Chapter 545: Cat and Dog Fight

Chapter 545: The Struggle of Cat and Dog

The woman was visibly bewildered

Perhaps this was why, after ascending to godhood, he never became a dominant deity; his balanced development in all areas might have simply rendered him somewhat mediocre.

Yet... describing a "god" as mediocre felt inherently bizarre.

Karen was now capable of undoing the next layer of Ragnedal's seal, or he could choose another fragment of memory to read, even though a certain weariness had already begun to settle over him.

After a brief hesitation, he decided such an opportunity was too rare to waste. He would view one more, opting for a smaller fragment of memory.

After all, intuition told him—no, it wasn't even intuition; Purr had stated plainly several times that Kevin harbored many secrets, never truly showing complete candor.

Otherwise, Alfred would not have kept one eye perpetually fixed upon the beast.

Karen raised his hand and tapped a floating fragment of memory drifting before him; in the next instant, the curtain of light dissolved.

It was a breathtaking scene, filled with the singing of birds, the fragrance of flowers, and a radiant, gentle sun.

Karen stood upon a hillside, looking down at Ragnedal, who lay stretched out before him with a blade of grass dangling from the corner of his mouth.

The crimson scale armor he wore allowed Karen to deduce the chronological order of these two memories.

Ahead flowed a small river where a group of women were bathing, their carriages parked along the riverbank.

An amusing, trivial memory?

Karen frowned slightly, yet he joined Ragnedal in casting his gaze toward the river.

After frolicking and playing, the women began to chant. Ripples of spiritual energy started to overflow, and above them, the phantom silhouette of a goddess materialized.

This was a gathering of Goddess Mils' believers; they were not engaged in pure revelry, but were performing their ritual of prayer.

The moment the silhouette of Goddess Mils appeared, Ragnedal slowly sat up on the hillside, staring at her, transfixed, his gaze unblinking.

When the prayer ritual concluded and the believers dressed themselves, boarded their carriages, and departed after saying their farewells, Ragnedal fetched a long sigh and lay back down.

As it happened, dusk was falling and the moon was gradually revealing itself; the smile returned to the corner of his mouth.

Karen suddenly felt a stroke of luck. He had initially thought the previous memory fragment was dreadfully dull, but who could have guessed that it actually counted as rare, substantive content—at least possessing a narrative, a setting, and rather thrilling visuals.

God only knew how many fragments of memory like this one, where a lone individual "gazed at an object to yearn for a person," existed within this space. Unsurprisingly, they likely exceeded fifty percent, perhaps even higher.

Karen felt like a thief surreptitiously reading someone else's diary, where the majority of the entries read, "The weather is lovely today; I miss her," or "The weather is dreadful today; I miss her."

Alas...

Returning to that starry environment, Karen hesitated no longer. Utilizing what remained of his energy, he completed the undoing of this layer's seal.

...

In reality, Karen slowly opened his eyes.

Kevin opened his canine eyes as well. His initial gaze carried a hint of grievance, a touch of feeling "hurt," and a considerable amount of "shame."

Evidently, the dog must have sensed what Karen had done during that interval, yet it had been utterly powerless to stop him. If it could have, it might even have acted as a tour guide to provide Karen with commentary.

"Burp, is it done?"

Purr asked while patting its stomach, clearly stuffed to satisfaction.

"Woof!"

Kevin barked with great excitement, but unlike Purr, who could not resist showing off after recovering a fraction of her strength, the hound merely rubbed its head against Karen's trouser leg with even greater obsequiousness.

Karen reached up to rub his forehead and said, "I am tired; I wish to rest."

...

Subsequently, Karen slept for an exceptionally long time—a full day and night.

His body, having rested for a period, moved once more in a way that felt like an awakening. Upon waking from this profound, perfect slumber, Karen sensed a comprehensive revitalization of both his soul and physical state.

When he got out of bed, he no longer relied on the wheelchair, walking purely under his own strength toward the washroom, where he turned on the shower head and took a thoroughly comfortable bath.

"Phew..."

Feeling as though he had come alive again, the familiar rhythm of life was found once more.

He pressed the bedside bell, and a moment later, Alfred walked in carrying a meal.

"Young Master, you have slept for an entire day."

"Yes, but I feel wonderfully recovered."

Karen sat down and began to eat; having slept for so long, he was truly famished.

Alfred took a seat across from Karen and said, "Young Master, there are three matters I need to report to you."

"Speak."

"The first matter: during a telephone exchange with the funeral parlor, Pick and Dincom informed me that yesterday, a man wearing a raincoat arrived at the parlor entrance wishing to have tea with you. According to their description of the individual, it should be Mr. Dalis."

"He isn't dead yet."

"Yes, but your subordinate believes he is close to it, for even Pick and the others could sense the aura of death emanating from him."

Dalis had come looking for him only for him to be absent; Karen felt no particular regret over this.

"Speak of the second matter."

"Yes. The Fersher family estate was burned down."

"Oh?"

"The message was sent by the Director."

"Have you all completed the investigation and inventory of the Fersher estate?"

"We have. Your subordinate suspects that Madam Tangli set the fire."

"Grandmother?"

"Because the Director mentioned that a few small items he had failed to notice were actually sacred artifacts, which had been placed out in the courtyard. He happened to discover them when he arrived. I imagine there are very few people capable of such a thoughtful gesture."

There were many who could have burned down the Fersher family villa, including the Fersher family's past connections who might do such a thing to forge a clean break, but those who still kept an eye out for his interests before the fire were few and large between.

Furthermore, Karen had long since instructed Richard to report the funeral news to Madam Tangli.

"The next time I visit Grandmother's house, I will ask her. In fact, I am more curious about my grandmother; Madam Fersher mentioned 'her' several times."

"The third matter is that at the auction, the Director spent thirty-five thousand Order Vouchers to bid on a weapon for you. Its name is the Memory Compass."

"How much?"

"Thirty-five thousand Order Vouchers."

"Tsk... Has our money been transferred over yet?"

"Because your subordinate is still here, the Director must have advanced the payment himself."

"Did you know about this?"

"I did, but at the time, the Director did not say he would definitely purchase it for you. Now, it has been bought."

"Let it be this way, then: once my second-hand Purns is modified and brought back, we will give him this sum of money."

"Yes, your subordinate understands. Additionally, this is the latest issue of the Order Weekly, along with the orthodox periodicals of several other churches. Your subordinate has marked a few matters worthy of your attention.

First, the Church of Samsara and the Church of Luna have respectively agreed to sign a truce agreement, with the Church of Order serving as the mediator, though the war currently continues.

Second, a riot erupted at a sacred site of the Church of Thunder. It is said that a significant number of magical beasts emerged, causing immense harm to the nation where that sacred site is located. Originally, the Church of Thunder wished to conceal this matter, but it was exposed by local merchants. At present, the Church of Order has expressed its attention regarding this event. Your subordinate feels there is something unusual about this matter."

"Is it the reaction from the Church of Order?"

"Yes, it gave your subordinate a rather familiar feeling. Generally speaking, wherever the Church of Order focuses its attention, further trouble is bound to erupt."

"Heh."

"Additionally, another piece of news states that the Son of God from the Pamires Cult has been promoted to Speaker of the Assembly. External analysis suggests this marks the beginning of a transition of power. I imagine Bishop Bourne must be quite thrilled lately."

"What is there to be thrilled about? It is nothing more than transferring it from his father to his son. I suspect he would prefer the Pamires Cult remain forever in his father's hands, because deep down, he still harbors some anxiety regarding his son."

Karen picked up the milk, took a large gulp, and extended his open hands toward Alfred, asking:

"Where is it? Where is that compass bought for thirty-five thousand points? Has it not been delivered yet?"

"It was delivered yesterday, but Kevin demanded it. It is currently with Purr, helping you modify and upgrade that weapon."

"Modify... upgrade?"

"Yes, after all, it just had a layer of its seal undone, so it naturally needs to do something to prove its worth. I imagine Kevin must be quite vexed right now, needing to accomplish something tangible without exposing too much."

"Then let us go take a look now."

...

A compass completely covered in scale armor plates was being roasted upon a forging furnace, which had been dismantled and transported overnight from the Allen family workshop. Sent along with it were numerous and diverse ores and specialized materials; approaching the area, one could instantly sense the radiating heat wafting outward.

However, the moment Karen and Alfred stepped inside, they witnessed Purr beating Kevin.

—

Took a nap during the day and accidentally overslept completely, owing an update.

I will write slowly tonight to make up for it, everyone can read it when you wake up tomorrow morning, holding everyone close!