Chapter 157

Because they knew what impact the southward-moving cold wave would have on various regions.

Cyrus plans to consult with His Holiness the Pope about distributing new crops to various regions.

--The church is collaborating with the Thorn Merchant Guild.

The Thorn Merchant Guild provided the goods, while the church was staffed by clergy who distributed and explained the existence of the new crops to people in various regions.

After all, churches are widely distributed and have a great influence, and their participation is conducive to the popularization of new crops.

Cyrus had assumed that His Holiness the Pope would readily agree to the request, but to his surprise, the Pope refused.

Inside the room.

Segalot first poured Cyrus a cup of hot herbal tea.

She then buttoned up the unbuttoned pajamas for him and said slowly, "I don't recommend that you promote and popularize new crops in various places at this time, especially in Saint-Étienne..."

"Why?" Cyrus asked, puzzled.

After straightening his clothes, Segalot sat back down on the sofa. "What do you think of the current situation in Saint Erodi?"

Cyrus: "Not good."

"Although the throne of the Empire has now been inherited by Warner Gales, the previous pandemics and turmoil have left too many hidden dangers within the Empire..."

Yes, the entire Empire was ruined by the old king. Even if Warner., the protagonist of the original book, wanted to restore the Saint Ero Empire to its original state, it wouldn't be an easy task in a short period of time.

Moreover, the current cold wave is fierce, and it will subsequently transition into the Little Ice Age...

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This torrential snowfall is just the beginning.

If effective preventative and response measures for extreme weather are not taken, all regions will fall into difficult situations... and ultimately, it will undoubtedly lead to one outcome—war.

Cyrus did not like war.

However, if some things are unavoidable, then he will not run away from them, but rather make thorough preparations beforehand.

--Distributing new crops to various regions is just the first step.

But this first step has now been rejected by His Holiness the Pope.

Cyrus was very puzzled.

"Warner Gales has big ambitions," Segalot said.

"Saint Erodi will once again face turmoil, as Warner intends to reclaim the territories granted to the various lords, and he has already begun to take action."

Cyrus looked surprised upon hearing this.

This plot point may exist in the original book, so it seems that Saint Erodi's current situation is even worse than he anticipated.

Otherwise, Warner Gales wouldn't have made that decision.

Segalot: "What do you think Warner's next step will be after he takes back the power and territories from the various nobles?"

He watched with great interest as Cyrus frowned in thought.

Cyrus said, "Saint Erodi was previously forced to give up some of his territory by the combined forces of Bowell and King Bia."

"Later, due to the Kunseci Oil issue, war and conflict broke out with the Desinia Territory, and the border city closest to Kunseci was occupied..."

"His second step should be to reclaim these lost territories."

Since they intend to reclaim it, they will inevitably become enemies with the Desinia Territory once again.

This time, with the old king dragging things down, the male protagonist in the original book will definitely not lose immediately without even doing anything, just like before.

Cyrus glanced at the Plot Deviation Value progress in the upper right corner of the system interface and felt relieved, but even if he wanted to make a move, he might not necessarily win.

Segalot: "So, don't give him enough opportunity to carry out the second step of the plan."

"Let's put aside the matter of distributing new crops within Saint Elodi for now."

"While Warner wants to reclaim the territories and rights that were long ago granted out, it also depends on whether the nobles who hold those rights will relinquish them..."

"You need to find a suitable and appropriate opportunity to do this."

Cyrus: "Your Majesty, why did you take the initiative to tell me..."

--How many people in Saint Erodi should know that Warner wants to reclaim the nobles' territories and rights?

After all, if everyone knew that the nobles were on guard and wary, how could Warner possibly carry out this plan?

Cyrus felt that His Holiness the Pope was explaining to him why he had rejected his offer.

But His Holiness the Pope could indeed refuse outright, since he has an obligation to help...

Moreover, once this reason for refusal is revealed, it's as if Cyrus has gained an advantageous condition for dealing with Warner for no reason.

Segalot laughed, "Of course I want to use this matter to obtain permission from the Lord of Desinia."

"Um?"

Cyrus looked puzzled. "What permission?"

Segalot: "I want to build a second Saint Church within the Desinia Territory, and then..."

He paused abruptly before continuing, his voice deep and pleasant, saying, "From now on, I can stay by your side forever."

Cyrus froze, her hand holding the cup trembled, and some of the steaming flower tea spilled out, landing on the back of her hand and burning it slightly.

It didn't hurt; the heat dissipated quickly, but it felt as if it had burned into his heart, causing his blood to rush to his head...

He wondered if his cheeks and earlobes were already bright red.

What exactly did His Holiness the Pope mean by that?!

He was still lost in thought, his mind a jumble of ideas, but Segalot frowned with concern, first taking the flower tea from his hand, then taking his hand to examine it.

The warmth of her palm contacted him, and Cyrus snapped out of her daze, quickly pulling her hand back behind her back.

But he immediately felt that such a movement seemed like an overreaction, so he stretched it out again, clenched his fist, and obediently placed it on his lap.

Segalot's palm was empty. He withdrew his hand with a hint of concern, chuckled softly, and said, "Were you startled?"

He leaned down in front of Cyrus, his expression smiling, but his golden eyes were serious and deep. "Because I will always be by your side?"

You know, isn't it that sentence that's scary?

Cyrus wondered to herself, what exactly did those words mean...?

The two were too close at that moment.

Cyrus shifted slightly, gradually moving back, trying to lean against the sofa. At the same time, she used the movement to hide her shyness and ask the question that was on her mind.

Segalot reached out and gently twirled a strand of hair behind Cyrus's ear, saying, "Whatever you think I mean, that's what I mean."

Cyrus dared not agree with her own "feeling".

He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Segalot loosened her grip on his hair and sighed, "My Little Rose has been around for years, and she's never been in love with anyone. I wonder what kind of wife she'll marry in the future."

"Perhaps you're a princess, or the daughter of a duke or marquis, or maybe you'll fall in love at first sight with an ordinary commoner girl..."

He seemed to be thinking of something, his golden eyes narrowed slightly, appearing somewhat indifferent and detached.

But such emotions quickly subsided, and he maintained a gentle and calm expression in front of Cyrus.

"Princess Rennal of Saint Erodi and the daughter of the Marquis Galli both adore you," said Segalot. "Little Rose is very popular."

Not only within the Desinia Territory, but also countless nobles eagerly offered to send women to Cyrus.

"Are you aware of this?"

Cyrus blinked in surprise, but did not answer.

Segalot: "Don't you know? Or are you surprised that I know these things?"

"Why..."

Although Cyrus was completely innocent, Segalot understood what he was asking, "Naturally, I'm a bit sensitive about this."

A quick glance is enough to notice it.

"Not to mention..."

He lowered his voice, his tone almost piercing your ear. "I am hostile to anyone who harbors such delusions."

Cyrus's eyelashes trembled as if startled, then she pursed her lips and said, "Hate?"

"Yes, the thought that Little Rose might belong to someone else in the future..."

Segalot sighed heavily, in a regretful tone. "Then I probably wish I could break her hands so she could never pick flowers again."

How are you?

Cyrus said hesitantly, "... That's not a good idea, it's a bit cruel."

He thought for a moment, then added in a low voice, "Besides, I don't like her, so she can't pick flowers if she doesn't want to."

Segalot: "May this rose come into my arms?"

Cyrus felt her heart pounding in her throat, her scalp tingling, and she felt a little dizzy. She wanted to run away even more... but her back was against the sofa, and His Holiness the Pope was blocking her way...

He pursed his dry lips again, but didn't answer.

After a moment, Segalot straightened up, reached out and ruffled his hair. "It's alright, no rush, and don't be afraid, I can wait."

"To me, you are someone who can defy all conventional wisdom."

The conversation ended with Cyrus leaving His Holiness the Pope's room.

Cyrus didn't even know how he got back to his bedroom. Just like he couldn't understand why what should have been a morning of discussing important matters had turned into... something completely different...

When Black Sugar saw Cyrus snuggle into a soft cushion on the ground as soon as she came in, it wagged its tail and went over to lie down next to her, resting its big head on Cyrus's lap.

Cyrus instinctively reached out and hugged him, stroking his smooth, black fur and murmuring, "Actually, I'm not fully awake yet, am I?"

"Ouch."

Black Sugar turned to the side and licked Xia Cyrus's wrist.

Over there, Egg Yolk lay on the other side, its fluffy head resting heavily on Cyrus's arm, trying to get a hug.

It wasn't a dream; he was awake.

Cyrus hugged the golden lion, then sighed, "You really know how to remind me..."

Everything's in chaos.

But... the Plot Deviation Value from 100% yet, should he start dating first?

Or... refuse?