CH 63

Xia Zuoyi dawdled. He didn’t want to get up from the bed.

But he had to be picked up and dressed by the conscientious butler. His expression was depressed.

It’s nothing if Boris comes over suddenly.

After all, they have been pen pals for many years and are also business partners, so they are fairly familiar with each other.

Boris didn’t tell him about coming to his territory, probably because he wanted to surprise him.

But what about the messenger of the Anas Empire?

Didn’t they just go to Helgeda?!

Moreover, there is no relationship between the Anas Empire and the Desinian Territory for half a copper coin1… He doesn’t know why they’d come here uninvited… 

Xia Zuoyi can’t help but think of the Pope who lives in his castle. He can’t help feeling that his head grew big, his brows are twisted into one.

**

Just as he sighed, the two waiting teams, who arrived outside the castle almost at the same time, were also looking at each other. The atmosphere was strange.

A tall man in a white cloak stood at the forefront of the Anas Empire messenger convoy.

He was wearing a robe of the same color embroidered with silver threads. His silver hair and gray eyes are hidden under the cloak. He’s handsome and has a cool temperament.

At the front of the Nagabi Chamber of Commerce’s motorcade stood a tall man with blonde hair and green eyes, a handsome face, and a deep outline.

He was wearing a black coat, but he didn’t fasten the buttons, revealing the stiff gray-green vest inside. The muscles on his chest were bulging, showing he’s in excellent shape.

The two stood opposite each other, silent.

However, the look in each other’s eyes shows that they know each other.

Not only that, although they know each other, their relationship is obviously not very good.

One had a cold face, while the other frowned.

One of them is the Grand Duke of the Anas Empire—Orville Archiayoli2.

The other is the leader of the Nagabi Chamber of Commerce, the largest chamber of commerce in the Anas Empire—Boris Abel.

Both are from the same empire.

One is noble and powerful, and the other takes over the wealth of the empire and controls its economic lifeline.

With the interweaving of power and money, it would be strange if they don’t know each other.

And it is precisely because of mutual understanding.

They never thought that they would meet each other at the same time in front of Lord Desinia’s castle…

Orville Archiayoli was hiding his identity and following the envoy. All matters were resolved by the emissary.

This is the case in Helgeda.

—Orville is relieved of mundane duties and is at ease.

But at this moment…

Orville coldly looked at Boris.

There must be no way to hide his identity anymore.

Therefore, when Xia Zuoyi came out, the envoy to be received turned out to be the Grand Duke of the Anas Empire.

And the Grand Duke Archiayoli turned out to be the man with whom he watched the beluga group on the Dream.

As soon as the two met, they froze in place.

Immediately, Orville spoke to Xia Zuoyi with a slightly relaxed expression, “I didn’t expect that Lord Desinia would be you.”

Xia Zuoyi, however, had a complicated expression, “…I don’t know why His Grace came to my territory?”

And also wanted to conceal his identity…

If Boris didn’t happen to recognize the person here, he might have been concealed.

Orville immediately shut up, and even his expression changed back to the appearance without any ups and downs.

He stared at Xia Zuoyi steadily. His light gray eyes were like a piece of fog, making it difficult to see the emotions passing by them.

The person standing behind Orville is named Robert. He is the confidant of Grand Duke Orville and the plenipotentiary.

As soon as he wanted to take over the Grand Duke and say something nice to the little Lord Desinia, he listened to the Grand Duke’s tough words.

“Something.”

Xia Zuoyi: “…”

Robert: “…”

Boris snorted, crossing his arm.

Xia Zuoyi cleared his throat and said, “Since something is wrong, please come to the study with me.”

They entered the castle together, but before they entered the study, they met Segalot in the corridor.

Orville frowned slightly.

Boris did the same.

“Mianxia?!”

After clearly seeing the person’s face and his special eyes, Robert’s eyes widened in disbelief and blurted out.

Oh, my God Creation! Why is mianxia, Pope Augsig, here?!

Is he not awake yet?!

This place is indeed the castle of Lord Desinia, right?!!

Robert desperately wanted to rub his eyes.

He seriously suspected his eyes were dazzled!

However, the Pope really stood before him.

The Pope even wore a more casual outfit, with his long slightly curly hair tied back with a red ribbon.

His upper body was wearing a white shirt with a slightly open leading edge, with a little clavicle exposed at the opening. The slightly thin shirt set off the leaner figure that was not inferior to the golden knight’s.

His lower body is wearing black trousers and black boots, with straight and slender legs.

Segalot stopped in front of Xia Zuoyi and the others.

He was not obviously surprised by the arrival of Grand Duke Archiayoli and the leader of the Nagabi Chamber of Commerce. Something flashed in his eyes, so fast that no one noticed it, and he looked as indifferent as ever.

But after Xia Zuoyi greeted him, Segalot looked down and curled his lips.

Xia Zuoyi thought that the three men in front of him were all big men who could not be easily ignored. Since they met in the corridor, he would have to introduce each other.

After his introduction, the three people also “greeted” each other in their own way.

But then, it was supposed to be Xia Zuoyi who’ll be talking to Grand Duke Orville about the reason why he came to his territory, but he didn’t know why in the end, Segalot and Boris also came to the study together.

…

The temperature inside the castle is just right.

After leaving the seaside, they also got rid of the cold and humid feeling.

Irrelevant people were eliminated from the study. Only four people, including Xia Zuoyi, were sitting at the table. One person occupied a table. The atmosphere had been silent for a long time.

Segalot leaned back on his chair and clasped his hands flat on his abdomen, breathing quietly.

Orville took off his white cloak, and his silvery hair fell on his shoulders.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and placed one hand casually on the edge of the table.

As for Boris.

He crossed his arms and looked impatient. His green eyes that seemed to be like a deep lake were slightly narrowed, not knowing what he’s thinking.

Xia Zuoyi’s eyes turned around and he sighed in his heart. If 098 was still in the system interface, he could still talk to 098.

On the way back to his territory, however, 098 went out again carrying a small baggage.

“Aren’t you speaking?”

After a while, Xia Zuoyi simply said, “Do you have any questions?”

Segalot turned his head, “Did Brown Sugar sleep with you yesterday?”

Xia Zuoyi was stunned for a moment, and then he nodded, “Yes, he’s still small, so it’s not easy to put him next to Egg Yolk.”

What’s more, it’s better to have more of his smell to reduce rejection.

After receiving an answer, Segalot didn’t speak anymore, as if he just wanted to ask about Brown Sugar.

Boris’s thoughts were a little up and down, frowning.

When did little Zuoyi3 know the Pope? And their relationship seemed to be a little good…

He couldn’t help asking, “Is Brown Sugar your new cutie?”

They often corresponded.

Boris naturally knew which big beasts Xia Zuoyi raised at home—two tigers, a costin, and a lion.

And their names.

Xia Zuoyi likes to call these beasts cute names, and he often shares some interesting things in his letters.

Therefore, Boris understood from the words just now—Brown Sugar is not easy to put next to Egg Yolk—it is probably a beast’s cub.

Xia Zuoyi nodded and replied, “Brown Sugar is a very cute little black panther, a gift from the Pope.” 

The black panther didn’t surprise Boris very much.

But the person who gave the panther made Boris raise his eyebrows. His lake-green eyes instantly became deeper.

Orville looked at Segalot at this time, his cold voice flowing like cold spring water, “As far as I know, the black panther is an extremely rare species on the Western Continent. Only in the far west, in the Kadi tribe…”

“Presumably, the black panther of Lord Desinia was dedicated to the Pope by the people from the tribe to seek refuge.”

Segalot is noncommittal.

Orville: “With the Pope, His Majesty the King of the Saint Airo Empire doesn’t look at such a small tribe. Even after the occupation, it is of no use…”

“However, the church and temple of the God of Creation could enter the Kadi tribe smoothly…”

Segalot’s gilt-golden eyes smiled but it didn’t reach the bottom of his eyes, “The brilliance of the God of Creation is everywhere in the world.” 

Yes, everyone knows. Kadi is no exception. 

Otherwise, it is an alternative.

But Kadi is also really remote, poor, backward, and even uncivilized. They live in the jungle like savages.

In fact, it doesn’t matter whether the church and temple of the God of Creation are settled or not.

—The important thing is that the Kadi tribe worships nature and believes in black panthers.

What Segalot needs is a voice that has never been heard in the Holy See.

However, the Kadi tribe is still young.

Whether it grows up or dies out, Segalot chooses to sit on the sidelines, just like the nature advocated by Kadi.

The topic stopped and the atmosphere began to cool down again.

Xia Zuoyi lowered his head and pulled his fingers under the table. He didn’t bother to speak. He was really tired.

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

In order to let Green Dumpling effortlessly fly into the room or stand on the windowsill, Xia Zuoyi ordered that as long as it is in the room he frequents, the windows must be big and spacious, and they would be rarely closed during the day.

Now, Green Dumpling’s long wings converged and landed on the windowsill almost instantly. The bird’s sharp claws probably often grabbed at that place, so there are a few obvious holes in there.

At this moment, Green Dumpling was slightly tilting his head, cyan-gold eyes are curiously watching the two new strangers in the room.

Orville’s light gray eyes gradually became serious.

Boris couldn’t help sighing, “It’s really fascinating.”

“What you said in the letter is correct. It is definitely the overlord of the sky.”

Xia Zuoyi didn’t pull at his fingers anymore. He suddenly thought of a good way to avoid sitting in the study without doing anything. 

He said, “I’ll take you hunting in the mountains.”

“Now it’s the time when everything is recovering. It’s already very lively there. It just so happens that I want to take Briquette and Snowball outside to let the wind out. Why…”

Orville stood up before Xia Zuoyi had finished speaking, “Okay.”

Translator’s Notes: