Chapter 178: Grandpa’s Mask
Karon followed Nio to a slope. From there, they could see a squad climbing up, bent at the waist, maintaining a combat formation and advancing at a steady pace. Nio commented, “A very ordinary flock of ducks.”
If they were an elite squad, they would have driven much closer before starting their cautious, disciplined advance. Caution often meant a lack of confidence.
Nio looked at Karon and asked, “Do you think my words are a bit absolute?”
“No. I trust the captain’s experience.”
“Everyone knows that being cautious is correct, but most of the time you can only enforce that on yourself. Once your squad is strong, it becomes very hard to make your members maintain that same caution.
“If you ever have your own squad, you will have to consider this. They will elevate you, but at the same time, they will also pressure you. Of course, there are ways to deal with it. If you go even further than they do, they will instead become restrained. For example, they often tell me to be cautious.”
“I understand, Captain.”
“Also, sometimes even when you are directly involved, it’s still hard to see things clearly, because you can’t see your own face.”
Is that what people mean by being lost in the situation? But why did the captain suddenly add that line about not being able to see one’s own face?
Nio spread his hands, and a beam of Order light appeared. The squad below immediately looked up. “There is danger ahead. Please halt for now.”
“Captain Nio?” the opposing squad’s captain called out.
“Oh, you know me?”
“You once saved me.”
“Is that so? No need to take it to heart. I don’t remember you.”
The other party did not get angry and instead calmly asked, “Captain Nio, could you tell me what happened ahead?”
“There was some trouble, but it is under control. Two squads have already been wiped out. Stay where you are and rest. I don’t want you coming to take our credit.”
“Understood, Captain Nio.” The entire squad stopped to rest in place.
“Good. A well-behaved flock of ducks.” Nio turned to Karon. “No need to toss the copper coins in front of them.”
“Yes, Captain.”
It was his first time preparing to pull something like this... no, not black-on-black, white-on-white. Karon still felt a trace of tension, along with a faint, lingering sense of moral restraint.
The squad rested on the slope for a full twenty minutes, until movement could be heard approaching from other directions. “Alright, we can head back. They should be done cleaning up by now.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Nio stood up and shouted to the squad below, “Come and help collect the bodies.”
“Captain Nio, my name is Gendi.”
“And?”
“I know you have been transferred to York City. I am very glad, truly.”
“Good. Please maintain your joy.”
“Gendi Squad is willing to cooperate with any of your actions. If you feel you need manpower.”
“Good. I will try to remember your squad’s name.”
Nio reached out and grabbed Karon’s shoulder, turning into black mist. Karon felt himself wrapped in it as well, and then felt his body lifting into the air.
Before long, the mist dissipated, and Karon landed on the ground. In front of him sat Ophelia. The others were positioned around the perimeter. Wende walked up to Nio and nodded, indicating that the spoils had been collected and secured.
“Casualty report,” Nio said.
Gray spoke, “Captain, sixteen personnel participated in this battle.”
This number included Ophelia and Panmir.
“Fourteen were associated with our squad. Four were severely injured, no fatalities. Four lightly injured, capable of continuing operations.”
“Thank you for your efforts, Captain Nio,” Ophelia said, standing up and bowing.
“No, Miss Ophelia. We are reporting casualties in front of you for a reason.”
“Please explain.”
“There is a tradition in the Church of Order, and in other churches as well. After a protection mission concludes, the protected party usually presents some mementos to the security squad.”
“You may want to place a bit more credits into the box.”
“Of course. That is only proper.”
“Another matter; If the higher-ups ask to replace your security detail, please refuse. Although four members will need to temporarily withdraw for recovery, my squad remains your best protection.”
“That is also proper. If I had not insisted on going out, we would not have encountered this incident tonight.
“Additionally, after talks conclude, I will send a request for the Church of Order to have your squad continue escorting us on the return trip, since you will also need to escort the missionaries to Darkmoon Island.”
“You are truly a kind lady.”
“You are an excellent captain, and your squad is an elite one.”
“Found her!” Fannie came over with the maid, Sinra.
“Miss, Miss, are you alright? Thank goodness you’re safe, thank goodness... When I got out of the carriage and ran over, I tripped and hit my head on a rock. I passed out and couldn’t stay by your side to protect you...” Sinra sobbed as she rushed to Ophelia. Her forehead was indeed bleeding.
Just as Ophelia was about to comfort the maid who had once served her mother, Fannie spoke,“Please rest assured, Miss Ophelia, Ms. Sinra’s injury is not serious. Judging from the freshness of the blood, the wound was inflicted recently, likely just before I found her. Based on the angle, it appears she struck her own forehead with a stone.”
“...”
“However, Ms. Sinra is likely unrelated to the incident. She probably hid somewhere out of fear after getting separated and did not dare come out. After everything ended, she feared your reprimand and injured herself.”
Some things were already understood without being spoken, but once said aloud, the effect was entirely different. To a certain extent, Sinra’s career as a maid had likely come to an end.
Fannie glanced at Karon standing beside the captain. She was venting on his behalf, since this maid had been subtly mocking him earlier in the carriage.
“Sinra, once we return, you will go to the delegation to recuperate. Panmir, select another person from the delegation to serve as my personal maid.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Miss... no... Miss!”
Ophelia pushed Sinra away directly. With members of the Church of Order present, she could not pretend nothing had happened, nor could she allow Sinra to continue serving her. That would bring disgrace upon Darkmoon Island.
After the matter was settled, Captain Nio said, “Now, the mission continues. Escort Miss Ophelia safely back to the hotel.”
***
By the time they returned to Ankara Hotel, dawn was breaking. Once inside, Nio’s squad effectively disbanded temporarily. The lightly injured escorted the wounded to the church hospital for treatment, while Nio himself needed to report the situation to the relevant departments of the Church.
As for the Lacresis copper coin, Karon kept it wrapped in cloth the entire time. When they entered the hotel, under Nio’s supervision, Karon handed it over to a group of priests in white robes.
After confirming the item, the priests sealed it in a containment box. They did not speak a single word throughout and left immediately once finished.
Nio then explained that they were from the Sealed Custody Office, a department specifically responsible for sealing and safeguarding dangerous artifacts. It was divided into different groups and ranks, with the highest-level group controlling a separate containment space. Anything stored there was at least of divine artifact level.
Some artifacts, after being processed, repaired, or sealed to a certain extent, could be circulated within the Church. Others were destined to remain sealed forever, as their release would easily cause disaster.
Before leaving to make his report, Nio added one more thing to Karon, “There is a legend that within the containment space, there is a ferocious beast personally sealed by the God of Order. Its eyes sweep across the space once every minute, watching over everything inside.”
***
Ophelia and Panmir returned to their room, while Karon entered the suite opposite, with Paige and Fannie. The room had already been cleaned. It was spotless, even carrying the scent of purification Arts. The formal meeting that Ophelia needed to attend would be tomorrow morning, which meant Karon and the others could rest fully today.
“Who’s showering first?”
“I’ll sit for a bit,” Fannie said.
“I’ll have a few cigarettes,” Paige waved her hand.
Karon walked into the bathroom and began to shower. After finishing, he came out in a hotel robe and sat down on the clean bed. After what happened last night, he no longer felt awkward about anything.
And precisely because of that, Fannie and Paige had also lost interest in teasing the newcomer. Their interactions became more natural. Even when seeing Karon step out in just a robe, neither of the women teased him.
“By the way, when you put me down earlier, Karon was about to catch me, but you flung me aside instead.” Fannie started to bring up old accounts.
“You have no idea how much force you had when you were thrown down. I was worried he’d break his bones trying to catch you,” Paige said indifferently.
“Then you misjudged him. Our new teammate is much more formidable than he looks.”
“You tried him?”
“Yes. Very good.”
“What did it feel like?”
“You can try next time. He saved my life today.”
“Looks like we need to adjust his combat ranking in the squad.”
“I’ll raise it. The captain probably already has an idea.”
“I really think the captain didn’t have this in mind for him at the beginning,” Paige said, picking up a sugar cube from the table and walking over to Karon, holding it to his lips. He reached out, took it, and put it into his mouth.
Paige said, “Our haul this time was very rich. Oh right, when we were collecting the spoils, I saw a pretty good Arts handgun.”
“What model?”
“Sawa-7. If you want to redeem it from the Church shop, it costs about five thousand credits.”
Fannie said, “Give that to Karon.”
“Of course. That was my intention. I don’t want to see him waving around that basic-issue revolver anymore.”
Fannie looked at Karon. “I’ll help you modify and upgrade it, as well as pair it with special Arts bullets I make myself. I won’t charge labor, only materials. About twelve hundred credits.”
“Alright, thank you,” Karon nodded.
“You’re welcome.”
Although Karon had just saved Fannie’s life, that could not be used as a condition. Helping each other, even saving each other, was what teammates were supposed to do. As for assistance between members, favors could be exchanged, but once credits were involved, everything had to be clearly accounted for. That was the rule.
Paige reassured him, “Don’t worry. Once we sell off what we don’t need on the black market, each person should get at least ten thousand credits. That silver human-faced centipede alone is full of valuable materials.”
“That much?” Karon was a little surprised.
Each person would get at least ten thousand credits, and that was after setting aside what the squad as a whole needed. For example, the Sawa-7 handgun would go directly to Karon, instead of being sold.
“Also, the reward for this passive mission should be quite substantial, depending on how the higher-ups decide to distribute it. Hopefully they won’t be too stingy,” Paige said with a smile.
Fannie said, “Now that we’re in York City, we don’t have to take other people’s jobs and get skimmed anymore. They wouldn’t dare be so blatant here, so our income will definitely be much higher than before.”
Paige sighed, “Yeah, York City is a good place. We earn credits much faster. Our development will accelerate.”
Karon had never strongly connected credits with his own growth.
Of course, it was not because he was special or noble, nor because credits were not useful, but because no one else had his specific circumstances. He had two “pets” at home who could imprint suitable high-level Arts for him.
At the same time, he could occasionally rely on his face. For example, the ring on his hand. Lemar had not taken his money and had even let him earn five hundred Abyss credits instead. Karon’s growth path was, in fact, more extravagant. Some conditions could not even be stacked with credits.
“I want to sleep first,” Karon said.
After lying down, he felt a deep exhaustion from his mind.
“Go ahead and sleep, good boy.” Fannie blew him a kiss.
Karon closed his eyes and fell asleep. This sleep lasted a long time, because he had overlooked, or rather failed to realize, something. Although he had used the Sea God’s Armor and Darkmoon Blades the previous night, the consumption had been within control. The real drain came from his consciousness entering the containment space through Lacresis’ coin. Even though it lasted less than a minute, as the captain said, the consumption was astonishing.
When Karon woke up, he found that the light outside the floor-to-ceiling window had not changed much from when he had fallen asleep. Even the position of the sun seemed unchanged, leaving him momentarily dazed, thinking he had only slept briefly.
He sat up and saw Paige sleeping beside him. She liked to sleep without clothes. Karon turned his head and stared blankly.
“If Paige knew you were staring at her body like that, she’d be very happy when she wakes up,” Fannie said as she walked out of the bathroom.
Karon shook his head. He had not been looking at her body. “My head feels a bit dizzy.”
“That’s normal. You slept for a full day and night. Did those Arts drain that much mental energy? If so, we need to consider your timing in future fights.”
“That’s not it. It’s something else,” Karon explained. “It won’t affect combat.”
He did not want Fannie to misunderstand and place him further down in combat arrangements. It was not that he wanted to be at the front, but he did not want the squad to underestimate his strength.
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Fannie went to open it. “Alright, got it.”
She then walked over to the bed. “Miss Ophelia is worried about you. She wanted to call you for supper last night, but you were still asleep. Now she wants you to join her for breakfast.”
“Oh, alright.” After sleeping so long, Karon felt hungry as well. After washing up and changing clothes, he went to the room across the hall. The one who opened the door was a new young maid.
“Mr. Karon? Yes, please come in. The lady is waiting for you.”
Karon entered and saw Ophelia dressed in traditional Darkmoon attire, her hands resting on the sofa and her legs crossed as she watched him walk in.
He also noticed that there were two food carts in the room today.
“Did you sleep well, Mr. Karon?” Ophelia asked.
“Yes.” Karon picked up a plate and began serving himself.
“Yesterday, no, the day before, was it an incident caused by the Lacresis artifact?”
“You didn’t receive a report?” Karon sat down after filling his plate.
“I did, but it was vague.”
“Yes. A Lacresis coin; a Wellspring of Sin.”
“I see. How dangerous, and what a pity. That night, I actually wanted to go with you to handle it.”
“Your status wouldn’t permit it,” Karon said.
“I will have to find another opportunity later,” Ophelia said, her words carrying deeper meaning, but Karon did not pursue it. He knew that even if orthodox churches restricted certain forces, they would not be completely obedient. As long as their behavior was not excessive, everyone simply maintained a tacit understanding.
Karon ate four plates of food before he was full. “Are you attending the formal meeting today?”
“Yes. You will accompany me. Also, I rejected your church’s proposal to replace the security team. I insisted on keeping you.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It is only proper.”
Karon stood up. “Please enjoy your breakfast. I will return and wait to accompany you to the meeting room.”
“Take one of the food carts with you.”
“May I?”
“As you can see, I prepared two today.”
“Thank you for your generosity.” Karon pushed the food cart back to his room.
Fannie saw it and exclaimed, “Oh my, you brought back a food cart again!”
“She prepared two today.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll help you name your children.” Fannie walked over to the bed and slapped Paige on the butt. “Get up! Time to feast!”
***
Inside the containment space, Lenora sat atop her cube enclosure, humming as she swung her legs. At that moment, a gentle female figure appeared before her. It was the artifact spirit of a harp, a gift personally crafted by the Sea God for his lover, Mios. “Lenora, you seem very happy today.”
“Yes, Sister Lunadelle.”
“Why is that?”
“Because yesterday I dreamed that my brother came to see me.”
“That’s wonderful. Not every artifact spirit can dream.”
“Yes. At first I didn’t recognize him and had to call out a few times to confirm it was him.”
“Oh? Was it because his appearance had grown blurry in your memory?”
“No.”
“It’s because he was wearing a silver mask.”
