Patrick was momentarily stunned upon hearing Leoni's words.
After a moment, a mocking expression surfaced on his face. "A clumsy scheme. Do you really think I'd fall for it?"
He swept his gaze across the seated figures and sneered, "Thinking of rebranding at this point? Trying to use me as your incubator?" Turning back, Patrick leaned forward, pressing his hands against the wheelchair armrests, staring down into Leoni's somewhat clouded eyes with a hawk-like intensity. "Too late!"
Leoni remained silent, his wrinkled, withered face trembling as a smile emerged.
"You'll agree, because you're just like me."
Patrick frowned, confusion rising within him.
What exactly were these people trying to achieve?
Their behavior had been peculiar from the moment he entered.
After brief consideration, Lenore's image surfaced in Patrick's mind.
A cold smile touched his lips.
He had no patience left, nor any intention to ponder their motives.
There was no need to waste energy on the dead.
Straightening up, Patrick fell silent and turned to leave.
At that moment, figures in the last row near the church entrance suddenly stood.
"My name is... I hold a doctorate in AI and artificial intelligence!"
"I am... a doctorate in automated weapons engineering!"
"My name is..."
One by one, they rose, announcing their names and academic achievements.
Each was an elite in their field—not the absolute top, but surpassing 90% of Coordinators.
"For the glory of Coordinators!"
After the final introduction, they shouted the slogan in unison.
Then, without hesitation, they drew daggers from their robes and slit their own throats.
Warm crimson blood sprayed onto the heads of those in the preceding row, yet they remained seated, motionless as if nothing had happened.
Bodies fell with dull thuds, the thick scent of blood spreading through the air.
Patrick watched with a deep frown before turning back to Leoni. "A threat? Using the lives of dead people?"
Then, the second-to-last row stood up, reciting their names and accomplishments.
Another group of elite Coordinators, their achievements even more impressive than the previous.
Blades sliced across throats without hesitation—over a dozen bodies collapsed.
No fear, no struggle, no hesitation.
People with such accomplishments dying so easily...
"Pointless theatrics," Patrick said, his expression unchanged. "I don't care how many people you kill in front of me."
"Kill?" Leoni chuckled. "No, they volunteered."
"Patrick, you underestimate us. For the future of Coordinators, we're willing to sacrifice anything—even our lives!"
This response stirred Patrick's previously calm demeanor.
The third row stood.
"Just a bunch of brainwashed lunatics!"
"You're still too young, Patrick," Leoni said with grave concern. "You haven't yet seen the true nature of this world. It is cruel to us Coordinators, and our future is nothing but endless darkness."
"Why me? Siegel is the chairman."
"Patrick, if I threatened you with Lenore, would you let me go?"
"...!" Patrick's hand tightened, his eyes glinting coldly. "Your people have already been dealt with!"
"Would you or wouldn't you?"
Leoni's withered face stretched into a smile. "You've already given me your answer."
"But Siegel wouldn't," Leoni sighed. "He focuses on the future of humanity, not the future of Coordinators. He may love his family deeply, but he's certainly not someone who would hesitate to make ruthless decisions."
"He is the right one!"
Leoni roared with agitation, his voice sharp: "But our hearts are limited—they can only hold the future of Coordinators, just as yours can only hold Lenore. We are the same, willing to go through fire and water for love!"
The third row finished their introductions and drew their daggers.
Patrick: "Stop!"
Without the slightest hesitation, a flash of cold steel swept across their necks.
They fell with smiles on their faces.
The blood of dozens filled the air with a choking metallic scent, thick red liquid covering the central aisle.
"Patrick, you are the future of the Coordinators!"
Leoni's hoarse voice echoed through the church: "I don't have long to live. Make good use of these children—the future rests on you." The fourth row of Coordinators stood up.
Their faces were fanatical, their heads drenched in the blood of those behind them, yet they calmly introduced themselves one by one.
Even Patrick, who had weathered many storms, felt a chill run through him.
Yet there was also a faint sense of pride.
Look!
This is what we Coordinators are like.
Fearless of sacrifice, unafraid of anything!
"Hmph." A smile appeared on Patrick's face that he himself hadn't noticed. "For now, you're under my supervision. Any abnormal behavior will be met with immediate execution—no objections accepted."
Leoni smiled.
The remaining people stood up in unison, raising their hands in a synchronized military salute: "Yes! Lord Patrick! For the glory of the Coordinators!" Ignoring everyone, Patrick strode straight out of the church.
The figure in black waiting outside hurried forward, but as he approached the door crack, a strong, pungent smell of blood assaulted him. His mouth, which had just opened to speak, snapped shut.
"Arrest everyone inside and keep them under separate guard. I want all their information."
Patrick walked ahead without looking back: "Any concealment or resistance—execute them on the spot."The black-clothed figure retreated several steps, only speaking after taking two deep breaths ten meters from the door: "Yes!""
With a wave of his hand, soldiers rushed forward.
The overwhelming smell of blood made them nauseous. Upon entering and seeing the floor covered with corpses and blood, they were startled. Seeing the unchanged expressions of the survivors made them even more fearful.
Sitting in the car, Patrick frowned with displeasure at the soldiers' reactions.
Unconsciously, he compared them to the people of the Holy Order—the difference was stark.
"Waste."
Full of dissatisfaction, Patrick drove away.
An hour later, in Siegel's office—
"Patrick! What were you thinking!" Siegel roared. "The remnants of the Holy Order cannot be spared. If they ever rebel in the future, they could cause even greater harm."
"Don't worry." Patrick's tone was confident. "They're all under my control now. I won't let that happen."
"Patrick, wake up. Don't be deceived by their rhetoric."
"I'm perfectly clear-headed, Siegel. You know me - such elementary ideology can't affect me."
"The external situation is critical. We can't afford any internal problems!" Siegel said. "I hope you've considered this carefully. The Holy Order isn't to be trifled with."
Patrick: "I'm well aware of the current situation. That's precisely why I'm keeping them."
He placed a thick document on the desk: "Here are the files. Do you really want me to execute so many elites at once?" Siegel flipped through the documents, his expression shifting from surprise to deep concern after just a few pages.
"Now you understand - this isn't just a scratch."
Patrick sighed: "At this crucial moment, their strength could determine the outcome."
"After investigating, I'm relieved to have them all under control. If they were to rebel, we'd lose this war."
"Don't worry, I'll keep a tight rein on them."
Siegel looked at Patrick in silence.
After a long pause, Siegel sighed and sat back in his chair: "My people will share control with yours. We can't afford any accidents!"
Patrick frowned: "There's no need for that with our current manpower shortage."
"We have enough people for this."
"...Fine," Patrick conceded. "As you wish."
Hospital, Luxury Ward
A short-haired woman in white nurse's uniform was adjusting the bedding for Leoni: "Bishop, everything is proceeding as you anticipated."
"Is that so? Then I can rest easy."
Leoni's voice was weak: "Find an opportunity to eliminate Lenore. She's Patrick's shackle. Only by cutting her off can he fully devote himself to the Coordinator."
"Understood."
"For the glory of the Coordinator!" Leoni whispered softly before slowly closing his eyes, his breathing gradually fading.
Tears welled in the nurse's eyes: "Rest well, Bishop."
She stood up, wiped her tears, and suddenly showed a panicked expression, shouting: "Someone! Call the doctor!"
The soldiers monitoring Leoni rushed in, took one look, and urgently called out: "Get a doctor! Contact Lord Patrick!"
"Yes, sir!"
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