After speaking, Geoffrey added with a rather mischievous tone, "Oh, by the way, we even offer burial services, depending on your needs, whether to mail the body back home or to join the Order Bureau's cemetery."
The service was indeed surprising, yet it made sense.
Bologue nodded while observing the surroundings. Contrary to the imagined sweatshop, the Order Bureau seemed... unexpectedly nice.
If everything was as Geoffrey described, working here until death didn't seem like a bad idea. Bologue uncharacteristically began to like going to work.
"The Order Bureau is really big... so big that it's a bit eerie."
Bologue followed Geoffrey, looking around, murmuring to himself.
After leaving the Central Courtyard, there was a long corridor leading to one area after another. Along the way, Bologue frequently saw those thick and massive white bricks, imagining the construction scene, Bologue felt this was an impossible task. Moreover, the Order Bureau was too vast. The further he went, the more Bologue realized the depth of the Order Bureau.
This was no longer just a building; it was a grand fortress, a labyrinth built with massive stones, filled with gray-white concrete and bearing traces of brutalist architecture.
"Where is the Order Bureau located? I mean in Opus; once employed, I can't keep using the 'Key of the Crooked Path,' right? You mentioned I currently don't have the right to use it."
Having arrived at the Order Bureau through the "Key of the Crooked Path," Bologue didn't know the exact location of the Order Bureau in Opus.
"Linna District No. 117."
Geoffrey responded briefly.
Linna District is in the north of Opus, one of the major districts in Opus. Its geographical location is excellent, with trams directly to the city center and cable cars to the Great Rift, and it's close to the industrial area, with swarms of workers passing by daily.
Previously, when wandering around, Bologue had passed Linna District a few times, but in his impression, there was no building there that could be called a fortress. It wasn't prosperous, and the few tall buildings couldn't possibly accommodate the vast Order Bureau.
Underground?
Is the Order Bureau located underground?
Such a thought arose in Bologue's mind, considering the mysterious nature of the extraordinary organization. It didn't seem impossible for this grand structure to be hidden underground.
Geoffrey didn't say anything, but he seemed to know what Bologue was thinking, sporting a meaningful smile as if preparing a surprise.
"Okay, we're here."
Geoffrey brought Bologue to the end of the corridor, unlike the sections they had just passed; it was quite plain, with no decorations, just neatly piled white bricks, square and spotless.
The end of the corridor was blocked by bricks, cubes overlapping each other, deeply recessed in their misalignment, the interior dull and dark.
They formed a somewhat eerie geometric shape. As Bologue approached it, he could hear faint sounds emanating from within as if the bricks were slowly moving, rubbing against one another.
"Hold on a moment."
Geoffrey searched his pockets, taking out a badge. Without any unnecessary actions, the moment the badge was withdrawn, the overlapping geometric bricks started to tremble, moving in an extremely smooth manner, shifting in all directions, restoring as they went, and opened the blocked path.
Bologue stood in place, stunned for a few seconds before looking at the badge in Geoffrey's hand.
"Is this a pass?"
Pass, security key card... call it whatever you like; by the looks of it, these shifting bricks were the Order Bureau's internal security measures. Still, Bologue couldn't fathom if the movement of bricks wouldn't cause architectural changes?
Bologue recalled the previous assessment, buildings sealed with gray-white cement, remembering that the Order Bureau was entirely constructed of these bricks. An incredible thought arose in his mind.
"Yes, take it, don't lose it. This thing is as hard to apply for as the 'Key of the Crooked Path.'"
Geoffrey said, handing the badge to Bologue.
A round shield-shaped badge, with the embossing of a meteor, twisted at a steep angle, looking more like a twisted vortex. It captivated Bologue's gaze, bearing an indescribable magic power. In a trance, the vortex seemingly rotated slowly.
Twisting, devouring, annihilating...
With effort, Bologue averted his gaze, breaking into a cold sweat. The badge seemed alive, consuming his consciousness, yet calming down, everything returned to normal as if it had been just his illusion.
Turning the badge over, there was a short inscription engraved on it.
Special Operations Group, Bologue Lazarus.
This was meant for him.
After the corridor, there was another massive central courtyard. According to a sign nearby, this was the "Field Operations Department."
The Field Operations Department's layout was similar to the central courtyard Bologue had arrived at, but with subtle differences, such as the staff being noticeably fewer, the atmosphere not as relaxed but rather carrying a bit of oppression and severity. The air faintly filled with the scent of blood, and from the depth of another corridor came pained whimpering.
This time, Geoffrey didn't show Bologue around but went directly upstairs, left and right, the light gradually dimmed. In a remote corner, he found an office with a nameplate on the door.
"Lebius Lovisa."
Bologue read the name aloud, and at the same time, Geoffrey stepped forward, knocked on the door, and after a few seconds, turned the doorknob.
Behind the door was an ordinary office; a mahogany desk faced the door, with a few chairs on the side, and a few green plants were placed in the corners. It was very ordinary, showing no hints that the matters handled here were all about supernatural events with the Devil.
Bologue carefully observed, finding this office had no windows. Walking through the entire Order Bureau, there seemed to be no windows, as if the space was entirely enclosed.
A few seconds later, another door in the office opened, and a wheelchair slowly entered the room.
It was a middle-aged man with a neat appearance. His hair and collar were meticulously tidy, and even seated in a wheelchair, he kept his back straight like a tenacious sword. Yet, his complexion was as pale and sickly as Bologue's, with faint veins visible on his cheeks.
Bologue had been in the Black Prison for too long, leading to the lack of sunlight. The man before him appeared more consumed by illness, resulting in a sickly pallor. Bologue even found it hard to gauge his exact age.
A brief gaze exchanged with the man, his eyes dark, emanating a chill, leaving Bologue with a feeling of being pricked by a sharp blade, quickly causing him to avert his gaze.
The man clasped his hands in front of him. Looking at Bologue, his somber expression lightened considerably, though it carried a smile that brought discomfort.
Geoffrey didn't need to introduce him. From the first glance at the man, Bologue clearly knew his identity.
"Lebius Lovisa, head of the Order Bureau's Field Operations Department and Special Operations Group."
The clear voice spoke, Lebius introduced himself.
"Finally, I meet you, the resurrected Lazarus."