13 Mink Street

Chapter 62: Forbidden To Even Gods

In the church on Mink Street, Tiz was tidying up his things. His work for the day was already finished.

In truth, running even the smallest church was a complicated affair that involved all kinds of considerations beyond mere professional competence. After all, it was not as simple as planting a church on a hilltop. One street might hold one church, and the next another. Believers were their “customers,” and the competition between churches was intense.

Tiz, however, did not care much about any of that. He was only responsible for his own share of the work. Once that was done, he went home. He had no intention of participating in extra activities for the sake of the church’s development.

It was the same attitude he held in regards to the family business, and why he had long since withdrawn from directly managing it.

Simon, dressed in black, walked through the doorway and placed an envelope in front of Tiz.

Tiz opened it in front of the man. Inside was a reply from the Church of Order’s Swillen Regional Administrative Office regarding Tiz’s report of how he had handled the group involved in the mayoral election some time ago.

The reply first gave full affirmation of Tiz’s keen perception and advanced judgment in the matter, praising his devotion to duty and the meticulousness of his work.

It concluded that the incident constituted an “invasion” by an foreign demonkin force had had been targeting Roja City, and even an attempt to use Roja City as a springboard to overturn the entire Church of Order’s system in Swillen.

Finally, there was a commendation for Tiz’s decisive actions in eliminating the threat and once again invited him to be promoted to work in the Swillen Regional Administrative Office.

Tiz showed no surprise at any of the contents of the reply. After reading it, he set it aside.

“When I came in just now, I saw Deacon Kent standing alone, sulking,” Simon said.

“Oh,” Tiz replied.

Deacon Kent was the director of the church office. He had taken over from his father last year and hoped to further expand the church’s influence, yet every proposal he submitted to Tiz was rejected.

This was because Tiz had no time to attend events and even held a negative attitude regarding any additional religious ceremonies.

“Deacon Kent is very depressed,” Simon said.

“He’ll get used to it,” Tiz said, picking up his pen and signing the receipt acknowledgement form. “Just like his father, Old Kent, did back in his time.”

Simon pulled out another document, this one a routine report from the previous half month. “This also needs your signature.”

Tiz signed it.

“I have read your service record within the Church,” Simon said with curiosity. “You seem to have never been very interested in promotion.”

Several of the current authorities for the Church of Order in the Swillen region were from the same generation as Tiz’s son. One of the regional administrators even had it clearly written in his own service record that he had once served as an Divine Servant at the church in Roja City.

Given his many connections, Tiz could have easily secured a higher position within the Swillen hierarchy. Many of the older members of the Church of Order had risen in standing and privilege through cultivating disciples and successors.

“What is the purpose of promotion?” Tiz asked.

“To better contribute to the development of the Church of Order,” Simon offered the standard answer.

“But before I am promoted, is there no one occupying the position?” Tiz countered.

“You should believe that your abilities are superior, so that if you accept the position, you will produce better results.”

“Then that means that the one holding that position is unfit. Such matters are under the jurisdiction of the Whip of Order, whose task is to strip the negligent, the lax, and the faithless from positions their virtue does not warrant.”

“What you say makes sense, but it still does not convince me.”

“Then why should I trouble myself explaining this to a regional intermediary?”

“Of course, you have no such obligation,” Simon said, bowing slightly.

“Or perhaps a member of the Whip of Order is standing before me now, demanding that I make a statement on this matter according to the Church’s Code of Discipline?"

“No, of course not. You misunderstand.”

“You’ve met with Rasma?”

“I...” Simon gave a bitter smile and finally nodded. “Yes, Lord Rasma is already in Roja City.”

“Mhmm,” Tiz hummed as he continued tidying his desk. “He doesn’t dare come to see me.”

Simon licked his lips. To a certain extent, he felt that the Inquisitor before him was right. During Simon’s exchanges with Lord Rasma, he had indeed picked up on the High Priest’s apprehension of Tiz.

More importantly, the High Priest had not even tried to hide it, as though fear of this man was entirely natural.

“Is there anything you would like me to convey to the High Priest?” Simon asked.

“Yes.”

Simon immediately straightened his back, indicating he was listening carefully.

Tiz took a business card out from a book in front of him and handed it to Simon. The man accepted it and read what was on it: “Vice President of the Roja Pastry Association, Angles.”

“This is one of my congregation. He comes to the church every week to pray. A few days ago, I specifically asked him for his card. Please pass it to Rasma. He will find it useful.”

Simon blinked in confusion. “Does Lord Rasma enjoy eating pastries?”

“He does not like eating them, but he likes the smell. He finds it calming.”

“I see... Like how some people enjoy incense,” Simon commented thoughtfully.

“Yes.”

Tiz gathered his things and walked past Simon, prepared to leave.

After putting away the business card, Simon quickly followed and asked, “There is one more thing I would like to ask. I hope to receive your guidance.”

“Go on.”

“I originally believed that Lord Rasma came to the Swillen region because of the grand divine descent ritual in Belwyn City, but I now feel that might not be the case.”

“That is correct.”

“Then do you know the true purpose of Lord Rasma’s visit?”

“Me.”

“You?”

“Yes.”

Simon’s heart skipped a beat. He had not expected such a direct answer from the elderly man before him. “But this morning you were still busy leading believers in prayer.”

“Simon.”

“I am listening.”

“If someone told you that tomorrow the great God of Order would descend upon the mortal world once more, what should you do today?”

“I... I do not know. Just thinking about such an assumption throws my thoughts into chaos. What do you think I should do?”

Tiz smiled. “Since today is not yet over, return the documents I have signed to the Swillen Regional Administrative Office for filing and record. Since tomorrow has not yet arrived, you should continue doing today’s work earnestly.”

“I understand. Thank you for your guidance,” Simon said, stopping in his tracks and placing both hands to his chest as he watched Tiz’s back disappear through the church doors. “Praise Order, and also praise your generosity.”

“He doesn’t need your praise,” Rasma’s voice rang out from behind Simon.

“My lord,” the man offered a slight bow.

Rasma ignored the gesture and instead reached out for the business card. “Do you know what makes Tiz most exasperating to me?”

“I think—”

“I’m just making conversation; I don’t actually want to hear your answer.”

“My apologies.”

“It’s that he can casually throw out things you consider important and hand them to you. He doesn’t need your gratitude because he truly does not care. Like that guidance he offered you a moment ago. You have been stuck at the Inquisitor level for some time now. His words must have shaken you deeply, yes?”

“Yes, earlier...”

“I can see the power of faith within you colliding violently. That proves that you were stimulated and enlightened by his words. Right now, you should find a quiet place to strengthen your faith and then stabilize it.”

“No, I think what I should do now is deliver these documents. That is my duty,” Simon replied.

As Simon spoke, Rasma saw the vortex of faith within him begin to spin even more violently. “You are a very talented youngster.”

“Thank you for your praise.”

Rasma suddenly stood frozen in place, his expression somewhat complex.

“My lord, what is it?” Simon asked.

“I suddenly remembered something from many years ago. When I was still young, and Tiz was also young, we were both selected by the Church to form a team and enter an abandoned ruin for a trial. The elder leading the team appointed Tiz to be our squad leader.

“After that trial succeeded, Tiz once said something to me: ‘You are a very talented youngster.’”

Simon hesitated. “That...”

Rasma pointed at himself, and then at Simon. He laughed. “So even back then, was the gap between him and me already like the gap between me and you now?

“At the time, I replied to him coldly, ‘I hope that next time you will be on the opposing team. Then I’ll make you pay for those words.’

“The older I get, the less I like to reminisce, especially about things related to Tiz. Each time I remember them, my realization of just how foolish I was back then only deepens.”

Simon did not dare respond.

“You just asked Tiz what my purpose here was.”

“Yes, I did.”

“His answer was correct. I came here for him. Within ten days, at most, the Temple of the Church of Order will gain another elder.”

“My lord, you mean Inquisitor Tiz?”

“Is there anyone else?”

“You are here on behalf of the Church to prepare a grand welcoming rite for Sir Tiz?”

Rasma shook his head. “No.”

“No?”

“I am here to deal with the consequences of his refusal to enter the Temple.”

“Refuses to enter the Temple?” Shock covered Simon’s face. That was the greatest dream of every believer of the Church of Order.

“Don’t be so shocked. Did I not say earlier that many things that you consider to be precious mean nothing to him? After the Temple sensed that the Church was about to give birth to a new existence who comprehends the profundity of Order, it immediately carried out divination and calculation. The result was that there was less than a ten percent chance that the person will choose to enter the Temple to serve the God of Order.”

“Less than ten percent?”

Rasma’s next words caused Simon to drop to his knees. “There is an eighty percent chance that he will summon the Sword of Order and turn it upon the Temple itself.”

***

Tiz walked the road to return home, occasionally greeted by familiar neighbors. He responded to each one with a smile.

As he neared his doorstep, a figure in an old leather jacket appeared by the roadside. Tiz stopped and looked at him. “I thought you would keep hiding from me.”

“I really wanted to keep hiding.” Rasma was frank. “But I have no more time, because you do not have much time left either.”

“True,” Tiz admitted.

“Throughout all these years, I never believed you were truly in decline. On some tracks, there are people who, even if they just roll over while lying down, will achieve better results than others who run with all their might.”

“Thank you.”

“But I never expected that when we next met, the opponent I once believed would define my entire life would already possess the qualifications to enter the Temple and become one of those exalted beings before whom even I must kneel in worship.”

“You know, Rasma...”

“Yes, I know. You are not interested in my worship,” Rasma took a breath. “But I think we can talk.”

“Yes,” Tiz said. “I want to negotiate with the Church.”

“You know, Tiz, in this world, even orthodox great churches lack the confidence to say such a thing to our Church of Order, and you are still one of us.”

“I believe the Temple has performed some divinations,” Tiz calmly stated. “I can also roughly guess the results, as it was my own thoughts which were divined, was it not?”

“You’ve gone mad.”

“I am simply tired of it, like a child playing with building blocks. He starts out full of enthusiasm, carefully stacking them one by one. After finally stacking them very high, he suddenly loses interest in the game, or perhaps has simply played enough. At that moment, he often chooses to push the tall structure over with his own hands. Seeing the blocks scattered all over the ground, he feels neither regret nor heartache, nor does he realize that all of the effort and care he just invested had been reduced to nothing. On the contrary, he claps his hands and laughs with joy.”

“Are you comparing yourself to a child?”

“Because you are very afraid of this child.”

Rasma placed his hands before him. “In the name of the High Priest of the Church of Order, I come to negotiate with you.”

Tiz shook his head. “Not today. Seven days from now, at the cemetery.”

“Why?”

“Because I need to hurry home right now to taste the lunch my grandson has personally prepared. This afternoon, I intend to drink tea and chat with him. He has become much more cheerful recently and often likes to talk with me.

“I believe you would like him; He’s a handsome and eloquent young man. Talking with him is truly a pleasure.

“My daughter has knitted me a sweater and plans to give it to me tomorrow. I need to try it on so that she can alter it. In the past, in her own pursuit of happiness, she said some harsh words to me. Even though she has returned back home to live, I know that she has always wanted to find an opportunity to apologize to me. I plan to ease her heart and tell her that she will always be my most beloved daughter.

“The day after tomorrow is my second daughter-in-law’s birthday. She followed my unreliable son and gave birth to a son and a daughter for him. It has not been easy for her, so I want to celebrate her birthday grandly.

“In my family, she has always had it hard. Not only does she have to manage the family business, she also has to take care of everyone’s daily needs. The Immers family owes her far too much.

“On the fourth day, it will be my grandchildren’s final exams at school. As usual, I will pray for them on the morning they go to take their exams, so that they will not be flustered or nervous. Mina is very obedient and cool-headed, but Lent and Clarice are more easily affected by their emotions and need care and encouragement.

“The fifth day is the memorial day of my eldest son and daughter-in-law. I killed them with my own hands. Every year on the anniversary of that day, I silently mourn for them.

“The sixth day is the Day of Passing of my old friend Hoffen. Swillen people place great importance on the day one full week after a person’s death. He was the friend I interacted with most throughout the latter half of my life. This is something I should do for him.

“The seventh day is my grandson’s fiancée’s birthday, which is coincidentally also the birthday of our family pet cat.

“You see, for the next seven days, I am very busy, and I have things to do each day. Therefore, I have decided to schedule the negotiation date for seven days from now, at this exact same time. After I finish leading the believers in worship at the church, I will not hurry home and will wait for you... for all of you there.”

“Your reasons are truly detailed,” Rasma said. “I’m sorry, but I really cannot help but reply with this: are you actually delaying and scheduling your negotiations with the Temple because of such trivial family matters? Tiz, do you know that I not come alone, but with the wills of three Temple elder accompanying me? I am easy to talk to, but do you think those three Temple elders will be as accommodating as I am?”

“Then you will need to persuade them,” Tiz replied. “I have set our date for seven days from now. In seven days, the Temple will still have a certain probability of negotiating with me to make a final choice.

“Of course, you can choose five days, three days, one day, or even right now, but I think you should know what choice I will make.”

“Tiz, this is blasphemy against the God of Order.”

A smile appeared at the corner of Tiz’s mouth. “If one cannot even set their human affairs in order, where will they find the leisure to attend to a god?”

“I will convey your words to the three Temple elders.”

“Alright. Thank you for the trouble, Rasma.” Tiz pointed ahead. “That is my home. You should know it: 13 Mink Street. Would you like to come in and sit for a while?”

“No,” Rasma bluntly refused. “Perhaps in the future, I will have the chance to take a look inside.”

As soon as he spoke, Rasma regretted his words and immediately corrected himself, “That was just a joke. I had no intention of threatening you.”

Tiz nodded, allowing Rasma to let out a breath of relief. “If you don’t hear from me, it will mean that your request for negotiations in seven days is accepted. I will be leaving now. Oh yes, thank you for the pastry shop business card.”

As his words fell, Rasma’s figure turned into a patch of black mist and dispersed from the spot. He left in great haste, not daring to linger even a moment.

Tiz continued onward. When he arrived at his gate, he turned around and stood before the entrance to the front yard. He recalled the conversation he had once held with Karon in that same spot.

“Karon, what is this place?”

“Home!”

...

He remembered that after answering, Karon had fallen to the ground. Fortunately, the golden retriever had been beneath him, as he might have otherwise scraped himself quite badly.

Tiz knew that Karon had been very afraid at that moment, because of the murderous intent Tiz had been emanating. Karon had simply mistaken that the intent was being directed at him.

Standing at the entrance to his home, Tiz slowly turned around, placing his back to the gate. His gaze swept across his surroundings and finally rose to the sky. “From this day forward, the Immers family home is forbidden grounds, to the Church, and even to the gods.”