Brakes!

"Minister Neo." Leon walked over to the car door and faced Neo, who was sitting in the passenger seat smoking a cigarette. Neo pointed behind him. Leon looked over and saw a hiking backpack resting on the back seat. Opening the door, Leon leaned inside and unzipped the bag. His lips trembled slightly. Packed tightly inside was a fortune in Order coupons. "Minister, this is..." "That's the principal you lent me last time. I'm paying you back." "You made a profit?" Leon asked, slightly surprised. Neo flicked off the cigarette ash and said with utter disdain, "After heading up to the rooftop so many times, it was about time I had my moment of triumph." "But why in physical coupons...?" "It wasn't easy to win for once, so I wanted it to pack a punch. I went out of my way to cash it out into paper coupons for you. Handing you a card wouldn't feel the same at all." "Thank you." Leon had come into a massive inheritance at a young age, along with the pension payout from his family. He was in no shortage of coupons; in fact, all that wealth brought him not security, but a crushing burden. That was the very reason he had lent the coupons to Neo so readily in the first place. Rather than keeping them in his own hands, he would have preferred losing them all. Yet this time, not only had they not been lost, but they had returned with a hefty profit. "Sigh..." "Hey, hey, hey. Sighing like that is really crossing the line, don't you think?" Leon smiled. "My apologies, Minister. Do you still need coupons?" "You want to keep investing in me?" "Yes." "Investing carries risks. I can't guarantee a win every time..." "If you lose it all, just let me know." "Hmm?" "I still have more." "Damn it, what a bore. I really can't stand you rich playboys, acting like you're too refined to touch Wien bean paste." "Minister Karen doesn't seem to like bean paste either." "Right, right, right! Exactly him! That proper, well-mannered posture of his..." "Is something I should learn from." Neo's brow furrowed at those words, and he countered, "Don't you find it hypocritical?" "A person's energy is limited; no one can treat every single person with sincere devotion. Conducting oneself with propriety actually puts most people at ease." "Tch." "Minister, did you call me out just to pay back the coupons?" "Get in." "Yes, Minister." Leon slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. "Minister, are we heading to see Minister Karen? Something urgent seems to be happening right now—I can sense it." "The fact that he didn't notify me means either it's not urgent at all, or he has no use for me yet. I even suspect he thinks I'm mentally unstable right now and deliberately left me out." "How could that be? Anyone can see that you and Minister Karen... no, that Minister Karen and you have the closest relationship of all." "Precisely because we're close, that bastard is exclusively improper with me." "Still, if they need extra hands over there..." "They don't need you for now. Karen loves playing the hands-off boss, but when it comes to drafting operational mission plans, Alfred and Vic are on it. You can't squeeze into that circle. Do you know why?" "Because of my lack of seniority, and perhaps my competence..." "No, no, no. It's mostly about temperament and perspective. In Alfred's eyes, there is only his young master; everyone else is mere disposable window dressing. If people were ranked into classes in his mind, it would be determined solely by their closeness to his young master. "As for Vic, that kid always acts warm and agreeable in the department, but deep down, he looks down on everyone around him. No matter how harshly the former High Priest's student has been suppressed, he still considers himself above the rest. "People like that are suited for drafting mission plans, because more often than not, the toll of casualties must be calculated in advance. "With your personality, you can't stomach it. Not to mention, you haven't fully emerged from the shadow of your family's tragedy yet." "Minister, are you mentoring me? Thank you so much." "Don't thank me. My mind really is a little messed up right now; for all you know, the one talking to you just now wasn't even me." Neo gently pinched the bridge of his nose and urged, "Alright, drive. To the Imperial Library." "Yes, Minister." Leon pulled the car up to the entrance of the Imperial Library and followed Neo inside. To his surprise, Neo produced a premium membership pass—an heirloom handed down through his family. Thanks to it, Neo was granted a private reading room. It was a tiny space, surrounded on all sides by bookshelves and notes, with poems, prose, and fragmented ravings scrawled directly across the walls. Neo went and picked out four books, then stepped into the reading room. Casting a glance at Leon, he instructed, "Knock and call for me in three hours." "Oh, alright, Minister." To this moment, Leon still had no idea why Minister Neo had brought him to a library to read. If it had been the Church's internal archives, he could have understood, but this was plainly an ancient secular library, despite the word 'Imperial' in its name. *Did he bring me just to keep time?* Leon ordered a cup of tea, picked up two newspapers, and chose a seat by the window. He sat there for nearly three hours. When the time was almost up, he stretched. He had worked in an office before, so passing the time with tea and newspapers was second nature to him. He had simply never expected that after the disaster that befell his household, he would once again experience such a leisurely afternoon. Standing up, Leon walked toward Minister Neo's reading room. *Knock, knock...* There was no response from inside. After a moment's hesitation, Leon opened the door. To his utter shock, he saw that Minister Neo was not alone—there were four people inside! Seated at the head was an imposing, white-haired elderly man dressed in a casual loungewear robe. His gaze carried overwhelming majesty as he read a book in his hands, radiating a terrifying pressure. It felt as though at any moment, he might lift his gaze from the page and sweep it across you, and the instant he did, you would feel an irresistible impulse to drop to your knees in worship. This was the aura of a supreme ruler, so intricate and so vivid. Leon was the grandson of the Head Bishop, starting out far higher than his peers, and he had seen his fair share of important figures. Yet not a single one had ever exerted such crushing pressure on him. Beside the majestic elder sat an emaciated, red-haired man. At first glance he seemed middle-aged, but a closer look revealed countless marks left by the passage of time—he was exceedingly ancient... He was clearly very old, yet looked young—an intensely eerie contradiction. With a book resting on his lap, the red-haired man leaned forward, wearing a faint smile, staring straight ahead. At the sight of him, Leon's scalp prickled. He was certain that if the man merely glanced at him from the corner of his eye, all the blood in his body would be instantly drawn out. In fact, just looking at him made the blood flowing through Leon's veins naturally grind to a sluggish crawl. An incomparably majestic and sacred elder, and an incomparably sinister and eerie man... As for the third person, he appeared much more normal—or rather, he made one feel remarkably at ease. Holding a book in his hands, he was smiling. His smile was so warm and healing that it felt as if no matter what sorrow you had endured, his guidance alone could restore your confidence and courage. He was not very old and appeared quite composed. Perhaps it was his presence that granted Leon a moment to catch his breath; otherwise, Leon might have slammed the door shut and collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. The fourth person was Minister Neo. He leaned back against the wall with a cigarette dangling from his lips, looking like an outsider to this reading club. The corners of his eyes and mouth betrayed a hint of disdain, as though he couldn't stand the posturing of the other three, yet was powerless to stop it. Finally, Neo turned his head, looked at Leon, and nodded, gesturing for him to step outside. Leon promptly closed the door, turned around, and slid down against it until he was sitting on the floor. *What was that just now? An illusion?* Yet every single detail had been unmistakably real. Leon felt his mouth go parched and his vision swim. He tried to stand back up, but his legs gave way, and he stumbled to the floor. ... Inside the reading room, Leon's interruption—or reminder—allowed Neo to regain his awareness of time. He clapped his hands and said, "Alright, that's enough for this reading session. My point is very simple: I can tolerate your existence, but I'm sorry, I will not allow you to usurp control over my consciousness. "Yes, it's true, I gained a boost in power from you, but I will not become your slave. "I'm a man used to my freedom. The woman I loved most departed this world long ago. Living right now is just about seeking a few more sensory experiences in life. Besides, whether I end up in heaven or hell after suicide, I'm worried my wife will chew me out if I really do meet her again. "Fine... as an adherent of Order, I shouldn't be spouting things that violate doctrine. But in short, I am living earnestly for my wife. Don't give me an excuse to seek release. "Mind you, this isn't a threat; I'm serving you a final notice. "I won't tell you why, but you should be able to sense that I'm not bluffing. After all, you are me, and I am you. "Listen well: if you dare try to control my thoughts or hijack my personality again... I will make every single one of you a slave of Order!" *Worst comes to worst, I'll go find Karen and let him orderize me!* *Once orderized, I will cease to exist, but as for you lot—heh, you'll all end up as that kid's 'dolls.' He might deny it, but he definitely has a collector's streak.* The Last Pope and the Bloodthirsty Aberrant Demon Ancestor both set down their books, and their figures vanished. Only Neo and Philias remained in the reading room. Neo looked toward Philias. "I'm sorry. I really couldn't handle them on my own, so I had to ask you to come out again." Philias gave a warm smile. "Why are you being so polite with me? We've known each other for so long, after all." "How have you been lately? Drifting on the high seas aboard Dorons with your companions must be quite pleasant." "It is pleasant for me, but for you, such a voyage would consist of nothing but salty seawater and bird droppings raining down constantly." "Hahaha, maybe one day I'll head out to sea to look for you." "No, you won't, Neo. That day will never come for you, because each of us has our own unique form of exile." "You're always like this, Philias. Honestly, it's a pity you haven't met Karen. If the two of you were together, exchanging polite courtesies back and forth, it would definitely be hilarious." "I think it would be rather dull. After all, very few people enjoy spending time with someone who is too similar to themselves." "No, you and he are different." "Oh? It seems he is a friend you cherish deeply—perhaps even more than our bond." "Yes." "That's wonderful, Neo. I had thought you would be lonely after I departed." "I apologize. If they behave themselves moving forward, I won't trouble you to come out and host this reading club again. "It sounds a bit childish, but even though we both know you are a personality I fragmented into, I firmly believe you have already set sail aboard Dorons, embarking on a joyful journey. I don't want to drag you away from your companions; they would definitely blame me." "We are friends, aren't we, Neo?" Philias stepped up to Neo and lightly tapped his shoulder with a fist. "Would you ever speak so politely to Karen?" "Of course not." "Well then, I've been outdone. It's a little heartbreaking, considering we've spent over a decade together, haha. Alright, I hear the horn blowing. My companions are calling for me; we're about to set off for our next destination. "This world is vast—so vast that even Light must chase after it bit by bit. Yet this world is also small, for wherever you go, you can see Light's smile. "Praise... the true Light." Neo waved his hand and replied, "Praise Order." "Where is the suffix?" Philias asked. "He doesn't like adding the suffix." "Perhaps I really should meet him." "I don't omit the suffix because of him, though. It's just that lately, every time I say 'Praise the God of Order,' I feel like he's taking advantage of me." "That's... a bit complicated." Philias looked toward the seats previously occupied by the Last Pope and the Bloodthirsty Aberrant Demon Ancestor. "We cannot let them learn of Karen's existence." "Naturally." "Farewell. Next time you miss me but don't want to disturb me, go to the seashore, my friend. The ocean breeze will carry my greetings to you!" Philias waved, and his form dissipated. *Crack!* Neo tilted his neck back, producing a crisp pop. When other people suffered from split personalities, they turned into raving lunatics with disordered thoughts and incoherent babbling. In his case, these fragmented personalities took turns trying to preach and lecture him. Pushing the door open, he stepped out and saw Leon lying on the floor. Neo reached down and pulled him up. "Minister, just now..." "You didn't see anything." "I just slipped..." "Mm, very good." "Where are we going now...?" "To the Church Affairs Building. I want to spend some point coupons on cigarettes and liquor. By the way, do you know how to cook?" "A little." At that answer, Neo recalled the 'dough-wrapped meatball wontons' Leon had prepared with his own hands at the funeral. "Never mind. Let's take the ingredients back and have Karen's maid cook them. They're bought with point coupons, after all—can't let them go to waste." "Minister Karen is quite skilled at cooking..." "Are you going to ask him to cook?" "Uh... I-I wouldn't dare." "How about this: see that pillar over there? Ram your head into it. If you die on impact, we'll hold your funeral tonight, and then he'll have no choice but to cook in person." "Minister, you..." "Alright, let's go. To the Church Affairs Building." Leon drove Neo to the front of the Church Affairs Building, where the point coupon shop was located. After pulling the handbrake, Leon felt a little helpless. Everyone else was probably scrambling with urgent matters right now, yet here he was, accompanying Minister Neo on a trip to read books and buy groceries... Still, he didn't dislike it. Rather than forcing oneself to find work just to appear busy, it was far better to squander time with undivided focus. Just as Neo was about to get out, he froze. He spotted a blonde girl with a lollipop in her mouth, shouldering a large pack as she walked out of the teleportation array hall exit of the Church Affairs Building. The girl flagged down a taxi. While the driver helped load her backpack, she turned around and gave the Church Affairs Building the middle finger. The gesture was subtle, but Neo caught it. Furthermore, he noticed that the taxi was actually a modified spellcraft vehicle. As an expert in vehicle modification, Neo had a sharp eye. To spend such an enormous sum just to disguise a vehicle as an ordinary taxi—whose family was so ridiculously lavish? After the taxi pulled away, another car drove out from the grounds. "Cut them off." "Oh, right!" Leon honked the horn immediately. The car attempting to tail the taxi stopped, and two Whip of Order operatives stepped out. Upon seeing Neo, both of them were startled and saluted at once. "Minister!" "What's going on?" "Reporting, Minister! There were irregularities on the identity registration card she filled out to use the teleportation array, and we also noticed suspicious behavior from her inside the hall. We were preparing to tail her for investigation." The Whip of Order was certainly not useless. When Karen went to the Dinge Region, he had noticed this girl, and the Whip of Order personnel assigned to monitor the regional teleportation array hall had also picked up on her peculiarities. "Head back. I'll tail her myself." "Minister, how could we trouble you to—" "Shut up and cut the nonsense. I'm trying to keep you alive. She was just provoking us; if you go, I'm afraid she'll hang you up like ornaments." With that, Neo shoved Leon. "Take the coupons and get out. Remember to buy the goods and bring them back. We're having a dinner gathering tonight." "Yes, understood." Once the coupons were retrieved, Neo floored the gas pedal and gave chase. Not far into the drive, Neo noticed that the taxi had activated a concealment array. "Heh." Neo activated the concealment array on his own VIP car as well. ... "My lady, you guessed wrong. The Order operatives haven't followed us." "Heh." Seated in the back, Miliwen merely chuckled. "Is this the kind of attitude you maintain while pulling off something this monumental on Order's turf?" "My lady?" "I'm even beginning to suspect Order might already know what you're doing." "But there are no trackers behind us—none of their Whip of Order..." "I made myself so obvious in the array hall, and my registration card had blatant loopholes, yet they showed no interest in me? I don't believe the Whip of Order in Yorktown are a bunch of fools who could be that careless." "Does my lady mean they deliberately avoided alerting us because they're already setting up a trap? How could that be?" "Why couldn't it be? Though you did get one thing wrong." Miliwen retrieved a makeup compact from her pocket, opened the lid, and angled the small mirror toward the rear. The mirror showed a blurry reflection, but a wisp of blue aura was visible—the fluctuation of an active array. "A high-grade spellcraft vehicle is tailing us." "My lady, does that mean they haven't actually realized what we're up to?" "Idiot. Has the Church of Order become so extravagant that they deploy a modified vehicle of that caliber for any routine surveillance?" "My lady, this..." "Pull over up ahead." "Pull over?" "Follow orders. Since he took the initiative to follow, I might as well have a chat with him." "Yes, my lady." The driver pulled the car to the side of the road and canceled the concealment spell, revealing the taxi once more. Miliwen stepped out, retrieved another lollipop from her pocket, peeled off the wrapper, and popped it into her mouth. A faint frictional humming already reached her ears, indicating that the pursuing car was drawing closer and closer. Miliwen gazed at the surrounding scenery while sucking on her lollipop. *Sigh, there's really nothing to see—a filthy human industrial city, a grotesque aesthetic monstrosity.* *The world today is so vastly different from the world depicted in the murals.* *Sigh, I truly don't understand why Order insists on protecting humanity to the point of letting them become like this.* *Fortunately, before long, this world will return to the right track—back to how it was in the last epoch. No, back to how it was several epochs ago.* *Only gods can paint across time; undisciplined, unrestrained mortals only know how to scrawl chaotic graffiti.* "Hmm?" Miliwen's brows knit slightly, and her ears twitched. She sensed that the frictional humming hadn't ceased—instead, it was accelerating. *What is this? Not slowing down, but speeding up?* Miliwen looked ahead down the highway. Though nothing was visible, a violent air current had already formed. *Damn it! I willingly stopped the car to talk to him, and not only does he refuse to stop, he's flooring the pedal!* *Screeech—!!* A piercing sonic boom blasted through the air, carrying terrifying kinetic force. Miliwen flashed away in an instant, clearing the taxi's vicinity. The very next moment— *BOOM!* Under the tremendous impact, the taxi warped and crushed into scrap, and the driver still sitting inside was instantly pulverized into paste. Finally, a VIP car materialized from transparency, sporting only a slight dent in its front bumper. Neo, who had just caused a catastrophic traffic collision, showed not a shred of guilt. Instead, he rolled down the window, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, looked at Miliwen standing by the roadside, and raised his middle finger at her as well. "If I told you the brakes failed, would you believe me?"