Category: As a villain, I just want them to behave

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.

Chapter 243: No Need

Poor Paul was once again toyed with by Kailun.

Although he had doubts about the Pope’s identity, he didn’t connect her to Kailun.

After accepting Kailun’s task, Paul immediately left the hall. Kailun hadn’t given him much time to prepare.

Taking advantage of the remaining time, Kailun met privately with some easily manipulated Cardinals. After confirming their intentions, he put his new plan into action.

Now, the Temple not only had a huge power vacuum but also accumulated a great deal of internal conflict.

Some were eager to fill the vacant positions, some wanted to eliminate their rivals and rise higher, and some had their eyes on Paul, intending to “devour” him.

The Temple was on the verge of collapse, just a spark away from igniting the bomb Kailun had planted.

And Kailun had already lit that spark.

He also received a magic letter from the old Dragon King, Bolton, who informed him that the secret construction of the teleportation magic circle was almost complete.

Now, the Xiya Kingdom, the Abyss, and Alaye were connected, further expanding Kailun’s advantage.

Only the White Jade Alliance and the Empire remained outside his control. In a way, he had conquered half the world in just a few months, an astonishing speed.

Another day passed, and the Temple was like a pot of boiling oil, any disturbance could cause it to boil over.

Kailun, moving within the Temple, became busy, which gave Pope Meggie Liran an opportunity.

After more than a day of “guidance,” she believed that Chrissy had shown significant improvement, gradually recognizing Kailun’s “evil” nature.

This was excellent news for Meggie Liran. At this rate, in a few more days, she would be able to further purify Chrissy’s corrupted heart.

But time was of the essence. She didn’t have enough time to slowly persuade her.

Last night, Meggie Liran learned from Chrissy that Kailun would be leaving today, and Afra would most likely accompany him.

This meant that only Chrissy and Helena would be guarding her.

Speaking of Helena, Meggie Liran recalled her strange and terrifying power. She couldn’t understand why Helena had become so strong.

This power definitely didn’t belong to Helena herself. It must be related to Kailun. Now that Kailun was gone, would Helena still possess that power?

Meggie Liran decided to gamble. This was her last chance.

If she waited for Kailun to return after completing his tasks, she could only hope that the Empress would eliminate him, and then… she would have to face the Empress’s purge.

Since she had to gamble anyway, she preferred to take the initiative.

“Chrissy, let’s escape together. This is our best chance.”

Meggie Liran’s voice was laced with a hint of pleading.

Being forceful wouldn’t sway Chrissy. She decided to use a different approach, appealing to her emotions.

“But… even if I take you out of this room, what then? Kailun’s people are everywhere. He controls everything.”

Chrissy shook her head, her face filled with worry. “Moreover, Kailun is incredibly cunning. He won’t give us any chance. There might even be other traps waiting for us. I don’t dare, I really don’t dare.”

Chrissy’s acting skills were on full display, further solidifying her persona.

Meggie Liran held Chrissy’s shoulders, trying to calm her down. “Don’t be afraid. Even the wisest make mistakes. Kailun isn’t a god. He can’t foresee everything. There’s a secret passage under the Papal Palace, connected to a hidden teleportation magic circle that can take us far away from Alaye. As long as we can get away from Kailun, we’ll have a chance to start over.”

Every Pope would leave behind several backup plans, and secret passages were a common practice.

But many of her plans were useless against Kailun. To enter the secret passage, she needed Chrissy’s help.

Chrissy asked, “Are you planning to make a comeback?”

Meggie Liran shook her head. “I had that thought, but it’s incredibly difficult. Without the Temple’s power, I can’t overthrow Kailun’s forces. All we can do is watch him and the Empress fight each other to the death. Kailun is strong, but the Empress also has many tricks up her sleeve. It’s still uncertain who will win.”

Thinking back, she had missed many details. The Empress must know many secrets.

“Oh, so that’s your plan.” Chrissy’s eyes flickered.

“So let’s leave now, okay? Please, my Chrissy…”

Meggie Liran shook Chrissy’s shoulders.

Chrissy quickly put on a conflicted expression. “I’m sorry, I don’t dare. I don’t dare to defy him. How about this, I’ll take you to the entrance of the passage. You can go on your own. I’ll stay behind and stall Kailun. If he wants to punish someone, he can just punish me.”

Seeing that Meggie Liran wanted to say something, Chrissy continued, “Don’t try to persuade me anymore. My mind is made up. I won’t change it.”

“Why? Why? What kind of spell did Kailun cast on you?”

Meggie Liran let go of Chrissy’s shoulders and turned away, her back facing her. “Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t force you. Forget it.”

She sighed softly, pretending to give up.

In fact, she had already decided to trick Chrissy. They could talk about the rest later. The most important thing was to escape this hellhole. Once they reached the secret passage, they would be much safer.

“Thank you for your understanding. I’ll go and prepare. Wait for me.” Chrissy smiled at Meggie Liran and left the room.

“Sigh…”

After Chrissy left, Meggie Liran sat on the chair and sighed.

Life was hard and bitter. She was only in her twenties, but she had already experienced the vicissitudes of life.

In just a few months, she had experienced separation, betrayal, and usurpation… Now, she was just a prisoner.

Damn Kailun, he deserved to die!

Ten minutes later, Chrissy returned, carrying a small suitcase.

“This is the luggage I prepared for you. There’s a thousand gold coins, a few scrolls, and some daily necessities. I hope you can start a new life after you leave. Please don’t come back. There won’t be a second chance like this. As for me… please forget about me.”

Chrissy handed the heavy suitcase to Meggie Liran and lowered her head.

Meggie Liran looked at the suitcase in her hand, her heart heavy. She whispered, “I told you not to use honorifics. You can call me by my name, or you can call me ‘Mother.’ Although there’s not much difference in our age, I adopted you to train you as my successor. Perhaps it was for fun at first, but I became genuinely invested later. So it’s not wrong for you to call me ‘Mother.’”

Hearing these words, Chrissy’s heart skipped a beat. If it weren’t for Kailun’s deep influence, she might have wavered.

She shook her head firmly. “No, that would be too disrespectful. Let’s leave first. I heard that Kailun might be coming back soon. We won’t have time if we wait any longer.”

She quickly took out a bunch of keys and handed them to Meggie Liran. “One of these keys can unlock your slave collar. We can try it on the way.”

After saying that, Chrissy deactivated the magic sealing the room and led Meggie Liran towards the entrance of the so-called secret passage.

Along the way, Chrissy skillfully avoided all the guards, narrowly dodging Illusion’s search.

After more than half an hour, they finally reached the secret passage beneath the Papal Palace.

“I think this is where we say goodbye.”

Chrissy looked at the narrow passage with a forced smile.

Her emotions were complex. Now that they were at this point, it was hard to make a decision.

Knowing that the Pope truly cared about her, even she hesitated.

Kailun’s position in her heart was undoubtedly above everything else, but Meggie Liran was also very important to her.

She suddenly understood what Kailun had told her before.

Before assigning her the task, he had said, “If you can’t choose, then do nothing.”

Kailun had anticipated the possibility of Chrissy’s change of heart, so he had made preparations for Meggie Liran’s escape.

The destination of the teleportation magic circle had been altered, and Afra would be waiting there.

Being a villain was his specialty. He was used to it.

“No rush. We still have a few minutes. Stay and chat with me.”

Meggie Liran unlocked her slave collar, her strength returning to normal.

She was ready to knock Chrissy unconscious.

“Alright.”

Chrissy glanced behind her and asked, “By the way, can you tell me about the history of the Temple? Like its origins, and its connection to Fate?”

Meggie Liran: “I didn’t expect you to be interested in these things. There’s nothing I can’t tell you now. I’ll tell you everything you want to know. According to the Temple’s records, Fate is the origin of the Temple. She created it to collect something. But after the great war ten thousand years ago, she disappeared. No one knows where she went or if she’s still alive…”

Chrissy listened to Meggie Liran’s narration, gathering information.

Between Kailun and Meggie Liran, she chose Kailun.

‘I’m sorry, Mother.’

Chrissy apologized silently in her heart.

“Strange, why is the mana transfer so slow?”

A few minutes later, they arrived at the teleportation magic circle. Meggie Liran opened the wooden box containing magic crystals and poured them all into the magic circle.

Strangely, the mana transfer, which usually took only ten seconds, now took a full minute to show any effect. At this rate, it would take at least five more minutes.

“Is there a problem?” Chrissy asked, feigning ignorance.

“It’s nothing, just a minor issue. It’ll be fine soon.”

Meggie Liran inconspicuously moved closer to Chrissy. Just as she was about to knock her unconscious, she suddenly heard a noise.

“Who’s there?!”

Meggie Liran looked back and saw a pair of green eyes gleaming in the darkness.

“Pell? Why are you here?” Meggie Liran’s eyes widened in surprise.

Helena played with the dagger in her hand. “Is it strange for me to be here, Your Holiness? I patrol every hour. I didn’t expect you to actually escape. So, did you convince Chrissy?”

Meggie Liran jumped off the magic circle and walked ten meters towards Helena. Without looking back, she instructed Chrissy, “Chrissy, please help me transfer the mana. I’ll deal with Pell.”

She sensed that Helena was quite strong, almost as strong as herself. She had miscalculated.

Chrissy replied, “Okay.”

After receiving Chrissy’s confirmation, Meggie Liran focused all her attention on Helena.

Helena: “I’m sorry, former Pope. You probably can’t escape without defeating me. Even if I can’t defeat you, I can stall you until Lord Kailun arrives. Do you regret it now?”

Meggie Liran smiled. “You’re wrong. Even if I can’t escape, I can buy time for Chrissy. I’d rather she escape this hellhole than escape myself.”

Helena chuckled. “You might be disappointed. The truth is often cruel.”

She charged towards Meggie Liran, and they quickly engaged in battle.

Chrissy, standing by the magic circle, watched their fight while playing with a magic crystal.

As Kailun had instructed, she would betray Meggie Liran in the most profound way.

But…

A few more minutes passed, and the teleportation magic circle was ready. This type of single-use circle could only be activated once.

Meggie Liran, fighting fiercely, spoke up, “Chrissy, you go. I’ll hold Helena back for you. I hope you can have your own life in the future, that you’ll remember me, not that bastard Kailun. I believe you can remove his mark. I believe you…”

‘I’m sorry, I can’t.’

Looking at Meggie Liran, who was protecting her, Chrissy’s eyes filled with sadness.

She took out the fruit knife she had been hiding and walked towards Meggie Liran.

According to the plan, she would deliver the crucial blow.

But for some reason, her heart, which had been dead and numb, capable of reacting only to extreme stimuli, suddenly twitched.

Just as she gritted her teeth, ready to strike, a figure in a black robe flew from behind Helena and landed between her and Meggie Liran.

“Too bad, I still arrived too early.”

Kailun smiled at Meggie Liran and then knocked her unconscious with a simple hand chop. The difference in their strength was evident.

Chrissy, standing behind Meggie Liran, caught the unconscious Pope. She looked at Kailun with confusion. “Why? Shouldn’t I be the one to do it?”

Kailun shrugged nonchalantly. “I thought about it and decided there was no need. Take her back. I have other things to do. I’ll be going now.”

Kailun waved to Chrissy without turning around, leaving behind a tall, imposing figure.

He could have had Chrissy betray the Pope to maximize her goodwill rating, but there was no need.

Because Chrissy had hesitated, it proved that she hadn’t completely broken. This was good news.

Regardless of whether her thoughts were right or wrong, she had at least regained her sense of self.

Compared to having Chrissy completely break down, he would rather sacrifice some potential attribute points.

He could easily make up for this loss with Paul. After all, he was the best “leek.”

However, what he didn’t expect was that Chrissy had brought him an unexpected reward.

[Chrissy’s Goodwill +1, Total Goodwill 100]

Chapter 242: As Expected of You

Chrissy placed the food on the table and poured Meggie Liran a cup of warm black tea.

“Please eat. I’ll come back to clean up tomorrow morning. I have to go back and accompany Kailun now.”

She kept her head lowered, her bangs covering her eyes.

Hearing Chrissy’s words, Meggie Liran felt another pang of pain in her heart. She walked over and grabbed Chrissy’s wrist. “Can’t you escape? Since you can come here, you must be able to escape, right?”

Chrissy shook her head, feigning dejection. “I can’t. Kailun not only left a mark on me but also on you. As long as these marks remain, we’ll be caught even if we flee to the ends of the earth.”

“Humph, I knew it. You still have thoughts of escaping. That’s good. I thought you were so attached to Kailun that you wouldn’t even want to escape. It seems you haven’t completely fallen.”

A glimmer of hope appeared in Meggie Liran’s heart. As long as Chrissy hadn’t completely fallen, there was still a chance for her to turn back.

If she could make Chrissy see Kailun’s evil nature, she might be able to change her mind. At least, that’s what Meggie Liran believed.

“No, I can’t go back. There’s only Kailun in my heart now. This is an undeniable fact.”

Chrissy raised her head and looked at the Pope with sincere eyes.

Despite the sincerity in Chrissy’s eyes, Meggie Liran, having been deceived before, couldn’t help but suspect that it was an act, a ploy to make her give up.

To avoid backfiring, she didn’t press further.

Meggie Liran pulled Chrissy’s wrist and led her to the table. “Stay and chat with me for a while. We haven’t had a proper conversation since Kailun appeared.”

Chrissy mumbled softly, “I’d rather go back sooner…”

“What did you just say?”

Meggie Liran thought she heard Chrissy say something.

Chrissy: “Nothing, nothing. Please eat first.”

“There’s no need for honorifics. I’m no longer the Pope. Kailun has taken that title.”

Meggie Liran’s words were laced with resentment. The thought of Kailun made her lose her appetite.

Chrissy: “Kailun is truly despicable.”

“Forget it, let’s not talk about him.”

Meggie Liran waved her hand. She planned to subtly guide Chrissy.

If things went well, she might even be able to convince Chrissy to betray Kailun and turn the tables.

However, this was too risky. She didn’t intend to let Chrissy do this. After all, there was still Afra, the knight, whose threat was no less than Kailun’s.

Without Kailun’s restraint, the powerful knight might become a crazed butcher.

She was numb. Thinking about Kailun’s hidden cards, Meggie Liran had no idea how to turn the situation around.

A voice whispered in her heart, “Give up. It’s useless. You’ll never be Kailun’s match.”

To “purify” Chrissy’s heart, she told her many stories, some from her own experiences, some she had heard before. These stories could, to a certain extent, awaken Chrissy’s memories.

Meggie Liran talked at length, her eating pace slowing down significantly.

They chatted for a long time, stopping only when the first rays of dawn appeared on the horizon.

Chrissy packed up and prepared to leave. “It’s getting late. I have to go back now. I’ll secretly bring you food for the next few days. Don’t mention what we talked about just now. I’m afraid Kailun might misunderstand. I don’t have any other choice, do I?”

She gave Meggie Liran a sad, forced smile.

Meggie Liran quickly said, “No, there’s still a chance. As long as there’s hope, there’s a chance.”

For some reason, after their long conversation, Meggie Liran had placed her hopes on Chrissy, as if saving her would be saving herself.

Even if she could no longer escape, she had to make Chrissy turn back.

“Alright, I suppose there’s still some hope. I’ll leave now. See you tomorrow night.”

Chrissy looked at the sky outside with regret.

It wasn’t because she hadn’t grasped the hope Meggie Liran had spoken of, but because Kailun had been “occupied” by Illusion and Afra tonight.

To complete the task Kailun had assigned her, she hadn’t even had a “sip of the soup.” How disappointing.

Chrissy’s regretful expression was misinterpreted by Meggie Liran, who smiled faintly.

It was settled.

……

“Charles, Paul, you have truly disappointed me. I gave you so many people, and what happened? Not only did you waste an entire day and fail to capture him, but you also caused such heavy losses, forcing me to step in personally.”

At eight in the morning, Kailun, disguised as the Pope, held a morning meeting. Sitting on the Pope’s throne, he berated the people below, his voice filled with disappointment.

“You’ve embarrassed us all. Now everyone in Alaye thinks you’re a bunch of good-for-nothings. Go hang yourselves on the pillar of shame for a hundred years. I don’t want to see you.”

These words were directed at Charles and Paul. The others lowered their heads, not daring to look at the “Pope.”

Yesterday’s losses were plain for all to see. They had been completely played by Kailun, who had escaped in the end.

If it weren’t for the Pope’s intervention, they would have become laughingstocks.

“Please punish us, Your Holiness!”

Charles, showing a good attitude, immediately knelt on one knee.

Paul, standing beside him, hesitated for a moment before the immense pressure forced him to kneel as well. “Please punish us, Your Holiness.”

Paul felt incredibly uncomfortable. He desperately resisted the act of kneeling.

He loathed the person sitting on the Pope’s throne, loathed him from the bottom of his heart.

“Punishment will be given. To make up for your mistakes yesterday, I’ll assign you a difficult task. If you fail again, then…”

Kailun didn’t finish his sentence, leaving them to imagine the consequences.

Charles didn’t give Paul time to think. He immediately replied, “Your Holiness, we will do our utmost to complete the task you assign us.”

Paul: “…”

Having a teammate like Charles was a pain. He wasn’t a dog of the Temple and didn’t want to take on extra tasks.

In his opinion, the Pope should bear most of the blame for yesterday’s losses. After all, they were just following her orders.

However, the Pope was their leader, and it was common for leaders to make their subordinates take the blame. Charles’s eagerness to admit his mistakes might be an attempt to impress the Pope.

‘The Pope has a good dog.’ Paul glanced at Charles and cursed him silently.

“Good attitude. Holy Son Paul, stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed.”

Kailun waved everyone away, leaving only Paul.

Only after everyone else had left did Paul ask nervously, “Your Holiness, is there anything you want to say to me?”

Kailun tapped the armrest of his chair, the sound echoing through the hall. “You have great potential. I intend to focus on cultivating you.”

Paul: “What do you mean?”

“You can absorb the mana of other Temple members, right? I intend to help you with that.”

Kailun, hidden behind the white light, smiled.

“Who are you referring to?” Paul asked.

Kailun: “Some people I don’t like very much. What? Are you unwilling?”

“No… it’s just, I want to know what I have to do in return. There’s no such thing as a free lunch, right?”

Having been tricked many times, Paul was now more cautious. He was tempted by the Pope’s offer, but what was the price?

Kailun leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed. “It’s simple. I’ll create opportunities for you to ‘absorb’ certain people, but all of this will be your own doing, and it has nothing to do with me. Do you understand?”

Paul nodded. “I understand.”

Simply put, the Pope wanted to use him to eliminate some of her rivals, and if anything went wrong, he would take all the blame.

The worst-case scenario would be being silenced. These were all foreseeable consequences.

However, Paul didn’t refuse directly. Knowing such confidential information, it would be difficult for him to leave.

He thought for a moment and said, “I can agree to your terms, but you also have to fulfill one of my wishes.”

Kailun: “Tell me.”

Paul’s expression darkened. “Let me kill Kailun with my own hands.”

Kailun suppressed his laughter. “It seems you hate Kailun very much. Can you tell me what he did to you?”

“He… that bastard Kailun not only stole my sister, but he also stole my aunt, and he even sent my father to a brothel, he…”

Even though Paul knew that the Pope was aware of his past, he still recounted it.

After listening to his story, Kailun commented, “How tragic.”

Paul: “…”

[Paul’s goodwill -1, Total Goodwill -156]

The painful memories fueled his hatred for Kailun once again.

“I regret to inform you that Kailun escaped. I didn’t capture him.”

After a while, Kailun added, twisting the knife.

Paul was shocked. “How?! Didn’t you capture him yesterday? Many people saw it!”

Kailun smiled. “It was all a deception. If I didn’t capture Kailun, how could I explain it to the people of the Temple? It seems you’ll have to kill him yourself. Shouldn’t you work harder to achieve your dream?”

Paul: “This…”

This was the day Paul had been rendered speechless the most times. The drastic turn of events left him at a loss for words.

He had already planned his future, but why was there such a huge change?

It was like jumping from one pit into another, a never-ending cycle, making him feel the fear of being controlled by Kailun once again.

He instinctively hugged himself and shivered, as if Kailun was standing right in front of him, staring. The Pope was just as annoying as Kailun, just slightly less so.

“Hoo~”

Paul took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He looked at Kailun, sitting on the Pope’s throne. “I agree.”

Kailun clapped his hands in satisfaction. “A wise decision. As expected of you.”

Chapter 241: Broken People

Meggie Liran’s resentment towards Kailun had reached its peak. This kind of mockery was unbearable.

Everyone had been completely played by Kailun, the entire Temple becoming his stepping stone.

Not only could she only watch helplessly, but she also had to become “Kailun” in name.

The blow was beyond words. Kailun was a master manipulator.

“Not bad. With the black robe, you’ve become Kailun’s stand-in.”

Kailun messed up Meggie Liran’s black robe. “Don’t you find it interesting? I’ve replaced you, and you’ve become me. Isn’t this another form of becoming what you hate the most?”

Meggie Liran: “…”

She wanted to speak, to scold Kailun, but the hard bread in her mouth prevented her from doing so.

How could such a sinister person exist in the world? No wonder Chrissy, a Saint, had fallen so quickly. She suddenly understood.

“Alright, today’s tasks are complete. Let’s return to the Papal Palace and rest.”

Kailun held Illusion in his arms, enveloping them both in white light.

Fortunately, Illusion was petite. Under normal circumstances, no one would notice anything unusual.

“Helena, bring the Pope along.” Kailun walked ahead, holding Illusion.

“Coming.”

Helena took out a rope, tied it around Meggie Liran’s waist, and led her along like a pet.

The distance from the Hanging Gardens to the Papal Palace wasn’t far. Kailun didn’t intend to use teleportation.

Since he had announced that “Kailun” had been captured, he naturally had to let “Kailun” make an appearance.

Back at the Papal Palace, Kailun locked her in a side room.

Not only that, but he also tied her to a table leg and set up a ninth-rank magic barrier. Without his permission, no one could enter.

“Mmm…”

Meggie Liran sat on the floor, watching Kailun’s retreating figure, her heart filled with despair.

……

Kailun closed the door and added another layer of magical seals. Afra was waiting for him.

“Do you think I went too far?”

Kailun walked over to Afra and pinched her cheek. “You’ve worked hard today, running around the city all day.”

Afra rubbed against his hand. “No, it’s my duty. Isn’t it natural for an older sister to help her younger brother? I have no objections to how you handled the Pope. Winning is the most important thing, right? Besides, you’re enemies. It’s already merciful of you not to kill her directly.”

Afra sensed a subtle shift in his emotions. She caressed his face. “Are you tired?”

“Not really.”

Kailun shrugged. “Being stared at with such eyes… it’s not as enjoyable as I imagined. It feels like… something’s missing.”

He was getting a bit tired of it. Repeatedly toying with someone who couldn’t resist was ultimately beneath him. If it weren’t for the attribute points he could gain, he might have already moved on to more important matters.

He hoped Fate would be a worthy opponent.

“You’ve worked hard. Have a good rest tonight. You can leave the rest to Chrissy. She’ll complete her task diligently.”

Afra took his arm.

“Alright, I’ll rest early tonight. I still have to deal with the Temple’s affairs tomorrow.”

Kailun leaned against Afra’s soft body, her warmth comforting.

Only at times like this was he willing to admit that Afra was a few years older than him, his older sister in name.

It was truly fortunate to have such a powerful and trustworthy sister. If she had been this strong from the beginning, he would have happily relied on her and lived a carefree life.

People grow, and Kailun’s growth stemmed from the crushing defeat in his past life.

Recalling that unpleasant memory gave him the confidence to bully Meggie Liran. It felt good.

Meggie Liran: ?

……

“Ugh!”

That night, Meggie Liran, parched, spat out the remaining half of the bread.

Her saliva had softened the hard bread.

But the process was slow. It had taken her several hours.

Now, all she wanted was water, lots of water.

“Damn you, Kailun…”

Perhaps because her mouth was too dry, she didn’t even have the energy to curse him.

After a while, she used her head to lift the table, attempting to free her hands from the ropes.

Her hands were not only tied behind her back but also to the table leg.

That’s why she was trying to lift the table and lower her wrists, hoping to slip the ropes off.

But it was not only awkward but also incredibly difficult. The immense friction made every movement a struggle.

Fortunately, she was flexible enough to keep moving her wrists and make some progress.

“Phew~”

After another half hour, Meggie Liran, drenched in sweat, finally freed her hands from the table leg, gaining a sliver of freedom.

She looked at her numb legs and stood up unsteadily. Coincidentally, she noticed a plate of apples and a fruit knife on the table.

After a moment of silence, she kicked the knife into the air and caught it.

Although her hands were still tied together, she now had a knife and didn’t need to find a glass bottle to break.

She sat down on the chair and slowly cut the ropes, her stomach growling.

Except for the small piece of bread she had been forced to eat, she hadn’t eaten anything all day.

Although she had a good constitution due to her sealed magic power, she still felt hungry.

An ordinary person would die after starving for a week, but she could last for a month.

Her gaze involuntarily drifted to the remaining half of the bread on the floor. She instinctively licked her dry lips.

“Damn it, what am I thinking?”

She quickly came back to her senses. She was the Pope, a high and mighty figure. How could she eat such scraps?

However, after cutting the ropes around her wrists, she still picked up the bread and placed it on the table. It wasn’t that she wanted to eat it, but she felt uncomfortable seeing it on the floor.

After cleaning the fruit knife, she peeled a few apples, both to replenish her fluids and to satisfy her hunger.

“There are indeed magic fluctuations. It seems that demon is very cautious. Damn it!”

Meggie Liran cursed under her breath and paced around the room. The apples had given her a temporary sense of fullness.

Unfortunately, she, who had never experienced true hunger, didn’t know that this feeling was only temporary. An hour later, she felt even hungrier.

Her stomach growled non-stop, her mouth watering, images of delicacies flashing through her mind.

She felt dizzy and lightheaded.

She looked towards the corner of the room, where a burning red incense stick was placed on top of a two-meter-tall bookshelf.

It was the incense that had heightened her senses and made her feel dizzy.

“I thought I had overestimated him, but it seems that demon is even more sinister than I imagined. I wonder what his heart is made of…”

Meggie Liran muttered to herself and climbed onto the bookshelf, extinguishing the incense.

Regardless of its purpose, it couldn’t be anything good.

Another hour passed, and it was three in the morning. Sitting on the chair, pondering her escape, Meggie Liran looked at the bread on the table again.

This time, she looked closely, even noticing that one end of the bread was slightly damp from her saliva.

“Was I really affected by that incense?”

She frowned and closed her eyes, trying to ignore her physical sensations.

But it didn’t work. Within half an hour, she was starving.

Finally, Meggie Liran picked up the bread. Her eyes bloodshot, she tore off the outer layer because it was slightly dusty.

This was her last shred of pride.

She devoured the bread without any regard for her image, tears of sadness dripping from the corners of her eyes.

She had finally given in. She wasn’t as strong as she had imagined.

Without her power, she was just an ordinary person.

“Sorry, I might have come at the wrong time.”

But the most despairing thing was that before she could finish the bread, she heard the voice she least wanted to hear right now.

Meggie Liran turned around stiffly and saw Chrissy standing behind her, holding a food box.

Life was full of disappointments, and the most painful one was being seen in your most pathetic state by someone you cared about.

“When… when did you arrive?”

Meggie Liran suddenly forgot all about her hunger. She put down the bread and wiped her face with her sleeve.

Perhaps only she knew whether she was wiping her eyes or her mouth.

Chrissy held up the food box. “I just teleported here. I didn’t expect you to be… I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have ended up like this. I’ll talk to Kailun later and ask him not to bully you anymore. He can just bully me.”

“Crack!”

Hearing these words, half of Meggie Liran’s sanity shattered.

She forced a smile. “So, are you regretting it now?”

Chrissy lowered her head. “…Sorry.”

Meggie Liran walked up to Chrissy, opened her mouth, and then sighed helplessly. There were many things she wanted to say, accusations she wanted to make, but the words were stuck in her throat.

She was also at fault. If she hadn’t sent Chrissy there, none of this would have happened.

After all, she couldn’t even deal with a monster like Kailun herself, let alone Chrissy.

Now that she had finally seen Chrissy, she didn’t want to drive her away. After a moment of silence, she looked at the food box in Chrissy’s hand. “Is this for me?”

Chrissy: “Yes.”

Even now, Chrissy didn’t raise her head. It wasn’t because she was ashamed to face Meggie Liran, but because she was afraid that the latter would see the excitement on her face.

This “Mother Pope” seemed quite fun to play with.

Hee hee~

She was broken, completely broken.

Chapter 240: Kailun Is Actually Me

Considering the current circumstances, Pope Meggie Liran realized what Kailun was planning.

She shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t understand. What do you gain from this? Why are you doing this to the Temple?”

Kailun’s actions were harming the Temple’s interests, but he had bypassed the restrictions of their contract by not personally taking action.

What she couldn’t understand the most was his motive.

Could it be that he wanted to remain as the Pope indefinitely?

That was absurd.

Kailun chuckled but didn’t answer. He knew the Pope was anxious, so he let her stew in it.

Illusion walked to the railing. “This place is quite nice. Can we come here often in the future?”

“Of course, but we have to deal with the current situation first.” Kailun pulled out a magic book from somewhere and casually flipped through it.

Helena leaned on the table. “I find this rather boring. It’s not as fun as interrogating the Pope. She still has a lot of secrets to reveal.”

As long as she didn’t have to face Carol alone, she was fine.

Meggie Liran: “…”

Only she was completely ignored, forced to watch helplessly as Kailun turned the Temple upside down. The occasional explosions made her despair.

If Kailun had just stayed there and read, it would have been fine. But not only was he reading, he was also constantly replying to magic letters.

Every letter he sent corresponded to a new explosion, each one echoing in her heart.

She wanted to sneak a peek, but Kailun glared at her, and she quickly retreated.

After strolling around the Hanging Gardens, Illusion sat on Kailun’s lap. Looking at the content of the magic letter, she gave Meggie Liran a pitying look.

The poor Pope was being toyed with by Kailun. With her insufficient strength, there was no way for her to turn the tables. In the future, she might even be inferior to Ottovia.

If everything went according to plan, Kailun could completely replace the Pope using this opportunity.

The purpose of this operation was to eliminate the “tumors” within the Temple while increasing his influence and control.

After the hunt was over, he would also restrict those Cardinals who had signed loyalty contracts with the Pope. He had already prepared the list.

After today, no one would dare to question the Pope’s identity, regardless of whether it was true or not. By then, Kailun’s power would be consolidated, and even Meggie Liran wouldn’t be able to reverse the situation.

It was a coincidence, in a way, that Meggie Liran’s management style had given Kailun this opportunity.

As the hunt progressed, Alaye fell into an unprecedented silence. The residents closed their doors and windows, afraid of being affected. Occasionally, some zealous followers tried to help with the “plundering,” but they gained nothing.

After all, the kind Kailun had not only arranged a team to hunt down “Kailun” but also a team to maintain order. His main goal was a smooth transition.

The explosions in Alaye were all carefully planned and wouldn’t cause unnecessary casualties.

The so-called “scraping the bone” referred to removing the tumors.

This wasn’t a small number. It was alarming.

But all of this was caused by “Kailun” and Paul’s team. Naturally, they would be the ones to take the blame.

“Kailun” could still escape, but the others wouldn’t be so lucky.

At this point, the arrangements within the Temple were almost complete. The next step was to consider the Empire and Fate.

Last night, Kailun had gathered more information from Illusion and made some adjustments to his subsequent plans.

He would accept the Empress’s invitation. Only by meeting her could he figure out what she was planning.

As for the Pope, he would “max out” her goodwill in the next two days. No mercy.

……

“Boom!”

With every explosion, a figure in a black robe would dart through the city.

Afra had become Kailun’s stand-in, leaving her pursuers far behind.

They were always a step too late, allowing Afra to escape after completing her mission.

She now possessed not only the power Kailun had originally bestowed upon her but also a temporary attribute boost.

With such exaggerated attributes, she could not only toy with her pursuers but also turn around and kill them with a high chance of success.

Afra vaguely felt that she had touched upon a blurry line, as if she was just a step away from breaking through to the ninth rank.

But this opportunity was like a mirage, always just out of reach.

“Is the next location in the south of the city? That’s quite close.”

While leisurely escaping, Afra checked the magic letter from Kailun, confirming the next target. She deliberately waited for a while before setting off.

She suppressed the strange feeling she had just experienced, planning to discuss it with Kailun later.

“Whoosh!”

With a whooshing sound, Afra disappeared.

She was trying her best to act. She was afraid that if she ran too fast, her pursuers would lose hope.

“Damn it! How can Kailun be so fast?!”

Charles, arriving a step too late, punched the wall in frustration.

Looking at the rubble left by the explosion, he felt a pang of pain. Another loyal follower had been killed by the demon Kailun.

He recalled that although this follower wasn’t a Cardinal, he held a high position in the Temple, managing the tributes collected from various kingdoms. He was very popular.

His death would have a significant impact on the Temple. More importantly, this was the third high-ranking official who had died since the operation began.

He couldn’t understand Kailun’s motive. Was he trying to incite internal conflict within the Temple?

The possibility was low. As long as the Pope handled things properly, she could easily blame everything on Kailun.

If they captured him, they could force him to confess. If they didn’t, they could still manipulate public opinion. After all, such heavy losses needed a scapegoat.

He glanced around. Many residents were peeking through their windows, the disappointment in their eyes deepening.

“Don’t worry, Kailun can’t escape. The Pope has made ample preparations. He can’t fly out of our grasp. His current actions are just pointless struggles.”

The confident Paul walked forward and said.

Alaye was completely sealed off. There was no way for Kailun to escape.

Moreover, the Temple’s losses had nothing to do with Paul. He didn’t feel any heartache, even if half of the Temple was destroyed.

Paul only cared about capturing Kailun and killing him with his own hands. Once he achieved his goal, he would immediately leave this place with Harry.

“Don’t you think there’s something strange about all this?”

Charles’s voice was heavy. “From Kailun’s surprise attack to Helena’s betrayal, and then Kailun’s rampage… It all seems too deliberate.”

Paul asked, “Are you saying there’s something wrong with the Pope?”

Charles quickly denied it. “No, that’s not what I mean. I just think this might be one of Kailun’s schemes. No one is more cunning than him. He’s incredibly sly.”

“You’d better believe that, Charles.”

Another Cardinal who overheard their conversation warned Charles.

It wasn’t because of his loyalty to the Pope that he gave the warning. He was simply dissatisfied with Charles’s higher position and authority.

Commanding several Cardinals was no small feat.

“I said I didn’t mean that. By the way, the Pope has sent another message.” As he was speaking, Charles received a message from the Pope.

He quickly took out his communication device and relayed the content. “The Pope wants us to split into two teams to surround Kailun. One team will be led by me, and the other by Holy Son Paul.”

After relaying the message, Charles looked at Paul in surprise. Why was the Pope suddenly so supportive of Paul?

Paul asked, “Wouldn’t it be insufficient to split into two teams?”

The fewer people there were, the more uneasy Paul felt. He was terrified of Kailun deep down.

Charles put away his communication device. “Don’t worry. The Pope said “he” will take action at the critical moment.”

“Then… okay.”

Paul reluctantly agreed. He pointed to a few elderly Cardinals. “You guys come with me. And seven more eighth-rank mages for support.”

The old men exchanged glances and went behind Paul.

Charles sighed helplessly. “Since that’s the case, let’s set off immediately. The Pope has just sent me Kailun’s location. The destination is the south of the city. We’ll split into two teams, flanking him from both sides. There’s no way he can escape.”

Paul: “Okay.”

After reorganizing, the group set off to hunt down Kailun. But strangely, another “Kailun” in a black robe appeared.

They were equally strong, equally fast, and caused equally extensive damage.

Two “Kailuns” were wreaking havoc in Alaye, eliminating one “tumor” after another, sending plumes of black smoke into the air, which drifted into Pope Meggie Liran’s view.

[Meggie Liran’s goodwill -1, Total Goodwill -98]

She watched this tragic scene from morning till afternoon, even witnessing Kailun and his group enjoying a feast, a feast she wasn’t invited to.

“Demon!”

She clenched her fists, her face pale, and cursed Kailun. The Temple… the Temple had been ruined by him.

Kailun, however, pointed at the half-eaten piece of hard bread on the table with a grin. “Does Your Holiness know why I left this here?”

Meggie Liran: “?”

“Because it has a great use. It can shut someone’s mouth.”

Kailun forcefully stuffed the hard bread into the Pope’s mouth.

“Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!”

Meggie Liran struggled frantically, but Kailun tied her up in a strange position, accentuating her curves.

He admired his handiwork and then put a black robe on her, concealing her perfect figure.

“Write a letter to Charles and tell him that I’ve captured Kailun. I’ll personally interrogate him later. They don’t have to worry about the rest.”

Kailun pointed at the communication device on the table and instructed Illusion.

Meggie Liran: “!!!”

Kailun was actually me!

[Meggie Liran’s goodwill -1, Total Goodwill -99]

Chapter 239: Scraping the Bone to Heal

“As expected of you. If the Pope knew your plan, she would cry tears of joy.” Afra sighed.

Such wicked amusement was typical of Kailun.

She didn’t know when he had picked up this bad habit, but it was probably impossible to change him.

Afra didn’t mind, though. As long as Kailun wasn’t at a disadvantage, the feelings of outsiders were irrelevant.

“Don’t be so sure. The Pope’s tolerance might be stronger than we imagine.”

Kailun didn’t dwell on the topic of the Pope. He changed the subject. “Compared to the Pope, we should pay more attention to the Empire next door. They’ve been making a lot of moves recently, and their motives are unclear. It’s worth noting. Honestly, every time I think about that entity’s existence, I feel a sense of urgency.”

Due to the lack of crucial information, Kailun couldn’t make an accurate judgment, even with the important information Carol had provided.

Another reason for summoning Illusion was to fill in the missing pieces.

Among the people around him, only Illusion clearly remembered everything that had happened in the previous life. The others either knew bits and pieces or knew nothing at all.

“I knew you had ulterior motives. You just arrived, and you’re already trying to pry into my secrets.”

Illusion pushed away Kailun’s arm and crossed her arms defensively. “I’ve already told Carol everything I can. I’m sure she’s relayed it to you. The remaining information shouldn’t affect the overall situation. Revealing it would only cause abnormalities in the world. This is such a headache. What am I supposed to do?”

Kailun glanced at Illusion, who was wearing a long dress. “Judging from the facts, I’ve never peeked at your ‘secrets.’ It was always you who revealed them. I didn’t even have time to react. Also, I know what you’re worried about, but compared to gambling blindly, I prefer to gather more information before making a move. You can choose some less impactful information to tell me.”

Illusion looked into Kailun’s eyes. “You’re too cautious. You already have the advantage. According to our previous calculations, neither that entity nor the Unlucky Entity can turn the tables. The power gap is too large. They haven’t fully recovered and can’t confront you directly. Can you tell me what you’re worried about?”

From Illusion’s perspective, Kailun had already won at least eighty percent of the battle. Eighty percent was a conservative estimate. If she were bolder, she would even say ninety percent.

Fate and Ottovia were strong, but that was ten thousand years ago and three years in the future. At this point in time, they hadn’t fully recovered.

The Unlucky Entity, Ottovia, was already under Kailun’s control, with no chance of turning the tables.

As for Fate, she was also in the recovery phase, her strength at most equivalent to two Popes.

However, Afra could defeat three Popes, and Kailun himself wasn’t weak either. No matter how she looked at it, she felt that Kailun had already won. As long as he didn’t do anything reckless, victory was assured.

Based on this consideration, she didn’t reveal any more information.

Besides, the remaining information wasn’t that important and shouldn’t affect the overall situation, probably.

Kailun shook his head at Illusion. “It’s not that I’m being overly cautious, but I suspect I’ve missed something important. Fate’s mentality is too good, so good that she’s interested in me. Not disgust, but interest. So do you really think she’s already lost?”

This was simple logic. Even the relatively calm Pope had been driven to the brink by Kailun, her goodwill rating plummeting to -97 in just a few months.

But Fate was still curious about him, not even angry about the Temple being divided. Was this the mentality of a loser?

Kailun stared at Fate’s goodwill rating: 15. This number was incredibly jarring.

Judging from Fate’s current behavior, she didn’t care about the gains and losses of the Temple of the Celestial God at all.

He speculated that the Temple’s power wasn’t the deciding factor in this battle.

By integrating the information, Kailun could roughly deduce what had happened after his death, but he still felt like something was missing.

For example, what was the Empire’s true motive for acquiring Portland?

Illusion frowned. “Is that so? Let me think about what I’ve missed.”

“Well, I can’t think of anything. But since you’ve said so, I’ll tell you a little more… But don’t blame me if anything unexpected happens. You forced me to do this. You pinched my nose and patted my butt, forcing me to talk.”

Illusion was extremely reluctant. Compared to Kailun’s gambling behavior, she preferred to play it safe.

“Yes, you’re right. I forced you.”

Kailun grinned and let Chrissy release his arm. He pulled Illusion into his embrace, pinched her nose with one hand, and patted her butt with the other. “Alright, you can talk now.”

Illusion was stunned for a moment. “Let go of me! You’re taking revenge! If you’re not happy, you can take it out on Vivian. What does it have to do with me?”

Kailun: “It’s fine. We’ll include Illusion next time. Now, answer my question.”

Poor Illusion was once again bullied by Kailun.

……

Strangely, since the end of the morning meeting, Pope Meggie Liran hadn’t seen Kailun for more than ten hours.

She had thought tonight would be another night of torment, but the only person sharing her bed was Helena.

Despite the absence of the sounds that usually disturbed her peace, she couldn’t fall asleep.

“Pell, I want to go out for a walk.”

Meggie Liran, wide awake, nudged Helena’s shoulder with her elbow. She wanted to go out and look at the moon, to relax.

Helena turned to look at the Pope. “No, I can’t let you go out without Kailun’s permission. And I’ve told you many times, call me Helena. Otherwise, I’ll whip your butt with a barbed whip.”

This time, Meggie Liran’s mood didn’t fluctuate. She looked into Helena’s green eyes. “You’ve all changed so much. You used to be an assassin who reveled in blood, and Chrissy was a lively Saint. Ever since you met Kailun, you’ve all changed, lost yourselves.”

Helena put an arm under her head. “I don’t deny that we’ve changed, but I don’t think it’s a sign of losing ourselves. Compared to the Pell who only knew missions and slaughter, I prefer the current Helena. At least now I have the ability to whip you. As for Chrissy’s thoughts, I don’t know. You can ask her yourself.”

“Forget it, let’s sleep. That Chrissy is beyond saving.”

Meggie Liran turned her back to Helena, no longer wanting to think about Chrissy.

She was disappointed in Chrissy, very, very disappointed.

Although she had appeared cold during their interactions, she had always regarded Chrissy as a daughter, even wanting to groom her as her successor.

Unfortunately, all her hopes had been shattered by Kailun. Not only had he stolen Chrissy, but he had also usurped the position of Pope right in front of her.

There was no going back now. She prayed that Kailun would receive the punishment he deserved.

Whoever it was, please punish that evil demon!

Meggie Liran fell asleep as she prayed.

The next morning, the operation to hunt down Kailun began with great fanfare. Paul and Charles were leading the operation.

Six ninth-rank mages, thirteen eighth-rank mages, and countless seventh-rank mages participated in the hunt.

This high-end combat power accounted for more than two-thirds of the Temple’s total, almost all of their available strength.

Such a terrifying force could easily wipe out several major factions. Deploying such power to hunt down Kailun was a clear sign of how seriously they took him.

“Pope Kailun,” in charge of supervising the operation, took everyone to the Temple’s highest hanging garden early in the morning. It offered a panoramic view of the entire city.

The Hanging Gardens were built halfway up a mountain on the north side of the Temple, extending outwards from the mountainside, appearing to float in mid-air from afar.

Legend had it that it was built ten thousand years ago by the mysterious entity named Fate, mainly for leisure.

Although the successive Popes rarely visited it, it was regularly cleaned and maintained. It still looked harmonious and natural.

Various exotic flowers and plants were eye-catching, and the pleasant fragrance filled the air. Closing one’s eyes, one could almost imagine being in a sea of flowers.

Besides Meggie Liran, Helena and Illusion also accompanied “Pope Kailun.” Afra and Chrissy didn’t appear.

Kailun led the group to the farthest edge of the Hanging Gardens, where a white round table sat.

“Have a seat, everyone. This is the best viewing spot.”

Kailun sat down first and gestured for the others to join him.

“No, thanks. I’ll stand.”

Illusion was the first to refuse. She rubbed her butt and glared at Kailun.

He had righteously claimed that he didn’t want her to disappear, that he would give her more “sense of existence,” but all she received was his wild “passion.”

“Suit yourself.”

Kailun didn’t force her. He understood her predicament.

Helena and Meggie Liran didn’t have similar problems. They sat down and looked at the city below.

“It’s about to begin in a few minutes. Do you think Paul and the others can successfully hunt down Kailun?”

Kailun took out two communication devices and placed them on the table, one his, and one Meggie Liran’s.

Meggie Liran frowned. “Besides you, which Kailun are you talking about?”

“Who knows?” Kailun chuckled and sent a magic letter to Afra.

“Boom!”

With a loud explosion, the so-called hunt officially began.

Meggie Liran looked at the city below with unease, plumes of black smoke rising into the sky.

Seeing the good feedback, Kailun wrote another magic letter, informing Charles of the direction to pursue.

“Your Holiness, do you know the practical meaning of the phrase ‘scraping the bone to heal’ for the Temple?”

Kailun leaned forward, his arms crossed, noticing the tension in her eyes.

Chapter 238: I Kill Myself

“That’s strange. Could it be that she has a masochistic tendency?” Kailun mused as he presided over the morning meeting with the Cardinals in the Temple’s main hall.

The meeting was more of a waste of everyone’s time. He rambled on about various trivial matters, big and small, without mentioning any important decisions. It was all very casual.

Someone asked about the crimes of the recently captured Cardinals, and Kailun used the excuse of “harboring Kailun.”

It wasn’t that he disdained acting, but he was deliberately instigating conflict.

Without conflict, he couldn’t easily carry out his purge.

“Your Holiness, do you really intend to recognize Paul’s status as Holy Son?”

Halfway through the meeting, a Cardinal, not particularly old, asked his question.

He was one of those who had designs on Paul, wanting to absorb his power.

Some people had such thoughts because of the Temple’s power system. As members of the Temple, even if they weren’t true Holy Sons or Saints, they could still absorb mana of the same type to a certain extent. The difference was that the loss for others was much greater.

Under normal circumstances, the loss for ordinary people was often over seventy percent, far less efficient than other methods.

However, Paul was different. His aptitude was among the best in the history of Holy Sons. The estimated loss was less than thirty percent.

If it weren’t for Paul’s status as Holy Son, they would have already made their move.

“Of course. Paul has exceptional aptitude and is a worthy Holy Son. Moreover, he has contributed to and risked his life for the Temple. I hope you can all interact amicably. The Temple’s growth depends on your unity.”

Kailun sat on the Pope’s throne in the main hall, his body concealed by white light. Meggie Liran, wearing a veil, stood beside him as his personal attendant.

Her beautiful eyes were filled with resentment. If she hadn’t pretended to be mysterious and hidden her true appearance, Kailun wouldn’t have been able to replace her so easily.

Although some people had noticed subtle changes, no one dared to question him.

Vanni, the minister most familiar with her, had already sided with Kailun. Cardinal Huallomen, who was relatively loyal, hadn’t been invited to today’s meeting.

Charles was completely under Kailun’s influence, almost unable to distinguish between him and Meggie Liran.

Chrissy… Forget it, it was better not to mention her.

That wretched girl was already Kailun’s loyal follower. If she were to identify the true Pope, Meggie Liran had no chance of winning.

She had raised her in vain, even worse than a white-eyed wolf – an ungrateful wretch.

She carefully reviewed her backup plans, but sadly, none of them could have any real impact on Kailun. She was completely under his control.

Sensing Meggie Liran’s resentful gaze, Kailun let out a smug hum.

His voice was soft, only audible to her.

He had no ulterior motive, just wanting to tease her.

It was as if he was saying, “Look, you can only be my maid forever.”

He had stolen Meggie Liran’s power, both physically and psychologically.

“Thank you for your guidance, Your Holiness. I will strive to improve my strength and contribute more to the Temple.”

While Kailun was teasing Meggie Liran, Paul, suppressing his disgust, bowed deeply towards where Kailun was sitting.

For a brighter future, Paul had to act.

He needed to create a persona of an obedient Holy Son. Only then could he gain more benefits.

To truly integrate into the Temple’s high-ranking circles and avoid being “consumed,” he still had a lot of work to do.

“Very well. The Temple will organize an operation to hunt down Kailun. You’ll join Bishop Charles in this operation.”

Kailun tapped the armrest of his chair. He had already planned his next move.

Meggie Liran’s pupils constricted slightly. She had a bad feeling.

“I kill myself” – only Kailun would do such a thing.

Now that he had become the Pope, who would be the “Kailun” being hunted?

The more she thought about it, the colder her back felt.

Contrary to Meggie Liran’s fear, Paul’s face was filled with ecstasy.

The Pope’s move was like a godsend. Before he could even try to consolidate the Temple’s power, The pope had presented him with such a great opportunity. The Pope was truly a saint.

If he had initiated this himself, he would have had to pay a heavy price.

“Thank you for your understanding, Your Holiness. I will do my best to hunt down Kailun. If I fail, I’ll bring you my head.”

Paul bowed again, this time much more sincerely.

Kailun couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’ll remember your words. If you fail to hunt down Kailun, then bring me your head. I hope you can do it. Seeing how confident you are, I’ll appoint you as the deputy commander of this operation. Don’t disappoint me.”

Paul: “Huh? Okay.”

He felt that the Pope had actually believed his words. If he couldn’t capture Kailun, would he really have to bring his own head?

Probably not. That kind of “killing the donkey after it’s done its job” was something only the bastard Kailun would do.

Compared to the Pope’s threat, the allure of being the deputy commander was much greater.

If he could kill Kailun with his own hands, he wouldn’t care even if he lost everything.

To give Chrissy and Illusion enough time, Kailun deliberately prolonged the morning meeting.

Close to ten o’clock, after confirming that Afra had settled Chrissy and Illusion, he finally ended the lengthy meeting.

The operation to hunt down “Kailun” was scheduled for tomorrow morning.

After the boring meeting, Kailun took Meggie Liran back to the Papal Palace.

He didn’t arrange a meeting between Chrissy and Meggie Liran immediately. He wanted to find a more “interesting” setting.

The key to maximizing Meggie Liran’s goodwill might lie with Chrissy. Kailun felt that he should seize this opportunity.

After leaving Meggie Liran in Helena’s care, Kailun went to the room next to the Pope’s and saw Afra and the other two.

“Thump!”

As soon as he opened the door, a golden figure pounced into his arms, her ample softness dispelling his frustration.

Chrissy excitedly wrapped her long, shapely legs around Kailun’s waist, her arms tightly around his neck.

Before he could speak, she kissed him, her eagerness evident.

Their tongues intertwined, Chrissy pouring out all her emotions.

It was a pity that Meggie Liran didn’t see this scene. Otherwise, her goodwill rating might have dropped by one or two points.

That’s it!

Chrissy’s actions gave Kailun an interesting idea. A scene of “persuading someone to turn over a new leaf” flashed through his mind.

He could have Chrissy pretend to be redeemable and guide Meggie Liran to “save” her. Persuading someone to change was always a popular theme.

All he had to do was guide Meggie Liran to try and change Chrissy.

Of course, with Chrissy’s current state, she couldn’t be changed. But he could have her pretend to be remorseful and then backstab Meggie Liran with “righteousness.”

Even Kailun himself had to admit that this was twisted. Even he, a pervert, found it perverse.

“Get down, or Illusion will cry from envy.”

Five minutes later, Kailun patted Chrissy’s perky bottom, urging her to get off him.

“No way.”

Chrissy rubbed her delicate cheek against his face, occasionally licking the corner of his mouth with her pink tongue. She was even more clingy than a puppy.

Illusion turned her face away. “Don’t talk nonsense. I’m not envious at all. You can have Kailun.”

Chrissy: “Okay~”

Kailun and Afra exchanged glances and shook their heads, amused.

“Alright, this isn’t the time to be clingy. Let’s talk business.”

Kailun patted her butt again, this time with a bit more force.

“Oh~”

Chrissy rubbed her slightly sore bottom and jumped off Kailun, reluctantly wrapping her arm around his, pressing her soft body against him.

Kailun tried to pull away, but Chrissy hugged him even tighter. Helplessly, he led her to Afra.

“Long time no see, Miss Illusion. Did you miss me?” Kailun patted Illusion’s head with his free left hand.

Illusion narrowed her eyes in enjoyment. “Just a little bit.”

Kailun flicked her forehead. “You’re not being honest. Your expression betrays you. But what surprised me the most is that your fading is faster than I expected. Did you encounter any problems?”

Kailun estimated the amount of “sense of existence” he had sacrificed for Illusion. Logically, it should have lasted for at least a month, but her current consumption rate was far beyond his expectations.

“It feels like I’m being rejected by the world, so the consumption rate has increased significantly.”

Illusion sounded a bit dejected. “I should really disappear. My existence will cause you a lot of trouble.”

“You’re right. You have caused me a lot of trouble.”

Kailun pinched Illusion’s lovely face. “But you’ve also brought me a lot of joy, and in my opinion, the joy far outweighs the trouble. And don’t forget, I haven’t had my revenge yet. Stupid Vivian has endured a lot of bullying that she shouldn’t have.”

Illusion grabbed Kailun’s wrist to prevent him from moving. “It’s okay. Vivian is me, and I am Vivian. Bullying her is the same as bullying me. I believe Vivian can understand my difficulties. You looked so pitiful back then. I couldn’t help myself.”

Kailun: “Tsk, it seems I need to have a good talk with you sometime.”

“What are you talking about?”

Chrissy looked at Illusion and Kailun with confusion.

Illusion said smugly, “Little girl, stay out of this. This is adult business.”

In terms of age, Illusion, who had lived three years longer, was indeed older than Chrissy, but judging from her appearance, she still belonged to the category of “little girl.”

Chrissy didn’t care about Illusion’s words. As long as she could cling to Kailun, she was content.

Afra, who had been watching from the side, interrupted, “Let’s talk about your plan. What are you going to do about the Pope?”

Kailun smiled brightly. “Humiliate, deceive, play with, appease, guide, conquer…”

Chapter 237: Missing Kailun – Day 1

The town of Portland, nestled deep within the White Jade Alliance’s territory, welcomed many new residents. Most of these newcomers were at least seventh-rank, with a considerable number of eighth-rank mages among them.

Upon closer inspection, one could even spot a few ninth-rank figures.

To secure control of the town, the Empress had dispatched a third of her elite forces.

Upon arrival, they immediately expelled the original inhabitants and sealed off the entire town, making it impenetrable.

Perhaps out of caution, they set up numerous magic formations to prevent spying.

Since the day of the handover, no one knew what was happening inside the town.

Wilson, the leader of the White Jade Alliance, grew suspicious. He had tried to visit the town with several ninth-rank mages, but they were all blocked by the Empire’s forces.

From beyond the barriers, he could only sense vast magic fluctuations, and a sense of unease grew in his heart.

Logically, he should be happy about exchanging a worthless town for a massive amount of resources, but his intuition told him that he had made a mistake.

Thinking back, Kailun had used schemes to acquire another town. Was there a connection between these two events?

Standing atop a watchtower thirty miles away from Portland, Wilson looked at the distant town.

It was now enveloped in a giant blue sphere, making it impossible to see what was happening inside.

“What do you think that Empress is planning?”

Wilson turned to his friend, also a ninth-rank mage. “Before selling this town, I had people thoroughly investigate it, but the results showed that it was an incredibly ordinary town. The population was barely two thousand, and the strongest person was only a fifth-rank warrior. Nothing significant has happened here for thousands of years. I even had people dig three feet underground, but there was no hidden treasure.”

Wilson’s friend was a scruffy, middle-aged man with an unkempt appearance, but his eyes gleamed with intelligence.

They had met a few years ago and hit it off immediately. However, they were both busy, and their usual contact was mainly through magic letters.

This time, Wilson felt short-handed, so he called his friend over and appointed him as a vice leader.

The middle-aged man leaned against the wall of the watchtower. “Perhaps it’s because of its special geographical location. Portland and the other town are situated at a critical distance from the Xiya Kingdom. The latter can be used to launch a direct assault on the Xiya Kingdom, while the former is slightly farther and requires some travel time, but it’s still much closer than traveling from the Empire to the Xiya Kingdom. If we’re being bold, with Portland as a base, we can even influence the Abyss.”

He took out a candy from somewhere, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed slowly, looking strangely relaxed.

“Vincent, do you know something?” Wilson asked, his eyes serious.

The scruffy man, Vincent, scratched his butt. “Huh? How can you suspect me? If I were younger, I would polish my boots and kick your ass. Impudent fellows deserve to be roasted over a fire for a hundred years.”

Wilson turned his face away, speechless. “Aren’t you worried after seeing this? Although I don’t want to admit it, we’ve been left behind. We can’t keep up with the changes in the world. They’re playing games we don’t understand. We might miss a crucial turning point.”

Vincent said proudly, “I don’t care. I’ll just run away.”

Wilson: “…”

Perhaps realizing that his attitude was too dismissive, he hesitated for a moment and said seriously, “I’m telling the truth. As a friend, I suggest you run away now. You’re too foolish. You can’t outsmart Kailun and the Empress. But it’s not just you. Even that Pope is no match for Kailun. So don’t be sad.”

He walked over and patted Wilson’s shoulder comfortingly. “Don’t be sad. Sometimes, you have to acknowledge your limitations to survive. At least, I don’t think you need to get involved. You’re not on the same level as them.”

Wilson kicked Vincent’s butt. “Stop talking nonsense. You’re the foolish one. There’s no turning back now. Do you want to become a dog for the Pope and the Empress?”

Vincent hesitated slightly. “It’s not impossible, but I still don’t want to lose you as a friend. What are you going to do if the Empress wins in the end?”

It wasn’t that he was being disloyal as a friend, but he was originally from the Empire.

The plan to deploy troops to Portland was led by Vincent. Everything, big or small, had to go through him.

The Empire’s primary goal was to transform Portland into a fortress and then build crucial magic formations on it.

No one, except for the Empress herself, knew the effects of these magic formations. She had only told them that once the formations were complete, the Empire would have a two-thirds chance of victory.

It seemed that the key to victory lay in these magic formations.

Part of what he had just said was true. Once the magic formations were complete, Portland would become a crucial foothold for their next move.

It would be convenient for them to attack either the Xiya Kingdom or the Abyss, but Vincent didn’t know the specific plan because the Empress hadn’t told him.

Besides setting up the magic formations, he was also tasked with misleading Wilson.

He actually wanted to persuade Wilson to switch sides, but unfortunately, this guy was too stubborn.

He couldn’t understand. Were material possessions more important than life?

“It won’t be that easy. Kailun isn’t a pushover. The Temple of the Celestial God hasn’t been able to defeat him in two months. Instead, he’s become even stronger. I think that day is still far away. We still have time to grow.”

Wilson’s voice lacked confidence as he looked away from Vincent.

Hearing his answer, Vincent sighed deeply. Based on the progress of the magic formations’ construction, it would all be over soon.

Perhaps even sooner than he could react.

……

Early the next morning, Chrissy and Illusion stood on the super teleportation magic circle in the Xiya Kingdom.

Kailun had insisted on bringing Illusion along because, without the boost to her sense of existence from him, she might disappear from this world.

Although Illusion herself believed that her disappearance would be beneficial to the world, Kailun didn’t think so.

Princess Vivian was very envious of Illusion’s treatment. They looked exactly alike, yet she didn’t receive such special treatment.

She was just a step too late. What a loss.

Princess Hilna looked at Illusion and Chrissy in the teleportation magic circle with mixed emotions. As time passed, the resentment in her heart had faded considerably.

Moreover, with more and more people in the manor, Kailun had neglected her “care” somewhat.

Hilna, not having been teased by Kailun for a while, felt a bit unaccustomed.

Of course, she still hated him. She believed this would never change.

She still remembered the bet she had made with Kailun, about her and Shirley.

Hilna glanced at Shirley beside her and shook her head. Her personal knight might soon bear Kailun’s “mark.”

Anna, Ella, and Winnie were chatting together. They were from roughly the same era and were closer to each other.

They could not only discuss work-related issues but also chat about everyday trivialities.

Compared to the turbulent past few months, this period was a rare moment of peace.

However, Anna wasn’t happy about this tranquility. Kailun was too busy, and she rarely had a chance to talk to him.

Winnie and Ella shared similar feelings, but they were less intense than Anna’s.

Fox, Bella, and Carol were in charge of controlling the teleportation magic circle, while Isabella and Ottovia were the laborers.

The three little knights, freed from their training, were now working as maids alongside the elf sisters. Without Afra’s brutal training, they felt incredibly free, as if they could fly.

Couldn’t see Phils?

That was because she was still busy dealing with the kingdom’s political affairs. Without anyone to help her, it was difficult for her to leave her work.

Except for Queen Rose, who had been forgotten in the dungeon, everyone had gathered around the teleportation magic circle.

“It’s almost time. Are you ready?”

Carol took out her pocket watch and checked the time.

Chrissy’s face was full of excitement. “No problem! I can’t wait to see Mother Pope!”

“Are you sure you want to see the Pope? I can’t bear to expose you.” Illusion lightly punched Chrissy. “When you see Kailun, are you going to call him ‘Father Pope’?”

“Maybe!” Chrissy’s eyes gleamed.

She was naturally thrilled by this prospect.

“You pervert.”

Illusion waved her hand dismissively and turned to Carol. “We’re ready. Please activate the magic circle. This pervert beside me can’t wait any longer.”

Carol: “Okay.”

She knew that Chrissy wasn’t the only one who couldn’t wait.

After confirming the location of the other anchor point, Carol activated the teleportation magic circle. With a flash of white light, Chrissy and Illusion were transported to Kailun’s side.

After that, Carol looked around. “It’s getting late. Everyone, go back to your work. I believe the next time we activate the teleportation magic circle will be to welcome them back.”

Everyone nodded at Carol and left in an orderly manner. As she had said, they still had work to do. They had come here just in case Kailun needed more help.

Even if Kailun didn’t need it, Afra probably did.

Most people in the manor knew about Afra’s “weakness.” The seemingly powerful knight was actually quite vulnerable.

“Ottovia, where are you going?” Carol grabbed Ottovia, who was trying to sneak away.

As soon as she met Carol’s wine-red eyes, Ottovia immediately lowered her head. “Don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t trying to run away. I’m just going to deliver food to Rose. You forgot to deliver her meal last night. That idiot has been starving all night. I couldn’t bear it, so I wanted to get her something to eat from the kitchen. Really, believe me!”

Suddenly, Ottovia also envied Illusion. Compared to Carol, Kailun seemed much gentler.

Missing Kailun – Day 1.

[Ottovia’s Goodwill +6]

Kailun, far away in Alaye: “???”

Chapter 236: New Arrangements

The magic letter detailed the information and speculations Carol and the others had gathered.

Although many of their guesses were just theories, he couldn’t afford to be careless.

Combining this information with his own, Kailun formulated a new plan, his future schemes becoming more refined.

But what pleased him the most was Carol and the others’ attitude.

“Focus on the present. The feelings we experience are real. We will always trust you.”

These were Carol’s words, with Fox and Illusion’s signatures at the end of the magic letter.

Besides their handwriting, there were also a few crooked words that spelled “Ottovia.” Judging from the handwriting, the poor Ottovia must have been bullied.

Kailun’s only thought was: intensify the efforts.

After reading the letter, Kailun felt even more cheerful. He patted Meggie Liran’s head, put the letter away, and then called for Charles. “Charles, tell me, do you think the Temple can still be saved?”

“Huh?”

Charles, who hadn’t gone far, stopped and asked, “What do you want to know, Your Holiness?”

“The current state of the Temple’s high-ranking officials, the current situation of the Temple, and… your opinion of me.” Kailun picked up another book and continued reading.

Charles hesitated. “Is this something I can talk about?”

Kailun: “Are you planning to keep secrets from me? Don’t worry, I won’t mind even if you speak ill of the Pope.”

Meggie Liran: “…”

Charles walked to the opposite side of the long table and bowed slightly. “Your Holiness, in the decades I’ve served, the Temple’s high-ranking officials haven’t changed much. There have always been complex issues within the Temple, both before and after your ascension. But these are the result of thousands of years of accumulation, and they have nothing to do with you personally. As for the recent problems among the high-ranking officials, it’s probably because some of them have… different ideas.”

He glanced at the white light across from him and, seeing no reaction, continued, “Some believe that the division within the Temple is your fault, Your Holiness. They plan to use your union with the Empress to cultivate the next successor in advance.”

“Hmph, a bunch of fools. They just want to seize more power. With the Empress’s cunning, the Temple will be the one who suffers in the end.”

Meggie Liran spat out Kailun’s finger and snorted.

“You’re right, Your Holiness. They are all short-sighted fools.” Charles quickly agreed.

He found it strange that the Pope’s voice was filled with anger, a stark contrast to her previous calmness.

Could it be andropause?

No, that wasn’t right. The Pope was so young. “He” shouldn’t have reached andropause yet.

“So, what’s your opinion of me?” Kailun’s voice held a hint of amusement.

Charles, marveling at the Pope’s sudden change in mood, replied, “Your Holiness, in my opinion, you are the guiding light of the Temple. Only under your leadership can the Temple’s glory illuminate the world.”

“But I can’t even find Kailun, who’s hiding in Alaye, let alone illuminate the world with the Temple’s glory. Just a joke, but maybe Kailun would be a better Pope than me.”

Kailun covered Meggie Liran’s mouth with his hand, preventing her from speaking. He smiled as he said the words.

Meggie Liran: “Mmm!”

“You’re so funny, haha…”

Charles forced a laugh. For some reason, he felt that the Pope’s words weren’t entirely a joke.

“Alright, enough jokes. For the next few days, please introduce Paul to those people. As for the Empress’s invitation, I agree.”

Kailun lowered his head and glanced at Meggie Liran with disdain. He felt some warm saliva on his palm.

He wondered if it could be considered Holy Water. It would be a waste otherwise.

Charles, unable to keep up with Kailun’s pace, scratched his face. “I will diligently complete your task, Your Holiness. Please also be careful.”

After saying that, Charles returned to the bookshelves to continue searching for relevant books.

After confirming that Charles was far enough away to not detect any magic fluctuations, Kailun cast a silencing spell and released Meggie Liran’s mouth.

She immediately questioned him, “Why did you agree to that woman’s invitation? You should know she’s up to no good.”

She could ignore his previous teasing, but she couldn’t compromise on a matter that concerned the future of the Temple.

Meggie Liran grabbed Kailun’s wrist, interrupting his page-flipping. “The contract we signed clearly states that you can’t harm the Temple’s interests. Are you planning to violate the contract and suffer the consequences?”

Kailun put down the book in his hand. “Don’t worry, I won’t harm the Temple’s interests. So you don’t have to worry about me suffering the consequences of the contract. If you want to care for me, give me a massage, instead of making a fuss.”

What constituted “harming the Temple’s interests”? This was a question worth pondering.

Meggie Liran could use the loopholes in the contract to set traps for Kailun, and he could also bypass the contract to achieve his goals.

In other words, “solving problems inevitably brings pain. Short-term weakening is for long-term prosperity.”

As the one who drafted the contract, Kailun had a certain degree of interpretive power. In the long run, his actions wouldn’t be considered harmful to the Temple’s interests.

The only difference was that by then, the Temple might no longer be Meggie Liran’s Temple.

“You… Forget it, why am I even arguing with you? I’m just a prisoner…”

Thinking of her current predicament, Meggie Liran lost her will to argue. She sat on the ground and wiped the saliva from the corner of her mouth with her sleeve. It was there from when Kailun had covered her mouth.

Kailun suddenly thought of something amusing. “Wise and clear self-awareness. Your expression is quite good. As a reward, I’m thinking of calling Chrissy over. What do you think?”

“You’re a devil!”

Meggie Liran shivered.

If Chrissy saw her pathetic state, would she, as a “mother,” have the face to live?

What if Chrissy saw her being played with by Kailun…

She would die! She would definitely die!

If that day ever came, the proud image she had built in front of Chrissy would crumble.

Kailun: “Devils aren’t as kind as me. If Your Holiness doesn’t want Chrissy to see your predicament, then give me a foot massage.”

Despite his words, Kailun had already decided to teleport Chrissy to Alaye.

Chrissy wasn’t that strong. Using the super teleportation magic circle wouldn’t consume too many magic crystals.

Bringing Chrissy over would not only add more “fun” but also relieve Afra at night. She had been looking forward to reinforcements for a long time.

[Meggie Liran’s resentment increases. Goodwill -1, Total Goodwill -97]

Sometimes, being too tolerant wasn’t a good thing. A flexible bottom line would only encourage the abuser.

Kailun lifted Meggie Liran’s chin. He could see the anger in her eyes, but unfortunately, her anger couldn’t erupt for the time being.

“Are you waiting for me to call Chrissy? Proud Pope?” Kailun raised her chin even higher.

“I understand. But please don’t call Chrissy.”

Meggie Liran slapped away his hand and lowered her head, forcefully massaging his thigh.

Kailun: “Friendly reminder, there are still ten hours until bedtime.”

Meggie Liran: “Why don’t you just die!”

To finish reading the books as soon as possible, Kailun even had Meggie Liran feed him lunch.

Seeing her disgusted expression, he found the food particularly delicious.

It wasn’t until six in the evening that Kailun finished reading all the books. He had found quite a bit of useful information from the mountain of books.

Seeing that it was getting late, he left Charles to clean up the messy table and left the library, his arm around Meggie Liran, concealed by the white light.

After sending the Pope back to Afra’s care, Kailun summoned Helena to prepare for Chrissy’s teleportation.

Since everyone in the Temple knew that Chrissy had betrayed them, the teleportation process had to be discreet. He had to find a way to distract the guards.

So he planned to hold a morning meeting tomorrow. Besides making arrangements, it would also help Paul integrate into the Temple’s high-ranking circles.

“Crack!”

Kailun clenched his fist. This explosive power was his confidence in sweeping away all obstacles.

……

“Harry, we can go back in a week. I’ll take you away from the Temple of the Celestial God, and we’ll never return.”

After declining the dinner invitation from the two old men, Paul took Harry to the best restaurant in Alaye.

Harry, looking at the table full of food, asked worriedly, “But didn’t you sign a contract with the Pope?”

Paul poured half a glass of red wine for himself and Harry. “The contract does restrict me, but not much. I can bear the consequences of violating it. Besides taking you away, I also plan to take revenge on Kailun. This time, I have a chance of defeating him.”

Harry looked at Paul with a strange expression. “How are you going to do that?”

“To capture Kailun, the Pope has sealed off Alaye. He can’t escape.”

Paul clinked glasses with Harry, his eyes filled with ambition. “Kailun is strong, but is he stronger than everyone in the Temple combined? Is he stronger than the Pope? I’ve gained the Pope’s trust. Next, I’ll try to integrate into the Temple’s high-ranking circles and utilize the entire Temple’s power to eliminate Kailun. Once we kill him, I’ll take you away from this place. If we’re lucky, it might only take a few days.”

After saying this, Paul touched his forehead, still shaken. Every time he closed his eyes, he would dream of Kailun’s blade slicing through his neck. The feeling of near-death made it difficult for him to rest.

For Paul, this might be his last chance to strike at Kailun.

“Sigh, I’ll listen to you…”

Harry shook his head, the red wine in his mouth tasting bitter.

He wanted to advise Paul to let go of his hatred, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Perhaps it was time to end everything.

Chapter 235: Under the Five Finger Mountain

“Where do you think you’re going, Your Holiness? Are you planning to abandon your followers and escape alone?” Kailun returned to the long table, holding a book. “Or are you worried that your poor acting will expose your true identity? Alright, I’ll give you a chance to face them yourself.”

Meggie Liran looked at Kailun with confusion. “You’re planning to avoid them?”

Kailun patted her shoulder, making her stand up from the chair, and then sat down himself. “No need.”

“But Paul clearly knows you. Aren’t you going to hide? Are you planning to reveal everything?” Meggie Liran was even more puzzled.

“No, I have a better option.”

Kailun enveloped himself in white light, encompassing a one-meter radius.

Seeing that there was still some space left, he said to Meggie Liran, “Come in, Your Holiness. You don’t have much time left. As for whether you want to squat in front of the chair or sit on my lap, it’s your choice.”

With Kailun’s deliberate control, the remaining space only gave her two options: sit on his lap or squat in front of him.

“I knew you were up to no good. You’re just waiting to see me make a fool of myself.”

Meggie Liran raised a book, wanting to hit Kailun on the head, but remembering that she was no match for him, she reluctantly put it down.

“Can’t I enjoy a little entertainment after working hard all night? Your Holiness is being too heartless.”

Kailun continued flipping through the book, his speed not slowing down, as if multitasking wasn’t a problem for him.

Meggie Liran bit her lip. Neither option was good.

Sitting on Kailun’s lap would give him an advantage, while squatting on the ground would be a loss of dignity.

Moreover, squatting would make her voice sound strange, as if it were coming from the ground.

“Your Holiness, may we enter?”

Charles’s voice came from outside the door.

Kailun imitated Meggie Liran’s voice. “Come in.”

Meggie Liran: “!!!”

Without time to think, she dove under the long table, hiding in the white light in front of the chairs.

Compared to her remaining dignity, she would rather not let Kailun take advantage of her.

Sitting on his lap would not only be a loss of dignity but also give him pleasure. It wasn’t worth it.

However, Kailun wouldn’t let her have her way. As the door opened, he contracted the white light around him, shrinking Meggie Liran’s hiding space.

She glanced at the door and saw Charles walking in.

‘Bastard!’

Meggie Liran cursed Kailun silently and sat on the ground. To avoid exposing her back, she hugged his legs tightly, pressing her body against him.

From the outside, Kailun’s white light looked like a halved oval sphere on the ground. Sensing the shrinking space and realizing that her head was exposed, Meggie Liran rested her chin on his knees.

This scene looked incredibly bizarre, a strangely appealing sight, but only Kailun, enveloped in the white light, could see it.

Now, Meggie Liran had not only lost her dignity but had also been completely taken advantage of by Kailun.

He could clearly feel the soft curves of her body against his thighs. She was pressing so close that he even felt a sense of “overflowing.”

As expected of Saint Chrissy’s “mother,” her figure was undeniably impressive.

Kailun flipped through the book with one hand and patted Meggie Liran’s head with the other, signaling her to speak.

She glared at him, her eyes filled with resentment.

Meggie Liran said, “Speak. Why are you here?”

Her resentment was clearly conveyed to Charles and Paul.

Charles and Paul, who had just entered, could only see a ball of white light by the long table. Sensing the Pope’s displeasure, they quickly bowed.

Charles: “I apologize for disturbing you, Your Holiness. I haven’t been able to pay my respects due to my injury. Please forgive my transgression.”

Paul: “Thank you for your generosity, Your Holiness. My strength has increased significantly. It’s all thanks to you.”

The former was genuinely grateful, while the latter was just putting on an act.

Paul had suffered immensely these past few days, almost reaching his breaking point.

Fortunately, the engraving of the magic circles had been faster than he expected, allowing him to endure it.

During this time, not only had his strength increased greatly, but he had also befriended several Cardinals, establishing connections with some people within the Temple.

Setting aside the price he had paid, he had at least achieved his initial goal.

He would suck the Temple dry, enriching himself to the fullest.

The magic bestowed by the Pope was indeed useful, but not as effective as he had expected. His overall strength had only increased by fifty percent.

To become even stronger, he had secretly contacted a few Cardinals, including two of the old men from the previous days, to engrave more magic circles.

Paul could use his status as Holy Son to obtain more benefits. The key now was how to get Harry out of here. This was his true purpose for seeking an audience with the Pope.

“Mmm~”

Paul and Charles seemed to hear a faint moan.

They exchanged glances, their expressions strange.

The sound was caused by Kailun pinching Meggie Liran’s lips and pulling on her cheeks, contorting her face into various shapes.

He had ruthlessly silenced her. Her resentful words were full of flaws.

“I’m glad you’ve come. I’m currently short-handed. Charles, stay behind and help me find some books. As for Holy Son Paul, do you have anything to say?”

Having silenced Meggie Liran, Kailun took control of the conversation.

Paul: “I want to see Harry. I want to take him back to my hometown. Not now, but maybe in a week. Please trust me. After sending Harry home, I’ll return immediately. After all, I’ve signed the contract, haven’t I?”

For some reason, although the Pope’s voice hadn’t changed, it now sounded incredibly annoying.

It was like encountering Kailun, stirring an urge to drag the Pope into a self-destructive attack. It was strange.

Kailun paused his page-flipping. “Oh, is that so? I agree. But let me ask, where’s your hometown?”

Paul: “My hometown… I don’t have a hometown. My birthplace is a sad place. There’s a demon there named Kailun. He destroyed my hometown. So wherever Harry’s hometown is, that’s my hometown.”

Charles looked at Paul in surprise. He hadn’t expected this guy to be sentimental.

Kailun: “You can leave now. I’ll have Harry come find you later.”

“Thank you for your generosity. May Your Holiness’s glory last forever.”

Leaving those words behind, Paul left the library without looking back.

“Your Holiness, is there anything I can help you with?”

After a moment of silence, Charles placed the gift box on the table and asked.

“Pat, pat!”

Meggie Liran, trapped in front of Kailun, lightly patted his thigh, urging him with her eyes to dismiss Charles.

However, Kailun pretended not to notice, patting her head as he said, “Help me find some books on the history of the Temple. No matter how important or unimportant, just gather them all and put them on the table.”

“Understood!”

Charles’s eyes lit up, and he immediately ran to the bookshelves in the spacious hall to search.

Only after Charles had moved a certain distance away did Meggie Liran raise her head and whisper, “That’s too much! Aren’t you afraid of being discovered?”

Kailun pinched her ear. “I’m not afraid. I can just kill them to silence them. If Your Holiness doesn’t want your loyal subordinates to die at the hands of the ‘Pope,’ then stay put.”

He pressed her head against his knees again and returned his attention to the book.

There was a saying that “within books, there are beautiful women.” At least, the current Kailun had found a different interpretation, although he wasn’t overly affected.

Although the Pope’s body was soft and supple, it wasn’t enough to make him lose his mind.

Perhaps with Chrissy, there was a slight possibility, but only a slight one.

Meggie Liran: “…”

Did he have any morals? Did he have any respect for the Temple’s rules?

She wanted to escape from Kailun’s clutches, but she was trapped under his “Five Finger Mountain,” unable to move.

The more she struggled, the more her body rubbed against his legs.

“Go ahead and ‘play.’ In the end, I’m the one who benefits.” Kailun added, twisting the knife.

Meggie Liran was on the verge of tears. Her struggles had been turned into “playfulness” by Kailun’s words.

“Your Holiness, do these books meet your requirements?”

Soon, Charles, familiar with the library, returned to Kailun’s side with five or six books in his arms.

Just before Charles approached, Kailun expanded the range of his white light, trapping Meggie Liran’s head between his legs to prevent her from struggling.

“Put them down. I’ll read them later. Go find some other books.”

Kailun continued flipping through the pages, the only difference being that one of his hands was now in Meggie Liran’s mouth.

The feedback was viscous and slippery, slightly warm, and strangely familiar.

Unfortunately, Meggie Liran couldn’t harm him at all. Her bite was even weaker than Chrissy’s.

In comparison, the attribute boost from Paul was much more exciting. He roughly estimated it to be equivalent to the attributes of three ordinary ninth-rank mages.

With stronger attributes, he could handle more trouble. Based on his current attributes, he could confidently accept the Empress’s invitation.

No matter what her plans were, he could overcome them with brute force.

But this feeling of invincibility didn’t last long. Half an hour later, Kailun received a magic letter from Carol.

Seeing her speculation, he instantly hardened.

His fists and fingers hardened.

Meggie Liran, the first to experience his “hardening,” opened her mouth wide in pain.

Her teeth… almost shattered.