I'm Going Home!

"Crash... whoosh... crash..." Karen stood by the edge of the Black Sea, watching the dark waters lap at his feet, recede, and surge forward once more with tireless rhythm. There was no wind here, nor any tidal pull, yet the water churned ceaselessly. It was as though a colossal heart lay hidden in its depths, slowly stirring awake. A patrol of falcon knights swept down low as they drew near. Seeing Karen lean down to scoop up the seawater with his bare hands, the captain at their head called out at once, "My Lord, please do not touch it with your bare hands!" Karen drew his hand back, smiled, and nodded at him. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and tossed it up. The captain caught it. "Thank you, my Lord! Come on, everyone, split them up—his Lordship is treating us to a smoke! Haha!" Karen had served as an army commander on the front lines. While he had never commanded a knight order directly, he was widely popular among their ranks, and the men were more than willing to treat him as one of their own. Once the falcon squad departed, Karen leaned down again. He swirled both hands through the seawater several times, then cupped a handful and brought it close to examine it thoroughly. The water had no scent, yet it possessed an inherent quality that made one's soul recoil. The revulsion ran deeper than the most foul, pungent stench. Moreover, tests had revealed low concentrations of pollution lingering within it. The priests working at the nearby altars and the patrolling knights had all activated the purification arrays woven into their robes and armor in advance, guarding against silent contamination. To Karen, of course, such pollution was of little consequence. Out in the central reaches of the Black Sea, the two massive tree stumps still loomed, standing rock-firm amidst the surging waves. Behind Karen stood Dalivenro and Alfred. Further away, little Kanna sat perched on a boulder, diligently working on her homework. Two days earlier, over the household communication array, little Kanna had gasped dramatically to Purr, "Oh, heavens, Sister Purr, do you know? The gods are about to return!" To which Purr had replied, "Even if the gods had returned long ago, that wouldn't excuse you from finishing tonight's homework." Karen shook the droplets from his hands, took the handkerchief Alfred offered, and wiped his fingers dry. Dalivenro spoke up. "To tell the truth, I'm genuinely touched. Does it mean the only gain the Church of Order made from fighting this whole war was reuniting my family?" Alfred corrected him, "Taking a long-term developmental view, if this batch of gods slaughtered each other just to hasten their return, we still come out ahead." "Fair enough." Dalivenro shrugged. "I just feel that things are getting rather troublesome now." Alfred did not argue. The facts spoke for themselves. According to preliminary observation data, the return date for this coordinate was shockingly early. "Young Master, could it be that both the God of Order and the God of Light can no longer hold out?" Karen shook his head. "I haven't felt anything unusual lately. What about Neo?" "I inquired about Neo's condition in detail yesterday, and he had no special sensations either," Alfred replied. "Therefore, I find it improbable that the barrier maintained by those two has suddenly collapsed." Dalivenro ventured a guess. "Could gods killing each other really produce such a pronounced effect?" Alfred pondered for a moment. "Variables are bound to exist, but they unfold in stages. When Neo awakened his Light inheritance, the empowerment from the God of Light should have relieved much of the burden on the God of Order. That was why Augurev's return slowed down at the time. "Then the Church of Order breached the Garden of Life and toppled the Tree of Life. That ought to have disrupted Augurev's return even further—or rather, to an immense degree. "Mutual slaughter among gods to feed power into the Tree of Life was merely a desperate measure. Objectively speaking, it does provide assistance, but I believe that help should be limited. Otherwise, the gods shut outside would have sped up the process through that method long ago. "Yet now, according to actual calculated data, all negative effects have been entirely offset, and the timeline has been pulled forward to the absolute extreme. This is clearly illogical and contrary to reason. "We can only conclude that some unknown variable took effect during this period. Like an invisible hand, it shoved everything forward and shattered the equilibrium." Dalivenro rubbed his bald head and sighed. "What a despair-inducing hand." Alfred glanced at him and corrected him once more. "Everything has two sides. For now, it is impossible to determine whether this is good or bad." "How could it possibly be good?" Dalivenro countered. Karen spoke up. "Alfred is right. It's still uncertain whether it's good or bad." Dalivenro quickly nodded. "Young Master, you're right. I think so too." Just then, an enormous black hole tore open across the sky. Inside the void, the silhouette of Augurev Fortress gradually emerged. The fortress was being shifted here from the countercurrent space. Barring the unexpected, it would serve as the front line once war erupted. Karen said, "The latest deployment orders have been finalized. Four knight orders will remain stationed here, constructing defenses and preparing for war. The rest will withdraw. "The summit didn't achieve quite the effect envisioned, but its true objective was met. "Every religion is watching to see how our Church of Order will respond when the two chief Gods of Life return. As for the holy grounds of Life on the periphery, apart from a small minority willing to surrender and make contact, most will maintain a wait-and-see stance, awaiting the return of their Lord. "For a considerable time to come, at least, no ecclesiastical forces will pose a threat to our church. "They all revere the gods, yet they all treat the gods as tools. "Every one of them is waiting to see our Church of Order fire the opening salvo of this era's... no, the new era's first divine war." Alfred chuckled. "To avoid suspicion, the partition plan originally agreed upon at the summit was struck down as well. Most of the Hierarchs refused to take a share of the Tree of Life's remains." "They're afraid of drawing retribution," Dalivenro said. "There's no need to attract hatred right now. They're hoping that when the two chief Gods of Life return, they'll focus all their wrath on Order." Karen stretched lightly. "That's fine. With the irrelevant bystanders stepping aside, our church can concentrate on dealing with those deities." Dalivenro worried aloud, "I'm concerned they might strike when the Church of Order is locked in battle with the gods..." "They have no reason to do that. You're far too naive," Alfred said, shaking his head. "The churches merely look forward to the return of their own chief gods; they have no love for the return of the entire pantheon. They would love nothing more than for the Church of Order to shoulder what seems to them an absurdly thankless burden, wearing down the gods beforehand." Karen asked, "When does Dickno arrive?" "Very soon. He should be at the teleportation point by now. Once he arrives, Philomena will receive him to survey the grounds and draw up the battle plan." Dalivenro frowned in confusion. "But his identity needs to remain secret." Karen replied, "Then I'll just play the role of the genius commander once more. Throwing dozens of complete tactical plans on the table ought to be enough to establish credibility and weight. "Otherwise, knowing our church's habits, they'd probably have to awaken several more commanders from slumber. In critical times like these, we should conserve our resources where we can." Alfred produced a notebook and said, "Young Master, there is a matter I need to report to you privately and thoroughly—regarding the recent changes in all the members within the coffin." "Aren't I right here?" Dalivenro asked. "You are not the only one," Alfred said. "Then my talent must be the highest and my progress the most remarkable." "Not necessarily." "How is that possible? Are you deliberately targeting me?" Dalivenro felt Alfred was intentionally belittling him. After all, his gains had been enormous lately; under Karen's protection, he had gorged himself on the remnants of the shattered Garden of Life. Alfred said serenely, "In this world, geniuses are not rare. What is lacking is a suitable platform. A good platform allows genius to shine and reach for the stars; a poor platform sends genius to tour the dishwashing stations. "Your recent harvest stems from the platform the Young Master built for you. But you are not the only one standing on it, and the others are no fools." Karen intervened, "It's time. I must go make my evening report to the High Priest. You can brief me after I return." "Understood, Young Master." "Kanna." "Coming!" Little Kanna packed up her workbook and shifted into a bone dragon, carrying Karen aloft toward the High Priest's temporary residence. Dalivenro watched them leave, puzzled. "Why hasn't the High Priest of Order returned to his Holy See yet? Why is he still lingering here?" Alfred said coolly, "Watch your phrasing. It is our High Priest." "Wait, isn't our High Priest you?" Alfred closed his notebook and slid it back into his pocket. "I'm not letting you see it early." "Damn it!" *** Even after the summit concluded, the High Priest still had not returned to the Holy See. In the eyes of outsiders, he remained to oversee preparations for the return of the two chief gods. But Karen knew that was not the only reason. When he bypassed the temporary hall where the High Priest conducted business through communication arrays and stepped into the small courtyard, he noticed many new flowers and herbs had been planted. On the tea table rested several varieties of tea, coffee, and an assortment of pastries. Evidently, before he arrived, multiple versions of "Norton" had been working here, and the sheer volume of work had clearly spilled over. This meant the High Priest's clones were showing signs of "riotous unrest" once more. As Karen walked in, he noticed three shrinking bloodstains pooling beneath the High Priest's feet. The High Priest must have just slain himself several times over. Unlike before, the High Priest was not reading, nor did he hold a cigar. He leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed. Karen did not interrupt, choosing to stand quietly to the side. The High Priest raised a finger, pointing toward the tea table. "Thank you, High Priest." Karen did not decline or stand on ceremony. Obediently walking to the table, he sipped the tea and sampled the pastries, finding them exceptionally delicious. While Karen ate, the High Priest remained leaning back, eyes closed. In his mind, he was replaying the scene that had just unfolded. Tyrannus had awakened yet again. Unlike his previous attempts to subvert and seize control, this time he seemed merely to want to speak a few words—like a victor delivering a premature victory speech. "Norton, you have seen it now. The world you desire is far too idealistic, detached entirely from reality. You think yourself grand, yet you are merely repeating the same mistakes our Lord once made. The difference is that you do not possess our Lord's power, so everything you do appears utterly naive and laughable." "Tyrannus, you had best keep silent. You sound more and more like a clown." "Yes, I am a clown, and all of us 'Lords' are clowns as well. You have read the eleven observation reports recently submitted, haven't you? Heh, some of them are rather vague, but I can give you the answer in advance. "Every one of them mirrors what happened in the Garden of Life. "Laughable, isn't it? "You lead the Church of Order in an effort to delay and postpone the return of the deities; "yet the branch gods of Order—we 'Lords'—are actively driving this process forward. "No matter how much effort you expend, Norton, or how far in advance you plan, it is all meaningless. "For we 'Lords' are also part of the church's strength. "Within this church, we hold far greater legitimacy than you. In the eyes of outsiders, you, Norton, are my successor. But in truth, you are merely an apostate." "I am weary." "Rest well, then. Augurev will soon lead those two chief Gods of Life in returning here, and the rest of us will be only a step behind him. "A world where the gods return is nothing to fear. "Because we, too, will be among the first batch of returning gods. Before all pretense is completely dropped, you still have room to turn back, Norton. "We can shelter the Church of Order. I believe that is also what our Lord would wish to see." "Do not defile the Lord." "Watch, then. When we return one after another, I do not believe the knight orders and priests of Order will all remain bewitched by you and turn their blades against us. We need only beckon... and the Holy See, the divine temples, will welcome their true masters. "And you, Norton, will face the judgment of Order." "I do not deny that if our Lord were to beckon, such a scene might truly come to pass. But you lot... are not worthy." "You will see, Norton. Very soon." *** The High Priest opened his eyes. He saw Karen sitting there, eating with genuine relish. If it were Foden, he would also eat obediently and naturally, but he would never convey genuine culinary enjoyment. Those who held high office were perceptive. Norton could sense clearly that this young man truly saw him as the High Priest—yet saw him only as the High Priest. "Is it good?" "Replying to your question, it is truly delicious." "I thought Viennese tastes leaned toward heavier flavors and wouldn't be accustomed to anything so mild." "I find it just right." "There is a document beneath the tea table. Have a look." "Yes, High Priest." Karen wiped his hands with a napkin and retrieved the folder. Inside lay numerous files, all of them observation reports. Karen noticed nothing amiss upon reading the first one. By the fourth and fifth, however, he realized the pattern and spread the initial reports out side by side. These were anomalies detected by the church. A few were in uninhabited wastes, but most were situated in special territories under church control. Every single one... looked like a replica of Augurev Fortress. Though the descriptions were somewhat vague and the progress relatively early, "signs of return" had undoubtedly been confirmed. In an instant, the pleasure brought by the pastries vanished, replaced by a suffocating, heavy pressure. The hidden hand had finally revealed itself. No wonder the return process had accelerated rather than slowed, despite everything he and the church had done... The branch gods of the Order pantheon had acted in concert, exerting their full strength all at once! Behind every single branch god, just like Augurev, stood a host of deities. "*Sigh...*" Karen forgot his decorum and let out a heavy breath. The expression brought a faint smile to the High Priest's face. "What is it?" Karen answered, "It feels like young children working tirelessly to build something, only for the family elders to drag them down with all their might under the banner of 'doing it for your own good.'" "Indeed. A very apt description." The High Priest reached out a hand. Without hesitation, Karen passed him a glass of chilled red wine. The High Priest took a sip and remarked, "I find that your thoughts and perception surpass those of the vast majority of Order priests." Such seamless synchronization was comfortable, but upon reflection, it also felt slightly unnerving. After all, with certain innermost thoughts, even men like Kred had to be tested and filtered before being admitted into his circle. Yet this young man, through casual words and deeds, behaved as though he had belonged to that circle all along. Karen replied, "It was all taught to me by the Whip-Wielder. He frequently assigns me exercises to guide and inspire my thinking." "Ah, so that's how it is." The High Priest nodded. Foden was indeed one of the few subordinates capable of remaining in lockstep with him. It was hardly surprising that someone he had personally tutored would possess such awareness. The High Priest no longer wondered why Foden treated this young man so well; Karen's demonstrated talent and ability had reached the point where it would be abnormal if Foden did not favor him. "Karen, tell me your thoughts." "This subordinate has no personal thoughts. In any case... the *Code of Order* clearly outlines how apostates should be punished." "Hehehe, hahahaha..." The High Priest laughed. "You would so easily classify these 'Lords'—branch gods who would be enshrined and worshipped in any other religion—as apostates?" "High Priest, we have no other choice," Karen said. "Countless stories are recorded in the *Light of Order*, but the word 'compromise' is nowhere to be found." "Do you know what that implies?" "I do. I just returned from the Black Sea, and I've already been running through battle simulations in my mind for when Lord Augurev returns alongside the chief Gods of Life and other deities. "It is destined to be a brutal war. We do not know if we can win, and even if we do, the losses will be staggering. "And according to this intelligence, we will have to fight eleven similar wars. "Could this be called... a civil war within the Church of Order? "How much blood of the faithful, how much loyalty of the First Knight Order, will be ground away in this civil war? How much of it will remain? "Yet we must fight." "Why?" "If we fight, there is still hope of victory. If we do not, our church and the concept of Order itself will be instantly defiled." A Church of Order that lost the courage to stand against gods, that surrendered its conviction to uphold Order... would no longer be the Church of Order. The High Priest fell silent. He opened his other hand. Karen neatly clipped and lit a cigar, placing it between the High Priest's fingers. The High Priest drew a breath, exhaled slowly, and said, "I am gratified. I am willing to believe that you represent the mindset of a great many young believers of Order." "High Priest, I believe our Lord shares the same thought." "Even when the 'Lords' have acted like this, you still believe firmly in our Lord?" "I do." "Good. Then hold fast to that faith. Do not waver." "I will, High Priest." Karen gathered the documents, placed them back in the folder, and said, "High Priest, I will set out immediately to inspect each of these observation points and compile a more detailed report." "When it comes to investigative reports, those departments indeed fall short of your standard. Your intuition and insight in this regard are remarkable." "You flatter me. It is merely my duty." "However, there is no need. Put aside what you have at hand and return to Yorktown. For the time being, you need not go anywhere. Rest well and wait." "High Priest?" "The operation on Mink Street. The Temple intends to launch it early." Karen was taken aback. "At a time like this, the Temple is still thinking about that?" After witnessing the manifestation of the Black Sea, especially after reviewing those eleven observation reports, Karen had pushed Mink Street to the back of his mind. He had instinctively assumed the primary conflict lay here. "It is precisely because of these developments that the Temple brought the operation forward. "I voiced my objections to the Temple and lost my temper with the Prophet. I told him that at such a juncture, the church must concentrate its strength on external threats." "And what did the Prophet say?" "The Prophet said: 'To repel external threats, one must first put the interior in order.'" Karen felt an overwhelming sense of absurdity. Incredulous, he asked, "No... is he truly a prophet?" The High Priest blew a smoke ring, looked at Karen, and said slowly, "I give you permission to call him... a fool." Karen stood up. "Rest assured, High Priest. I will prepare thoroughly." "Mm." "This subordinate takes his leave and tenders his resignation." This meant Karen was concluding his duties as an attendant—a coveted post envied by all. Karen turned and walked toward the exit. Just as he reached the threshold, the High Priest's voice called out from behind: "Karen." Karen stopped immediately and turned back. "High Priest, do you have further instructions?" "Let me send someone else instead." Karen's eyes widened. "It occurred to me that while every believer of Order may willingly sacrifice themselves for Order, you have other uses. I now feel that keeping you alive is of far greater value to Order." "No, High Priest, please do not think that way! I am fully prepared and will ensure the mission is completed!" "You are still young. Perhaps I should preserve a few seeds for our church's future." "I view this as vital tempering. I believe I can withstand the trials and pounding." "It is too dangerous." Karen pressed his fist against his chest and declared firmly, "I swear before our great Lord that I will complete the mission!" "*Sigh.*" The High Priest let out a soft sigh and pressed no further. His brief sentimentality and long-term calculation had momentarily tipped the scales in Karen's favor, but reason told him that the sleeping figure held far greater value—especially in the current predicament. "Strive to return alive." "Yes, High Priest." Karen left the courtyard, quickening his pace slightly for fear of being called back again. Passing through the temporary administrative hall, he exited the palace and stood upon the steps. Drawing a sheet of black paper from his sleeve, he tossed it into the air. The paper folded itself into a crow and took flight, carrying word to Alfred and the others that he was ready to depart. Mobiten turned toward him and asked, "My Lord, it seems you are heading back first?" A smile broke across Karen's face. "Yes," he replied. "I'm going home."