Chapter 494: Big News

Chapter 494: Big News

The Disciplinary Inspection Committee Office... the Disciplinary Committee?

Karen asked, "Is it an internal inspection department?"

"Yes, exactly, just as you think. To put it in layman's terms, it holds the authority to inspect all clergy members within this vast region, provided, of course, that they have committed an infraction against our discipline."

"Then wouldn't that overlap with the work of the Whip of Order?"

"It doesn't overlap, because the work of the Whip of Order focuses on the grand direction, whereas our work is merely a small, specialized faction within the traditional responsibilities of the Whip of Order, understand?

After all, within a divine orthodox church, there are far too many matters more severe and worthy of attention than the standard lawbreaking and indiscipline we usually encounter.

For instance, would someone like me not pose a far greater hazard within the church than a corrupt, bribe-taking priest?"

"That example of yours is truly vivid."

"This is our present assignment. I am the Director of the Inspection Committee Office, and you are the Captain of the Action Brigade under my command. I am your direct superior, and you are my direct subordinate, clear?"

"Clear. This office is run by the two of us."

"Right, that's precisely what it means."

"To be honest, I previously imagined I would be assigned to the Regional Headquarters of the Whip of Order, but I never expected it would be a position like this."

"Trust me, this position of ours holds immense prospects; it is a place well-suited for achieving great things.

After all, the wind from above has already shifted, aiming to reconstruct the lower and middle-tier systems of the Whip of Order. Sailing in accordance with the prevailing wind often saves a great deal of worry and effort."

"Mm, I hope everything goes smoothly."

"Come, let us step out of the carriage and take a look inside. Let us examine our new working environment; both of us have our own new offices."

After stepping down from the carriage, Neo led Karen into this seven-story office building, its architectural style bearing a faint resemblance to the Wien High Court.

Of course, it certainly had not borrowed from the Wien High Court; it could only be that the Wien High Court had borrowed from it.

By the grand entrance stood a desk, behind which sat a white-haired old man wearing reading glasses, currently engrossed in a newspaper.

Karen asked in a low voice, "Didn't you say the wind had shifted? I recall the last time I came here to process the paperwork, there were several young security guards at the entrance."

Now, the original young security guards had been replaced by an old man, a transformation somewhat akin to a newly built residential estate after it had completely sold out.

"This gentleman is a senior predecessor. After retiring, he requested to be rehired on his own accord. He is now the Deputy Chief of our Security Section here. Hm, the chief position is still vacant."

"Alright, I see."

Karen stared at the old man reading the newspaper, subconsciously wanting to perceive him as a hidden master of legendary proportions;

But on second thought, this place used to be a mere retirement haven. Would an exceptional talent linger here until retirement?

No, to put it another way, even the most exceptional talent would eventually be worn down to nothingness by spending a long time in such an environment, wouldn't they?

Viewed in this light, the notion of a hidden master seemed rather exaggerated.

"Hey, my dear Director Neo."

The old man lowered his newspaper, adjusted the frame of his glasses, and offered a greeting to Neo.

"Old Coya, it has been a few days, and your spirit remains as robust as ever."

"Those words sound rather peculiar, as though if I weren't seen for a few days, I ought to be lying inside a coffin."

"Is that not our second home?"

The believers of the Church of Order had never harbored any taboos regarding coffins; on the contrary, they generally possessed a unique sentiment toward them.

"Come off it, I possess no qualification to enter the First Knight Regiment anyway. Lying there would be in vain. This must be Karen, oh, he should be addressed as Brigade Captain Karen."

"Hello, Mr. Coya."

"Hello, hello, haha. Just as young and handsome as you appeared in the newspapers. A while back, the *Order Weekly* even published your funerary portrait. Truly, you are the first person who has made me feel a funerary portrait could look so fine."

"Thank you."

One could discern that while speaking, Old Coya was subconsciously projecting a sense that he stood on equal footing with the two individuals before him.

"Well now, Neo, regarding the matter I mentioned to you last time, you said a decision could only be reached once Brigade Captain Karen returned. Now that Captain Karen is back, can you grant me this favor?"

Neo remained silent, casting his gaze toward Karen to indicate that Old Coya should address the principal figure directly.

Karen wore a faint smile, deliberately refraining from taking up the thread.

The old man's eyes shifted behind his thick lenses, and he took the initiative to speak, "It is like this, Brigade Captain Karen. I have a grandniece who originally worked at the Educational Affairs Building. Now, I would like to trouble you to arrange her transfer here. What do you think?"

"My apologies, I have only just arrived and remain ignorant of the recruitment procedures here. I believe there ought to be a specialized department responsible for such matters?"

"Haha, it is merely a word from you, Brigade Captain. You still have official vacancies within your quota. I have reviewed the roster, and there should be a remaining balance of two vacancies under your command."

"Originally there were, but someone was pulled in ahead of time through connections."

"How can that be? The Director had already promised me."

"Then there is nothing I can do."

"Is there truly no way? Alas, I have worked here my entire life. If not for my achievements, then at least for my bitter toil. I originally believed that if my old face begged for a favor, it might still carry some weight. To think..."

"There truly is no way. The other party is a student of the former High Priest. He will come to work here in a few days, and you will be able to see him then, old gentleman."

Old Coya fell silent.

"Alas, Old Coya, you see, there is nothing I can do about this. It is not that we refuse to grant you face, but rather that sometimes, there really is no way around it, right?"

Neo patted Old Coya on the shoulder, gesturing for Karen to follow him inside.

As they ascended the stairs, Neo asked with a smile, "It seems we truly possess a great rapport. Did you guess that I wanted you to refuse him?"

"No, it was simply that I had no intention of granting it from the start."

Neo was momentarily taken aback, suddenly sensing that Karen seemed to have changed somewhat compared to before. He had initially assumed Karen utilized Wick's identity precisely because he had caught his hint to refuse the old gatekeeper.

Simply refusing because he did not wish to grant it—that made sense as well, but it differed somewhat from Karen's previous habit of proper and decorous speech and conduct.

"This old fellow possesses some ability and some connections. Exactly how much ability and how many connections he has, I am not yet clear. He is worthy of respect, but not excessive respect. Like fermented Wien paste, he carries a peculiar flavor, but it is best not to stir him with a stick.

But fortunately, the connections within your squad run deep. In this world, the best way to refuse a social connection is to possess the hardest social connection of all."

"You seem to have said that phrase to me before."

"Who can blame you for constantly upgrading? Even a student of the former High Priest has pulled strings to get in, tsk tsk."

"He belongs to the suppressed faction and truly had nowhere else to go, which is why he came here," Karen explained.

"It is enough so long as it intimidates outsiders. As for the matters at the truly high level, who below can see them clearly?" Neo pointed ahead. "Come, this is your office."

A plaque hung upon the door: Office of the Action Brigade Captain.

Karen stepped into his office, which proved to be a suite featuring a private washroom and a rest bed.

Furthermore, it had evidently been newly renovated, though purification methods had been employed to dispel the post-renovation odor.

Upon the wall hung a painting, *The Solitude of Music*, depicting a pianist playing the piano in isolation. Upon drawing near, the figure within the painting would move, and a melodious piano tune would drift forth.

On the opposite wall stood a special potted plant, adorned with small purple blossoms capable of purifying the air and repelling mosquitoes and insects.

Even the carpet possessed self-cleaning and humidifying functions, with a formation arrays embedded within it.

The rest bed featured a massage function, and the shower head was crafted from a specialized metal, allowing the water temperature and speed to be adjusted with greater sensitivity.

In short... his office was disgustingly luxurious.

Karen felt that if he had decorated it himself, it would have been impossible to spend such a high price; this was not luxury, it was squandering. If Purr saw him working in such an office, she probably wouldn't feel any psychological guilt when drinking coffee in the afternoon.

Well, she might even feel unbalanced and demand more expensive coffee beans.

"How is it, satisfactory? I specially arranged it for you." Neo reached out and patted Karen on the shoulder.

With a smile on his face, Karen did not rush to respond because he thought of a possibility.

"Director, where is your office?"

"Mine is right across from yours, haha."

"I want to go see it."

"There's really nothing to see."

Karen walked out of his office, came to the opposite side, and pushed open the door. What met his eyes was an office environment slightly larger in area than his own, but it lacked the division of a lounge; his previous room had clearly been partitioned with a mezzanine and specially remodeled for drainage.

In this room, there was a bench and a desk. There were clear cracks on the four walls, and the window trembled slightly as the wind blew, making a wailing sound, obviously leaking air.

Neo smiled and said, "Personally, I prefer a simple style."

Karen did not save face for Neo and said directly, "You were the grand captain before, so you decorated the grand captain's office early on. As a result, you unexpectedly got promoted suddenly, and the decorated office became mine?"

This was the only explanation.

Neo licked his lips and said, "Since you know the truth, shouldn't you compensate me a bit for the decoration cost? Do you know how much effort

Neo began rummaging through the files until his fingers settled upon the dossier of Dolph Naton—the grandfather of Vico.

"This Lord Bishop boasts what is arguably the most wretched reputation in the entire district's circles, and his character is held in the lowest regard," Neo said, pressing his fingers to his brow to rub away the tension. "I was actually agonizing over whether launching a strike against a bishop right from the start would be too reckless. My original plan was to secure a solid foothold here first before stirring up a massive scandal.

Karen, however, has provided me with an excellent line of thought. First the grandson, then the son, and finally our dear old grandpappy the bishop—lined up in a row, taken down one by one.

Turn it into a serialized exposé, and the fervor will endure much longer, yielding the maximum possible returns.

I simply refuse to believe that your entire family is pristine and white as snow."

The sound of approaching footsteps echoed from outside the door.

Neo did not put the files away; instead, he stood up.

Moments later, Bernie’s figure materialized at the threshold. This chief in charge of headquarters logistics remained, even now, the logistics chief.

"I heard your captain of operations has returned."

"Yes."

"Why didn’t you bring him to see me?" Bernie shook his head. "I went out of my way to brew coffee in my office, waiting for you to lead him in."

"I was under the impression you had gone to the Dingle District and hadn't yet returned."

"Mm, I only just got back. Will he be coming in to work tomorrow?"

"He is going to take some leave."

"He takes leave, while you do the work?"

"That is simply how we divide our duties."

Bernie walked up to Neo’s desk, his eyes dropping to the thick stack of dossiers and the strikingly prominent names written upon them. "Quite an enormous appetite. It would be easy to burst your belly."

"My eyes are turning green with hunger. Anything less than a massive feast simply won't satisfy me."

"Neo, I can only offer you one solemn warning..."

Neo picked up the water cup from his desk, unscrewed the lid, poured a few drops of water into his palm, and rubbed it over his ears.

"Please, speak. I am listening intently. It must be of great importance."

Bernie froze for a moment before finding his voice. "If the matter proceeds smoothly, the higher-ups will continue to lend us their backing, much like what happened with the observation group last time. But if things go awry, you and Karen, and myself included... will all be pushed forward to serve as sacrificial offerings. And..."

"And what else? Please continue, I am listening."

Bernie reached over to take Neo’s water cup, poured a little water into his own palm, and then mirrored the gesture, stroking his own ears.

"This sequence of movements is rather nice. Quite creative."