Could He Beat Diss?

Alfred and Bern got into the car together. They had many matters to attend to and could not stay away for too long. After the car drove out of Allen Manor, Bern broke the silence. "Were you nervous just now?" "The process had its twists and thrills, but the outcome was within expectations." "It felt like a dream to me. I witnessed the restoration of a deity with my own eyes, and my eyes haven't gone blind." As he spoke, Bern deliberately rubbed his eyes. "So the outcome was decided right then. If Kevin truly intended to stage the return of a deity, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to drastically rein in his divine might and divinity. Otherwise, except for Purr and the Young Master, every one of us present would have gone blind. A god cannot be gazed upon directly. When he is willing to let us see him, it means he doesn't regard himself as a god." "So that's how it is." "I said he would be an exception, and indeed, he has become one. To him, becoming a god was merely a means, never the end." "A very novel way of putting it." "I intend to dedicate an entire volume to him in my *New Light of Order*." "I had assumed that was a privilege you were reserving for yourself." "Where conditions permit, I don't mind seeking a bit more exposure and presence for myself, but he is, after all, the first deity under the Young Master's banner. It is only right that he enjoys such treatment." "And his place on the murals?" "Since he takes the form of a pet, he won't take up the space of the retinue, nor will he block anyone beside the master. It works out fine." Bern turned on the car stereo, and a soothing love song drifted out. Listening to the music, Bern chuckled. Alfred asked, "What are you laughing at?" "I'm laughing because the strongest fighter on our side is actually a dog." "No, no, no. Everything has two sides. For instance, when facing our adversaries, we can put it this way: 'You people can't even beat a dog on our side.'" *** Night fell. Karen and Madame Tangli sat opposite each other at the dining table, where an exquisite dinner was laid out. Beside them was a floor-to-ceiling window. Outside, no trees or lawns could be seen, only a sky full of stars. After finishing his steak, Karen laid down his fork and knife, picking up a napkin to dab at the corners of his mouth. Madame Tangli was eating with great relish. Seeing this, Karen instructed, "Daliwenluo, have the kitchen prepare another serving." "Right away, Young Master." "No need." Madame Tangli reached out, pulled the remaining dishes in front of Karen over to herself, and said, "Finishing these will be plenty for me. As for you, you're so young, yet your appetite has shrunk. To think you can't even keep up with an old woman whose body is breaking down like mine." Karen smiled faintly. "I certainly can't compare to you, Grandmother." His body had initially been transformed by Ranidal, then melted by corruption before recongealing from it. He had essentially bypassed twice the very stage Philomena was currently going through. "When are you having children?" Karen said, "Daliwenluo, you can bring out the fruit platter." "Right away, Young Master." A platter of fruit was served. Using a small fruit pick, Karen skewered a piece of apple and placed it on Madame Tangli's plate, recommending, "You won't find fruit this good outside. Please, give it a try." Madame Tangli took a bite and nodded. "Yes, it's delicious. Your grandfather's stipend only lets us buy something like this once in a while to satisfy a craving." Standing nearby, Daliwenluo spoke up. "From now on, we will have a batch delivered to your residence on a regular basis." "Oh, how could I trouble you so?" "It's all home-grown." "Very well, then." His grandmother wiped her mouth and stood up. "I should be heading back." Karen rose with her and said, "A guest room has already been prepared for you. You really ought to stay a couple more days." "No need. If I'm not there, I worry your grandfather will be scared of the dark lying in bed alone at night." Pausing, Madame Tangli added, "He said it himself, mind you. I'm not making fun of him." "I believe you. It just shows how much you love each other." "Sometimes, I really can't understand what you're so busy running around for. While it's normal to rush about for the sake of one's career, I know your ambitions don't actually lie there." "Grandmother..." "All right, no need to explain. I can't understand your thoughts or your grandfather's. As for me, I tire easily after playing around for a bit, and all I want is to live an ordinary life." "Grandfather is the same." "It's not the same. One is an after-dinner fruit; the other is the main staple." Madame Tangli patted Karen's shoulder. "Your grandmother may be old, but she can still lift a blade." "I have always kept your blade in mind, Grandmother. Knowing you have my back puts my heart at ease." "Those aren't your true thoughts, but I like hearing them." Madame Tangli walked out, waving her hand as she went. "No need to arrange anyone to see me off. It'll be faster if I head back on my own." "All right, Grandmother." After Madame Tangli left, Karen did not leave the dining room. Instead, he sat back down and began enjoying the after-dinner fruit. Daliwenluo said, "Actually, this subordinate feels that if the Church of Life didn't meddle in human affairs and simply focused on the fruit and vegetable industry, that would truly match their specialty." Karen glanced at Daliwenluo and chuckled. "I should have been the one to make that quip. Why are you beating me to self-deprecation?" "This subordinate knows the Young Master would never say such things to me." "Who did you pick up this trick from? It doesn't sound like you. I remember when I first met you, you were quite a decisive, ruthless killer." "I was young back then, and ignorant." "Have a seat." "Yes, Young Master." Daliwenluo pulled out a chair and sat down beside him. Karen ate a few more pieces before setting down his pick. "It really is delicious." "Of course." "How do we increase production?" "By preparing more fertilizer and more experienced fruit farmers, we can expand cultivation to guarantee supply for you and your family." Karen smiled. "Do you know what Alfred would say to the same question?" "This subordinate doesn't know. Please enlighten me, Young Master." "Alfred would say: expand cultivation, generate exports, and contribute to the region's economic development, thereby providing better welfare benefits for the region's clergy so they can contribute to Order without any worries back home." "This subordinate has learned something new." "Is there any fruit left?" "Yes. Everything planted here at the manor was picked clean for everyone this time, but there are still some hanging in the department's barrier. They are freshest and taste best when picked right before eating." "When we head back, harvest some, pack them carefully to keep them fresh, and I'll take them to the Whip-Wielder and Miss Dena to try." Daliwenluo snapped his head up, his eyes shining with surprise and joy. He had always placed great importance on familial bonds, and what he longed for most was a family reunion. "Young Master, this subordinate is immensely grateful to you." Karen set down his glass, lightly flicking the rim with his fingertip to produce a crisp chime. He still remembered being aboard the ship to Wien, his heart filled with confusion, able to soothe his unease on the vast sea only by reading through the notes left behind by Mr. Hoffen. Now, he had the power to influence the very survival of an orthodox church. It wasn't the era that had changed, but himself. *** *Snip! Snip! Snip!* "You can trim a bit more here. You can trim here too. Here, here, and here as well—all fine! Hehehe, I want to make a blanket for our Little Karen, hehehe, meow. "Ah, no need to cut above the neck. There isn't much there to begin with. Leave a bit more for the stupid dog." Under Purr's direction, Eunice held a pair of scissors and was busily grooming Kevin's fur. Kevin stood there, obediently shifting positions like a docile sheep. He would fulfill Purr's requests; a little dog fur really wasn't a big deal. "I think that's about enough," Eunice said with a smile. "Are you sure it's enough?" "It should be enough." "It's fine. If it isn't, we'll just wait for the stupid dog to grow a bit more and trim him again." "I'll go pack these up, and then I'll draft several designs for you to choose from." "Sounds good. I trust your design skills. Provide as many options as possible—make them as varied as the styles of stockings in the bottom three drawers of the innermost wardrobe in the bedroom." "Ancestor, I recall I also sent you some clothes." "Yes, I received them and tried them on. Very nice." "Did you try all of them on?" "Not the stockings. They're too long. That's really asking too much of a cat." "However, Ancestor, you are capable of turning back into human form now. I've seen you walking the dog and riding horses in the manor. So apart from your current attire, the human clothes were tailored according to the measurements I observed from your figure back then. Did you find them fitting?" "A bit tight." "Pardon?" "No, nothing. I quite enjoy being a cat right now. All right, my dear great-great-great-great-niece, run along and get to work. If you see our Little Kanna, remember to tell her that I'll be checking her homework shortly." "Understood, Ancestor." Eunice wrapped up the dog fur, gathered it in her arms, and took her leave. Kevin lay down on his stomach and yawned. He remembered very well that when Purr transformed back into a human, she had hidden alone in her room busy with something—most likely trying on the kind of stockings Karen liked best. "Stupid dog, why are you so listless? Shouldn't you be full of energy right now, meow?" Kevin turned his dog head toward the starry sky outside, a canine gaze brimming with poetic depth. "I still prefer the cautious, timid way you used to act. It was much more fun." "Woof." "Ah, so just like Karen a while back, your progress was too fast, and you look exhausted simply because you haven't adapted to your strength yet. The two of you really are alike—even your ways of showing off are so peculiar." "Woof." "All right, all right." Purr extended a paw and patted the dog's head. "Honestly, I was really afraid you'd do something foolish back then. Our Little Karen finds it very hard to trust anyone." Kevin wagged his tail, expressing his pleasure. To receive affirmation from the 'God of Order' in this manner brought him immense honor. "Stupid dog, there's something I want to ask you." "Woof?" "Just how strong are you right now?" Kevin sank into contemplation. By instinct, he didn't feel he was particularly strong. After all, during the last era, he had ascended to godhood rather late, nor was he famed for his combat prowess, relying instead on wisdom and schemes. Yet that had been the last era. In this era, many existences who were originally far stronger than him had yet to return. So his current self... Seeing that Kevin didn't answer, Purr pressed on, "You haven't fully recovered yet—no, you are still far from a full recovery—but judging from today's performance, you are already capable of wielding a portion of divine power." "Woof." Kevin nodded. "Let me give you an example: could you beat Karen?" "WOOF!" Kevin, who had been lying on his belly, instantly leapt to his feet in fright. Was that even a question of whether he could beat him or not?! "Oh, my mistake, my mistake. Let's switch examples. Sidi! Hehehe, our old friend, smart, lively, and adorable Sidi. Could you beat her?" Sidi had long been an obsession in Purr's heart. There was no helping it; even at her peak, Purr had never been able to contend with her head-on, all because their Progenitor had been too playful and unmotivated back then. Kevin breathed a sigh of relief and lay back down, his tail swishing lazily against the floorboards. "Oh? She's no longer a match for you?" "Woof." Kevin half-squinted, then extended a dog paw and flashed it before Purr. "Woof?" "Meow?" Purr's spirits instantly soared. Kevin was actually suggesting: should they go settle all scores with Sidi right now? It had to be said, this was truly an enticing proposal. Back then, relying on your realm and influence, you led people to chase me until I was crying meow all over the place. Now, I can ride back on a dog to settle accounts with you! However, after a brief surge of excitement, Purr quickly returned to reason. "But Sidi usually resides in the Order Temple. If you go there, wouldn't it be dangerous?" Kevin knitted his brow, pondered for a moment, and replied, "Woof." "So there are still things in the Order Temple capable of threatening you?" Kevin nodded. "Woof." That was the Order Temple, after all. God only knew how many legacies left behind by the God of Order and those branch gods were preserved within. Furthermore, how could the temple elders active outside possibly represent the entirety of the temple? There were bound to be fellows continuing their existence through special means, guarding the temple and the Church of Order in terms of high-end combat power. Kevin knew all too well how ruthless those believers of Order were toward themselves! Wait, didn't it seem like he was also a believer of Order now? "Woof." "And what about the First Knight Order?" Purr waved her paw. "You don't need to worry about the First Knight Order. If the Church of Order truly dares to deploy them, who knows, our Little Karen might just wave his hand like this: "'Believers, your God has returned!' "And just like that, the First Knight Order would mutiny." Kevin chuckled. Purr's posture was comical—a feline leader lecturing her followers. Yet Kevin was well aware that what Purr described was very likely reality. The First Knight Order, whose members generally had only three days of life upon awakening, had no means of analyzing the real-world situation; they only recognized the decree of the High Priest. Of course, if the 'God of Order' appeared, even the High Priest would have to step aside. "What about the other churches, then?" Purr continued to ask. "Those orthodox churches ought to have their own foundations as well." Purr possessed boundless curiosity; after all, that was a brand-new domain she had never touched. "Woof, woof, woof." Back then, when Rielsa's masterless divine body broke free from the Gate of Samsara in a frenzied state, it not only turned Samsara Valley upside down, but even tore through and devoured the elders of the Samsara Temple like spicy snack strips. Moreover, like Kevin, Rielsa was not a deity famed for combat prowess; Rielsa was an artist among the gods. It was just that the circumstances within each church were different. Samsara's incident had been a sudden strike at their internal core. Besides, comparing the Samsara Temple to the Order Temple was truly a bit too insulting to the Order Temple. At the time, the elders of the Samsara Temple had valued their own lives above all else. Facing the berserk Rielsa, their only thought was to let the believer legions and undead creatures wear him down, executing the most foolish piecemeal tactics imaginable. As a result, several of them were torn to shreds by Rielsa, while others suffered drops in their cultivation realms. Yet if the same thing happened in Order, no matter how much resentment Purr harbored toward Sidi, she believed that Sidi and the others would sacrifice everything without hesitation just to suppress an existence that dared to provoke the majesty of Order—even if it were a god. Among the Twelve Knight Orders of Order, excluding the First Knight Order, every single knight order bore its own special insignia on their armor—flowers, lightning bolts, stars—yet all served the exact same purpose: keeping tally of the number of gods that had fallen at their legion's hands. This was also the confidence that allowed the High Priest to face the descent of the gods head-on. "Oh, I understand. As long as you aren't ganged up on, you don't need to worry much about anything." Unless other gods descended, in terms of individual combat strength, even if Kevin hadn't fully recovered, his lower limit was right there—the highest of all. "Woof." Kevin nodded. He was quite glad to show off his strength to Purr. "With you around now, our Little Karen will be much safer, and he can have more confidence when heading back home. Remember to punch Little Rasma a few more times!" "Woof." Kevin nodded with a smile; that was certainly no problem. "And that Ukonga—who gave him the nerve? Calling him a roommate was already showing him plenty of respect, yet he actually wanted our Little Karen to call him Dad! Remember to beat him until he's crawling on the ground calling our Little Karen Dad!" "Woof." This time, Kevin nodded with utmost solemnity. After all, Karen's seniority affected his own seniority. Just a kid who had lived for a little over a thousand years, yet he dared to put on airs before their own 'God'? Unforgivable. "Right, then... what about Diss? I mean, if you and Diss went one-on-one." Kevin hesitated. This should have been a question without any suspense, yet he simply couldn't give a straightforward answer. For one thing, Diss had actually fought him before. Even though Kevin had just been summoned down back then and had his body usurped, making him far from his true strength, Diss hadn't seemed to be using his true strength either. In the last era, a believer of Order like Diss would likely have been seen by the God of Order's side before long. Thus, in his attitude toward Diss, Kevin had never treated him as a 'junior.' Even if an entire era separated their ages, subconsciously, he regarded Diss as an 'equal.' "Leaving aside his identity as Karen's grandfather, the current you should be able to beat him, right? After all, he detonated one, handed over one, and now has only a single godhead fragment left in his possession." Kevin looked at Purr with some doubt and asked: "Woof?" "Oh, that's true, meow. Who can say for sure that he only had three?"