Judgment!

"Grandpa." "Mm?" Unlike his usual responses whenever his grandson called out to him, Diss's reply this time held a hint of bewilderment, and a profound depth showed in his gaze. Had the same thing happened to Vic, Rasma would have assumed Vic was being "mind-controlled" or was rambling under the influence of his environment, needing time to slowly come to his senses. Diss, however, would not. He did not think his grandson was playing a joke on him—besides, it wasn't funny, and was even a bit baffling. Most importantly, Diss knew Karen's character. His grandson had always been mature and steady; every sentence that came out of his mouth seemed to be carefully considered. Right at that moment, darkness fell. Though the room remained bright and the family continuing their meal downstairs carried on as usual, outside the study window, pitch-black darkness swallowed everything in an instant, stripped of all light. Karen pushed open the window. He "saw" a black iron curtain completely enshrouding all of Luojia City. Twelve pillars of light descended in full force; twelve Temple Elders had joined hands to complete the most thorough lockdown. In place of the moon hung a gigantic scythe at the very apex, swaying back and forth. It was this blade that severed everything away. That was its true form, retrieved from the Temple of Order. It was a high-grade divine artifact of extremely high integrity, long since integrated into the framework of certain systems of the Church of Order—a testament to how much importance the Temple placed on this operation. "The Scythe of War..." "You've seen it?" Diss walked over to Karen's side. "It seems my grandson has many experiences he hasn't had the time to tell me about." "Grandpa, we can only blame their movements for being too fast." "They were afraid Rasma wouldn't be able to block that door, so they were anxious. Now, that door has been completely sealed shut." As soon as Diss's words fell, grandfather and grandson peered through the darkness, both seeing that at the very highest point, Rasma's dharma body had receded, replaced by that colossal, majestic scythe. It was guarding the Gate of Order to prevent the one who had once entered the Temple through it from coming in the same way again to blow up the Temple. Karen rolled up the sleeves of his clerical robe. On his wrist, the mark belonging to the Scythe of War gradually emerged. Right now, the mental brand of the Scythe of War was still submerged in the swamp deep within his soul. Ever since he had stepped on the statue of Order under his feet, that scythe could no longer seize opportunities to stir up trouble as it once did. Karen chuckled. "They blocked the door, yet it's as good as unblocked." Because no one knew that the key to open the door was right here with Karen. Diss looked at his grandson and said, "Your preparations are far too thorough." "Yet it seems rather pointless, because you don't seem to care about that door at all, Grandpa." "Because there are things far more worthy of my concern—such as that dog of yours. I believe Old Hoffen must have left you plenty of warnings." "Yes, I saw them all." "Karen, are you truly not worried that your dog will break free from the leash in your hands?" "He is my dog, but I never put a collar on him, nor did I tie a leash. I had him sit before me, and I told him he could betray me at any time." "Ah..." Diss gave a soft chuckle and sighed. "It seems I worried over my grandson for nothing. Ever since waking up, I've made a point to keep an eye on him." "Grandpa, it's my fault for not explaining things to you in time." Still, Karen was inwardly surprised. Grandpa must have seen that Kevin had not only been unsealed, but had also restored a portion of his strength. Yet even so, he could still "keep an eye on him." He had indulged his grandson to play with his pet as he pleased, while standing vigilantly by his side, watching carefully lest the pet throw a temper and hurt his grandson. "Now, tell Grandpa: what is it that you want?" Karen rested both hands on the windowsill. The wind continued to blow in the pitch-black night, ruffling his hair. "Grandpa, I don't want the Return of the Gods." ... Inside Purr's Divine Kingdom of Fire, Rasma, covered in wounds, still maintained a standing posture; the magma here had not completely swallowed him. Moreover, as the Scythe of War replaced his post at the gate, Rasma's dharma body was able to return, significantly improving his predicament here. On top of his passive defense, he was now able to mount small counterattacks. Purr, on the other hand, was delighted to see such interaction; she fought with even greater joy. Kevin steadily bolstered Purr without the slightest sign of weariness or impatience, looking just like an elder brother taking his little sister on a carousel. As long as she was happy, he was satisfied—that was the source of his joy. After another clash of spells between the two, Rasma, bolstered by his dharma body, successfully managed a draw. Though he looked utterly battered now, with large patches of burns on his face, he still flashed a ferocious grin and said, "I'm sorry to inform you, but it looks like your playtime is about to end." Hearing this, Kevin raised his head slightly, offering a reserved smile. Purr, meanwhile, lifted her fiery sword to sweep out the next spell as she replied, "I'm also sorry to inform you, Little Rasma, that after this ends, there will be even greater joy." ... A beam of light projected onto the street, revealing a glowing figure. In the next instant, he appeared at the courtyard gate of No. 13. At the same time, the runic imprint on Karen's shoulder emitted a faint glow—one that Ukonga had personally left behind not long ago. Diss remarked, "It seems this teacher of yours truly cares about your safety." Karen smiled. "He cares, but not by much. Still, it's pretty decent." Ukonga had said that if Karen were in danger, he might come down early to save him. Now, he had indeed come down early, but what had arrived was merely a projected avatar. In a battle of this caliber, such an avatar possessed no ability whatsoever to influence the situation. Rather than saying he had come to receive Karen, it would be more accurate to say he was here to check on Rasma's condition. After all, Purr's intervention had conjured an "Elder-level" opponent out of thin air on this side. And indeed, Ukonga, standing at the gate, had no intention of stepping inside. Instead, he lifted his head, listening to the dull peals of thunder continuously echoing from above. Every crack of thunder could be understood as Rasma taking another beating. Ukonga was recording coordinates and sensing nodes. He and Rasma had never communicated, yet a natural tacit understanding existed between them. ... "Did he come to pick up the Young Master?" Alfred asked in bewilderment from the rooftop of the radio station building. "Why does it feel a bit strange?" Dikenuo answered, "He's here on reconnaissance. After Rasma's dharma body returned, the frequency of the thunder changed. Rasma is relaying information this way so that when the Elders launch their formal assault later, they can breach this divine kingdom's defense." Alfred remarked with feeling, "To think even getting beaten up could be used like this—fascinating." Dikenuo said, "They already rank among the pinnacle elites of this era; this can only be considered their normal performance. What a pity such performance can only be spent in our church's civil war." "There is nothing to pity. A group that has never undergone internal struggle and purification can hardly maintain sufficient competitiveness against external threats. These are trials that must be experienced." "Mr. Alfred, do you think the outcome of the struggle will be good?" "That depends on the Young Master and our High Priest. I imagine our High Priest is also watching this place right now." ... "Grandpa, I'm going to command my legion to attack you now." Karen smoothed out his clerical robe, adjusting it to look dull and ordinary. "Karen, you seem to have forgotten to tell your target of attack how exactly to coordinate with you." "Grandpa, whatever you intended to do upon waking up, just do that." "I had a contract with them. Now, it is they who broke it." "Yes. Whichever party breaches the contract deserves whatever price they must pay." "Are you certain this is his thought?" "This is my thought, but I believe the High Priest would also be glad to see such a scene. Therefore, you don't need to hold back, Grandpa, nor should you." "You seem more in need of saying that to your dog. He is the one truly holding back right now." "Yet in my eyes, my grandfather is the strongest, most omnipotent existence of all." "Are you certain? You must know that those fellows from the Temple, at least, genuinely look forward to the descent of the God of Order. Whether from the perspective of faith or self-interest, they are the most loyal people to the God of Order." "Yet since when can faith stand side by side with self-interest? Are they truly loyal to the God of Order, or are they loyal to their own opportunity to attain godhood... and their sweet dream of bathing beneath divine radiance? Those people are merely waving the banner of loyalty to God while doing deeds that oppose God." "Are you convinced that the one raised by a prostitute... ah, are you convinced that that man thinks the same way?" "I am convinced." Diss closed his eyes and nodded. "I understand." "Grandpa, do you know? In the few years since leaving home, I've read through the Light of Order many more times. It depicted for me the vision of a wonderful world under the radiant glory of Order. I once strove to find traces of that world, only to discover later: though this book records the past, what it praises is the present. I like this world. Precisely because I've seen too many of the churches' methods and the pocket worlds they keep like livestock, I don't want the disgusting filth in the shadowed corners to become the so-called mainstream one day in the future. Therefore, we should use the fiercest slap to smack the faces of these Adventists right back." Karen walked to the door and opened the study door. Diss, still remaining in the study, spoke up: "By the way, child, has the Rulan Regional Administrative Office stripped me of my post?" "No." "Then right now, am I still Luojia City's Inquisitor of Order?" "Yes, that's right." "Then, Minister Karen, issue your order to me." Karen turned around and looked at his grandfather. He initially thought his grandfather was joking, but he couldn't see the slightest hint of humor on his grandfather's face. "Inquisitor Diss, a group of our church's faith-lost has appeared in your jurisdiction. Please handle them immediately." "Understood, my Lord Minister." Diss picked up the Code of Order from the desk. "I shall judge them." Karen walked out of the study. As he was closing the door, he seemed to remember something and left a crack open, saying, "Grandpa, don't forget to claim your back pay for these past few years. I pushed through welfare reforms for grassroots clerics in the Yorktown Region. Though Rulan didn't raise it as much as the Wien Region, it should still be quite a bit higher than before." "Alright, I will." Karen walked down the stairs. As he passed the second floor, he waved to Little Kanna. Little Kanna left the dining table, ran over to Karen's side, and took his hand. "Uncle, I need to go out to buy a few things and stroll the street for a bit." Uncle Mason stood up and took out the hearse keys. "Come on, I'll drive you around." "No need. Grandpa just woke up, and he has something to say to everyone in a bit. He asked you all to wait here." "Oh, alright." Uncle Mason immediately sat back down. In this household, Diss's word held the most weight. Even though Diss had slumbered for years, that fact hadn't changed in the slightest. Karen and Little Kanna walked to the first floor, only to see an old man sitting in a chair in the corner of the ground floor, his expression somber. "Grandpa Hoffen?" Upon hearing the title "Grandpa," the old man's face instantly shifted from gloom to sunshine. Karen was inwardly astonished, even though he had just heard from Diss that Mr. Hoffen had "lived again once more." "Why are you sitting here all by yourself without making a sound, Grandpa?" "It's normal you didn't notice me. Who pays attention to the subtle changes of a book?" "So you are now..." Old Hoffen pointed outside. "Right now, I'm in roughly the same state as that fellow out there." So Mr. Hoffen had become an artifact spirit. But the artifact spirit of what? "Congratulations, Grandpa Hoffen." "Go try saying congratulations to that fellow outside and see if he's happy about it! I'm no longer the person I used to be. And you, brat—didn't I tell you never to break that dog's seal? What were you thinking?" "It was a transaction between him and me, as well as the reward his efforts deserved." "Heh heh heh, making deals with an evil god—have you lost your mind?" "Not at the moment." "She is an evil god personally judged by the God of Order herself! Are you certain you can handle her? Even if she truly seems to be holding off intruders for your grandfather right now." "For now, I'm certain." Karen said to Little Kanna, "Greet your Great-Grandfather." Little Kanna immediately bowed to Old Hoffen. "Hello, Great-Grandfather Hoffen. I'm Kanna." Old Hoffen glanced at the schoolbag Little Kanna was carrying. His gaze seemed able to pierce the barrier of the Shield of the Guardian, and he saw the numerous books and homework notebooks inside. "A studious drag... child. Once this business passes, I'll test your schoolwork." Little Kanna: "..." "Grandpa Hoffen, my grandfather is upstairs." "Alright, I know." "When you go upstairs, be careful to..." "Mason and the others can't see me. I originally thought you wouldn't be able to see me either, yet you saw me. What on earth is up with your soul power, kid?" "Inherited, probably." "Heh." ... At the courtyard gate, Ukonga turned to leave. He had already determined the coordinates and information of the special barrier over this area. When they launched their formal assault in a moment, he could shatter it in one fell swoop and extract Rasma. Yet right at that moment, the foyer door opened, and Karen stepped out. "He actually let you out?" "You seem very surprised?" "How could that be? A heavy stone has finally lifted from this father's heart." "Feel free to keep pretending." Ukonga reached out and placed a hand on Karen's shoulder. In the next instant, he brought Karen and Little Kanna to the Luojia City boundary stone. "Well? Did you, the special envoy representing the High Priest, get the negotiation result you wanted?" "Which answer are you hoping for?" "Whatever answer doesn't matter. The Temple needs to establish its majesty and wash away its disgrace, while I must obtain the thing I want." "I wish you success." "Thank you, son." Ukonga's projected avatar dissolved. Immediately afterward, within Luojia City, twelve massive dharma bodies began advancing together toward the central area, their majestic, overwhelming pressure concentrating entirely upon that villa. Ukonga's voice boomed like thunder through the air: ["Apostate, confess your guilt!"] Little Kanna counted on her fingers and said, "He got the generation wrong again. He should shout: 'Father, confess your guilt!'" Karen patted Little Kanna's head, took out his command token, and ordered, "Legion, fall back immediately! All units, retreat!" Karen drew out a spell paper and recorded a message: "Daina, report to the High Priest on my behalf: the negotiations were successful; the other party is willing to cooperate." With a flick of his wrist, the paper transformed into a black crow and flew off. It would fly to the legion's communications battalion where Daina was, and she would relay this message directly to the High Priest via the battalion's communication array. Immediately following that, Karen closed his eyes and began calling to Purr, with whom he shared a symbiosis contract: "Purr, leave Rasma for me. Also, tell Kevin he doesn't need to hold back anymore." Finally, Karen gently stroked the mark on his arm. "Get out of my way." Deep within the swamp of his soul, the Scythe of War swayed lightly with haughty defiance, as if it hadn't heard Karen's command. But at that moment, the hunger addiction statue, which had already mostly taken on Karen's appearance, raised its foot toward it. The very next instant, the Scythe of War in the sky not only detached from the phantom image of the Gate of Order, abandoning its duty of guarding the gate, but also struck a heavy blow against the lockdown iron curtain that the twelve Temple Elders had condensed below with its help! Boom! Dense fracture lines instantly webbed across the iron curtain. Yet before the Temple Elders could react to this shocking upheaval, right at the center of the area they were encircling, a terrifying, majestic divine might suddenly descended! A colossal giant appeared out of thin air. Compared to his stature, the Temple Elders' dharma bodies appeared utterly diminutive. His gleaming bald head slammed straight into the iron curtain, shattering it completely. Reaching out both hands, one for each, he grabbed two Temple Elders. "Hahahahahaha! I'm back! I'm back!" ... "Diss, look at what your grandson has done!" Old Hoffen grumbled as he appeared in Diss's study. Diss replied, "He is your grandson too." Old Hoffen immediately corrected himself. "Look at what our grandson has done!" Diss said no more, quietly changing into his Inquisitor clerical robe instead. "Now he's actually released an evil god. I'm truly curious: what happens if the evil god loses control? Is your Church of Order's civil war going to be set against the backdrop of a living catastrophe?" "She has a permit." "What?" "A permit issued by the Tribunal for serving aberrant demons." Old Hoffen: "..." Diss finished putting on the clerical robe and tucked the Code of Order under his arm. "Alright, I'm going to work now." "What work?" "An Inquisitor's work." Diss flew out of the study and arrived in the night sky. His gaze swept over the Gate of Order, then toward the Temple Elders retreating in panic beneath the divine might. Then he lowered his head, opened the Code of Order in his hands, and recited in a calm voice: "It has been verified that you exhibit signs of faith loss. In accordance with the Code of Order, Volume Seven, Chapter Three, Section Two, you are hereby sentenced to educational disciplinary action." Having finished reading, Diss closed the book and crossed his arms over his chest. As was customary, he was about to recite the closing prayer. Only this time, he paused for a brief moment, but in the end, with an earnest, solemn face, he prayed: ["Praise be to... the God of Order I raised!"]