13 Mink Street

Karon was very curious as to how such a rumor had managed to spread, but he very quickly realized that the rumor had most likely been spread by his captain himself. Nio was probably trying to build up his squad’s reputation so that they could receive a greater advantage when competing for high-quality, high-reward missions in the future.

Nio was absolutely capable of doing such a thing. Sometimes he was cold, like an elegant pianist immersed entirely in his own world. Sometimes he chattered on endlessly, dragging others along while repeating the same story of the hunting hounds and the ducklings over and over again.

At times his appetite was huge, and during missions he would spare no effort in maximizing profit, yet even while reaping massive gains, he could still shamelessly hand out entire boxes of cheap plastic rings.

Karon had long felt that the captain had something along the lines of a split personality. The portrait found in the basement of Lamar Pottery Studio was the best evidence of that condition.

Still, the publicity had genuine results. His cousin now had his heart set on joining Nio’s squad.

Although a squad’s official roster consisted of only one captain and twelve members, attached members were not subject to that limit. Furthermore, if the squad could absorb someone like Richard, someone with a significant family background, even if it was only in name, the squad’s future development would naturally gain further advantages and receive care from many directions.

Not every squad hated rich young masters who lowered themselves to polish their career record. It mainly depended on whether there was enough profit to be earned through the exchange.

Across the room, Richard was still trying to persuade his grandfather. “Grandfather, think about it. If you had agreed earlier to let me join that squad, then maybe the child in the stomach of that Darkmoon Island princess would have been your great-grandchild by now!”

Karon was truly rendered speechless, and yet, in the midst of that speechlessness, he suddenly felt there was some logic to Richard’s argument.

While Ophelia was not pregnant, if things had really gone the way the rumor described, then the child in Ophelia’s belly really would be the great-grandchild of the old man sitting in front of him.

“Now you’re really talking nonsense.” Derron appeared to be somewhat helpless in front of his grandson. He then glanced at Karon and reminded Richard, “Aren’t you afraid your friend will laugh at you?”

“If you don’t believe me, ask him. Hey, Karon, if you were given the chance, would you want to join Nio’s squad?”

Karon gave a somewhat restrained smile and softly said, “If I had the chance to join any Whip of Order squad at all, I’d already be extremely satisfied. I wouldn’t dare be picky.”

“Look at what your friend is saying. You, on the other hand, are just a little...” Derron had originally intended to use Karon’s words to knock some sense into Richard and lecture him for not appreciating his good fortune, but for some reason, halfway through the sentence, as he noticed Karon’s slightly awkward posture as he sat there, an inexplicable feeling of heartache welled up inside the old man.

Richard, meanwhile, stared wide-eyed at Karon. He knew his newly made friend was putting on an act. Earlier, Karon had clearly been very casual with him.

“Grandfather, help me! Please, Grandfather. Think about it; When your grandson is called a young hound in the future, how much face will that give you?”

“If my grandson is called a young dog, won’t that make me an old dog?”

“No, Grandfather! It’s an adjective, an adjective!” Richard grabbed Derron’s shoulders. “Grandfather, I want to grow. I want to become that kind of man, a man who can shoulder responsibility.”

Karon picked up his teacup and took a sip of water. Watching this interaction, he was reminded of his own grandfather. Tiz had always fulfilled every one of Karon’s requests as well.

Derron kept a dark face and said nothing as Richard continued begging.

Karon watched Derron’s expression and felt a little puzzled. Was it possible that everything was already settled?

Just then, the doorbell rang. Karon stood up and gestured that he would answer it. Richard gave him a grateful smile and seized the chance to continue pressing his case with his grandfather.

When Karon reached the entrance and opened the door, he saw the person standing outside: Nio.

Nio was also somewhat surprised to see Karon before him, and he teased, “So you’re the Gorman family’s grandson?”

“I’m friends with Richard,” Karon replied. He did not make any special effort to explain that they had only met today.

“What a coincidence.”

“Yes, what a coincidence.”

Nio did not step inside right away. Instead, he took out a sheet of black paper. Without Karon seeing him fold it, it seemed as though the paper folded itself into the shape of a crow, which flew away from Nio’s palm.

Karon felt that he needed to learn this Art as well.

“Fannie is checking the team roster, and you’re the only one missing. I’m sending her a report so people don’t assume you were crushed to death in the Church Affairs Building.” While explaining this, Nio reached into his pocket and took out a small box. From inside the box, among a dense and neatly arranged collection of plastic rings, he took one out and slipped it onto his finger.

“It really was close. Captain, you left your mask at the cemetery. I was going to bring it to the Church Affairs Building and leave it in your office. I had only just parked the car when the building collapsed.”

The mask Nio had left behind was a black mask worn by Whip of Order squads, not the kind of mask from Lamar Pottery Studio.

“That mask is no longer necessary. I had Fannie order a new batch. They’re not black, but silver. There are three for each person, and they’re made from special materials. You can go collect yours from Fannie, or she can bring them to you during our next mission. We changed because we learned that the other squads here in York City all use black masks. We don’t want to look the same as those ducklings.” As Nio spoke, he pointed at his own face. “Next time, don’t make a special trip just for something this trivial. How valuable can something like a mask really be?”

“Yes, I understand, Captain. But in regards to the Church Affairs Building, do you know what caused it?”

“I wasn’t directly involved, but I heard some things. They were probably trying to take advantage of a meeting to arrest an apostate, or call him an insider, if you like. But no matter how carefully they arranged things, there was still a mishap in the end, and before dying, he managed to trigger the internal spatial ritual array of the Church Affairs Building and stir up chaos.

“Mm, he was actually a colleague of the old man inside here; same department. The apostate was the director, while the old man’s the deputy director.”

“An insider...”

Nio leaned his face closer to Karon and lowered his voice. “The more a place emphasizes faith, the easier it is for a mole with unwavering faith to appear.”

Karon stared at Nio and silently shifted aside.

Nio walked into the house, and Karon followed him back into the living room.

“Greetings, sir.”

Derron pointed at Nio and said, “Alright, stop pestering me. Your captain is here.”

“Captain?” Richard turned and looked at Nio standing in the living room. “You... you’re Captain Nio?”

“That’s me.”

Richard’s hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly, and he looked extremely nervous.

Derron spoke. “I’ll leave my grandson in your care. Please trouble yourself with him.”

“It would be my honor, and my squad’s honor as well. It’s just that my squad is still full, so there’s no way we can give him an official slot. For now, he can only be an attached member. Still, he’ll be able to carry out missions with us.”

“That’s no problem.” Derron was not the slightest bit concerned about formal slots. How could the Gorman family possibly care about something like that?

“Please rest assured, there have been several missions in a row without any deaths, so I think it won’t be long before an empty slot opens up.”

Derron’s expression somewhat at that comment, yet when he looked over at his grandson, he found that Richard’s expression had only become more excited.

Nio turned to Richard, removed one of the rings from his finger, and handed it to him. Richard received the ring with both hands, so excited that he seemed almost trembling.

Standing to the side, Karon felt this scene was strangely familiar. He hoped Richard would treasure that ring properly and not try to bend it with force.

“A new Church Affairs Building should be established soon. When that happens, go handle your file transfer.”

“Alright, Captain, I understand! I’ll go take care of it once the Church Affairs Building is operating again.”

“Mm, good.”

Nio looked at Derron and said, “Sir, I’ll be leaving now.”

“You can stay and talk with my grandson a little longer. He admires you very much,” Derron said.

“I have other matters.” Nio rejected the invitation very bluntly.

Derron nodded. “Then go and tend to them.”

Nio took his leave and left, while Karon remained in the living room.

Carefully holding his new ring, Richard walked over to Karon and asked, “Karon, don’t you think Captain Nio’s style just now was incredibly admirable? Grandfather asked him to stay and he directly said he has other matters. I’m so excited! I get to follow a captain like that!”

“Congratulations,” Karon said with a smile. I guarantee that when the captain tells you the story of the ducklings, you’ll be even more excited.

Derron stood up.

“Grandfather, are you leaving?”

“My business here is finished; Why would I stay? Your grandmother is home alone. I’m not at ease leaving her alone.”

“I’ll go visit Grandmother tomorrow.”

“Mind your own business properly. If you have missions, then when carrying them out, listen to your captain. A team of Hunting Hounds has no room for a little white rabbit.”

“Grandfather, your grandson is not some little white rabbit. Just wait and see.”

Derron’s gaze fell back upon Karon. This young man, who was about the same age as his grandson, was dressed in a black robe, and even simply standing there, he gave people a very comfortable feeling. “Karon, was it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Richard has many friends, but if I remember correctly, this is the first time he has brought a friend home. He’s never even brought his girlfriends back here. Since you two get along so well, then be good friends. If anything happens in the future, you can have Richard come find me.”

“Thank you.” Karon knew that this was only a polite formality.

“Grandfather, I’ll walk you out.” Richard escorted Derron to the door, looking incomparably attentive as a grandson.

After Richard came back, Karon said to him, “It’s getting late. I should take my leave as well.”

“No rush; sit a little longer. Come, I’ll take you to my father’s study.”

“There’s really no need, is there?”

“That makes it more formal.” Richard grabbed Karon by the arm and forcibly ushered him upstairs. Earlier, Karon had only bathed in the bathroom on the second floor and had not entered any of the rooms. Richard opened a study on the second floor and invited Karon inside.

“Relax a bit. This study used to belong to my grandfather, but he moved outside of York City to a place with hot springs for Grandmother’s health. In name, this study belongs to my father, but he rarely comes home and hardly ever uses it.”

Karon scanned the books on the shelves.

“If there’s anything you like reading, just take it,” Richard generously offered.

“No need.”

“Do you like chess?”

“No.”

“What about cards?”

“No.”

“What about drinking? There’s a wine cellar in the basement.”

“No.”

“How do you fit in if you don’t have any hobbies? You can’t go around acting too above it all.” Richard leaned against the bookshelf and sized Karon up. “If you stay like this, how are you supposed to get along with people? Look at me, I’m already getting ready to fit into my new squad.”

Karon smiled. To get along with those people, you don’t need to know chess, cards, or wine. You only need to be twisted enough.

“Don’t worry. Once I’ve made it in there, I’ll pull you into the Whip of Order as well. You work under an Inquisitor, right? Aren’t they the ones who run funeral homes?”

“Yes. Want to come experience it?”

“Heh.” Richard did not care. “I’ll attend the funeral of the first person I personally kill. I’ve already decided. Once I join the squad, the very first target I kill with my own hands, I’ll arrange a grand funeral for him. But the funeral won’t be burying him. Do you know what it will bury?”

“Your immature past?”

“Oh, god! That response really hit the spot!” Richard was delighted. “I suddenly realized I misunderstood you earlier. There’s no need to be constantly enthusiastic the way I am. Once you’re too enthusiastic, people stop cherishing it, but if you stay cool and proper like this all the time, then occasionally drop a line like that, the effect is amazing.”

Karon could not be bothered responding. Instead, he let his attention settle on another framed photograph hanging in the study. That photograph showed only three young people: “his” mother, and her younger brother and younger sister.

“You seem very interested in my family photos.”

“Mhmm. Seeing what two Expositors looked like in their youth, it’s a very curious feeling.”

“What’s so remarkable about Expositors? In the eyes of outsiders they might seem unattainable, but within our own circle, they’re just that.”

“Because you already have it, you don’t treasure it.”

“Maybe.” Richard shrugged. “Actually, I’ve always been curious about my eldest aunt. Although Grandfather and Father both say she’s dead, I think she didn’t really die. I think she may have run away from home. Even though church members’ bodies are taken away after death, a tombstone is still usually erected, yet I’ve never seen anyone in the family pay their respects to her.”

There was probably some story hidden in this. “His” mother had left home, then disappeared, and later appeared in the Immers family, married “his” father, and gave birth to “him.”

But it should have been a different story from Pu’er’s. Her photograph was displayed openly in so many places around the family house, so she probably had not broken things off with her family. Pu’er had only received the treatment of an honored ancestor because she had returned after more than a hundred years. If she had returned just a few years after leaving home, the treatment she received would have been completely different.

Richard brewed another pot of tea and insisted on dragging Karon into drinking tea in the study as though they were discussing some extremely important matter.

In the end, when it truly was far too late, Karon took his leave once again, and this time Richard did not try to stop him. He escorted Karon down to the garage.

“I’m really sorry. I dragged you into chatting for so long,” Richard said.

“It’s alright. I quite enjoyed talking with you.” Karon sat down in the car. “Then until next time.”

“The next time you see me, I should be wearing a black mask on my face. I hope my cold and gloomy aura won’t frighten you.”

It’s already changed. The mask was silver now. Karon smiled at him, started the engine, and backed the car out of the garage.

As Richard turned and walked back upstairs, he lightly patted his own forehead with his hand. “What the hell is this damned feeling of closeness?”

***

On the drive back, Karon hesitated for a moment, but still detoured back towards Sycamore Street. The outer area was already blocked off by police. Cars could come out, but no one was allowed to drive back in.

Karon was too lazy to use his credentials to go in and take a look, so after turning around, he drove toward Bluebridge Community.

By the time he got home, it was already after midnight again. Karon felt somewhat helpless. Coming back this late every day had completely overturned his routine. He had only just parked the car when he saw Alfred walk out.

“Young Master, you’re back.”

“Why are you still waiting up?” Karon asked in confusion. He had told Alfred that he would be returning very late. Although the reason for the late return had proven different from what he had planned, the result remained the same.

It was a pity. Karon had planned to speak more with Gray and Wynn to get a clearer sense of his current strength. That would have to wait for another time.

“Young Master, as instructed, I found the section of Mr. Hoffen’s notes concerning helping Kevin release his seal. Please have a look.” Alfred handed over a black notebook with a bookmark clipped inside.

“Can’t I read it tomorrow?” Karon asked.

“This subordinate still recommends that you read it now, Young Master.”

“Fine. We’ll read it in the study.” Karon took the notebook and walked to the study. Alfred turned on the light for him.

At that moment, Kevin also squeezed into the study and sat down in front of Karon’s desk, his mouth open and tongue hanging out. The dog wore his usual foolishly honest grin, but with his new bald patch on his head, he looked rather ridiculous.

“Where’s Pu’er?” Karon asked as he sat down. “Already asleep?”

Usually, when he came back at night, he would be greeted by Pu’er riding atop of Kevin.

“Since she recovered a bit of strength, she became too excited. This afternoon, she happily spent the whole time heating the boiler with fireballs, and in the end, she played herself into exhaustion and fainted.”

“Heh heh.” Karon smiled and shook his head. The described scene sounded very much like what he had done when he had first started practicing Arts. “Oh, right, Alfred, help me find the Arts Black Mist Passage and Paper Crow. I’ll make some time to study them tomorrow after I wake up. I hope they won’t be too difficult.”

“You jest, Young Master.”

Karon opened the notebook and turned directly to the bookmarked pages. It started the section where Mr. Hoffen went into a detailed explanation of the principles behind the method he had used to seal the heretical god.

After reading for a while, Karon decided to skip ahead and look at the solution steps first.

He flipped through more than forty pages, nearly reaching the end of the notebook before he finally saw the heading: Layered Seal Release.

Mr. Hoffen had spent more than forty densely written pages, front and back, introducing this particular seal. That alone showed just how delighted and proud he had been at successful sealing a heretical god. It was like a reference manual in which ninety-five percent of the content consisted solely of the author explaining his original intentions and his emotional journey in writing the manual in the first place.

Layered Seal Release.

This page introduced the materials and assisting items that needed to be prepared in advance. Only on the very last line at the bottom did it say: “Step One:”

Mm. There’s even a colon after it, and it’s been separated into a new paragraph.

Karon turned the page to find that the first line on the reverse side began with “Step Two: Based on your own understanding of ritual arrays, carry out the complete operation according to the structural diagram of the ritual array...”

Hm? Where’s Step One?

Karon turned back a page, then flipped forward again. He suddenly realized that two pages were stuck together.

He looked up at Alfred. Clearly, he had known this a long time ago. There was a letter opener on the desk, a standard piece of desk equipment, as they were often used to open mail. Karon picked it up and carefully separated the two pages that had been glued together.

After cutting them apart, he saw the complete content of Step One.

He looked over at Kevin, who was still obediently sitting on the floor in front of the desk. The dog’s eyes were narrowed into slits, radiating all the adorable warmth and gentleness of a golden retriever to the fullest, like a well-behaved baby waiting for a little strip of dried meat as a reward. He had watched Pu’er playing around all day today, and naturally, he was extremely envious.

Karon lowered his head again and read the full content of Step One.

Yes, Step One was very short, short enough to be just two sentences, yet Mr. Hoffen had used two entire pages for those two sentences.

The page on the left read: You really want to undo its seal???

The page on the right read: Are you insane?!!!