Hunting Time

Karen walked over to Davins, who was already holding Karen's examination sheet. "Ten points?" Davins looked at Karen with a meaningful smile. Karen met his gaze, his mind flashing back to the passionate lecture Davins had delivered earlier. Old Saman and Davins were of similar age, but Old Saman's retreat was a genuine self-imposed exile, a total and passive withdrawal from the world. This man was different. He might appear to be loafing in an idle post, sipping tea, smoking, and looking slightly unkempt, but inside, his passion still burned hot. The more someone was like that, the more curiosity they aroused—and the more dangerous they were. Karen asked, "What's wrong? Has no one ever received a perfect score before?" "Oh, they have, they have," Davins said with a chuckle. "It's just that they usually look a bit dazed." "Actually, I feel quite dazed myself." "I don't think so at all. Looking at you reminds me of my own youth. Ah, what a wonderful age to be." Davins handed the examination sheet back to Karen and said, "Everything is done. Just have it stamped later. Since there are so many of you, sending one person will do." "Understood. Thank you." "Don't mention it. Where do you usually stay? In York City?" "Yes." Davins picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked, "Do you like tea?" "No, I don't." "Ah, all right then." Davins leaned to the side and shook his empty cigarette pack. Karen took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and set it directly in front of him. "Hmm, this brand. I usually only get to bum these off the other deans; I can never bring myself to buy them. Giving me the whole pack? Could this count as bribery?" "My evaluation is already over, so it doesn't count." "Mm, that's true. You usually enjoy smoking, right? As it happens, I still have some..." "No, I don't smoke." "You carry cigarettes even though you don't smoke?" "It's just a habit." "Then what do you usually like to do? Surely you have hobbies. Reading, perhaps? I have quite a large collection of books at home..." "I'm sorry, but I don't usually have time to read. I often feel rather crude for not reading." "You don't have free time?" "Very little. I'm busy. Whenever I finish the task at hand, I try to find more work to do. I'm not used to letting myself relax." "What about food? I'm quite good at making regional specialties from various..." "A bowl of Wien bean paste is enough to satisfy my palate." "Hm?" "I believe spending time on gourmet food is a crime against one's youth." "Hehehe." Davins chuckled and waved a hand at Karen. "Thank you, sir." Karen bowed to Davins, turned, and walked toward Ashley and the others. He had no desire to get involved with Davins, but Davins clearly found him intriguing. Davins likely knew of his role—not his hidden identities, but that he was part of this special Whip of Order squad, which undoubtedly had immense prospects. Davins wanted to recruit him, much like Alfred preaching his faith. Yet Karen had no interest in tying himself to him, nor did he have any desire to go undercover to investigate whatever organization they had; he simply wanted to keep his distance. His refusal had been blunt. Not because he preferred to be curt, but because Davins was being so forward in trying to engineer an excuse for private contact later. Karen had no choice but to firmly shut him down at every turn. Still, Davins's interest in him seemed to have grown even stronger after seeing that ten-point score. Why was that? Did greater difficulty make the challenge more thrilling? No... perhaps from Davins's perspective, the more devoted someone was to the God of Order, the easier it was to draw them into his camp. "Is everything all right?" Memphis asked with a touch of concern, noticing Karen's contemplative expression. The moment the question left his mouth, he felt it was slightly inappropriate. In truth, Memphis had realized that his attitude toward Karen was often blurred. Rationally, he suspected Karen held immense background and status, yet in daily interactions, there was always an odd lack of boundaries. Memphis assumed it was because Karen was on good terms with Richard. Whenever he saw Karen standing alongside his son, he subconsciously treated Karen as his son's peer. Yes, it was all that brat Richard's fault. "I'm fine, just a little tired." "Ah, that's good then." Memphis nodded and took a step back. Just then, Richard emerged from the small room. His hair was disheveled and his gaze vacant, looking as though he had been thoroughly ravaged and traumatized. He dragged himself over to Davins to collect his examination sheet. "Six points. You passed, but you're walking a dangerous line. I hope this assessment serves as a proper lesson for you." "Yes, I hope so too." Richard took the sheet and turned to walk over. Karen patted him on the shoulder. Richard rubbed his face vigorously with both hands until his skin flushed red, only then letting out a long sigh of relief. Alfred slipped his little notebook into his pocket while gently rolling his neck as he stepped out, an expression of profound, lingering satisfaction on his face. He walked up to Davins to collect his sheet. "Ten points?" "Oh, is it? Wonderful." Alfred smiled. "Do you like tea?" "I do." "I have a lot of tea at home." Alfred understood Davins's underlying meaning instantly, but he shook his head. "I only drink my own tea. I've never been able to get used to anyone else's." "Ah, is that so? What a pity." Alfred walked back over with his sheet, exchanged a glance with Karen, and took his place behind him. The next group of three stepped forward. After that, it was simply a matter of waiting. Most people scored between seven and eight points. To Karen's surprise, Philomena scored nine. Once everyone had finished, Bart collected all the examination sheets to get them stamped and filed. When he returned, the group walked out of the castle. "Are you finished?" Xiali rode over on his undead warhorse. It seemed his patrol shift was over, as he had already shed his armor. "Yes, Lord Xiali," Karen replied. "Where are you headed next?" "Back to York City." "If you aren't in a hurry, I'd actually suggest heading back a little later." "Why?" Karen asked curiously. "Has something happened?" "The garrison just dispatched a falcon knight squad. York City is probably hunting rats right now. If you go back now, you'll be thrown right into the mess." The garrison ranked below the knight order, composed primarily of veteran knights serving as reserves while providing support to their respective regional parish. Deploying the knight order required the approval of the Round Table Assembly, but the garrison could be mobilized directly by the local Chief Bishop. "I haven't received any notification." "Perhaps your superior wanted you to rest a bit longer and not wear yourselves out. Haha." "Thank you for letting us know, Lord Xiali." "It's nothing, Captain Karen. Oh, by the way, Bart, on your next day off, don't you think you should consider coming over to my house to take your fiancée out on a date?" "Uncle, you can ask our captain—we're very busy." "Oh, sure, I'll let it slide this time. But if I catch you not visiting on your next leave, even if it costs me my post as patrol captain and gets me exiled to the garrison, I'll go to York City and break your legs myself." "You can't do that, Uncle! I believe everything should take its natural course, especially marriage. You need to respect the choices of us young people. "Besides, who does arranged marriages nowadays? You ought to spend your leave walking around the city to take in the modern trends." Xiali looked at Karen. "Oh, is that so, Captain Karen?" "My marriage was arranged by the elders in my family." "See!" Xiali instantly straightened his back and pointed his riding crop at Bart. "Watch your legs. I don't mind my daughter taking care of a man in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. At least she won't have to worry about him cheating." Richard, who had recovered slightly, spoke up. "Being in a wheelchair stops a man from cheating?" Xiali grinned. "I meant breaking all of his legs." Bart: "..." *** "Mama, I'm hungry." "You just ate last night." "But I'm hungry now, so hungry!" "You should know by now that acting cute with me is useless. I have never considered you my daughter." "I just think acting sweet to the one who feeds me is a sign of respect." "There is no respect between us either." "Mama, are you worried that once I grow stronger, you won't be able to control me anymore?" "No, I am not worried. The moment I drew you out of my husband's body, I was prepared to be your final meal." "Mama, I think we can leave York City now. Don't you think more and more people are searching for us lately? There are always falcons circling in the dark clouds above." "Do you know the price for murdering an Order priest? Do you know the price for murdering so many of them in succession?" "I don't know the exact details, but I can imagine." "Staying in York City gives us a chance to hide. If we leave York City, we will be exposed immediately." "No, I know those are just excuses. I know what you're thinking, Mama. Feed me until I'm grown, find the right moment, and then, in a place where everyone can see, let me unleash a furious roar alongside you. "You've already planned my ending: to go out like fireworks." "Think whatever you like." "It's the truth. I can't leave you, Mama—at least not yet. Ah, I smell a sweet fragrance just ahead! Mama, haven't I been good? I found dinner all on my own." Mrs. Sidra's expression darkened as she slipped into the shadows. Ahead, a carriage trundled past, carrying two weary, middle-aged men dressed in Order clerical robes who were complaining about their superior's unfair work assignments. Carriages had not completely disappeared from York City; many still chose to ride them, especially at night when traffic was light. "Mama, aren't you going to strike?" Mrs. Sidra did not move. Long after the carriage had passed, she stepped out from the shadows. "Mama, you let my dinner get away." "That was bait. Bait meant to hook us." "Oh, really? Mama is so clever!" Mrs. Sidra walked toward a row of townhouses, pushed open an iron gate, walked up to the entrance, and knocked. Moments later, the door opened, revealing a man. Mrs. Sidra placed her hands over her chest and said sincerely, "Praise the great God of Order." The man replied at once, "Praise the God of Order." "Here is the new warning pamphlet. The situation has been escalating recently, and we hope you, your wife, and your children will take proper security precautions." The man asked immediately, "Has that monster not been caught yet?" "I'm sorry, not yet," Mrs. Sidra sighed. "We are doing everything we can." "Sometimes I really have to question your efficiency. Someone is trampling over the dignity of our Order, and you still haven't caught him. You're just letting him keep killing!" "We accept your criticism. But please take the warning pamphlet. Now, I need to confirm: are your wife and children home?" "They are." "Good. That's good." Mrs. Sidra's eyes narrowed. Instantly, a woman's face shot out from between her brows, wrapping around the man's neck and binding him completely. Mrs. Sidra stepped inside and closed the door behind her. "Darling, who was at the door?" A woman walked down the stairs. The moment she saw the scene, shock filled her eyes. But before she could scream, her body levitated into the air. No matter how she struggled, she could not break free, unable to make even a sound. Suspended in the air, the two were dragged into the living room. With a wave of Mrs. Sidra's hand, both were slammed against the wall, followed immediately by glowing Rula runes striking their bodies. A chair in front of them shattered, and two chair legs flew forward, impaling the husband and wife and pinning them securely to the wall. Blood trickled down. Their eyes remained open, still alive, but stripped of all ability to resist. Just then, a twelve-year-old girl walked down the stairs, holding the hand of a younger boy. "Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!" The evil spirit, which had been preparing to feast upon the adults, let out an excited shriek. "Oh, heavens! Two fresh little servants! What gifted children—their blood and souls must be extraordinarily tender!" Mrs. Sidra waved her hand, and both children instantly collapsed unconscious, tumbling onto the stairs. The evil spirit shot toward them like a rope, but was abruptly pulled back. Turning its head, it saw Mrs. Sidra holding it tight. "The two adults are more than enough for this meal." "No, Mama, my appetite is huge right now!" "I forbid it." "Mama, don't you think you're being ridiculous? You're taking your revenge, yet you still care about moral restraints?" "I was always a joke. My husband and I—we're both jokes." "Mama..." "Your power is already sufficient to break free from me. You could even try to devour me right now. You've been hiding it, but I know full well. "So, you can choose to eat me and them together, if you think the time is right." The evil spirit turned around and lunged at the husband and wife. "I'll listen to Mama. I'm a good child, hehehe." *** "How is Gray?" Sitting in a wheelchair, Neo looked out the window. He was not at the Church Affairs Building, but at Fanny's home. Several other members of the Hound Squad were also present. Putting down the telephone, Fanny answered, "The church hospital says the chances of him waking up are even lower." Neo nodded. Just then, Paige returned with takeout dinner and asked in confusion, "Are we just going to wait here?" Neo turned to look at her. Paige quickly lowered her head, not daring to complain further. "If we don't wait, what should we do? Fly around the sky like those fools, or try to fish with bait so obvious only an idiot would bite?" "Squad Leader, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to do something. You know Gray is a good guy." "I will avenge every fallen member. That is the vow we made together. And I am using my own methods to track the culprit. "I put myself in the killer's shoes. Using the pattern of cases that keep surfacing, I put together a behavioral chart. I've already had Wend pay off over a hundred street urchins across York City to watch specific households in this district. "All of them are families where every member is a low-to-mid-ranking Order priest. "Its appetite is growing. Single kills can no longer satisfy it. In the past, one slice of bread was enough for a meal; now two aren't enough, and it clamors for bacon. "Don't look down on those street kids. Trust me, they'll do a better job than you. First, they're ordinary mortals, so they won't trigger the prey's vigilance. "Second, I've long suspected the killer uses the identity of an Order priest to select targets. For example, like this..." Neo held up a small pamphlet. "In the previous crime scenes, no warning pamphlets were found in the victims' homes. Heh, that is the killer's greatest oversight. "So, all those kids need to do is watch the front doors. If an outsider knocks while holding a pamphlet and then goes inside, we'll know where the killer is striking. "The killer has to perform a dining ritual anyway, giving us more than enough time to attend the feast." *Ring, ring... Ring, ring...* The telephone rang. Wend picked it up, listened briefly, and immediately reported, "Squad Leader, a kid just called from a payphone! 128 Sunflower Street!" Everyone perked up. Neo reached up and slowly peeled away the bandages wrapped around his chest. The newly formed, unhealed skin tore away with the cloth, exposing raw flesh slick with fresh blood accompanied by the sound of ripping fabric. The squad members watched their leader. No one moved to stop him; no one dared. Neo tossed the bloodied bandages to the floor and stood up from the wheelchair. Licking his lips, he smiled at his reflection in the window. "All right. It's time for my hunt."