Brother Karen!

Anything connected to a god was an exceedingly sacred and noble existence—all the more so in this present era, when the gods no longer walked the world. Divine artifacts were categorized into many tiers. Broadly speaking, the greater the master's strength and status, the higher the artifact's grade; the divine artifacts of chief gods typically possessed horrifying might. Under finer scrutiny and in the context of the present era, the better preserved an artifact was, the higher its practical tier. An intact divine artifact could fully unleash its powers, and that was where its greatest value lay. An intact divine artifact like the Scythe of War was enshrined within the Temple of Order; relying on it, one could practically support an entire system. The Laks copper coin also belonged to the category of intact divine artifacts. Though currently divided into pieces, it retained the potential to be gathered into a complete whole—and that was where its immense worth resided. The church maintained designated departments and systems to deploy and maintain its own divine artifacts, while artifacts collected from the outside world were sealed away and stored within a dedicated space. Within the Church of Order, the faction responsible for managing the containment space formed an independent branch unto itself. After all, ecclesiastical history was rife with accounts of natural disasters triggered by stray divine artifacts; one could never be too solemn or prudent when handling relics left behind by the gods. In short, the value of a divine artifact could never be measured in coupons. Unless a church had fallen into utter destitution, an artifact was strictly not for sale. Even internally, not to mention possessing one, simply borrowing it temporarily required a tremendous price—and even then, only if your status within the church qualified you to make the request. Even the bishops of the Yorktown Region lacked the qualification to own—no, not even the right to touch—a divine artifact. At most, when one was turned in, they might get to stroke it, look at it, and indulge their cravings for a fleeting moment. And once turned over, without exception, that divine artifact was parted from you forever. Thus, when Karen told the Presiding Judge that he wished to summon a divine artifact as material evidence, nearly everyone in the chamber was stunned. The buzz surrounding the artifact's appearance instantly overshadowed the trial itself. In all likelihood, the moment Karen submitted this petition, the number of viewers tuning into the live broadcast via communication arrays across various regional divisions and departments was surging rapidly. Bishop Bourne looked at Karen and asked, "Can a divine artifact testify on your behalf?" Karen nodded and replied, "Does Your Grace not know? An artifact spirit resides inside the Laks copper coin." Bourne did not answer. His eyes merely narrowed, for he truly had not known. This was not because his status was insufficient; in truth, he was plenty qualified to know. The issue was that after the guardian of the Yorktown Region seized the Laks copper coin, it had been immediately transferred to the containment space. The research conducted on divine artifacts within the containment space, as well as by the departments granted authorization to study them, was never made public. Nor was Bishop Bourne the type to let curiosity drive him to go out of his way to pry into that particular copper coin. Yet when Karen stated with such certainty that the Laks copper coin possessed an artifact spirit, Bishop Bourne understood at once: Karen had unquestionably been present that night. So before he had become a servant, before he had joined the Whip of Order, before he had entered the Pavaro Inquisitorial Office, he had already been investigating the Qihe case alongside Inquisitor Pavaro. *Sigh...* In truth, Bishop Bourne had known the reality of the matter all along. He knew what kind of man Dolph was, and he had a good idea of what kind of person Vicolai was. Thus, he had always leaned toward the conclusion that Vicolai had stolen Inquisitor Pavaro's credit. Who could blame him when the boy's grandfather was a bishop? As for his earlier offensive against Karen, it had been nothing more than playing dumb while fully aware of the truth. Everyone acted solely on allegiance; no one cared about facts. Furthermore, Bishop Bourne was virtually certain that what the young man opposite him presented was not entirely the unvarnished truth either. Yet one thing was now certain: this young man had taken part in the investigation of the Qihe case. When he was not even a servant, he had accompanied an unbacked, practically marginalized inquisitor to launch an investigation against a jurist. This young man... had real backbone. Once this affair concluded, it would be wonderful if he could bring him over to his side. He would personally instruct him, take him as a student, and pave the way for his advancement. Bishop Bourne knew all too well that the line he walked belonged to the shadows. The greatest adversary faced by those walking this line was losing themselves after their inner resolve wavered. Even his own son had once hovered on the brink of losing his way—well, he still was. What a shame he hadn't listened to Derius more carefully earlier. His son's words back then had likely been a subtle hint. Now, once this affair ended, could he still poach him? If the divine artifact truly possessed an artifact spirit as he claimed, and if that spirit was willing to come forward to corroborate the exact events of that night, then the outcome of this trial... was practically set in stone. No one would suspect the spirit of a divine artifact of lying. It was far too noble, far too proud. It was like the wealthiest man in Wien testifying in court over a dispute between two beggars. No one would believe he would take a side, for everyone knew he could have no conflict of interest with either beggar. Only... Could he truly summon a divine artifact with an artifact spirit to testify in court? *** Old Delon felt his throat go parched, his hands clasping and kneading together uncontrollably. Earlier, he had feared Karen had already lost—right until Karen declared he would summon his physical evidence. Even now, a sense of unreality lingered in the old man's head. What a pity. If he had known, he would have brought his old lady along today. She would have loved watching this spectacle. As family, either he or Richard could have easily brought her in. A divine artifact! A divine artifact... Then Delon suddenly realized he would have work to do shortly. If the tribunal approved the submission of the evidence, a ritual array would have to be erected right here to connect with the containment space—and he would be the one to do it. Delon's gaze darkened. Throughout his life, very few things had ever truly provoked him to fury. To put it bluntly, when he received word of his eldest daughter's sacrifice, he had been consumed by grief, yet he could tell himself that she had fallen for the sake of the church. This time, however, someone was attempting to ruin his grandson right before his eyes. Fortunately, though he was somewhat slow to realize things and lived life rather muddleheadedly, the situation had not slipped down the abyss of utter regret while he was in a daze. Since that was the case... Whatever they needed him to do now, he would do it! *** "The divine artifact, the Laks copper coin—the Source of Sin?" Philomena asked. "Yes, exactly. The Source of Sin." "I've seen it," Philomena said, her brow furrowing suddenly. "You've seen it?" Richard asked curiously. "Where?" "During the final assessment trial at Augurev Fortress." "Oh, right! I remember hearing Muri and the others mention that when talking about the experience." "Heh." Philomena suddenly let out a laugh. This left Richard completely bewildered. Philomena turned her head and glanced at Muri, who was seated nearby. Back then, Muri had not been in Karen's squad either, just like her. Richard asked, "Do you think he can really summon that divine artifact to testify?" Philomena hesitated for a moment, then gave a firm nod. "He can. Absolutely." "Why? How come you trust Karen so much now?" Philomena looked at Richard's face and replied, "Right now, I'm even starting to suspect that during the final assessment trial, our captain cheated." "Cheated?" Philomena recalled the scene after the Laks copper coin had appeared during the final assessment. For a moment, this proud and reclusive girl found herself at a loss for words. She didn't feel wronged. In her subsequent interactions with Karen, she had clearly sensed that he surpassed her in every aspect, including her greatest strength: combat. On Fire Island, the others had worked to create external conditions for Karen, while Karen alone stood firm against the hunched youth—that was the best proof. When you knew someone was stronger than you, even if they defeated you by cheating, you wouldn't feel much grievance or anger. You would only find it... somewhat comical. Ashley remarked, "The Laks copper coin... why does that sound so familiar?" "It showed up during the assessment trial," Blanche reminded her. "The Source of Sin, the divine artifact sealed by the God of Laks." "Oh, right." Then both girls, along with several others who had been in Karen's squad, fell silent. No one was a fool. No matter how good the acting had been, even if there hadn't been the slightest flaw, tracing things backward from this point suddenly made several pieces fall into place. Immediately, everyone lowered their heads, resorting to coughing, covering their mouths, or taking deep breaths to conceal their expressions and keep from laughing out loud. Muri smiled too, though it was a wry one. Yet he wasn't angry either; he merely found it amusing. He had witnessed far more astonishing secrets from the captain. If such a thing happened to anyone else, he would be shocked, but happening to the captain, it seemed entirely normal. Ventura just sat there grinning in pure, unadulterated delight without the slightest hint of shock. He didn't see what was so amazing about a mere divine artifact—didn't the captain keep an evil god at home anyway? He had personally fed it and stroked its bald head! *** "This wasn't in the plan." Bernie looked at Neo. "Did you know beforehand?" "I didn't." "I won't blame you for conspiring with him to keep me in the dark. You can tell me the truth." "Section Chief, I genuinely didn't know." "Yet you still looked so confident in him just now." *That's because he has far too many trump cards... Even if I dig for secrets with all my might, I can't match the random hoard he stumbles into.* Neo could only cough and say, "Because he has never let me down. You know how it is—sometimes inertia doesn't need a reason." "Oh, is that so?" "Yes." "What about the Laks copper coin..." "Section Chief, during a previous mission, I seized a Laks copper coin and turned it in. Karen was present on that mission too." "Was it from that encounter?" "Probably not. I think he's telling the truth. That night, he was likely right beside Inquisitor Pavaro at the sausage factory." "It's true." Bernie's brow smoothed, and he let out a sigh. "Which means all of this was a deliberate flaw he exposed, bait he dangled—and Bishop Bourne took it hook, line, and sinker." "It would... appear so." "Bishop Bourne is no simple figure. His status extends far beyond being a mere bishop. Splendid. Truly splendid. I believe the *Order Weekly* can run a special edition for this." "Still, the divine artifact hasn't been summoned down yet." "Matters have reached this stage; I won't assume Karen is gambling. It can only mean this was all premeditated on his part." "Let's hope so." Neo could only keep his response modest. Bernie raised a hand to rub the space between his brows. "District Head Harry is the one who's going to have a headache now." "The District Head?" "He must be regretting it by now. This is a guaranteed win. "Still, it doesn't matter. Not every region can replicate what happened in ours. In the long run, local interests must submit to the greater whole, don't they?" "Section Chief, I'm not sure I fully grasp what you just said." "No, you understand perfectly. I have a bit of inertia with you too." *** Inside the Whip-Holder's office, watching the scene displayed in the mirror before him, District Head Harry stood up and slapped his own cheeks repeatedly. Though he didn't hit too hard, the slaps certainly landed. "Serves you right for being impatient! Serves you right for being impatient! Serves you right for being impatient!" At that moment, the door pushed open, and his office assistant walked in, freezing in place at the sight. "What is it?" "District Head, down... down there..." "I know. The Presiding Judge is one of ours; how could she not approve it? Prepare to receive the divine artifact. Has Delon and the people he brought left yet?" "Not yet." "Then invite him over to help. Remember, I said *invite*." "Yes, my lord." Just then, the telephone rang. Under normal circumstances, routine official calls went to his secretary first, who would decide whether to transfer them. Any call reaching this office directly came either from a parallel department or a higher-ranking one. Harry lifted the receiver, and a man's raspy voice came through: "This is the Containment Space Management Office. I would like to speak with the Lord Whip-Holder." "Speaking." "Greetings, my lord. Several of our directors were watching the broadcast, so we sent someone just now to ask the artifact spirit of the Laks copper coin if she was willing to testify in court." Harry pressed his lips together, anticipating the news. "Her response was a refusal. My apologies; the artifact spirit of the Laks copper coin has always been unsociable and dislikes external commotion." "This..." "Therefore, our director's intention is that when the Presiding Judge issues the official requisition shortly, would your lordship please inform her that while we wish to cooperate, we are unable to do so." "Understood. I will." "Our apologies, my lord... Wait, what? The Laks copper coin is rioting? "She's even rallying the other divine artifacts to riot and protest together? "How could this happen? Wasn't she perfectly fine a moment ago? "Yes, Director, it's the Whip-Holder of the Yorktown Region. Yes, right away, sir." From the other end of the line came a different voice, unfamiliar and dignified: "Greetings, Whip-Holder Harry." "Greetings." "Please have the Presiding Judge send over the official application. We hope your side can quickly erect the preliminary spatial communication array. We cannot permit the physical artifact to leave, but the artifact spirit may do so." "Thank you for your cooperation." "Think nothing of it; this is our duty." *** "This court approves the submission of supplementary evidence." A clerk beside Gaspol spread a sheet of ritual paper before her and handed her a quill. Gaspol began drafting the requisition. Upon finishing, she produced a stamp and impressed her mark upon it. She then handed the requisition to the clerk, who jogged out of the courtroom. In the gallery, Old Delon stood up. However, Gaspol did not immediately declare a recess to construct the array; she was waiting for a reply. According to her experience, the containment space had never been easy to deal with, and they strongly disliked such impromptu requests. The likelihood of the requisition being rejected was very high. Yet the clerk returned almost immediately after leaving, and the requisition in his hands was gone. The clerk rushed before the Presiding Judge and reported, "The District Head's office states that the containment space proactively reached out and gave approval. They request that we prepare the ritual array at once." Hearing this, Gaspol's gaze fell straight onto Karen, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips. If one were to say Gaspol hadn't been seething with anger throughout the proceedings, that would be an utter lie. She was an inquisitor of the Whip of Order, and what she valued most were the traditions of the Tribunal of Order. Yet in this trial, she had been forced to yield time and again to local factions. Now, she finally had the chance to slap them right back across the mouth! *Crack!* The whip cracked loudly. Gaspol announced, "To prepare for the supplementary evidence, I declare a temporary recess." Upon hearing this, many in the gallery rose to their feet. Across the region, those watching before the broadcast arrays opened their mouths in astonishment. The Presiding Judge's recess meant the divine artifact truly would be summoned as material evidence! Bernie entered the courtroom, walked straight toward Delon, and handed him an official document. Delon opened the requisition form only to find it completely blank. Bernie explained in a low voice, "It's being written now and will be supplemented shortly. Please lend a hand first, Senior." "Fine. Have someone notify my subordinates to come back in. Additionally, I need people to bring over some array implements from the department." The old man agreed without the slightest hesitation. Whoever could help him bring down the Nortons, the Gumans would back them to the hilt. Just then, a supervisor under Delon approached and reported, "Department Head, we can begin setting up immediately. The corresponding array implements have already arrived." "Arrived?" Delon was taken aback. "When did they arrive?" At that moment, Mr. Aisen, clad in departmental robes, led a group of personnel inside, bringing the required ritual implements. Delon immediately walked up to his son and asked, "How did you get here?" "Received notice," Mr. Aisen replied vaguely. "What are you doing here?" "For the kid," Mr. Aisen answered, equally vaguely. "Heh, right." Old Delon patted his son's shoulder. "Lend me a hand. We'll do it together." The array to summon the divine artifact was quickly laid out. Delon and Aisen each held a Rubik's cube in their palms, issuing commands to their subordinates. In the gallery, Philomena asked, "Aren't you going down to help?" Richard scratched his head. "They don't need me." Philomena said impassively, "The reporters over there are taking photos." "You mean I should go jump into the family portrait?" "Even if I wanted to, I'd have nowhere to jump." "Right, got it." Richard stood up, making sure to call Mars along as he headed down. Mars's hands had been itching for action, so he followed Richard eagerly. Delon and Aisen saw their grandson and son come down, but neither acknowledged him. The men of the Guman family were all somewhat rigid and taciturn, unaccustomed to expressing affection—especially before outsiders. Thus, the picture of three generations standing together manipulating Rubik's cubes never materialized. Richard and Mars sensibly helped out by running errands below. *** "What a heartwarming sight, isn't it?" In the living room of the Guman residence, a floating sphere projected the scene from the courtroom. "Yes, Mother." Kaixi nodded, gently dabbing a tear from the corner of her eye with a fingertip. Even amidst her emotion, she couldn't help asking out of confusion, "But Mother, how do you have the dynamic coordinates to receive the broadcast array here? Only departments above a certain rank are permitted access." Setting up a private array at home to interface with the high-grade arrays of the Church of Order was a serious offense. Madame Tangli glanced nonchalantly at her daughter-in-law and countered, "What, I've borne three priests for the Church of Order; could I possibly be a spy?" "Mother, that's not what I meant. I was just surprised that Father would..." Lying on the sofa, Madame Tangli shifted her posture and smiled faintly. "Do you know why I married your father?" "Why?" "Because from the moment that old fossil started courting me, he devoted himself to me whole and soul. He kept no secrets from me. What does a mere dynamic coordinate count for? If I truly wanted, I could pull out the secret design blueprints from his department. "Well? Envious?" Kaixi blinked, then nodded. Madame Tangli advised, "That's why I could never stomach your decision to run away from home in the past. If the man you chose doesn't suit your tastes after marriage, train him yourself! Use strategy and methods; don't avoid it. "Either you admit you lack the competence and aren't a clever woman, or you admit you were truly blind when you chose him back then. "Now that your man is acting more normal than before, treat him well. A life is built through one's own management." "I understand, Mother." Just then, the projection shifted back to Karen. Karen sat there holding a water cup, leisurely chatting with the two assistants beside him as he took sips. Seeing Karen, Madame Tangli's heart practically melted. She truly adored this grandson to death. To be completely candid, compared to Richard, whom she had watched grow up before her eyes, she was now far fonder of this grandson. After all, as a grandmother, she carried no psychological burden and made no distinction between paternal and maternal grandchildren. So what if one was surnamed Guman and the other Inmeles? What did that have to do with her, Tangli? Neither was surnamed Art. Thus, in the family's eyes, whenever she bought clothes for Richard, she bought a set for Karen as an afterthought. In truth, in her heart, Richard was the one bought for "along the way." Delightful, truly delightful. "Hehehe." Kaixi was startled. What did her mother-in-law's sudden chuckle mean? As a daughter-in-law, she was genuinely afraid of her. In truth, Madame Tangli had simply remembered something from her youth. Back then, whenever she looked at Diss, she felt that Diss carried a light upon him. She had truly found it incomprehensible that such a young man existed in this world—someone who, simply by standing there, completely overshadowed his peers with his brilliance. Ah, how could her younger self have ever imagined that someone like that "person carrying light," whom she could never understand back then, would end up becoming her grandson? Madame Tangli mused, "This child... after coming back this time, he feels different. He's much more spirited than before." "Yes, Mother. After coming back this time, Richard noticeably seems more mature and steady." Madame Tangli nodded and said, "Yes, he's growing more and more like his grandfather." *** The ritual array was rapidly being assembled. Meanwhile, more and more people poured into the courtroom and filled the gallery. Gradually, seats ran out, forcing late arrivals to stand in the aisles. Anyone permitted inside had undergone identity verification. Clearly, many had rushed to the scene immediately upon hearing the news, eager to witness the descent of a divine artifact with their own eyes. Today's trial had first morphed into a debate, and now it seemed poised to become an exhibition of a divine artifact. Furthermore, personnel were dispatched to reinforce and empower the broadcast array once again, likely because the number of broadcast arrays receiving dynamic coordinates from here had multiplied. All in all, the atmosphere was growing increasingly feverish. *** "La la la! La la la!" Luoya sat atop her containment barrier, happily swinging her legs. "My, look at how delighted you are." "Of course, big sister! Luoya gets to see my Brother Karen again, hehe." "I truly envy you, getting to go out for some fresh air again." "Oh please, if it weren't to see Brother Karen, I wouldn't bother going out at all." "Did they give you the notice?" "They already sent it to me via mental transmission. I know what they want me to go over for." "Mm, that's good then." Just then, a rift bound by black iron chains appeared above, and an exceedingly suppressed voice echoed down: "Source of Sin, ascend." Luoya stood up and called out to the divine artifacts around her, "Thank you all for the help! Hmph, they wanted to avoid trouble and didn't want to let me out!" Luoya planted her hands on her hips as her figure floated upward. The barrier opened, and two Laks copper coins orbited each other, rising alongside her. Upon reaching the rift, Luoya left the two coins behind, spun around, and swapped into the sacred vestments of the Church of Laks. In an instant, she appeared solemn and majestic, yet the excitement in her heart remained utterly unchanged. *Here I come, Brother Karen!* *** "Keep dinner simple tonight. Go prepare some flour and seasonings. I'll make oil-splashed noodles for everyone in the headquarters building. Everyone has worked hard these past few days; they deserve a treat." "Young Master, won't that be too tiring for you? Why not hot pot?" "Do you think hot pot only requires broth? Prepping all those hot pot ingredients is what really takes effort. Let's stick with noodles." "Understood, Young Master." Vic wanted to chime in, only to find no opening. He desperately wanted to ask: *Is the divine artifact truly a sure thing?* Yet he feared asking would make him seem even more like an outsider. From the look of things, however, everything appeared to be within the captain's calculations. Vic couldn't help feeling fortunate that he hadn't tried to be clever by offering a reminder. *You old fossil, Theisen, you really know how to judge people.* *Among my peers, aside from monsters like Mavaglio, I've never conceded to anyone. Yet this guy... damn it! Why do I feel a shred of genuine admiration brewing inside me?* He despised that feeling, for he considered himself a genius—a genius who ought to hold his head high with unyielding pride! After finishing his conversation with Alfred, Karen looked across at Bishop Bourne. As for Vicolai, standing in the cage between them with an anxious, uncertain expression, both men tacitly ignored him. Bishop Bourne raised his water cup and toasted Karen. Karen smiled, offering no toast in return; instead, he set his water cup down. *** In the VIP gallery, Bishop Dolph wore an exceedingly complicated expression. Seated there, he attempted to stand several times, only to force himself back down. With matters having escalated to this point, he could do nothing except stew in anxious dread and turmoil. "This can't truly work... How could this possibly work... It's impossible..." Chief Bishop Wolflen ignored his colleague's reaction, quietly leaning back to make himself more comfortable. Mm. He even felt a slight urge to laugh. *** At last, under the management of the specialized ritual array department, the summoning array was completed. Presiding Judge Gaspol led the judges back to their seats. Delon kept his son with him to operate the array, while the others retreated. By this point, the gallery was packed to capacity, and many others were barred outside, lacking the status to enter. *Crack!* The leather whip cracked. Gaspol announced, "The trial resumes. Prepare to receive the supplementary evidence." Karen and Bishop Bourne stood almost simultaneously, both stepping out from their seats toward the center area. Bishop Bourne spoke: "Only the final step remains. It seems I can begin rehearsing my congratulatory words in advance?" "In truth, I have no particular interest in hearing your congratulations." "I know. What I need to offer is an apology—no, repentance—for the words I spoke earlier." "Not to me." "Naturally. Win or lose, I shall attend his funeral to repent and pay my respects." At that moment, Delon shouted, "Activate the summoning array!" The array surged to life, establishing contact with the containment space, and the two sides rapidly synchronized. Above the courtroom, a massive black vortex manifested. Immediately following, a terrifying pressure seeped out from the vortex. Then, the phantom of an enormous copper coin descended from within, and standing atop it was a little girl clad in sacred vestments, her eyes closed. The moment she appeared, the aura of a divine artifact instantly rippled outward. The strongest individuals present merely braced their shoulders with slight exertion. Most of those seated gripped the edges of their chairs, while those standing began leaning on one another for support. One had to remember: the artifact's true form had not arrived. Even more, the Source of Sin had not actively released her aura; in fact, this was likely the result of her deliberately restraining it. Luoya slowly opened her eyes. In that instant, everyone present felt their hearts tremble, as though an imperceptible spark had flared to life within them, waiting only for a single command from this girl's will to erupt into a raging inferno. The Source of Sin: the moment she appeared, the desires in human hearts were stretched and magnified without limit—for she was simply too pure. Finally, After sweeping her gaze across the chamber, Luoya's eyes came to rest on Karen. Then, She pointed a finger at Karen, And in a solemn, dignified voice tinged with faint surprise, she declared: "Oh, I remember you! "Aren't you that devout believer of Order who stood beside Pavaro that night, bravely confronting Qihe without fearing death?"