Chapter 244: The Rebel Army
“Have we failed?”
After nearly an hour of unconsciousness, Meggie Liran woke up on a bed in the same room.
“Yes, Kailun found us. Now, not only you, but I’ll be punished too.”
Chrissy replied as she peeled an apple with a fruit knife. “Do you want an apple? They taste pretty good. I’ll ask Kailun to send more over later.”
She felt incredibly relaxed. The so-called punishment was just a vacation, no different from her usual days.
“Oh, I see…”
Meggie Liran sighed. The failure was within her expectations.
She touched her neck, feeling a new collar. Her powers were once again restricted.
Despite the regret, at least the worst hadn’t happened.
The busy Kailun didn’t have time to deal with them for now, giving Meggie Liran a chance to breathe.
She asked, “Chrissy, how do you think Kailun will punish you?”
Chrissy took a bite of the apple. “I don’t know. He’ll probably make me cry, in every sense of the word. Are you asking because you want to share the burden?”
Logically, Meggie Liran knew that the “burden” Chrissy spoke of wasn’t simple, but she couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, knowing it was her fault that Chrissy would be punished.
Meggie Liran got out of bed and put on her shoes. “What kind of ‘burden’ are you talking about?”
Chrissy licked her juice-stained fingers. “To put it bluntly, it’s the pressure of Kailun on top of me, accompanied by many indescribable sensations. You understand, right?”
“…” Meggie Liran was silent for a moment. “Kailun is truly a bastard. As for helping… I’ve never experienced that kind of thing.”
She took two steps back and sat down on the bed.
It wasn’t a question of whether it was difficult or not, but it was simply impossible. If she offered herself, it would only make Kailun more satisfied, and they would face even more “punishment.”
Thinking about Chrissy being punished by Kailun every day made her heart ache.
Meggie Liran asked, “Is there any way to resist him? Like poisoning his food.”
Chrissy peeled a banana and took a bite. “Don’t even think about it. Kailun’s physique is far beyond normal. Poisons in this world have no effect on him. Even if he drinks a large dose of poison, he might just get diarrhea. If you want to try, I can create an opportunity for you.”
Chrissy had dropped the honorifics when addressing Meggie Liran, seemingly returning to her previous state.
“Forget it, let’s think of another way. By the way, didn’t Kailun accept the Empress’s invitation? When is he leaving?”
Meggie Liran still refused to give up.
“Probably in the next few days. He’ll be ready after dealing with the Temple’s affairs.” Chrissy raised an eyebrow. “But I still advise you to give up. He enjoys the struggle of his prey the most. Just like you now. He’s just too busy to deal with you right now. Otherwise, you’d be in danger.”
Meggie Liran shook her head and didn’t reply. Her persistence was like a rope connecting her to the outside world.
If she ever let go, she would fall completely.
They continued chatting idly, with Helena occasionally delivering tea and food.
At night, Meggie Liran finally saw the person she least wanted to see.
“Long time no see, Your Holiness. Did you miss me?”
Kailun opened the door and walked in, sitting down on the chair beside Meggie Liran.
Her face darkened, her expression stiff. She remained silent.
“It seems Your Holiness isn’t very welcoming. Is it because of what happened before?”
Kailun stroked his chin. “Alright, I’ll give you another chance. I’ll let you run fifty meters this time. How about that?”
A black line appeared on Meggie Liran’s forehead. “No, thank you.”
“Not bad, you even know how to say thank you. It seems Your Holiness has matured.” Kailun reached out to pat her head, but she swatted his hand away coldly.
Kailun didn’t mind her coldness. He turned to Chrissy. “Come with me. Someone is going to be severely punished tonight.”
Hearing this, Chrissy was secretly delighted, but she still put on a dejected expression. She mouthed to Meggie Liran, “Help me.”
Seeing Chrissy being taken away by Kailun, Meggie Liran’s heart tightened. She quickly stood up and shouted, “Wait!”
Kailun: “Oh? Is Your Holiness trying to share Chrissy’s punishment?”
“Ah! No, I mean… nothing. You can go.”
Meggie Liran, unable to take that step, shook her head repeatedly.
Chrissy: “Stare~”
Chrissy imitated Carol and gave Meggie Liran a disappointed look.
Seeing this, Kailun didn’t say anything more. He simply took the “heartbroken” Chrissy away in front of Meggie Liran.
“Click!”
As the door closed, Chrissy immediately threw herself into Kailun’s arms. “How was it? How was it? My performance was good, right? It won’t be long before the Pope breaks down from guilt and takes the initiative.”
Kailun chuckled. “Good job. I’ll reward you generously later.”
He wasn’t in a hurry to maximize Meggie Liran’s goodwill now. He would just let things take their course.
Speaking of which, Chrissy, with her maxed-out goodwill, also provided a significant attribute boost, further enhancing his strength.
After talking to Afra, they had both entered a strange state, as if they were close to a breakthrough but couldn’t quite reach it.
Later, they asked Illusion, who told them that their path was being blocked by someone.
Chrissy wrapped her arms around Kailun’s neck. “Yes, reward me generously.”
The so-called reward was just a more “intense” version of their usual “activities.” Afra was always the first to fall, even if she had reached a new realm, she couldn’t overcome her sensitivity.
Illusion followed closely behind. Only Chrissy could keep up with Kailun for several hours.
A few hours later, Kailun, satisfied, sat by the window and looked at the dim moon in the sky, the thick clouds layered one upon another.
Afra, who had fallen asleep first and woken up first, got dressed and walked over to Kailun. She leaned on his shoulder. “You seem distracted today. Is something on your mind?”
Kailun rested his chin on her forehead. “It just feels like time is passing by so quickly. Before I could even savor it, we’ve already come this far. As for other thoughts, I’m not sure. Maybe I’m a bit apprehensive.”
Afra: “It’s okay. I’ll always be by your side.”
“Sister Afra is so nice. The night is still young. Let’s not waste it.” Kailun wrapped his arm around Afra’s shoulder, preventing her from escaping.
“You idiot.” Afra gave him a playful glare.
Kailun: “Hmph, you’re calling me an idiot now. I don’t even dare to imagine what you’ll call me later.”
……
The next morning, Kailun woke up later than usual, so late that he didn’t even attend the morning meeting.
It was drizzling, and the sky was overcast.
Several major events occurred in Alaye that day. A few high-ranking bishops mysteriously disappeared, including a ninth-rank Cardinal.
Not only that, but the Temple also issued many strange orders, making the people of Alaye miserable.
The most outrageous thing was the tax increase, from the original thirty percent to fifty percent.
Everyone felt an impending sense of doom. Many wanted to flee, but the closed city gates dashed their hopes.
Some tried to seek an audience with the Pope to report the situation, but they were all blocked by Helena, who used the excuse that “the Pope is in seclusion, please do not disturb.”
Hearing this, some of the smarter bishops had more ideas.
Alaye was shrouded in a tense atmosphere all day long. Finally, when Paul assassinated an eighth-rank bishop and raised the banner of rebellion, the accumulated contradictions within the Temple erupted completely.
Charles, following the Pope’s instructions, immediately joined the rebellion. Five or six more Cardinals joined them.
Only one eighth-rank bishop among them was unaware. The others were all Kailun’s pawns.
The rebel army was entirely composed of Kailun’s people. This was a self-directed and self-acted play.
Kailun’s approach was simple and direct: ignite conflict, solve the problem, and then deal with the “criminals.”
Paul, the leader of the rebellion, would be the first to be dealt with. This was the fate Kailun had written for him.
The rebels swiftly occupied the south of the city, facing the Papal Palace across a few blocks.
While the “Pope” sent Minister Vanni to negotiate, he also recalled the Cardinals who were outside Alaye.
He had dealt with most of the “tumors” within Alaye. The remaining ones were outside the city.
To control the Temple, Kailun had put in a lot of effort.
Once those Cardinals arrived, Kailun would have Paul extend an olive branch to them. Those who willingly joined the rebellion would be purged alongside the true rebels.
Those who helped save the Temple from this crisis could have their punishments reduced.
After purging the high-ranking officials, he could slowly deal with the lower ranks.
Paul, sitting on the leader’s seat of the rebel army, felt a surge of ambition. Why not overthrow the Temple and become the Pope himself?
But then he looked at the seats below him: Charles, Huallomen… all the Pope’s people. If he had any rebellious thoughts, he would be torn to shreds by these people instantly.
As a puppet, he could only follow the Pope’s orders and then be blamed for everything.
But thinking about returning to Harry’s hometown after completing the task, Paul calmed down.
His biggest regret was that he hadn’t captured Kailun, who had escaped. Otherwise, with such a powerful force at his disposal, it wouldn’t be a problem to eliminate Kailun, who had a grudge against the Temple.
It was a pity.
“Everyone, I believe you all have your own goals, but now we are rebels. We must strike at the Pope and reclaim our power. The Pope just sent Vanni to negotiate with me, but unfortunately, she refused to compromise.”
Paul said as he took out a list that Vanni had given him. “Next, we will raid the people on this list. All their wealth will be used to fund our future operations.”
He distributed the list for everyone to see. Charles and Huallomen exchanged glances, confirming its accuracy.
In fact, they had also received the same list. If Paul tried to use the rebel army for any nefarious purposes, they could stop him immediately. This was Kailun’s insurance.
Charles stood up and said, “The Pope’s actions are outrageous. A fifty percent tax rate is simply absurd. After deducting our daily expenses, we won’t have much left to buy resources.”
These words established the purpose of the rebellion. After this, the “Pope” only needed to lower the tax rate to clear his name.
They were all playing according to Kailun’s script. This tactic felt familiar to Paul, but he couldn’t quite place it.
“You’re right. I think the tax rate should be lowered.” Paul agreed symbolically. After all, Charles was his nominal superior.
Huallomen yawned. “Let’s act tonight. I still have to write a report later.”
Paul: “…”
His acting was even more clumsy, leaving the eighth-rank bishop dumbfounded.
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