Chapter 764: Karen's High-Level Meeting

Chapter 764: Karen's High-Level Meeting

"Continue eating. The High Priest won't be back for a while. You might not eat your fill here with me, but at least you can have a little something. Over at the High Priest's place, there has never been a habit of providing meals. I'd better eat a bit more myself, or I'll be left with an empty stomach."

Having climbed his way up from the bottom step by step, Floden knew every rule and hidden convention inside out.

If he was occasionally "fooled" or "influenced," it was merely because a single person's energy is finite; most of the time, he simply didn't bother directing his attention to minor matters below. Furthermore, his own interests had never been touched.

The previous two secretaries simply hadn't kept a clear head. They believed that by leveraging their proximity, they could guide the Whipper and the power he represented. But the moment a flaw appeared and the Whipper cast his gaze back, those two were sent off to feed Augie.

In fact, the subsequent fallout did not stop there. After the two rivals for the position of chief secretary "departed," the web of connections beneath them was dragged down as well. Not only was the secretary's office thoroughly purged, but even two heavyweights within their own system were affected, exiled and demoted to local posts.

Thus, there was another reason why Miguel had looked upon Karen with special regard from the very beginning. He was by no means third in line, and the secretary's office rarely sorted seniority with such precision. It was solely because of Karen that those ranked ahead of Miguel had suddenly been cleared out en masse. Without moving a muscle, Miguel found himself passively standing at the front.

"This should be a tradition of my department. In the past, when we were on security detail accompanying and protecting targets during meetings, we would also go hungry. So back then, we hid bread and milk in our clothes to eat on the sly."

Karen had told Miguel this story before, but that did not stop him from telling it to the Whipper once more in Miguel's presence.

Possessing rich experience in grassroots work was an advantage. Even a peacock knows to spread its feathers to court a mate; there was no reason a man shouldn't know how to display his excellence to his leader.

Floden nodded and said, "At times, when the people below handle matters, they do indeed focus too heavily on dogma and lose their flexibility, drawing dissatisfaction and grumbles from quite a few."

He could not let the Whipper think he was complaining.

Karen immediately caught the thread: "However, I could understand it back then. After all, it did lower the security risks. Some dogmas that seem devoid of human touch are often summarized from experiences written in blood and tears."

"Heh, yes, exactly. But there are also some dogmas that truly need to change."

The direction of the wind shifted once more.

Karen quickly followed up again: "Yes, I believe that any issue requires a case-by-case analysis based on specific circumstances, and at the same time, we must view problems through the lens of development. For instance, the external environment and internal challenges our church faced a thousand years ago have certainly undergone immense changes compared to what we face today. At this time, to better adapt to the coming development, we must take the initiative to make changes and not remain trapped in place."

The High Priest belonged to the centralization and reformist factions. As a fierce general under the High Priest, Floden's political stance was bound to align with that.

In truth, this was also determined by their positioning. As a rising, newly emergent force, they still possessed the inertia of continuously seizing more power. Under this inertia, reform was imperative, for only then could a new reshuffling of the old power structure be triggered.

Floden took a sip of red wine and said, "However, not everyone can understand it this way. Sometimes, even if you make a little noise while walking, it can startle a pack of people into jumping up and crying out. Principles, situations—even if you speak until your lips are chapped, there is no way to convince them."

"But I don't think it matters whether they are convinced or not. Our goal is not to convince them."

"Oh?" Floden looked at Karen with great interest. "Then who should be convinced?"

"Convince history."

"Hmm?"

"What you and the High Priest are doing now, I believe the people of this era have no right to judge at all. The only thing capable of giving a judgment is history; the only thing that can understand you is also history."

The flattery in this final passage was somewhat conspicuous and rigid, a bit too forced, overly sentimental.

Yet, flattery had to be given when due. The Whipper had already put down his spoon, meaning this lunch was drawing to a close. Next, the Whipper was going to the High Priest's place for a meeting. Karen knew he had no chance of attending; it was time for him to leave the stage.

Who knew when the next opportunity for a shared lunch would come. Even if they met in professional settings on ordinary days, it would not be appropriate to speak such "cloying" words.

Furthermore, Karen was well aware that the effect of flattery coming from someone with his own profile and resume felt different from when others did it; it could neutralize the oiliness slightly.

Upon hearing these words, the Whipper initially found it amusing. But reflecting on what this young man before him had successfully accomplished in the past, he actually sensed a streak of sincerity within the statement.

There was an illusion that this young man was not only very much like his own younger self, but that he also understood him deeply.

The Whipper looked at Miguel standing nearby and smiled, "Miguel, I think your position could be swapped with our District Head Karen, because District Head Karen is clearly more suited for the role of secretary than you."

Miguel responded, "Your subordinate agrees. But the problem is, District Head Karen's abilities are truly well-rounded, whereas your subordinate lacks the polished experience in other areas outside of being a secretary. If we swapped places, District Head Karen would not delay the work and would only do it better and better, but your subordinate could not. I fear I would truly botch things up."

"Hahaha." The Whipper let out a hearty laugh. "Miguel, your self-awareness is truly sharp."

Miguel said, "Yes, I keep my own capabilities in mind at all times so that I can stick firmly to my duty."

Floden nodded, "That is a good thing, and a virtue."

Miguel placed two portions of shaved ice before the two men as dessert, while he himself gathered the tableware and carried it out.

Karen stirred the shaved ice with his spoon. Inside were coconut milk, dried fruits, and a scoop of ice cream.

The temperature in this office was already low, and now they were truly eating a cold treat in an icy world.

The Whipper spoke no more, eating with focus.

Outside, Miguel took the latest visitor log handed over by his assistant. As the chief secretary, arranging visits for the Whipper was one of his primary duties.

What time the Whipper received whom, and whether a meeting needed to be interrupted or ended early to receive the next person, was not only his authority but also a test of his capability.

After a moment's hesitation, Miguel instructed his assistant anyway, "Have Chief of Provisions Dincras come over now."

"Yes, sir."

When the shaved ice was one-third finished, the Whipper set down his cup. He was preparing to depart for the Office Temple.

Karen also prepared to stand and take his leave.

At that moment, Miguel walked back inside and reported, "Whipper, Chief of Provisions Dincras is here to report on the latest deployments of the desert intelligence system."

A new incident had just occurred on the desert front, so naturally, intelligence work there required greater attention now. Furthermore, the militia regiment under Karen's command had performed remarkably well, which could be considered inextricably linked to the desert front.

"We will talk in the carriage."

"Yes, Whipper."

"Whipper, I shall take my leave then."

"Are you very busy? Come along and listen in the carriage."

"Yes, Whipper."

Thus, Karen followed the Whipper onto the carriage, where Chief of Provisions Dincras reported on the work situation to the Whipper.

After finishing his report, Chief of Provisions Dincras begged the Whipper for forgiveness.

"The matters on the front line have nothing to do with you. Before the other orthodox churches entered the fray, they certainly made the most meticulous and hidden arrangements. If there is any fault, it lies with those departments responsible for internal intelligence on the other churches for failing to gather information in time."

A leader was a leader; with a single sentence, he completely cleared his own side of responsibility.

"Miguel."

"Present, Whipper."

"In my name, convene an internal meeting. You will preside over it. Draft a plan for the Whip of Order to increase its investment into the militia regiments."

"Yes, Whipper."

Floden looked at Karen sitting across from him and asked, "Does District Head Karen have any suggestions?"

Karen replied, "If you intend to use this opportunity to increase the Whip of Order's say within the militia regiment system, then your subordinate believes the most appropriate and fastest-acting method is to offer continuous investment to those two militia regiments that have remained intact and achieved merit."

"Go on."

"Expand the establishment of these two militia regiments, dispatch stronger and more experienced combat personnel, equip them with higher-specification gear, provide more sufficient logistical supply, and most importantly, maintain the original upper command structure of these two militia regiments."

"I suppose what our District Head Karen wanted to say most was that last sentence, correct? You truly don't try to avoid suspicion at all."

"When recommending capable people, I believe one should not avoid suspicion. The reason my York City militia regiment was able to continuously deliver stellar performances lies primarily in the fact that I assigned the most excellent and capable group of my subordinates to it. I fully trust their abilities. I believe that if the Whip of Order is willing to grant them greater support, they will surely repay it with more and better achievements on the battlefield.

Whipper, others have to learn from us if they want to improve, but if we want to become better, we simply need to... increase our investment."

"Did you hear that, Miguel?"

"In reply to the Whipper, your subordinate heard. I will use this as the keynote of the meeting to hammer out a plan."

"Mm." Floden looked at Karen. "While you send the commendation orders to that group of your excellent and capable subordinates, append these words of mine: As long as they can continue to produce results on the front line, I will continuously pour investment into them. Tell them not to be timid. They should learn from their district head and boldly do a beautiful job for me."

"Yes, I shall certainly convey your instructions to them, urging them to embrace and comprehend your spirit profoundly."

"Miguel, what am I to do with you? I truly wish to replace you. Our District Head Karen possesses a phrasing that is, in all honesty, delightfully soothing, haha."

Miguel smiled and said, "Your subordinate has already recorded and studied it."

The carriage passed through layers of checkpoints, traversing a tunnel akin to a teleportation passage, before finally entering an exceptionally well-guarded region and coming to a halt before a grand palace.

Legally speaking, it was that round table, the symbol of supreme power, that represented the Holy See.

Spatial-wise, however, this very area was what the inner circles of the Divine Church considered the true domain of the Holy See.

The Grand Pontiff's administrative temple and the head offices of the various supreme authorities of the Divine Church were all situated here.

As for the Whip of Order... its peculiar nature meant its headquarters lay elsewhere; in truth, the Whip of Order was a newer structure appended at a later stage.

Knights clad in black-and-silver armor stood along the periphery providing security. Before the Wielder of the Whip dismounted, Karen and Dincklah stepped down first, lowering their heads respectfully by the side to see him off.

Once the Wielder of the Whip ascended, they would board this same carriage to depart.

Upon the steps, Mobitten, the captain of the Grand Pontiff's guard, stood with a shield in his left hand and his right resting upon his blade. Seeing the Wielder of the Whip ascend while Karen remained in place, he spoke to Foden:

"Wielder of the Whip, the Grand Pontiff wishes to meet District Head Karen."

"Oh?"

Foden was somewhat surprised, then turned around with great interest to look at Karen standing behind him: "Haha, our District Head Karen is quite something now; even the Grand Pontiff knows your name."

Mobitten's voice was resonant, so Karen and the others below heard it clearly as well.

Dincklah glanced out of the corner of his eye at Karen standing beside him, unable to conceal his envy.

Miguel, on the other hand, was deeply thrilled. He had racked his brains here to create as much time as possible for Karen to be with the Wielder of the Whip, never expecting that Karen had already entered the Grand Pontiff's field of vision. This investment of his was a massive jackpot, for the liquidation capability and return ratio were simply too high—so high that his investment felt more like taking an unfair advantage.

Only Karen kept his head half-bowed, maintaining his posture of respectfully seeing off the Wielder of the Whip, without moving a step.

Even after Foden had ascended the steps for a fair distance, Karen still did not stir.

Foden halted his steps, turned back once more, and said to Karen below: "What are you standing there for? Come up together."

"Yes, your subordinate obeys the command."

Only then did Karen move his feet, following behind the Wielder of the Whip as they stepped into the administrative temple together.

Mobitten took all of this in. Having served under several Grand Pontiffs, he had seen countless youths or "career youths" filled with excitement and trepidation upon their first arrival at this grand palace.

Yet this particular one gave him a completely different impression; he was exceptionally calm, not out of a forced composure, but because his inner tranquility allowed him to remember exactly how he should conduct himself.

Life, to him, seemed devoid of passion, resembling far more a theatrical performance.

The last person here who had given him a similar impression was now seated upon the main throne of the administrative palace.

Mobitten could not help but wonder whether the youth he had clashed with on Fire Island and the one before his eyes were truly the same person.

Though it was not his first time seeing the Grand Pontiff, seeing him on Fire Island versus seeing him within the administrative temple were two entirely different concepts.

This meant that he had finally managed to step into the fenced courtyard that symbolized the core of supreme power within the Church of Order to view the scenery. Though he was merely an appendage, it was nonetheless the first step taken.

Yet Karen remained entirely lucid. He knew that for whatever reason the Grand Pontiff wished to see him, it was merely to "have a look." If he were to lose himself in excitement because of this, it would appear far too naive and simple-minded.

In the eyes of the Grand Pontiff, he amounted to very little; it was Foden's attitude that would directly impact his subsequent career.

Furthermore, as one of the superiors, having one's own subordinate noticed by one's boss, who then sought to intervene across ranks, would bound to trigger an instinctive resentment. Judging others by himself, if Karen were to see Sus or Gaspo cordially summoning his own men like Muri or Ventura, he too would feel uncomfortable in his heart.

Upon entering the administrative temple, Karen instinctively looked up to gaze around. The space inside appeared ten times larger than it did from the outside, which was likely a matter of spatial structure; the interior of the administrative temple was actually an independent minor world.

The true titans of the various systems gradually took their seats.

The Grand Pontiff also emerged from the rear, taking the head seat. The layout made it look very much like a homeroom teacher giving a lecture to students.

To Karen's somewhat flattered surprise, an attendant signaled for him to sit down.

He, too, actually had a seat?

It was not standing in some corner, nor was it holding a chair to sit by the fringe; he sat in the very last row, amidst the backs of the heads of the row in front:

The one with the thickest hair was the head of the Forbidden Space, the one with thinning hair was the editor-in-chief of the *Order Weekly*, and the one whose baldness in the center mirrored the layout of local districts supporting the Holy See was the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

There was also a bald head belonging to a woman, upon whose nape a grimacing face tattoo could be seen; she was the chief officer in charge of the Pioneering Space project.

Even with Karen's disposition, sitting suddenly beside so many titans left his mind inevitably a bit agitated, forcing him to keep chanting silently in his heart: Beneath Order, all men are equal.

The meeting commenced.

Nothing of a deliberative atmosphere emerged; instead, it presented a scenario where the Grand Pontiff directly assigned tasks to each system.

The head of each system was called upon one by one by the Grand Pontiff, and after receiving their task quotas and objectives, they accepted the orders while offering assurances.

On the whole, because the major orthodox divine churches had officially donned their guises and entered the fray, the Grand Pontiff had also upgraded his countermeasures. Moreover, it was not an equivalent response, but rather a further raising of the stakes, as if the Grand Pontiff feared not in the slightest that this would trigger a full-scale war between Order and the entire ecclesiastical circle.

Next, the power of the Church of Order would be poured heavily into the desert. It could be said that in the near future, a divine war within a specific scope would unfold upon the desert.

"Everyone, have no fears, nor any misgivings; the more confident we are, the more faint-hearted they shall become. They will believe our Church has grasped the precise time and method of our Lord's return, and will grow even more terrified and uneasy.

Understand that the current situation is no longer the mere probing of the past ecclesiastical balance, but a new round of rehearsals in advance for the grand tide of the gods' descent.

What lies before us is a monumental shift unseen in this era.

Do not view it as a calamity; comprehend it as an opportunity belonging to our Church, belonging to Order, and belonging to you and me to jointly create a new history."

Seated in the front row, Foden nodded with immense gravity, while silently pondering in his heart: Why does that sound somewhat familiar?

The Grand Pontiff stood up, spreading his arms, and said:

"I believe that our Lord's gaze is also falling upon this place at this very moment, watching us strive as devout believers of Order to realize the ideals of Order. Under our Lord's protection, we shall not be alone."

Immediately following this, the Grand Pontiff crossed his arms over his chest;

All the titans in attendance stood up, performing the exact same gesture;

Next, the crowd spoke in unison: "Praise the great God of Order!"

Yet amidst this chorus of praise, two individuals were slightly briefer than the entire wave of acclamation.

The Grand Pontiff: "Praise the great Order!"

Karen: "Praise the great Order..."

Suddenly, Karen perceived that a gaze seemed to have deliberately fallen upon him. Instantly, a powerful alarm flared within him. He immediately feigned an emotional, choked pause, and promptly patched it up:

"Cough... of God."