Chapter 26: Sislia — “M-Mom?”

But before he could catch up,

a voice called out to him.

“Are you a wounded soldier?”

The voice was gentle, carrying a hint of the warmth of sunshine.

It made him freeze on the spot, unable to help himself.

“My name is Annie, a bishop of the Church of the Dawn.”

“Do you want a wife or not?”

“Huh?”

Trow was stunned, completely failing to understand what this woman, who claimed to be a High Priestess of the Church of the Dawn, was talking about.

“Hey, ladies, is there anyone willing to stay here with this gentleman?”

Trow stared wide-eyed at Annie.

How could this be? Was she actually here to give out foreign wives?

Annie had just finished speaking when

a young matron, with dog ears on her head and a furry tail behind her, sweet-faced, immediately stepped down from the carriage.

She brought with her a girl who had the same ears and tail as she did.

“I—I’m willing! I don’t want to wander around anymore…”

Dog Mother looked at Trow nervously and introduced, “This is my daughter, Lar.”

“She’s very well-behaved, she’ll listen to you. I’ll help you with your work, and I’ll bear children for you. Will you take us in?”

Trow’s face instantly turned red.

“Um, I used to be a farmer, but after I came back injured, the land has gone to waste…”

“It’s alright, I’m willing to help you farm the land again.”

Trow’s eyes widened, and he hesitantly reached out his hand.

Dog Mother, however, grabbed it without any hesitation.

Trow hurriedly said to Annie,

“Thank you, High Priestess, thank you, Church of the Dawn, thank you, great Dawn Goddess!”

“No need to thank me or the church. Thank the Dawn Goddess, and the Goddess of Fertility. It was They who guided us to do all this.”

Watching Trow, his face filled with a gentle smile, as he led Dog Mother and her daughter away,

Annie looked again at the dozens of carriages behind her.

She sighed lightly in her heart.

“If this goes on, how long will it be before I can return to the church? Sislia, my Pope, why don’t you handle this yourself?”

***

At this moment,

within Lu Ming’s Divine Realm,

the Pope Sislia whom Annie longed for, was now obediently staying at Lu Ming’s side.

She was earnestly explaining to him the plans discussed by the Church of the Dawn.

“Led by the Church of the Dawn and Duke Niel’s Mansion, we’ll pay the merchants to send out carriages, go to the Nation of Nature, and bring those foreign races willing to leave with us.”

“Then, our bishops and Supernaturals will follow the planned routes.”

“As we go along, if we find suitable candidates, or if they’re willing, we let them stay.”

After finishing, Sislia looked at Lu Ming expectantly.

But, not wanting Lu Ming to notice her anticipation, she put on a very serious expression.

***

Lu Ming looked at Sislia with some surprise.

This Pope had been acting a little strange lately.

Why did she always like to come running into his Divine Realm?

At this rate, sooner or later it would turn into Sislia’s own private garden.

Wouldn’t that mean he’d lose all his dignity?

“Sislia, you’ve done very well. I trust you deeply.”

“Perhaps you should rest for a while, take some time to quietly gain the recognition of [Public Opinion].”

Sislia didn’t know why,

but whenever she was acknowledged by Lu Ming, she would feel a thrill she’d never felt before.

And, from time to time, she would recall that feeling.

Her heart was especially itchy.

Although she was happy inside, Sislia’s face remained as serious as ever.

Still, that urge to suppress her smile was obvious.

“Is this guy… mocking me?”

***

Lu Ming felt all the more baffled.

But after all, the persona he had set for himself was also that of a deity no less powerful than the Dawn Goddess.

How could he act so undignified in front of Sislia?

Wouldn’t that mean that, in the future, Sislia would just take over Lu Ming’s place and act as she pleased?

So, in order to put Sislia in her place,

Lu Ming slowly stood up. Before Sislia could react,

he was already standing behind her.

And he seemed to be very close.

Sislia could feel a warm, steady breath.

“This… it’s Your Highness’s breath!”

What’s more, Lu Ming’s splendid robe was already touching Sislia’s Holy Robe.

Sislia could clearly feel the faint friction between them.

“Sislia.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“What do you think is the best way to use [Public Opinion] right now, and to deepen your grasp of [Public Opinion]?”

Hearing this, Sislia’s breath caught.

She hurriedly pushed aside all the strange thoughts in her mind.

But somehow,

she suddenly thought of the Dawn Goddess.

And she even felt a bit guilty, as if she were being watched by Her.

“My Lord, Your Highness and I are just… just discussing matters, nothing else…”

“Your Highness, I think we should make use of this matter to widely proclaim that the Goddess of Fertility has brought new life to the land.”

“Then, bring up the God of Procreation again.”

“In this way, by drawing a clear contrast,

the Church of Procreation will surely fall deeper into the web of public opinion.”

Sislia spoke thoughtfully. This was something she had already planned out.

Sure enough, His Highness asked about it!

Would my answer satisfy Him?

Lu Ming nodded in approval. Previously, he had only discussed some examples with Sislia in general terms.

He hadn’t expected Sislia to come up with all this so quickly—truly worthy of being a Pope.

He stepped slowly to stand in front of Sislia.

Then, he did something Sislia had never expected.

Lu Ming took the initiative to disperse the soft light that had concealed his face.

A stunning, flawless face appeared—features sculpted and clear, with a touch of Eastern gentleness.

It was a face that could bring down a kingdom, yet its incredibly approachable air meant

you didn’t feel at all that it was beyond reach.

On the contrary, it made you feel a motherly closeness.

Sislia’s mind went blank all of a sudden.

It was as if she were seeing the mother she had never met.

“Mom… mom…”

At that moment, Sislia blurted out without thinking.

But she instantly regretted it.

What did I just say?

Was it just because I saw the face of the goddess I’ve longed for that I lost all composure?

Sislia’s face flushed deep red. She lowered her head, not daring to look at Lu Ming at all.

Lu Ming fell silent for a rare moment, and suddenly recalled Sislia’s upbringing.

Her mother died young.

Her father was beaten to death when she was ten, leaving her an orphan.

She grew up alone in Sin City, yet managed to survive with strength.

He gently took Sislia’s soft little hand.

Lu Ming didn’t say anything, but it was as if he had said everything.

Even this slight touch alone—

Sislia felt as if she had been struck by lightning, all her strength leaving her body.

Even her legs went soft, like two cooked noodles, limp and powerless.

***

Lu Ming quickly caught her slender waist.

Even through the voluminous robes, he could feel her delicate, slender figure fitting perfectly in his grasp.

Seeing this,

Lu Ming was quite satisfied.

“Seeing Sislia so nervous and timid, looks like I still have some dignity after all.”