The High Priest's Guard

Karen reached out a hand, and Alfred immediately helped him sit up. Instead of sitting on the edge of the bed, however, Karen leaned forward and sat on the floor, resting his back against the bedside. Alfred turned to pour his young master another cup of water. After a moment's hesitation, he left out the ice this time. Karen took the cup and cradled it in both hands. "Young Master?" Karen shook his head. Alfred placed the cigarettes and lighter from his pocket in front of Karen, then stepped out of the room and closed the door. Karen lowered his head and took a sip. The water was a bit hot, but he kept holding the cup. After a while, once the water had cooled, he took another sip and set it down. He quietly picked up the pack of cigarettes, drew one out, lit it, and took a deep drag. "Cough, cough..." Inexplicably, the smoke made him cough, and he even felt a sudden rush of dizziness. How could his body, having just absorbed the God's bone, become so fragile all of a sudden? Karen silently clenched his fists, sensing the distinct, potent strength coursing within him. Stubbing out the cigarette, Karen rested his forehead against his palm. Inside him, a decadent silence and an irritable restlessness clashed against each other, subjecting him to quiet torment. "Heh, heh, heh..." A soft chuckle escaped Karen's lips. He was reminded of a question he had often asked the families of patients during clinical inquiries: *Are you sure you want him to snap out of it?* Sometimes, remaining stuck and struggling in the quagmire was a form of bliss. Once you climbed out and had to face an endless, uncertain road ahead, it was terribly hard to summon the courage to start all over again. "*Phew...*" Karen let out a long breath, rose to his feet, and walked into the bathroom. After taking a shower, he retrieved his clerical robes from his backpack, put them on, and opened the door, only to find Alfred still standing outside waiting for him. Alfred had not expected his young master to come out so quickly. "Young Master?" "I'm hungry." "I'll have a meal brought in for you." "Is there a dining hall here?" "Yes, and the chefs are quite skilled." "Then let's eat in the dining hall." Because it was not mealtime, the dining hall was rather empty, but the chefs in the kitchen were still on duty. The Castle family's standard of hospitality was truly beyond reproach. Before long, the meal was served: a steak, a portion of mashed potatoes, and a salad. The preparation was exquisite, and the flavor and texture left nothing to be desired. As Karen ate, Millis walked in. The moment he crossed the threshold, the tension drained from his face, leaving him looking exhausted and helpless. But upon noticing someone in black clerical robes dining in the hall, a gentle smile immediately resurfaced on his features. "Patriarch, what would you like?" a chef quickly came out to ask. "Red wine." "Patriarch, do you require—" "Anything is fine. Just make it quick." "Understood, Patriarch." Millis sat down at an adjacent table, and before long, he slumped forward and fell fast asleep. When the red wine was brought out, the server hesitated, unsure whether he should wake the family head. Karen finished the food before him in silence. As he wiped his mouth, he asked Alfred, "Where are Purr and the others?" Alfred replied, "They went to visit a friend." "Oh, I see." They had gone to see Giragon. "Is it still behaving?" Karen asked. "Yes." Alfred nodded. "There hasn't been the slightest disturbance so far." Returning from the dining hall to his room, Karen ran into Muri by the window on the stair landing. "Captain, are you all right now?" "I'm fine. Are you taking in the view here? The view from this side isn't as good as the front." "You might not have noticed, Captain, but the view out front isn't very pleasant." Alfred reported, "The members of the Castle family are out there 'committing suicide.'" "I see." Karen looked at Alfred and asked, "Which one is Lord Theisen's room?" "That one." Karen walked up to Theisen's door and stopped before it. After standing there for a long while, Karen ultimately decided against knocking. Just then, the door to the neighboring room opened. Vic, draped with a towel around his neck and clearly fresh from a bath, stepped out. Seeing Karen, he grinned. "Looking for the old fellow? I'll open it for you." "No need, thank you." "Come on, why be so polite? Let me tell you, even though the old bastard chewed you out, don't take it to heart. He rarely scolds people, you know." Vic's effortless familiarity reminded Karen of Richard. However, Richard was only familiar with 'family' or teammates, whereas Vic was naturally chummy with everyone. Vic knocked on the door and called out, "My Lord, are you resting?" "Come in." Vic flashed Karen a smile and pushed the door open. Theisen was seated in his wheelchair, gazing at the scenery outside. "Karen's awake. Didn't you say the other day that you wanted to teach him a lesson? I imagine he's here to give you his reflection now." "Lord Theisen..." "Get out." Theisen raised a hand. Seated in his wheelchair, he did not even turn his head. "Yes, My Lord." Karen bowed and backed out, pulling the door shut behind him. Drying his hair with the towel, Vic asked, "What's gotten into you? You don't have much time left, yet your temper only seems to grow. I've always heard that when people are about to die, they stop caring about most things and turn gentler instead." Theisen ignored Vic, continuing to watch the scenery and feel the breeze. Vic pulled over a chair, sat down beside the wheelchair, and suddenly lowered his voice to whisper, "Your acting wasn't very convincing." Theisen turned his head to look at Vic. "Oh?" "Heh." Vic rolled his neck. "I saw right through it." "Saw through what?" "If I hadn't seen through it, would I have chimed in after every single thing you said that day? When have you ever seen me so diligent in echoing your words? "So tell me, just who is this Karen, for you to value him so much? "I know your connection to Lord Mavaglio, but you never valued Lord Mavaglio to this extent." "Mavaglio is not my child. He is a lord." "Right, right, of course." Vic tossed his hair and continued, "I don't mean anything by it. I'll give you two choices. Either satisfy my curiosity, or pave a path for me. It's just a matter of a word from you, isn't it?" "Threatening me?" "I wouldn't dare. I'm just begging you to take pity on this sensible, obedient kid and give me a hand. How about it?" "You have a teacher." "Hasn't my teacher gone missing? I know you probably know where he is, but you'd never tell me. And I know you'll probably say that once my teacher returns, everything will be fine for me. But how am I supposed to know when he'll come back? "My youth, My Lord! How many years of youth does a man get?" Seeing that Theisen had lapsed into silence again, Vic could only plead once more, "How about letting me join Karen's squad?" A half-smile appeared on Theisen's face. "Oh boy, that look on your face is terrifying. Is that place a pit of fire, or a treasure trove?" "Make up your own mind." "Fine, then. When you're lying in bed talking with the big figures later, I'll be right there serving tea and pouring water. Along the way, I'll find a chance to mention my request, and all you have to do is nod along. Deal?" Theisen remained silent. "Right, just like that. That's good enough for me, heh." "Vic." "Yeah?" "You will regret this." "I can't tell whether you're speaking the truth or joking anymore. Never mind, I don't care. It's settled, then. I think this Karen guy is capable, and you told me so 'with your own mouth.' "Alright, My Lord, keep resting and don't tire yourself out. As for me, I'm going back to take another soak. The essential oils here really work wonders." Vic stood up and walked out of the room. Theisen sighed, murmuring to himself, "Your teacher regretted that very decision to death back then. Hah, and now it falls upon you to walk the exact same path." *** Karen was not discouraged, even though Theisen had just shut the door in his face. It had not been out of disregard; rather, it was a sincere form of protection. The old man wanted to help keep the secret of his identity safe. Karen walked back to Muri's side and joined him in looking out at the side scenery. As if recalling something, Muri spoke up. "Captain, Lord Mavaglio asked me before heading out this morning whether we should head back first." "Is the teleportation array ready?" "The simplest one-time array should be completed today. It will teleport the Church's formation masters over, and of course, it can also send a few people back." Karen shook his head. "No rush. Let's wait until everything is settled before we leave." The old man had only a few days left. If possible, Karen wanted to stay and see him off. "Understood, Captain. Th-this..." "What is it?" Karen looked at Muri and noticed that his expression had instantly grown extremely tense. His hands were clenched tight, his entire body rigid. Following his gaze out the window, Karen saw the figure of an elderly man appearing in the distance, walking toward them. The old man had white hair held back by a headband and looked lean and wiry. At his waist hung a short blade, and a round buckler was strapped to his left arm. This weapon combination, coupled with Muri's current reaction, made it easy to deduce his identity. Trailing behind the old man was Mavaglio. "Your grandfather?" Karen asked. "Yes." Muri swallowed hard with great difficulty. "My grandfather." Patriarch of the Benda family and Captain of the High Priest's Guard, Mobiten Benda. This commander of the guards had actually arrived here ahead of the rest. Right then, the old man halted his steps, lifted his head, and cast his gaze toward them. It cut toward the window like a keen blade. Immediately after, Karen sensed a violent gust of wind surge before him. The windowpanes began to vibrate violently, and their surrounding vision started to warp. In the next instant, a blast of air crashed into them. Karen, Muri, and Alfred were all forced back by the sheer force. Before such power, it felt as though no body of flesh and blood could hold its ground. Mobiten's figure appeared precisely where Karen and the others had just been standing. His eyes fixed directly on Muri, and Muri looked back at him. Karen bowed to him. "Greetings, Guard Captain." Alfred did the same behind him. Muri seemed about to kneel, but in the end, he mirrored Karen's bow. "Greetings, Guard Cap—*gah!*" One of Mobiten's hands snapped around Muri's throat, lifting him clear off the ground. It was like a fierce tiger pinning a fledgling chick under its paw. A terrifying might churned within this old man. Standing near him, it felt as if merely looking at him too long would pierce one's eyes. "Your ambitions certainly seem to be running wilder and wilder, aren't they?" Evidently, Mobiten was deeply dissatisfied with his grandson's recent string of actions. Originally, after returning from the Gate of Samsara, Muri was supposed to serve as the captain of the newly formed Whip of Order squad in the Dinge Region. Instead, he had gone to Yorktown to serve as a mere squad member under Karen. By the time the Benda family found out, the transfer of his commission had already been finalized. Under the circumstances back then, Karen had obtained expedited priority processing—an authorization directly from the headquarters of the Whip of Order. This time, Karen had brought his squad to the Mipos Archipelago. Because of Muri's identity, the Benda family was seen by outsiders as having taken a side, which naturally led people to associate it with the High Priest's stance. After all, Mobiten was a trusted confidant who remained by the High Priest's side at all times. As the authoritative head of his family, to be repeatedly 'represented' by his own grandson like this, the fury in his heart could well be imagined. He released his grip. Muri dropped, only to be met with a punch that sent him vomiting blood and flying backward. But before he had flown more than a few meters, Mobiten opened his palm again. An invisible force bound Muri, dragging him back in front of the old man. "Do not think that just because you slipped away from home, the family has no means to discipline you. I will not merely strip the Benda name from you—I will take back the life the Benda family gave you as well. "The family will never tolerate you bringing shame upon us so recklessly." "Guard Captain, Muri is a member of my squad. Please lower your hand and cease this unprovoked attack. According to the *Code of Order*, members within our Church are strictly forbidden from engaging in unprovoked private brawls." Mobiten turned his head, looked at Karen standing before him, and asked with a cold smile, "What does me disciplining my own grandson have to do with you?" "Your grandson is an Order priest, my subordinate, and I am his superior officer. You tell me: does it have anything to do with me?" Mobiten opened his hand once more, this time toward Karen. Karen immediately felt an overbearing force bearing down around him. Yet he did not attempt to resist; instead, he said bluntly: "Either kill me cleanly right now, or drop these petty tricks. We are priests serving the God, not street thugs posturing for a brawl." Mobiten looked at Karen in mild surprise and retorted, "Boy, you think I wouldn't dare?" A slight smile formed at the corner of Karen's mouth. "Heh, what a foolish question." A sharp pop came from Mobiten's knuckles. Karen could sense the pressure enveloping his body tightening and loosening repeatedly, which meant the owner of this power was hesitating. "Even Foden wouldn't dare speak to me like that. Do you know that?" Karen nodded. "My apologies. I take back what I said earlier." "Hmph..." "Because that statement of yours was even more foolish than the first." Mobiten glared coldly at Karen, then relaxed his palm, restoring Karen's freedom. "Regardless, Captain Karen, you have more guts than I imagined." Karen pointed to Muri, who was still suspended in midair by Mobiten's power. "Put him down, and I'll take the way out you're offering." "I am handling private family business. The Church has no rule forbidding believers from settling their personal affairs." Karen looked at Muri and asked, "Muri, tell me, are you currently settling private family business with Guard Captain Mobiten?" Muri took a deep breath, his chest heaving. The stance Karen had taken against his grandfather had granted him tremendous courage. Furthermore, Muri had long considered himself one of Karen's people—not merely politically aligned, but bound from soul to faith. "Captain, I am not settling private family business with the Guard Captain." "Good. Very good." Mobiten was visibly grinding his molars as he spoke. The atmosphere within the Benda family was already suffocatingly oppressive. If a grandson disobeyed, beating him to death was by no means out of the question. Unlike Mr. Aisen of the Guman family giving Richard a thrashing, the Benda family truly dealt in lethal consequences. Karen spread his hands, feeling a twinge of regret that the Sword of Arius given to him by Ophelia had shattered. Nonetheless, he promptly gathered the Fire of Order around both hands, while a chain began to coil around his body. This was an unmistakable declaration of intent. I certainly cannot beat you—the almost childish simplicity of these spells makes that obvious—but I will still fight you. Karen did not believe the Captain of the High Priest's Guard had come here merely to discipline his grandson; he surely had orders to carry out. Mobiten released his grip. Muri dropped down, clutching his chest with one hand while propping himself against the wall with the other, managing to stay on his feet. "Captain Karen, there is something I wish to remind you of." "Please, go ahead." "Do not assume you will always be lucky, nor that you will always gamble correctly. When I arrived, I saw people out there committing suicide. That is the outcome of betting wrong." "You should say that to our Whip-Wielder. My mission received the Whip-Wielder's approval. You are welcome to tell him that you disagree with his plans." Mobiten said, "Beware of nightfall." With that, he walked over to Theisen's door and bowed before it. "Captain of the High Priest's Guard, Mobiten Benda, under orders from the High Priest, has come to attend to Lord Theisen." The man who had just been as arrogant as a lion was now utterly deferential. Even though Theisen had stepped down, the standing he once held was simply too exalted. "Come in." "Yes, My Lord." Mobiten opened the door and walked inside. Alfred immediately stepped toward Karen, but Karen signaled with his eyes for him to examine Muri's injuries first. Muri looked at Karen and said, "Captain, when you faced my grandfather just now, you were really... really..." Karen shook his head. "I wasn't being brave. Your grandfather was just unlucky today." "Unlucky?" Karen slipped his hands into the pockets of his robes, shrugged at Muri, and smiled faintly. "Yeah. It just so happens that I'm in a foul mood today, and I felt like throwing caution to the wind."