Chapter 47

Since they were going to rebuild churches and temples in Visas,

the Saint Church in the Saint Airo Empire would naturally send clergy to Desinia Territory to handle the related matters.

Below the Pope, those responsible for managing clergy and various affairs were divided into three ranks: cardinals, archbishops, and bishops.

Among them, cardinals and archbishops remained in the empire, assisting the Pope in managing the Holy See, while bishops were responsible for resolving matters occurring in churches and temples across the other smaller nations.

As for lower-ranking clergy such as deputy bishops, they were assigned to churches and temples in smaller nations or territories as managers or assistants.

Logically speaking, if the Holy See wanted to rebuild churches in Xia Zuoyi's territory, the personnel sent should have been at the bishop level.

Even if the rank were higher, it could only have been an archbishop.

That was what Xia Zuoyi had thought.

But when he saw the people from the Holy See outside the castle, his expression involuntarily froze.

A low-key yet luxurious carriage slowly came to a stop. The black-robed attendants around it reached out to lift the curtain, revealing a familiar and handsome face Xia Zuoyi had not forgotten.

The current Pope—Segalot Wozworth Osgood.

Xia Zuoyi could not help feeling puzzled.

Why had he come here?

Could it be that he had never left the territory since the duke's rebellion?

Naturally, Xia Zuoyi did not know that after burning down the churches and temples in Kaies, Segalot had continued his travels, gone to a neighboring nation, and then detoured to Gaina.

They had happened to encounter a royal upheaval in Gaina, and the Holy See had actually been involved as well.

Segalot had thus stayed behind to investigate.

To his surprise, he discovered that the people Xia Zuoyi had sent were also lying low there and had repeatedly helped Light Green, the eldest son of the eldest prince.

As Bruno Green had said, this eldest son truly loved only men. He had violated the Holy See's rules, defied worldly customs and common sense, and fallen in love with the personal servant he had grown up alongside, confirming their relationship.

Bruno Green had indeed not been lying.

According to the Holy See's regulations, it was entirely reasonable and normal for Light to lose his right to inherit the throne because of such a stain.

But Segalot had not handed the evidence and information discovered by the Golden Armored Knights to Gaina's acting bishop.

Instead, he chose to watch coldly from the sidelines.

He wanted to see which of the two princes would ultimately win the throne.

The most crucial "evidence" in this struggle was the servant who was in love with Light.

At first, Light had sent him away and hidden him.

But Bruno had gone to great lengths to find him and brought him directly into the church.

Light arrived in time. Amid the chaotic argument and confrontation between both sides, the servant killed himself before anyone could react.

Bruno Green lost the powerful "evidence" he had needed to accuse Light, and everything that followed happened naturally, with Light inheriting the throne.

From beginning to end, Segalot had not particularly cared whether Light loved men or women.

Following the date specified in the documents issued by the Holy See, Xia Zuoyi had prepared outside the castle to receive the clergy.

Yet the only ones who arrived were Segalot and the black-robed men accompanying him as protection.

After his initial surprise passed,

Xia Zuoyi calmly led them into the castle.

They now sat together in the study, with Ferdinand and Walker standing behind Xia Zuoyi.

Seeing that the young lord did not speak, while the people from the Holy See also sat silently opposite him, Walker could not help secretly studying the leader, whose eyes held a faint, unobtrusive smile and whose lips curved slightly upward.

He looked to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. His appearance was exceptionally handsome, and from his hair to the hem of his robes, nearly every inch of him revealed refinement and elegance. In terms of presence, he did not lose to the five tall, powerfully built black-robed men standing behind him.

He was even more impossible to ignore, clearly someone who had held a high position for a long time.

A person like this definitely did not resemble a bishop or deputy bishop.

An unbelievable thought could not help rising in Walker's heart.

He carefully examined those golden eyes... If his guess was correct, this eye color was unique and exceedingly rare within the Saint Church and even the entire Saint Airo Empire.

—It was praised as "an honor bestowed by the Creator God."

Walker came back to himself and sensed someone looking at him. Turning his head, he met Ferdinand's gaze and saw the same question in his eyes.

Xia Zuoyi spoke at that moment. "Did you come here to personally preside over the construction ceremony for the churches and temples?"

Segalot said, "I would not come here personally for such a trivial matter."

He had merely come to see a little rose that was still growing.

Xia Zuoyi asked, "Then... is there something you need my help with?"

"No, there is not."

"..."

Xia Zuoyi felt that this conversation could not continue.

Why was the current Pope only staring at him?

Was there something on his face?

Impossible... If there had been, Judith would definitely have helped him wipe it clean.

Could it be... that this person thought he looked cute?

Watching the little rose's expression change again and again, Segalot felt pleased. He said, "I came for you."

"For me?"

Xia Zuoyi's expression was clearly puzzled.

Segalot said, "The internal troubles have been resolved, but external threats still remain."

"The Holy See is the most direct and useful means of consolidating royal authority. A nation recognized by the Holy See..."

He watched Xia Zuoyi and slowly continued, "...or even a territory, is likewise acknowledged in the eyes of others. For the time being, it can make some unchecked ambitions restrain themselves."

Xia Zuoyi said, "I have never feared such things."

Otherwise, he would have applied to the Holy See to rebuild churches and temples as soon as Gadayat became Desinia Territory.

Approval showed in Segalot's eyes. "You truly are the cleverest. Of course I understand that you are not afraid of these things, but not being afraid does not mean you will not find them troublesome."

"You should know that sometimes, even the slightest trouble can make people feel irritated and disgusted."

Xia Zuoyi nodded. That was indeed true.

But he was even less willing to tolerate Holy See clergy constantly interfering in the territory and obstructing what he wanted to do in the future.

Xia Zuoyi would rather accept other obstacles—whoever dared set their sights on his territory should not blame him for paying them back tenfold or a hundredfold.

Segalot had no difficulty guessing what he was thinking.

Or rather, ever since he had first seen him smiling as he said those words in the church at Kaies, Segalot had seen that this child did not hold much reverence or awe for the Creator God.

The way he looked at the Creator God's statue was simply the way one looked at an ordinary stone carving, with curiosity and a trace of interest.

Segalot said to Xia Zuoyi, "That is why I did not bring a single bishop."

"You may appoint your own people. As long as the churches and temples are built within Visas, the clergy serving in them will not interfere in the affairs of Desinia Territory without authorization from now on."

He had given more than enough of a hint.

Xia Zuoyi immediately thought of Grove and the other priests.

"You mean?"

"Choose one person, and I can make an exception to promote him to bishop."

Xia Zuoyi asked in confusion, "Why would you..."

Segalot's golden eyes seemed to shimmer with flowing light, but he did not answer.

Because he wanted to personally cultivate a vibrant and beautiful rose.

He wanted to watch this little rose bloom into the most brilliant flower possible in fertile soil filled with thorns.

Choosing a bishop afterward was simple, since the Pope was here and could appoint one directly.

Xia Zuoyi planned to make Grove the new bishop of Visas.

After they reached an agreement, Xia Zuoyi escorted Segalot out of the castle.

Just after leaving the study, as they were about to pass a corner, the five black-robed men behind Segalot—the Golden Armored Knights—suddenly tensed in unison, their eyes vigilantly fixed on the somewhat dark corner.

Segalot looked over as well.

Two enormous bodies, one black and one white, gradually emerged from the darkness around the corner. Smooth and brimming with strength, their fur bore beautiful stripes, and their thick paw pads made no sound as they stepped across the floor.

"Tigers?!"

The Golden Armored Knights reacted swiftly, immediately surrounding Segalot with curved blades in hand.

Coalball and Snowball seemed to sense the threatening aura emanating from the others as well. They stopped where they were, their tiger eyes flashing with intimidating light. They let out low growls, and their claws slowly extended...

Xia Zuoyi could not help saying, "They are my little darlings. They are still children and will not hurt people casually."

Segalot said, "Lower your weapons."

The leading black-robed man hesitated for a moment before lowering his curved blade as instructed, and the other black-robed men followed suit.

Segalot could not help examining the two enormous tigers. Their fur colors were rare, and their appearances fierce and majestic...

Then he looked at Xia Zuoyi. "How did you raise them?"

Xia Zuoyi was baffled. How else could he raise them?

"Feed them meat."

"Roar."

Seeing that the threatening people had put away their weapons, Coalball and Snowball straightened slightly and called out to Xia Zuoyi, but they did not approach.

Segalot asked, "May I go closer and look at them? Alone."

Xia Zuoyi nodded.

The leading black-robed man could not help wanting to speak, but under Segalot's gaze, he closed his mouth again. He could only watch the Pope follow behind the young lord and gradually approach the two tigers that looked exceptionally dangerous and ferocious.

"What are their names?" Segalot asked softly.

"The black one is Coalball, and the white one is Snowball."

Xia Zuoyi had already walked up to the two tigers. They rubbed their shoulders and faces against him one after another, displaying their intimacy.

Just as Segalot wanted to reach out, Coalball and Snowball both showed rejection, baring their sharp teeth at him. Even the character for king on their foreheads seemed to turn ferocious.

"Give me your hand."

Xia Zuoyi held out one soft, fair hand toward Segalot, palm upward.

Segalot raised an eyebrow with mild curiosity.

He placed his right hand on it, nearly covering it completely.

Segalot had an uncontrollable urge to give it a squeeze, but he restrained himself.

Holding his hand, Xia Zuoyi slowly placed it on Snowball's body. Beneath his palm was smooth yet stiff fur that occasionally slipped between his fingers...

"Snowball is very well-behaved."

Segalot stared directly into the white tiger's cold eyes. After watching for a while, he suddenly smiled. "Is that so? May I pet this black tiger too?"

"Mm."

In the end, Segalot withdrew his hand beneath Coalball's increasingly displeased gaze. He said, "I think neither of them is very well-behaved."

"You are the most well-behaved."

Xia Zuoyi took a step back to avoid him. "Indeed."

If I'm not well-behaved, who is?

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