Chapter 594: Who Are the Ants?

Chapter 594: Who is the Ant?

"Chief, let me see you back."

Vorfuren felt a sense of quiet satisfaction that his grandson had used this particular title under such circumstances.

In the past, back when his grandson worked in the Academic Building, he had often muddled and blurred the way he addressed his grandfather. Despite numerous reminders, the young man had always treated it as a joke, never truly taking it to heart.

Vorfuren had once mentioned to Cullen that while his grandson possessed many fine qualities, his greatest flaw was that he had grown up in far too sheltered and comfortable an environment, which left a certain softness in his character.

His starting point in life was bound to be much higher than that of ordinary believers his own age, but when faced with those true geniuses who had clawed their way up from the masses, he was simply outmatched.

Now, however, it was distinctly noticeable that his grandson had grown up all at once, though the price of such growth was altogether too exorbitant and heavy.

"I am not going back."

"Not going back? Are you returning to the Academic Building then? I believe you need to cherish your health."

"Is there really any point left in cherishing this body of mine?"

Leon was about to protest, but Vorfuren cut him off.

"Very well, cherish it, cherish it. I am a bit hungry. I shall leave after having a meal here with you, for the sake of cherishing my body, after all."

"Alright, I will prepare some food for you. The office director set up a kitchen in a room on the third floor. I will cook for you myself."

"Please, don't. Although I know I do not have long to live, I am not in such a hurry that I need to run toward the end.

You and I are the only two left in this family. If you were to cook a meal that directly sent your own grandfather to the grave, the psychological burden on you would be far too immense."

"Heh... pfft!"

Leon tried to suppress his laughter, for the subject was indeed quite somber, yet catching the expression on his grandfather's face as he spoke made it impossible to hold back.

Vorfuren smiled as well, raising his hand, and Leon stepped forward to support him.

"Remember, being able to laugh is a form of happiness. When it is time to be sad, we grieve, but when we can laugh, we must not hold it in. Try to laugh as much as you can. Your mother and your grandmother like looking down from heaven to see you smiling.

You cannot keep a bitter face forever. When the time comes for me to meet your grandmother, she will blame me for not counseling you well. As for your mother, she probably would not dare lose her temper with me."

"Alright, Grandfather."

"Let us go to your cafeteria here. Let me taste what you usually eat."

"Alright, I will take you there."

Supported by Leon, Vorfuren arrived at the cafeteria in the headquarters building. The hall was quite crowded, but when the Chief Bishop entered, everyone rose to salute, appearing exceedingly constrained.

Vorfuren merely smiled and nodded in response, as he had not come specifically to inspect the dining conditions of the Order Inquisitors. Besides, the compensation for the Whip of Order was already gradually decoupling from the Regional Administrative Office.

"Grandfather, would you like to dine here or go to a private room?"

"Let us go to a private room. It is easier to converse."

"Alright, Grandfather."

Leon escorted Vorfuren into the private room, saw him seated, and then went out to fetch the food, returning shortly with two trays of meals.

Vorfuren picked up his utensils and began to eat, from time to time transferring the meatballs and fish fillets from his own plate into his grandson's.

Leon did not refuse, accepting them with a smile and eating everything.

Vorfuren’s appetite was poor, or rather, his body could no longer handle much food, so after eating for a brief while, he set down his utensils and sat there, quietly watching his grandson eat.

In truth, the atmosphere within their household had always been wonderful, and the relationships among family members had been exceptionally harmonious.

Even so, a pang of regret lingered in Vorfuren's heart—regret that in the past, while enjoying the sweetness and warmth of his family, he had not carefully used a piece of bread to wipe up the very last of the broth from the bottom of his plate, placing it in his mouth for a final chew and a lingering savor.

Human beings were always like this; only when everything was about to be utterly lost did they truly understand how to cherish it.

After Leon finished eating, he took the trays out and returned with two fruit platters, each with toothpicks inserted. He remembered his grandfather saying that this place was convenient for conversation.

Vorfuren picked up a grape, turning it gently in his hand.

Leon asked, "Grandfather, will today's matter cause a massive uproar?"

"Originally, the problem should not have been severe. At worst, your director would have shouldered both the limelight and the responsibility, and the disturbance would have settled. But now, this extra scene added to the play has made things far more complicated and much more serious."

"Will it reignite the conflict between the Whip of Order and the Regional Administrative Office?"

Vorfuren shook his head and said, "It is more than just that. When the facade is torn away, the nature of the matter alters. Our current High Priest possesses far greater status, power, and personal prestige than his predecessor, but the more dominant he is, the louder the suppressed voices of opposition naturally become.

Right now, this should have been a relatively quiet period after the conclusion of the last major confrontation. Therefore, throwing a pebble into the pond at a time like this can easily startle all the fish swimming inside."

"Is it truly that severe..."

"Actually, my prediction is still on the conservative side. A while ago, when your department brought down the Durn family, it was merely a conflict over the redistribution of power between the Whip of Order and the Regional Administrative Office. This time, it will likely be interpreted as a new round of declarations of war between the reformist faction of the High Priest behind the Whip of Order and the conservative faction.

So, do not look at how your minister and the regional director seemed perfectly unfazed when the meeting adjourned; that was all a facade. They must be utterly frantic in their hearts right now.

I imagine that while we were dining just now, they were probably in their respective offices reporting to their superiors and seeking instructions—no, phrased that way, it is somewhat inaccurate. They should be pleading for forgiveness.

Because, quite by accident, they have let things blow up completely."

"Then our director..."

"Which director? Oh, Cullen was meant to be used like a rag. Though even now I cannot fathom why they chose Cullen to be the sacrificial lamb for this operation. It is like repairing a pothole in the road not with bricks, but deliberately using gemstones.

It achieves the same effect, but the cost and the price... are entirely mismatched.

As for now, Cullen does not need to worry about himself. That second director has already drawn the entire storm onto his own shoulders. A rogue method, yet highly effective.

Cullen used to belong to Neo's squad as well, didn't he? I remember during the meeting on Dark Moon Island, that squad was responsible for protecting me."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Then the atmosphere of that squad is truly excellent. For an old captain to willingly abandon everything and stand up to defend his subordinate, I believe Neo must feel Cullen is worth the sacrifice. And I believe even more firmly that in the future, Cullen will do the same for you."

"For me..."

"He will." Vorfuren peeled the skin off the grape and placed it in his mouth.

"Grandfather, do not eat the grapes. I tasted one just now; it is very sour."

Vorfuren shook his head with a smile and said, "At my age, ordinary flavors can hardly be tasted in the mouth at all."

"Grandfather, shall I see you back to rest now?"

"No rush, I am waiting for someone."

"Whom are you waiting for?"

Vorfuren glanced at the wall clock in the private room. "It seems the plea for forgiveness is proving quite severe, haha."

Hearing this, Leon could only sit silently beside him and wait.

"Do you have nothing to do?" Vorfuren asked curiously. "Should this not be the busiest time for all of you? After all, arresting so many bishops at once—just listening to them complain must be an incredibly splitting headache."

"My assignment is to stay by your side and please you."

Vorfuren immediately wore an expression that was a mix of amusement and helplessness.

"To please me, and then what?"

"There is no specific objective, just to please you. If you intend to go home, I will accompany you back to rest. Although the department is busy, I believe my leave has been approved."

"I suppose this command was not given to you by Cullen or Neo?"

"No."

"Well, that squad of yours possesses a remarkably high caliber. No, it is far more than decent—to think someone among them can read the situation so clearly. I am quite certain the vast majority of those fellows out there are thoroughly dazed and muddled at this very moment.

Therefore, Leon, it was a truly wise decision for your grandfather to arrange your placement into this squad. Once inside, you must plant your feet firmly and do your work diligently, without harboring any other extraneous notions."

"I will, Grandfather."

"No, you must imprint upon your heart what your grandfather tells you. Do you know the consequences when a small circle contains more than one truly clever individual?"

"The consequences?"

"The consequences are that even the most foolish and useless creature in the circle can be carried along and end up quite well off, provided they behave themselves and carry their weight honestly within the team."

Leon: "..."

Just then, a knock sounded at the door of the private room.

Leon rose to open it and found District Head Harry standing at the threshold. He immediately offered the District Head his salute.

Harry smiled faintly at Leon, then stepped inside carrying a pouch of tea leaves and a kettle of boiling water, speaking as he entered: "My subordinates informed me that you were here accompanying your grandson for dinner, sir, so I simply had to extend some hospitality. The cafeteria fare is quite ordinary, but these are tea leaves from my personal collection. They have a rather robust flavor; you ought to find them to your liking."

Leon stepped forward, intending to assist with brewing the tea, but he saw District Head Harry taking up the task with his own hands.

Wolffren leaned his back against the chair, resting his hands over his abdomen, observing the tea-brewing Harry from a thoroughly indolent posture as he spoke:

"To have the District Head personally brew tea for me..."

"Look at what you are saying, sir. It is only right, how could I not..."

"It appears you must have been scolded most severely."

Harry: "..."

Wolffren’s eyelids drooped slightly as he continued: "Scolded far beyond your expectations, leaving you utterly frantic—so much so that you can no longer even maintain the dignity of your status."

Wolffren coughed twice more, yet the amused smile at the corner of his lips was now barely concealed at all:

"Or perhaps, has a critical issue arisen regarding your position and standing?"

Harry froze for a moment, but he managed after all to avoid letting the boiling water overflow the teacup. Once the tea was brewed, he seated himself, let out a sigh, and said: "You have seen it too, sir. It is not that an accident occurred, but rather that the commotion has grown somewhat too large. This matter was handled poorly, without elegance, so receiving a scolding is only to be expected."

Wolffren shook his head and said: "They are also very frightened, are they not?"

Harry’s expression faltered slightly. He immediately lifted the scalding teacup to his lips, feigning a sip, and asked: "To whom are you referring, sir?"

"Them."

Wolffren raised his hand and pointed toward the space above.

"I do not quite take your meaning."

"Oh, very well. In that case, I suppose I shall not take your meaning hereafter either. Leon, come, escort your grandfather home."

"Yes, Grandfather."

The old man had served as Chief Bishop for so many years, and even Dolf, whose temperament had been the most tempestuous and arrogant back then, had never dared to show him disrespect. What he relied upon was by no means family pedigree; after all, it was precisely because his family pedigree was insufficient, coupled with his failure to construct an appropriate circle among the upper echelons, that his ascent had halted at the position of Chief Bishop. One could only say he lacked the blessing of that particular opportunity.

Yet the old man was a truly wise individual. In certain matters, he was genuinely capable of seeing through absolutely everything.

This sensation of being thoroughly seen through made District Head Harry extremely uncomfortable, but seeing Wolffren about to depart, he still leaned his torso forward immediately and said: "You must help us."

"I do

Cullen nodded and said, "Yes, he really went too far this time, he deserves a harsh punishment."

Bernie licked his lips and countered, "He did it to protect you, Cullen."

"What an idiot, who asked for his protection?" Cullen shook his head, "Now he acts like I owe him this massive debt of gratitude, even having the audacity to demand I make him a personal bowl of noodles."

"There is a way, if you are willing to cooperate and do what needs to be done, that Neo can walk out of there unharmed."

Cullen picked up two cloves of garlic, lifted the bowls, and prepared to leave the kitchen.

Bernie pressed on, "Not only will Neo be fine, but you'll also get a promotion. Think about it, you haven't even been in the Director's chair that long, and then..."

"A day. Strictly speaking, just an afternoon. My commendation ceremony was at noon, quite a unique ceremony at that."

"I am sorry."

"No, you don't need to apologize. I understand. As you said, your hands are tied."

"Yes, ah, but this time, if you cooperate, you'll be promoted directly to Vice Minister afterward, standing on equal footing with the regional bishop. At the next assembly, you'll be sitting in the second row."

"But when I stood on that award podium today, I didn't feel particularly comfortable."

Cullen sidestepped Bernie and walked toward the exit.

Bernie’s gaze narrowed slightly, his tone shifting as he spoke, "This is also the will of the high-ranking figure behind me. It's a trade. If you refuse, you should know full well how trivial a matter it is for the true upper echelons of the Order to crush you to death."

Cullen froze in his tracks.

Bernie’s expression softened immediately, his voice dropping to a gentler register:

"So, agree to it, Cullen. You've been handed a magnificent opportunity here, an opportunity others wait a lifetime for and never see."

"Whatever."

"Hmm? What did you say?"

"I said, whatever."

"Whatever?"

"Yes. If the grand figure behind you wants to come and crush me to death, all I can say is, whatever."

"Cullen, do you even realize what you are saying?"

"I only know that if I don't deliver these noodles right now, they're going to turn into a soggy mess, and that mentally unhinged hound will absolutely use his current imprisonment as an excuse to brazenly demand I cook him a fresh batch."

"Cullen, I don't want you getting emotional, it makes you look ignorant and childish.

I know you might have crossed paths with some powerful figures, but that's only because they didn't care about you, which made them seem kind. In reality, when they want to crush you, or crush me, it's often as effortless as squeezing an ant.

Seizing the tangible benefits right in front of you is the only wise choice, isn't it?"

"My Lord Minister, haven't you read it? There is a line in the scriptural expositions of the Light of Order: A true believer of Order dares to face the bleakest realities of life, and dares to look straight at the dripping blood."

"You..."

Cullen, holding a bowl of noodles in each hand, turned around at the doorway, looking directly at Bernie for the first time since the older man had entered.

Bernie could see that the young man's gaze was entirely serene, and a faint, disdainful smile seemed to play at the corner of his lips, as though he were mocking him.

"Heh, hehehe..."

Well, there was no need for "as though" anymore; he truly was mocking him.

Cullen took a deep breath, wiping the smile from his face. If his hands weren't full with the noodle bowls, he really would have wiped away the tears of laughter pooling in his eyes.

"I am terribly sorry, Lord Minister. I wanted to restrain myself, but I simply couldn't help it."

Pausing for a moment,

Cullen continued:

"If the great figure behind you truly wishes to crush me to death, then... please, tell him to come try."

There was another half to that sentence, one Cullen did not voice aloud but allowed to ripple through his mind:

If he truly dares to strike at me so blatantly,

then he will immediately discover

exactly who...

is the actual ant!