Deal, You Bastard

"Molindi, I can understand that being imprisoned here for so long has caused your thoughts to run so wildly astray, but you have truly failed the High Priest's generosity and mercy." "Daan, remember what I told you today. I don't think it will be long before you realize it yourself. When that day truly comes, I hope you won't feel regret." "Regret? Regret what?" Daan reached up and lightly tapped the emblem on his breastplate. "Even if the gods return, even if no deity stands behind our church, even if we must face the backlash and vengeance of the entire religious circle, even if the chief gods whose legends we grew up hearing descend before my eyes— "I, and the knight order under my command, will still have the courage to draw our swords and charge. "That was the oath I took on the day I joined the knight order, and it is the vision every generation of our knights has held in their hearts." "I do not want to see our church destroyed. I do not want us to meet the same end as the Light. And above all, I do not want the faithful loyal to Order—or those true devotees resting eternally in the First Knight Order—to make pale, futile sacrifices. "Tragic, heroic tales easily resonate deep in the human heart, but no one wants such a story to happen to themselves. "We... could have weathered this in peace. No, we shouldn't have had to worry about a thing. "The God of Order we revere had already reigned supreme over the divine realm at the end of the last era. As long as he can return, our Church of Order and the rules of Order we uphold will surely be established as the true standard across this era, the next, and countless eras to come, becoming an unquestionable truth. "Daan, I, Molindi, am no apostate! "Even if I originated as an undead creature, my faith in Order is in no way inferior to any of yours!" "You have been deceived—or perhaps, you have lost your way completely, Molindi." "Heheheh... Time will prove who has truly lost their way: him or me." "Farewell, Molindi, my former comrade." Daan turned and walked out of the cave. Molindi's body slowly receded, merging back into the massive, crimson heart behind her. All around, silence instantly fell. Yet the silence did not last long. A black vortex appeared before her, and soon, a bronze skeleton slowly emerged. Molindi raised her head, opened her eyes, and looked at it, seemingly unsurprised by its arrival. "Did he bid you farewell, Archmage Molindi?" "He said goodbye to me." "I advised you not to say such things to the people around the High Priest, but you still refused to listen." "Am I your slave?" "Of course not. We are partners, though our partnership has been exceedingly brief." "It was my decision. What right do you have to judge it?" "Fine, fine." The skeleton raised its arms to call for an end to the argument. "There is no point in arguing about this now. The moment you poured your heart out to him, your fate was sealed." "I await him coming to send me off with his own hands." "No, he won't. He won't kill you himself, nor will he report this matter to the High Priest. It is a dilemma, but he must have you dead. "So he will arrange for someone else to kill you, bringing an end to your decades of imprisonment." "Who?" "Karen. Word has reached me that he will establish a special task force here to investigate this case." "That young man you admire so much?" "Tsk, why is it none of you seem to understand skeleton-speak? I don't admire him—I revere him. Those are entirely different concepts! The former makes people uncomfortable, making them think, *Who the hell do I think I am, acting like an elder standing over him?* "The latter, however, makes people feel much better. He might even remember me with a shred of fondness and harbor a tiny bit of anticipation, wondering when I'll keep my promise and deliver that bone dragon into his hands." "You already understand him so well..." "This isn't understanding; this is an open-book exam. As long as you bother to flip through the pages, anyone can find the answers they need. "Besides, while I'm observing him, he is undoubtedly observing me too. But I stand in the shadows while he stands in the open, which gives me a huge advantage, hehe. "If we were to face each other on equal footing... frankly speaking, the one who'd feel constrained and numb with nervousness would be me." "You've invented yet another way to praise that young man. Why don't you try recruiting him, or turning him into a partner? Don't you love that kind of arrangement?" "Recruit that young man?" The skeleton spread its bony hands, counting along knuckle by knuckle. "I wouldn't dare. It seems almost none of his superiors have met a good end. From the recorded history of his time in your Church of Order, his superiors have either been demoted or died." "You're awfully talkative today." "It's our last meeting, so I wanted to chatter a bit more with you. I've always considered myself a clever man, so very few people have ever caught my eye. "You are one of them, because in your heart, I saw an exceptionally pure faith. I enjoy dealing with people like you." "Thank you." "Well then, farewell. When that young man named Karen brings his people over in a while to kill you..." "Do you want to tell me not to resist?" "No, I would like to ask that when you die, please remember to wear a smile." The skeleton pointed a finger at its own face, tilting its jaw upward to form an exaggerated grin. "Do you know? I originally had no intention of resisting. Daan has made up his mind that I must die. Imprisoned here with no way out, death is certain. If the first team fails, he will surely send a second, then a third, until I am utterly dead. "Yet somehow, perhaps because you keep praising this young man named Karen in front of me... "I suddenly... "Suddenly feel like dragging him down to die with me." The skeleton spread its hands, utterly bewildered. "Why?" "We are partners. With your help and support, I never imagined I could truly create a bone dragon and fulfill a long-cherished wish after all these years of imprisonment. I am actually quite grateful to you. "However... I know all too well what kind of thing you are. I know you, too, are awaiting the return of the gods, and you have been preparing for the descent of the God of the Crypt. "Therefore, I believe Karen... must die." The skeleton twirled a finger beside its ear hole. "Where is the logic in that?" "If the person you value dies, it will be better for the Church of Order." "Wow. Between person and person, between skeleton and person, can there not be some purer sentiment? Why must your perspective be so narrow?" "If Daan sends him to kill me, I will take him with me. You can try saving him." "Save him?" "I'm creating an opportunity for you: an opportunity to truly meet him and place him in your debt. You should be grateful to me." "I never act directly out in the open; I only like hiding in the shadows to scheme. A direct move risks exposing my true identity—you know that." "I hope you are exposed. I hope the Church of Order captures you and then... kills you!" "You lot really have no conscience at all. Truly." "I have said my piece. As for what to do, or whether you save him, do as you see fit." "Hmm... very well. Once more, farewell, Archmage Molindi. If you, as an undead creature, hadn't believed in Order but instead believed in the Crypt—no, even if you had merely believed in the Bone God lineage, one of the seven primary branches—we would have become sincere comrades-in-arms." "I have a band of comrades, a band of companions, and an entire history of standing united against trials and tribulations. My former leader was Norton. Though he is no longer that now, I do not believe you could ever take his place in my heart." "I'm just a clown dancing around inside a sauce vat; of course I cannot compare to the magnificent High Priest. At any rate, farewell." "Farewell, clown." The skeleton sank down, eventually vanishing entirely into the vortex. Molindi closed her eyes. Even the beating frequency of the massive heart behind her slowed considerably, as though returning to a deep slumber. *** Outside, from a fissure in the rock, the skeleton crawled out. Looking toward the cave, he let his arms drop and struck a hands-on-hips pose. Yet out of habit, he had forgotten the fact that he was currently a skeleton. As a result, his arms crossed past each other through his ribcage, as if he had tied himself into a knot. *Crack... clack...* Detaching the bones, pulling them apart, and snapping them back into place, he gingerly placed his hands against his hip bones, finally managing with great difficulty to settle into the hands-on-hips posture. "Phew... As if I didn't want to kill him myself! It's just that I don't dare. Even I don't know why I don't dare, but I just have this feeling: if I kill Karen today, tomorrow or the day after, the one dying might be me. "You want to kill him? How could I possibly stop you? I'll be right here clapping and cheering you on! Go get him, hahaha! "Sigh... "Besides, you betrayed the High Priest because you noticed he wants to prevent the God of Order from returning. But do you have any idea who this person you want to kill might actually be?" The skeleton drew out a scroll and unfurled it. The scroll was long, densely inscribed with shares of raw materials—all external purchases made by Allen Manor over the past year, ranging from high-grade magic crystals down to cement and sand. The lower section of the scroll was filled with various hypothetical sketches of formation patterns. The final sketch stopped abruptly right after a coffin was drawn. "Even though I didn't dare enter that performance hall, for certain places, even if you haven't actually gone inside, you can guess what's in there based on materials acquired from the outside. "And the more I analyzed it, the more terrified I felt... "Either he is suffering from grand delusions... "Or... "He is..." The skeleton shuddered, then rubbed its ribs as if picking its teeth. "Forget it, better head back and feed my little darling first. If I give it to you without training it properly, I'm afraid you'd smother it to death right away, and that would be such a pity." *** The teleportation formation hall of the Church of the Crypt's main city. "Ah, I smell the sweet, fresh scent of freedom," Neo sighed with feeling. Alfred quipped, "Is it not the sound of levers prying loose point coupons?" "Can that sound not bring joy?" Neo shot back. "Indeed, it brings great joy. By the way, Section Chief, did you read the detailed written report the young master sent back?" "I read it. It's just that he didn't provide any specific execution plans or notes." "I imagine the young master was concerned about intelligence leaks. Most messages sent out from here could fall into that skeleton's intelligence network." "I think it's more likely he couldn't be bothered to draw one up. He, you, and everyone else probably don't believe we can uncover that skeleton's identity so easily, so he didn't care to make grand plans for superficial investigative work. "Before we set out, Regional Chief Sus specifically stated that upon arriving here, all operations would follow Karen's command. In truth, though, carrying these tasks out will ultimately fall on your shoulders and Vic's." Standing behind them, Vic leaned forward slightly upon hearing his name mentioned. "Isn't that how it should be?" Alfred adjusted his cuffs. "The young master has already secured this opportunity for the special task force. He has already fulfilled his responsibilities; the rest naturally falls to us. If the young master had to do everything himself, what would be the point of having us?" "Right, well said," Vic offered his directive opinion. "Our general direction aligns, but I have a different take on the methodology," Neo said. "Alright, let me ask you one thing: knowing full well that Karen will go right on taking his afternoon nap, who takes the lead in the work ahead?" "After the young master, you hold the highest rank, so naturally we follow your lead." "Are you setting the groundwork for something, Alfred?" Neo furrowed his brows slightly. "I thought you would say we should listen to me because I'm the most experienced." "Is there really a difference?" "There is. If the premise is experience, I will always be the most experienced. But if it's based on rank, while I wasn't worried before, I'm genuinely concerned that in a little while your rank will be almost as high as mine. You're clearly laying the groundwork." "Lord Section Chief, you are being overly sensitive." "Is that so? Then shall we proceed according to my plan first?" "Yes, but we must consult the young master." "We'll consult him while we work so we don't waste time." "Very well, no problem." "Then I will now issue the orders! "Memphis, Mars, take the formation squad sent as reinforcements from the regional Formation Department and head to that hospital right away. Set up a communication formation to contact our church as quickly as possible, and completely clear out that hospital to set it up as our task force's temporary office. "Bart, Gendi, take your men immediately to apprehend all Church of the Crypt personnel in this Church Affairs Building responsible for the communication formations, and escort them back to the office for interrogation. "Muri, take a squad right now to find the Church of the Crypt official in charge in the Church Affairs Building and extract the location of that bone dragon. Not only are you to secure the bone dragon, but you must also arrest every single one of its handlers. "Vic, Ventura, go find the relevant Church of the Crypt official right now, ascertain the location of that replica Spear of Rebellion, and retrieve the murder weapon. "Blanche, Wende, head to the Twilight Hotel. There is another group of our church's Order priests there who came to participate in the selection event. Inform them that the Whip of Order is handling a case and requires them to immediately serve as temporary auxiliary members to assist us. Then lead them to take custody of the suspects and witnesses already held by the Church of the Crypt, and escort them back to our temporary office. "Philomena, you are responsible for locating the restaurant in the main city that makes the most delicious Wien cuisine, and putting it under surveillance." "Yes, sir!" "Understood!" After every single order Neo issued, someone stepped forward to acknowledge it. Sus had been very generous this time, providing truly massive support. Beyond Karen's squad, the Hound Squad, and the Gendi Squad—three groups clearly part of their old clique—as well as the formation squad, he had also organized two hundred core members of the Whip of Order from their region and sent them over together. At this moment, nearly three hundred priests clad in Order robes stood in the teleportation formation hall, exerting an overwhelming sense of oppression over passersby and local staff alike. Neo reiterated: "Our manpower is actually still insufficient, so our limited forces must be used to maximum effect: "Whenever you encounter any obstruction, buck-passing, stalling, or standoffs while carrying out official duties, you are authorized to resolve it swiftly with violence. Even if they outnumber you and you can't beat them, you still fight them! Either you beat them to death, or let them beat you to death! "Cast aside all hesitations and worries, and above all, do not bring your old work habits here. "Remember: "Our forebears turned the Church of the Crypt into our subsidiary church, not so that you could come here and act like sniveling lackeys! Adopt the mindset of the masters of this place! "Is that understood?!" "Understood!" "Understood!" *** "How did that sound?" Neo asked Alfred as he walked toward a carriage ahead. He and Alfred were heading out to meet up with Karen first. "It makes tremendous sense. You've shattered the limitations of my thinking," Alfred couldn't help but admire. "Since the outcome of the investigation is no longer important, the act of investigating becomes all-important. We take charge of stirring up massive momentum so that no matter what decisions or directives the higher-ups make, we will be able to implement and execute them thoroughly." "Exactly. That's why the higher-ups prefer using people from the Dinge Region to form task forces for outside investigations—people from the capital circle understand political coordination much better. "Besides, drumming up a massive fuss makes our next steps easier. It serves as a reminder to the dignitaries of the Church of the Crypt here in the main city to mind their hospitality and treat us to local delicacies. Even if we can't finish them on the spot, we can always pack them up to take home." Neo walked up to a driver and announced, "The Whip of Order is conducting official business. I hereby declare that all carriages belonging to you and your colleagues are requisitioned, effective immediately." "Yes, my lord." "Yes, my lord." All the carriage drivers and giant beetle drivers knelt prostrate on the ground. Just then, however, a wave of cold air pressed in. Ahead and off to the side, the figures of Karen and Augie appeared. Karen withdrew the hand that had been gripping Lady Augie's arm and rubbed his fingers lightly together. He suspected this female dragon had done it on purpose, unleashing such thick chill over such a short distance. "Hey, Karen!" Neo waved enthusiastically as he walked toward Karen. Karen looked at Neo and smiled faintly. "Good to see you, Deputy Task Force Leader Neo." Neo threw an arm around Karen's shoulders, pulling Karen down slightly, and whispered, "Hey, listen, don't you think you're being childish?" Karen replied, "Then guess which child I learned it from?" "Listen, the moment you asked for me by name, I knew what you were after. How about this: I'll take a hit, and we split the under-the-table proceeds fifty-fifty." "Thirty-seventy. Thirty for you, seventy for me." "Oh, what, are you the reincarnation of the old miser from *The Merchant of Yorktown*?" "Twenty-eighty." "Ha! Based on what?" "The fact that you're still in the mood for sarcastic metaphors proves thirty-seventy wasn't your bottom line. Twenty-eighty. It's settled." "Thirty-seventy! I'll work hard and make sure to sort out the baseline benefits for the batch of Dark Moon warriors you're about to take in." "Twenty-eighty. Being taken advantage of makes me feel terribly uncomfortable." "Given the relationship between the two of us..." "Being taken advantage of by *you* makes me feel even worse." "Heheheh, you're practically like a..." "Ten—" "Deal, you bastard!"