Chapter 512: Exciting!

Chapter 512: Sensational!

"I will escort you to the church hospital now," Bernie said. "The rest of your injuries still require follow-up treatment there, otherwise they might leave permanent complications."

Both Karen and Neo understood perfectly that Bernie was merely going through the social motions, offering what amounted to a polite courtesy.

After all, this was exactly when manpower was stretched thinnest; as the Logistics Chief and acting Enforcement Chief, his core loyalists were the two wounded men standing before him, so there was no way he would actually permit them to go lie around in a hospital bed.

Yet, sometimes this kind of polite nonsense was useful in social interactions, serving as a sort of grease for the wheels.

A superior, after all, could hardly say bluntly: "You aren't dead yet, so get up and keep working for me!"

But this depended entirely on a mutual, unspoken understanding between both sides.

Neo spoke up: "These minor scratches are nothing. It's just a temporary inconvenience for heavy combat, but doing anything else is perfectly fine. We are at a critical juncture right now; how could we possibly go to the hospital?"

Karen chimed in: "Yes, there is no need for the hospital."

Bernie nodded. "Then I must trouble you both. Once the current affairs conclude smoothly, I shall treat you to a meal to reward your hard work."

Following this, Bernie checked his wristwatch, noting that midnight had already passed, then turned his gaze back to Karen and asked, "The tribunal this afternoon—you are to attend as our representative. Are you still up for it?"

Neo leaned his head closer, sizing Karen up before saying, "I see no problem with that. His face wasn't injured."

Bernie agreed: "Mmh, yes."

Neo continued to butt in: "As I've said before, this captain of mine is absolutely photogenic."

"Haha, quite true," Bernie agreed with another nod.

"So, sir, using him as the public face and symbol of our Whip of Order is an absolute certainty. Who knows, when we recruit next month, we might even attract quite a few transfer resumes from internal priests. Granted, female priests might be a bit more numerous, but with these looks, I reckon he could attract plenty of male priests too. After all, they would love to look that glorious."

"Cough, cough..." Bernie let out a cough, signaling Neo to stop. Continuing any further would tarnish the superior's dignified image.

As if completely oblivious to the hint, Neo carried on, adding:

"What we need most right now is actually image and influence, so we must seize every single opportunity to package ourselves. There is no better packaging than the celebrity effect. Besides, Karen's image can lessen the public's traditional aversion toward our Whip of Order, and he already commands a certain degree of renown within this grand region, having always been outstanding."

"Very well, I understand, and I intend to proceed that way."

Seeing Bernie finally drop a word of affirmation, Neo was thoroughly satisfied.

There were times to be subtle, and times to know how to play dumb. A crying child did not necessarily get candy, but a child who knew exactly when to cry was certainly prone to cavities.

His relationship with Karen was completely beyond doubt; he had gifted the office renovation without batting an eye, even if his heart bled in secret.

But while he and Karen stood on one side, between them and Bernie, they currently shared a single line, though a layer of separation ultimately remained. To put it plainly, they would cooperate when cooperation was due, and demand benefits when benefits were due; while keeping everyone happy, they also had to ensure all transactions were neatly settled.

Neo knew exactly when to be shameless. Besides, he lacked a sense of shame to begin with.

Karen replied, "The tribunal will be no problem."

The tribunal was similar to a court trial in the secular world, but it bypassed far too many procedures, making it highly direct.

Because a judgment decreed by the Sacred Church did not need to answer to the outside world.

Karen represented the Whip of Order's side, but the portion he was responsible for allowed great freedom; he did not need to handle the early reading of the case, presentation of evidence, or reporting of statutes, as dedicated personnel were assigned to those tasks.

What he needed to do was deliver the closing statement on behalf of the Whip of Order just before the final verdict, which could also be understood as an "inciting" speech.

It was a duty with high autonomy, yet fraught with immense challenge.

If one were judging mere nobodies, one could perform to one's heart's content, since the verdict was practically set before the trial even began. But if one encountered a powerful opponent and ended up losing, one could easily become a clown, or even the designated scapegoat within one's own faction.

Karen had originally agreed to this because he had written Mr. Pavarotti's suicide note, meaning he could certainly maximize its impact, and it counted as one final thing he could do for the man.

But clearly, listening to the tone of Bernie and Neo's conversation, it seemed this duty was to permanently fall upon his shoulders from now on?

This sequence of maneuvers felt incredibly familiar, much like when Neo had previously leaked rumors about Karen and Ophelia on his own initiative to build the team's fame and make it easier to secure missions.

However, the past was the past, and the present was the present. The Neo of the past would utilize him, and the Neo of the present would still utilize him, but he would also take better care of him.

"I need to make a trip to the Academic Affairs Building. Neo, accompany me."

"Very well, Chief."

"Karen, you go back and rest first. Try your best to ensure that when you appear in court this afternoon, no one can tell you are injured..."

Neo spoke up: "Actually, being seen as injured can also play an emotional card. It can showcase the risks the members of our Whip of Order bear during their work, as well as the greatness of our duties."

"Journalists will be coming, and not just from the Order Weekly; other sacred churches will also dispatch reporters. The heads of the missions from other sacred churches in this grand region might also attend."

"Oh, then we do need to maintain a proper image."

"In short, what just occurred must not affect this afternoon's tribunal for the time being. These are two separate matters, understood?"

"Yes, I understand," Karen nodded.

Neo followed Bernie and departed.

Karen walked back in silence, chewing on the phrase "two separate matters" that Bernie had spoken earlier.

Even when an event of such "viciousness" had transpired, it could still be compartmentalized. It appeared that Bernie, the Regional Director's faction, and the high-level forces of the Whip of Order backing Bernie held higher arrangements for this factional struggle taking place within the York City Grand Region.

It was a strange sensation. The strangeness lay in the fact that you believed you were already causing a massive stir—or rather, to be precise, Neo was already stirring things up with all his might, with a chief dead and a bishop's manor nearly flattened to the ground.

Yet, in the end, they were merely thrashing wildly within a small pond, incapable of raising storms in the great ocean.

To put it bluntly... everyone was not playing the same game.

The high officials played their chess on the board, while people like themselves were actually just crouching on the ground picking up the pieces, burdened by the illusion of a profound sense of participation.

Karen shook his head and let out a sigh.

"Captain."

"Captain."

Just then, Muri and Filomena approached him. Muri bore no injuries, while a bandaged wound had appeared on Filomena's neck, seemingly extending to the lower-left side of her jaw.

Karen asked, "Injured?"

Filomena replied, "Captain, your injuries are far heavier than mine."

"My face is fine."

Filomena froze right there. She had no idea how to respond to that, and it hardly sounded like something her captain would say.

Karen realized his slip of the tongue, blaming it entirely on Neo bringing up faces repeatedly in front of him earlier.

"Look for Richard when you get back, and have him call Blanche to help treat you."

Karen had long noticed Richard's utility in front of Filomena.

"Understood, Captain."

"In addition, have Richard..."

"Captain?"

"Never mind, let us head back first. Leave the cleanup here to them."

He had wanted to tell Filomena that Richard possessed healing abilities too, and due to that connection with "Jerry," it had miraculous effects on external wound recovery.

After all, that boy had been thrashed by his father so many times, yet he still looked fair and smooth-skinned now.

However, if Richard were willing, he would do it himself, and there was no need for Karen to meddle in that favor.

Muri drove, while Karen sat in the back this time.

"Captain, the body of the attacker as well as the remains of Minister Enzo and his men have all been transported back by our people," Muri said.

"Mm."

The first to arrive here was the Whip of Order squad. Although they were still technically under the jurisdiction of the Regional Management Office, they naturally couldn’t vie for control over the bodies in front of the actual headquarters personnel.

"Also, old Coya and the others are all alive. When we made our move, they came out of the carriage to help too. Old Coya even got injured."

"A real injury or a fake one?" Karen asked out of habit.

Hearing this question, Philomena subconsciously glanced at Karen, who was sitting beside her.

Karen spread his hands and smiled at her: "My injury was self-inflicted."

Philomena immediately looked at Muri, who was driving up front.

Seeing Philomena’s movement through the rearview mirror, Muri felt utterly speechless: Are you actually worried about whether this sentence could be said in front of me? I'm more trustworthy than you, alright.

Karen spoke up: "What happened tonight must be kept confidential, where confidentiality is required."

Philomena continued to watch Muri driving ahead.

Muri sighed in his heart: He is talking to you!

Karen was also amused by Philomena’s little gestures. This girl was not good at making micro-expressions or subtle movements. She simply believed that Karen, who had already promised to help her deal with her grandmother, and she, were now on the same side.

By contrast, Muri was considered an outsider.

Looking at it this way, after the matter with her grandmother was resolved, he could mention it to Alfred and let him try treating Philomena as a candidate for the second batch of proselytization.

Karen continued: "Muri, write a report first, and then have Philomena copy one based on yours."

"What about yours, Captain?" Muri asked. "You can dictate some details now, and I will write it on your behalf."

"No need." Karen paused for a moment and added, "The director will help me write it."

...

Neo originally wanted to help drive, but Bernie took the driver's seat first. With no choice, Neo could only sit in the passenger seat. After the car drove out, Neo asked with a smile:

"My Lord, didn't headquarters provide you with a driver?"

"I am not used to trusting other people, understand?"

"Understood. Actually, so am I."

"Tonight's events involved too great an unexpected turn, especially since Enzo actually died."

"Yes."

"Because of this, our original plan can no longer be used."

Neo added: "It is no longer suitable for use, or rather... since he is already dead, it would be unprofitable to use it according to the original plan."

"Yes, unprofitable. So my plan is to let him truly stay dead. We will no longer uncover his identity as a traitor, but instead recognize him as someone who sacrificed his life in the line of duty."

"My Lord, I feel we can wait until 'awakening' to see the situation."

"After awakening?" Bernie looked at Neo with some curiosity. "Do you think his testimony will shift after he awakens?"

"Because when the incident happened, your subordinate was on the scene. I saw with my own eyes that remnant of light walk up to the carriage, and then, it was a very simple sword thrust.

Your subordinate suspects that the dialogue between the two at that time was meant for the other party to inflict a wound on Minister Enzo. Minister Enzo believed it, totally unexpected that the other party would suddenly go mad like that and stab him to death with one sword."

"Was your presence detected in advance by that remnant of light?"

"That is a possibility, but an even greater possibility is that within our headquarters building, there might be a remnant of light lurking."

"But not many people know about this plan."

"He didn't necessarily get the specific intelligence from us. He could have gotten it from elsewhere. Even, he might have known who the traitor was before we did, and then tonight saw the traitor driving out, and we followed, so he must have understood."

"It's getting a bit complicated. It might not be in our headquarters building; it could be in the Regional Management Office as well."

"We kept following Minister Enzo’s convoy, and the other party also ambushed the location in advance. Analyzing from the speed of message transmission, since that remnant of light assassinated directly upon meeting, it proves he should have received definitive news, which caused him to feel used and thus run amok in anger."

"It still doesn't quite make sense." Bernie shook his head. "After he killed Enzo, he went straight to the Whipping family. This means he knew long ago that the mastermind was the Whipping family. If this remnant of light was only hired, then the news he knew is simply too much."

Neo immediately chimed in: "So that's why your subordinate believes that this remnant of light is highly likely hiding within our regional clerical sequence, and holds a position that is not low. Furthermore, for him to be able to know the truth of this matter in advance means he is not only lurking well, but has also woven a very hidden network of influence."

"Then why would he do this?" Bernie frowned slightly. "The result of his actions instead helped us out."

"Perhaps, he wanted to completely intensify the conflict? To make the conflict between our Whip of Order and the Regional Management Office public and much sharper."

"Mm, that does make sense."

"So, your subordinate's meaning is, after the matter of the Whipping family is over, for the next phase of work focus, we can conduct a round of identity screening and vetting of internal personnel, starting first from within our Whip of Order. After all, a Minister Enzo has already appeared, and your subordinate detests this kind of ungrateful dog the most!

Once we finish screening our own internal ranks, we can then target other departments in this region for screening."

"Mm, when this immediate matter is finished, find some time to make a plan proposal for me. After I submit it to the Regional Chief for confirmation, you can be responsible for executing this matter."

"Yes, My Lord."

Am I going to be responsible for searching for the remnants of light;

After a while, Bernie suddenly asked: "Is that remnant of light very strong?"

"If fighting face-to-face, I don't feel he is very strong, at least not ridiculously strong, but this remnant of light gives me a very strange feeling. His methods are different from what your subordinate has encountered before. He is more..."

"More cunning, and also better at fighting?"

"Yes, exactly like that. More than half of the injuries on the Captain and myself were caused by him during the pursuit."

Although Bernie had personally treated them, Neo had confidence in Karen. After all, Karen had received his true teachings, so there was absolutely no problem with how these injuries were made.

"All personnel participating in tonight's operation are required to write an incident report. Gather them up and hand them to me."

"Understood, My Lord."

"In addition, last time I heard a rumor in the Dingle Region, which is that the higher-ups seem to have a new policy guidelines regarding the remnants of light."

"New guidelines?"

"Mm, it seems they do not intend to continue the previous policy of exterminating the remnants of light upon sight, but want to use both extermination and pacification."

"Is that so..."

"The specific scale still depends on the arrival of official documents from above, but it should change in this direction. So when you formulate the next phase of the screening plan, remember to make a supplementary plan. After finding out their identities, do not rush to take action, but see which ones are willing to cooperate with us. If the wind really changes, we can even start secretly supporting a controllable organization of remnants of light."

With a difficult look on his face, Neo said: "But My Lord, the operational difficulty of this matter will be extremely great. And even if the wind changes, I feel that in the macro direction, the divine religion and the entire church circle's fundamental attitude toward the remnants of light will not change. Therefore, once an error occurs when we run this matter, this fire is very likely to burn ourselves to death. You and I will both be pushed to the front to be the sacrificial lambs."

"Of course I know this, but do you want to climb up quickly, Neo?"

"I do."

"Then continue to gamble. People who are used to gambling can never leave the gambling table before losing everything they have, right?"

"My Lord, I understand your meaning. We must strive to grasp all the new directions from above ahead of time and produce achievements first."

"Yes, we are competing with the Whips of Order of many other regions. Right now, there are not many leaders under me who can get things done. Put in effort and do well."

"I will. Please rest assured."

The Ecclesiastical Affairs Building arrived.

Bernie got out of the car. When Neo was about to get out as well, Bernie spoke up instead: "You drive the car back. I can go in alone. I need to return to the Dingle Region to report the progress of the matter to the higher-ups, as well as what just happened tonight."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

It was bound to be a same-day round trip, traveling back and forth within half a day via an ultra-long-distance teleportation array, which was immensely exhausting.

"You've worked hard too."

Bernie walked up the steps of the academic affairs building without looking back.

Neo slid into the driver's seat, whispering to himself as he started the engine:

"Ordering me to investigate and support the remnants of the Light Order... Sigh, not only do I have to investigate myself, but I also have to support myself?"

Turning the car around, Neo casually flicked the rearview mirror:

"Making me come all this way just so I could drive the car back? It seems he's growing a bit suspicious of me.

Tsk, tsk.

All the bosses I met before were fools, but this one actually feels remarkably sharp. Though, that's what makes it fun. Dancing in front of an idiot is just performing for the blind, but this one..."

Out of the corner of his eye, Neo glanced at the rearview mirror he had just adjusted and muttered softly:

"Three, two, one... time to look back."

In the reflection of the mirror, Bernie, who had been climbing the stairs, stopped in his tracks, turned around, and stared in the direction the car was driving.

Neo grinned:

"Thrilling!"