the equipment bag. Although he had yet to discover other uses for the silver-white mask given by his grandfather, this official one was now confirmed to be utterly useless.

Next, Karen removed his own shoes, slipped into the leather boots, and walked around.

"How is it?" Purr asked.

"A bit large, not a very good fit."

"Can you exchange it for a smaller size?" Purr inquired.

"Probably not, as a veteran member once told me that items we have no use for can be sold directly on the black market."

"A pair of boots won't fetch much money." Purr pressed her paw against the black divine robes. "This robe is also of a common cut, devoid of any runes inside."

Karen put on the divine robe as well, only to find that it too was oversized.

"Oh, it seems this entire outfit doesn't fit. We had better have one custom-made," Purr suggested. "There should be tailors in the black market who specialize in crafting divine robes, and they can even commission formation masters to weave some basic arrays into your garments."

"And the price?"

"Not cheap."

"Never mind, I will purchase a set through official channels. After all, it is my first proper set of official divine robes."

According to conventional understanding, divine robes obtained through official channels would likely be somewhat more expensive.

"Once you become an Inquisitor, you'll be issued an Inquisitor's uniform every year. As for the Godservants, God-enlightened, and God-shepherds, they are usually only issued uniforms when there's a specific requirement for their post," Purr said.

"How stingy," Karen sighed. "These grassroots benefits are truly terrible."

"It's the same everywhere," Purr said in a matter-of-fact tone. "In every industry, the grassroots are always the hardest working and worst paid. That's why you have to climb your way up."

"For this mission, I'm responsible for personal security, so I should be in plain clothes and won't need to wear a divine robe. I'll use points to buy one from the church through Pavarotti's channels."

"Mm, that works too."

Karen took a vest lined with steel plates out of the bag; it looked rather like a posture corrector.

Putting it on, he found that only a small spot on his chest and a small spot on his back were protected. Furthermore, there was no formation inside it; Karen tried channeling his spirituality, but there was absolutely no change.

So, it was confirmed: it was just a posture corrector.

The backpack seemed empty. Karen turned it upside down and shook it, tossing out a few bills with a face value of 100 Riels. Picking them up, they totaled 500 Riels.

"I think the most practical thing in this entire bag is that spell revolver, and the next most practical thing is this 500 Riels."

Karen loaded the revolver with bullets and kept it on his person, placed the 500 Riels on the coffee table under a teacup, and threw everything else back into the bag.

"By the way, I'm going to be performing a security mission this time," Karen said.

"You just said that, I heard you," Purr responded. "It seems that captain thinks highly of you."

Karen did not intend to dwell on the topic of "thinking highly,"

instead asking:

"The target to be protected this time is a negotiating representative sent to York City by the Dark Moon family. What is the relationship between this Dark Moon family and the Blade of the Dark Moon that I learned?"

Purr froze.

Beside them, Kevin heard the news and kept his mouth shut, but his lips curled upward and his dog eyes widened. He knew exactly how the Blade of the Dark Moon had ended up in Purr's paws.

"Uh, I think, probably, perhaps, maybe, it should be from the same family."

"Elaborate."

"There's nothing much to elaborate on."

"How did this spell come about, and how did you get it?"

"Uh... it was just that back then, some guy from the Dark Moon family liked me and wanted to pursue me. Then, he gave me this spell as a gift."

"And then?"

"What do you mean 'and then'?" Purr blinked her watery, amber, cat-like eyes.

"What about that guy?"

"I didn't like him, so I kicked him to the curb. Didn't I tell you before? The old me never even thought about dating or marriage. Besides, my father couldn't beat me, my uncles couldn't beat me, and my siblings couldn't beat me either, so no one could force me."

"Is it really that simple?"

"It's nothing complicated. Trust me, he and I had a peaceful breakup in the end. No, he didn't even get to touch my hand. In short, we parted ways in a very friendly atmosphere, forgetting each other in the vast sea."

"So, if I use the Blade of the Dark Moon in front of the people from the Dark Moon family, it won't be a big deal?"

"No way!" Purr cried out immediately.

Karen sat down on the sofa and said, "Spill it."

"I was going to a monster island at the time to find an egg, and he insisted on coming with me. I couldn't shake him off, so I could only let him tag along. Then I found the egg, and I left the island."

"What about him?"

"He and I forgot each other in the vast sea."

"You left him on the island alone?"

"Otherwise there was no way to shake him off. You have no idea how clingy he was!"

"Did he die?"

"No, he didn't. I checked later, and he made it back alive. At the time, I really..."

"Breathed a sigh of relief?"

"No, I was surprised he could actually survive. I was afraid that guy would come looking for me again. You know, the Dark Moon family has a very special existence; it's one of the few family systems qualified to be compared to a minor church.

So if he kept following me, it wouldn't be convenient for me to go anywhere, and it would easily attract the attention of the major churches.

But, fortunately..."

"Fortunately what?"

"His father died."

"Hmm?"

"Then he went back to inherit the position of family head. He even wrote me a letter, meaning he could no longer leave Dark Moon Island, and hoped I would go to the island to find him, where he would summon the radiance of the dark moon and propose to me under its blessing.

And then, as expected, he really couldn't leave the island, hahaha."

Purr burst into laughter.

Karen looked at Kevin, and Kevin looked back at Karen.

"Why aren't you guys laughing

"I am not particularly interested."

"Why? That is so unfair! I shared my piece, yet he said absolutely nothing. I can assure you, that stupid dog must have been deceived by a woman before, and most miserably at that!"

"Your grievance belongs, at best, to modern times; his probably dates back to the previous era. The story simply lacks any sense of relatability."

"Though I find your reasoning quite sound, I still feel somewhat offended myself."

"Tomorrow at noon, I will add a dish of pickled cabbage fish to your meal."

"Oh, then whenever you wish to offend me in the future, please do not hesitate in the slightest."

"Make a phone call and have Alfred bring Piqe and Dincom over to join us for dinner too."

"It seems that joining Neo's squad has granted you a profound sense of security."

"That does indeed appear to be the case."

Purr leapt down from the sink, scurried over to the cabinet where the telephone rested, and began to dial the numbers with her paws.

At around half past nine in the evening, Karen had dinner ready, and Alfred returned, bringing Piqe and Dincom along with him.

The two men were visibly restrained, sitting upon their chairs with their backs rigidly straight.

Karen brought the dishes to the table, gesturing for everyone to begin eating.

At the dining table, Dincom and Piqe did nothing but eat, remaining entirely silent; then they discovered that the cuisine was truly delectable!

Karen, meanwhile, conversed briefly with Alfred about an upcoming mission in a few days, noting that he would be unable to return home for some time, while Alfred assured him that by the time Karen returned, the renovations at the funeral parlor would certainly be complete, allowing for immediate occupancy.

After the meal,

Dincom and Piqe took the initiative to clean the kitchen, and once the tidying was finished, Alfred led them downstairs together, as they had to continue working through the night; these days, they were all sleeping at the construction site.

"I really never expected that Mr. Karen's culinary skills would be so exquisite," Piqe remarked with deep emotion.

"Yes, indeed," Dincom agreed.

Alfred then produced six hundred Order Coupons, handing them over as he said, "Divide this between yourselves."

A divine servant's monthly stipend was a mere one hundred Order Coupons; three hundred per person was equivalent to an entire quarter's allowance being handed down at once.

Alfred cut short their expressions of gratitude with a wave of his hand, saying, "Work hard, and you will not be treated unfairly."

...

The Ivy Cemetery;

Neo stood there in silence, keeping company with the one who lay inside; around the tombstone, a circle of white roses had been planted.

After a long while,

Neo spoke, "Eliza, there is another mission soon. Once the mission is over, I will come to see you again. You see, it is just like it used to be."

At that moment, Old Saman, the cemetery caretaker, walked over while sweeping the ground, looking curiously at Neo as he asked:

"Hey, it is getting late, I am about to close the gates."

Neo looked at him and replied, "I am leaving right now."

"Hey."

"Is there something else?"

Old Saman glanced at the tombstone before Neo, surrounded by its planted white roses, and said, "Are you acquainted with the son-in-law of the Pavarotti family's funeral parlor?"

"The son-in-law?"

"Named Karen."

"Yes, I know him."

"Last time, he ate a pot of my macaroni, and later sent someone to deliver a lot of food to me, saying it was to be stored here until his next visit. It is all sitting in the refrigerator, and I cannot finish it all myself. Would you like to come over and have a late-night snack together?"

"Very well."

"Wait a moment, then. I will finish sweeping here and call it a day. By the way, who is that lying inside to you?"

"My... wife."

"You are quite fortunate; we have a discount on the second burial plot right now, a promotion we never used to have before," Old Saman noted.

"I have no need for it."

His corpse would be surrendered to the Church; it would not be buried.

"Hey, I am not trying to sell you anything. Of course I know you do not need to buy another one; have you not already had that Karen fellow buy one for you?"

"Hmm?"

"Right there, look, it is that empty burial plot right next to your wife. I recall the name registered on the property deed was Neo—that is you, is it not?"

"It is me."

——

More tonight.