13 Mink Street

Karon remembered opening his eyes after completing the symbiotic pact last night. He remembered personally carrying Pu’er to the bed, and then tucking her in with a blanket. He had then told Alfred and Kevin that the ritual had gone very well, but that he did not want to be disturbed for the time being and needed a bit to recover.

Alfred had taken Kevin back to his own room to rest.

And then Karon himself... had gone into the bathroom to take a bath? And while soaking, he had fallen asleep?

Karon moved slightly, his mind still in a fog, and he heard the gentle splash of water.

Yes, his last memory from the previous night stopped at the moment he had sat down in the bathtub, intending to sort through his thoughts while soaking. Who could have guessed he would actually fall asleep?

His intuition told him that he had likely slept for a very long time, and when he examined himself inwardly, he found several additional strands of power inside his body... no, they were not additional strands.

If power were compared to foundation stones, then Karon’s internal spiritual reservoir had gained much richer colors. It was a very peculiar feeling, as though he had suddenly gained the perception to distinguish several additional kinds of power. They felt so unfamiliar, yet at the same time, they were strangely familiar.

His long sleep had likely filled his newly remodeled reservoir, and Karon was already experienced with this, because back when he had been practicing Arts, he had often trained himself to total exhaustion.

At that moment, he realized that the water in the bathtub was still warm. It did not have the faint residual warmth of water that was in the process of cooling, but the temperature that was perfectly suited for soaking.

Scooping up a little water, he held it before his eyes. Karon unexpectedly sensed an aura of Light within it.

So even while sleeping, the power of Light inside his body would circulate on its own to help him maintain water temperature?

“Heh...” Karon smiled and shook his head. This was not bad at all. At the very least, he would never have to worry about falling asleep in the bath and catching a cold again.

He climbed out of the tub, took a towel, dried himself off, and changed into his clothes.

While washing up, he looked in the mirror to find that he seemed somewhat different from before. It was not a change of appearance, of course. When it came to his looks, there was likely not much left to improve anyway.

The change was in his bearing. He still had a very young face, but there was now a calm steadiness to him. If Karon had to describe it in a way he understood well, then it would probably be... refined.

If he changed into a set of priest’s robes and went to a church, then even with his youthful face, the believers of that church would likely believe him to be a newly transferred priest.

This should be a change brought about by the power of Light. Karon was quite satisfied with it. He had always felt somewhat uncomfortable with his own youthful appearance, so if he could give others the impression of being more composed, he was perfectly happy with that.

When he stepped into the bedroom, he found Pu’er was no longer on the bed. He did not hurry out, nor did he ring the bell on the nightstand. Instead, he went to his study and glanced at the wall clock. It was five in the afternoon.

He had slept practically through the entire day. After checking the calendar carefully, he felt relieved. Luckily, he had not lost an entire day, but had only slept through the daylight hours.

There was a thermos on the desk. Ciri had a routine that included coming and refilling his hot water in the morning, at noon, and in the evening each day.

Karon picked up the thermos. When he removed the lid of the teacup, he found tea leaves already placed inside. He brewed himself a cup, and sat down behind the desk.

While waiting for the tea to cool, Karon spread open his right palm. With a slight mental movement, a flame appeared above his hand. It shifted into all kinds of shapes, all according to his will.

Then, along with a slight narrowing of his right eye, the surface of the flame took on a white color, instantly granting it a sacred quality of being a holy flame.

And at that exact moment, an old man’s figure appeared before Karon’s desk.

“You’re actually still here?” Karon asked in surprise.

“You moved?” The old man was also a little surprised. After looking around, he smiled. “You brought all of my books with you, so naturally, I came along as well. After all, my mental imprint is within the books, rather than the house itself.”

The old man then looked at the holy flame above Karon’s palm and immediately asked in disbelief, “You... you converted to Light?”

“Not exactly.” Karon shook his head.

“I already knew that there is the power of Light within you, but this is the first time I have sensed the aura of faith in Light from you. Have you turned yourself over to the embrace of the God of Light?”

“Have you ever considered that the so-called aura of faith in the God of Light is merely present because some part of our own aura is shared with the God of Light? We always treat what we already possess as something granted to us by the gods, and feel endless gratitude for it.”

The old man revealed a bitter smile and said, “You are blaspheming the gods yet again.”

At some point, the old man had actually developed a sense of familiarity with it.

Karon opened the desk drawer. There were several packs of cigarettes inside. He no longer smoked, but still habitually kept a pack of cigarettes and a lighter on him, and Alfred would also prepare them in places where Karon often spent time.

Picking up a pack of cigarettes and tossing it onto the desk, Karon asked, “Do you smoke?”

“I do, but unfortunately, I cannot smoke in my current state. Still, the colony where my true self has gone produces abundant tobacco, so my true self should be enjoying himself quite a bit right now.”

“Does smoking make you happy?”

“Happy? I cannot quite relate to that feeling. For an old smoker, tobacco is scarcely a source of happiness.”

“Exactly.” Karon nodded. “If you don’t smoke, then originally, you possess ten points of happiness. If you smoke, the nicotine in the cigarette steals five points of your happiness, leaving you stuck with an ordinary level of only five. In your search for greater happiness, you go and smoke, and the nicotine lends you back three points of happiness, allowing you to briefly reach eight. After a short time passes, you return to five, and then you have to go looking to borrow from it again.

“You don’t blame the nicotine for stealing your five points of happiness, but instead feel grateful to it for lending you an ‘extra’ three points of happiness. It clearly stole what originally belonged to you long ago, and yet you still thank it with heartfelt gratitude.”

The old man fell silent. Naturally, he could hear what Karon was really implying.

Karon picked up the cigarette pack and kept turning it over in his hand. “We find all kinds of reasons to comfort ourselves into thinking we need it. We weave all kinds of stories to persuade ourselves that we can’t leave it, taking for granted that it must simply be part of our lives. Yet no matter how many reasons, excuses, stories, or supposedly reasonable sermons there are, they are all false.

“If you go half a day without smoking, you feel uncomfortable. If you go a whole day without smoking, you feel miserable. After three days without it, your head feels like it is splitting open and you want to slap yourself. Only at that moment can you clearly recognize... that you are nothing more than a pitiful slave crawling at its feet.”

“How should I put it? I have already grown used to hearing such words from you, yet my heart remains firm all the same.” The old man smiled. “Perhaps, in the eyes of the gods, you are merely a mischievous little lamb, and the gods will forgive you.”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Karon’s mouth. He clearly recognized when a person no longer wished to discuss a matter through theory, but instead used some method to cover things over. It showed that one’s heart was avoiding the issue.

“Then how do you explain this?” In the next instant, Light flowed in Karon’s right eye, while his left eye displayed the profound depth of Order.

“...” The old man stared.

“You can take your time and think about this properly. Think about whether your heart truly is still firm.”

“You are a heretical god.” The old man let out a bitter laugh. “You have corrupted me!”

“A heretical god is nothing more than a dog.”

“...What?”

“I hope that the next time I see you, you will say something different from before.”

“So... you want to gain control over me?” the old man asked.

“I really do want to know more recently about the remnants of Light... and about the current state of the Church of Light. After all, if I cover my left eye, who would deny that I am a devout believer of Light?”

“I think you are close to succeeding,” the old man acknowledged.

“There’s no rush at all. According to your own words, you have already been ‘corrupted’ by me. It is like curing food, leave it sitting a while longer and the flavor will seep in more thoroughly.”

“Heh heh.” The old man left behind a laugh as his figure dissipated from within the study.

“I nearly forgot. For the sake of the refrigerator, I still need to go cook at the cemetery. Sigh.” Karon let out a sigh. The refrigerator had still not been moved into his home. It would be a little embarrassing to ask for leave right now.

Just then, the telephone rang. Karon picked it up. “Hello, Pavaro Funeral Home.”

“Inquisitor Pavaro? Oh no, you’re Karon.” Marlow’s voice came through the line. “I got your contact information from Fannie. I’ve prepared some good wine and some top quality beef, and am planning a barbecue tonight. Do you want to come, Karon?”

Karon knew that Marlow was unable to suppress his curiosity regarding the set of ritual arrays in Karon’s possession. For someone who truly enjoyed researching ritual arrays, waiting even just one extra day was a kind of torment. “Alright. When?”

“When are you free?” Marlow asked.

Karon glanced at the time and said, “I may need a bit of time.”

“That’s fine. We usually have our late night meal after midnight anyway.”

“Then that works. Where will it be?”

“At the same factory where you met with Gray. Gray and Wynn will both be there, as will Fannie and Paige. Oh, and Kensey will be there too.”

“Alright. I’ll try to come a bit earlier.”

“Haha, that’s fine. Handle your own business first. So it’s settled?”

“Alright.” After hanging up the phone, Karon stood and stepped out of the study. He was just in time to see Pu’er riding on Kevin as the dog ran over.

“Oh, you’re awake?” Pu’er immediately asked another question, “You didn’t drain the water from your bathtub, right?”

“Oh, I forgot.”

“Don’t drain it. Later, I’ll have Dora and Dorin soak in it. It’ll help them recover. You’re really going overboard.”

“What about you? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“Any changes?” Karon asked.

“Changes? You mean this?” Pu’er waved a paw, and a fireball appeared. “Tier-1 in the family faith system. It’s still very low, but it’s a very good start. I can try seeing just how far a cat’s body can rise.”

Because Pu’er was sitting on Kevin’s back, the fireball appeared directly atop of the dog’s head, and the fur immediately caught fire.

At first, Kevin did not notice. He simply kept his mouth open and his tongue lolling out in his usual foolish grin. Finally, he smelled something burning.

“Ah!” Pu’er cried out loudly. She had set the stupid dog on fire.

Karon reached out a hand, and a mass of water gathered and splashed right onto Kevin, soaking the golden retriever completely. He was not injured, but a patch of his head had been burnt bald.

“Ow! Sorry about that, stupid dog. I gave you a perm without permission.”

Kevin did not blame Pu’er, and instead, simply ran off some distance where he began to frantically shake the water off of his body. Only when he was done did Kevin run back. He squatted down and used a paw to pat at his head.

“You’re awake, Young Master.” Alfred appeared after hearing the commotion in the hallway.

“Alfred, have Ciri take out the bag of the dumplings I made last time from the fridge. I’ll take them with me. Also, prepare a few copies of some ritual arrays that the Inquisitors would be interested in, though not any overly obscure ones. Just pick a few you find interesting, and I’ll take those as well.

“Also, go back and study Mr. Hoffen’s notes again, focusing on the parts about Kevin’s seal. Once you’re ready, I’ll try to help Kevin lift a bit of the seal.”

The moment he heard that, Kevin immediately recovered his foolish grin. Even the bald patch on his head no longer mattered.

“Yes, Young Master. Please wait a bit.”

Karon walked over and sat down on the long bench. Pu’er followed him, and jumped onto his lap. “What about you, do you feel anything different?”

“A lot has changed, though I don’t know the exact effects yet. However...”

“However, what?”

“However, I should know tonight.”

Alfred worked with impressive efficiency. Karon only sat on the bench for a short while before Alfred returned with a bag of frozen dumplings and a red notebook. “Young Master, shall I put them in the car for you?”

“No need, I’ll carry them myself. Right, I’ll be back rather late tonight.”

After putting the things into the car, Karon drove to Ivy Cemetery. Saman had not closed the gate for the night, but was sweeping the grounds with a large broom. Karon pulled the car in and parked, then got out with the dumplings.

“What’s that?” Saman asked curiously.

“Dumplings.”

“Dumplings?” Saman shook his head. “What a strange pronunciation.”

“This is a new dish I invented recently. Since I just developed it, I specifically brought some over for you to try.”

“Oh, really? That is truly exciting. I’ll pretend not to notice that your real purpose is simply to casually deal with tonight’s dinner.”

“These taste much better than that macaroni you cooked.”

“Really? I don’t believe that.”

Karon walked into the kitchen and began boiling the dumplings. He then prepared three dipping sauces; one was the thick sauce Veynic people liked best, one was a chili sauce, and the third was simple fruit vinegar.

Saman had already set up the small table when Karon carried out two plates of dumplings. The old man picked up a dumpling with a fork and put it into his mouth.

“How does it taste?”

“Not bad.” Saman continued with a second, then a third...

Karon had already picked up his own fork, but hesitated for a moment before putting it back down again.

“You’re not eating?” Saman asked, even while pulling the plate in front of Karon over to himself.

“I have a get-together tonight. It’s someone else’s treat, so I’m saving room.”

“Heh heh, that’s a very good habit.”

“There are more dumplings. I left them in your refrigerator,” Karon said.

“Oh? How many are left?”

“A hundred, I guess?”

“That many? I don’t believe you. You’re lying to me.”

“If you don’t believe me, count them yourself in the fridge.”

“I’ll do that.” Saman picked up his pipe and tapped it on the table. A puff of smoke rose from the pipe, and Saman reached into the smoke. He pulled out the bag of dumplings and set it on the table. “Heh, there really are so many. You weren’t lying to me, kid.”

Saman twisted his neck. “How about this; tomorrow night when you come, drive your hearse and haul my refrigerator back with you.”

Karon lowered his head to pointedly stare at the pipe.

“Take the pipe and the flute too.”

There was no excitement on Karon’s face. Instead, he asked, “So soon?”

“Yes, it’s much sooner than expected. The delegation from the Church of Pamireth has already been driven out of the Ankara Hotel by the Church of Order. They’re now staying in an ordinary hotel in York City. That is basically the final signal. Now, it just depends on when your higher ups issue the final divine decree. As soon as that decree comes down, the Church of Pamireth will have its organizations purged everywhere.”

“Then tomorrow, I’ll also have someone come over to take your measurements and get your clothes made first.”

“Huh?”

“What style of funeral do you like?”

“That... I hadn’t really given it any real thought.”

“Then think it over properly tonight. I’ll come and record it tomorrow.”

Saman took another bite of dumpling and nodded.

“Eat slowly. I’m leaving first. I’ll stop by earlier tomorrow.”

“Go on, go on. Oh right, before you came, your captain stopped by. He left something behind. Do you want to return it to him? Or since he’s coming back tomorrow anyway, I can give it to him then.” Saman stood up and walked into the little hut, then came back out holding a black mask.

Karon reached out and took it. “I’ll go return it.”

To reach the factory from the cemetery, he needed to pass close to Sycamore Street. Stopping by would only be a small detour. On top of that, Karon remembered that the priest’s robes he had ordered should also be ready for pickup. After he left the mask in the captain’s office, he might as well go and pick up his robe too.

Karon got back in the car. Saman returned to his seat and continued eating dumplings. Karon honked the horn three times, and Saman angrily made a shushing gesture at Karon.

It was more than twenty minutes later that Karon pulled onto Sycamore Street, only to discover that his normal parking place was already full of cars. “Is there some sort of meeting going on? There are so many cars around.”

Karon drove around the parking lot once, but despite the size of the place, he still was unable to find any space. In the end, he could only drive back out and park by the curb. He wondered whether illegally parking near the Church Affairs Building would get him fined, and if it did, if a Divine Servant certificate might allow him to be reimbursed for the expense.

Bang. Karon shut the car door and looked at the Church Affairs Building, now some distance away because of where he had needed to park. He could only let out a sigh as he walked over, carrying the mask.

Boom!!!

He had only taken a few steps when a terrifying shockwave and a thunderous crash rang out and dust flew into the sky.

After steadying himself, Karon looked ahead in shock. The towering Church Affairs Building of the Church of Order had, right in front of him, collapsed.