Chapter 205: A Brief Respite
“Are you serious?” Wilson couldn’t help but ask.
“There’s nothing to hesitate about. I can bear the consequences. The question is, are you willing to gamble with me, Mr. Wilson?”
Kailun set down his teacup. “If you trust me, I can lend you two ninth-rank vice presidents to ensure the acquisition goes smoothly.”
Wilson: “When?”
“No time like the present. Tonight. Judging by the timing, it should be completed by tomorrow afternoon. Afterward, you can visit the Xiya Royal City as a guest. I can guarantee your safety.”
Time was tight, and the sooner they acted, the better.
Although Kailun’s attributes were extremely high now, he couldn’t be in two places at once.
Wilson: “…”
As expected, he couldn’t keep up with Kailun’s pace. Not only had he boarded a pirate ship, but he was also being dragged into a mission. Kailun wasn’t subtle at all.
Well, he would consider it a pledge of allegiance.
They discussed the details for a while longer.
At midnight, Wilson left the teahouse, accompanied by Bruce and another seventh-rank mage.
With Kailun’s help, they had all reached the ninth rank and were temporarily appointed as vice presidents of the Balance Chamber of Commerce.
“I still have too few people I can use. Shirley, step up your game! How can I entrust you with the task of conquering the world if you keep slacking off? The ones fighting on the front lines now are all old men who haven’t retired yet. Wouldn’t it be a laughingstock if word got out?”
After finishing his umpteenth cup of tea, Kailun stood up and went to the window, watching Wilson and his companions leave.
“Oh.”
Shirley yawned. She had learned some new things from witnessing the negotiation, but not much.
“Forget it. It’s so late. Everyone’s probably asleep. Let’s just stay out tonight.”
Kailun checked his remaining attribute points and abandoned the idea of going home to rest.
He wasn’t even Afra’s match now, let alone in a wheel war.
Afra always wanted to get even, but Kailun wouldn’t give her another chance.
Shirley couldn’t understand Kailun’s thoughts, but she obediently booked a room for him next door.
Just as she finished making the bed and was about to leave, Kailun stopped her. “Don’t go yet. Give me a back massage. I’ll teach you some useful knowledge.”
“Useful positions?”
Hearing Kailun’s words, Shirley instinctively thought he wanted to “eat” her. After all, he had even mentioned “positions.”
Kailun, lying on the pillow, turned to look at Shirley. “You seem to have misunderstood something. Don’t worry, it’s illegal to turn a knight into an idiot. I don’t have such vulgar thoughts. It’s just a normal back massage. Come on.”
Even though it was past midnight, Kailun wasn’t sleepy at all. Helplessly, he decided to continue teaching Shirley.
If she still had the same attitude next time they met, he would have to shift his focus to Eve and the others.
The problem was that Eve and the others spent most of their time being trained by Afra. They didn’t have much free time, and their combat power and experience were also inferior to Shirley’s.
“I’m just a salty fish. Please let me go.”
Shirley pouted, took off her shoes, climbed onto the bed, and sat on Kailun’s waist.
The heat from below made her uncomfortable. She endured it and started massaging his shoulders and back.
“Lighter. Are you trying to crush me with that much force?”
Kailun muttered, feeling Shirley’s strength. He couldn’t handle too much force in his current state.
Shirley: “You’re always pretending to be weak. With my strength, I probably can’t even break your skin.”
Despite her words, Shirley reduced her strength.
She didn’t hate Kailun. In fact, she felt quite indifferent towards him now.
She couldn’t say she liked him, either. He always bullied her and the Princess.
But under his leadership, the Xiya Kingdom was developing in a positive direction. This was an undeniable fact.
If it were the Princess, the kingdom might still be in turmoil.
Without a new goal, Shirley just wanted to live a carefree life.
“How long will all of this last?” After much thought, Shirley finally asked her question.
Kailun closed his eyes, enjoying Shirley’s massage. “What are you referring to?”
Shirley: “All these conflicts, with the Temple of the Celestial God, the Abyss, and everything else.”
“You’re asking about that? I thought you wouldn’t care about these things. According to my estimate, about a month or two. That’s a conservative estimate. If there are unforeseen circumstances, I don’t know.”
Kailun sighed softly.
He felt a bit pressured. After all, the Temple of the Celestial God’s foundation wasn’t comparable to that of a small force.
He wanted to know what had happened tens of thousands of years ago, and what had happened after his death.
Based on the currently available information, everything had ended not long after his death.
So was this a new beginning?
Or a continuation of the past in a different form?
Too many questions plagued him. These were variables that could affect the outcome.
To increase Shirley’s sense of urgency, he chuckled and said, “Don’t think about these useless things. Enjoy every day. If I fail in two months, the world might be destroyed, and neither you nor I might have a second chance. So, for the sake of protecting the Princess you care about, work hard.”
This time, Shirley didn’t refute his words. If they really only had two months left, it would be a tragedy.
Not knowing how to answer, Shirley chose to remain silent. Only her increasingly fast punches indicated her inner turmoil.
Seeing that the effect was good, Kailun changed the subject. “First, let me explain the current situation…”
Since it was a teaching session, he had to offer some valuable information. Kailun, temporarily only at the first rank, didn’t want to engage in a “knightly battle.”
The long night passed as Kailun’s voice continued, finally stopping at three in the morning.
Shirley covered Kailun with a blanket and went to the table, lying on it as she re-examined herself.
……
At six in the morning, Shirley helped Kailun get out of bed and wash up.
After a simple breakfast, they strolled around the Royal City, returning to the manor at nine o’clock.
By this time, Phils and Ella had gone to work, Afra was probably training Eve and the others, and Carol was frantically absorbing magic crystals.
But even with all his calculations, he still ran into Illusion and Vivian. Upon seeing him return, they immediately clung to him.
Especially after noticing his low energy level, their eyes gleamed with excitement.
Shirley chuckled and pushed Kailun towards Vivian. “I’ll definitely review the knowledge you taught me last night and strive to be a useful person. See you next time, Lord Kailun.”
Kailun’s expression remained unchanged. “I hope I can teach you more ‘positions’ next time we meet.”
He wasn’t angry at Shirley for setting him up. He would just bully her back later.
People who were willing to resist brought him more enjoyment, as long as they didn’t cross his bottom line.
“I’ll be all ears.”
Shirley bowed to Kailun and walked out of the manor. She planned to talk to Hilna.
As soon as Shirley left, Vivian wrapped her arms around Kailun’s arm. “Illusion and I learned a new spell recently. Do you want to see it? It’s the kind of magic that can make things bigger or smaller.”
As soon as Vivian finished speaking, Illusion clung to his other arm. “I learned it too. Want to see?”
“Sure, but I’m a bit busy right now. How about tomorrow?” Kailun shrugged, his arms full.
Vivian said with regret, “Didn’t you say you were free these days? You even went out last night to teach Shirley new ‘positions.’”
Illusion added, “Anyway, let’s just enjoy ourselves. Who knows what will happen in the future?”
“I’m waiting until tomorrow because Dean Edlin will be back then. It’ll be more fun with four people.”
Kailun made up an excuse. He couldn’t agree to their “playful request” now, no matter what.
“What if I insist?”
It was Illusion who spoke, her eyes filled with a dangerous glint.
In Illusion’s mind, she always felt that she could disappear at any moment.
“Carpe diem” was her motto. Nothing was more important than the present moment.
“Then I’ll have to call Carol.” Kailun chuckled.
He had discovered that Carol had a strong deterrent effect on everyone except Afra. The little ones at home were all a bit afraid of her.
“Damn it! You know I’m scared of Carol. Can’t I just ‘rub’ against you a little?” Illusion lightly stepped on Kailun’s foot.
She couldn’t forget Carol’s terrifying aura. That woman was a legendary witch. She felt that Kailun’s ability to win over Carol was a miracle.
“No. So go and study.” Kailun smiled and pulled his arms free from their grasp.
“Just you wait. I’ll climb into your bed tonight.”
Vivian glared at Kailun and ran towards the library. “Remember to save me a spot.”
“Me too.” Illusion added as she also headed towards the library.
“These two are too free.” Kailun sighed, rubbing his slightly numb arms.
There was no suitable work for them at the moment, so they could only serve as “flower vases.”
But it was truly satisfying to see them again. He only hoped that these peaceful days could last longer.
Maybe one day he could also enjoy a life of fishing during the day, playing ball at night, and having seven days off a week.
……
However, peace was just a rare occurrence. Early the next morning, the Pope and her group successfully met up with Charles and Paul.
They were now only two hundred miles away from Alaye. Once the time was right, they would launch a joint attack with the people inside the city.
With attacks from both inside and outside, they had a high chance of repelling the Empress’s forces.
Paul had asked the Pope how to save Harry. The answer he received was “after we return.”
At noon sharp, the group, standing on a short-range teleportation magic circle, vanished in a flash of white light.
When they reappeared, they were outside Alaye.
“Meggie Liran! You dare to return?!”
Sensing the magic fluctuations, the Empress immediately rushed out of the camp, leading her forces to surround the landing point of the teleportation circle.
But after the white light faded, her expression darkened. The Pope’s forces were far stronger than she had imagined.
“Long time no see. I didn’t expect you to welcome me so warmly. Should I say, as expected of you? Even after losing so many ninth-rank mages, you can still besiege my Alaye. You’re hiding quite deeply.”
The Pope, enveloped in white light, stepped out of the magic circle. Her neutral voice reached every corner of the battlefield.
As her voice fell, Helena and the others behind her released their ninth-rank auras.
At the same time, the Pope’s subordinates on the city walls were ready to provide support.
Empress: “…”
Now, it wasn’t just a matter of the siege failing. She was at a disadvantage. The tide had turned in the Pope’s favor.
She desperately wanted to know who had supported the Pope.
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