Chapter 232: A Prophecy Fulfilled
“Don’t be so angry. Isn’t this the best outcome? Did you really want me to purge them?” Kailun stepped away from Meggie Liran. “If you really wanted that, I could have easily fulfilled your wish. After all, dealing with a ninth-rank mage isn’t difficult for me. What do you think?”
Meggie Liran remained silent, her mind filled with thoughts of tearing Kailun apart.
Why did such a sinister person exist in this world? Even though she knew much about his deeds, experiencing it firsthand fueled the anger in her heart.
She knew that uncontrolled rage would blind her judgment, but she couldn’t help it. This bastard Kailun was simply too infuriating.
Kailun glanced at Pope Meggie Liran. “Forget it, there’s no point in saying more. As a responsible acting Pope, I will manage the Temple well for you. You don’t have to thank me. Just don’t be so surprised when you sleep at night. By the way, your name is a bit strange. Can you change it?”
Meggie Liran: “…”
Silence was the best strategy.
“Stop teasing her.”
Afra, unable to stand it any longer, spoke up. “If you really want to bully her, do it at night. At least I’ll enjoy it.”
Afra gave Kailun a resentful look. Did he know what she had been through these past few days?
Without Carol and the others’ help, she had single-handedly resisted Kailun’s “attacks.”
Saying “resisted” wasn’t quite accurate, as she had been utterly defeated every time. Their “battles” rarely lasted more than half an hour, even with her attempts at seduction, it barely doubled the time.
It wasn’t that she hated it, but it was humiliating. The Pope, with her keen senses, was always a witness, having seen her pathetic attempts.
It was like experiencing social death.
‘Birds of a feather!’
Meggie Liran labeled Afra in her heart.
……
Half an hour later, Kailun and his group arrived at Cardinal Huallomen’s residence. He presented the prepared gifts in front of Meggie Liran.
Although the Cardinal looked suspicious, he didn’t overthink it for the moment.
The poor Meggie Liran could only watch helplessly as her followers established connections with Kailun. She could feel her own existence being gradually replaced by him.
This wasn’t just a psychological attack. It was like digging out her heart and stabbing it repeatedly.
The good news was that Kailun wouldn’t do anything to the Huallomen family for now. The bad news was that she would be controlled by him because of this.
After delivering the gifts, Kailun swaggered to the next location. The second Cardinal wasn’t as lucky as Huallomen. Expecting to receive gifts as well, he was instantly subdued.
Knocked unconscious, tied up, and stuffed into a sack. Afra’s actions were swift and smooth, leaving Meggie Liran and Vanni dumbfounded.
After this, Kailun had someone spread the news that “the Pope has also sent precious gifts to so-and-so.” After a short stay, he waited until the news had reached certain people before moving on to the next location with his entourage.
He repeated the same tactic, successfully capturing the second and third Cardinals. Only one managed to escape.
By evening, the “Pope’s” actions were known throughout the city. The Cardinals were on edge, not even trusting their former friends. The division within the Temple was taking shape.
Meggie Liran, having witnessed the entire process, became increasingly despondent. The more she knew, the less hope she had of turning the tables.
Kailun not only possessed the ability to anticipate his enemies but also a precise understanding of human nature.
He had divided the Temple into small pieces in just three days. She could imagine that the next step would be assimilation and devouring.
Sadness filled Meggie Liran’s heart. Even someone as mature as her couldn’t accept this reality.
The higher one’s position, the more reluctant they were to relinquish their power. Even she couldn’t escape the greed inherent in human nature.
Back at the Papal Palace, Meggie Liran looked at the hard bread on her plate with a dejected expression.
“Can you tell me what you really want?” She looked at Kailun, sitting across from her, and asked the same question again.
Kailun grabbed Helena’s Dragon Fang dagger, cut a small piece of steak, and fed it to Afra. “Didn’t I already answer you?”
Meggie Liran: “I want to know the real answer. If I can, I’ll help you achieve your goal sooner, so you can get out of the Temple earlier.”
After feeding Afra, Kailun cut himself a piece of steak. “You’re so clever. Why would I return the magpie’s nest after occupying it? As a villain, bullying men and dominating women suits me better. It’s a pity that your Temple’s Saints have all been ‘consumed.’ Otherwise, I would have taken them home to be my dancers. But then again, Your Holiness, you also have the talent to be a villain. After all, so many Saints have died at your hands.”
Kailun sighed. It was truly a pity.
Every generation of Saints in the Temple was exceptional. If he could take them back and have Isabella train them as dancers, it would be wonderful. Unfortunately, only Edlin and Chrissy remained.
Meggie Liran said with a straight face, “It’s the duty of the Holy Sons and Saints to dedicate their power to the successive Popes. The Temple’s gifts have always come with a price. So are you trying to accuse me on moral grounds?”
Seeing Helena staring at the dagger in his hand, Kailun cut a piece of steak for her and brought it to her lips. “Of course not. You’re overthinking it. I don’t have time to accuse you. I’d rather spend my time playing with Sister Afra.”
Afra’s hand, holding the knife and fork, trembled slightly. “Please, go find the Pope instead. If this continues, I’ll really be ‘broken.’”
Kailun: “You can’t blame me for this. Mother has ordered me to produce a grandchild as soon as possible. You should try to convince her, not me, right?”
Afra’s usually cold face finally showed a hint of helplessness. “That’s too much! You’re always making things difficult for me. What kind of brother are you? You don’t treat me like a sister at all.”
“Indeed, there aren’t many people who care for their sisters as much as I do.” Kailun smiled and fed Afra another piece of steak.
Afra glared at him playfully. “You’re so mean!”
Meggie Liran: “…”
Sensing the cheerful atmosphere at the table, she felt out of place. And her question still hadn’t been answered.
Once again, Kailun had brushed her off. It was infuriating. Did she have to kneel and beg him?
Unable to contain her anger, Meggie Liran snatched Helena’s steak. “Here’s your bread. I’ll eat this!”
Wanting to vent her frustration, she naturally targeted Helena.
Helena: “???”
She was stunned for a moment, then immediately snatched the steak back. “Your Holiness, you should stick to hard bread.”
The poor Pope couldn’t even suppress Helena now. She was completely at a disadvantage.
As the Pope was halfway through her hard bread, Kailun suddenly said, “By the way, let me tell you something interesting. Didn’t some people in the Temple recently claim that the Pope was incompetent and wanted to elect a new successor? Their efficiency is quite impressive. I received a letter from the Empress this afternoon.”
Meggie Liran: “Shouldn’t she have contacted me?”
Kailun took out his communication device and placed it on the table. “You’re right. That’s exactly what she did.”
Meggie Liran’s eyes widened. “When did you steal it?”
“Your Holiness, don’t put it so harshly. I was just taking precautions. Cutting off your contact with the outside world was a necessary measure. And I was just doing what you do. Can a villain’s stealing be considered stealing? It’s called ‘confiscation.’ By the way, aren’t you curious about what the Empress said?” Kailun tapped the table.
He had no bottom line. Compared to gambling on whether the Pope had any hidden moves, he preferred to be a pure villain.
Meggie Liran snorted. “There’s nothing good coming out of that woman’s mouth.”
“You might be disappointed. Not only did she agree with some of the Cardinals’ views, but she also sent you an invitation, expressing her willingness to reconcile and work together to produce the next generation. Not only that, but she also invited you to the Imperial Capital to hold an engagement ceremony witnessed by the world. How about it? Isn’t that interesting?”
Kailun rested his chin on his hands, curious about the Pope’s reaction.
Meggie Liran didn’t disappoint him. Her expression was incredibly complex.
Those simple words contained many hidden meanings, like a trap specifically designed for her, forcing her to make her next move.
As women, they were natural rivals. Under normal circumstances, in a few decades or even centuries, they would face the issue of choosing a successor, and the conflict between tradition and change would erupt.
Moreover, the Empress had always presented herself as a female figure, leaving an “anchor” in people’s minds. They would instinctively assume that the Pope was male, putting Meggie Liran at a natural disadvantage.
But if she refused, it would mean she intended to divide the Temple of the Celestial God, making her the biggest sinner. All the blame could be placed on her.
This was a blatant scheme against Meggie Liran.
“Damn it!”
Meggie Liran slammed the table angrily. This was just as despicable as Kailun’s actions.
Kailun smiled brightly. “Don’t be angry. The Empress is only doing this for the harmony and stability of the Temple. She’s sacrificing her own happiness for the greater good.”
Meggie Liran glared at Kailun fiercely. “Don’t underestimate that woman. Her motives aren’t that simple. You think she just wants to undermine me? No, she might have already guessed your existence. The Empress’s divination device is far more advanced than the Temple’s.”
She said this to scare Kailun, as a normal person wouldn’t guess that he would be so audacious as to replace the Pope.
“Oh, is that so? Then I’ll have to think about this carefully.”
To the Pope’s surprise, Kailun actually seemed to be seriously considering this possibility.
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