Chapter 62

The quiet room was bright and warm.

Cyrus and Segalot sat together at a small round table by the window. On the table was a pot of warm floral tea, and to the right of the pot was a red ribbon.

This is what Cyrus just took off the little black panther's tail, signifying her acceptance of the gift.

"It is very vigilant."

Cyrus glanced at the corner of the windowsill and said to Segalot, "Why did you think of giving me a little black panther?"

Could it be because he kept Coalball and Egg Yolk as pets?

Segalot: "Don't you like it?"

The little black panther, its head covered by a black curtain, lay in the corner of the windowsill, its four fluffy little paws tucked under its body, its fur almost perfectly blending into the fabric.

Of course, this is on the premise that we ignore the fact that its dark golden eyes are secretly watching the two of them, observing them from the shadows.

So cute!

Cyrus smiled, her eyes crinkling. "I like it very much, I'm just wondering."

Segalot: "Do you know Cardy?"

Cyrus thought for a moment, but couldn't remember.

He probably doesn't know.

Cyrus checked the system interface and finally found the name "Cardy" in the westernmost part of the Western Continent: "A... very small kingdom?"

He observed that Cardy's territory was smaller than that of Desinia Territory, and its location was extremely remote.

Segalot reached for the red ribbon on the table, then took Cyrus's left hand and slowly wrapped it around his wrist, chuckling, "Cardy doesn't count as a kingdom."

"It is a tribe, a tribe that... does not believe in Creator God god."

The soft ribbon gently brushed against her fair skin, bringing a slightly itchy sensation.

Cyrus resisted the urge to rub it with her finger, watching with a mixture of doubt and curiosity as His Holiness the Pope wrapped a bright red rose around her wrist, only to have it crumble at the moment it was fully formed because it couldn't be held in place.

The red ribbon meandered across Cyrus's hand and between her fingers... like a magnificent feast.

Segalot paused for a moment as he touched the ribbon, then naturally withdrew it from Cyrus's wrist.

He said, "The Kadi Tribe reveres nature."

"Although they do not oppose the Creator God spreading His light among humankind, they have a greater fondness for creatures living in nature, and the black panther is their faith and totem."

Cyrus turned her head and glanced again at the little black panther who was almost buried under the curtain.

The little black panther's two round little ears were slightly weighed down on top of its head by the heavy curtain.

It seemed to sense Cyrus's gaze, and quietly shrank back inside, its round little head drooping on the windowsill, its dark golden eyes fixed on him.

Cyrus: "Did the Kadi Tribe give it to you?"

Segalot: "That's right, guess why?"

What else could it be?

The reason why a remote tribe that does not believe in Creator God would present their revered black panther to His Holy See the Pope is self-evident.

The Kadi Tribe was seeking refuge.

Cyrus answered, "You don't like Cardy."

Segalot doesn't smile much.

But he liked to smile at Cyrus with a gentle smile, because she was a Little Rose that was different from others.

Segalot really liked this feeling.

Cyrus Desinia was the Little Rose he wanted to carefully cultivate.

But this rose is not suitable for growing in a greenhouse; the suitable temperature and comfortable environment will only cause it to wither.

He should grow in fertile, unclaimed soil, stretching his body freely, fearlessly facing the wind and rain, driving the surrounding black thorns to devour enemies, turning all malevolent creatures into nutrients, and blooming the most vibrant and magnificent flowers.

Now, he has begun to show his dazzling beauty.

Reflecting on the developments in the Desinia Territory over the past three years, Segalot sighed, "You've always been a source of surprises."

Cyrus tilted her head in confusion. Was his correct answer a pleasant surprise?

Segalot said, "I heard that your new castle at Par Lake was completed half a year ago. I wonder if I would have the honor of living there?"

Cyrus: "If you wish, of course you can."

Could he possibly refuse the Pope?

Upon hearing this, Segalot took out a velvet box, no bigger than the palm of his hand, from his pocket.

He placed it on the table and pushed it in front of Cyrus, tapping the velvet-wrapped box with his long, slender fingers. "Open it and take a look."

Cyrus opened it as instructed.

He widened his eyes slightly; inside was a ruby carved in the shape of a rose.

--Its surface shimmers with a soft glow, its color is pure, understated yet luxurious, and its exterior is adorned with intertwined silver thorns, clearly the pattern of the Desinia Family crest, making it a priceless brooch.

Segalot: "For the cost of accommodation."

Cyrus: "You've lost out."

Segalot: "I think it's worth it."

As he spoke, he picked up the brooch from the box and leaned over to put it on Cyrus's chest, his golden eyes slightly narrowed with seriousness, his movements gentle.

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A strand of slightly wavy black hair fell down Segalot's shoulder, the end gently touching Cyrus's cheek, causing him to raise his hand and grasp the strand of hair in his palm.

A moment later, he noticed Segalot's gaze upon him.

Cyrus thought for a moment, then placed the strand of black hair he was holding back behind Segalot, and finally patted it affectionately, letting the strand of black hair blend perfectly into its companion.

Instantly, an uncontrollable low laugh escaped from Segalot's throat.

Cyrus saw him sit back in his chair, one hand casually resting on the bridge of his straight nose, his eyes and brows full of smiles as he laughed for a long time.

Cyrus: "..."

What did he do?!

In short, it's time to leave after catching up.

Cyrus held out her palm to the still somewhat wary little black panther, showing him patience.

Wait quietly for a while.

The little black panther finally slowly poked its head out and sniffed at his fingertips. Then, seemingly unaware of the danger, it carefully placed a furry little paw on them, its dark golden eyes fixed on Cyrus.

"Aww~"

"Give it a name," Segalot said.

Cyrus: "Its voice is so sweet and soft, let's call it Black Sugar."

It's time for him to get sugar production from beets.

Cyrus left the hotel carrying Black Sugar and Segalot.

The man in black robes understood and quickly packed his things and checked out. He then drove his carriage behind the cavalry.

Walker retrieved Samuel, who was still eager for more.

The cavalry marched through Komoy Fort and into the Par Mountain amidst cheers.

Throughout the journey, Cyrus never restrained Coalball, Snowball, and Egg Yolk; they were not wild beasts kept in cages.

Cyrus didn't even want them to be cramped in the narrow carriage; they had always been free to follow the cavalry.

The Coalball seemed to understand human nature, never running away without Cyrus's orders. The fierce beasts that accompanied the carriage on either side attracted countless fearful, amazed, or incredulous glances.

Fortunately, the people living in the Desinia Territory all know that their lord has a great fondness for raising large, ferocious beasts, each of which is incredibly fierce, but also truly beautiful and majestic.

Over time, especially among the people of Visas and Komoy Fort, not only did they accept and lessen their fear of the lord, but they even developed admiration for him.

After all, not everyone dares to hug and kiss a tiger's or lion's head that's taller than themselves, and then rub their ears afterward... Those who witnessed this scene were speechless for a long time.

Par Lake is located in a flat, large valley.

The rolling grasslands connect the mountains and the sky... the scenery is picturesque.

Beyond the valley lies a quiet and lush forest. The southeast side is open to access Visas and Komoy Fort, while the northwest side, located behind the valley, is a closed section of the mountain.

Both sides had checkpoints set up and were guarded by soldiers.

The castle was built over three years by Conrad and a large number of craftsmen.

After all, preparations for this project began before the reconstruction of the cities of Visas and Komoy Fort, and it was intended to be a residence for the lord, which is why it was completed ahead of schedule with extremely high efficiency.

Samuel was once again amazed upon arriving here.

He saw a large number of people standing in front of the castle to greet him, their expressions expectant, with maids on one side and male servants on the other, all dressed in matching black and white uniforms.

There were three people standing in the middle.

A mature-looking young man with brown hair and brown eyes, a lively boy, and a maid who was also dressed in a maid outfit but with a red checkered belt around her waist.

The three of them were Gibran, Toby, and Kelly, who had long since been promoted to deacon.

A hawk's cry echoed from the sky.

Samuel subconsciously looked up and saw that Lord Overlord had finally slowed down his flight and was circling above the castle, his huge wings spread out in awe.

As if in sync with the cry of an eagle, the roars of tigers and lions echoed continuously through the valley.

Despite being "always by each other's side" all the way, Samuel still couldn't help but snuggle closer to Walker at this moment.

He watched as the three ferocious beasts slowly strolled toward the lord's side, with Coalball even baring its teeth in a snarl.

"What's wrong with them? They seem a little... unhappy?" Samuel muttered to himself.

Walker coughed lightly. "Jealous, aren't you?"

Samuel returned late and didn't see that Cyrus was carrying a small black panther as she boarded the carriage.

Now that they've arrived at the doorstep, the little black panther is still clinging to Cyrus's arm, even its short, thick tail is wrapped around her wrist.

Cyrus helplessly pushed away the big head of the Coalball that kept coming closer, and closed its tiger mouth that was trying to scare Black Sugar. The two next to it were obviously also somewhat resistant, and even their ears began to turn back.

There's nothing we can do about it.

When Egg Yolk first arrived, Coalball and Snowball also mistook it for a real ball and tried to roll it away, pat it away, and pry it away...

Furthermore, Snowball even picked up Egg Yolk by the scruff of its neck and threw it outside the bedroom door. The poor golden dumpling ended up staying by being cute.

Faced with the intimidation of a beast several times its size, Black Sugar froze in Cyrus's arms, even its tiny claws peeking out, gripping the clothes beneath it tightly.

To Cyrus's surprise, Black Sugar didn't tremble and back down; instead, it also opened its mouth and adopted a fierce and aggressive posture.

"Aww!"

Cyrus: Pfft.

No, that's too milky.

He pressed the Black Sugar down and covered it with his cloak.

After a few days, once they get to know each other, they should be able to play happily together.

Cyrus thought that going home would allow her to completely relax and be a couch potato for a while.

Unexpectedly, this happened after the Pope's arrival.

The next morning, Judas brought him some news...

"My lord, the envoy from the Anas Empire and Mr. Abel from the Nagabi Merchant Guild have arrived at Par Mountain and are now waiting outside the castle..."

Cyrus was just about to get out of bed, her buttocks barely lifted and her legs not yet in place, when she heard this, she tripped over the sheets and fell headfirst into the soft blankets...

He didn't want to get out of bed.