A section had been cordoned off inside the teleportation array hall of the Yorktown Church Affairs Building. Warning tape was stretched across the area, and staff members stood outside, urging passersby to keep their distance.
People were accustomed to such sights; everyone understood that some important figure was arriving.
As several teleportation arrays flashed in alternation, batches of Order priests stepped out from the formation circles.
Karen took a deep breath. Having left the subterranean world behind, he genuinely felt the air here was pleasant. He even felt an impulse to run out into the street and take a deep lungful of car exhaust.
However, he still had things to do right now.
He turned around and looked at the crowd.
The Whip of Order priests, who had been stretching their limbs after the teleportation, all instinctively snapped to attention, and all whispering ceased.
Karen spoke, "Our mission this time was completed very smoothly. This wouldn't have been possible without everyone's dedication and hard work. When the stipend is disbursed next month, remember to check your accounts."
"Thank you, Section Chief!"
"Thanks, Section Chief!"
Cheers immediately erupted.
Those in the know understood this was a company of Whip of Order priests; those who didn't might think a band of thieves was holding a loot-dividing meeting. Yet such straightforward methods often won people's loyalty much faster.
Now that his prestige and status had reached a certain height, what he lacked was operational control at the grassroots level. Karen's plan was to firmly take hold of the Yorktown Whip of Order and make it his true base of support.
Sus tacitly accepted this situation as well; all he needed was for Karen to help him get the work done and produce political achievements. Everything else was fair game.
At that moment, Karen saw Head Bishop Bern's attendant standing there, looking at him.
"Alfred, take everyone back and arrange the transfer of the wounded to the hospital as soon as possible."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Let's go, let's go, meow, taking you home!" Purr leaped onto Little Kangna's head. Kangna's white hair was a great favorite of hers—though another reason, of course, was that she didn't dare jump onto Karen's head.
Karen glanced at Kangna, smiled, and nodded.
Seeing this, Purr asked in confusion, "Mm, still got business?"
With that, Purr hopped onto Kevin's back. "Stupid dog, let's go home first and make a nest for Kangna."
What a warm, thoughtful remark—instantly shutting down any possibility of Kangna sleeping on the bed.
Karen led Kangna toward the attendant, who bowed to him. "Thank you for your hard work, Section Chief Karen."
"The Head Bishop wants to see me?"
"Yes, the Head Bishop invites you over for tea."
"Alright."
The private elevator went straight to the top floor. Stepping into the newly renovated, spacious office, both the lighting and the layout were impeccable. The only flaw was perhaps that the desk, which should have been positioned centrally facing the room, was tucked away in an inner corner.
Bern was currently sitting behind the desk, puffing on a cigar.
Without asking Karen, the attendant placed a glass of ice water on the coffee table and stepped out.
Karen released Kangna's hand and gestured for her to sit on the sofa. Kangna was very obedient.
Bern raised the cigar in his hand and asked, "Care for one?"
Karen shook his head. "I never saw you smoke before."
"In the past, I didn't dare have any hobbies. Now that I can live in the sunlight, I have much more leisure."
"With where your desk is placed, are you sure you're living in the sunlight?"
"Everything requires an adjustment period. I've already had the black curtains taken down. If you'd come here last week, you would have found it gloomy."
"Have you felt any sense of loss, then? I know many retirees who can't get used to retirement, aging rapidly or even falling ill."
"It's fine. This position is a new challenge for me."
"Come on, you probably won't have another chance to move up in this lifetime. The Dinge Region is out of reach."
"Indeed. But you're different. Even though you and I are currently dubbed the smelliest, hardest pickle vats in the York City Region, you're still young. Youth means limitless possibilities, especially in the turbulent era that is bound to follow, where many old rules and shackles will be shattered.
Is this that little bone dragon?"
"Yes."
"Looks like she's still in her infancy. How big is her true form?"
"About ten meters."
"Tsk, I'll expedite the paperwork quickly. In the coming days, you can take her to the research institute first. I recall one of your squad members has family working at this region's Monster Beast Research Institute."
"Yes. I've already sent her home to notify her parents to prepare."
"Sigh, this is quite a heavy financial burden."
"The region pays?"
"Who else?" Bern stretched lazily. "The Holy See's current thinking is that they want to centralize power while simultaneously dumping more responsibilities on the regional branches."
"The tone you're using sounds a bit like Head Bishop Wolflen."
"Heh, yes, I've felt it too. This chair isn't easy to sit in. Tell me about your mission this time. How was it? I heard blows were exchanged over there, and a knight order was deployed."
"Yes, there was a battle, but everything went smoothly without any setbacks."
"Did you like that place?" Bern asked suddenly.
"The Church of the Crypt?"
"Not just that religion. What I mean is the cultural atmosphere there, heh."
"No."
"I figured you wouldn't."
"What are you actually trying to say?"
Bern replied with deep meaning, "The reason I chose to step into the shadows back then was precisely because I wanted to protect the world under the sunlight."
Karen pressed his lips together.
"You should understand what I mean by that. We always doubt it in our adolescence, come to understand it in our youth, and then spend the rest of our lives defending it.
Many environmental descriptions in mythic narratives inspire yearning, making people picture them involuntarily.
Yet let them remain only in imagination and artistic expression; under no circumstances should they ever return."
"Is that what you wanted to tell me?"
"Yes. I believe you can understand it, and it's quite necessary, isn't it?"
"That's true."
"Alright. Go back, rest up, and then get to work. Oh, right—a delegation from the Church of the Desert will be coming to attend a conference soon. You'll be in charge of the security detail."
"Again?"
"The significance is different this time. The split between the Church of the Desert and the Desert Church has reached an irreconcilable point; I even suspect a war of schism will break out soon.
You can think of it as the Church of the Desert coming to seek our aid.
For a secret conference of this level, the Whip of Order must assign someone specifically in charge, and naturally, that has to be you."
"Understood."
Karen gestured to Kangna. Kangna hopped off the sofa, took Karen's hand, and the two walked out together.
While in the elevator, Kangna spoke up, "He looked at me like I was merchandise. I didn't like it."
"It's fine, bear with it for now. Your rations will have to be approved by him in the future. When the time comes, eat extra, and consider the grudge settled."
Little Kangna pondered this for a moment and nodded; she found it made a lot of sense.
The attendant in the elevator could only keep a smile on his face, pretending he hadn't heard a word.
Leaving the Church Affairs Building, Karen hailed a taxi. Instead of returning to headquarters, he went to a cafe.
Through the glass, he saw Xinyali sitting inside, stirring her coffee with a spoon.
When Karen entered, Xinyali rose to greet him. Karen and Kangna sat down together.
"Would you like something to drink?" Xinyali asked. "Ice water?"
Karen shook his head, then asked Kangna, "Would you like to try some of the food here?"
Kangna answered, "Purr said there's delicious food at home, and everything outside is low-grade garbage."
"Mhm."
It had to be said that the little bone dragon's language skills had improved considerably lately. Purr deserved much of the credit, but with her teaching by word and deed, it was inevitable that the little bone dragon would probably walk the path of a pampered young miss in the future.
"I'm quite surprised that you asked to meet me in advance," Xinyali said.
"Is it that surprising? Did you forget we're partners?"
"But you had your manservant handle our affairs long ago. Besides, with your current status and position..."
"My apologies. In my heart, I've always recognized your capabilities and felt proud to have a Church of Principles partner like you. It's just that I've been too busy with work."
"It's fine, I understand. So is there something specific this time?"
"It's here." Karen handed an envelope to Xinyali. "In the envelope, I've listed a few matters I need your help investigating. They're rather sensitive, but I believe the Church of Principles should have relevant archival records, though it might require tapping into some personal connections of your teacher and yourself."
Xinyali touched the envelope and nodded earnestly.
Karen continued, "As for the cost and price paid, calculate it yourself, and I'll compensate you in our future partnerships."
"That's no problem. Since it's a rare occasion where you've come in person to ask for an investigation, I'll certainly do my best to look into it thoroughly."
"Keep a low profile," Karen reminded her. "Once you see the contents of the letter, you'll understand."
"Alright, understood. Anything else?"
"Nothing else."
Xinyali carefully put the envelope away, then looked at Kangna with a faint smile and asked, "The little bone dragon?"
"You keep such close track of my affairs?"
"Of course. I truly consider you a partner. Can she transform?"
"She can."
Kangna looked at the older girl before her, who had bobbed hair framing her face and wore thick glasses, and for once, showed no signs of displeasure.
"I'm envious of you. You'll be able to keep a dragon by your side. I've always had romantic notions about dragons."
"I used to, as well."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing. It's better to keep your illusions."
If she could witness the scenes of dragons being slaughtered and kneeling en masse, those illusions would probably shatter instantly.
"What I meant was, if I want to study her in the future, would that be alright? I mean completely normal research, just through conversation."
"You can consult her opinion on that through Alfred. She and I are equals; she's my companion, and not just in the polite, superficial sense."
"Oh, alright. What's her name?"
"Kangna."
"Miss Kangna, hello." Xinyali stood up and extended her hand to Kangna.
Kangna sat there without reacting.
Karen explained, "She dislikes useless socializing."
"I understand. My apologies, Miss Kangna."
"If you want to get along with her, you can look up information regarding the Rebel Dragon God. She'll be interested in that."
"Thank you for the advice. I will."
"That's all for now, then. Goodbye."
"Goodbye. Once I have results from the investigation, I'll contact your manservant right away."
"Alright."
Karen extended his hand for a handshake.
Xinyali was somewhat surprised, but reached out to shake Karen's hand nonetheless.
Karen glanced at her fingers, then let go.
Leaving the cafe, Karen stood by the roadside and began to breathe.
Kangna mimicked Karen, half-closing her eyes and inhaling the car exhaust drifting from across the street.
"We still need to go to one more place," Karen said.
"Let's go, then." Kangna was indifferent.
"Very likely, at that place, we'll find the owner of that skeleton."
"What about this place?" Kangna turned her head, looking back at the cafe behind them. She was sharp and perceptive.
"Not her," Karen said. "I just ruled her out."
"Too profound, don't get it."
"On to the next one, then. There weren't many suspects to begin with. Do you want to see her?"
Kangna shook her head.
"I want to see her." Karen's eyes narrowed slightly. "To meet the person who has seen every detail of my private life clearly."
Karen hailed another taxi and gave the address.
Soon, the taxi stopped in front of an upscale apartment building. The two walked inside and took the elevator.
The elevator stopped at the eighth floor. Karen walked up to an apartment and rang the doorbell.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Madame."
"Oh, Mr. Karen!"
Madame Laike excitedly opened the door. She was wearing pajamas and hadn't changed, but upon seeing Karen, she stepped forward and hugged him.
She genuinely missed Karen. During the period after her husband passed away, Karen had given her true support; she had long since regarded Karen as family.
As for the pajamas or pressing her body against him, Madame Laike couldn't care less. She had long understood the character of the man before her, so there was nothing to avoid. If he were truly that kind of person, the big-bottomed maid previously in the house would have been devoured by him long ago.
"I'm very sorry. I've been extremely busy lately and couldn't come visit you. I feel ashamed."
Kangna looked up at Karen, seemingly trying to distinguish between Karen's sincerity when facing her and his current pretense.
"No, no, no, your work is what's most important. Please don't say that."
Karen was ushered into the living room by Madame Laike. After sitting down, Karen asked Madame Laike, who was preparing refreshments:
"Where are Dora and Doreen?"
"Their teacher just took them downstairs. Said they were going to pick out paint. They just left—right before you arrived."
"Oh, is that so?"
"They should be back soon. The teacher has a car."
"Is it still that same teacher?"
"Yes, she's been Dora and Doreen's tutor since back at the funeral parlor. You know her—Miss Daishan."
"Yes, I remember her."
After that, Karen sat in the living room chatting with Madame Laike, showing no intention of leaving.
Kangna sat by herself, flipping through the twin sisters' sketchbooks.
Finally, as dusk approached, the sound of the door opening came from the entryway.
The twin sisters, Dora and Doreen, came in carrying paint boxes. When they saw Karen, the two girls immediately dropped everything in their hands and threw themselves into his arms.
Karen gently patted their backs, soothing their excited emotions.
They had once suffered immense agony from contamination. It was Karen's arrival that had freed them from their torment, and for a long time, they had needed to soak in the bathwater Karen had used in order to suppress the contamination.
*Jingle...*
The sound of a keychain came from the door.
Kangna kept her head down, continuing to look through the sketchbook without any reaction.
Karen, however, looked up at the newcomer. Teacher Daishan, smiling with pleasant surprise, said, "Mr. Karen, you're here! It's been quite a while since we last saw each other."
"Is that so? Didn't we see each other not long ago?"
Hearing Karen's words, Kangna closed the sketchbook and looked at Teacher Daishan.
Teacher Daishan asked somewhat blankly, "Did you see me while shopping somewhere? Why didn't you come over and say hello?"
"I have something I'd like to discuss with you. Could we speak in private?"
"Oh, certainly. Is it about my work?" In theory, Daishan's tutoring job was paid by Alfred.
Karen stood up. Kangna stood up as well, but Karen shook his head at her, indicating she should stay put.
Then Karen walked into the apartment's study.
The home Alfred had found for Madame Laike's family was naturally far from cramped.
Teacher Daishan waved to Dora and Doreen, then stepped into the study as well.
The study door closed.
Karen stood before the window with his back to her.
Daishan sighed and sat on the edge of the desk. She was wearing a yellow floral-print dress, and her figure was naturally on the fuller side; this posture immediately put her shapely, fleshy thighs on display.
This voluptuous figure had been Alfred's "hiring criteria" back then;
for example, the maid's ample buttocks and the tutor's curvy build had all been selected by Alfred according to his young master's supposed tastes.
Teacher Daishan smiled. "I never imagined that you could trace back and find me through my lost puppet. It really frightened me back then, and it led me to make an erroneous deceptive choice."
"That's normal," Karen turned around and looked at her. "When plotting against others, you must be prepared for the consequences."
"You just returned to Yorktown, right? And you came straight here?"
"Yes."
"So eager. Didn't you think to make proper arrangements to make capturing me easier?"
"Making arrangements would alert you. In fact, my arrival already alerted you. But I believed that as long as I waited here, you would definitely come up to meet me."
"And you were also certain I wouldn't threaten Dora and Doreen's safety, which is why you chose to lay your cards on the table right here in this home?"
"Yes, exactly."
"You see, we've barely interacted a few times, yet we converse like old friends."
"Perhaps."
"Then what is your demand? Capture me, torture me, or kill me?" Teacher Daishan tilted her head. "Or do you intend to cooperate with me? I can help you rise through the ranks of the Church of Order much faster."
Karen reached up to adjust his collar, facing Daishan squarely with a faint smile. "I'd like to beg a favor of you."
Teacher Daishan nodded. "I knew that once we met face-to-face, all conflict would settle into this kind of substantive exchange of interests. After all, we're both adults, heh. I'm certainly willing to help you. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask—just don't use the word 'beg.' Being able to serve you is my honor."
"I still have to use 'beg.' I'm accustomed to it."
"Well then, you call the shots. So, what are you begging me to do?"
"I'm begging you to die."
Chapter 647