??Chapter 267: Chapter 8: Heaven’s Secret
Chapter 267: Chapter 8: Heaven’s Secret
With a soft sigh, Julius’s gaze listlessly swept over the faces of the two n. Frenster’s words could be interpreted in two ways: either he truly knew nothing, not even understanding the content of the image, or he was feigning ignorance, finding it more judicious to inform Julius of the latter possibility. At least he knew to avoid the question, which was sufficient. Julius’s intention wasn’t to do anything with it anyway.
“Is that so? I too hope for the Bright Holy Teaching’s blessing to spread across the Continent, but often things go contrary to our desires. It would be unacceptable to violate our creed in the na of spreading the doctrine or expanding the influence of the Holy Teaching. Good intentions can spoil when pursued with ill-tid thods, and you should understand this better than anyone.”
The Pope’s words beca ambiguous, yet to the two listeners, they bore clear implications. Frenster was naturally uneasy, and Vazinsky was no less so. In recent years, the Pope seed to have never stepped out of St. Mark’s Church and the West Fan Palace, yet he had all the worldly changes within his grasp—there was no question about that. However, it seed as if the Pope had deliberately given the two n free rein over the years while intentionally restricting that lunatic Noyola. Now, it appeared the Pope intended to change this status quo.
The church again fell into silence, and the emaciated figure’s gaze, solidifying like substance, slowly swept across their faces. Despite their protective masks being well-forged, they were as nothing before this penetrating look, leaving them feeling as if their innermost thoughts, like those of an innocent girl deceived by a roguish traveler, were wide open. They were struck with a sense of helplessness they had never experienced before, and a fine sheen of cold sweat suddenly coated their entire backs.
“Enough, you may leave. Today’s matters were of destiny, and disclosing them is of no benefit. I contravene heavenly principles simply to allow you to understand, the great mission of expanding the Holy Teaching is paramount and daunting. We must not treat it lightly. Consider this well.”
Watching the two figures hurry away, Julius’s gaze grew reflective. Too much of anything can be detrintal; why are they but one step behind? Only those who can overco personal desire can reach the end of a long and lonely journey. He hoped they would comprehend this truth. In the weariness that cos with excess, he felt a lurking crisis. Had the Holy Teaching truly reached its zenith? No, this should only be the starting point of another era of glory. Julius believed firmly that conviction determined success or failure, and everything hinged on this.
Kor sat leisurely in his curved wicker chair, delighted by the soft color of the sky-blue vines, which retained their pleasant hue for decades after drying—a charm of the aquatic vine of the Nine Dragons Vine. Extrely sturdy and with a naturally cooling property, it was perfect for making goods for sumr relaxation, but such vines had long since disappeared from the Continent’s mainland, surviving only in the wild frontiers. Now coveted by nobles, it had beco an unexpected fashion trend amid the increasing luxury and indulgence of high society in the kingdom.
Katya’s arrival had thrilled Kor imnsely—not for any special reason, but since Vero’s departure, he had found his life sowhat pallid, even suffering bouts of insomnia. Upon reflection, Kor realized that his thoughts seed increasingly detached from those around him, lacking soone to confide in. While Puber and Ilot were unwavering allies in his business endeavors, their conversations beca dull if they strayed from matters of territory or the exploration of Martial Dao. Kor himself found the idea of discussing anything else with them torturous and futile. Rebry seed a better conversational partner, offering advice on territorial matters or his future path. While Kor might not always agree with Rebry, his input often sparked new ideas. Yet he was not soone Kor felt he could truly converse with openly. And now, Katya had arrived.
Even though he knew Katya, after years of navigating the Kingdom Court, could not possibly be the ideal confidant, Kor couldn’t resist the desire to stroll and chat leisurely with her. He was even surprised by his own inexplicable wish. It seed he was in that so-called emotional vacuum, craving communication—similar to how he felt restless when not working. But Kor knew what he really wanted was soone to pour out to, and Katya seed to fulfill several of these hoped-for criteria.
Katya’s gaze lingered on the young man across from her, surprised by his attitude towards her. Intelligence indicated that he seed quite close to Hoffman and Renta, with Hoffman even going out of his way to use personal connections to provide food channels for Caucasus—a level of generosity and lack of expectation for return that was uncharacteristic for the inherently stingy Hoffman. There seed to be no other explanation for such behavior, unless the two had reached so kind of agreent.
But how could she explain his attitude toward her? Having been embroiled in power struggles and plots both covert and overt since she’d beco aware of the world, Katya’s ability to discern relationships between people was nothing short of masterful. In her eyes, apart from the majority of relationships which involved mutual exploitation, she couldn’t deny that so special emotional connections did indeed exist. Humans are higher beings, and emotions are difficult to explain with re logic. Yet, trying to use this to justify the seemingly innocent young noble’s behavior in her presence felt a bit far-fetched. However, Katya could sense that he harbored so special feelings for her through his words and actions.
Love? The notion seed almost laughable. Love at first sight wasn’t extinct in the world, but it seed improbable to happen between her and him. Was it a need for mutual interests? Possibly, but with Hoffman’s support, Palermo’s role was no longer as crucial. Furthermore, Palermo, ever the opportunist, might align with Hoffman at any mont. To say Palermo was an ally of hers was less accurate than to say he was a servant of interest. It seed unnecessary for him to go out of his way to declare himself to her, didn’t it?
Katya’s thoughts were in turmoil. From any perspective, there seed no need for him to ingratiate himself with her, and that hint of desolation and solitude in his language didn’t seem like a guise to seek anything. Could she truly be so charming that after just one encounter, he was unable to extricate himself? To Katya, if that were to happen between them, it would be utterly inconceivable.
Sitting serenely on the vine chair, enjoying the gentle swaying and the coolness it brought, Katya struggled to calm her emotions so she could judge her intuition and consider her primary mission for coming here with a more peaceful mindset.
After several passionate expressions, Kor felt an imnse relief in his chest. His heartfelt confession seed to confuse the woman who lived amidst conspiracies, filling her with a mix of pride and reserve. He even maliciously guessed that she was overwheld by the emotions he’d been repressing for so long, and if that were true, then he would truly feel guilty.
Just as Kor had predicted, Katya felt her defenses crumbling. No matter how she considered it, she couldn’t make sense of everything that had happened over the past couple of days. Katya did not believe in love. She even felt so regret. If he only desired her body, she wouldn’t mind trading it for sothing. But if it was marriage, that crossed her bottom line. Choosing a marriage partner with whom she could have no strings attached was an unchangeable decision she had made. And as for feelings? She rembered a saying: “You can touch anything, but never let feelings get involved.” They are like flowers soaked in poison – beautiful to behold, but ultimately leaving nothing but endless scars or even death. That was a lesson learned in blood by her closest friend.
Kor observed with interest the woman before him, who possessed unique charm both in figure and deanor. He could tell her emotions were in turmoil, which gave him a sense of superiority. She was the first woman since Tracy to take up space in his heart – a blend of reality and interest with an incomparable appearance, creating a special character. His mood was as enriched as the sunshine bathing freshly soaked earth, and he even felt an urge to burst into song. Only the restrictions of the situation kept him from such an unwise act.
Kor overestimated his own charm; Katya was gradually extracting herself from the whirlpool of emotions. Rationality and composure are the foremost elents for survival – this reminder always kept Katya alert. Everything is an illusion; only interests are eternal.
With a light lift of her hand to tidy the strands of black hair the wind had tousled, Katya signaled to him that she was ready to continue their conversation. She didn’t wish to delve into other topics too deeply – whether feelings or intuition, these could wait until after her primary mission was complete to beco topics for idle chatter. Now was the ti to get to the heart of the matter. She didn’t want to waste the opportunity she had fought so hard to arrange.
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