Promotion!

"But... is this really all right?" Daina held the battle report Karen had personally drafted, an expression of sheer disbelief on her face. In this report, not only had her position as deputy head of the communications team been changed to team leader, but she had also been credited with primary merit for the decoy plan. "Is there a problem?" Karen asked as he rinsed his cup. "But, I..." "Water." "Oh, right away." Daina hurried to fetch the kettle sitting atop the purification array countertop, brought it over to Karen, and poured water for him. Such a kettle and countertop were standard issue in nearly every tent, providing everyone with clean drinking water under harsh field conditions. Karen's, however, featured an additional function—ice making. Karen had modified the array patterns himself. It had not been difficult for him; being an array master certainly made day-to-day life much more convenient. "Ice." "Yes, sir." Daina walked back, retrieved a few ice cubes, and dropped them into Karen's cup. In truth, if Karen wanted iced water, there was an even simpler way. He could channel Progenitor Allen's power to create both water and ice on the spot. However, he rarely did so in daily life. Water and ice condensed purely through spells were far too sterile, tasting faintly of antiseptic and feeling terrible on the palate. At most, he used it to fill the bath for Little Kanna. "Corps Commander, I really don't think my contribution was that great. Commander Purr was the biggest contributor to the decoy plan." "Its situation is rather unique." Purr was currently sprawled on the cot beside Karen, fast asleep. Karen reached over to stroke its fur and continued, "Strictly speaking, it doesn't belong to the Church of Order's ranks. It belongs to me personally." "I... I know that." "So, its contributions aren't suitable for an official communique. Do you understand what I mean?" "Still, there are others. Their efforts and contributions were all greater than mine. I really can't bring myself to usurp..." "No. Speaking purely on the merits of the case, aside from Purr, no one contributed more than you." "I didn't really do anything. I just... I just argued over the communications array every day." "You drew their attention. I won't sugarcoat it: because of your unique background, the credibility of this decoy plan was vastly improved. The enemy took the bait precisely because they couldn't believe someone of your status would put herself in harm's way as a decoy." "Are you saying... I was credited with primary merit simply because of my status?" "Am I really that superficial?" "No, sir, you're not." "The larger your initial stake, the greater your share of the returns. Isn't that perfectly normal? Don't be overly sensitive about your background. You can't choose your origin. In the eyes of outsiders, your heritage is glittering and dazzling, but what it actually amounts to is something the two of us know all too well." "But..." "No more buts. What's yours is yours. You need to have a little more confidence. In my view, that's the disposition a faithful believer of Order ought to possess." For reasons she could not explain, when Karen uttered those words, Daina's heart trembled. It could only be said that even Karen himself had not yet noticed the considerable change he had undergone following his God's Revelation. On one hand, the surge in his strength had shifted his presence; on the other, having witnessed "the true grand stage" endowed him with an entirely different demeanor. When he told Neo that "Rasma doesn't amount to much," he truly had not been boasting or making a flippant joke. Perhaps this was what it meant to respect the enemy tactically while despising them strategically. Daina took the report and left to transmit it. The moment she stepped out, Purr yawned. "Every time our little Karen uses someone, he still manages to make them feel comfortable and deeply grateful, meow." "Aren't you going back to sleep?" "I'm exhausted and drained, but I can't sleep, meow." "You've overextended yourself. You're overtired." "It's the excitement, too. I really didn't expect you to channel such an immense reservoir of power to me. Is this your God's Revelation? It's simply incredible. It makes me want to rebuild my family's faith system." "Then rebuild it." "Not much point. Our ancestors didn't amount to much. Sigh, nothing can be done about it." Purr could be considered the golden phoenix to emerge from its family, only to be dragged down severely by its lineage. Karen took a sip of iced water and gently swirled the cup in his hand. Just then, Muri entered. "Has the pursuit concluded?" Karen asked. "Reporting to the Corps Commander, not yet. The pursuit and clearing of the battlefield are still underway. Things outside are still quite chaotic. I came specifically to ask whether we should turn back to help the other legions of the army group mount a pincer attack on their objective stronghold. If you plan to proceed that way, the corps needs to begin preparations now." "For something like this, you should ask Neo first, then bring his opinion here just to go through the motions." "I went to Deputy Commander Neo's tent, but he was taking medicine." "Oh?" "He told me to come ask you directly." "Pursuing and clearing the battlefield will take a fair amount of time, won't it? After all, the enemy's routed forces are numerous, and there are plenty of prisoners this time." "Yes, that's correct." "Then handle it thoroughly. Our troops also need rest and refitting. There's no rush to throw ourselves into a new engagement." Karen took another sip of water and set the cup down. "Let that front line remain in a stalemate for now. Once we obtain what we want, we'll move out to assist them. Rushing in to help them right now will only make them take our kindness for granted." Swallowing those two enemy legions in one bite meant this stretch of the front was now meat trapped between an upper and lower set of teeth. Enemy reinforcements could not arrive in time, so when to take a bite depended entirely on Karen's mood. Provided it did not disrupt the broader situation, Karen had no qualms about securing as many benefits for himself as possible. He truly had no desire to keep arguing with Pilger. Moreover, when you knew your side possessed sufficient leadership capability yet forfeited the chance to claim command, that in itself was a form of irresponsibility toward the bigger picture. "Understood, Corps Commander. I'll see to the arrangements at once." "Go on, then. Once everyone is finished, we'll gather for a short meeting. There are things regarding my God's Revelation that I need to align with all of you." "Understood, Corps Commander." Muri stepped out of the command tent. Purr asked curiously, "Can I get a sneak peek, meow?" "About the God's Revelation?" "Yes, meow." "During my revelation, I 'saw' the God of Order. He was seated with his back to me, holding back all the deities of the previous era in the river of time." "Karen, how can you recount something so earth-shattering in such a calm voice?" "You're just hearing it for the first time. The initial shock has already worn off for me." "Well, that certainly explains why not only those deities can't return, but even the gods who fell in the previous era can't make their return either. So they've all been wedged in the previous era." To a certain extent, deities were imperishable. As long as the spark of faith endured and accumulated to a sufficient degree, a fallen god would eventually return in another form. The returning entity might be the original deity, or it might not. If the laws of existence were likened to a queue, once the first in line disappeared, sooner or later a second person would fill the vacancy, or the second in line would naturally become first. It was like a plot of land: unless it became utterly barren and turned to desert, given enough time, fresh weeds would inevitably sprout once more. "You've made a good observation. What the God of Order held back wasn't just the True Gods." Karen nodded thoughtfully. "He truly, single-handedly, kept this entire era clean and shielded up to this point. But he's very tired. I could see it." "So... will you take over his responsibilities in the future?" "It isn't a matter of taking over, because this was already my responsibility. It is Order's responsibility, and more than that, the responsibility of every believer of Order." Karen picked up the copy of the *Code of Order* he had been using as a pillow on the bed and flipped through it casually. "It's quite interesting, really. The *Code of Order* has been revised countless times, yet there is one volume that has been deliberately retained through it all. That volume seems meaningless, even somewhat contradictory... or rather, completely baffling. "I don't know whether that volume existed in the original draft penned by Tyrannus or if some later sage of our church added it. "In any case, according to the *Code of Order*, those descending, returning gods are already breaking the law." Karen's mind flashed back to his very first revelation: *Order is what I decree, and what you must obey.* Within that vision, Karen seemed to understand precisely whom those words were addressed to. Now, looking upon the *Code of Order* from that same expansive perspective, a new realization took shape in his heart. *So this Code of Order, carried by virtually every believer of Order, was never written for ordinary mortals, nor was it written for priests. It was written for gods.* *The Whip of Order... is the whip used by Order to lash the gods.* *** Daina transmitted the battle report first to the Whip of Order Headquarters, then to the Knight Order Command, and finally to their peers across the army group's legions. This sequence could not be disrupted. Then, the first to respond was Daan. Daan personally initiated a communication request, which Daina accepted. On the projection, Daan sat clad in full armor while two aides assisted him in unbuckling the plates. He had evidently just finished directing a battle. "I want to hear it directly from you, Daina." "Yes, Uncle Daan." Daina recounted the engagement once more in her own words. When she finished, Daan nodded. "You did very well, Daina. I see your growth and maturity." "No, Uncle Daan, all of this was thanks to our Corps Commander's arrangements and direction. I merely carried out what was expected of my assignment." "I understand. A commendation order will be issued shortly." "Thank you, Uncle." The transmission ended. Stripped of his armor, Daan twisted his neck slightly, producing a crisp pop. Beside him, his deputy commander was still examining the battle report and remarked, "That was handled with remarkable efficiency." Daan said, "Judging by Daina's reaction, there's no exaggeration in this report." The deputy commander chuckled. "The cost-to-benefit ratio is so absurd that I never suspected exaggeration to begin with. If someone were fabricating it, they wouldn't dare make up something so preposterous." "Heh." "So far, the Ninth Army Group has achieved the best breakthrough of any formation below the three ace army groups. As long as this Whip of Order legion turns around now to mount a pincer attack, the enemy's defensive line in this sector will inevitably crumble and collapse. "However..." "However what?" "From the report they sent, I don't see any concrete plan for their next move. It looks like they're in no hurry to turn back and relieve their allies." "They're deliberately putting on airs." "Oh?" Deputy Commander Sofok seemed to catch on. "We're in the middle of a war, yet they're playing these games. Sigh." "Sofok, I've always believed that an outstanding commander must not only excel at fighting the battle before his eyes, but also excel at fighting the battle on that other field. Otherwise, winning might very well mean losing in the end." "Is that your assessment of the Whip of Order legion, or of their corps commander, Karen?" "Karen." "High praise indeed." "Sofok, don't be fooled by the news reports about him. That kid is far from simple." "I can already tell. Shattering an entire defensive line with the strength of a single legion... Tsk. How will the commendation be handled?" "No rush for that." "But you just told her the commendation would be issued shortly." "Our little Daina has accomplished such a major feat; our High Priest has to be informed first. That's a mandatory procedure. Once the High Priest issues his directives, we'll revise the contents of the commendation accordingly." *Smack!* Sofok slapped his forehead. "That kid really isn't simple." Daan smiled, then turned to his aide. "Send this report to the Office Temple. At the same time, submit our pre-battle situational analysis as well. Place particular emphasis on the lack of unity within the Ninth Army Group." Hearing this, Sofok said, "Daan, you're treating this kid remarkably well. I'm beginning to wonder if you want to marry Daina off to him." "Sofok, this isn't the place for such talk. Although our Knight Order holds supreme command over the battlefield, the garrison system and our Knight Order have always kept too much distance between them. "I'm thinking of using this opportunity—now that the Ninth Army Group's internal friction has been kicked upstairs—to see if we can secure personnel appointment and dismissal authority over those regular regiments. "Mm, and not just them; the militia regiments dispatched from the various districts are the same. Each has its own backing faction behind it. I dislike this piecemeal patchwork; it creates an enormous amount of unnecessary friction in command. "The High Priest wants to use this desert war as a proving ground to hone our forces. In that case, it shouldn't just be ordinary priests—commanders ought to compete for their posts as well." "Daan, you truly see far ahead. Still, that kid surprisingly didn't lodge any complaints in the battle report. I recall they were bickering every day earlier." "That kid never argued himself. He had Daina do the arguing." "Ah, so that's where the groundwork was laid." Sofok rubbed his forehead and joked, "Sigh, maybe I should just hand my deputy commander post over to him. My brain can't keep up with his." "He belongs to Foden, after all. Can you imagine Foden personally commanding a knight order?" Sofok shook his head. "That would be terrifying." If the church's supreme spymaster also held command over a knight order, even with the High Priest's utmost trust, the Roundtable Conference would never approve it. That would cross a severe red line in terms of authority. "Send an application letter to the Whip of Order in my name, requesting that Karen's affiliation be transferred from the Whip of Order to our Knight Order." "Hahahaha!" Sofok burst out laughing. "You're openly poaching from Foden's corner! How could Foden ever agree? I swear, you people used to have such great relationships back in the day that you can still crack jokes like this now." "I'm not joking with him." Daan shook his head. "Leaving a talent who fights this well in the Whip of Order instead of bringing him into our Knight Order is a true waste." "So... you're serious?" "Yes, I'm serious." *** Following that, the commanders of the army group's other three militia regiments all sent congratulatory messages. Daina also received a communication request from Pilger. Following standard procedure, Daina accepted it, took a deep breath, and prepared herself to unleash a counterattack. Over the past several days, she had developed ample combat experience dealing with Regiment Commander Pilger. "Congratulations on your tremendous victory. Our army group thanks you for providing momentum that carries defining significance for our strategic objectives." Pilger sat there with a solemn expression, speaking gracious words. Coming from his position as the nominal commander of the army group, such remarks were entirely fitting. His uncharacteristic "gentleness" left Daina, who had braced herself for a fight, momentarily unsure of how to channel her momentum. Pilger continued, "Going forward, regarding the army group's overall plan of action, I believe we must heed Regiment Commander Karen's opinions more closely." "Understood," Daina replied without ceremony. "I apologize to your commander for my previous rash and blunt remarks." "Understood." Daina remained just as unyielding. Pilger nodded and terminated the transmission. Daina immediately drafted a report of the exchange and delivered it to Karen. Neo happened to be smoking a cigarette in Karen's tent. He took the report first and smiled. "Our esteemed regular regiment commander has yielded." Karen took the report, glanced at it, and remarked, "Some people will proactively tell others, 'I have a bad temper, please bear with me,' or project an abrasive frankness that easily wounds people. In truth, most of it is fake. When dealing with their superiors, their elders, or their true friends, they are perfectly capable of interacting normally. That 'candor' is directed solely at you, because they simply look down on you." Neo said, "He knows he fought a battle of words with you for so long, and now you've scored a major victory. It not only proves he lacks strategic vision and commanding talent, but it also publicly exposes his loss of control over the army group. "On the battlefield, whoever performs well is in the right, while the side that performs poorly carries original sin. "If our rogue gambit had failed, the guilt would have been ours. Since it succeeded, the guilt falls on those who opposed and obstructed us beforehand. "The Knight Order only ever advised caution, but he was leaping about noisily back then. Truly arrogant. Had he simply kept quiet, he could have claimed a share of our merit. Now he's left himself stranded without a graceful way down." "Didn't you say it yourself? Some commanders spend their entire lives in the garrisons and never even learn basic interpersonal decency. Besides, the Knight Order and garrison systems are far too insular. That has its advantages, but its disadvantages as well." "Well, he's lowered his head now. What do you plan to do?" Karen replied indifferently, "Too late." "That ruthless?" "If I want to take control of this army group, I have to establish authority. If you don't pluck out the thorn that 'bullied' you, no one will truly fear you." Pilger's submission stemmed from his anticipation of the impending shift in the army group's internal command structure. He hoped this gesture would persuade Karen to "protect" him, but Karen had no intention of doing so. War was not an office power struggle that placed value on contained conflict without rupture. On a bloody battlefield, a military formation required a single, unambiguous leader. "Do you need to do anything else? Like dropping a few more negative remarks into the right ears?" "No need." Karen shook his head. "The intelligence apparatus above is far more sophisticated than you imagine. The higher-ups already know about our army group's internal friction." "Why do I feel like you're warning me with those words?" "I'm not." "Let me tell you, once the fighting here wraps up, I intend to fully join the Light Remnants organization and integrate them." "I'll provide you with every assistance." "That takes all the sense of accomplishment out of it." "If any gang in any district of York City wants to grow powerful, they need the tacit consent of that district's police department behind them." "Doesn't that make me your kept man?" "There will be plenty of matters to settle after the war, and the situation will only grow more complex. I will only have greater need of you. After all, there are far too many things inconvenient for me to do personally that will require the Light Remnants' hand." "You're truly something else now, telling me to my face that you're using me as a weapon." "I did ask politely, Neo." Neo: "..." *** Once the meeting regarding the war apparatus forging embezzlement case adjourned, Foden returned to his office. Miguel followed him inside and placed the latest battle report before him. Having learned his lesson from before, Miguel kept quiet and let the Whip-Wielder read the report in silence rather than reciting it aloud. After finishing the report, Foden asked, "Have you gone mute?" Miguel: "..." Inside the frozen pool, Augie surfaced slowly, revealing a pair of watery, wide eyes. She was curious: had Karen won a battle or lost one? This time, it was impossible to tell directly from the "new meat skewer's" expression. "Whip-Wielder, you were right. Corps Commander Karen is indeed exceptionally skilled at waging war." "Is he merely skilled at waging war?" Foden tapped a finger lightly against the report, right where merit was being claimed for Daina. "His mind is meticulous." Miguel felt somewhat out of his depth. Was this how a superior evaluated a subordinate? Yet that was precisely how Foden viewed Karen now. As a ruler—more specifically, a ruler with an extreme need for control—Foden demanded thorough mastery over his subordinates. Control was an art. One had to know their weaknesses, grasp their mistakes, understand their desires, and offer them hope. Yet with Karen, Foden realized that Karen had identified *his* weaknesses, deliberately manufactured mistakes for him to grasp, understood his desires, and offered *him* hope. The two sides of the game had swapped places. This young man was treating him as a tree along his path forward. This made Foden distinctly uncomfortable, because Karen was steadily slipping out of his control, and the signs were growing increasingly pronounced. If the young man kept winning battles, Foden wouldn't be able to face him with the same posture upon his return. Karen would shift from someone who took orders to someone with whom matters were negotiated. Standing to the side, Miguel observed the nuances of the Whip-Wielder's expression closely. Foden spoke up. "I recall our internal publication has a section dedicated to retired veteran knights..." "Yes, Whip-Wielder. It's a newly established discussion column composed of retired senior knight commanders. They publish analyses and insights on the war situation there, and also offer recommendations." Ever since the war erupted, the propaganda war between both sides had commenced as well. From an outsider's perspective, reading the war reports became increasingly bewildering, and even personnel within the church felt the same way, as false reports flew everywhere. The allied coalition's press releases featured stories about a "Ghost of the Night," claiming an Eagle Knight of the Night God had single-handedly hunted down over a hundred of Order's falcon knights while slaying three giant dragons. There was also a "Wolf of the Abyss," recounting an infiltrator from the Church of the Abyss slipping behind the lines and destroying over a dozen of Order's logistical supply depots on his own. The Church of Order followed suit, concocting the "Mouth of Order," which claimed three Order priests infiltrated an enemy storehouse and ate an entire month's worth of rations meant for thirty thousand troops in a single sitting, dealing a devastating blow to the enemy's logistics and plunging them into famine. It was a deliberate effort to fight fire with fire. Even so, the middle and senior tiers of the church needed deeper analysis and understanding of the true war situation, leading to more substantive content being published in the internal periodicals as a form of professional debriefing. "I recall Karen has good ties with a retirees' club." "Yes, because many of them once served as Corps Commander Karen's mentors and hold him in high regard." "Get in touch with them. Provide rich, detailed materials and strive to make this engagement into a special feature." "Understood, Whip-Wielder. I'll see to it." "Furthermore, contact the deputy chief editor of *Order Weekly*. Pass a word to him: the purpose of this war is to hone our church's practical combat capabilities in church warfare in this new era. It is only natural for regular forces like the Knight Order to fight well, but the greatest significance lies in how our church's other branches can better learn, coordinate, comprehend, and take part in war—just like our Whip of Order legion." "Yes, understood." Miguel realized the Whip-Wielder was preparing to push Karen into the spotlight, already mobilizing resources to build momentum. "In addition, logistical supplies for the Whip of Order legion must be kept up unconditionally. Whatever requisition lists they send from the front, fulfill them beyond standard specifications. Coordinate with the relevant systems and departments. Tell them that whichever department tells the Whip of Order they're facing practical difficulties, the Whip of Order will investigate that department for practical corruption and violations." "Understood, please rest assured. I will execute your instructions to the letter. You truly treat Corps Commander Karen well. It makes one envi..." Foden cursed under his breath: "That little bastard." Miguel: "..." Foden felt deeply irritated. A fellow who slipped beyond his control and manipulated him in return was someone he despised, yet was forced to pinch his nose and "cherish." Especially after realizing that day who Karen truly resembled, those conflicted feelings had only intensified. A fellow who took after the High Priest was currently his subordinate? Yet looking at it from another angle... didn't it carry a strange thrill of its own? Just then, the halo of light on Foden's desk brightened. Foden stood up. "I'm heading to the High Priest." *** One High Priest sat in the Office Temple reviewing documents; The other High Priest stood in the mezzanine dimension within the Office Temple, playing golf. *Crack!* The club struck, sending the ball soaring into the distance. As Foden entered, he saw Kred and the others leaving, having evidently just concluded a brief meeting. Taking his place behind, watching the High Priest's new pastime, Foden knew he would soon need to cultivate a new hobby of his own. Norton set down his club, took a seat, and gestured toward the empty spot beside him—the seat Kred had just vacated. Foden sat down and smoothly clipped a cigar for the High Priest. "Have you read your legion's battle report?" "Ah, it arrived on my way over after you summoned me. I saw it. Another victory." "Among the standard combat ranks, your legion has fought the best. Though it's only a victory on a localized front, the casualty ratio pleases me greatly. This Karen really knows how to manage resources. Have you been pushing him too hard?" "High Priest, the Whip of Order is part of the Holy See. If necessary, I can take the field myself." "All right, all right. Battles like this are interesting only when fought more often, and that takes genuine ability. By the way, Daan forwarded an application. He wants to transfer Karen from your side to his. What do you think?" "He's lost his mind!" Foden feigned immediate outrage. "He's daydreaming!" "If you disagree, then so be it, haha." "High Priest, Karen is a talent I discovered, a young man I've focused on cultivating. How could I let him transfer to another branch now? It would disrupt my arrangements and hinder the future operations of the Whip of Order." "Oh? That serious? So, are you telling me you view this Karen as..." "High Priest, I feel this Karen resembles me in my younger days." "Is that so? Hahaha..." Norton chuckled. "Well, no wonder. No wonder. We're both getting on in years; it really is time to scout out successors. Good for you. You're fortunate to have discovered a 'younger you.'" Norton took the cigar and held it between his lips. Foden picked up a fire crystal and lit it for him. The High Priest took a puff, exhaled a ring of smoke, and continued, "Very well. Let's give 'young Foden' some face. I'll tell Daan that when it comes to personnel changes across certain legions, he should show some backbone—arrange what needs arranging, change what needs changing. At the very least, give our 'little Foden' a post as army group commander to try his hand at. Since our 'little Foden' knows how to fight, we should give him room to spread his wings." Foden smiled. "Then on behalf of 'my younger self,' I thank you, and I thank Daan as well." "Hahaha. Oh, right. Daina has matured rapidly under our 'little Foden.' What do you think about pairing them together? We could consider it our final account settled with her father." The High Priest was proposing a bestowed marriage. Such political unions were never uncommon. Though Daina's status was somewhat awkward, no one could erase the halo surrounding her lineage or the political weight it carried. By all rights, subordinates would never dare object to such matters, but Foden understood his High Priest well... much like Karen understood Foden. On certain matters, the High Priest brooked no questioning whatsoever; on others, he was remarkably accommodating. "High Priest, Karen already has a fiancée." "Oh? Is the bond that firm?" "I believe he would decline the arrangement." "So our 'little Foden' has such firm principles?" "He is still a young man, after all." "Youth is good. Fine, let's drop the matter for now. How is your recent investigation progressing?" "Since the outbreak of the war, coupled with the pressure on logistics, various branches and departments have exposed issues previously kept under wraps." "Indeed. Only when one starts running can one feel which part of the body is aching. This is a trial for the front line, but it's equally a trial for our entire church from top to bottom. "Show no leniency. Clean out those who need cleaning, but don't deliberately broaden the scope or politicize it. Start first with our own core circle. Clean our own house before touching others; don't be petty. "Continue playing the villain." "That is my duty, High Priest. Please rest assured." "Mm." The High Priest returned his full focus to puffing his cigar. Seeing this, Foden rose and took his leave. He had only walked a few paces when the High Priest suddenly called out to him: "Foden." Foden turned around immediately, facing the High Priest to receive his instruction. "You say you see 'your younger self' in Karen. I truly envy you. I can imagine how wonderful that feeling must be when it wells up from the depths of your heart. No, I'm almost jealous of you, you know?" "Heh." Foden offered an obliging chuckle, but the High Priest's next words sent a sudden chill through his chest. The High Priest lowered his cigar, looked straight at Foden, and asked: "Since you found your younger self... did you catch sight of a younger me?"