Divine War in Vienn!

Rasma picked up the wine bottle, poured a glass for himself, and then poured one for Old Hoffen. "Taste it. Wine I brewed myself." Hoffen lowered his head, his nose twitching. After a deep sniff, he shook his head and said, "Nowhere near what my grandson brews." Rasma snapped irritably, "I've only heard the family here say Karen is good at cooking. I've never heard that he knows how to make wine." "Now you're showing your ignorance. Never having made it doesn't mean he doesn't know how. My grandson is brilliant at everything he sets his hand to." "Ha. 'My grandson,' 'my grandson.' Tell me, how can your skin be so thick?" "Thick?" "Even his real grandfather doesn't constantly have 'grandson' on his lips like you do every single day. By the way, don't you have your own flesh and blood?" "What does my flesh and blood have to do with me?" Rasma was speechless. "Karen is my grandson. When he comes back, he has to call me Grandfather. Every 'Grandfather' makes my bones... wait, I don't have bones right now. Anyway, it makes my consciousness go weak with delight." "Incomprehensible. Feels like you've been corrupted by this Principles Notebook." "Bah, you're the one who's corrupted." Hoffen lifted his wineglass and drained it in one gulp. "Seeing you fail to understand makes me happy. Heh-heh." Just then, both old men paused slightly. Rasma said, "He's back." Hoffen said, "My grandson is back." Rasma walked over to the windowsill and looked out at the street. "He didn't come straight home." Hoffen didn't mind. "He probably went to see his friend from the Church of the Mural God first." "Is that person truly the successor to the Mural God?" "Yes, indeed. The day he received the Mural God's inheritance, Diss went too." "Something like that, Karen should have reported to the church immediately." Hoffen rolled his eyes at Rasma. "And then have the church send Karen over to handle it?" "My point is, aren't you worried that Karen might be influenced after having too much contact with him? The lunatics in the Church of the Mural God are far fewer in number than the Light remnants, but their ability to influence people is vastly greater than those Light remnants." "If even my grandson could be influenced, well, it's your face that's lost anyway." "My face?" "Alright, alright. Aren't you heading back to the church? My grandson is going to be back in a moment." "Would I be afraid of him?" "Suit yourself." "I forgot to water the luffa gourds in the church courtyard today." "Heh-heh." After a moment, Diss walked out of the study. Old Hoffen was left sitting alone at the table, continuing to savor the wine. "The moment Karen returned, Rasma slipped back to his church. Sometimes one can only sigh at the strange wonders of fate. If Rasma ever finds out in the future who the person he's been avoiding all along truly is, he'll probably regret it bitterly." Diss said, "Everyone holds their own God of Order in their heart. There is no conflict in that." "Old partner, the way you talk is growing more and more like doctrinal philosophy. Is it because your grandson became the God of Order, so you've secretly started flipping through doctrinal scriptures at night to improve yourself?" "Do you know why Karen came back?" "Does that even need asking? He missed home, so he came back. What a strange thing for you to say." "The matters at the Garden of Life, the ice plains, the Gate of Samsara, and the Moon Wheel have all drawn to a close one after another. Therefore, it is time to face what comes next." "So that's it—he came in advance to act spoiled before his grandfather and ask his grandfather to step in and help at the crucial moment! A kid is still a kid after all. Even after becoming a god, he can't break that habit, haha." Diss gave Hoffen a deep look and said nothing more. The carriage stopped outside 13 Mink Street. Karen walked in holding little Kanna's hand, followed by Ukonga. Ukonga still harbored a lingering dread toward this place. A dignified temple elder, upon entering the courtyard, did not forget to turn around and carefully close the yard gate so it wouldn't make too loud a sound. Mina and the others had all gone to school, and there was no business at home today. Mason had taken Aunt Mary to see a musical, while Aunt Winnie had gone to the funeral parlor to reconcile accounts with Paul. Karen went straight up to the third floor and saw Diss. "Grandfather." "Mm." Karen then turned his gaze upon Old Hoffen, who was seated behind Diss, and smiled again. "Grandfather." "Hey!" Karen took a step closer and called out again, "Grandfather." "Hey..." Standing before Hoffen, Karen bent down. "Grandfather." "Uh..." Hoffen appeared somewhat flustered. He wanted to burrow back into the book, but Diss's hand happened to rest right on the cover of the Principles Notebook. Karen looked at Hoffen and said, "Grandfather, the matters before this have been resolved. Now it's time to set about resolving what lies ahead." Hoffen chuckled and said, "Naturally, I wish my grandson success." Karen stopped talking in circles and went straight to the point. "Among the next batch of returning gods, there is the God of Principles." *** Ever since the day the High Priest had asked Karen for someone, Alfred had practically taken up residence in the Administrative Temple, replacing his young master as the High Priest's first secretary. Alfred loved this new assignment. After all, not just anyone was qualified to learn and work under their own idol. Even if the idol was somewhat aloof. Today, however, while Alfred was reading, he suddenly heard a series of cracking sounds. He put down the book in his hands and saw a succession of fissures appearing across the High Priest's body ahead. As shards of ice peeled away continuously, the High Priest's entire complexion began to gradually recover. For a moment, a thick wave of sorrow rose in Alfred's heart. Yet he said nothing; instead, he poured a glass of red wine first, then trimmed a cigar. Freed from his frozen state, the High Priest reached out and lifted the wineglass. After taking a sip, he reached out again and took the cigar Alfred handed him. Alfred silently began tidying the items on the tea table, sorting what he had brought himself to distinguish it from the books that were already here. "No need to pack them up and take them away," the High Priest said placidly. "In any case, this will be your office from now on." Alfred nodded and replied, "Things that do not belong to me, I was intending to throw away." It was a very dry joke, yet the High Priest laughed. "Heh-heh-heh, ha-ha-ha..." After laughing, the High Priest closed his eyes, as if resting, or perhaps savoring the moment. Alfred suggested, "Shall I call Miss Daina over?" "Why call her?" "At a time like this, you ought to bid someone farewell. You have no interest in the others, and would find it meaningless. Daina is your adopted daughter, after all, suitable for going through the motions." "You are quite right." "Please wait a moment." "Mm." Roughly twenty minutes later, Daina hurried up the steps. Just before entering the temple, she paused to tidy her appearance. Walking inside, she saw Alfred carrying an easel as he walked toward the seating area. She saw Alfred wink at her. Daina didn't understand what he meant, only knowing to blink vigorously in return. Because she blinked too hard, her eyes grew sore. After entering the seating area, she endured the discomfort, the corners of her eyes turning slightly moist. The High Priest, seated ahead, spoke: "I am leaving." Daina immediately abandoned image management, letting the newly gathered tears stream down as she fell to her knees before the High Priest, clutching his leg. "Please don't abandon me! Don't leave me all alone! Waaah..." Seated across from them, painting, Alfred offered a critique in his mind: The acting is slightly unpolished, but fortunately, she gets into character very quickly. The High Priest patted Daina's head. "Live well from now on." "Please don't go! I beg you, don't go!" "Karen will take care of you. He is your army commander." "No, I want you! I want you..." The High Priest turned his head toward Alfred and asked, "Finished?" When asking this question, the High Priest's posture did not change; one palm was even still gently patting Daina's head with benevolent affection. Alfred stood up and answered, "Finished. The composition is complete." "Mm." The High Priest stood up, disregarded Daina, and walked straight outside. Daina wasn't dejected in the least. She wiped her tears, took a deep breath, and even smiled. Though there was a clear gap in acting and age, Daina was, after all, an experienced young performer. From the day her father died and she was taken in by the High Priest, she had known that if she wanted to live well, she had to play the role of an 'adopted daughter' to the best of her ability. Alfred caught up and asked, "I feel that placing the mural just now by the entrance to the hall would carry the best symbolic meaning." "That works." "Do you require a wheelchair? I think heading out in a wheelchair better fits the mood and atmosphere." "Alright." "Then shall I summon my young master to push your wheelchair for you?" Alfred immediately added, "I think this visual would also be magnificent. It signifies succession and highlights your special status among the past generation, distinct from the other squire knights. Believers of future generations would understand at a glance." "Have you notified Karen?" "Not yet." "Then there's no need to notify him. Call Crede over to push my wheelchair, and have Karen wait for me in his York Region. When I emerge in the wheelchair, he can take it over from Crede's hands." "The visual you designed is better. I have learned something new." Standing behind them, Daina had no idea what the two were talking about. This was, in truth, a shared mural complex between Big Alfred and Little Alfred—or perhaps, Big Tyrannus and Little Tyrannus. As if recalling something amusing, the corner of the High Priest's mouth curled slightly upward. "In the past, I was also very fond of designing murals, but none of them took it seriously at first." Alfred said with absolute conviction, "They definitely regretted it." "Yes, indeed. Who could truly not care?" The High Priest sat in the wheelchair. The first to arrive was not Crede, but Budalas. "You've worked hard recently, Budalas." "If the Order Knights hadn't charged into the Moon God Church, my workload would have been much lighter." "That has nothing to do with me." The High Priest spread his hands. "That was our Lord's promise." Budalas nodded. "I know." "Very well, go on with your duties. Once the matter below concludes, it will be time for you all to formally take power. I—we—have done our utmost to hand this world over to you in the most peaceful manner possible." Budalas smiled. "You should say those words to my secretary-general." "It is not my place to say such things to him. Otherwise, what would God have left to say when the time comes?" "You have thought of everything." Crede arrived. He stepped behind the wheelchair and pushed it forward. More and more people gathered—Foden, Sisa, and others, all silently following behind. The High Priest did not ask, "What, do none of you have work to do?" Instead, he tacitly allowed these people to follow him all the way to the exclusive teleportation hall within the Holy See. The teleportation array activated. But just as Crede prepared to push the High Priest inside, the High Priest raised a hand first, then beckoned. "Come here, all of you." The prominent figures of the church all gathered round. The High Priest turned his head slightly. Crede understood at once, slowly turning the wheelchair so that everyone present had the opportunity to exchange glances with the High Priest. "Being your chief has been a great blessing. I am proud to have had subordinates as outstanding and devout as you." No one could clearly tell whether the current High Priest was more Norton or more Tyrannus. Yet at this moment, the High Priest chose to bid farewell to these subordinates, who had fought alongside him, in the identity of Norton. Foden, Sisa, and the others crossed their arms one after another, offering their final salute to the figure in the wheelchair. "Greetings, High Priest." "Greetings, High Priest." The High Priest likewise crossed his arms, bowed his head slightly, and responded: "Praise be to the great Order." *** The new teleportation array hall of York Region was truly magnificent. Embedded within it were numerous communication arrays—in the past, evidence of the designer's corruption and dereliction of duty, but today, they all served their purpose. Although the High Priest had made no attempt to conceal his journey from the Holy See to here, that had ultimately only alerted the upper echelons. Upon his arrival here, with all communication arrays activated, every grassroots department within the church also received notification. Aside from a few special posts that could not be left unattended, all other priests were required to watch the simultaneous array broadcast at this moment. The high-ranking priests across the entire York Region—no, the entire Vienn Region—were gathered here, waiting. Leon whispered to Vic beside him, "Why wasn't a position in the very front reserved for the minister in advance?" Vic replied, "There's no need." Karen's carriage drove into the hall. Every high-ranking priest present turned toward the carriage, preparing to salute. The carriage door opened, and Karen stepped down. "Greetings, Lord Secretary-General." Karen nodded. As he walked forward, everyone stepped back in unison with tacit understanding. Just like that, the foremost position naturally appeared. Nowadays, Karen held a transcendent status throughout the entire Church of Order, to say nothing of his home base in Vienn. To put it bluntly, here, his word was divine decree. *** "Hey, why aren't you standing inside? Why follow me?" "I want to see him too." "Are you sure you can afford to be absent? You're the bishop here, after all." "It's fine. My grandson won't punish me." Madam Tangli glared at her husband. Old Delon chuckled and continued following her up the stairs. The two reached the rooftop of a high-rise outside the boundary barrier of the teleportation array hall. An old man already stood here, a book suspended before him. The book had breached the teleportation hall's barrier, projecting the scene unfolding inside before them. Diss turned around and looked at Madam Tangli and Delon as they approached. Without any other expression, Diss simply nodded. Madam Tangli also nodded. Old Delon edged closer, pointed at Karen in the projected image, and said, "Diss, you have a good grandson." After saying this, Delon wore a reserved expression, yet the way his fingers repeatedly twiddled beneath his sleeves betrayed his extreme anticipation. While keeping a decorous smile on her face, Madam Tangli stepped on her husband's foot. She finally understood why her husband hadn't stood in the front row of the hall to welcome the High Priest, but had insisted on accompanying her here to see Diss. He had specifically come here to fish for a word of validation from Diss. Diss fell silent. A genius's occasional low emotional intelligence was not born of incomprehension, but of complete indifference. Yet facing Delon's behavior, Diss had no choice but to offer a response. Regardless, Delon's daughter had married his son. Diss spoke: "Delon, he is your grandson too." "Aha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" Delon tried to show some restraint, but failed. He laughed loudly and thoroughly happily. A voice drifted from the book responsible for the projection: "Oh, heavens, Diss, do I look that stupid every time I laugh?" *** The teleportation ring of light flared, and Crede pushed the High Priest out. The priests throughout the hall saluted in unison: "Greetings, High Priest." "Greetings, High Priest." Karen did not salute. Instead, he stepped forward naturally. Without hesitation or delay—even before Karen reached him—Crede had already released his hands from the wheelchair and stepped aside. The day Karen had walked into his office leading that dog, he had abandoned all resistance. Karen pushed the wheelchair and walked outward. This scene was broadcast in full, equivalent to reaffirming the successor's identity one final time at the very end. The High Priest asked with a smile, "I hear you've run Vienn into your own independent kingdom?" "High Priest, as you know, I have always been conscientious and responsible in my work." Karen pushed the wheelchair outside the teleportation hall. This was the highest point of the Three Islands of Vienn. Due to the boundary barrier, one could not see inside from the outside, but from within, one could overlook all of Vienn. The surrounding sea hung vertically like blue canvas. "Karen, do you know why the York Region holds such a special and transcendent status among this church's many regions?" "I used to think it was because of the Vienn Empire. Later I realized it wasn't. The brief history of the Vienn Empire couldn't possibly match the ten thousand years of management the church poured into this place." "Then today, I shall tell you why." The High Priest slowly stood up from the wheelchair. Amidst the Tifranco Mountains in the center of Vienn, a stone pillar rose continuously. Piercing through the cloud layer, it began extending outward to both sides. A colossal cross emerged. The Three Islands of Vienn served as the base of this cross. At this moment, the gigantic form of Tyrannus was bound to the cross, his blood-tinged eyes overlooking the vast surrounding waters. Immediately after, towering, imposing figures appeared all around. They were advancing—advancing toward Vienn, and at the same time, advancing toward this world. This was a host of—mighty chief gods! *** Watching the cross grow out of the Tifranco Mountains, Old Hoffen sighed with emotion: "It seems whether I betrayed my Lord makes no difference at all. Tyrannus calculated everything long ago." Diss shook his head and said, "There is a difference. It determines whether Karen will still acknowledge you as his grandfather." "Diss, what you say makes so much sense." *** The gods' pace began to accelerate. Terrifying, boundless divine pressure converged ceaselessly toward Vienn. "Break through here, and we shall formally return!" "Our exile is over! Everyone, exert your might!" "Ahead lies freedom!" "The shackles of Order have rotted!" "This world welcomes our return!" They already understood that the coordinates they had altered were meaningless, but they understood even better that they had no path of retreat left—only the choice of a fight to the death. *** The High Priest raised his head, and Tyrannus upon the cross raised his head as well. "Comrades, the time has come for our collective curtain call." One figure after another plummeted vertically downward—squire lords of Order, knight lords of Order, and even a dragon shimmering with seven colors, unleashing a deafening roar. Among them, a female knight with long blue hair walked slowly toward Tyrannus, reaching out to gently caress his face, her gaze filled with tenderness and love. *** Karen asked in a low voice, "Why did not a single rumor of your love story pass down to future generations?" The High Priest replied, "Because I was the one who recorded the history. Why would I leave my private feelings behind as gossip for all of you?" "Doesn't that count as abusing your authority for personal gain?" "It does, and I could do it again." The High Priest reached out and pressed a hand to Karen's shoulder. The next instant, Karen's consciousness rose to the heights above. Upon the cross, Tyrannus's sight became his sight, and Tyrannus's will became his will. "Come, let everyone look upon you." "Why wasn't Augurev given this kind of treatment at the Garden of Life?" "Because back then, he wanted to contest my position, so I threw him into the dragon stables to eat dragon dung and reflect on his actions." *** With new eyes, Tyrannus looked around. At this moment, all the branch god lords of Order seemed to sense something. Their expressions turned solemn, and they called out in unison: "Praise be to the great God of Order!" Below, all the Order priests of Vienn, including the priests across the entire church observing this scene through the broadcast arrays, assumed the lords were carrying out a customary ritual and joined in the praise and prayer. Tyrannus spoke: "Everyone, our Church of Order has historically possessed only our Lord as the sole god, yet the outside world has always referred to us 'lords' as the 'branch gods' of our Order lineage. "Very well. "After today's battle, "the 'branch gods' of our Order lineage shall take away... all the chief gods returning from the previous era!"