Chapter 63

Cyrus dawdled, reluctant to get out of bed.

But he was then forced to be lifted up and dressed by the dutiful butler, which made him look sullen.

Boris's sudden appearance was not a big deal.

After all, they had been pen pals for many years and were also business partners in the chamber of commerce, so they were quite familiar with each other.

Boris didn't tell him about his upcoming visit to the territory, probably wanting to surprise him.

But what about the envoy from the Anas Empire?

Didn't they just go to Helgoda?!

Furthermore, the Anas Empire and the Desinia Territory have absolutely no connection whatsoever... I've come uninvited, and I don't know why...

Cyrus couldn't help but think of His Holiness the Pope living in his castle, and felt a headache coming on, her brows furrowing in worry.

Just as he was sighing, two groups of people who had arrived at the castle at almost the same time and were waiting were also sizing each other up, creating an awkward atmosphere.

At the head of the Anas Empire's envoy caravan stood a tall man draped in a white cloak.

He wore a long robe of the same color embroidered with silver thread patterns. His face, hidden beneath the cloak, was handsome with silver hair and gray eyes, and exuded a cool and aloof air.

At the very front of the Nagabi Merchant Guild convoy stood a tall, handsome man with blond hair, green eyes, and striking features.

He wore a black overcoat, but it was unbuttoned, revealing a crisp gray-green vest underneath. His chest muscles were prominent, and he had a very good physique.

The two stood facing each other, silent.

However, the way they looked at each other showed that they knew each other.

Moreover, although they knew each other, their relationship was clearly not very good.

One person had a cold face, the other had a furrowed brow.

One of them was the powerful Grand Duke of the Anas Empire — Orville Achiyoli.

One was Boris Abel, the leader of the Nagabi Merchant Guild, the largest merchant guild in the Anas Empire.

Both are citizens of the Anas Empire.

One was of noble birth and held great power, while the other controlled the empire's finances and economic lifeline.

Given the intertwining of power and money, it would be strange if the two didn't know each other.

And it was precisely because they knew each other.

They never expected to meet each other at the same time in front of the Lord of Desinia's castle...

Orville Achiyoli had been concealing his identity while accompanying the delegation, and all matters were handled by the envoys.

That's the case in Helgoda.

Orville was freed from worldly affairs and felt relaxed and at ease.

But at this moment...

Orville looked coldly at Boris.

His identity could no longer be concealed.

Therefore, when Cyrus came out, the envoy she was to receive turned out to be the Grand Duke of the Anas Empire.

And this Grand Duke Achiyoli turned out to be the man with whom he had shared a glimpse of beluga whales aboard the Dream.

The two of them froze on the spot as soon as they met.

Orville then spoke to Cyrus with a slightly softened expression, "I never imagined that the Lord of Desinia would be you."

Cyrus's expression was complicated. "... I wonder what brings the Grand Duke to my territory?"

And they even wanted to hide their identities...

If Boris hadn't happened to be there and recognized the man, he might have been fooled.

Orville immediately shut his mouth, his expression returning to its usual calm and expressionless state.

He stared intently at Cyrus, his light gray eyes seemingly shrouded in mist, making it impossible to discern the fleeting emotions within.

The man standing behind Orville was named Robert, a confidant of the Grand Duke Orville and the plenipotentiary representative on this occasion.

He was just about to step forward and say a few nice words to the young lord of Desinia on behalf of the Duke when he heard the Duke speak curtly.

"Something's wrong."

Cyrus: "..."

Robert: "..."

Boris crossed his arms and scoffed.

Cyrus cleared her throat and said, "Since you have something to discuss, please come to the study with me."

They entered the castle together, but before they could even go into the study, they encountered Segalot in the corridor.

Orville frowned slightly.

The same applies to Boris.

"Your Holiness the Pope?!"

After seeing the person's face and his distinctive eyes clearly, Robert stared wide-eyed in disbelief and blurted out.

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Good heavens, by the Creator God! What is His Majesty Augsger doing here?!

Is he still asleep?!

This place is indeed the castle of the Lord of Desinia, isn't it?!

Robert desperately wanted to rub his eyes.

He seriously doubted his eyes!

However, His Holiness the Pope was truly standing before him.

The Pope was even dressed in relatively casual clothes, with his slightly wavy long hair tied back with a red ribbon.

He wore a white shirt with the collar slightly open, revealing a bit of his collarbone. The thin shirt accentuated his slender figure, which was no less impressive than that of a golden-armored knight.

She wore black trousers and black boots on her lower body, her legs were straight and long.

Segalot stopped in front of Cyrus and the others.

A barely perceptible look of surprise flashed across his eyes at the arrival of Grand Duke Achiyoli and the leader of the Nagabi Merchant Guild; it was so quick that no one noticed. His expression remained as indifferent and calm as ever.

But after Cyrus greeted him, Segalot lowered his eyes and curled the corners of his lips.

Cyrus thought that the three people in front of her were all big shots who could not be easily ignored. Since they had met in the corridor, she should at least introduce them to each other.

After he finished his introduction, the three of them greeted each other in their own way.

But what should have been Cyrus's conversation with Grand Duke Orville about the reasons for his arrival in the territory turned into something else entirely, with Segalot and Boris also joining him in the study.

The temperature inside the castle was just right.

Once we were no longer by the sea, we also escaped the cold and damp feeling.

Excluding irrelevant people, only four people, including Cyrus, sat around the table in the study, each occupying a tableside seat. The atmosphere had been silent for a long time.

Segalot leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped together and resting flat on his abdomen, his breathing calm.

Orville removed the white cloak he was wearing, revealing silver hair that fell just above his shoulders.

He lowered his eyes slightly, casually placing one hand on the edge of the table.

As for Boris...

He crossed his arms, looking somewhat impatient, his green eyes, as deep as the bottom of a lake, slightly narrowed, as if he were thinking about something.

Cyrus's eyes darted around, and he sighed inwardly. If only 098 were still in the system interface, he could still talk to 098.

However, on its way back to its territory, 098 went on another trip with its little bag on its back.

Aren't you going to say anything?

After a while, Cyrus simply asked, "Do you have any questions?"

Segalot turned her head. "Did Black Sugar sleep with you last night?"

Cyrus paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, it's still small, it's not good to put it next to Egg Yolk and the others."

Besides, it's good to absorb more of his scent to reduce repulsion.

After receiving an answer, Segalot fell silent again, seemingly only wanting to inquire about the Black Sugar.

Boris's thoughts were somewhat turbulent, and he frowned.

When did Little Zuoyi meet the Pope? And their relationship seems to be quite good...

He couldn't help but ask, "Is Black Sugar another new little darling you've adopted?"

They communicate frequently.

Boris naturally knew what large wild animals Cyrus kept at home—two tigers, Gyrfalcon, and a lion.

And their names.

Cyrus liked to call these beasts "little cuties," and he would often share some funny stories in his letters.

Therefore, Boris understood from the words just now that Black Sugar shouldn't be placed near Egg Yolk and the others—it was probably another cub of some ferocious beast.

Cyrus nodded in reply, "Black Sugar is a very cute little black panther, a gift from His Holiness the Pope."

The black panther didn't surprise Boris much.

But the person who delivered the black panther made Boris raise an eyebrow, his lake-green eyes instantly turning deep and unfathomable.

Orville then looked at Segalot, his clear, cool voice flowing like icy spring water. "As far as I know, black panthers are extremely rare on the Western Continent, found only in the Kadi Tribe in the far west..."

"Presumably, the black panther belonging to the Lord of Desinia was presented to His Holiness the Pope by the people of the Kadi Tribe in exchange for his protection."

Segalot remained noncommittal.

Orville: "With His Holiness the Pope present, His Majesty the King of the Saint Airo Empire wouldn't even consider such a small tribe worthwhile; even if they were occupied, it wouldn't be of much use..."

"However, the Church and Temple of the Creator God were able to smoothly settle in the Kadi Tribe..."

A smile flickered in Segalot's golden eyes, but it didn't reach her gaze. "The light of the Creator God shines everywhere in the world."

Yes, everyone knows that, and Cardy is no exception.

Otherwise, it would be an outlier.

But Cardy is also remote, poor, backward, and even uneducated, living like savages in the jungle.

Whether or not a church or temple dedicated to the Creator God is actually located there is not important.

--Importantly, the Kadi Tribe reveres nature and worships the black leopard.

What Segalot needed was a voice that had never been heard before within the Holy See.

However, the Kadi Tribe was still very young.

Whether it grows or perishes, Segalot chooses to observe detachedly, going with the flow just as Cardy reveres nature.

The conversation ended there, and the atmosphere became awkward again.

Cyrus lowered his head and started fiddling with his fingers under the table. He was too tired to talk anymore.

Just then, a loud eagle cry suddenly came from outside the window.

In order to make it easy for Qing Tuan to fly into the house or stand on the windowsill, Cyrus made sure that the windows in the rooms he frequented were large and spacious, and were rarely closed during the day.

Now, Qing Tuan folded its long wings and landed on the windowsill almost instantly. Its sharp claws had probably scratched that spot many times, leaving several obvious holes.

At this moment, Qing Tuan tilted its head slightly, its bluish-gold eyes curiously looking at the two new strangers who had joined the room.

Orville's light gray eyes gradually turned serious.

Boris couldn't help but exclaim, "It's really charming!"

"You're right in your letter, it is absolutely the ruler of the skies."

Cyrus stopped counting on her fingers and suddenly thought of a good way to avoid sitting idly in the study.

He said, "Let me take you hunting in the mountains."

"It's the season of renewal, and it's already quite lively inside. I'd like to take Coalball Snowball out for some fresh air, but...?"

Orville stood up before Cyrus could finish speaking, "Hmm."