13 Mink Street

Talina took two steps towards the exit, then stopped and looked back at Bertha. The woman remained where she was, standing beside Nio. She clearly had no intention of moving.

Between the faint, residual protection offered by Reincarnation and the powerful Light-aligned figure right before her, Bertha’s choice was obvious. Her current standing within the Church of Light was awkward. The fall of the Church of Light had led to the complete fragmentation of its factions. At its most chaotic state, there had been several Central Administrations, each claiming to be the orthodox one. Even now, though there was nominally only one central authority left, it was still split between two dominant factions, and beneath them, local Light forces largely operated independently.

Before that, relying on her identity as an Apostle and the “bell” that was backed by the Central Administration, she had managed to gather a small force around herself. However, after the recent disastrous outcome, the authority and sanctity she had painstakingly accumulated had collapsed once more.

She still firmly believed she had not made the wrong decision, and that the oracle had not been wrong, yet even she could no longer understand how things had come to pass. Now, she desperately needed a new backer, someone whose power could support her position again.

Moreover, after learning that Order had declared war on Reincarnation, there was no way Bertha would continue fleeing with Talina. The Church of Light had been gone for too long. With the orthodox churches publicly enforcing ruthless crackdowns on Light vermin, over time, a kind of numbness had inevitably developed.

This was like the city authorities who certainly knew what those “pastry shops” on the streets truly sold. If they wanted to crack down, they could do so easily, but unless it was the year-end performance season or part of some campaign, there existed a tacit understanding between the two sides.

With the war now between Order and Reincarnation, enforcement would be entirely different. If Bertha stayed with Talina, she would not only be placing herself in danger, but might also inadvertently tie Light to Reincarnation once more.

Talina understood Bertha’s decision. She just offered a faint smile. Promises made in bed dissolved the moment one left it. The young lady of the Simons family could only walk out alone.

“She’s actually not a bad person. She’s not purely selfish,” Bertha said to Nio.

“That’s only because nothing between you and her touched her core interests. Well, aside from the bed.”

Bertha did not take offense. She could sense that this Light-aligned powerhouse had an unusual personality, but that was something she could accept. Powerful individuals rarely resembled ordinary people, and one who had lived hidden within Order would naturally be shaped by such experiences.

“She really is very skilled in bed,” Bertha said with a smile. “If you’re willing, I could call her back and let you...”

Her words were cut off as her throat was seized. She was slammed to the ground, unable to breathe, while a terrifying force of purification swirled around her. If the man so much as willed it, she would be instantly reduced to a mass of purified flesh.

For the first time, true fear took hold of her. The gaze behind the silver mask chilled her to the bone.

“I didn’t kill you not because of your identity as a follower of Light. I have no attachment to that identity at all. If not for the fact that you were able to find this place and can help me investigate certain matters, your troublesome identity would have been reason enough for me to end you without hesitation.

“This is your final warning. Understand your position: you are a useless Apostle who does nothing but foolish things.”

Bertha’s head was completely immobilized. She could not nod, merely frantically blink her response.

Nio released her and turned back to face the center of the array. He crouched down and his fingers began to trace the floor.

Bertha slowly sat up, one hand clutching her throat, the pain still vivid.

A low hum sounded. The center of the array sank inward, revealing a mirror beneath. Light began to shine from it, revealing a what was happening in front of the photo studio.

Nio crossed his arms and watched the image. Bertha stood and softly asked, “May I... watch as well?”

Nio gave a slight nod. She began to walk toward him, but before she could even see the image, Nio’s gaze sharpened and he waved his hand.

Bang! She was struck by an unseen force, thrown into the wall, and slid down in a miserable heap.

“No.”

“...”

***

Talina clenched her teeth. She was not stupid. She had not believed a single word that masked man had said. Only a Divine Servant? Did he think her an idiot?

But she had no choice. She had to step outside and face this man, because she could sense that she still had a chance to escape if she did, while disobeying the masked man meant certain death.

These Light-aligned people are all insane. Cursing inwardly, she pushed open the door and saw a young man standing outside, a greatsword resting on his shoulder.

More striking than the weapon was the fact that he was genuinely handsome.

No... damn it, why isn’t he wearing a mask? Tarina let out a silent cry. If the man before her had been wearing a mask, her chances of escape would have been far greater, but that was clearly not the case. She had already seen his face.

The masked man had said that this young man was his subordinate, which meant he, too, was a member of the Whip of Order. With both sides already at war, what kind of risk would this man be taking if he allowed an enemy to walk away after seeing his face?

Karon did not wear a mask because when he had gone to save Eisen and Casey, he had needed them to recognize him.

Besides that, although he and his captain had spent the night behaving more like infiltrators than actual agents of the Church of Order as they had lied in wait for prey, Karon was still acting within his role as a member of the Whip of Order. Hunting followers of Reincarnation during wartime was entirely justified.

At most, they had simply acted faster than others. There was no need to hide his identity.

What Karon didn’t know was that, because he had been too lazy to wear a mask, a certain woman had ended up making rather intimate contact with a wall.

Karon had already been at Gels Photo Studio for quite some time. Instead of knocking or calling out, he circled the shop, searching it over. There was definitely something unusual about this place.

He found the side door. This was not because of any deep understanding of ritual arrays. The one who had truly inherited Hoffen’s legacy was Alfred, not Karon. He simply felt that using the front door lacked a certain refinement, unbefitting a place personally designated by the captain.

Just as he was about to open the door, it opened from within. A woman dressed only in a white undershift stepped out. The garment resembled a ballet costume, exposing her arms and legs. Though it was spring in Veyn, the night air was still too cold for such attire. Karon himself was still wearing a khaki coat.

“Hello,” the woman said with a nod.

“Hello,” Karon replied with a nod.

“Are you headed inside? Please go ahead. He’s waiting for you.”

“Oh, alright.” Karon responded, then asked, “You’re leaving?”

“Yes.”

“And your clothing?”

Talina gave a bitter smile. “He stripped me of everything before allowing me to leave. Not a trace of gentlemanly conduct. More like a bandit.”

“Yes, that sounds like him,” Karon said with a faint smile.

“After the war ends, if you have the chance, come visit Reincarnation Valley, alright?”

“Of course. If the opportunity arises, it would be my honor.”

“Then farewell. Your handsomeness has eased my fear and confusion tonight.”

Talina dipped into a graceful curtsy. “May fortune be with you.”

She rose and walked away.

***

In the basement, Nio watched this scene, his fingers lightly brushing his chin. Even he had not expected Talina’s performance. Her composure and calm had reached an exceptional level. If this situation were likened to dancing on the edge of a blade, her execution had been flawless.

Unfortunately for her, she was facing Karon. Nio had complete confidence in this Divine Servant he had personally recruited. He often joked about Karon’s tact, but that tact came from his ability to quickly grasp others’ personalities and respond accordingly.

Trying to put on an act in front of him would not succeed.

***

Karon raised the Aelius Sword and blocked her path. Talina’s expression darkened.

“I’m sorry, but since you already know Order has declared war on Reincarnation, so we are now enemies. My loyalty to Order does not allow me to let an enemy walk free.”

Talina sighed. “Perhaps you should reconsider. Wars between churches are merely the upper ranks using those below as pieces. It is not something we can decide, but we can choose a reasonable way to conduct ourselves.”

“You make a valid point, but I’m sorry. I cannot commit even the slightest act of blasphemy against the God of Order. At any time, in any place, I cannot allow myself even a trace of negligence, because I always feel that the benevolent gaze of the God of Order is watching me. I am willing to offer my heart to it.”

“I can give you promises, rewards, anything you desire!”

Karon’s gaze swept over her, and Talina shifted her stance, displaying her figure, especially her long legs. “I swear by Reincarnation, if you let me go tonight, when you stand before me again in the future, I will repay you with my body. You will have the opportunity to be served by a direct descendant of the Simons family.”

Karon shook his head. “You misunderstand. I’m not interested in your body. I have two teammates who are far more attractive and alluring than you. They even like to sleep naked in front of me.”

After a pause, he added, “You’re too thin.”

Talina clenched her teeth. “Did you know, the man inside asked me to kill you.”

“Oh, him.” Karon tapped his temple. “Anything he says is normal. He’s not quite right in the head these days.”

...

In the basement, Nio also raised a finger and tapped his temple.

“Heh...”

...

“He’s Light vermin!”

“Light vermin?”

“Yes. He’s one of them, hiding within your Order. I’m sure, with your loyalty to Order, you wouldn’t allow something like this, such a desecration, to exist. Am I wrong?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Then go deal with the Light infiltrator within your ranks. That matters far more than wasting time on me here, doesn’t it?”

“You’re right.”

“He’s just below. Go on.”

“But...”

“But what?”

“You meant this?”

Right in front of Tarina, Karon raised his hand. A beam of pure white light rose from his palm, power of Light in its most pristine form.

“...” Tarina felt like a complete fool.

“For the last time, I apologize, but I cannot allow you to leave. This is war. Moral restraint can only be set aside for now, I don’t need to convince myself of that.” Karon raised the Aelius Sword. The Sea God’s Armor appeared around him, and the Darkmoon Blade infused his sword.

“You bastards!” Talina roared in fury. She felt completely toyed with, utterly humiliated.

The clothing covering her chest suddenly parted as though burned apart. A dark red bead emerged from within her flesh, its glow enveloping her entire body and causing her aura to surge dramatically.

Seeing this, Karon said, “I believe he asked whether you had handed over everything. It seems you lied. Whatever agreement you had with him is now void.”

“Why don’t you die now!” Talina charged.

Karon did not move. He pointed to the side. “Order—Cage.”

Mid-charge, Talina abruptly veered to the side. She still had no intention of fighting this “Divine Servant.” If she had truly believed that lie, she would never have gone to all that effort earlier.

Yet the moment she moved, she found herself trapped inside a cubic prison, the surrounding space completely sealed.

Karon’s time training with Gray had paid off immensely. By observing the subtle details of the woman’s movements, and even the positioning of her feet, he had predicted her escape route.

She was not unskilled. She was too skilled. Her noble upbringing meant she had received extensive training, but such training often led to rigidity and formulaic habits.

Karon turned, raising the Aelius Sword to end the battle, but at that moment, the dark red bead flared again. A phantom male figure appeared, writhing in agony as if bound within the bead.

The woman let out a long, drawn-out chant. The male figure dissolved directly into her body, her eyes turning white as her arms spread wide. Words spilled rapidly from her lips, and after a brief distortion of her form, she vanished from within the Cage of Order.

She escaped? Karon had never seen this kind of fighting style before and was momentarily thrown off.

At that moment, Talina’s figure appeared behind him. A black dagger condensed in her hand as she thrust it at his throat.

Karon sensed the clear killing intent from behind him, yet he also felt that the woman was still inside the Cage of Order, and that she had never come out.

He judged this attack to be a trick, a misdirection intended to exploit his perception and force him to shift his attention.

The problem was, who would risk their life on that kind of guess? Karon still chose to move. He shifted to the side and raised the Aelius Sword to block, but when he turned around, the figure behind him was already dissipating.

With a sharp impact, Talina reappeared within the cage. Her dagger pierced through the barrier, breaking it, and she regained her freedom.

So that’s it... it’s an assassination technique. Karon recalled that Mr. Hoffen’s notes made mention of the Raimond Church. Their Arts specialized in assassination, the move just now had been used to break open the Cage of Order, but in an actual kill, it could just as easily serve to split the target’s attention and create the opening for a fatal strike.

“Who are you?” Karon asked.

“Raimond Church...” a man’s voice spoke, then shifted into a woman’s. “He entered into a pact of reincarnation with me. It was through me that he returned from death, to stand in this world once more.”

“So this is the true doctrine of the Church of Reincarnation? You tell people to bear their sins in this life and chase the next.” A faint trace of mockery curved at Karon’s lips. “What they call reincarnation, you treat as inventory.”