Chapter 618: Who is the Traitor

Chapter 618 Who is the Traitor?

"Yes, Minister."

Aisli went to fetch some ice water for Karen, while Karen walked into the private box.

Behind them, Kevin lifted his head and glanced at Purr. Purr pushed gently forward with a paw gripping the scruff of Kevin's neck.

Kevin understood the hint and followed into the private box.

Their earlier hesitation was spent considering whether they should leave first. After all, given their current combat capabilities, staying would not help Karen at all and would likely make them a burden.

As for the foolish mindset of "if you don't leave, I won't leave, we leave together," it naturally could not exist in the minds of a great adventurer and an evil god.

But on second thought, that skeleton had already appeared out of thin air earlier, and it even controlled the internal arrays of this theater. Without Karen’s protection, could the two of them really walk out of here?

If they failed to escape and were captured instead to be used as hostages to blackmail Karen, that would truly be tossing a dead rat into a soy sauce vat.

Therefore, the optimal choice was to come inside.

Karen took the ice water handed to him by Aisli and took a sip.

Inwardly, he was astonished: he really had not expected this dragon to be one of the skeleton's people as well.

Although Lady Auggie had always acted somewhat dim-witted in front of him—especially today, being somewhat incomprehensible—her attempt that night to use Lasma to break her own seal made Karen clearly aware that this dragon was absolutely no fool.

Was this the reason that skeleton dared to let him back in? Even Auggie, the strongest combat power on his side, belonged to that party. It was a test of how he would choose.

It had to be said, the skeleton had won.

The original bodyguard had become an inside agent, making it nearly impossible for Karen to even "call the police."

Then, what was even more aggravating was... after knowing he had lost the initiative, Karen actually began to look forward to the other party keeping its promise. He would stand here and watch the show, and in the end, it would give him the bone dragon.

Karen pressed the glass of ice water against his forehead. The coldness quickly cleared his mind as he told himself:

Do not be naive, do not be foolish.

Turning his head slightly, Karen looked at Lady Auggie again. Lady Auggie was also looking at him, her gaze betraying a hint of contemplation.

Immediately after, Lady Auggie took a few steps forward, standing right between Karen and Miss Dyna.

Was she worried he would slip away with Dyna?

I already said she is far less important to me than Aisli, why don't you people believe me?

Karen had already guessed Miss Dyna's identity. To have the frost giant dragon by the Whipper’s side serve as an escort, and though she had a terrible temper, she was rarely serious in some narratives standing on the position of the Church—her adoptive father's identity was already glaringly obvious.

But Karen deliberately chose not to expose it; exposing it would only be looking for trouble for himself.

At this time, the first batch of warrior demonic beasts on the circular platform below had already been distributed, and one came up... a Bloodthirsty Demon.

From his attire and the introduction in the booklet provided earlier, his identity was clearly pointed out.

The Bloodthirsty Demons had several independent families with considerable influence, and could even negotiate some cooperation with the Order, such as the family of Neo's ex-wife, Elisa. However, some branches of the Bloodthirsty Demons were also integrated into the systems of other churches.

The Crypt Church had always maintained a small family of Bloodthirsty Demons within its ranks. Although they did not belong to the seven main lineages, the organizational structure of the Crypt Church itself was relatively loose, making such small forces and clans more suitable for survival.

The introduction stated that this Bloodthirsty Demon not only possessed powerful physical repair capabilities but also mental power techniques, and additionally had received the faith of the God of Bones, one of the seven main lineages.

In short, it was very rare, with high plasticity.

This could also be seen from the enthusiasm for competition below. Not only the priests on the Order's side who had not yet chosen a partner, but even the people from other churches who had remained silent earlier began making their intentional selections.

The previous few warrior-system demonic beasts were basically picked one-on-one, chosen by the people of Order without any internal competition. After all, the grade was just like that, and there was no fundamental difference between a white lizard and a minotaur.

Now that the good stuff was served... no, walked up, the atmosphere suddenly spiked. That friendly vibe of drinking afternoon tea and basking in the sun was thereby declared over.

Next, this Bloodthirsty Demon could have his own right of choice.

Except, this Bloodthirsty Demon still failed to catch Karen's eye, mainly because Neo, a Bloodthirsty Demon himself, was always jumping around in front of him, creating too strong a contrast.

Neo's bloodline grade was much higher than his. This one mastered the faith of the God of Bones... while Neo possessed the faith of the God of Light and the faith of the God of Order which he believed he still held. In front of the latter two, the God of Bones did not even have the right to stand.

If he really brought back a lower-end version of "Neo," he would definitely be laughed to death by that guy.

"Can Bloodthirsty Demons also possess church faith?" Dyna asked in confusion.

Lady Auggie spoke up: "They can."

"Doesn't that conflict with the family faith system?"

"Although both involve factors of bloodline inheritance, the family faith system views ancestors as a totem nature similar to gods. On the other hand, the Bloodthirsty Demons rely more on the grade and concentration of their bloodline.

Miss can understand it this way: the family faith system allows one to trace and worship ancestors with just a single drop serving as a small flame, whereas those like the Bloodthirsty Demons continuously pursue turning a drop into a cup, a basin, a river, or even... an ocean.

The family faith system and church faith can hardly coexist, but bloodline inheritance can be integrated into church faith. For church faith, this can also be considered a kind of enrichment."

Purr, lying on the sofa behind, rolled her eyes, thinking to herself that standing right next to you was a person who could smash the theories you just spoke into pieces.

What Auggie said was right, but nothing in this world was absolute. For example, for some true geniuses with special adventures, they often broke objective laws.

This "correctness" was inherently built on the summary of predecessors, ignoring the factor of genius, merely thinking it had nothing to do with most people, which was indeed the fact.

Starting down below, this Bloodthirsty Demon began entering his own selection phase. A total of six people expressed interest in him, three of whom belonged to the Order.

"The process is moving so slowly." Dyna scratched her hair, lit another cigarette, and then handed the cigarette pack to Karen.

Karen took it, pulled one out, and handed the pack back.

If it were Neo, this pack of cigarettes would probably remain in his hands in exchange for lighting it for the other party.

Just then, Karen noticed a group of people entering from the theater entrance. The leader was a middle-aged male dressed in luxurious purple clothing, looking exceedingly grand. Behind him followed a group of drakonid guards.

The characteristic of drakonids was horn-like protrusions on their foreheads plus dragon scales attached to their skin. Among dragon subspecies, their status was considered the first tier.

When this middle-aged man entered, all the relevant personnel of the Crypt Church below respectfully knelt down to salute. The priests of various churches in the audience seats downstairs also saluted him under the leadership of their respective team leaders.

The middle-aged man began greeting each church's area one by one. He behaved very amiably and generously, clearly accustomed to conducting this kind of diplomatic meeting.

"Who is he?" Dyna asked this question on Karen's behalf.

Lady Auggie answered: "The Commander of the Crypt Church's Dragon Imperial Guard—Rayio Piton Amans."

"Commander of the Dragon Imperial Guard, what kind of position is that?"

Every church had its own set of position systems, and the Crypt Church was even more complex, having seven halls.

"He controls the armed forces of the Crypt Church's dragon race."

"Oh, a fairly high position, equivalent to the Grand Master of our Church's Knights?"

Karen corrected: "No, much higher than the Grand Master of our Church's Knights. Our Church has very strong control over the Knights, which disguisedly lowers the status of the Grand Master. The Crypt Church is loosely managed, and the seven main lineages possess high autonomy, so he is equivalent to a warlord with great power."

Lady Auggie's expression was a bit strange, because Karen's introduction was a bit too blunt.

Dyna nodded: "Oh, so that's how it is."

Karen reminded again: "In addition, he should also be related to our Lady Auggie?"

Auggie looked at Karen in confusion: "How do you know my surname?"

"Perhaps out of my curiosity and admiration for the dragon race, so I paid a little more attention."

The truth was, that day it was he who carried her into the temple for examination. He had glanced at the testing forms in the hands of Mavaryo and the others, and in the name column, he saw Lady Auggie's surname... Amans.

"Is it true, Sister Auggie?"

Lady Auggie nodded and replied: "He is my father."

"Oh?" Miss Dena pressed immediately, "But how come I didn't see you excited, Sister Augie?"

Karen sighed inwardly; this rebellious young lady truly knew nothing of social graces.

"I am her youngest daughter. When I was very young, I was sent to the Order of Religion, and we barely maintained any contact. The few times I saw him in my life were when I followed the Whipper at external religious functions."

"So that's how it is. But it's still quite good; your father is at least still around. I really envy you."

Karen thought to himself: Perhaps, she envies you even more.

Furthermore, if you know how to speak, you should speak more, as this dragon wouldn't dare slap you to death anyway.

Lord Augie looked down at Miss Dena standing by her side, a bitter smile gracing the corner of her lips.

The little girl before her, whose father had passed away yet who grew up sheltered by his former superiors and colleagues, envied that her biological father was still alive;

Yet her own biological father back then had personally "sold" her to the Order of Religion.

"Is Sister Augie's father a frost giant dragon as well?"

"No, he is of the lightning attribute. My mother was a frost giant dragon, and I inherited my mother's attribute."

"Oh, so that's how it is. But dragons of the lightning attribute must be quite rare, right?"

"Yes, so his status is very high. It is said... he wishes to compete for the leadership of the next generation of the Crypt Religion's dragon lineage."

"Then wouldn't Sister Augie become a princess?"

"I am a hostage."

"But I feel that if Sister Augie's father holds a higher status, then the possibility of Sister Augie gaining her freedom will be greater."

Karen could not help but sigh softly; the truth was likely entirely opposite to what she said.

After completing his greetings one by one below, that Lord Laiyo led his people up a level, and should arrive here in a short while.

After all, on this second floor, only these two private rooms were occupied... well, because they had been knocked through, it was now just one.

So, could this matter be told to Laiyo?

No,

Not for the time being. That skeleton said he possessed many identities, and Laiyo's deliberate arrival here at this moment to meet these juniors also appeared highly calculated and unusual.

He had already done the deed of reporting to the authorities while facing bandits once before; there was no need to repeat it so quickly.

More importantly, this Lord Augie had never diverted her attention from him ever since he returned earlier. She had been staring at him!

Sure enough, before long, a knock came upon the door.

Miss Dena also understood what was about to happen. Tidying her garments, she spoke, "Enter."

The door was opened, and it was actually that same gorgon maid, who said with a composed expression, "My lords, Leader Laiyo wishes to see you."

"Please have him come in," Miss Dena said.

"Yes, Miss."

The gorgon maid withdrew, and after a brief moment, Laiyo walked inside.

Unlike those who had entered previously and only focused on Karen, his attention was fixed squarely on Miss Dena the moment he stepped in. He even knelt on one knee before Miss Dena without the slightest hesitation:

"Noble Miss, please forgive me for failing to come and pay my respects at the very first instance. When I learned of this news, I was away at the Outland camp, and have only just rushed back to the main city."

"Please rise, you are truly far too courteous."

Miss Dena stepped forward, offering a symbolic hand to assist Laiyo, who took the cue to stand. He then looked toward Karen, though he did not initiate conversation.

"This is Minister Karen of our church's Whip of Order," Dena introduced.

"Praise the God of the Crypt. I have long heard of Minister Karen's deeds, and it is a great fortune indeed to meet you here today."

"Praise Order, the sentiment is mutual."

By all rights, Dena held no official post within the Order of Religion, so in a formal official setting she ought to be placed at the very rear, even behind Aisli.

Yet Laiyo performed a great salute to Dena, granting her an exceedingly exaggerated measure of "respect," which was clearly performed for the benefit of Miss Dena's adoptive father—the High Priest.

Recalling further how Laiyo had "handed over" his own daughter back then to Foden, who was accompanying Norton—one must remember that Norton was not yet the High Priest at the time, nor was Foden the Whipper—it was sufficient proof that he had connected with Norton's line long ago.

Now that he was preparing to compete for the position of leader of the Crypt Religion's dragon lineage, he naturally required the support of the suzerain church's High Priest all the more.

After "meeting" Karen in an official manner, this leader went so far as to completely disregard his own biological daughter, Augie, continuing to speak to Miss Dena: "In truth, the matter of this bone dragon was reported to the sacred church by me. I knew you lacked a playmate, so I felt this bone dragon was worthy of the status of your companion."

Beside them, Kevin, who lay prostrate there, stuck out his tongue. Leader Laiyo's sycophancy was such that even a devoted hound could not bear to watch.

Karen only found it somewhat amusing. For the sake of his personal advancement, this lightning dragon had not given enough by offering his daughter, but must now continue to present dragons to the next generation.

Karen could understand the steadfastness and sacrifice of Inquisitor Pavaro; that was noble and grand. But the man before him was clearly not acting for any revival of his race; he simply hungered for power.

With his own grandfather and Grandfather Hoffen having set examples before him, Karen truly looked down on this sort of person a little.

Though he and Neo were also scheming their way upward, they would never do so at the cost of sacrificing their own kin.

"Oh, is that so? Thank you, Uncle Laiyo. I shall certainly convey your concern for me to my father."

Not a trace of overbearing arrogance could be seen on Miss Dena's face. On the contrary, she appeared highly well-mannered now, even cognizant of the other party's motives, and extended a promise to him.

It turned out she was not entirely brainless, nor was she ignorant of socializing. It was possible that deep down in her heart, just like Foden, she simply did not regard Augie as a human being.

Therefore, one must never treat the verbal hurts, neglect, and indifference from friends around them as mere thoughtless, innocent blunders; in all likelihood, it was because the other party simply did not hold you in their heart at all.

"Miss Dena, I have some matters I wish to report to you in private. I wonder if you might temporarily step into the next... oh no, into another private room with me."

"Of course there is no problem, Uncle Laiyo."

Hearing this, Augie took two steps forward and spoke, "I am responsible for protecting Miss Dena's safety. I must come along."

Laiyo, however, looked at Augie and said, "Augie, you stay here."

He did recognize his daughter.

"No, I must accompany her."

Karen immediately grew vigilant. You absolutely must go along?

"Sister Augie, you stay here first. I will return after speaking with Uncle Laiyo for a short while."

"Then what about Karen?" Augie asked.

Hmm? What does that have to do with me?

"Hmm?" Miss Dena blinked, "Minister Karen will of course remain here as well, haha."

"Very well, please return quickly, Miss."

"I know, Sister Augie, rest assured. Isn't Uncle Laiyo right by my side?"

"Yes, good."

Lord Augie agreed, and then her gaze locked onto Karen.

No, what are you looking at me for?

"Miss Dena, this way please."

"Alright, Uncle Laiyo."

As Miss Dena and Laiyo walked out of this private room, Karen reached out to pick up the water glass into which Aisli had just added ice once more. The chilling cold that met his hand caused him to suddenly realize something.

That skeleton spoke of assassinating someone; could that person perhaps be Lai-ao?

Why had the possibility never crossed his mind before? Was it because he had mapped the entity's identity onto an adult Thunder Dragon, leading him to take it for granted that such a presence could never be assassinated?

Yet, what if events were truly unfolding in this most improbable of fashions?

Beads of sweat instantly broke out across Kaelen's forehead. Instinctively, he took a step forward, intending to give chase, but Lord Augie shifted like a flash of light, blocking his path. "You cannot go out," the Lord said.

"Why?"

"You know why yourself."

Abruptly, Kaelen lifted his head, staring straight at Lord Augie, who towered far above him, and demanded:

"Did it say the exact same words to you?"

"What?"

Kaelen reached out and poked his own chest, probing:

"In your eyes, what am I?"

"You know well enough in your own heart!"

Kaelen let out a laugh, asking, "Let me ask you this: in your eyes, am I an inside agent?"

Confusion flashed in Lord Augie's gaze as he countered:

"Are you not?"