13 Mink Street

Karon had still come nowhere close to properly developing the abilities of the Darkmoon Eyes. A major reason for that was that the path he walked was Order.

The Light that had been transferred over from the finger of Light in Pu’er’s tail during his Divine Servant purification, the Allen family faith system that had later been transferred over through the symbiotic pact, the Darkmoon, Sea God, and other systems transformed from Light, even the Immers lineage faith system his grandpa had given him, were all just branches. Karon’s true foundation was Order, and that had never changed from the moment he became a Divine Servant.

That was why, when it came to entities like the Darkmoon Eyes, Karon only borrowed their techniques. He had never truly walked their paths.

It was like solving a math problem. He knew that applying this formula would solve the problem, but he did not understand how that formula had been derived, or how it should subsequently be developed.

Even so, the Darkmoon Eyes’ testing had still accomplished its purpose perfectly. Murray’s grandfather would rather erase his grandson’s last chance of survival if it meant increasing the chances of Lord Getanbert’s successful return. The captain of the Central Church gate guards and the captain of the High Priest’s personal guards might have had some sort of connection to begin with.

No.

Taking ten thousand steps back, for the reborn Lord Getanbert to reappear in the world in a body of Bendhart blood was, to the head of that family, a supreme honor for the family.

Put plainly, different positions naturally led to entirely different values and inclinations. What seemed unthinkable to you might be perfectly reasonable to the other side.

“In the future, I need to be even more careful when dealing with these old people.” Karon took out the coin Instructor Pierro had given him and turned it over again and again, using the repetition to warn himself.

Talent was the main reason he could attract additional attention from those old people, but that did not mean he could truly trust them. He could laugh and joke with them, acting close, but the line of defense in his heart absolutely could not be weakened. After all, even Grandpa Hoffen had started out shouting that he wanted to kill Karon.

“Hehehe...” He suddenly laughed, because he had just thought of something rather interesting. If Tiz had been Derron or Murray’s grandfather Morvyn instead, when faced with his arrival, they probably would have handed him over to the church at the first opportunity to be raised and dissected, then gone off in high spirits to become Temple Elders and fulfill the glory of their entire family.

Sigh. The farther he traveled from home, the more places he went and the more people he met, the more he felt just how extraordinary the old man lying at home right now truly was.

So, there was only one grandpa.

***

Because he knew that Vintral and the others would be back before long, Karon was in no hurry to rest. Instead, he picked up a magazine from the hotel room that looked like a travel brochure and casually flipped through it.

Its illustrations were rather interesting. In Reincarnation Valley, it was possible to go to the border of the town to watch parades of zombies and wandering souls under the night sky. There was even contact information at the bottom of the brochure for something like a travel agency. Paid enough credits, they could arrange for a number of Reincarnation Guardians, an organization similar to the Whip of Order, to protect a client and escort them deep inside for a close-up tour.

The final few pages of the brochure were entirely devoted to introducing various so-called art galleries. Clearly, they were promoting them as the region’s signature industry.

“People really do live off whatever their land gives them. Darkmoon Island has mermaid services, Reincarnation Valley has soul services. Talk about adapting to local conditions.”

There was a knock at the door. “Come in. It isn’t locked.”

“Captain, look at what we bought for you!” When Ashley came in, she was carrying a great many bags and packages. Blanche behind her was the same.

As for Bart, Vintral, and Mars behind them, all three of them had things hanging all over their bodies. It was practically a stereotype of men accompanying girls on a shopping trip.

Karon asked, “Why not just send them by courier from the hotel front desk?”

“We still have more to buy,” Ashley explained with a smile. “I haven’t bought enough yet. After we come out of the Reincarnation Gate, I’m going to do some serious shopping! We’ll leave these things here for now. Most were bought in sets of six, but Blanche and I specifically bought some accessories for your fiancée, Captain. Hehe.”

Blanche chimed in, “Exactly. Also, courier fees are very expensive. When we go back, we can hitch a ride on the church’s teleportation array. No matter how many things we bring, they can all count as luggage. No need to pay extra delivery fees.”

“Mhmm, exactly what I was thinking, haha.” Ashley clapped her hands. “This is a perfect chance to take advantage of a perk.”

“I think we can find time to put together a proper shopping list, though definitely not tonight.”

“Right. We should go back and rest too. Everyone must sleep well tonight and build up your energy.” Ashley waved her arm and led everyone out.

Vintral began tidying up the things. As he did, he said, “Mars originally suggested sending everything back from the front desk directly, but Ashley scolded him. She said the captain would definitely come out safely with us.”

“Mhmm.”

“Captain, I believe in you.” Vintral turned back and looked at Karon very seriously.

“Go shower, and then rest early. I’m going to sleep first.”

“Good night, Captain.”

Karon slept very soundly, all the way until half past eight the next morning. After washing up and bringing his things to the private dining room, it was exactly nine o’clock.

The chefs in the restaurant were cooking authentic Reincarnation Valley specialties for everyone. Karon directly chose to ignore it all.

Fortunately, the buffet had ordinary foods like boiled eggs, cured sausages, and meat floss bread. Karon took a plate and loaded it with quite a bit, then walked over to a table and sat down. Vintral brought Karon two glasses of milk.

Ashley, Bart, Mars, and Blanche arrived as well. After selecting quite a few local specialties, they also came over and sat down.

Murray’s squad came down soon after and took the table beside Karon’s. Everyone ate breakfast while chatting quietly. There was no real tension in the air. They were young, after all. They could push aside all miscellaneous worries; the excitement of the unknown could still carry the day.

After breakfast, Groven and the others were already waiting outside the restaurant. Each squad member was issued a field pack as they passed.

The packs were large, and were filled with all kinds of supplies and potions. They counted as high-end standard equipment for “adventurers,” but did not feel heavy on their backs because each pack had an array imprinted on the bottom. Not only did it reduce the pack’s weight, it also offered a small halo of low-level purification, though that part had to be manually activated.

Twelve people, all wearing the same field packs, and all dressed in the black Order robes. When they walked out of the hotel in formation, their presence was immediately noticed.

A large carriage was parked at the hotel entrance, pulled by three skeletal lizard drakes. This made Karon privately joke to himself: Was the meat stripped off and roasted, and then the bones reused afterward?

Roasted drake meat was absolutely delicious. It was Nio’s favorite dish.

The carriage was very spacious inside. Even fifty people would be able to sit there comfortably. Once everyone had taken their seats, the carriage set off.

Karon leaned the Aelius Sword against his knee. From Murray’s squad, Pasquio could not resist approaching and reaching out to touch it. Envious, he said, “Darkmoon Island’s forging technology.”

“Mhmm.”

“A token of love?” Pasquio teased.

Karon shook his head.

“I actually heard about your matter before, but I couldn’t confirm that it was you at first. Thinking about it now, what does Leon even count as? What right did he have to compete with you for a woman?”

Karon said, “Stop talking.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll be quiet. Quiet.” Pasquio returned to his seat.

The carriage left the town and continued along the mountain road.

Murray grabbed a glass of red wine and a glass of ice water from the bar inside the carriage, then handed the ice water to Karon. He reached out and accepted it.

“If we can come out of the Reincarnation Gate alive, use your sword to fight me once.”

“Don’t you usually watch many movies?” Karon asked.

“M-mm. I rarely go to the theaters.”

“If we get out of this alive, I suggest that you go more often in the future.”

“Is there something magical about going to the movies?”

“Yes. For instance, once you watch enough movies, you won’t say such unlucky things right before facing danger and the unknown.”

“All right. I think I understand a little.”

“Did you bring that pill?” Karon asked.

“Of course.” Murray touched his pocket.

Karon opened his hand and held it in front of Murray.

“What is it?” Murray asked.

“Give it to me.”

“Why?”

“I’ll give my own chances of survival another slight boost. Better one of us lives than both of us end up dead.”

Murray swallowed. After a moment’s hesitation, he took the purple pill from his pocket and placed it in Karon’s hand.

A faint smile touched the corner of Karon’s mouth as he slipped the pill into his own pocket.

Murray took a deep breath and leaned back, resting his head against the seat. His fists clenched tight, and tears began to fall.

***

“Look, the Reincarnation Gate!” Ashley shouted.

Everyone in the carriage looked over. They had just emerged from a mountain hollow, and the view ahead opened up all at once. A towering golden gate stood between heaven and earth, rising into the clouds.

It was hard to find the right words for its solemn grandeur, because this was not a structure human hands could ever have built. It was a miracle.

A true miracle, created by a High God’s own hand.

This epoch was one absent of gods, yet many miracles still remained, silently telling the world of the gods’ greatness.

“Hoo...” Karon exhaled and quickly adjusted his emotions. At the same time, he clapped his hands and said, “Pay attention to your mental state. Don’t forget the themes of the two rounds of selection we faced were. When you face the magnificence of a miracle directly, you might already be under its influence.”

“Yes, Captain!”

“Yes, Captain!”

The members of Karon’s squad immediately closed their eyes and began adjusting their emotions.

Murray had already steadied his mood. He said, “Did you all hear that? Follow along.”

Almost everyone closed their eyes. Some even directly placed a purification of Order over themselves to force themselves to calm down.

Karon continued to stare at that gate. He was not afraid of being influenced because he could deconstruct its sanctity. At the end of the previous epoch, his family dog had dumped garbage into this place several times. Now, he needed to enter and look for two pieces of garbage from that time. All right, the comfort he could give himself was probably that since his family dog had failed to usurp control of his body, the garbage he had tossed back then should... no, it definitely could not succeed either.

The carriage continued forward, turned, and headed straight for the Reincarnation Gate. The closer they got, the more they could feel its vastness and grandeur.

If just a single gate was already like this, it was difficult to imagine what it would be like if a god personally descended.

Karon lowered his head, opened his pack, and said, “Check your equipment.”

The items in their packs would not be poor quality. Everything had surely been inspected several times before being placed inside, but when it came to things they were about to use and would carry in with them, proper caution was necessary.

Everyone in Karon’s squad began checking their packs, and Murray also opened his own pack. His team members quickly followed suit and began checking.

Karon said to Murray, “I suddenly thought of something. I suspect that after we enter the gate, our two squads may not end up in the same place.”

“That isn’t in the handbook, and it shouldn’t have been left out,” Murray reminded him.

“Who knows? There are a total of thirty slots. We account for twelve of them, while the Church of Reincarnation has twelve of their own. The last six were given to people from other churches. What a coincidence; five groups of six?

“If it wasn’t in the handbook, either it was actually omitted, or they simply felt that there was no need to write it down.”

Murray froze for a moment. “Is that so?”

“Don’t look at what was written or what was said, look at the facts. The six-person groups were already explained to us very early on.

“Maybe it wasn’t like this in the past. This time, the composition of the people entering the trial is complex, so entering at different locations has more than enough justification. Our original plan was for our two squads to gather together and complete the three missions in order of priority, but that has already been reversed. That proves that those above us are well aware of how they can drive us to work. They don’t need to ask for our agreement at all, because they are the ones who set the rules.”

“Then what should we do?”

“After entering the Reincarnation Gate, if our two squads are not in the same place, the first thing to do is determine if our surroundings are safe. Once safety is confirmed, array masters in each squad will immediately set up communication arrays to establish contact. After confirming each other’s positions, we can decide whether both of our squads move towards one target to reconvene, or if one squad should wait in place.”

“All right. I understand.”

Karon looked into Murray’s eyes, reached out, placed his hand on Murray’s neck, and drew his head closer. Murray did not resist. He allowed the side of his face to move close to Karon’s mouth.

Karon snapped his fingers, and a simple barrier formed. When the other team members around them saw this, they all turned away.

Karon whispered into Murray’s ear, “If Getanbert and Fynethes really are still around, before Getanbert finds you, come to my side, and I can keep you alive.”

Murray stared at Karon in shock.

“You don’t believe me?”

“I do, although there’s no real reason for it. Since you say you can do it, I believe you can.” Murray smiled. “I just find it somewhat absurd. The church has abandoned me, my grandfather has abandoned me, and the one who ultimately chooses to help me is you. Do you know, ever since we were on the ship, it feels as if I have been drifting on the edge of derangement.”

“Stand firm in your faith, Murray.” Karon released his hand. The two of them drew apart, and the simple barrier dissipated. Karon spoke to Murray, and also to every team member present, “No matter where you are, no matter when it is, you can always believe in Order.”

***

The carriage stopped. Ahead was a high platform, though its steps were frighteningly tall. Each level was several dozen meters high. They were the base of the Reincarnation Gate.

Bart sighed. “A miracle really isn’t prepared for humans.”

Ashley teased, “It’s the same principle as the lower the practicality, the higher the artistry, isn’t it?”

Everyone got out of the carriage and began forming ranks.

There were two other large carriages beside them. Twelve people from the Church of Reincarnation and a six-person squad made up of representatives sent by six orthodox churches got out of them. There was not much distance between the groups, but at this moment, no one had any intention of walking over to greet anyone.

There were also many people along the outer perimeter: priests from various churches, staff from foreign liaison offices, reporters, and many believers from Reincarnation Valley. A vast black mass had gathered. Every opening of the Reincarnation Gate was a grand festival for believers of Reincarnation.

Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Heavy drumbeats rang out.

The ground in front of them began to collapse, and five silver-white giants rose up from beneath the earth. The giants’ eyes were open, but there was nothing but gray within the sockets. Metal cages were embedded in their backs. They were seats.

Bart said, “The Church of Reincarnation’s war weapons... Derangement Giants.”

“Did they appear during the war?” Karon asked.

“They did. In one holy land, there were dozens of them, but the Church of Reincarnation seems to have forgotten how to use them in a coordinated manner. They actually had those dozens of Derangement Giants charge at a Knight Regiment, but didn’t even put armor on them.

“Then, halfway there, they were simply smashed into meat paste by the regiment’s catapults. They didn’t accomplish absolutely anything.”

Mars added, “The loss of continuity in regards to the art of war is actually more serious than the gap in array knowledge.”

Bart said, “Exactly. Even if the art of war is recorded in books, it’s hard to put into proper use. Handle things carelessly, and strategies can even backfire.”

Karon asked, “Then the last war...”

Bart lowered his voice and said, “Captain, I heard my father mention something once. In the One-Day War, even the regiment commanders needed to report battlefield conditions to someone. Who do you think could make the current regiment commanders obey commands?”

Resurrecting commanders who had died no one knew how long ago, commanders who had experienced church wars and possessed abundant experience... to command the present war.

So the First Knight Regiment not only sealed away the Church of Order’s combat power, but also experience and wisdom.

All five of the silver giants turned their backs to the crowd. After squatting down, they leaned forward and pressed their foreheads to the ground. Their arms flipped out to the sides, palms facing up while the backs were pressed flat to the ground. They were creating ramps from their palms up their arms to the seats on their backs.

Five giants, corresponding to five squads.

After Karon and Murray exchanged glances, they each led their own squads onto the backs of a giant.

The giants slowly straightened their legs. Like hunchbacks, they maintained the balance of the passengers on their backs, then began crawling up the towering steps with their hands and feet.

Buzz! At the same time, the Reincarnation Gate slowly opened.