Chapter 21 - Rhine Alliance Order and Security Bureau

Chapter 21 - 9 Rhine Alliance Order and Security Bureau"This is the 'Key of the Crooked Path', capable of opening one door through another. The key is engraved with the 'Alchemy Matrix', which tends towards 'Narrow and Sharp', so it can only open fixed doors."

Geoffrey explained to Bologue, watching Bologue's bewildered expression, he chuckled.

"There's a lot of information, isn't it? Don't worry, I'll explain it to you slowly later."

After speaking, he opened the door.

Beyond the door wasn't the familiar living room but a pure darkness that swallowed all incoming light. At the moment the lock was opened, this door no longer led to Bologue's home but to some unknown dimension.

"Let's go, remember to close the door."

Geoffrey pulled out the so-called "Key of the Crooked Path", smiled mysteriously, and stepped directly into the darkness, disappearing.

Bologue stood still for a good while, as a look of excitement gradually appeared on his astonished face.

This door no longer led to a familiar room, but to that unknown New World.

He stepped into the darkness, closing the door behind him.

The darkness completely enveloped him, a nausea similar to motion sickness surged up in his heart, but such a strange feeling only lasted for a few seconds before disappearing.

Bologue strolled in the endless gloom, soft and faint light fell from above, clearly illuminating the particles floating in the air.

The surroundings were overwhelmingly quiet, maintaining an absolute silence. For a moment, Bologue couldn't even feel his own breathing and heartbeat.

The massive silence pressed against his eardrums, bringing an eerie pressure beneath the tranquility.

In the darkness, there was an inexplicable feeling that something seemed to be moving around, slowly circling him, or standing still, observing him. Yet, Bologue couldn't see them, no matter how he focused, there was only a mass of fog-like darkness, like a veil that obscured the faces of those unknown existences.

Spine-chilling.

Unknown and darkness, nothing else can more awaken the most primal fear in human hearts.

"Bologue!"

The familiar voice broke the silence, shattering it into thousands of fragments.

Bologue's body slightly trembled, breaking free from the oppressive emotions. He took a deep breath and looked to the side; Geoffrey was standing there.

"It feels awful, doesn't it? I looked just like this when I was first brought here."

Geoffrey grinned, seemingly having predicted Bologue's reaction.

"This is the 'Transfer Station', a buffer zone set up by the Order Bureau to prevent our enemies from obtaining the 'Key of the Crooked Path' and directly infiltrating our stronghold."

As he spoke, Geoffrey waved his hand, signaling Bologue to turn around.

Turning around, in the hazy darkness, Bologue could see the door he had entered through, and the outline of the door was constantly dissipating until it completely vanished.

"Your 'door' wasn't recorded, so after closing the door, the 'Transfer Station' will directly delete your 'door'. Look to the side."

Listening to Geoffrey's voice, Bologue looked in other directions.

As the eerie sensation of silence departed, he noticed his vision was much clearer. He could see countless doors in the darkness, one after another, densely packed, thousands upon thousands, chaotically arranged in the darkness. But they didn't dissipate like his door; instead, they stood eternally here.

"Those doors have been recorded?" Bologue asked.

"Yes, their relationship is like a tree. Countless doors are the extended branches. They pass through the trunk, which is this 'Transfer Station', and finally reach the roots where we need to go."

"Where do these branches, these doors, lead?" Bologue asked.

"Anywhere that's been recorded; some are employee dormitories, some are frequent mission locations, some are bars or entertainment venues," Geoffrey smiled, "I must admit, this thing is really convenient... chaotic, everything you can imagine, for specifics, you need to ask the 'Gatekeeper'."

"Come on, the sightseeing isn't over yet."

Geoffrey said and continued forward.

The Transfer Station was vast, and due to the enveloping darkness, Bologue couldn't clearly see the specific form of the place. He could only vaguely see countless, diverse doors standing upright.

"Although the 'Key of the Crooked Path' is convenient, not every employee has the right to use it. Even my usage today required prior application."

Along the way, Geoffrey explained to Bologue, dispelling Bologue's idea of obtaining a "Key of the Crooked Path" after joining.

After walking for about ten minutes, they arrived at the end of the Transfer Station... if this place could be considered an end.

A massive black wall barred their way. The wall emitted a chilling aura, the falling light reflected a damp and stern feeling, and from around, the black wall extended into the darkness, unseen to the end. Below the black wall stood several large doors.

A heavy iron door faced them, covered with rivets, and the door panel was engraved with six crossed longswords, entwined and bound by chains, forming a shape reminiscent of a round shield.

The distances between the doors were vast, and Bologue could only make out the appearance of the door in front of him; the other doors were hidden in the hazy darkness.

"Remember this sigil, it symbolizes our Order Bureau."

Geoffrey tapped on the steel relief.

Bologue looked at the Order Bureau's sigil, chains and sword, and curiously asked.

"Why is it called 'Order and Security'?"

Bologue gently touched the relief, feeling the cold and hardness of the metal.

"Is it just literal meaning?"

Upon hearing this, Geoffrey slowly lowered the key in his hand, not immediately opening the gate, but instead pondering for a few seconds before asking Bologue.

"Do you understand devils?"

This question stumped Bologue. Although he had traded with devils before, his memory was completely lost, and he couldn't recall anything useful. It could be said that he had numerous ties with devils, but his understanding of them was a blank slate.

"Devils are real, they've existed since ancient times.

They possess incomprehensible power, fortunately, this power seems to be limited, allowing the human world to continue."

Faced with Bologue's silence, Geoffrey began speaking on his own, his voice echoing in the desolate dim space, fading away without a response.

"They usually lurk in the shadows, using various tempting desires to attract mortals, then make mortals sign heavy blood contracts, sacrificing precious souls.

Interestingly, devils are a group of wicked and cunning, yet extremely rule-abiding monsters. They play within their rules, watching mortals fall into despair, then harvest their souls."

As Geoffrey said this, his voice paused, then he continued.

"But also because these creatures adhere strictly to rules, unlike greedy demons, these devils can actually be 'communicated' with, and their rules are not absolutely perfect. It's said someone once found loopholes in their rules and turned the tables on them."

"What happened afterwards?"

Bologue asked.

"Afterwards? There was no afterwards. Devils are extremely rule-abiding beings, even if tricked by mortals, they can only suffer the consequences and acknowledge everything."

"Sounds not too bad."

Such trustworthy beings are rare, even if they are devils.

"It is not too bad, but don't let your guard down because of this. Many people face devils with a gambler's mindset, and devils usually don't lie. They only speak one truth after another, but these truths will lead you into deeper despair."

Geoffrey maintained a high level of vigilance regarding devils. Even in conversation, there was a sense of tension, as though such enemies were right beside him.

"Through a long period, we've figured out some characteristics of devils. Besides being extremely rule-abiding, they rarely actively interfere with this world. More often, they use awful desires to deceive mortals, then influence world events through mortal hands.

Because of such behavior, records of devils in history are very rare."

"Yet devils seem to be everywhere."

Bologue said inexplicably, trembling slightly afterward, not knowing why. Looking at Geoffrey, he met the same cold gaze.

"Devils are intervening in the progress of human history."

Geoffrey said.

"We suspect that behind many significant historical events, there is the shadow of devils. The more turbulent and bloody the era, the better their 'wishing' trade, resulting in more souls gained.

But we still don't know why devils do this, why interfere with the course of history. Is it really just for souls? If it's for souls, why do they need so many? What do souls mean to them?

Food? A source of power? Or something far more mysterious?

No one knows."

Geoffrey's voice gradually weakened, as if he too fell into contemplation about devils, but he quickly regained his clarity.

"The significance of the Order Bureau's existence is to minimize interference from devils on the progress of human history. To put it in simpler terms, it is to keep everything related to devils out of the human world.

Those that can be killed will be killed, those that can't be killed will be locked away."

Geoffrey's words carried a rare chill, which Bologue deeply felt, for he indeed was one of those 'locked away.'

"Maintain order in the Extraordinary World and ensure the safety of the human world."

Geoffrey looked at Bologue, their eyes meeting. This kind-hearted fellow exuded an unusual pressure as he seriously and solemnly told Bologue.

"This is the meaning of the Order Bureau's existence, what it is currently executing, and what you must adhere to in the future."