Chapter 603: Reply to the High Priest

Chapter 603: The Reply to the High Priest

Old Koya licked his lips and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the sweat from his forehead. For the longest time, he had felt as though most of his life spent in this building had been utterly wasted;

now, he was certain it had been.

It defied all sense. Within a few months of being rehired and returning to work, any single one of the "thrilling" things he had experienced was enough to completely eclipse the majority of his life. Before this, he had truly lived like a dog.

Just as he continued wiping his hands, a voice sounded near his ear:

"I say, what are you still waiting for?"

Old Koya stared in surprise and realized that the person standing in front of him was actually Neo:

"You... aren't you... shouldn't you be..."

"Bring the shackles, lock the people in the detention center, and only after the evidence of guilt is approved will this matter truly draw to a close."

"But..."

"But what? Can't you see clearly who won yet? The market is closed, and you don't even know how to place a bet when a back door is opened for you?

If you won't consider yourself, you should at least consider your grandsons, granddaughters, grandnephews, and grandnieces.

I'm only reminding you out of respect for our past relationship. Do as you see fit."

Neo turned around.

Old Koya instinctively called out after him:

"Where... where are you going?"

Neo waved his hand. Because a cigarette was pinched between his fingertips, it looked as though he left behind ripples of faint clouds:

"Back to prison."

Old Koya swallowed his saliva and immediately waved his hand to give the order: "You've all got your gear on you, right? Come on, follow me to cuff them!"

"Yes, Section Chief."

"Yes, Section Chief."

Who could have guessed that just as Old Koya made up his mind and led his men down to take custody of the prisoners, two other groups would pop up ahead.

One was the old hound squad led by Wind, and the other was the squad led by Gendi.

With a speed that nearly threw out his old back, Old Koya rushed forward with his subordinates, managing with great difficulty to successfully snatch one bishop.

In the end, over a dozen shackles were specially served onto one bishop, bending even a bishop's waist under the weight.

After all, once a shackle went on, unless one actively broke free, the flow of spiritual power within the body was basically restricted. The extra shackles added afterward were truly nothing but pure dead weight.

The knights did not withdraw, and Karen still stood there. The vast majority of people present remained in place, watching with their own eyes as those five bishops were escorted back.

"Alas."

Dunke let out a helpless sigh. He had been suppressed by Wolfrun for a very long time, and had even been forced at one point to go to the Dingle Region to participate in some exchange and study program. Having fought his way back this time with great difficulty, he originally thought he could kick that old thing aside and sit in that position. Who could have guessed that just as his backside was halfway onto it, he would discover it was actually a branding iron.

You old thing, almost your entire family is dead, yet you still find me eyesore?

Harry, on the other hand, actively walked toward Karen. Stopping in front of him, he raised his hand and deployed an isolation barrier.

He spoke: "All of this was Bernie's idea. I think you should know that after this incident, your future development will be severely restricted. Wolfrun's influence can protect you for a short time at most, and no matter how much you rise, it's impossible for you to sit in the position of Regional Director in a single step."

Karen looked at Harry and asked: "So?"

"So, letting me continue to sit in this position might be the most beneficial to your future. At least we are somewhat familiar with each other, aren't we?"

Karen replied: "I believe in the arrangements of Order."

"If I leave, it's possible... no, there is a high probability that a more difficult Regional Director with a stronger grip on control will be sent down. I assume that shouldn't be what you want to see."

"No, it is much better than continuing to look at you."

"Fine." Harry did not seem particularly angry. "Then I'll just change locations and wait to see when you fall down."

Saying this, he intentionally looked around at the knights on the periphery:

"After doing such a thing, even if they promote you to quiet the situation, how much longer do you think you can stay here?"

"Each day spent is a day lived. I am tired."

"You have the nerve to say you're tired?" Harry found it somewhat hard to believe.

Karen nodded, speaking the words from his heart after going through this matter:

"Right now, I really just want to be a proper Whip of Order cleric, considering nothing and thinking about nothing, just doing things according to the 'Regulations of Order'.

Regional Director, in the past I saw some people who genuinely had the 'Regulations of Order' on their lips even right before they died. I admired them greatly, but at the same time, I felt they were a bit too naive and stubborn..."

Like Inquisitor Pavaro, like Lord Teshisen...

"Only now do I realize that it wasn't that they were naive, but that they saw things the most clearly and thoroughly. The one who was truly muddled yet fancied himself sober and clever was myself."

Harry was stunned for a moment, a look of deep thought appearing in his eyes. Afterward, he dissolved the isolation barrier, nodded slightly to Karen, and said: "I was wrong, and I regret it."

Karen asked: "Are you still continuing to make attempts?"

"No, I just wanted to tell you."

"Oh, alright."

"You madman."

"I accept your praise on his behalf."

...

"Come, come, come, don't go at it one by one. One person take charge of one, quickly read out the evidence of guilt and finish the process."

Vick had already finished organizing the case files. Next, under his arrangement, each person corresponded to one bishop, reading out the evidence of guilt inside the interrogation rooms.

Although they had encountered a sudden turn of events earlier and the situation had instantly become very extreme, the five bishops had at least been able to maintain a superficial composure. However, when the evidence of guilt began to be read aloud, every single one of them uniformly revealed an expression of astonishment.

This was a panic and embarrassment born from having secrets hidden in the deepest recesses unraveled, just like a man who fancied himself highly respected being made to run naked down a bustling pedestrian street.

"Are we done yet? Quick, quick, hand over all the prosecution documents to me."

Vick was like a diligent swineherd, short only of brandishing a whip.

Soon, the documents were delivered into his hands one by one. Richard was the last to hand his over, and he even licked his lips, looking as though he hadn't had enough.

Vick couldn't help but tease: "Anyone who didn't know better would think you slept with our Lord Bishop."

Richard replied: "That kind of pleasure simply can't compare to what just happened."

Grandpa, do you see? Your grandson has made something of himself; he can read out evidence of guilt to a Lord Bishop.

After finishing his lament, Richard suddenly felt a bit strange, feeling as though his emotions and the atmosphere didn't quite align. Then, he immediately understood:

Oh, it turned out his grandfather was still alive.

Vick carried the documents into the communications hall and directly transmitted the prosecution files over.

With this, the nail was completely driven in.

Vick took several steps back, slowly spinning in place while snapping his fingers. He loved this kind of life, being pulled back and forth between despair and pleasant surprises; the feeling of the process far exceeded the outcome.

"I just don't know what the requirements for joining are over at Alfred's side."

"What are you two whispering about?" Alfred said, pushing the door open as he stepped inside.

"If memory serves, this room is secured by an isolating array."

"My hearing has sharpened a bit lately. It just so happened to catch your voices."

"Very well, Mr. Alfred. I wish to join that little circle of yours."

"What little circle? I haven't the faintest idea what you are talking about."

"The one that gets to follow the Director out into the field, rather than staying behind to organize archives."

"Do you have any conception of just how vital your current work is?"

"Vital enough that even Richard could manage it with ease?"

"In the service of Order, no duty is noble or base; it is merely a different division of labor."

"I only wish to know the condition for initiation."

"Heh, as for you..."

A helpless smile brushed across Alfred's face. To drag the student of the former High Priest into the young master's circle of faith—he must be losing his mind!

But soon,

that helpless smile twisted into an excitement akin to discovering a novel toy: why ever not?

When Rasmus finally emerged from Mink Street two years hence to seek out his disciple, only to find the boy had converted to the young master's faith, what a magnificent spectacle that would be. The great High Priest Rasmus would surely weep tears of profound gratitude.

"We shall converse more in the future and share some perspectives. We take this one step at a time."

"Is it fashioned like a brotherhood of sorts?"

"You might think of it as a reading club for the exegesis of Order doctrine."

Vick's expression stiffened slightly. "I am aware that a certain fundamentalist faction exists within the Church. They are somewhat... somewhat peculiar, if you take my meaning."

Alfred replied with a gentle smile:

"Oh, you muse too far. How could we possibly be so extreme? It is quite out of the question."

...

Alfred retraced his steps to Karen's side to render his account:

"Young master, the petition for prosecution has been formally submitted."

Karen offered a brief nod, raising his token high. "Withdraw!"

Above them, the raptor knights began their steep ascent, while the cavalry below wheeled their mounts about. Soon, amidst the shrill cries of the raptors aloft and the thundering vibration of hooves below, the dark clouds that had long shrouded the place began to recede like a ebbing tide.

"Alfred, see to the affairs here for the moment. I expect I must report to the cells shortly."

"Understood, young master."

Karen walked over to Bernie, who was kneeling on one knee, pressing his hands against his abdomen to channel healing energies.

"Lord Minister, I shall have men convey you to the Church hospital."

"No need." Bernie lifted his gaze, fixing it upon Karen. "My thanks."

"You are too courteous."

"And next? What do you intend to do?"

"Next, it is no longer my affair."

"Karen, one thing rouses my curiosity. What made you so certain that I, Dunke, and Harry would not dare overturn the table on you? Were you truly so assured that none of us could bear a total defeat?"

"In truth, I was not assured at all."

"Then..."

"Perhaps it is simply because I could afford to lose."

...

The standoff at the York City Whip of Order headquarters had drawn to a close, yet like a pebble cast into a still lake, the ripples rippled outward without delay.

As the news filtered down layer by layer, the initial reaction of the vast majority was utter disbelief: surely this is a farce?

Yet swiftly, before the mounting weight of increasingly detailed intelligence, everyone was forced to believe that this nigh-farcical event had indeed come to pass.

Whereupon, a violent tremor began its descent from the highest echelons down to the lowest.

The most conspicuous reaction came from the knights garrisoned within Vien, who received strict orders of alert, preparing to deploy at a moment's notice.

This signified that the high command now regarded York City as a profoundly unstable territory; indeed, the very nature of the incident was verging upon "rebellion."

After all, in the secular realm, such an occurrence was tantamount to an armed insurrection led by the garrison forces within an ancient imperial province.

The most sensitive nerve of the entire Church of Order had been struck, instantly triggering its internal stabilization mechanism.

...

"By order of the Knight Commander, your garrison is commanded to enforce a lockdown by battalion units. Furthermore, your first battalion shall immediately—"

The messenger knight's command broke off mid-sentence, freezing in his tracks. Before him, an entire battalion of knights had stripped away their armor and abandoned their warhorses, sitting there in impeccable formation, entirely bare-chested.

Every man among them was bound with ropes, yet their countenances remained perfectly serene.

Moreover, at their very front, a man clad in the exact same fashion sat with them, while a set of scarlet bishop's robes, symbolizing exalted status, lay neatly folded by his side.

Bishop Byrne looked up at the herald,

and inquired:

"Look closely. Is there anything yet lacking? Pray offer your critique."

...

"Yo, landed yourself inside, have you?"

Neo looked through the iron bars at Karen as he walked in. Old Koya was personally unlocking the cell door for Karen, who then stepped inside.

"Hey, Old Koya, you're looking remarkably nimble today," Neo teased.

Old Koya bowed respectfully to Neo, then turned with great warmth to Karen, whom he had just locked away. "Director, is there anything you require? Or shall I begin preparing dinner now?"

Karen shook his head. "No need for special treatment."

Neo shouted, "Hey, I'm famished! Fetch me some afternoon tea."

"Very well, Lord Neo. Please wait a moment."

"And you, come over here." Neo beckoned to Old Koya, and once the elder drew near, he asked with a mischievous grin, "The orders came down from above?"

"Yes, the order to detain Director Karen."

"Then why are you still so attentive? Shouldn't you be cursing me along with him? Cursing me for dragging you into this mess."

"When the decree was handed down, neither the District Chief nor the Minister showed any reaction. Had they been overjoyed, I should have been terrified; but they seemed utterly unable to summon any enthusiasm." Old Koya shielded his mouth with his hand, conjuring an air of shared secrets. "So, I reckon it is mere formality, though I still cannot fathom how this curtain will finally fall."

"Heh, no need for you to worry over that. Some are responsible for providing the army, others for directing the battle, so naturally, there will be those tasked with clearing the battlefield."

"Very well. The world of the high and mighty is something I cannot see clearly anyway."

From the opposing cell, Karen spoke: "Neo, lend me a sheet of paper and a pen."

"Hey, I say, have all the rules just flown out the window?"

"Director of the Second Office, lend me a pen and paper."

"Didn't hear you. Must be a crow cawing."

"Captain, lend me a pen and paper."

"Ah, now that's more like it." Neo tossed his pen and paper straight over and asked, "Are you going to help me design the book title?"

Karen spread the paper, picked up the pen, and said:

"Designing a funeral."

...

"This is really quite embarrassing."

"Grandfather, this is what I ought to do."

At this moment, Wolfrun sat naked on a stool while Leon wiped his body down with a towel.

"When parents and elders bathe and wipe down a newborn child, it is a kind of happiness."

"Yes, so it is only right that I do this for you, isn't it, Grandfather?"

"No, I don't know what other elders and old people think, but right now, I feel like a piece of rotting meat."

"Grandfather, you are joking again. It is all wiped down, which set of divine robes do you intend to wear?"

"The most solemn ceremonial dress."

"Very well, Grandfather, let me dress you."

Not long after, Leon pushed Wolfrun, now bathed and changed into a brand-new ceremonial dress, into the office.

The Chief Bishop's office naturally included a living area; earlier, Leon had been helping his grandfather wash up inside that living space.

The old man's hair had been combed with meticulous care, making his whole being appear much more spirited.

"Alright, you may go out now. I must hurry and attend to a few matters."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Leon."

"Is there anything else, Grandfather?"

"I love you, my dear grandson. We all love you."

"I love you too, Grandfather."

Lately, Grandfather had been saying similar things quite often, so Leon did not find it strange. He opened the office door and walked out.

Wolfrun pushed his wheelchair behind the desk and placed his palm upon it. Soon, the desk's magical array activated, echoing directly into the communication hall of the Education Ministry Building.

"Lord Chief."

The silhouette of a woman appeared before the desk; she was the Deputy Minister of the Communication Department for the York City Region.

"Help me submit a communication application to interface with the Holy See."

"Yes, Lord Chief."

The woman's silhouette faded away.

Very quickly, the application response came down.

"Greetings, My Lord."

Another woman's silhouette appeared before the desk. Clearly, this was personnel from the Holy See's communication department, though her rank could not possibly be as high as a deputy minister; perhaps seeing the communication level coming from York City, a team leader had come up to interface.

"I am the Chief Bishop of the York City Region. I now apply to contact the High Priest directly."

"You have not made an appointment in advance. I am terribly sorry, My Lord, I cannot arrange this for you on short notice."

"I now demand to invoke my highest communication authority as the Regional Chief Bishop."

"Very well, your highest communication authority can directly connect to the High Priest's Office Temple."

"I now demand to activate the highest regional emergency response status."

"Very well, the highest emergency response status is activated. You will obtain the eligibility to contact the High Priest. Please wait a moment for the response from the High Priest."

"Mm."

A brief moment later, the woman knelt on one knee in reverence, and subsequently, her silhouette gradually receded.

In front of the desk, a majestic figure manifested.

...

In the center of the temple.

Norton gazed at the scene of Wolfrun's office appearing within the magical array before him, his gaze profound.

...

"Greetings, High Priest."

Sitting in his wheelchair, Wolfrun placed his hands before his chest, bowing in pious reverence.

"Wolfrun, I have already sent Creed over."

High Priest Norton's voice was calm, yet anyone could perceive the fury buried beneath that tranquility.

Wolfrun responded, "I have troubled the Lord Cardinal. Making him make a special, arduous journey truly fills me with guilt."

"I have never believed that there would be no factional strife within the church, because I know it is inevitable. If it ceased to exist one day, that would be the true wonder. But this time, Wolfrun, you have truly surprised me, shocked the entire Sacred Church.

I truly did not foresee that under my governance, such a thing could still happen within the Sacred Church."

"High Priest, in truth, this time, there is no factional strife."

"There is not?"

"Yes, there is not, because..."

The image seemed to come to a halt.

A long time passed,

A long time,

A long time...

The High Priest closed his eyes and let out a sigh:

"Wolfrun, is this your response to me."

Because the old man in the image,

Was dead.