Chapter 624: Deal, You Beast

Chapter 624: The Deal and the Beast

"Molindi, I can understand that your long imprisonment here has caused your mind to wander into such delusions, but truly, you have failed the High Priest's leniency and benevolence."

"Daan, remember the words I say to you today. I think it won't be long before you perceive it yourself. I only hope that when that day truly comes, you will not feel regret."

"Regret? Regret what?"

Daan reached out and lightly tapped the crest emblazoned upon his chest armor.

"Even if the gods return, even if my Church has no deity sitting in dominion behind us, even if we face the vengeful backlash of the entire ecclesiastical circle, and even if those very master gods whose tales we have heard descend before me.

I, and the knight order I command, will still possess the courage to draw our swords and charge.

This is the oath I swore on the day I entered the order, and it is the vision that every generation of our knights has forever aspired to in their hearts."

"I do not wish to see the Holy Church destroyed. I do not wish for us to step into the same end as the Light. And even less do I wish for the believers loyal to Order, and those true cross-bearers who rest in eternal sleep within the First Knight Order, to make a pale and powerless sacrifice.

A tragic and stirring tale indeed evokes an easy resonance in the human heart, but no one wishes for such a story to happen to themselves.

We... could have passed through in peace. No, we could have had nothing to worry about.

The God of Order whom we believe in had already dominated the divine realm at the end of the last epoch. As long as he can return, then my Church of Order and the rules of order we uphold will surely be established as the true standard, evolving into unquestionable truth in this epoch, the next, and many, many epochs to come.

Daan, I, Molindi, am no apostate!

Even though I was born an undead creature, my faith in Order is absolutely no less than that of any of you!"

"You have been bewitched, or perhaps, you have completely lost your way, Molindi."

"Hehehe... Time will prove who among us, between him and me, is the one truly lost."

"Goodbye, Molindi, my former companion."

Daan turned and walked out of the cave.

Molindi's body slowly receded, pressing back into the massive, crimson heart behind her, and the surroundings fell into a sudden stillness.

Yet this silence did not endure for long. A black vortex materialized before her, and immediately following it, a bronze-colored skeleton slowly emerged.

Molindi raised her head, opened her eyes, and looked at it, seemingly unsurprised by its arrival.

"Did he bid you farewell, Archmage Molindi?"

"He said goodbye to me."

"I advised you not to speak of such things to those close to the High Priest, yet you still would not listen."

"Am I your servant?"

"Of course not. We are partners, though the duration of our cooperation is exceedingly brief."

"This was my decision. What right do you have to judge it?"

"Alright, alright." The skeleton raised its arms, signaling an end to the dispute. "There is no longer any point in us arguing over this now. When you poured out those innermost thoughts to him, your fate was already sealed."

"I am waiting for him to come and personally send me off."

"No, he won't. He won't lift a hand to kill you himself, nor will he report this matter to the High Priest. It is a dilemma, but he must have you dead.

Therefore, he will arrange for someone else to kill you, bringing an end to these decades of your imprisonment."

"Who?"

"Karen. I received word that he will establish a special task force here to investigate this case."

"That young man you admire so much?"

"Tsk, what is it with you people and not understanding a skeleton's words? I don't admire him, I worship him. Those are entirely different concepts. The former makes one feel uncomfortable, as if to say, what kind of thing am I to stand here putting on the airs of an elder?

The latter, well, makes one feel much more comfortable. He might remember a bit of my goodwill and harbor a tiny sliver of expectation—expecting when I will keep my promise and deliver that bone dragon into his hands."

"You already know him so well..."

"This isn't knowing him; this is an open-book exam. As long as one spends a little effort looking through the pages, anyone can find the answers they need.

Besides, while I am observing him, he is certainly observing me as well. But I stand in the shadows while he stands in the light, so I hold a massive advantage, hehe.

If we were to face each other on equal terms... to speak from the heart, the one who would feel restricted and numb in the hands and feet would instead be me."

"You have invented yet another way to praise that young man. Why don't you try to recruit him? Or perhaps, develop him into a partner. Don't you love that way of doing things?"

"Recruit that young man?" The skeleton spread its bony hands, counting finger bone by finger bone. "I dare not. It seems few who have been his superior ever met a good end. Since he entered your Church of Order, by all records, it seems his superiors have either been demoted or have died."

"You have a great deal to say today."

"It is our final meeting, so I wanted to chatter with you a bit more. I have always considered myself a clever sort, so those who can enter my field of vision have never been many.

You are one of them, because within your heart, I saw an exceptionally pure faith. I like dealing with people like you."

"Thank you."

"Well then, goodbye. When that young man named Karen brings his people over in a while to kill you..."

"Are you trying to tell me not to resist?"

"No, I want to ask that when you die, please remember to wear a smile."

The skeleton pointed a finger at its own face, tilting its jaw upward to display an exaggerated grin.

"Do you know, I hadn't originally intended to resist. Daan is determined to have me dead, and being imprisoned here without escape, I will inevitably die. If the first group fails, he will certainly arrange a second and a third, until I am thoroughly dead.

But somehow, perhaps because you have been praising this young man named Karen in front of me all this time.

Suddenly,

I suddenly want to drag him down to die with me."

The skeleton spread its hands, utterly bewildered.

"Why is that?"

"We are partners. With your help and support, I never expected that I could actually fashion a bone dragon, that after so many years of imprisonment, I could still fulfill a long-cherished wish in my heart. I am actually quite grateful to you.

But... I know all too well what kind of creature you are. I am well aware that you, too, are waiting for the return of the gods, and that you have been making preparations to welcome the descent of the God of the Crypt.

Therefore, I believe Karen... must die."

The skeleton twirled a finger beside its ear. "Where is the logic in that?"

"The person you favor dying will be better for the Church of Order."

"Wow. Between humans, and between skeletons and humans, can there not be a slightly purer sentiment? Why must your vision be so narrow?"

"If Daan sends him to kill me, I will take him with me. You can try to save him."

"Save him?"

"I am creating an opportunity for you. Creating an opportunity where you can truly get to know him and bestow a favor upon him. You should be grateful to me."

"I never strike from the front; I only like to hide in the back and employ schemes. Because striking from the front makes it easy to expose my true identity, as you well know."

"I hope you are exposed. I hope the Church of Order can capture you and then... kill you!"

"You people, all of you are truly heartless creatures, honestly."

"I have said my piece. As for what exactly should be done, and whether you will save him, see to it yourself."

"Hmm... very well. Farewell once more, Archmage Molindi. If, as an undead creature, you had not believed in Order but instead believed in the Crypt—no, even if you had just believed in the Bone God lineage of these seven master branches—we would have become the truest of comrades in arms."

"I have a band of comrades, I have a circle of partners, and I have a shared history of standing united through the wind and rain. My former leader was Norton, and though he is no longer, I do not believe you can ever take his place in my heart."

"I am merely a clown hiding and dancing inside a vat of sludge, completely incomparable, of course, to the magnificent High Priest. In any case, farewell."

"Farewell, clown."

The skeleton sank downward, eventually submerging completely into the vortex.

Molyndi closed her eyes, and even the beating frequency of the massive heart behind her slowed down significantly, as if returning to some form of deep slumber.

Inside a rocky crevice out in the open, the skeleton crawled out, gazed toward the location of the cave, and swung his arms down, adopting a hands-on-hips posture.

But out of habit, he overlooked the fact that he was currently a skeleton, causing his arms to cross past his own body, looking as though he had tied himself into a knot.

"Crack... Crack..."

Removing the bones, pulling them apart, and fitting them back together, he carefully gripped his own pelvic bones with both hands, finally managing with great effort to set the hands-on-hips posture correctly.

"Whew... It sounds as if I didn't want to kill him myself, but isn't it just that I don't dare? Although I don't know the reason for my fear, I just have a feeling that if I kill Garen today, the one who dies tomorrow or the day after might be me.

If you want to kill him, how could I possibly stop you? I'll be right here clapping, cheering, and shouting encouragement for you. Keep it up, hahaha.

Sigh...

Furthermore,

you betrayed the High Priest because you realized he wanted to prevent the return of the God of Order, but do you know who the person you want to kill right now might actually be?"

The skeleton drew out a scroll and unfurled it; the scroll was long, densely inscribed with shares of raw materials, all of which were external procurements by the Allen Manor over the past year, ranging from high-grade magic crystals down to cement and sand.

The lower half of the scroll consisted of various speculative diagrams of array formations. The final speculative diagram, upon having a coffin drawn onto it, stopped abruptly.

"Although I didn't dare enter that performance hall, there are some places where, even if you haven't truly stepped inside, you can still deduce what's in there based on materials obtained from the outside.

And the more I analyze it, the more terrified I become...

Either he is a megalomaniac suffering from delusions;

or,

he is..."

The skeleton shuddered, then rubbed his ribs as if picking his teeth:

"Forget it, better head back and feed my little darling first. If I don't train it properly before handing it over to you, I'm afraid you'll suffocate it to death directly, and that would be such a pity."

...

The teleportation array hall in the main city of the Crypt Cult.

"Ah, I smell the scent of free and fresh air."

Neo let out an emotional sigh.

Alfred chimed in with a tease, "Is it not the sound of levers prying coupons?"

"Can that sound not bring pleasure to a man?" Neo retorted.

"Yes, it brings pleasure. By the way, Minister, have you read the detailed textual report sent back by the young master?"

"I've read it, but he didn't design or mark any specific execution plans."

"I suppose the young master was worried about leaks. Most messages sent out from here could easily fall into that skeleton's intelligence network."

"I think it's more likely he was just too lazy to draft one, because he, you, and everyone else probably don't believe we can uncover that skeleton's identity so easily. Therefore, he didn't bother to plan out the superficial investigative work.

When we departed, Regional Director Sousse explicitly stated that upon arriving here, all actions would follow Garen's command. Yet in reality, the burden of executing these tasks still falls on you and Wick."

Standing behind them, Wick caught the mention of his name and edged forward slightly.

"Is that not as it should be?" Alfred adjusted his cuffs. "The young master has already secured this special task force opportunity; he has completed the work he ought to do, so the rest is naturally our responsibility. If the young master does everything himself, what use are we?"

"Yes, exactly right," Wick offered as a guiding opinion.

"My thinking aligns with yours in direction, but regarding the execution, I hold a different view. Alright, let me ask you one thing: knowing full well that Garen will continue taking his afternoon naps, who will take the lead in the upcoming work?"

"Beneath the young master, your rank is the highest, so we will naturally defer to you."

"Are you laying the groundwork, Alfred?" Neo frowned slightly. "I thought you would say it's because I am the most experienced, and therefore I should be obeyed."

"Is there a difference?"

"There is a difference. If it's based on experience, I will always remain experienced. But if it's based on rank, I wasn't worried before, yet I am truly concerned that after a while, your rank might match mine. You are clearly laying the groundwork."

"Lord Minister, you are being sensitive."

"Is that so? Then shall we proceed as I say first?"

"Yes, but we need to report to the young master for instructions."

"We report while executing, so as not to delay matters."

"Very well, no problem."

"Then, I shall now issue the orders!

Memphis, Mars, you will now lead the array formation squad sent as reinforcement from the regional array department to that hospital. Deploy a communication array capable of contacting our cult at the fastest speed possible, and at the same time, completely clear out that hospital to set it up as the temporary office for our special task force.

Bart, Gendi, you will take men immediately to apprehend all Crypt Cult personnel responsible for the communication arrays in this administrative building, and escort them back to the office for interrogation.

Muri, take a squad right now to the administrative building, find the relevant person in charge of the Crypt Cult, and extract the location of that bone dragon. Not only must you control that bone dragon, but you must also capture all of its keepers.

Wick, Ventura, you will now go to the relevant person in charge of the Crypt Cult to find out the location of that replica Spear of Rebellion and retrieve the weapon.

Blanche, Wend, you will head to the Twilight Hotel. There is still a batch of Order clergymen from our cult who came to participate in the selection event. Inform them that the Whip of Order is handling a case and requires them to immediately become temporary external members to assist, then lead them to take over the suspects and witnesses already held by the Crypt Cult and escort them back to the temporary office.

Filomena, you are responsible for finding the restaurant that serves the best-tasting Wien cuisine in the main city and putting it under surveillance."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

As each of Neo's orders was issued, someone stepped forward to accept it.

Sousse was very generous this time, providing substantial support. Apart from the original Garen squad, Hound squad, and Gendi squad—the three distinct factions of the old guard—as well as the array formation squad, he had also organized and sent along 200 core members of the Whip of Order from the local region.

At this moment, nearly three hundred clergymen dressed in the sacred robes of Order stood in the teleportation array hall, exerting a powerful sense of oppression upon the passersby and the staff members.

Neo reiterated:

"Our manpower is, in fact, still insufficient, so our limited numbers must achieve the absolute best effect:

Whenever you encounter any obstruction, evasion, stalling, or deadlock while executing official duties, you may use violent means to resolve it swiftly. Even if they outnumber you and you cannot win, you must still charge forward. Either you beat them to death, or let them beat you to death!

Do not have any misgivings, do not have any worries, and above all, do not bring past working habits into this place.

Remember,

our ancestors turned the Crypt Cult into our subordinate cult not for you to come here and act like servants. Please display the psychological awareness of being the masters of this place.

Do you understand!"

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

...

"How does it feel?" Neo asked Alfred as he walked toward the carriage ahead.

He and Alfred were to rendezvous with Karen next.

"That makes perfect sense; you've broken through the limits of my usual thinking," Alfred admitted, filled with reluctant admiration. "Since the outcome of the investigation no longer matters, the act of investigating becomes everything. Our job is to stir up a storm. That way, no matter what decision or directive comes from above, we will be perfectly positioned to implement and execute it."

"Exactly. That is why the higher-ups prefer to form task forces out of people from the Dingle Region for external investigations. People who come from the Capital Circle understand political coordination far better.

Furthermore, kicking up a massive fuss facilitates our next steps. It serves as a reminder to the Deep Burrow Cult nobility here in the main city to mind their manners as hosts and treat us to local delicacies. Even if we can't finish it all on the spot, we can always pack up the leftovers to go."

Neo walked up to a driver and announced, "By order of the Whip of Order on official business, it is hereby declared that all carriages belonging to you and your colleagues are requisitioned, effective immediately."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Yes, my Lord."

All the carriage drivers, including those steering the massive beetles, fell to their knees in submission.

Right then, however, a sudden burst of frigid air swept toward them.

Diagonally ahead, the figures of Karen and Auggie came into view.

Karen withdrew the hand that had been gripping Lady Auggie's arm and rubbed his fingers together lightly. He suspected the female dragon had done it on purpose, releasing such a dense chill over so short a distance.

"Hey, Karen," Neo called out excitedly, waving as he walked over.

Karen looked at Neo and said with a smile:

"Good to see you, Deputy Group Leader Neo."

Neo threw an arm around Karen's shoulders, pulling him down slightly, and whispered, "Hey, listen, don't you think you're being a bit childish?"

Karen countered, "Then why don't you guess which childish ghost I learned it from?"

"Look, the moment you personally requested me to come over, I knew exactly what you meant. Tell you what, I'll take a bit of a hit—we split the gray income fifty-fifty this time."

"Thirty-seventy. You take thirty, I take seventy."

"Oh, what are you, the reincarnation of that old miser from 'The Merchant of York'?"

"Twenty-eighty."

"Ha, on what grounds?"

"The fact that you're still in the mood to use sarcastic metaphors proves thirty-seventy isn't your bottom line. Twenty-eighty, and that's final."

"Thirty-seventy, and I'll work my tail off to help secure the basic accommodations for that batch of Dark Moon Warriors you're taking in."

"Twenty-eighty. I get very uncomfortable when people take advantage of me."

"Given the relationship between the two of us..."

"I get even more uncomfortable when it's you taking advantage of me."

"Heheh, you are practically like..."

"Ten..."

"Deal, you animal!"