Chapter 689: Investigation Launched

Chapter 689 The Investigation Begins

Kallen, are you serious?

Otherwise?

Aren't you being a bit too poor a friend?

One is a friend, the other is a superior, and a superior represents the will of the higher echelons of the Church. Therefore, between a friend and loyalty to the Church, I choose loyalty.

Mavaryo was choked by these words, unable to counter them for a moment. He could not make any negative comments about political correctness, because he himself was the epitome of political correctness.

Kallen sat down in the chair across from the sofa. It would still take time for Ophelia to fetch the items, and besides, he was quite interested in Mavaryo’s fiancée.

Because this involved the power layout of the Whip of Order in this region after Sousse's departure.

By the way, what is your fiancée's name?

Gaspor.

Kallen suddenly felt a sense of absurdity: The Chief Judge?

Draped in solemn black divine robes, sitting upright on the tribunal seat, wielding a whip: Silence!

Twelve years older...

Mavaryo was about the same age as him, perhaps only two or three years older.

So, adding twelve years to Mavaryo's age, Chief Judge Gaspor's age wouldn't be particularly old, around her early thirties.

But that attire, that position, could make people overlook her age and directly generate a "label," much like the female dean of discipline in many schools.

Kallen even needed to recall carefully before the detailed appearance of Chief Judge Gaspor could roughly surface in his mind.

She is your fiancée?

Didn't I already answer you?

If she is reassigned as the regional director here, I might have a bit of a headache.

What do you mean? Mavaryo asked with a half-smile.

Regarding this, Kallen had no intention of hiding it from Mavaryo, because this Son of God was somewhat unique. He craved friends and longed to be treated as an equal. The more casual you were with him, the more comfortable he felt, even feeling touched. To put it simply, he was a bit... masochistic.

I originally thought that after the current director is promoted and leaves, I would be able to actually control the Whip of Order in this region. Now, because of you, an accident seems about to happen.

Mavaryo was very pleased with Kallen’s candor.

To this end, he couldn't help but actively help Kallen analyze:

She is a woman with a strong desire for control. She won't allow herself to become a mere puppet on display. Therefore, she will definitely compete with you.

I can sense that, so as it stands now, there is only one method left.

What method?

Go and date her, cultivate your feelings properly. I think, whether it's a man or a woman, when falling in love and enjoying sweetness, they shouldn't have time to be distracted by work matters.

Is this what a friend does?

Aren't friends used at times like this? Besides, it's not asking you to take risks to do other things, but merely advising you to fulfill the duties and assume the responsibilities that the Church, family, and yourself ought to bear.

Why don't you go instead of me?

Hearing this, Kallen's face turned solemn: I don't think I should accept this remark, and please take it back.

My apologies, I disrespected you. Mavaryo admitted his mistake very quickly.

No, it was disrespectful to her.

Mavaryo licked his lips and nodded silently.

Kallen stood up: I am not trying to lecture you, because I am not qualified to do so. But if you truly lack the courage to say 'no' to the arrangements from above, at least you should achieve the corresponding politeness and appropriateness when dealing with her and outsiders.

While you resent her becoming your fiancée... is there a possibility that she might also look down on you?

Hearing this accusation, Mavaryo's expression began to change slightly, his eyelids and lips twitching faintly.

These micro-expressions were signs of embarrassment and anger, of suppressing a temper.

He was a Son of God, possessing an absolutely noble and pure status. In the entire Church of Order, apart from the High Priest, everyone else, including the Temple Elders, had to address him respectfully as "My Lord."

From the very first moment of interacting with him, Kallen understood a principle very well: Mavaryo always complained about being alienated by his family and having no friends because of his identity as a Son of God, yet it was absolutely impossible for him to actively relinquish this identity.

Mavaryo looked up at Kallen. At this moment, he briefly lost control of his facial expression, a flash of resentment swirling in his eyes.

You said you weren't lecturing me, but you are still lecturing me. And you, a mere priest, a believer, what right do you have to lecture me, the inheritor of the will of a great existence!

Kallen did not apologize, but met his gaze with a very calm look.

Neo had once mocked Kallen's interactions with Leon and that group of young young masters, pointing out a key aspect: the reason those young masters were willing to associate with you was because they felt you were different from those who flattered and fawned, but in essence, it was still because you yourself were also a "young master."

Just like now,

When Mavaryo could not restrain the rise of that consciousness within his body,

The underlying confidence that allowed Kallen to respond calmly still lay within the magnificent existence towering inside his soul space.

You can obtain the inheritance of those "branch gods" in the history of the Church of Order, and you can read part of their memories. Is that very holy and great?

I can even read the memories of the God of Order.

It was no exaggeration to say that all the "Sons of God" of the Church of Order lacked the ability to make Kallen’s personality yield before him, because Kallen’s divine character was higher than theirs.

The outburst and strike-back that would hurt feelings did not appear. Mavaryo blinked, nodded, and said, "Your lecture is very right. She is such a capable person. Marrying me, a Son of God, she might feel more wronged than I do. I should not disrespect her in my thoughts."

Mavaryo stood up, walked to Kallen's side, and punched Kallen's shoulder twice with his hand.

"My grandfather said that a true friend is the kind who is willing to point out your mistakes, because for most people, watching a person slide all the way to the abyss on a wrong track is a very joyful thing."

Kallen replied very honestly: "I have had contact with Chief Judge Gaspor. I have a very good impression of her and respect her very much."

This was a form of defense out of respect for an elder and superior... well, although using the word "elder" was somewhat inappropriate now.

"Alright, alright, I get it, I get it." Mavaryo sighed, "So, what do you need me to do for you if she really becomes the regional director here? For example, should I help connect you two, have a meal together, and discuss work arrangements?"

Kallen responded: "I feel that, perhaps, she and I are a bit more familiar with each other than you and she are."

"No need for 'perhaps', it should be a fact. I have only seen her once, at a banquet, where we were both wearing divine robes. After that, my understanding of her has all been through some information I gathered."

Kallen said: "Then after she really arrives, I will help connect you two, have a meal together, and you can communicate to understand each other."

Mavaryo slapped his own forehead: "Hahaha!!"

Coming out of the office, Kallen went upstairs to Sousse's office first. Alfred was also inside, communicating with Sousse about personnel changes.

After Kallen entered, Sousse feigned anger and said, "Seriously, you even let your chief secretary negotiate personnel changes with me. Being your superior is truly quite meaningless."

"I'm very sorry, Director. You should also be able to tell that I am not proficient in these matters. Furthermore, sometimes my feeling is the same as yours." Kallen pointed to Alfred standing to the side, "Sometimes, I also feel that being his superior is quite meaningless as well."

"Hehehe!"

Sousse laughed and asked, "Is something the matter?"

"I heard a rumor that the next regional director is very likely to be Chief Judge Gaspor."

"It's her?" Sousse frowned, "If it's her, then you might not be so comfortable next. Her personal ability is very strong, I am inferior to her, and she is also a workaholic. Most importantly, the faction behind her..."

"An influential faction?"

"Our Whip-bearer once served as the vice-president of the Church University, commanding a department directly beneath him. Using that place as a springboard, he rallied a core group of members, many of whom are now our superiors within this very system. This tradition has endured ever since, belonging neither to family nor to local regional factions. It is commonly referred to as the Academic Faction.

Gaspard belongs to this circle, and within our system, they wield immense influence.

You have no chance of joining them now, unless you go to the school for advanced studies. But after all, you are a director now, and your age... wow..."

Suse suddenly realized something.

"You are very young, you can completely afford to study at the school for a period of time!"

"I might not have the time to return to school..."

Rasma was rubbing his hands in anticipation on Mink Street, so running off to school now?

"It is a temporary assignment for advanced study. You just make time to visit the Church University in the Dinger Region two days a month to earn a diploma. It is quite simple, though the final exam is a bit difficult, but that should not pose any problem for you.

However, you will need to participate more in the activities there. It is said there is a permanent society, and only by entering that society are you qualified to be recognized as one of their own."

"District Head, why are you explaining this to me in such detail?"

"Because if Gaspard really does come down to take my position, I believe that despite competing with her, you two will be able to get along quite pleasantly. Perhaps while you are tearing each other's brains out at headquarters over office power, she might actively help arrange your advanced studies and write recommendation letters for you.

You possess that kind of capability, I believe in you, Karen."

"Thank you for your praise."

"No, it is not praise. I feel this matter cannot wait. If I recall correctly, a new round of temporary advanced studies should be starting soon. There is an age limit, usually granted to outstanding young priests. Has our headquarters' nomination list been submitted yet..."

Alfred answered immediately, "It has not reached the final submission date yet. Currently, it is provisionally set as five priests, two clerks, and three members of the Order's Whip squads who performed excellently in the previous missions. They are all under eighteen years old."

"Hahaha!" Suse laughed aloud once more. "Then let us add the name of our Inquisitorial Department's director as well. This is not nepotism, since he has achieved the greatest merit. But the mere thought of you, Karen, going for advanced studies alongside a group of divine servants makes me find it quite hilarious. Haha, no, let me laugh a while longer..."

"District Head, your meaning is..."

"My meaning is, did you not want to resolve the inevitable future power struggle conflict with her beforehand? What better way to resolve it than by becoming a person of her own faction?

Once you are both part of the same faction, what power conflicts would remain? You might even develop a relationship with her that is better than the one you have with me."

"Thank you."

This word of gratitude was sincere.

Suse was on the verge of being transferred away, and he was truly treating him with an attitude of unconditional assistance now.

Furthermore, due to limitations of vision and exposure, there were certain things Alfred could not arrange or set up, and in all probability, could not even fathom.

Alfred spoke up, "I will go make the arrangements shortly."

"Mm." Suse nodded. "As for this matter, I will discuss it with Byrne. If Byrne has any better approach, I will inform you again."

"Alright, District Head."

"Is there anything else?"

"Nothing else, I would like to take two days of vacation."

"You certainly are leisurely," Suse said with a hint of envy. "Relax a bit, after a grand mission, one must always give oneself a small reward."

After leaving the District Head's office, Karen walked straight downstairs to the parking lot and saw Ophelia.

"Apologies for making you wait, some temporary business arose that I had to handle."

"Not at all, I have only just arrived myself."

"Get in."

Karen started the car. He knew Puer was in the dormitory but did not ask if Puer wanted to return to the manor together. With Ophelia present, adding Puer to the mix would make the manor far too chaotic, and he did not want that.

Before the car could even drive out of the urban area, it became stuck on the road, and the congestion was severe.

At first, Karen thought they had encountered another march, because in Wien, marches were more like parties; you could even eat the most authentic Wien hot dogs and sauce pancakes during a march.

Only after a moment did he discover it was not a march, but rather a gambling enterprise holding a celebration, distributing free gifts, which caused the massive congestion.

Wien's gambling industry had always been highly prosperous, with odds offered on everything from football match results down to the King's lifespan.

Ophelia watched the lottery tickets continuously fluttering in the air ahead and said, "Dark Moon Island is still too small, it lacks this kind of industry."

Karen smiled faintly. "Dark Moon Island has the Mermaid Theatre."

Hearing this reply, Ophelia could not help but turn her head toward the car window to conceal the smile at the corner of her lips.

Back when Karen and the others first arrived at Dark Moon Island and visited the Mermaid Theatre, she had been there observing him through a telescope. She had even personally designated a mermaid to be sent into his box, reasoning that since his companions all had one, she could not allow him to go without.

That matter clearly had not occurred too long ago, yet it felt as though a long, long time had already passed.

Ophelia shook her head and asked, "Do you ever buy lottery tickets?"

"I do not have that habit."

"I know there are lottery tickets available for purchase in the black market here as well."

"I am very averse to gambling. It is a game where the rules are predetermined by others, and in this kind of game, as long as you play frequently enough, it is impossible for you to ever truly win away money or ticket vouchers. Instead, it will only cause you to sink deeply into it."

"But sometimes, playing just a little bit for amusement is fine, as long as one does not lose their head."

"Many people think that way, imagining themselves to be the special one who can maintain control. But if even once out of dozens or hundreds of times they fail to maintain control and step over the line, they drown.

They believe they are playing a game of pitting themselves against probability, when in reality, they themselves are the probability in the eyes of the house operator."

"So, Karen, do you believe everyone will become addicted to gambling?"

Karen shook his head. "It is rather that people who do not get addicted simply never touch it to begin with."

To leave the congested road segment sooner, Karen activated the isolation array inside the car. Even so, it took a fair amount of effort before they finally managed to drive out.

However, not long after driving out, Karen spotted a truck parked ahead. Several personnel wearing the uniforms of that previous gambling company were currently unloading lottery boxes from the truck.

The driver sat in the driver's seat, smoking a cigarette.

Karen slowed the car down while rolling down the window. The isolation array ensured the other party remained unaware that a car was passing by his side at this moment. He continued smoking while cursing at the people behind to hurry up.

Once they had driven clear, Karen first deactivated the isolation array, then held the steering wheel with his left hand while his right hand drew a piece of spell paper from his pocket. With a slight motion of his fingers, a black crow formed automatically.

The black crow flew before Karen, and Karen spoke to it:

"Leon, investigate that gambling company currently holding activities on Black Sheep Street."

Immediately following, the black crow flew out of the car window.

"An issue?" Ophelia asked.

"The cigarette that driver was smoking just now can only be purchased using ticket vouchers."

"You are truly meticulous."

"This is my profession, after all."

Thus, if Mavaryo and Gaspard ever ended up together, he too would experience this kind of torment. His wife would only need to glance at him to see through everything in his life.

Yet, this seemed to be precisely what the higher-ups wished to see. A Child of God... should not possess secrets.

...

The black crow flew into Leon's hand. He placed the black crow to his ear, and the words spoken by Karen emanated from within:

"Leon, investigate that gambling company currently holding activities on Black Sheep Street."

Leon reached out and tugged at Neo, who was beside him, chugging from a massive beer mug. The music surrounding them was deafening, a roar cutting through the clamor of the crowd, forcing him to shout at the top of his lungs.

"Minister! Minister! Minister!"

"What? What did you say?"

"Minister Karen just sent me a transmission!"

"Oh, Karen? What does he want?"

"He ordered me to investigate a betting company!"

"Investigate what?"

"A betting company!"

"Oh, then go investigate it!" Neo leaned forward, his eyes glued to the two puppets tearing into each other on the small stage below, and bellowed, "Smash it! Smash it! I parlayed on your win! My eight-fold bet is down to just you!"

Crack!

The blue puppet Neo had wagered on was knocked flat, its control hub shattered, sending up a plume of smoke.

A scattering of people in the crowd cheered, while the majority fell silent. A few stumbled to their feet and began to shuffle toward the stairs.

"Damn it! Hell!"

Neo slumped back into his seat, took a heavy swig of his drink, and asked, "Where did he say to investigate?"

"Uh... the very place we are sitting in right now."