Hearing that answer, a faint smile appeared at the corners of Bishop Bern's mouth.
When he had first come into contact with Karen, he had merely thought him a fine young man; his son had actually sensed this young security guard's extraordinary qualities earlier than he had.
In the tribunal, Bishop Bern had represented the Regional Administrative Office in a contest of wits against Karen, and it was precisely that occasion that had sparked Bern's genuine admiration for the youth.
The young man's maturity, his composure, his scheming... in short, it made Bern see his younger self, and he could even admit that in his youth, he had not been as outstanding as Karen.
Of course, the greatest disparity still lay in... their appearance.
While appearance was beneath mention when compared to ability, it could not be denied that those who lacked it had to work far harder to make up the difference.
The public image this young man presented was simply too splendid. By comparison, Bern felt he belonged among those far better suited to standing in the shadows.
However, when the youth said the words "Follow the *Code of Order*," Bern's smile came straight from the heart, for this was his conviction—his path of choice born of his faith in the God of Order.
At this moment, his perception of Karen shifted from admiration to full recognition.
"I am very pleased you would say that." Bern picked up his wineglass and took another sip. "But what interests me even more is, do you already know which way the wind is blowing?"
Karen shook his head. "As of now, it's still very chaotic."
"Oh? Which means you cannot deduce the outcome of your choice either."
Minister Bernie and Regional Chief Harry surely hoped he would cooperate to downplay the fallout of this incident, yet Karen was unwilling to offer such cooperation, even knowing that doing so would at least secure immediate, short-term benefits.
If he chose not to cooperate and instead deliberately stoked the flames, once the blaze swept across everything, it wouldn't just be one regional chief or one minister who got burned. Very likely, everyone involved—and perhaps the entire headquarters building—would be consumed alongside them.
This was fundamentally a choice: compromise or radicalism, conservatism or extremism, and just how far to push things.
"Perhaps this is the true purpose of *Light of Order*," Karen said. "When you are lost in confusion and do not know how to choose, follow the light of order ahead, and it will guide your way."
Bishop Bern placed a hand over his chest and asked, "Because that way, at least you can do right by your faith—or call it doing right by your true heart—with no regrets?"
"Yes, exactly. Even if I end up burned to death by the flames, I won't feel any regrets."
Karen could never deny one thing: on Fire Island, the spectacle of old Theisen manifesting a colossal phantom to swing the Scythe of War had taught him a profound lesson and left an enormous impact on him.
Diss and Mr. Hoffen had undoubtedly doted on him, for Diss truly treated him as a beloved grandson and only wished he could live a life of ease and happiness.
Theisen's reprimands, however, had helped fill the philosophical gap missing from Diss's upbringing of his descendant.
Bishop Bern sat up straight, his gaze turning solemn as he looked at Karen.
"Please, tell me more. Where does this lack of regret come from? Can you put it into words?"
"Rules are rules. Right is right. When you possess the ability to uphold the rules in your heart, when you possess the credentials to defend what is right, you ought to naturally step forward to uphold and defend them, rather than cower behind the scenes, pen in hand, endlessly calculating your gains and losses on scratch paper until you become an exquisite egoist.
"I believe a dwarf in action can never support a giant in thought."
"'Exquisite egoist'—a very novel phrasing. Could you elaborate on that?"
"Confused in stance, politically naive, deficient in practice, and spineless in struggle."
"Hahaha!" Light gradually shone in Bishop Bern's eyes. Pointing to himself, he asked, "Then what do you think of me?"
"I don't actually like you, but there is no denying that you have always walked the path of Order in your heart. You are a brave man who dares to step forward."
"You know the methods I favor are hardly honorable; most of them cannot see the light of day. How do you view that?"
"You have at least managed to let the tenets of faith serve as the guiding principle for your actions."
"And Bishop Wolflen? How do you assess him?"
Karen fell silent.
Bishop Bern chuckled. "There's no need to feel embarrassed. I've told him right to his face that deep down, I rather look down on him—and look down on the many people like him.
"They always harbor too many reservations and have too many interests tangled up. On the surface, they style themselves as defenders of Order, yet from the shadows, they constantly do things that violate its principles.
"Just like the exquisite egoist you mentioned, Wolflen is cut from that same cloth. He clearly had the power to do more and do better, yet he remained conservative and hesitant. Of course, I cannot deny that he is still among the more exceptional Head Bishops I have ever seen.
"Only now, after losing everything, does he finally resemble a true believer of Order."
"Actually, the Head Bishop's choices and transformations... were unavoidable."
"Then he shouldn't have sat in that seat," Bishop Bern said bluntly. "He could have just been a church servant—that's far more forgiving and accommodating."
"You have a point, but have you ever considered what would happen if the Church were filled entirely with people like you...?"
"What would happen if the Church were full of people like me?"
"Wouldn't the color be too monotonous?"
"Monotonous?"
"Together with the Head Bishop, you complement each other, and the color becomes balanced and harmonious."
Bishop Bern fell silent. Then he picked up the wine bottle, refilling Karen's glass first, then his own.
"What do you plan to do next? Enough theory—let's hear concrete methods."
"What my superiors gave me isn't the complete dossier. As you said, those arrested starting this evening are mere minnows and small fry. Do you have the real, complete roster and files?"
"I don't. I went and asked for them, but our Head Bishop didn't give them to me. Besides, let me remind you of one thing: the Head Bishop was likely kept in the dark about what happened at today's commendation assembly."
"That, I believe."
For Wolflen had no reason to shove his grandson to Karen's side while conspiring with others to ruin Karen's future—that would be like personally condemning his grandson to 'widowhood.'
"Only he possesses the genuine, full list. What your superiors hold probably isn't complete either. Naturally, right now they wouldn't even want to give you that incomplete copy. They want to raise the gavel high only to let it fall gently, serving up as many mid-to-low-tier heads as possible without provoking severe backlash from any faction, just to appease public opinion within the Church.
"There's one more thing you might not know yet: you issued an order in your name to requisition Whip of Order squads, but after your order went out, Regional Chief Harry issued a new decree superseding yours.
"So you won't have many hands available to draft. If you wish, I can dispatch people to you."
"As a member of the Whip of Order, drafting outside hands to do the work would go against protocol."
"Didn't you just say that as long as things can be accomplished under existing conditions, one ought to do them?"
"We haven't reached the point of having no other options yet. However, I do hope to receive some help from you in private."
"No problem at all. I am more than happy to help you unconditionally in matters like this, because it brings me joy. So, what are you going to do next...?"
Karen chimed in, "Controlling heat isn't simply about keeping a fixed temperature. It's raising it high first, then cooling it down, adjusting as circumstances require."
"For example?"
"Add more fuel to the fire first and burn through the chains binding me and the Whip of Order."
"Do you realize that Director Neo blocked the whirlpool for you, and what you're about to do is rip that plugged whirlpool wide open?"
"He consented to my doing so."
"Oh, how touching."
"At least the situation is in turmoil, which counts as opening a breach."
"Yes, true. But you should be clear that once you actually go through with this, your path ahead will become extraordinarily arduous.
"If a sharp-edged young man who pricks anyone who touches him is someone most superiors dislike, then a subordinate who dares to completely break with his superiors and overturn everything will be utterly detested by nearly every boss.
"Your prospects will likely be trapped forever right here in Yorktown, with little hope of climbing higher."
"I know."
"Still resolved to do it?"
"Yes."
Bishop Bern raised his wineglass. Once Karen lifted his as well, he took the initiative to clink glasses with Karen.
"Look on the bright side: just as it will be hard for you to be promoted again, it will also be hard to suppress you any further."
Bishop Bern narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "Just like me."
...
This late-night meal lasted until four in the morning between Karen and Bishop Bern. What began as official business eventually turned into casual conversation, with Bishop Bern doing most of the talking. He recounted many experiences from the earlier half of his life to Karen, allowing Karen to see an unfamiliar side of a veteran 'spymaster' of the Church of Order.
In the end, he even dropped a line: on the first night after sending his son off to the Church of Pamires, he had suffered from insomnia.
Karen knew the bishop's character remained stubborn, for the word 'regret' would never cross his lips.
Bishop Bern departed first, while Karen stayed overnight at Lemar's home.
Sleeping until nine in the morning, Karen got up and washed. After enjoying the breakfast Serena had thoughtfully prepared for him, he walked to the entrance of the ceramics studio.
A carriage was parked outside, driven by a middle-aged coachman.
"Lord Karen, Bishop Bern ordered me to wait here for you and drive you to the Whip of Order headquarters building."
"All right."
Karen nodded and climbed into the carriage.
By the time the carriage arrived at the entrance of the headquarters building, a large crowd of reporters was already waiting there. Quite a few journalists from other churches' periodicals had likely arrived today via teleportation arrays specifically to cover the story and investigate.
Right at that moment, Karen, who had been dozing inside the carriage, opened his eyes and said to the coachman in front:
"Praise the God of Night."
The coachman instantly froze.
Karen continued, "Actually, our Church of Order truly welcomes moles like you. Whenever we catch one, we can extort a massive sum of compensation from your church. How much do you think you're worth?"
"M-My Lord..." Cold sweat began dripping down the coachman's face.
"Your wife and children back home in Yorktown probably don't know your undercover identity, do they? If you want them to live, assassinate me right now."
A look of utter astonishment appeared on the coachman's face.
"Don't hesitate. Be quick about it. Once we pass through those gates, you won't get such good treatment anymore."
...
High up in the headquarters building.
"Why are there so many reporters again?" Regional Chief Harry asked with a frown. "Didn't I tell you to have someone secretly suspend access to the teleportation arrays for these kinds of journalists?"
Bernie replied matter-of-factly, "Then someone even more secretly restored their permissions."
"Right now, the last thing I want to see is a circus. Seeing those camera flashes gives me a headache."
"Chief, whether these outside reporters come or not doesn't really matter. The matter has already been publicized anyway. A few more reporters... won't make a difference. The main concern is on the Head Bishop's end..."
"Let's switch roles this afternoon. I'll go see Karen. After all, you have a direct conflict with him, so it'll be better if I persuade him. You go see the Head Bishop, and have the people backing you use the communication array to speak with the Head Bishop directly.
"Only with the Head Bishop stepping forward can this matter truly be put to rest."
Bernie nodded. "For now, let's keep a tight grip on the scope of the investigation."
"One Bishop Yeder, plus plenty of small fry, should barely be enough to scrape together a banquet. It counts as an answer to give them. It's just a pity—if this accident hadn't occurred, we could have carried out this Great Purge much more smoothly."
A trace of resentment seeped into Harry's voice.
Bernie sighed. "It is my failing toward you, Chief."
"Forget it. I know that wasn't something within your control either. Let's focus on keeping the situation in hand together. What about the other five bishops?"
"They're reasonably cooperative with the inquiry, but nothing can be dug up at all. As for Bishop Yeder, the file I gave them is incomplete as well."
"The misunderstanding still needs to be smoothed over. Find an opportunity to talk with them, tell them that in this affair their Head Bishop was also one of the behind-the-scenes instigators, and have them mobilize their colleagues and subordinate factions to pressure the Head Bishop first."
"Will there be enough time?"
"Of course there is. As long as we control the pace of the investigation and proceed steadily, we can serve up those minnows and small fry in batches to be fried, whetting these reporters' appetites for the time being."
"Yes, understood."
"That carriage..." Harry noticed the carriage rolling toward the gate in the distance. "The one inside is Karen, isn't it? He went out last night?"
"Yes, he went out."
"Where did he go?"
"I don't know. The person I sent to tail him was found dead in a trash can in an alley across the street."
"Quite ruthless with his hands—and against one of his own, no less."
Bernie didn't respond to that, because the two of them were no different.
"The case press briefing is about to be held. He's in charge of it, right?"
"Yes."
"There has barely been any progress on the case. I'd like to see what he could possibly have to say. Young people have too sharp an edge; hopefully, after getting worn down a bit, he can still turn back. That way, we can avoid a lot of troub... What's happening?!"
...
"Ahhh!"
"Assassination! An assassination!"
"Take photos, quick! Take photos!"
An assassination attempt took place right at the entrance of the Whip of Order headquarters building—and the victim was none other than the Whip of Order's office director.
Reporters snapped photos in a frenzy, and those who had already secured entry and were waiting in the building's auditorium rushed out upon hearing the commotion.
The assassin was captured alive. Whip of Order priests streaming out of the building subdued the attacker, while another group of priests shielded Karen, rushing him into the building.
Frame after frame captured the image of Karen surrounded and protected, his right hand clutching his bloodstained chest.
The Whip of Order director in charge of investigating the bishop case had been attacked in an assassination attempt at the headquarters gates!
For the situation in the Yorktown Region, which was already ablaze, this scene was equivalent to dumping another bucket of oil onto the fire.
...
Once escorted into the building, Karen was quickly received by personnel from his own office, who hurried over and took him inside.
"Young Master?"
"Director?"
Once no outsiders were present, Karen shook his head. "I'm fine. I let him stab me on purpose. It's not deep, nothing serious. What about the investigation results? Let me see them."
Alfred presented the investigation progress report.
Vic spoke up: "Director, there are issues with the dossiers provided by higher-ups. So far, we've only turned up some minor lapses in personal morality regarding Bishop Yeder. As for the other five bishops, they've only gone through two rounds of questioning with no real results—of course, there might not have been anything on them to begin with.
"On the other hand, we did arrest a few people at the level of church servants and God's Revelations for corruption and dereliction of duty, and the evidence against them is fairly solid. But presenting these at the press briefing would be a bit..."
"It's fine. You've all worked hard." Karen picked up the folder and instructed, "Send word that the briefing is moved up by an hour. We convene immediately."
Ventura immediately offered, "Then I'll go fetch a clean set of clothes for you."
Muri reached out from behind and pinched the back of Ventura's neck, telling him not to fuss over useless things.
Vic said with some hesitation, "But Director, the investigation results..."
Karen gave the folder in his hand a light wave and said, "Aren't they right here?"
...
The auditorium where the commendation ceremony had been held yesterday was packed even tighter today. Many had no seats and were forced to stand in the aisles. Fortunately, Karen and his entourage could enter directly through a small side door from the front hall without having to push through the crowd.
When Karen stepped into the auditorium—his clerical robes bloodstained at the chest, a cold sweat glistening on his face, and his lips pale—the buzzing chatter throughout the hall ceased instantly.
Karen reached out and gently pushed away Alfred, who was supporting him. Clutching his chest with one hand and holding the folder in the other, he walked up to the podium, looking as if he might collapse at any moment.
"Director Karen, you were just attacked at the entrance! Is this assassination attempt directly connected to the case you are investigating?"
"Director Karen, do you believe the attempt on your life was meant to sabotage this investigation?"
Karen activated the communication array on the podium. A black starlight manifested, and Karen spoke toward it:
"My apologies. The subject of this briefing pertains solely to yesterday's major investigation case. Irrelevant topics will not receive answers here."
Just as the reporters below were preparing to press further,
Karen spoke toward the black starlight once more:
"I shall now announce the investigation results obtained since yesterday."
The moment these words left his mouth, the entire hall fell dead silent once more. The reporters poised their pens, ready to take notes, while the broadcast arrays had already zoomed in to focus squarely on Karen.
Karen did not open the folder. Instead, he stated with grave solemnity:
"I regret to inform you that I cannot disclose specific details of the case here, nor can I take questions from those present."
The auditorium, which had only just fallen quiet, erupted once again into a buzz of outrage. They could not accept that after waiting so long—with many having just arrived from distant regions via long-distance teleportation arrays—they were met with nothing more than this reply. Was he playing them for fools?!
Harry and Bernie exchanged a look, both sensing the other breathed a sigh of relief.
"Silence, please! Silence!"
Under Karen's raised voice, the room once more returned to quiet. But his next words detonated like a sudden thunderclap!
"Because the preliminary investigation has revealed:
"The grave violations of discipline and law by these six lord bishops are shocking to behold, the circumstances are extraordinarily serious, the fallout is utterly corrupting, and the nature of their offenses is extremely vile!"
Chapter 598