"Young Master, this subordinate believes that no matter what, we must fight with everything we have for this position of Corps Commander."
When Alfred learned the news, a faint, dark red gleam even flickered deep within his eyes, showing just how excited he was inside.
The original plan had been a two-pronged approach: one hand steering the Yorktown Region's reforms, and the other managing the militia regiments—using the revenue generated by the militia to subsidize and sustain the reform process.
Yet as the wider situation shifted, circumstances changed. Although the reforms were still proceeding methodically, triumphant reports kept pouring in from the militia regiments. As things stood now, primary and secondary priorities had practically reversed.
Leon voiced some concern. "Still, for a Whip of Order corps of such magnitude, being a Regional Chief is probably just the bare-minimum threshold to enter consideration, isn't it?"
This time, the entire Whip of Order apparatus was going all-in. It was safe to say that virtually every big shot in the system beneath the Whip-Wielder would be tempted.
In the face of such ferocious competition, one could well imagine the difficulty of seizing the post of Corps Commander.
Vic chimed in, "I think our Regional Chief stands a chance of competing for it. Otherwise, the Whip-Wielder's secretary wouldn't have gone out of his way to call in advance."
Leon countered, "Couldn't it just be a gesture of goodwill born of the habitual tacit understanding recently developed between the Secretary-General and our Regional Chief?"
Vic spread his hands. "A hook with bait you actually have a shot at biting is a gesture of goodwill; dangling an empty hook only breeds resentment and ruins the good rapport built between two people. I don't think that Secretary-General would offer mere empty promises.
"He must have obtained more intelligence on some front, leading him to believe our Regional Chief is qualified to make a bid."
Leon asked, "Is it because the Regional Chief advised the Whip-Wielder not to change the militia regiments' leadership if they want to maintain this promising momentum, and the Whip-Wielder agreed?"
"No, I don't think it's purely because of that. Besides, based on our Regional Chief's description of what happened, the Whip-Wielder never truly gave a firm agreement. Even if he did, it wouldn't count now. Back then, there were only two militia regiments, numbering just two thousand troops. Compared to the impending expansion, there's simply no comparison in either quantity or quality."
Karen swirled the glass of ice water in his hand, listening to his three secretaries debate without rushing to speak.
Vic looked toward Karen. "Regional Chief, no matter what, it's impossible for Muri to take that seat."
A candidate for Corps Commander had to command universal respect; Muri clearly lacked the presence to hold down such a massive stage.
Leon chimed in, "Indeed. After all, that's a force we built ourselves. We can't just hand over command like that, can we?"
Karen turned his gaze toward Leon.
Alfred immediately interjected, "If higher-ups ultimately decide on a new Corps Commander, the command will still have to be surrendered. There is a war going on at the front, Leon; you need to possess that level of awareness."
It seemed like a rebuke, but it was actually salvaging Leon's slip.
Although the four men in the office were currently plotting their grab for power and advantage, they could not afford any missteps on the broader picture. They could not incite the Yorktown militia to disobey directives or defy orders just because they failed to secure the post; Alfred understood his young master's bottom line.
Neo at the front also grasped this logic. That was why, when he previously slipped off to excavate the Desert Forebears' tomb, he had used the pretext of pursuing remnants rather than simply absconding. Before that, lacking a suitable opportunity or justification, he had dutifully led his regiment and obeyed instructions.
Leon nodded at once. "Right, of course. I spoke out of turn."
Karen finally spoke up: "Considering our current interests and future development, contending for this position is inevitable. But the biggest problem right now is that I lack confidence in my ability to command such a massive army corps."
Certain things could be picked up quickly, and Karen's aptitude for learning was beyond doubt. However, not every skill could be rushed. Formations, for instance—advanced formations required the accumulation of time and experience. Warfare was the same.
Karen did not believe that simply perusing a few books on church warfare and skimming through military records would teach him how to fight a campaign.
If he went through all the trouble to seize the post only to suffer defeat or heavy losses due to his own improper command, that would mean tens of thousands of believers' lives.
Vic licked his lips. He instinctively wanted to chuckle—*damn it, Boss, you're actually worried about that at a time like this?*
Yet the urge to laugh quickly faded, replaced by genuine admiration for Karen's prudence.
On the path of chasing power and ambition, the man he followed had always remained sober-minded.
Leon said, "Regional Chief, you have many capable assistants."
Karen shook his head. "Count Ricar comes from a pirate background, and Purr is an adventurer leader. Once the numbers scale up, their command experience simply won't suffice. Kevin's breadth of knowledge is unquestionable, but it never even founded its own god cult back then; it can't handle high-level military command either.
"As for Muri, Ventura, Barth, and the others... there's even less need to mention them.
"Leading a squad, leading a small team, or leading a militia regiment is an entirely different concept from leading a ten-thousand-man army corps."
Vic nodded. "True. Outside of the knight orders, commanding talent of that caliber is almost impossible to find."
The knight order system had its own dedicated framework for training and honing officers. Trying to find such people outside the knight orders was frankly unrealistic. After all, throughout this era, the early stage had been defined by the confrontation between Order and Light; ever since the demise of Light, Order had enforced the *Code of Order*, meaning protracted, full-scale wars between orthodox god cults had not occurred for a very long time.
The occasional friction or short-lived conflict was invariably handled by the knight orders. For outsiders—even someone in Karen's position as Regional Chief—mobilizations usually revolved around small squads.
The only reason the recent 'First Day War' between Order and Samsara had been fought so cleanly and decisively was that three ancient commanders from the First Knight Order had been awakened in advance to draft the battle plan.
When Samsara was being suppressed by the Moon God Church, Order had even helped awaken a Samsara fleet commander just to balance the scales and force both sides to bleed more heavily.
Yet the problem was, even if Karen possessed the ability to 'awaken' such figures and could sustain their presence for long periods, where would he find the corpses? It wasn't as though he could sneak into the First Knight Order's grounds and dig them up.
Leon spoke up: "Regional Chief, I don't think you need to worry so much on this front. You have no experience commanding a large army corps, but do the other contenders? You're worried you might not do well, but the other contenders might do even worse. In that case, it's far better to keep the initiative in your own hands."
Vic burst into laughter upon hearing this. "Hahaha, that actually makes a lot of sense."
Alfred asked, "Young Master, doesn't Neo know how to wage war?"
"Neo?" Karen paused. "I made him a militia commander so he could help me rob graves."
"Young Master, Neo is currently capable of reading and inheriting the memories of those figures in his mind. In the past, he could only read Mr. Philias, but judging by recent developments, he can read the others as well. Otherwise, there is no explaining the rapid surge in his strength lately."
"And?"
"When you arranged for Neo to serve as militia commander, this subordinate deliberately used your current authority to review confidential internal records, mainly investigating the Mad Pope's dossier.
"After concluding his time as an exchange student at Order University, the Mad Pope entered the Temple Order of Light system. Not long after, he was dispatched to the proxy war between Light and Order, rising from a staff officer to a military consultant.
"By the late stages of that theater, the Mad Pope was practically directing the war, and he directed it exceptionally well.
"Later on, he personally commanded several other proxy wars on multiple occasions and took part in Light's invasions and annexations of other god cults. During that period, Light's momentum briefly suppressed our Order, turning the landscape of the church circle into Light taking the offensive while Order remained on the defensive.
"Furthermore, the Mad Pope's rise to the papacy was inseparable from the robust backing of the Temple Order of Light."
The Temple Order of Light had been akin to the Order Knight Order—the armed forces of the Church of Light. In other words, the Mad Pope possessed a military background.
Alfred continued, "Because of this, when the Mad Pope went mad, the blow to the Temple Order was the most devastating, plunging them straight into confusion. When internal strife and schisms broke out within Light, the Temple Elders attempted to mobilize the Temple Order to quell the turmoil and suppress internal rebel factions, but the Temple Order ignored them entirely. Ultimately, amid a cascade of apathy, disorientation, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering by major god cults, the towering edifice of Light collapsed in short order.
"However, that happened later. The Mad Pope's problem lay in his theological cognition, but his earlier career track record is genuine. I believe someone capable of overseeing an entire theater of war should have no issue commanding an army corps.
"In addition, this subordinate researched the bloodthirsty aberrant demon forebear residing in Neo's mind. Today, secular literature and art are brimming with vampire stories and legends, the vast majority of which trace back to that protracted war.
"Back then, the bloodthirsty aberrant demons sought to establish a secular bloodkin nation, briefly stirring up quite a movement. This ultimately drew the attention of the orthodox god cults. Several joined forces to wage a prolonged religious war across both secular and church circles.
"In the end, the bloodthirsty aberrant demons' grand ambitions were shattered. The once-mighty race fractured into scattered families, retreating into hiding in dark corners of the world to survive in obscurity.
"Yet during that long war, that bloodthirsty aberrant demon forebear was a frontline commander. While it is difficult to verify his exact battle record, one entry is exceedingly clear: his surrender was conditional. In exchange for surrendering, he obtained self-sealing rather than obliteration, along with the continuation of his family lineage.
"Given the orthodox churches' temperament, they are usually merciless toward adversaries. That is especially true when handling aberrant demons—often treating them just like the natives of the Pioneering Space, eradicating them completely whenever possible.
"The fact that the god cults accepted his surrender proves he was a figure capable of causing them immense headaches. Had he refused to yield, the war could have dragged on, inflicting an even steeper cost on the god cults.
"If Commander Neo can access and inherit the memories of these two..."
Karen rubbed his chin, countering, "Alfred, are you suggesting Neo is also a god of war?"
"That will require you to verify personally, Young Master. It's possible... Commander Neo hasn't inherited them completely?"
"Help me contact him in a bit. Remember, Alfred, I want to ask him for the real answer myself."
"Yes, please rest assured."
Alfred understood that his young master was warning them not to collude in advance.
Given Neo's temper, if tipped off beforehand, he would act like an expert even if he were clueless, blowing the matter wide open just to drag Karen into the fun alongside him.
Vic said softly, "Still, judging by the last two battle dispatches, I haven't noticed Commander Neo playing any extraordinary role..."
Alfred replied, "Indeed. Commander Neo, who has always loved stirring up trouble and acting eccentrically, surprisingly showed no remarkable flair in the last two victorious reports... Don't you find that even stranger?"
Karen spoke: "Alright, I will ask Neo myself. When is the next scheduled communication with the front line?"
Leon replied, "By protocol, it should be late at night. If we use various channels and methods to send word, we should be able to move it up to the afternoon."
"The afternoon, then... Leon, you take charge of contacting the front. Try to arrange it for this afternoon."
"Yes, Regional Chief."
"Alfred, oversee the reception and integration work. Quite a few personnel will be transferred over, so preparations must be thorough. Furthermore, considering they are being recalled from the Pioneering Space, raise their living accommodations and treatment as high as possible.
"Don't worry about expenses. The expenditures for this group... no, once the Whip of Order Corps is formally established, supplies, provisions, and equipment for the front line won't fall on any single region's shoulders. The Whip of Order system will bear the cost."
"Understood, Young Master. I will see to it properly."
"Vic, how are things arranged with the Church of Pamires commercial delegation?"
"All set. In accordance with your instructions, I declined his request to visit our headquarters building. This subordinate arranged the meeting venue at the Ankara Hotel."
"The exact time?"
"Whenever you arrive is the exact time."
"Let's go now, then. Let's try not to delay this afternoon's business."
"Understood."
Vic drove the car out from the parking lot. When Karen came down and got inside, he saw not only Little Kanna—who had been instructed to accompany him whenever he went out after Philomena left for the front—but also Augie.
Little Kanna complained helplessly, "The big stupid dragon insisted on tagging along."
Augie said, "I'm bored at home."
Karen nodded without saying anything and climbed in.
With Augie at his side, he could once again borrow a bit of the Whip-Wielder's aura, which would provide useful leverage for the upcoming meeting.
After driving into the Ankara Hotel, Karen took the elevator up to the eighteenth floor, which housed a café and small reception parlors.
Once seated, Karen handed the menu to Little Kanna. "Pick whatever you want to eat."
Little Kanna glanced over the menu and whispered a reminder: "All the prices are in point coupons."
Purr loved sipping expensive coffee at home while lamenting, *"Our little Karen doesn't have it easy earning coupons; everyone needs to spend sparingly."*
Influenced by this, Little Kanna understood the difference between riels and point coupons. Whenever riels could be used, point coupons were spared.
Augie let out a scoff, remarking with slight mockery, "You're actually saving coupons for him?"
Little Kanna looked at Augie. "Don't you save coupons for your family?"
"I don't have that concept in my head."
"Oh, right. You don't have a family either."
Augie: "..."
Little Kanna looked back at Karen, asking softly, "Can I order anything?"
"Order whatever you like. It's fine."
"Okay." Little Kanna nodded, took a pen, and began carefully checking items, truly picking only the cheapest options.
When she finished, Karen took the menu and added several of the expensive items before handing it back to the waiter standing beside them... or rather, the trembling manager waiting anxiously at his side.
Meanwhile, the general manager of the Ankara Hotel stood further away with a cadre of hotel executives, not daring to step forward and interrupt, yet not daring to leave Karen's field of vision either.
"Lord Regional Chief, do you require the floor cleared?"
"No need. Go about your business; no need to attend to us here."
"Understood, Lord Regional Chief."
The manager went over to relay Karen's orders, and the hotel leadership let out a collective sigh of relief, immediately dispersing.
Soon, Vic led a familiar figure over. At this hour, the man was supposed to be in a meeting, but for this trip, the commercial conference was merely a cover; his real purpose was to see Karen.
Derius looked much more mature than during their last meeting, though that maturity carried a noticeably deliberate slickness.
Initially, he wore the expression of an old friend reuniting—a warm smile, cheerful brows, and open, expressive body language.
Yet a third of the way across the floor, Karen remained seated, showing no sign of rising to offer a warm embrace or reminisce about the past.
Derius's demeanor promptly hardened into that of an official meeting. He wiped the smile from his face, leveled his brows, and curbed the swing of his limbs.
At that very moment, however, Karen shifted his gaze away entirely, resting it on Little Kanna. "Remember, once you finish eating, you can't tell your Sister Purr about this when we call."
Purr kept a tight rein on Little Kanna's diet, arguing that the child was still young and needed low oil and salt, whereas food outside, though appealing and colorful, was often unhealthy.
Karen looked like a father taking his child out for a treat behind the mother's back.
For Derius, the aura required for a formal diplomatic exchange instantly lost its footing. Karen's posture made it clear: he had no interest in playing the 'reunited old friends' card, nor would he adhere to the principle of 'equal cooperation.'
*You are here to invest in me, but you must beg me to allow you to do so.*
On top of that, Derius noticed Augie seated beside Karen. Indeed, he recognized Augie; outside cults often studied and understood the Church of Order far better than many of Order's own believers did.
Given Karen's current identity and status, this Executive Officer of the Church of Pamires did not strictly need to bow his head just yet. However, Derius's potential had nearly hit its ceiling, while Karen's future still had vast room to expand. That was the disparity created by their respective platforms.
Derius walked up to Karen, came to a halt, and bowed in greeting:
"Praise the Great God Pamires. Lord Regional Chief Karen, it is a pleasure to meet you once again."
"Praise Order. Greetings, Lord Executive Officer."
Karen gestured with his eyes for Derius to take a seat in the empty chair beside them.
Once seated, Derius immediately proffered a document. Karen did not take it; Vic received it instead, flipping through it rapidly on the spot. After finishing, Vic folded a corner of the cover and placed it before Karen. That meant the offer was insufficient. Of course, this meeting was fundamentally a 'price negotiation.'
Yet Karen had no desire to engage in this slow, agonizing haggle. Most importantly, this Executive Officer's father had already provided him with a complete guide on how to handle his own son.
Bern might not love his son all that much, but he certainly understood him.
Karen looked back at Little Kanna and waved his hand dismissively. "Funds have been tight lately, and my stipend isn't enough, so I won't be inviting the Lord Executive Officer to dine. If you need anything, feel free to order for yourself."
Derius froze, entirely unprepared for Karen's blunt response. He hastily said, "Lord Regional Chief, the actual offer is double what is written there."
Vic lowered his head and picked up the coffee before him. Seemingly finding it too bitter, he took the tongs and dropped in a few sugar cubes.
Karen said to Little Kanna, "I'll have them pack the food to go. How about we have a picnic by the sea?"
"Okay!"
Karen stood up, picked up Little Kanna, and walked straight out. Augie followed behind.
While riding the elevator down, Augie deliberately remarked, "Don't worry, I won't tell the Whip-Wielder about today."
"You'd better tell him."
"You don't trust me?"
"Because I'm going to submit a written report anyway. If you don't report it, I'm afraid the Whip-Wielder will lock you in solitary confinement again after you return."
Augie: "..."
Back on the eighteenth floor, only Derius and Vic remained.
Derius's facial muscles were stiff, twitching slightly. He had never imagined this conversation would begin in such a manner, only to conclude so abruptly.
Vic took a sip of his sweetened coffee, set down the cup, and spoke: "Executive Officer, you have one final opportunity to give me an offer to take back."
Derius drew a deep breath. "How much do you want?"
Vic said calmly, "Ten times."
Derius's eyes went wide. "My Church of Pamires is only a medium-sized church! We cannot compare to Order! Paying such a steep price would push our church toward the brink of bankruptcy!"
Vic replied placidly, "I can guess what your demands are."
Derius reined in his emotions slightly and asked, "If I can produce a matching offer, will you agree to my demands and give me your pledge?"
Vic shook his head. "Executive Officer, you misunderstand."
"Misunderstand?"
"It isn't that if you provide this offer, we will certainly grant your request. Rather, if you don't provide this offer, the outcome you least desire will inevitably come to pass."
Chapter 769