Chapter 161

"Did I hear that right? Miss Phoebe admires the Lord of Desinia?!"

"Wasn't Shamir Phoebe supposed to marry His Majesty the King? How come she has no relationship with Desinia?!"

"His Majesty has been put on a mask..."

"Shh, stop talking. I can't afford to offend either the Lord of Desinia or the Marquis's daughter. Shut up, this is still the entrance to the Saint Church."

"Oh my god, isn't that His Holiness the Pope standing there...? His face looks so pale..."

After Shamir Phoebe ran off quickly, those around her, some openly and some secretly watching, began to discuss it. However, since it was in front of the Saint Church, the discussion was kept to a certain volume, with people whispering among themselves.

Clearly, news of today's events will spread throughout the capital of the Saint Airo Empire in a very short time.

Cyrus snapped out of her daze and turned to look at a spot a little inside the entrance of the Saint Church —her caramel-colored eyes met those of a golden-eyed man.

The latter's anxiety level clearly decreased again.

Cyrus had a slight headache.

It's not his fault...

He strode into the Saint Church as the surrounding chatter grew louder. Cardinal Dempus, who was standing next to the Pope, smiled jokingly when he saw him arrive.

"The lord is truly charismatic."

Upon hearing this, Segalot suddenly smiled, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, "It's all about charm... otherwise, it wouldn't be..."

The rest of the sentence was left unsaid due to Cyrus's sudden interruption.

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Cyrus suspected that if she hadn't covered the Pope's mouth, he might have actually said something terrifying right there.

Dempus looked back at the two of them, his face full of doubt.

After discussing the specifics of establishing the first Saint Church in the Desinia Territory Saint Church the two cardinals and the archbishop, Cyrus accompanied the Pope to his residence behind the Saint Church.

The Belanka flower is revered as a divine flower favored by the Creator God for two reasons: firstly, it blooms eternally throughout the four seasons, symbolizing good fortune; secondly, its delicate yet elegant blossoms are exceptionally beautiful, reflecting the Belanka's tenacious vitality.

The heavy winter snow did not destroy the growth of Belanka.

As Cyrus passed through the courtyard of the Pope's residence, her gaze was drawn to the clusters of vibrant, blooming Belanka.

He couldn't help but stop and admire it slowly.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Segalot asked.

"Yes, it's very beautiful." Cyrus nodded.

Belanka are difficult to cultivate and rare, and their blooms are even more precious, making each flower quite expensive. Ordinary people rarely see them, and even some nobles seldom have the opportunity to possess them.

But at His Holiness the Pope's residence, Cyrus saw vast fields of Belanka.

This is not only an astonishing amount of wealth, but also a symbol of power.

Segalot: "When we return to Desinia, I can plant the entire castle for you."

Cyrus realized the implication in his words and turned her head in surprise. "Your Majesty, are you saying that you planted this entire Belanka with your own hands?"

Segalot: "Well, very few others can grow Belanka, so I personally tried, but unfortunately..."

He lowered his head, stroking the delicate, pure petals of the blooming Belanka beside him with one hand. "It's a pity that not a single divine flower is a vibrant red."

Cyrus: "I've heard that only those favored by the Creator God can make the pure divine flower bloom in a vibrant red?"

"I thought it was just a legend."

Segalot turned his head and chuckled, "When I was born, a Belanka planted in the room turned red."

"However, as I grew older, this red Belanka slowly withered away."

Cyrus let out a soft "Oh!"

Segalot suddenly plucked a Belanka and tucked it behind Cyrus's ear. "Transplant these flowers there, and I'll grow red Belanka for you."

It seems the Pope is about to move his entire house away...

Cyrus stroked Belanka's beautiful nine-petaled flower, lost in thought—So, His Majesty doesn't plan to find another place to stay, or is he going to stay at his castle?

Finally, Cyrus tucked the plucked Belanka into a book he had borrowed from the Pope, intending to preserve it as a dried flower.

Upon returning to the Sheri Inn from the Saint Church, Cyrus noticed that Black Sugar was lingering at the inn's entrance. He assumed Black Sugar was waiting for him, so he got off the carriage and went over to her.

Black Sugar.

The black panther standing in front of the Sheri Pavilion turned its head at the sound, its golden eyes coldly scrutinizing Cyrus, but it did not step forward.

Cyrus also suddenly stopped in her tracks; this wasn't Black Sugar.

Although both are black leopards, Black Sugar is larger, and its head looks rounder than the black leopard's. Especially its golden eyes, which always squint happily whenever it sees him, and its tail also habitually flicks.

When the black panther faced him, it was clear it was looking at a stranger.

But if this isn't Black Sugar, then where is this black panther from?

Segalot stepped forward and said, "It should be the people from the Kadi Tribe."

As soon as he finished speaking, several people walked out of the inn. The man in the lead had a very healthy bronze complexion, long brown hair braided into small braids and hanging down his back, and deep-set eyes and brows.

He looked at the black panther with his deep brown eyes and said in a rather strange and awkward voice, "Sachi, come on over."

The black panther turned and strolled to the man's side.

The man's large, bronze hand patted the black panther's head, then stepped forward and bowed to the Pope: "Your Holiness, it's been a long time."

Segalot nodded. "Brali, it's been years. I see you've become the chieftain of the tribe."

"Yes, Your Majesty, my father is quite old, and at the beginning of winter, he held a ceremony for me to succeed to the throne," Brali said.

When he was young, he had traveled to the Saint Airo Empire with his father.

At that time, the Kadi Tribe needed the protection of the Holy See. So, his father personally took him to live with him and gave the child born to the youngest and strongest black panther in the tribe to the Pope.

Sachi and the little black panther they gave away were brothers.

Brali was invited to attend the new king's wedding and also wanted to see how the black panther was doing now.

--How well have you adapted to life away from the Kadi Tribe's environment?

The Kadi Tribe is located at the westernmost edge of the Western Continent. Not only is the environment vastly different from that of the Saint Airo Empire, but even their language is different.

As the Brali who will inherit the position of tribal chief, one of the things he has to learn from a young age is the language of the central continent.

"Your Majesty, I don't know..." Just as Brali was about to mention the little black panther he had sent away, he saw that the black panther Sachi, who had been standing next to him just moments before, suddenly leave.

Sachi slowly walked to Cyrus's vicinity, twitched his nose, and began to circle around Cyrus to observe her, gradually getting closer until even his thick, long, powerful tail barely brushed against Cyrus's ankle.

Cyrus tentatively extended a hand.

The black panther took two steps forward and peeked out...

"Sachi?" Brali exclaimed in surprise.

Suddenly, a swift black shadow darted out from inside the hall. Before anyone could react, the shadow pounced on Sachi.

"Aww!"

Sachi nimbly dodged, crouching low, baring his fangs and growling.

--Another black leopard appeared.

The black panther stood in front of Cyrus, growling hostilely, its claws outstretched, as if it were about to pounce and fight again at any moment.

The atmosphere was tense, poised to erupt.

Seeing this, Brali was startled and reached out to stop them. "Don't move, or the black panther will attack people indiscriminately! Sachi, don't..."

Getting a swipe of a black panther's claw is no laughing matter.

An enraged beast will not obey human commands, and Brali understands this well; it's best not to approach it at this time.

Cyrus guiltily withdrew her outstretched hand, then suddenly pounced on Black Sugar, hugging his big head and saying, "Black Sugar, be good, don't fight, I love you the most."

Although Black Sugar didn't withdraw its eyes from Sachi, the other black panther, it flicked its tail. Then, under Cyrus's gentle reassurance, it slowly straightened up and stopped its hostile attack posture.

And there it was, Egg Yolk and Ice Cream had just come out of the entrance of the dormitory.

Walker stood beside the two furry creatures, touched his nose, and said, "Lord, Black Sugar suddenly darted out just now, and I couldn't catch it..."

Cyrus nodded, indicating that it was alright.

He met Brali's surprised gaze and said, "I'm so sorry, Black Sugar didn't mean to..."

"This black panther..." Brali murmured.

He was surprised and astonished by the black panther's remarkably human-like behavior, and also envious that the Lord of Desinia could win the beast's unreserved affection.

Brali wondered if this black panther was the same one his father had presented to His Holiness the Pope.

Cyrus's words confirmed his suspicions.

Brali understood.

He said, "Lord of Desinia, Sachi and your Black Sugar are brothers; Black Sugar was born first, so he is the elder brother."

Brali was pleasantly surprised to see the black panther he had initially sent away grow into what it is today: strong limbs, healthy teeth and claws, and even more intelligent and human-like.

The Lord of Desinia has taken good care of the black panther.

--Anyone who likes Black Panther is a good person and a friend of the Kadi Tribe!

Thinking of this, Brali couldn't help but look at Cyrus with a hint of affection.

Segalot: "..."

He glanced at Brali, frowning slightly, then pulled Cyrus to his side. "It's time to go in."

"Yes, always standing at the doorway blocks other people from getting in."

Seeing that Sachi had also put aside his hostility and straightened up, Brali rubbed the black panther's large head to bring it closer to him. "Lord, may I speak with you about the black panther?"

"He's still busy," Segalot said.

Brali didn't notice anything amiss, assuming the Lord of Desinia and His Holiness the Pope had something to discuss, and could only regretfully suggest they talk another time.