CH 48

Segalot spent a total of seven days in Desinian Territory.

During this period, Xia Zuoyi called Grove and the other priests, and the Pope personally held the appointment ceremony. Grove became the bishop of Wissas church and another priest was appointed as the deputy bishop.

Naturally, the priests did not expect to see the Pope with their own eyes in Wissas. They excitedly knelt down and thanked the Pope for his gift.

Segalot said to Xia Zuoyi, “If you are no longer satisfied with them, you can replace them at any time without the permission of the Holy See.” 

The clergy are not controlled by the state or territory. They have privileges. Only the Holy See can punish them. Even the king has no right to intervene and remove them from their duties.

If a clergyman violates the laws of the empire or any small country, which constitutes a crime, the king will deliver a document to the Holy See stating the course of the matter. Then the Holy See will send archbishops who specially deal with the affairs of various places to thoroughly investigate…

Segalot speaks in person, which means that Xia Zuoyi has the privilege from now on. Not to mention that Grove and the other priests are dismissed from their duties, even their lives are firmly in Xia Zuoyi’s hands and can be disposed of at will.

Grove felt a chill in his heart and almost raised his head to look up. He was raised as a priest and is proud to serve the God of Creation. After entering the Holy See, what he heard most are the rumors about the current Pope.

It can be said that from the highest rank, cardinal, to the lowest ranks, deputy deacons, they all respect and sincerely surrender to the Pope.

He has natural awe for the Pope.

And now, what does the Pope mean by granting privileges to the lord…

Grove can’t help lowering his head again, with a more humble expression, as do the priests behind him.

Xia Zuoyi accepted the kindness given by Segalot. Although, he always felt that the current Pope looked at him extraordinarily… loving?

Segalot did not intend to stay long in Desinian Territory. Before leaving, he handed Xia Zuoyi a box with a very delicate appearance and inlaid with gems, claiming it was a gift.

“Leaving here, it’s estimated that I won’t be able to see you again for a long time.” Segalot slightly sighed, “I think I should send you something to express my longing.”

Xia Zuoyi: “…”

Totally unnecessary. You really don’t have to.

Segalot looked at the small expression that Xia Zuoyi inadvertently showed. He couldn’t help but raise the corner of his mouth. When he didn’t react, he suddenly bent over and whispered, “Little Rose, I’m looking forward to your growth.”

After that, he turned around and left together with the black-robed men. The carriage gradually drove away.

And Xia Zuoyi stood there and opened his mouth, holding the exquisite treasure box in both hands. He involuntarily looked at Udit, his cheeks slowly bulging. Staring at his big caramel eyes, he looked as if he had something to say.

Udit leans slightly, “What’s wrong with you? My lord.”

Xia Zuoyi: “Udit, can I change the pattern of the family crest?”

“This is naturally not possible, my lord.” Udit said with a decent smile.

Xia Zuoyi inevitably looked distressed. He handed the jewel box to Udit for him to hold. Then, he formed his white and tender hands into flowers, raised his chin, tilted his head, and asked, “Do I look like a plant?”

Udit was stunned, and then the tips of his ears gradually became ruddy. He gave a dry cough, “My lord, how can you be like a plant.”

How can you do this action? It’s too foul.

Xia Zuoyi thought that the Pope wasn’t particular at all. He even gave him a nickname…

He secretly pouted and no longer entangled himself with it. He then began to wonder what gift the current Pope Augsig gave him.

“Udit, open the jewel box.”

“Yes, my lord.” 

The contents of the jewel box quickly appeared in front of Xia Zuoyi’s eyes. It’s a badge that’s only half the size of a palm and is made of copper. On it, there are gold and silver threads entwined with each other, depicting a pattern of the intersection of the shining sun and the bright moon.

Xia Zuoyi was surprised.

Udit even blurted out, “The Pope’s Order.”

This badge is unique to the Pope. With it, you can even order the cardinal on some things and dispatch any clergy in churches and temples to serve you.

Xia Zuoyi didn’t expect that the Pope would give him such a valuable item. In an instant, the shy and angry feeling for calling him Little Rose disappeared.

It’s nothing to call him that way. It really doesn’t matter.

The badge in front of him is something that can’t be measured by money.

The God of Creation’s church and the temple began to be built in Wissas.

Xia Zuoyi began to focus on paving the city’s roads. Among which, the most important and basic facility in the city to be built first is the drainage system.

Because in daily life, water consumption is undoubtedly large and necessary.

In the drainage system, the water sources that need to be removed include wastewater, sewage, and even rain and snow water. What’s more, the drainage facilities must be the best because Wissas is near the sea.

In order to understand the specific process and detailed system composition of urban drainage, Xia Zuoyi contributed a lot of reputation value in the library of the system interface and exchanged a lot of related books.

He first had to read and understand the important contents and tips before he could bring them out for research and discussion with the craftsmen’s guild and other engineers.

The drainage system should be discussed, and the construction of flood control facilities should also be planned clearly.

Xia Zuoyi also calculated his future reconstruction plans. Originally, it was only two cities, Wissas and Fort Comoy, but now it has increased to thirteen cities… 

The reconstruction hasn’t yet been completed. The lord still needs to work hard.

His current plan is to use the advanced to lead the backward. One or two cities will be rebuilt successfully first. When the people in the territory see the results, their enthusiasm and initiative will keep up…

But big trees catch the wind1. There are too many things in the Desinian Territory that have never been seen before, such as herbal medicines and ointments that are still being gradually produced, papermaking, water-grained paper, bricks, movable type printing, asphalt concrete roads to be paved, etc…

But if they appear in public all at once, no matter where it is, any country may become a target for attack.

Xia Zuoyi wanted to research beet sugar as soon as possible, but then after another thought, the kingdom of Gadaat had just become a thing of the past, and the Desinian Territory was established not long ago.

This is the only independent territory on the Western Continent. He still doesn’t know how many eyes covet it. He can’t risk taking out more covetous things, such as sugar.

At least before he has the absolute military power to deter other countries, any risk can not be carelessly ignored.

Now is the time to “recuperate” and carry out comprehensive construction. 

Moreover, with the backing of Thorns Chamber of Commerce, he has enough money.

Xia Zuoyi wanted to plan for the future and put emphasis on the words military schools and ordinary schools. What he lacks most now is still talents, and the school is the most direct place to receive and discover talents.

Since then, the Desinian Territory has entered a period of renovation. The construction that started from Wissas will be gradually expanded to other cities, which is a long-term plan.

Three years later in winter.

Heavy snow came as scheduled, covering the entirety of Wissas. Wrapped in silver, the city is crystal clear and beautiful.

Now the city has completely changed its appearance. After three years of development, it’s far more prosperous and bustling than the original royal city of Keys. It fully deserves to be the administrative center.

Fort Comoy is just next to Wissas. As one of the rebuilt cities, the changes in the city are also amazing.

Although Wissas and Fort Comoy are still under construction, the focus of construction has gradually shifted to other cities. The craftsmen’s guild has also expanded in scale.

In just three years, the Desinian Territory has changed so much. But for the time being, it’s covered in heavy snow so nothing could be seen yet. Moreover, Xia Zuoyi and the others were not in the territory. They’re in a mountain forest far away from the royal city of Gaynor.

In the palace of Gaynor, Wright, after reading the note in his hand, threw it into the fireplace. As the fire gradually devoured the words on it, he turned around, and said, “I know what your lord means. Gaynor has now been divided into two. I won’t regret giving this fragmented country to him. I just want to cut off Bruno Green’s head myself…”

In this study that belongs only to the king, there were only two people. One was Wright Green, and the other was wrapped in a black robe. But because he was indoors, the robe was slightly open, revealing the silver-white armor inside.

This man was tall. The helmet he had just taken off was in the crook of his left elbow while his right hand pressed on the hilt of his long sword. He smiled and said, “Your Majesty isn’t the only one who has a grudge against Bruno Green. The lord once promised a man to kill Bruno Green with his own hands.”

“Can I make the guarantee, instead, that whoever between him and Your Majesty gets to the treacherous person first, will be the one to kill him?” 

In the past three years, the Desinian Territory has been developing continuously. Major events are also happening in Gaynor.

After more than a year of silence, Bruno Green was finally unwilling to be just a small lord, so he secretly planned to cooperate with the king of Helgeda. Helgeda provided military support, and he promised, after the event was completed, part of the territory of Gaynor will be given to Helgeda.

Helgeda is the kingdom adjacent to Gaynor. The entire country is surrounded by the Abutin River. Therefore, the shipbuilding industry in the kingdom is developed. Almost nine out of ten people have excellent swimming ability.

However, the territory of this country is very small. And traveling can only be done by boat, which is very inconvenient. But it has disadvantages and advantages. The Abutin River surrounding it also allows Helgeda to never be harassed and invaded by any other country. 

Bruno Green almost succeeded in murdering Wright with the secret support of Helgeda. Fortunately, Xia Zuoyi had asked Fernandi to send someone to watch him closely. This time he had the opportunity to inform Wright so that he could prepare in advance.

But even so, Gaynor has since split into two parts.

Bruno Green was vigilant, and since then he retreated to his territory and waited for the next opportunity. He guarded his territory like an iron bucket. Even though Xia Zuoyi wanted to let Fernandi kill him, he couldn’t find any chance.

During this period, Wright has been trying to recover the cities occupied by Bruno, and so is Bruno. This tug of war lasted for half a year.

It has to be said that Bruno’s mind and means are really good. After he released his wild ambition, he soon won over the vast majority of people to serve him. Of course, there must be threats and coercion among them.

Although Wright is a qualified king, he is kind by nature. He did not harden his heart to kill Bruno, thinking about their brotherhood. So now, Bruno Green was even more desperate to kill him and replace him. 

His purpose has always been the throne of Gaynor.

Translator’s Note: