Chapter 145

Cyrus was very well-behaved when he was drunk. He didn't throw a tantrum or act crazy. He just wanted to sleep. He vaguely felt someone carrying him for a while, followed by a soft and comforting touch.

He grew even sleepier.

I had no dreams all night.

The next morning, as the sunlight streamed in through the window and gradually grew stronger, Cyrus's consciousness slowly began to awaken.

He rolled over, as if he were pulling on something, and then he heard someone hiss softly.

Who is it?!

Cyrus suddenly opened his eyes and came to his senses—lying beside him was His Holiness the Pope.

Segalot was lying beside him, propping her head up with one hand. She was still wearing the loose black robe she had worn the night before, but now the collar was open, revealing half of her pale chest and...

cough...

Cyrus's ears turned slightly red. He silently looked away and whispered, "Your Majesty... how did you end up in my bed?"

This was the second time we shared a bed.

Could it be... that he got drunk last night and dragged her up here?!

Thinking this, Cyrus tried to sit up, but just as he moved his arm to prop himself up, he heard the Pope hiss again, and at the same time, his body leaned forward in his direction—

Cyrus lay down again before she could even sit up.

Segalot leaned over him, one hand supporting her on her arm, while the other hand grabbed his wrist, chuckling, "Don't move, look at your hand."

Cyrus blinked, then turned her head—Oh dear.

How did he sleep last night?

Why are so many of the Pope's hairs tangled between his fingers? Several strands are unknowingly held in his palms and between his fingers...

Cyrus pursed her lips shyly.

He moved his fingers, and the tangled hair began to loosen, sliding down his palm little by little, the slight tickling sensation seeming to quietly seep into his heart...

Segalot hadn't gotten up yet, his golden eyes fixed on the person beneath him. After a while, just as Cyrus was starting to get a little nervous, he reached out and ruffled his hair, saying, "Next time, don't drink when I'm not around."

"Hmm?" Cyrus sounded puzzled, but nodded and said, "I don't usually drink much... Yesterday, I was just having fun..."

That's why I drank a little more.

"Hmm." Segalot smiled, stepping aside. "Get up."

"Good."

As was his custom, Judas went into the house to bring Cyrus toiletries; however, he never expected to see another person in the lord's room today.

Seeing his puzzled expression, Cyrus said, "Last night, I got drunk, and Your Majesty took me back to my room..."

Um... was he the one holding onto me and preventing me from leaving?

"Yes, lord. Then I will bring His Holiness the Pope another set of toiletries."

After speaking, Judas turned to Segalot: "Your Majesty, please wait a moment."

Segalot nodded.

After washing up and getting dressed, the two went to inquire about breakfast.

During this time, Cyrus inquired about the establishment of an orphanage in the Saint Airo Empire: "Your Majesty, you said last night that the orphanage in the Imperial Capital was completely completed, is that right?"

Segalot nodded. "That's right."

Cyrus: "Perfect timing. My medical team is going to travel around to promote medical knowledge, and also provide treatment for patients and popularize some basic medical knowledge."

"I want them to be admitted to the newly established orphanage in the Empire, where the children can receive free medical checkups and treatment..."

Segalot: "Okay, I'll arrange this as soon as possible."

Prince Warner was naturally aware that an orphanage was being established within the Saint Airo Empire, but the fact that it was being personally overseen by His Holiness the Pope meant that even the royal family could not interfere arbitrarily.

Warner is taking a wait-and-see approach.

He was thinking that His Holiness the Pope was still in the Desinia Territory and showed no intention of returning. Furthermore, the Holy See had even sent an archbishop to the Desinia Territory...

He couldn't figure out what the Pope meant.

However, the establishment of orphanages within the Empire may be related to the Lord of Desinia.

After all... the orphanage was established in the names of both the Pope and the Lord of Desinia.

--Right now, it is estimated that the people of the entire royal city, no, even most parts of the entire Saint Airo Empire, are singing their praises.

It is only natural that the Pope is respected and revered.

He was showered with honors and surrounded by an aura of Creator God favor... He has always been the embodiment of faith in the hearts of churches and the people.

The people of the Saint Airo Empire praised the Pope, Warner did not object.

But their praise of the ruler of another place... touches on some of Warner's sensitive feelings.

Especially after the Black Death ended, many people regarded Desinia as their savior, a divine messenger appointed by the Creator God...

There are various conflicting accounts.

Without exception, Desinia's prestige surpassed that of the authorities throughout the Saint Airo Empire and beyond.

Warner had a vague feeling about it before, until he took power himself and was just a little short of sitting in the highest position... but that was enough for him to see it clearly.

--Cyrus Desinia.

In Warner's eyes, this man was even more "dangerous" than King Gena Kozmo of the Bovell Kingdom, and to some extent, Warner didn't want to be his enemy if he could.

After news of the establishment of an orphanage in the capital city of the Saint Airo Empire spread, the Saint Church also began to follow His Holiness the Pope's instructions to search for orphaned and helpless children in the capital city and bring them to the orphanage for resettlement.

However, there are always areas where the Saint Church cannot be fully considered.

So the cardinal announced that all underage children could come and live in the orphanage.

Moreover, not only underage children, but also young adults who are temporarily unable to take care of themselves, or who have lost their families or are homeless can come to the orphanage for temporary accommodation.

However, the stay is only for three months. If you want to continue living there after that, you will have to pay fees, etc.

Jack was one of the first orphans to hear the news.

He has two younger brothers to take care of because his parents and family members all died in the previous Black Death pandemic.

But Jack himself was also a child.

His abilities were limited, and even though he had previously been rescued by the relief station established by the Thorn Merchant Guild, this could not be sustained indefinitely.

Moreover, the place where Jack and his two younger brothers used to live had already been bought and occupied, and he had no way to protect it. He could only leave with his two younger brothers while protecting them.

Things didn't get too bad. He had met a few other orphans while burning the bodies of those who had died from the Black Death in the quarantine zone.

They helped him and his brothers settle down temporarily in the slums.

Now that news has arrived that an orphanage has been established, Jack plans to take his two younger brothers there.

But his friends hesitated.

"Can we... can we really go?" one of the boys, who looked about twelve or thirteen years old, stammered.

He was about to come of age, but he had never received much education since childhood because he had no family from birth and was taken in by an old man in the slums.

The old man also died in the Black Death, but the boy was lucky enough to survive.

He was wearing clothes that didn't fit him well, with several holes in them. His skin was sallow and his figure was thin, making him look like a child under ten years old.

Although he didn't show it on his face, he felt inferior and didn't dare to go.

"Go!"

Jack said, "That orphanage was specially established by the Lord of Desinia and the Pope for children without family or parents; it's a charitable act."

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"Didn't you hear what those people who spread the word said? Even adults can stay in orphanages temporarily until they are able to support themselves."

"They said they could provide us with work in some places, and I want to earn money."

The boy hesitated, "How could such a good thing exist..."

The boy didn't believe it, but Jack insisted on going to the orphanage to take a look.

Jack's persistence proved to be right—they settled into the orphanage and soon received new clothes and hot meals.

This was like a dream for the boy.

He may still be unconscious.

After the boy said that to Jack, Jack pinched his arm... Ouch, that really hurt.

Jack felt relieved after his brothers found a safe place to stay.

He planned to find a job to earn money, but before he could leave the orphanage, a group of people arrived.

This group of people came from the Desinia Territory and were sent to the Empire by the lord of Desinia to spread medical knowledge and popularize medical common sense.

Furthermore, they also provide free medical checkups for the children in the orphanage.

If they encounter a patient, they will treat them and leave some medicine afterwards... but that's not all.

Because Jack once overheard them talking to the head of the orphanage, saying that they hoped to recruit a group of young people who were willing to go to live in the Desinia Territory before they left.

After the Saint Church announced the news, the number of people coming and going to the orphanage increased significantly, including many adults who wanted to live there.

They need the orphanage director's help to promote it.

The person in charge readily agreed.

--To live in the Desinia Territory?!

Jack longed to go; he not only wanted to live in the Desinia Territory, but also desperately wanted to meet the Lord of Desinia... although he didn't know if this wish could ever be fulfilled.

The Desinia Territory is the closest place to the lord.

Jack was deeply disturbed by the news.

That evening, he talked with his two younger brothers, and the next morning, he mustered up the courage to go find the person who had examined them before.

"I... I can endure any hardship, I can do any job... Could you... could you take me and my brothers with you too...?"

After saying that, Jack lowered his head, his face flushed, and clutched the hem of his clothes tightly.

He realized he had acted impulsively, and now he felt both embarrassed and ashamed... Why should they take him away? He was overestimating himself.

To everyone's surprise, after a moment of astonishment, the man asked, "Are you willing to leave the Saint Airo Empire and live within our territory?"

"Yes, yes!" Jack suddenly looked up and answered loudly.

The man muttered under his breath, "The lord had previously instructed that we could take the children back to settle them in, which saves us some trouble..."

Jack didn't hear everything.

In addition to recruiting adults, Cyrus also assigned a task: to select some orphans who were willing to stay in the Desinia Territory and bring them back.

The man wanted to handle this matter after recruiting adults, but he didn't expect Jack to come looking for him.

He said, "Okay, but you have to do something for me."

"What is it?" Jack asked hurriedly.

"Go and ask around for me how many children in this orphanage would like to live in Desinia."

Ten days later, after sending off a group of adults who had been recruited, a fleet of ships returned to Desinia with many children.