Chapter 327: Someone is Coming

Chapter 327 Someone Is Coming

Boom!

Kevin kicked open the study door and charged in with Purr riding atop him, rearing up before Karen who sat behind the desk, his forepaws raised and his hind legs supporting his weight.

Purr’s right claw brandished a tiny red sword while her left clutched the fur of Kevin's neck, keeping her securely balanced upon him.

"Oh, my dear little Karen, if you ever face another formidable adversary, do not fear; just call out with devotion, and the great Evil God Knight, Purr, shall descend!"

"Woof, woof, woof!"

Beholding this spectacle, Karen grew genuinely concerned that Purr, having already accidentally singed Kevin’s head bald, might inadvertently slice off the dog’s tail next.

"It seems those supplements are taking effect."

"Yes, the results are quite remarkable; my coat is noticeably glossier than before."

"Then in the future, when I am not at home, the defense of this house shall be entrusted to you."

"Hmm?" Purr refrained from joking on a serious matter. "I believe I still need some time before I am fully capable of this duty. Ah, right, I would like to apply for some point vouchers so that the radio goblin can search the black market for a church blacksmith moonlighting on the side, to forge me a small sword of a similar size to this one."

"Very well."

"Well, because it needs to have an amplifying effect similar to your Sword of Arius, my small sword will require some fire-attribute crystal materials melted into it."

"And so?"

Purr blinked. "So, it will be a bit expensive."

"That is fine."

"Oh, my dear little Karen, you are truly wonderful; because of that, I shall allow you to touch my puppet stored in the coffin within the vault whenever you wish."

Karen’s expression darkened slightly.

"Hehe, I am only joking." Purr continued to wave her small red sword. "Stupid dog, let us go on patrol!"

"Woof!"

Kevin carried Purr back out of the study, not forgetting to use his tail to swing the door shut behind them for Karen.

Karen shook his head with a touch of helplessness; Kevin had always tolerated Purr’s bullying, a dynamic akin to an elder brother keeping company with his younger sister.

Hmm?

If one were to reckon by actual age, Purr, at nearly two hundred years old, truly was a little sister in the presence of Kevin.

Ring, ring, ring...

The telephone rang at that moment, and Karen lifted the receiver.

"Hello, I am looking for Captain Karen."

The voice filtering through the line belonged to Aisley.

"Speaking."

"Captain, do you have any engagements lately?"

"No."

"My parents would like to invite you to our home for dinner."

"I am busy."

"..." Aisley.

"Aisley, convey my regards to your parents; the medicine they prescribed worked wonderfully on my cat."

"Alright, Captain. Actually, when they asked me to invite you, I guessed you would not enjoy attending such occasions, even though you performed far more naturally and properly than the rest of us at the victory banquet that day."

"Rest well; it will not be long before we depart for the Dingge Region."

"Mm-hmm, though, I do have one more thing."

"Speak."

"My parents like to read the Order Weekly whenever they are idle—it is their hobby. Furthermore, although their research institute always concentrates strictly on its own department's affairs, it does possess a mailroom, which is piled high with documents released by the Holy See every few days..."

"Aisley, if I were to establish a Whip of Order squad, would you be willing to join it?"

"And so... huh? Ah! I am willing, Captain!"

"Good, then it is settled."

"Mm-hmm! I have nothing else, Captain, please continue with your business—oh no, please continue being idle—ah no, please hang up the phone!"

"Alright, goodbye."

Karen hung up the receiver.

By coincidence, the moment it settled back into its cradle, it rang once more.

Karen lifted the receiver again, and the voice of Bart echoed from the other end.

"Captain, my parents have always liked to read the Order Weekly, and also..."

The opening remarks were precisely identical.

Karen could even picture their parents sitting on the adjacent sofa while Bart spoke now, just as they had during Aisley's earlier call.

To have such elders offering guidance and support by one's side was indeed a fortune, often allowing them to catch the wind early, step to the right rhythm, and make proper arrangements.

"Bart."

"Yes, Captain?"

"If I establish a Whip of Order squad, would you be willing to join?"

"I am willing, Captain; you have won my complete respect."

"Good, then it is settled."

With the second call concluded, Karen took out the address book and dialed the number for Ventura's home that Alfred had recorded inside.

The call was answered swiftly by Ventura himself.

"It is I, Karen."

"Captain!"

"It appears the higher-ups intend to arrange the creation of a new batch of Whip of Order squads; I wanted to ask if you would be interested in joining mine when the time comes."

"Of course, Captain, there is no need for doubt or hesitation!"

"Good, then that is all."

Those three from the York City Region were now locked in; as for Mars and Blanche, Karen possessed no direct means of contacting them, but there was no rush, for the upcoming training and the Trial of the Gate of Reincarnation offered ample time and shared experiences, and the two were already bound to end up in his grasp.

Karen stretched his limbs, glanced at the time, and noting it was the hour for lunch, rose from the study and walked into the kitchen.

Xili had just prepared the midday meal: four dishes and a soup, tailored perfectly to Karen's tastes.

The attentive maid ensured a serving of green vegetables was ready for the young master every meal; she knew that in his eyes, it seemed only green plants truly qualified as vegetables.

Alfred arrived to join him for lunch, and Karen spoke, "Regarding Teacher Daishan, find some time to investigate her recent circumstances again."

"Yes, Young Master."

This afternoon, I need to make a trip to the Guman residence, and then stop by the Lemaire Pottery Workshop to take a look.

Going to the Guman house was to see Richard and Grandmother, who had even sent him soup before the exam.

Going to the pottery workshop was to check on Selena; after all, Lemaire had personally come to his door to beg for his help. Although he had handed the matter over to the captain, and the captain had temporarily transferred it to Mr. Eisen, he still needed to show his face now that he was free, no matter what.

Karen would always keep in mind those who were good to him and those who had helped him. He was very afraid of trouble, but some troubles could not be avoided or ignored.

Would you like me to accompany you, sir?

No need. Go ahead and busy yourself with your own affairs first. If you investigate and find something, let me know. If you find nothing unusual, then forget it; it is not a matter of great importance.

Yes, I understand, sir.

After having lunch, Karen drove that secondhand Punce car alone to the outside of the Guman family villa.

Just after stopping the car, he saw a man leaning against the car in front of him, a cigarette held between his fingers, smoking with a very desolate air.

Karen knew him; his name was Dark, Richard's young uncle-in-law, and also his own aunt's husband.

As an Inquisitor who had married a Lady Adjudicator, facing an Adjudicator family like the Gumans, his pressure had always been immense. Every time he visited, he needed to spend a long time building up his psychological resolve.

Karen closed the car door and walked toward him.

Lord Dark?

Dark turned his head, looked at Karen, immediately discarded the cigarette butt, and smiled. Don't call me Lord, just call me Dark. I saw the newspaper, Karen. You secured a spot to enter the Gate of Reincarnation and performed exceptionally well. Congratulations, Karen.

Thank you.

Karen stood beside him. Mr. Dark took a cigarette case out of his own pocket and

Come as well. You are an auxiliary member, outside the regular roster of the Bloodhound Squad, so on paper, transferring you over would be quite straightforward.

Hearing this, Richard took a deep, deliberate breath and exhaled slowly. To be honest, Grandfather spoke to me about this last night, and Mother reiterated it this morning. They want me to join your squad. This branch of the Whip of Order is bound to attract immense scrutiny, perhaps even becoming a premier elite force. Entering its ranks would be of extraordinary benefit to one's future prospects.

What Aisly and Bart's parents knew, the Guman family had no earthly reason to be ignorant of.

So, you were waiting for me to initiate the conversation?

Richard shook his head.

No, he said.

It is simply that I never intended to broach the subject with you, Karen. I do not wish to remain your burden any longer. As a person, I am both indolent and vain; I harbor a fondness for grand rhetoric, and I am plagued from time to time by bouts of moral fastidiousness.

Between brothers, there ought to be an equivalence of mutual aid—one turn for you, one turn for me—rather than me constantly being hoisted upon your shoulders. It is unseemly.

Karen looked at Richard, his gaze deeply contemplative.

Richard assumed his words had struck a chord within Karen, but in truth, Karen was merely pondering: if you do not join the squad, how am I supposed to reel your father in?

No matter the contingent of the Whip of Order, none would ever refuse the enlistment of a master Justiciar. Even Captain Neo invariably adopted a manner of utmost civility whenever he conversed with Memphis.

Richard, I have never once regarded you as a burden.

I know. You are not the sort to look down on me thus.

Yet the unfortunate reality remains that, in all likelihood, you shall never achieve a level of excellence equal to my own in this lifetime.

Richard fell silent.

For the duration of this life, it will almost certainly fall to me to assist you, while you shall scarcely ever render aid to me, purely because you lack the capacity.

Richard remained silent.

Therefore, your choices are either to join the squad, or we cease to be brothers.

Are you subjecting me to moral coercion?

I have no need for moral coercion, because prior to arriving at your residence, I chanced upon your father, and he has already given his assent to the matter. I am quite certain that if you refuse me now, it will not be long before you behold your dear old father appearing at the threshold of your bedchamber.

A shudder passed through Richard.

Karen, how could you do such a thing? Here we are as brothers, yet you clandestinely conspire with my father, siding with him against me.

I have taken no sides; I merely maintain neutrality.

You are well aware that I am no match for my father, so for you to maintain neutrality in such a contest is, in truth, to side with him.

Enlist, then, and dispense with this affectation.

Then I shall be responsible for logistics?

Very well.

In that case, I am in.

Richard extended his arms toward Karen, seeking an embrace.

Karen, however, rose from his seat, walked over to the cabinet, and lifted a glass of juice. He took a sip, then furrowed his brow.

Does your mother possess a habit of lacing her juice with sugar?

Indeed. She also delights in watching me drink it down happily, and on every occasion, I must play along to satisfy her self-indulgent maternal sentimentality.

At that moment, a black crow flew through the open window.

A crow folded by my father, Richard remarked, raising his forearm to offer the bird a perch, but the creature swept past him and settled instead upon Karen's shoulder. Well, now. Is it seeking you?

It appears your father has taken the initiative to inquire whether you have consented to join the squad.

Karen caught the crow and extracted the message encoded within:

A visitor has arrived at the pottery gallery.

Karen refolded the paper crow, noting that the sheet already bore the creases of a prior folding.

He did not dwell on the matter, however; it was entirely possible that Mr. Eisen had deemed his first attempt imperfect and had simply refolded it.

Richard, a matter requires my attention. I must take my leave.

...

This is the place. Since our last encounter, I have been waiting for you to come seeking me.

Inside the automobile, the plump man occupying the driver's seat turned to look at the girl dozing in the rear compartment.

This time, we shall undoubtedly secure the Yilmaz engraving knife!

Philomena opened her eyes slightly, turning her gaze toward the pottery gallery. Through the glass doors, she happened to discern Memphis rising from his seat and walking toward the entrance.

Alas.

Philomena let out a sigh.

She reached out, grasping the neck of the plump man in the driver's seat.

With a sharp crack, she snapped it cleanly.

Then, her form dissolved into a plume of black mist,

And she vanished.

—

More to follow this evening.