Symbiosis Contract!

Karen raised his hand toward Ruke's corpse. "Order—Purification." The lingering spiritual power within Ruke's remains was completely erased. It was the simplest and most efficient method, far more convenient than Mr. Bede's old approach of gouging out eyes and clipping tongues. Just as he finished, Karen heard footsteps approaching behind him. Turning around, he saw Neo walking toward him. "Finished?" The captain asked if it was "finished," not if it was "dealt with." Karen nodded. "Yes, Captain. Finished." Neo glanced at Ruke's corpse on the ground, bent down, and picked up the two cloth dolls. "Next time you deal with things like this, use spells with soul-attack properties. They're much more effective." "Understood, Captain." "Congratulations on becoming an Inquisitor." "Captain, I'm not the only Inquisitor in our squad." "True, but I doubt Gerui will want to spar with you anymore." "Is that so? What a pity. I was hoping for another chance to exchange pointers." Karen didn't ask the captain about the mask, nor did the captain ask Karen about the details of his advancement to Inquisitor. Both seemed to observe an unspoken agreement established from the very beginning: never pry into each other's secrets. Neo said, "Mission's done. As per tradition, it's time for late-night supper." "This meal is on me, Captain." "Of course." Karen and Neo stepped out of the workshop. Fanny, Wende, and Marlo immediately revealed themselves. Wende had been tracking Ruke, Fanny had been keeping watch, and Marlo had been maintaining the array's perimeter containment. The initial ambush had been launched by Neo himself. "Fanny, notify Gengdi to send his people over to collect the corpse and clean up." "Yes, Captain." Fanny fired a signal flare into the sky. … They chose a roadside night-market stall for their supper. Late-night food stalls in York City generally offered few ingredients—in fact, their menus were practically singular. This stemmed from a certain proud obstinacy among the Wienese, who believed that focused attention imparted a special charm to food. And indeed it had worked. Alongside the rise and expansion of the Wien Empire over the centuries, Wienese cuisine had become wildly popular in other countries, particularly the colonies. Commoners in those regions took pride in enjoying a "Wienese meal," and had even attributed a wealth of cultural and spiritual meaning to it that the Wienese themselves had never dreamed of. Take the stall where Karen and the others were now sitting: the only food it served was… sausages, and more sausages. You could choose various flavors, though. One curious variety, set before everyone as the house specialty, was a sausage stuffed with an enormous amount of Wienese sauce right into the filling. It looked utterly black. The stall owner, an elderly man with graying hair, stood nearby after serving them, watching with reserved anticipation for their reaction. Karen took a bite and chewed a couple of times. Well, the only reason he didn't spit it out on the spot was his moral obligation not to waste food. The others ate quite naturally. Dietary habits were like that. As long as it wasn't poisonous, eat it long enough and you got used to it. Yet the owner singled out Karen, leaning in to ask, "How is it?" Karen shook his head. "Not good." The old man froze. He wasn't about to pick a fight with a customer, but he trudged back gloomily to resume grilling sausages, silently revoking the customary practice of rounding down the bill for Karen's table. Ever since sitting down, Fanny had been watching Karen with great amusement. Wende and Marlo were doing the same, though not quite as brazenly. They took a bite of sausage, glanced at Karen, took another bite, and glanced again, giving Karen the distinct impression that he was serving as their side dish. They had all been stationed on perimeter watch earlier. Except for Neo, who had been close enough to observe, none of them knew what had actually transpired inside the workshop. Yet they were well aware that even if Ruke had been heavily wounded by the ambush, he was still an Adjudicator. When the captain ordered them to stand down, the Adjudicator's final trump cards had clearly not been exhausted. If the captain had merely sent Karen in to finish off a crippled Adjudicator sprawled on the ground, they wouldn't have been this surprised. Furthermore, even though they hadn't gone inside or witnessed the fight, they had clearly felt the successive waves of discharged energy and the surges of pure, unadulterated Order aura emanating from the workshop. Naturally, everyone was deeply curious about Karen's "true strength." Even Fanny, who had once shared a bed with Karen on a mission, found him somewhat unfamiliar now. From the start, when he had held a basic pistol and leaned against the car window trying to mimic her, to conjuring twin scimitars to kill that dwarf and save her life, to sparring with Gerui—progressing from someone who couldn't fight at all to someone who could hold his own without a life-and-death struggle, and finally, tonight, walking in alone to kill an Adjudicator. Fanny felt she truly couldn't see through this handsome young man. There were far too many secrets wrapped around him. "Fanny." "Yes, Captain." "Distribute all of Tyers's assets to Gengdi's squad." "Yes, Captain," Fanny agreed first, then asked, "but doesn't that leave us with nothing?" Neo glanced at Karen. "I've already found where Qihe hid his assets. That share belongs to our squad." "Haha, trust the captain!" Marlo chuckled. Wende smiled as well. "Also, one more thing. Reorganize the squad's combat roster. When formulating battle plans from now on, place Karen in the Second Tier." The gazes of Fanny and the other two landed on Karen. The First Tier was the captain, who was always the strongest in the squad—a fact everyone was accustomed to and accepted without question. The Second Tier had originally comprised two people: Wende and Gerui. Beneath the captain, they had always been the squad's two strongest individual combatants. Now, they were becoming three. This ranking gave a preferential share when dividing spoils, such as receiving more point coupons. If the squad obtained sacred relics or materials and more than one member laid claim to an item, it defaulted to whoever held the higher tier. Yet no one sought a higher tier simply for the perks, because Second Tier members were the ones expected to tackle the toughest nuts alongside the captain. "Captain, where did you dig up this reserve member? Oh heavens, he's still technically a reserve member." Marlo slapped his forehead. "That's almost embarrassing for the rest of us." Wende teased, "You're welcome to die quickly so he can take your spot sooner." "Hey, you'll have to wait until the captain finds another array master to replace me first!" Neo took a sip of his drink. "He's very much like me." At those words, the expressions of everyone at the table shifted, Karen included. Neo set down his glass and added, "I only said *like*. We can't possibly be identical, of course." With that, Neo lightly tapped the table, speaking with grave seriousness: "The day I received our reassignment orders, I told you all: the suppression and constraints we once endured are being loosed from this moment on. Every single one of us will receive better resources and better development. "Now I have two more things to add. "First: this tempo is moving far faster than I anticipated. You've likely all sensed that by now. So don't grow complacent. Convert your harvested resources into your own strength as quickly as possible. "Second: I hope none of you die. Strive to stay alive." Marlo raised his glass. "A toast to staying alive!" "Cheers!" "Cheers!" … When the meal ended, Karen went to pay the bill. "Eighty-three riels," the stall owner said. Karen handed over eighty. "Three more riels, not a cent less!" The old vendor's eyes went wide with stubborn glare. While grilling sausages earlier, he had rehearsed this exact confrontation several times in his head. He was going to make this young man, who had no palate for fine cuisine, pay for his superficiality! Karen pulled out a five-riel note and handed it over. The old man began counting out change. "Keep the change," Karen said with a smile. "Because it really was awful." "…" The vendor was left speechless. Karen walked over to his car and placed the Sword of Arius into its case. Just then, Wende appeared beside him. "Need a ride?" Karen asked. "No, my car is parked over there." Wende looked at Karen. "I heard you've been sparring with Gerui recently?" "Mr. Gerui has been teaching me close-quarters combat techniques." "He was *teaching* you?" Wende sounded skeptical. He didn't believe one could learn much in a single week. "Yes. Mr. Gerui has been an immense help to me." Before that, Karen hadn't even known how to hold a sword properly. Wende was now convinced Karen was merely being modest. He chuckled. "When there's time, we could exchange pointers too." "Certainly. Thank you, Mr. Wende." "All right then." Wende turned and left, pleased with Karen's demeanor. Young as he was, he wasn't arrogant. Karen got into his car. Before he could start the engine, another vehicle pulled up alongside him. "Hey, friend." Marlo tossed Karen a pre-clipped cigar. "Are you interested in arrays?" Marlo asked. "If you are, I think I could—" "Mr. Marlo," Karen interrupted. Assuming Karen wasn't interested, Marlo rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Well, no problem if you're not. Arrays ought to be left to professionals anyway—" "I have some notes on arrays back home. Quite a few cover arrays from other churches." "Huh? Huh?! Really?!" Marlo's eyes went wide on the spot. Mr. Hoffen had once given Karen a complete set of recorded array notes. Karen occasionally studied them, though Alfred was the one primarily practicing. Karen could easily have Alfred compile a suitable selection as a gift. "Could you… er, I mean, would it be possible for me to…" "I'll bring them to you in a few days, Mr. Marlo." "Really? Haha! I mean, I'll pay you in point coupons." "No payment necessary. Between teammates, it's only right." "Great! Let's get in touch in a few days. Your contact info—oh, never mind, I can just ask Fanny. I'll treat you to dinner in a few days, if you have time." "Sounds good, Mr. Marlo." Marlo drove away. Karen sat in the car for a while longer. Seeing that no one else was coming over, he started the engine and drove off. As he drove, a smile crept onto his previously calm face. He looked at his reflection in the rearview mirror, watching his lips curve upward uncontrollably. "A delayed sense of joy? Karen, look how easily satisfied you are." He chided his reflection, then burst into hearty laughter. After laughing for quite a while, he let out a long breath. He kept driving, but now with only his left hand on the steering wheel, his right resting across the back of the passenger seat. The window was rolled down, letting the night wind stream in continuously and ruffle his hair. He would no longer have to bluff. He would no longer be valued merely for his "future potential." Nor would he have to force a veneer of calm and composure whenever trouble struck. Because from the moment he severed Adjudicator Ruke's head, he had finally earned the right to stand tall in this world. "My family name is Inmerlais. My family is a lineage of Inquisitors." … Ivy Cemetery. "The kid asked at dinner why you didn't show up." Old Saman stood behind Neo as he spoke. Neo was standing before Elisa's grave. "By the way, I'm truly curious. Did you really love her?" Neo countered, "Does loving someone require making a public spectacle of heartbreak?" "That's not what I mean. I just find you… somewhat unreal. You eat when it's time to eat, laugh and joke when it's time to laugh, but you always give me the feeling that you're wearing a mask whenever you talk to me." "Aren't you wearing a mask of your own, serving as a cemetery keeper here?" "I'm different. I've let go. You haven't." "If you'd truly let go, you could have just walked away from this place. Then I wouldn't have to come here every day to keep an eye on you." "Heh. I've let go, but I haven't dropped to my knees!" Old Saman snarled in anger, "Why should a mere whisper from the Church of Order decree the destruction of my Palmireis Church? Does might make right?" Neo replied calmly, "If your fist isn't big enough, you don't even have the right to reason." "The Palmireis Church delegation has already arrived in York City," Old Saman said. "I know. But negotiations are meaningless, because the majesty of Order brooks no offense." "And to preserve the majesty of Order, other churches must be sacrificed? Heh. Does the Church of Order really have no fear of walking the same doomed path as Light?" "That is not your concern. As I said, you are free to leave, because strictly speaking, you are no longer a priest of the Palmireis Church." "Those young people in the delegation—do you think they don't know these talks are doomed to fail? Yet they came anyway. So I won't leave. I want to stay behind and try to support them." "You won't succeed." "I know I can't. But I'm old, my back is stiff, and I truly can't bend it anymore." "Suit yourself." Neo turned, preparing to leave. The fury inside Old Saman flared uncontrollably. Finally, facing Neo's retreating back, he shouted: "You're about to lose yourself, aren't you!" Having said it, Old Saman laughed in satisfaction. When defeat was certain, unsettling your enemy could still be counted as a victory. Yet when Old Saman stopped laughing, he realized laughter still echoed in the air. The one laughing was Neo, his back still turned. After a long while, Neo's laughter subsided. He drew a deep breath. "I am not about to lose myself. I am about to… awaken from it." … Karen parked outside the funeral parlor. As he stepped out carrying the sword case, he saw Alfred emerging to take it from his hands. "You've been waiting all this time?" Karen asked. "Yes, Young Master. I was too excited to sleep. Congratulations on advancing to Inquisitor, Young Master. Master Diss would surely be proud." "I haven't told you whether I succeeded or not." Karen's physical trait made him impossible to probe. "Young Master, if I lacked even this degree of intuition, I would hardly dare speak of my loyalty and faith in you." "All right, all right." Karen patted Alfred on the shoulder. "I'm going to get a good night's sleep. Starting tomorrow, we'll have a lot to handle." "I'm afraid you won't have time to sleep, Young Master. Someone is even more excited than I am." "Oh? You mean Purr hasn't gone to bed yet?" "She can't sleep." "Figures." Alfred carried the sword case into the study to put it away, while Karen pushed open his bedroom door. *Click!* Kevin flipped the switch, and the light came on. Only then did Karen realize the bedroom had been decorated with fresh flowers, balloons, and draperies, creating a grand yet cozy atmosphere. Purr sat on the bed wearing her favorite red hood and a purple bowtie around her neck. "Woof! Woof! Woof!" Having turned on the light, Kevin began bouncing excitedly around the bed. The usually steady dog had finally lost his composure today. Karen knew full well why the cat and dog were so thrilled. To some extent, being trapped as a cat and a dog was sheer torment for them. Now, at last, they saw an opportunity to break free. Even so, Karen deliberately teased Purr, "Taken a fancy to some tomcat? Are you in such a rush to hold a wedding tonight?" Purr rolled her eyes at Karen. In this moment, she truly regained her old air of a young mistress: "If you insist on comparing yourself to a tomcat, this lady has no choice. Elders must be tolerant, after all, and cater to a junior's peculiar… tastes." "I just instructed Alfred to buy a few extra fish at the market tomorrow morning, thinking we should properly celebrate the fact that this funeral parlor finally has an Inquisitor presiding over it again." "Ah! Really? Meow! We get squirrel mandarin fish again tomorrow!" Her dignified mistress persona instantly shattered. Beside the bed, Kevin covered his face with a paw. Even a dog couldn't bear to watch. He barked urgently: "Woof! Woof!" *(The point! Stick to the point!)* Purr immediately spun around on the bed and sat down facing Karen. "Come on, Karen!" Karen shook his head. Puzzled, Purr asked, "What's wrong?" "I don't think this is appropriate." Purr's feline face registered utter shock. In disbelief, she stammered, "Y-Y-You… you're backing out? Didn't we have an agreement? Didn't we have an agreement!" With that, Purr grew just as frantic as Kevin had been, bouncing around the bed and tearing at the sheets with her claws. "You're actually backing out! You don't want me anymore! How dare you do this to me!" After a hysterical outburst, Purr sat down before Karen again. Her ears drooped limp, and tears welled in her eyes. "I get it. I understand now. You want to forge a symbiosis with that Luoya girl, don't you?" "Haha, where is your mind wandering?" "Isn't it? That's exactly it! Hmph, that's what you're thinking! Hmph, men!" Purr hung her little head, her tail swishing back and forth behind her. "I just feel," Karen said softly, "that it isn't quite right for you to be the one proposing it." "Eh?" Confused, Purr lifted her head, still gripping a corner of the bedsheet in her mouth, and looked up at him. Karen took half a step back, bent at the waist, and extended an arm in a curve—the formal gesture of inviting a lady to dance at a banquet. "Beautiful Miss Purr Allen, "may I have the honor of forging a symbiosis contract with you?"