Chapter 348: Sacrifice

The next day, no one went out for activities. Instead, they all remained at the training base to familiarize themselves with their armaments.

Karon spent the entire day in his room. He leaned back on the sofa, his eyes closed and his hands tucked into his pockets as his mind recalled the contents of Mr. Hoffen’s notes while the Cube Key silently carried out calculations.

He basically sat there for the entire morning. After lunch, he sat there again for the entire afternoon.

Karon’s behavior caused Vintral to mistakenly believe that his captain’s condition was yet to improve, so he again insisted on preparing a bedroll at the entrance of Karon’s bedroom that night.

After nightfall, Karon typically did not study, but instead read novels to take a break from his studying state. Once it was about time, he would go to sleep.

On the third day, he repeated the same process: in the morning, he studied alone.

However, in the afternoon, the doorbell rang. Karon went to open the door and found Murray standing there.

“We set off tomorrow. My grandfather called me home for a meal, and I wanted to invite you to come with me,” Murray explained why he was there.

“I don’t want to go,” Karon refused. Going to someone else’s home as a guest was already a very oppressive situation, let alone when he already knew about Murray’s position within his family.

Even with his eyes closed, Karon could imagine that if he went to Murray’s home, the two of them would sit on the sofa and receive scrutinizing stares from elders. It would definitely not be a warm visit.

“All right.” Murray gave a bitter smile. “I didn’t expect you to refuse so bluntly.”

“I hope you enjoy your family dinner.”

“Mhmm, see you tomorrow.”

“All right, see you tomorrow.” After seeing Murray off, Karon returned to the sofa and sat down, planning to continue studying to pass the afternoon. Yet at that moment, a faint cracking sound was heard.

Karon opened his eyes. He had set up a small array around the suite’s sitting room, one so simple it could hardly be any simpler. The difficulty lay precisely in making it so simple.

The true purpose of this kind of array was not defense or isolation, but warning, because the slightest touch would shatter it.

“What are you doing?” Pierro appeared in the sitting room.

It was not surprising that he could enter. He had been the substitute instructor for their first class, and he had taken twelve people away from the training base without triggering even the slightest response from the base’s defensive arrays.

Karon stood up and answered very respectfully, “Studying.”

“What are you studying?”

“Arrays.”

“Hehehe.” Pierro laughed very happily. “Is that so? Arrays are the true proper path. What array are you studying? Where is the book?”

“I memorized some, and now I am reviewing them and analyzing them.”

“Mm, a very good method of study. Here, take this.” Pierro raised his hand. He was carrying a box.

Karon stepped forward and took it. Opening it, he found notebooks inside.

“These are some of my insights on arrays.” As Pierro spoke, he sat down on the sofa, anticipating the excitement that was about to appear on Karon’s face.

Karon very excitedly said, “Thank you, Instructor.”

Pierro blinked. The young man did look very excited, but Pierro still felt that something felt missing.

What he did not know was that Karon had long since obtained the full set of array insights.

“Is there anything you want to ask me?” Pierro took out his pipe. “I happen to have some time right now.”

Karon hesitated for a moment, then named an array. Pierro smoked his pipe while explaining it to Karon.

After the explanation of that array was finished, the old man smiled. “I think it is still a bit early for you to be studying arrays of this level. Arrays are different from Arts. Arts are divided very clearly level by level, but arrays do not pay much attention to those things. If you thoroughly digest the basics again, you can avoid many detours when you climb higher in the future.”

“Yes, Instructor. I will remember that.”

“All right, I should go as well. You are setting off for Reincarnation Valley tomorrow. Be careful. Mm, no need to see me off.” After saying this, Pierro disappeared.

Karon carefully gathered the notes and stored them in the box. Even if he had no use for them, that did not diminish the notes’ value.

After Vintral returned that night, Karon had him send the box home via the teleportation array express. The downside was that doing this cost credits, but this allowed the package to be delivered home very quickly.

At seven o’clock the next morning, everyone had their belongings packed and gathered in the lobby on the first floor of the base’s hotel.

The two squads, with their captains standing at the front, were all dressed in priest’s robes. Their ordinary luggage was being carried by common staff, so each person only needed to carry what they needed.

Karon carried the Aelius Sword on his back.

Ashley lightly nudged Bart with her shoulder, as he was standing beside her. She teasingly commented, “The captain’s sword is much bigger than yours.”

Bart rolled his eyes. His chosen weapon was also a sword, but not a greatsword. However, no matter what, when it came to a comparison of size, it was difficult for any man to remain unmoved.

“Other than Instructor Levin’s class, I still haven’t seen our captain fight with a greatsword. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“What is there to look forward to?” Bart asked.

“Sigh, seeing you fight with a greatsword definitely wouldn’t be worth anticipating, but when the captain uses one, it gives me a special feeling.”

“A sense of contrast?”

“Mm, contrasting handsomeness.”

Several bishops, related officials, and reporters approached and began taking individual photos, group photos, giving speeches, and offering blessings.

Generally speaking, the more meaningless a formality was, the longer it tended to last. Only after all the relevant leaders had finished their own performances was everyone able to let out a long breath.

Arrangements had been made for everyone to be transported to the church affairs district. At the entrance of the teleportation building, another group received them. They were led by a middle-aged man with a knife scar on his face. “My name is Groven. I am the one in charge of your trip to Reincarnation Valley. You may call me by my name directly, or you may call me Group Leader.”

This “Group Leader” had nothing to do with the Knight Regiments. He was more like a tour guide.

Groven handed a document and a letter of appointment to Murray, indicating for him to pass them around.

After Murray finished reading them, he handed them to Karon, but there was no need to read the appointment letter. It had to be genuine. As for the document, it was instructions for the members of the two squads to obey Group Leader Groven’s arrangements. At this moment, he represented the will of the Central Church.

So, did this group leader have some special orders that would only be issued once they arrived in Reincarnation Valley? There was no other reason to issue this additional document.

After Karon finished reading it, he passed the two papers along, then glanced over at Murray beside him and asked, “What’s wrong? You seem weighed down by something today.”

Hearing this, Murray smiled and said, “Last night, I felt the benevolent care of my grandfather.”

“Did something happen?”

“No.” Murray shook his head.

After everyone had read the document and appointment letter, Groven said, “After we arrive at Reincarnation Valley, all of your actions will follow my command. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Group Leader!”

“Yes, Group Leader!”

The squads with Karon consisted of a total of twelve people, while Groven’s team was more than thirty people, and they also took Karon and the others’ luggage.

Unfortunately, because a teleportation array ahead of them had developed a small technical issue, all the teleportation arrays on this level behind it were delayed.

They could only wait in the waiting area. It was called a waiting area, but there was not even a chair. Everyone sat on the floor, their personal weapons beside them. This caused Karon to feel reminiscent of waiting for a delayed flight in his previous life.

They waited for nearly two hours before the announcement finally came.

Everyone entered the teleportation array. With a flash of white light and a bout of shaking that lasted roughly ten minutes, Karon and the others appeared on a small island.

Ahead of them was a pier, with ships docked at it. Around the teleportation array, there was a squad of knights patrolling.

After they arrived, everyone had to loosen up. This was easily the worst teleportation Karon had ever endured. His body felt as if it were about to fall apart.

The reason was very simple. The teleportation array that had received them was a crude, temporary thing. The Church of Reincarnation was not Darkmoon Island. Even if they had been defeated, it was impossible for them to allow the Church of Order to establish a permanent teleportation array within Reincarnation Valley.

They would next take a ship to Reincarnation Valley. It would not be too long a voyage. It was roughly noon, and they would probably arrive in the morning.

Only, everyone had assumed that the one teleportation array would take them directly to their destination. They had not at all expected that they would still need to travel farther.

On the pier, Karon also saw quite a few Reincarnation priests. It was likely that this island temporarily belonged to the two great churches, or perhaps the Church of Order was only allowed to use it under the surveillance of the Church of Reincarnation.

However, no one from the Church of Order felt humiliated by being monitored. This was equivalent to setting up a teleportation point right at the entrance to the other party’s Central Church. It was only natural for Reincarnation to be somewhat nervous.

After all… the Church of Order had relied on teleportation arrays to beat the Church of Reincarnation flat.

The passenger ship was very spacious inside. Each squad member had their own room, which included a very simple washroom. Karon took a shower, changed out of his robes and into some casual clothes before lying down on the bed.

He had developed a habit while with the Hunting Hounds: before a mission began, he would seize every moment possible to make up for as much sleep as he could. Food and drink could be dealt with quickly, while sleep alone required time.

After napping for an hour, there was a knock at his door. He heard Vintral’s and Murray’s voices outside.

Murray quickly opened the door and walked in, carrying two meals. Karon sat up and took a tray. “Thank you.”

Murray sat on the chair, while Karon sat on the edge of the bed. They both ate.

After finishing, Murray picked up the trays and prepared to leave.

Karon asked in confusion, “Didn’t you have something to say?”

Murray shook his head, sighed, and walked out of the room.

After eating, Karon went to the deck to walk around a bit. The sea in this region was very strange. There was not much wind or waves, but the fog was visibly growing thicker and thicker. When they had just boarded the ship, there had only been a thin mist. Now, visibility was already very low.

“Captain Karon?” Karon turned around and saw Groven walking over.

“Group Leader.”

Groven nodded, pointed at the thick fog in the distance, and said, “During the second half of tonight, if you are still in the mood to come up for a walk, you can borrow the searchlight up there and shine it down on the water. You’ll be able to see quite a few spirit boats floating along the surface.”

“Spirit boats?”

“They aren’t actually real; they are merely a form of spiritual imprint recorded in this thick fog. The closer one gets to Reincarnation Valley, the more active soul-related matters you’ll find. You can also understand it as a kind of change in the rules.”

“So that is how it is. Have you been here many times before, Group Leader?”

“The priests stationed here change frequently, but I’ve served as the military aide to three consecutive priests.”

Karon knew that the priest stationed here was the equivalent to a diplomat between countries.

“I quite like this place.” Groven leaned his back against the railing. “Here, it’s always very easy for people to grow quiet. Sometimes, I deliberately go to the boundary of Reincarnation Valley and watch the walking corpses lining up and moving in the distance.”

Groven gave a slight wave of his hand and continued, “There, life and death lose their traditional boundary, creating a very particular kind of beauty.”

Karon nodded. “I can imagine it.”

“But this beauty doesn’t make you linger. Instead, it makes you continuously want to destroy it. It’s like a new book with one corner folded. You know it’s wrong, and you want to smooth it out, but you can never quite manage it.”

Karon did not know why Groven was telling him so much.

“All right, there is something I need to discuss with you. Come to my room.”

“Yes, Group Leader.” Karon followed Groven to his room. What surprised Karon a bit was finding Vintral already there, holding a letter in his hands that he was reading.

“Whose letter is that?” Karon asked.

“Captain, it’s a letter from my grandparents.”

“They couldn’t call?” Karon asked.

This letter had definitely arrived by teleportation array express. Anything else would have been impossible for it to arrive so quickly. Vintral would never be willing to spend such a large sum of credits for sending or receiving letters. Most importantly, the hotel phone could be used for long-distance calls for free. It just took a bit of time to connect. In that case, the purpose of this letter was to move Vintral’s heart at this moment, or possibly, it was a kind of threat.

Karon’s cautious personality made him accustomed to considering the worst possibilities first when faced with unexpected matters, and what he was seeing at this moment was certainly unreasonable.

Groven took out a letter and removed it from the envelope. Inside was a new document. He first handed it to Vintral.

When the young man finished reading it, his eyes were bulging.

Karon reached out and took it. The document contained orders for Vintral to use his own body as a vessel to bring back Fynethes’s soul.

It was stamped and had several signatures on it.

“What does this mean?” Karon asked.

Groven held a cigarette in his mouth. He lit it, and then blew out a smoke ring. “Can you not understand it, Captain Karon?”

“I mean, can his safety be guaranteed?”

Groven smiled. “If safety could be guaranteed, there would be no need to issue a separate order specifically. Once we land on the island, we will give you the token that belongs to Fynethes. Vintral will be the one to hang on to it. Array patterns have already been arranged on it according to the characteristics of his soul, which will make it easier to summon and bear the soul back through the token.”

“If I have not guessed wrong, the array must also have the effect of suppressing the user’s soul, yes?”

“Of course. Otherwise, how would the soul be better received?”

“This is gambling with Vintral’s life.” This was essentially cutting one’s own soul open, then drawing another soul in to squeeze one’s own soul aside and occupy their body.

This was not a soul pact, but a direct replacement and seizure!

“Yes, that’s correct, which is why the church will reward him. Whether this succeeds or fails, his family will receive the church’s support and care.”

“I cannot accept this,” Karon said.

“I understand your feelings, Captain Karon, but this is his duty. We are all loyal to the church, loyal to the God of Order. To give everything for the church is the duty of each of us.”

“You are distorting that concept. If a church war broke out and someone died on the battlefield, or if they sacrificed themselves while carrying out a mission in order to save their companions, in those circumstances, it would indeed be a sacrifice. But merely for the sake of bringing back two souls whose current conditions are unknown by anyone, someone must be prepared in advance to be sacrificed. I cannot accept that.

“Vintral is still very young. He still has great talent. Do you know how much effort and hardship he has paid to reach this point today? Our faith in Order should not be trampled on like this.”

“Captain Karon, I understand how you feel, but I’m sorry. The decision has already been made up above. Vintral is one of the most suitable candidates.”

“Then who is the other?”

“Captain Murray. He already knows his responsibility, and he has agreed.”

“We have not.”

“Someone has to make the sacrifice. This is an order. If you disobey this order, your entire squad will be punished! Besides, Captain Karon, if Vintral wasn’t chosen and you were instead, would you be willing?”

“I am willing!” Karon declared without the slightest hesitation. He wanted to see if Fynethes’s soul could occupy his body. After all, even Rhanedar had failed to accomplish that.

Karon agreed so readily that it was instead Groven who did not quite know how to respond.

“If this matter cannot be changed, fine, but I request that the vessel be changed to me. I will take Vintral’s place.”

“Vintral is the most suitable candidate. That has already been confirmed.”

“The effect of the array on the token can be adjusted upward. In truth, the difference won’t be very much. It’s only serving as a vessel, isn’t it?”

“Heh, the list has already been determined. It cannot—”

“Group Leader, either change it to me, or I will, in my capacity as captain, lead my squad in refusing to enter the Reincarnation Gate. This is my bottom line.”

“No, I will do it, Captain. Let me do it. I am the most suitable—”

Bang! Vintral was kicked aside and to the ground by Karon.

He then immediately turned back to stare at Groven, and Karon very solemnly and seriously said, “Please make your choice, Group Leader. I know you have the authority to make this change.”

“Are you serious?” Groven met Karon’s stare.

“Yes. If we are to devote ourselves to Order, I do not wish to yield this opportunity to someone else. Praise the great… God of Order!”

“Heh.” Groven smiled. “I admire you very much, Captain Karon.”

“You agree?”

“Yes, I agree. The token-binding ceremony will be held tonight. Please attend on time.”

“I will.” Karon walked out of Groven’s room and happened to see Murray leaning against the corridor with his arms folded. He looked at Karon and gave a smile.

At this moment, Vintral chased after him and said, “Captain, I cannot let you take my place. I will—”

Bang! Karon kicked Vintral again. The young man fell to the ground and rolled. The back of his head struck the iron door with a clang.

A bit of surprise appeared on Murray’s face as he asked, “You replaced your squad member?”

“Yes.”

“You have my respect.”

“Thank you.”

“Mine was thanks to my grandfather’s ‘benevolence.’ What about you?”

Karon looked over at Vintral, who had climbed back up. He was still planning to come back for another kick. Karon could not help thinking, Mine was also thanks to my grandpa’s benevolence.