Open the Gate

"Withdraw our troops? Have they gone mad?" Even when Karen had faced Augurev's thunderous onslaught earlier, he had not been as dazed as he was upon hearing this news. It was simply... too unbelievable, too absurd. He had just risked his life to obtain the most critical intelligence of the war, and now that he was back, they weren't going to fight anymore? Karen asked, "Are you certain the decree is genuine?" Standing behind Daan, a temple elder lifted his eyelids slightly and cautioned, "Minister Karen, please watch your language." Karen retorted, "Shut up. You have no standing to speak here." "You—" "Massichen." Another temple elder, a woman, spoke up to urge her colleague to control his temper. Karen occupied a unique position, almost openly designated by Norton as his successor. They had come under Norton's orders this time to proclaim the decree of withdrawal, and there was no need to clash with the successor Norton valued so highly, no matter how... insolent he was. "Understood, Limonis," Massichen said with a nod, suppressing his anger. Daan pointed to the decree in his hand. "It's genuine. I already confirmed it with the High Priest through the communication array." Clearly, Daan could not comprehend the order either. As a core member of Norton's faction alongside Foden and Kred, he understood what his boss had always wanted. Yet when the moment arrived, the boss had abruptly changed his mind. The newly dispatched temple elders seemed less like messengers and more like overseers intentionally sent because the boss knew Daan would resist. It truly made no sense. Suppressing the temple had practically become a form of political correctness in the past, yet now the leadership was taking the initiative to use the temple's strength to get things done. Karen said, "Commander, we cannot withdraw." Daan explained, "They are withdrawing two knight orders and the attached regular legions, but one knight order will remain stationed here." Karen pointed behind him and said, "I just returned from scouting the deepest part. Those are three Chief God-level deities, and they will soon break free of their restraints and make their formal return. Yes, they are weak, but they remain overwhelmingly powerful. A single knight order could never hold them off!" Daan licked his lips and answered, "As a knight, I must obey orders." Daan glanced back, silently hinting: *Karen, go ask the High Priest yourself.* "I will speak with the High Priest. In the meantime, I ask Commander to temporarily halt the evacuation process." Massichen reminded him, "This is the High Priest's decree." "I am the supervisor of the provisional field headquarters. I have the authority to intervene." Daan did not answer directly, but he gave Karen a slight nod. The bone dragon was about to touch down, but Karen jumped off a step early, landing squarely in the communications battalion's camp. Alfred and the others were already waiting there. "Young Master, the High Priest suddenly issued a decree of withdrawal through the temple." "Have Daina connect me to the High Priest." "Young Master, please wait a moment. The Whip-Wielder sent an encrypted message. He wishes to speak with you privately as soon as you return." Karen nodded. "Then connect me to the Whip-Wielder first." No matter what, his trust and goodwill toward his old superior took precedence. Furthermore, before contacting the High Priest, Karen wanted to learn more about the exact situation at the Holy See from the Whip-Wielder. Alfred immediately instructed Daina, "Daina, establish a secure link to the Whip-Wielder." "Yes, sir." Muri, Ventura, and the others took up guard positions outside the tent entrance to ensure they would not be disturbed. As for the confidentiality of the transmission, this was a private communication between the number one and number two figures of the Whip of Order. If even this could be intercepted or leaked, the Church of Order would have long been riddled with holes like a sieve. Karen stood before the array, watching Daina busy at work. An inevitable sense of irritation welled up inside him. This was the drawback of being far from the core of power. Even if it was merely physical distance, the impact was immense. "Commander, the link is established." "Understood." Daina took the initiative to step outside. Soon, Foden's figure appeared within the communication array. Karen took the initiative to speak, simultaneously hinting that there were no security concerns on his end: "Whip-Wielder, what on earth happened?" "Karen, the High Priest has lost himself. Tyrannus's will has likely overtaken his thoughts and body. He not only ordered Kred to withdraw the troops, but also demanded a halt to the defensive construction preparations at every other divine return site. "Kred originally wanted to stall the decree, but the High Priest directly intervened through the temple. "This also means... the High Priest probably no longer trusts us." The exercise of power required tendrils to carry out orders level by level; otherwise, a leader was reduced to nothing more than a symbolic mascot. Foden and the rest of the high-ranking direct subordinates, as well as the senior church figures who had subsequently submitted, were the channels through which the High Priest wielded his authority. Originally, if they refused to carry out the High Priest's will, his authority likely could not have extended past the Holy See's gates. The High Priest could resolve this issue, but rebuilding his tentacles of power would take time. The newly subdued temple served as the perfect bridging tool. Most importantly, the temple's stance toward the 'Return of the Gods' had always been ambiguous. They would love nothing more than for the High Priest to change his mind—or even for Norton to completely become Tyrannus. In any case, things couldn't get any worse for the temple than they already were. They had fallen so far that they couldn't even scrounge up the money to renovate their own grounds. "The High Priest... has lost himself?" Karen felt as though he were listening to a monstrous joke. The High Priest had demonstrated before him the act of ordering his own avatars to commit suicide, and Karen knew full well that the man's situation had always been perilous. Yet Karen, just like Foden, had held absolute confidence in the High Priest, believing a being of his stature was capable of reaching this final threshold. Yes, Tyrannus was immensely powerful and sacred, but this was Norton. Moreover, at such a crucial juncture, Karen had scouted and laid preparations on the front lines at great risk, only for the comrade he thought most steadfast... to suddenly defect? "Karen, the situation is critical, and we have very little time left. We have decided to take action, but we need your cooperation. "On the one hand, Kred has already contacted Daan directly. Like you, Daan needs to return to the Holy See to report to the High Priest. He will secretly lead a contingent of knights into the Dinge Region." Karen's eyes narrowed. *Are they planning a mutiny?* Yet thinking it over, this truly was the most secure approach. With Foden and the others coordinating and running cover, getting Daan and a squad of knights into the Holy See would not be difficult. "On the other hand, I need you to contact Mink Street. Ask that person and the deity beside him to intervene, and have them accompany you into the Holy See. "The approaches differ, but the goal is the same. I actually lean toward the latter, and you should understand why." A mutiny carried far too many negative repercussions. Though its success rate was high, dealing with the aftermath would be extremely difficult, and a single misstep could trigger a civil war between knight orders. The latter option was comparatively far easier to manage and resolve. The fact that Karen's grandfather had shattered the temple yet managed to maintain "relative harmony" with the church was the best proof. "I understand." "Can you manage it, Karen?" In the eyes of Foden and the others, Karen was the liaison between the church and Mink Street. "I can, Whip-Wielder." "Good. I will await your good news." The communication ended. Alfred walked over from the side and asked, "Young Master, should we contact Lord Dis and the others right away?" "No. Call Daina back in. I want to speak with the High Priest." "Yes, Young Master." Daina was summoned back inside and reconfigured the communication array. This time, the wait for the call to connect dragged on longer than usual. In the past, this was practically unheard of; anyone possessing the clearance to contact the High Priest on official business would receive an immediate response. Finally, the connection formed. Karen saw the High Priest sitting behind the desk. The background was no longer the tea area surrounded by flowing water. "High Priest, I have just returned from scouting the front lines and received your decree ordering a troop withdrawal." "Comply and execute." "Yes, High Priest." *Snap!* The communication ended. Karen stared in surprise at the deactivated array. *That was... it?* "Young Master..." "Alfred, go inform Commander Daan that I will comply as instructed." "Yes, Young Master." After Alfred departed, Karen drew the golden page from his coat and wrote upon it: *Grandpa Hoffen, greetings to you.* Before long, a concise line of text appeared on the golden page: *Grandson, get to the point.* *The High Priest is suspected of losing himself, overtaken by the consciousness of Tyrannus.* This time, the wait was slightly longer: *Are you certain? Dis said that the God of Order met Norton in the office temple, and the God of Order expressed satisfaction.* Karen frowned. He, too, found it hard to believe Norton had truly succumbed, but he could only assess the reality unfolding before his eyes: *The High Priest has already ordered the withdrawal of troops from the Garden of Life. The church will not maintain defenses at the front lines of the gods' return.* *Tell us, what do you need us to do?* *The Whip-Wielder and the others are preparing to launch a coup to subdue the High Priest. I need Grandpa to bring Raniedal and enter the Holy See in secret.* *Everything is up to you.* *Understood. Thank you, Grandpas.* Karen put away the golden page and walked out of the tent, just as Alfred returned. He reported, "Young Master, Commander Daan says he understands." "Ah Fu, return to Mink Street first. Take charge of receiving Grandpa and the others, and arrange their entry into the Dinge Region. At the same time, coordinate with the Whip-Wielder; they will provide additional cover and concealment. "However, remember this: nothing is to be set in motion without my command." "Young Master, what about you?" "I'm going ahead." Karen glanced back at the shut-down communication array. "I need to speak with him face-to-face." "Young Master, the risk is too great. This subordinate advises that you move together with Lord Dis and the others." "You're wrong, Ah Fu. The greatest risk lies in not asking him directly." *** The carriage carrying Karen had only just rolled out of the Dinge Region's teleportation array hall when the cabin gave a slight shudder. Philomena gripped the Nightmare Blade, on alert for an assassination. Little Kanna woke from dozing against her bookbag, yawning as she forced her eyes wide. Karen said placidly, "It's fine." Someone was unraveling the carriage's protective wards from a great distance. Soon, the wards were dismantled, and a figure materialized inside the carriage, seated right across from Karen. The newcomer was Temple Elder Rohan. *Have temple elders become so cheap that they're all working part-time as errand boys for the High Priest?* "Minister Karen." "Elder Rohan." "I am here on the High Priest's decree to monitor your movements." "I am currently on my way to the Holy See to meet with the High Priest." "I believe the High Priest would rather not see you right now. I also suggest that you refrain from going; you would do better to return to Vienne first." "Why?" "I imagine you know better than I do that certain people are planning something. But none of it can be concealed." "Why are you telling me this?" "Ukonga ordered me to inform you. It isn't convenient for him to show himself right now, so he could only have me warn you. Ah, strictly speaking, I've already violated the principles of surveillance." "Where is the decree?" "What?" "The High Priest's decree forbidding me from seeing him." "The High Priest does not wish to see you; that has already been made clear. While I don't fully understand what kind of vortex this is, it's evident that neither your teacher Ukonga nor the High Priest wants you to get too deeply entangled. "Return to Vienne. It will keep you clear of this storm." "And what about the Garden of Life?" Karen challenged. "Can we just stay clear of what's happening at the Garden of Life?" "That is not within my duties." "But it is within mine." "Karen, you are a very clever young man. I have always held you in high regard, so please do not act foolishly this time." "Then I'm afraid I might disappoint you. Sometimes, I can be quite foolish." Rohan raised a hand. Outside, a group of clerics appeared and brought the carriage to a halt. "You are not permitted to go." "I am going to see him. I intend to get a clear answer. Besides, nowhere in this world does a secretary get barred from seeing his superior." "Ukonga told me that if you refuse to listen to reason, I may use force to restrain you first." With that, Rohan closed his eyes, and an endless sealing power began to exert itself upon the carriage. As a temple elder specialized in arrays, placing an ethereal seal on a carriage from afar was no great challenge, even without his true body present. The driver had already lost control of the vehicle. The carriage turned around, heading back toward the teleportation hall. "Please do not stand in my way, Elder Rohan." "You ought to listen to your elders." Karen closed his eyes. In the center of the pool deep within his soul, an enormous Rubik's cube surfaced and began to spin rapidly. A look of relief crossed Rohan's face. To his eyes, Karen had resigned himself to his fate, and Rohan could now see him safely back to Vienne. Yet moments later, Rohan noticed that the seal he had just placed on the carriage was unraveling at breakneck speed. "You little rascal, heh." Rohan raised a hand, reapplying the seal. He had assumed he could effortlessly extinguish this young man's tantrum of resistance, but reality dealt him a massive surprise: his power and Karen's had reached a deadlock over the carriage. *This boy truly is an array genius!* Inside a room in a distant building, Rohan's true body stood up. The next instant, he appeared on the street, looking down at the carriage turning in circles on the spot. "A pity I couldn't have you as my student; Ukonga beat me to it." This had always been a major regret of his, though he knew nothing could be changed now. Having reclaimed a godhead fragment, Ukonga's status within the temple was virtually equal to that of an Oracle. Rohan pointed his palm downward and said gently: "Child, no matter how great your talent in arrays, it is meaningless in the face of a gap in realm." Inside the carriage, Rohan's phantom spoke the exact same words in unison. Karen paid him no heed, keeping his eyes shut. Deep in his soul, the waters of the pool surged toward the cube. The cube took on a golden sheen, its rotation accelerating further. Rohan was mistaken. When it came to attainments in arrays, Karen could not match someone who had steeped himself in the craft for centuries like Rohan. Karen's advantage, however, lay precisely in realm. Clerics were divided into civil and martial paths. Though Karen had not yet condensed a godhead fragment, having completed the trial of God's Shepherd meant he possessed power no less than that of a temple elder. How could a temple elder who followed the technical path ever hope to suppress him? Rohan instantly sensed that the force below was slipping beyond his control. Still failing to realize that Karen was pushing back with equivalent strength, he instinctively assumed the young man was recklessly using some specialized secret technique to break things at any cost. Without hesitation, Rohan withdrew his power. He did not dare let this clash of sealing forces continue, fearing that Karen might suffer harm. Because of this gesture, Karen's tightly clenched fist slowly eased open. *Hum!* The seal on the carriage shattered. "Woof!" An ear-splitting "dragon's roar" erupted as Little Kanna revealed her true form right on the city streets of the Dinge Region. Though she had not yet reached adulthood, the focused nurturing she had received over this long period had fostered excellent growth. The frame of the bone dragon could easily be described as majestic. "Sigh." Rohan let out a breath. Things had escalated. This time it was his turn to close his eyes, and a massive sealing barrier manifested around them—though it was not yet fully established, leaving a wide opening. He had done this on purpose. Karen spoke: "Let's go, Kanna." "Roar!" Little Kanna charged headlong through the unfinished sealing barrier, carrying Karen aloft as she flew straight toward the Holy See. Left behind on the street after Karen departed, a trace of gold-tinted blood leaked from the corner of Rohan's mouth. He wiped it with the back of his hand and cursed: "You wretched brat! There was an opening right there, and you had to go and crash straight through the barrier!" *** The number of guards at the main gates of the Holy See had multiplied several times over, and inspections of incoming and outgoing personnel were far stricter than ever before. "Listen up! Every single person entering or leaving must be thoroughly inspected! These are orders from above! No matter whose carriage it is, no one enters without inspection! Understood?!" "Yes, Section Chief!" "Yes, Section Chief!" "Mm, very good." Section Chief Bikemain nodded with satisfaction. "Section Chief, do we stop that one too?" "Are you deaf? Did you not hear what I just said? No matter whose carriage it is, it must—" Bikemain turned around as he barked his reprimand, only for his words to cut off abruptly. He saw a massive dragon flying straight toward them. "S-Secretary-General... Lord Karen..." Standing atop the dragon's back, Karen looked down placidly and said: "Open the gate."