Chapter 774 - 366: The King’s Lustful Heart

Chapter 774: Chapter 366: The King’s Lustful Heart

Jialan gently smiled and extended her hand in invitation, while Hokele subtly adjusted his collar and followed her into the monastery.

The old nun shut the heavy door, seemingly isolating them from the secular world.

Jialan led Hokele along the stone corridor of the monastery, introducing, "Your Majesty, please observe, this is the Austerity Garden, the place where the sisters of the Austerity Fellowship regularly offer their prayers."

Hokele looked at the empty Austerity Garden, a patch of green grass, neither too large nor too small, surrounded by three thorn bushes as tall as a human. At a glance, Hokele seemed to feel a bitterness rise from deep within his heart, with even the sunlight seeming to dim. It was the hidden power left by the nuns of the Austerity Fellowship here, yet it was soon suppressed with the thump of his heart.

Jialan maintained her smile, but for a moment, her beautiful eyes seemed to sweep across Hokele’s eyes unintentionally.

The Lord of Moncalleta, the sole King of Hedan, the executor of the Golden Tree’s laws... A king cannot possess hidden power, yet as long as Hokele stands on the territory of Moncalleta, he remains unaffected by any hidden influence, even experiencing a natural suppression.

Progressing forward, they passed an open space and through a vast dome corridor, arriving at the grand main structure of the Withered Wood Monastery.

"Your Majesty, this is the chapel."

Sunlight streamed through the monastery’s stained glass windows, casting colorful shadows and light upon the walls, with the faint scent of oil lingering in the air. The atmosphere lacked the sacred solemnity of a chapel, instead exuding a sense of decay.

Such is the consequence faced by the Withered Wood Monastery in the previous epoch from opposing the law.

Hokele observed meaningfully for a moment and said, "Jialan, as one of the Holy Lands, the monastery remains too modest. Haven’t you considered venturing out? Spreading the gospel of the Supreme Divine Position Saint Mary is the best service, isn’t it?"

Jialan’s smile remained unchanged, "Your Majesty, the Withered Wood Monastery is merely an ancient relic."

Hokele stared intently at Jialan. His heart awakened, his marriage merely adhering to his father’s arrangements and political needs. This was the first time he felt the leap of love.

"Recently, I am advancing a reform, with new developments at the Canon Law School expanding beyond Hedan to all of Moncalleta. The Withered Wood Monastery has always guarded the kingdom, and should not be confined here. I believe this is an opportunity to deepen the covenant between the Royal Family and the monastery."

"What does Your Majesty mean?"

Hokele’s face shone with confidence as he said, "I hope the Withered Wood Monastery will send nuns to serve as instructors at various Canon Law Schools. With more female students joining, they need better guidance. Moreover, Moncalleta never prohibits the monastery from preaching, and on this point, I can back the monastery with policy."

"Your Majesty has far-reaching considerations, but this is not within my power to decide." Jialan seemed unmoved, her tone as tranquil as upon their first meeting.

"It’s fine, just convey my intentions to the Headmaster for me." Hokele gently turned, his gaze on Jialan holding an indescribable urgent longing. He no longer concealed his fervor, speaking clearly, "Miss Jialan, the covenant between the Withered Wood Monastery and the Royal Family is profound. Now that the era is changing, I sincerely hope Miss Jialan can enhance our communication, leading the entire kingdom to glory together."

Hokele’s gaze remained fixed on Jialan’s face, the shining eyes almost melting his heart, the rosy lips igniting his desire to possess.

"Your Majesty, I am but a nun," Jialan said apologetically.

Hokele smiled, refraining from pressuring further, continuing his tour, engaging in high-flown conversation, occasionally mentioning various initiatives since he became king.

From the main hall to the lesser halls, finally passing through a short corridor, returning outside the building, at some point, a mist had settled outside.

"Your Majesty, it’s late, you should be returning."

"Alright, I’ll visit again in the future, regarding the Canon Law School matters, I hope the monastery can give more consideration. The new era has arrived, I think Miss Jialan is not a rigid person."

As Hokele turned to leave, outside the monastery, a group of close aides promptly surrounded him. Amidst their escort, Hokele mounted the luxurious royal carriage, reclining against the seatback, his fingers unconsciously stroking his chin’s beard, his mind repeatedly envisioning Jialan’s face, her voice, her exquisite face as she spoke, and the charm she displayed when bowing slightly, the form beneath the nun’s robes.

His heart beat like a thread being pulled tighter and itchier, he loosened his collar, the heat within making his mouth dry, his body subtly warming. He inhaled deeply, another long exhale, yet it didn’t ease his tension, instead growing more taut.

Despite a lack of precedent... some things are not impossible, after all, rules are meant to be broken.

***

The entirety of Dragon Capital was set in motion, rebuilding here, treating patients there. Rebuilding was manageable, with Li Long having accumulated wealth through Hex-Tech in recent years, supplemented by donations from the Potter Family and Royal Family, sufficient to cope. The Potter Family’s faction wouldn’t miss such an opportunity to win hearts.

But misfortune compounds with nighttime rain, since the Evil God’s arrival, Dragon Capital remained gray throughout the day, devoid of sunlight. Initially, there wasn’t much concern, but temperatures continued to fall, a sullen decline into the coldest winter in Dragon Capital’s history, with the Underground City and impoverished areas witnessing fatalities from the cold, while plagues exhibited unusual patterns.

The cured fell ill once more, those physically weak succumbed to fever and coughing with no prevention or management stemming the disease’s spread.

Cabinet disagreements arose too, with the newly appointed Chen Rutang overwhelmed, faced with messes from every corner. Nobles remained restless, some even sought profit from the kingdom’s plight, including former ’supporters’.

Chen Rutang elected as Grand Governor, forming a new Cabinet, including: Ji Mingyue, Landry Potter, Marshall Maxine Duke, Hong Zhen.

Ji Mingyue managed diplomacy, Duke Potter finance, Duke Maxine interior affairs, Hong Zhen the military. Landry and Marshall were seasoned veterans with significant sway, essential to Dragon Capital’s reconstruction. To ensure a smooth transition, Chen Rutang couldn’t exclude them, while Hong Zhen, a staple of the Hong Family with substantial military influence, previously obscured due to his illegitimate status and low-profile nature, marked a crucial step by joining the Cabinet.

Lu Shuai was appointed Cabinet Secretary General, handling Cabinet affairs, though merely providing services, he could participate in nearly all Cabinet decisions directly.

"The unprecedented winter has claimed lives from the cold, a first since Luthor’s reforms, compounded by the relentless plague," Marshall remarked gravely, "If unresolved promptly, public unrest will ensue, and Dragon Capital will be in dire peril."

"This isn’t a mere plague, perhaps not even a plague, but a curse. It’s less harmful to Awakened and healthy individuals, but lethal to ordinary people. The Evil God’s appearance damaged Dragon Capital’s fortune, and this backlash now manifests as plague," Duke Potter stated.

"Where is this conclusion drawn from?"

"Fakson, the Red-robed Archbishop informed us. The Church Court suffered significantly this time," Duke Potter said indifferently, "The decay of faith is apparent, else why would the Evil God appear? The bloody lesson is before us; the Sixth Epoch Church Court won’t forcibly preach, but losing faith means losing protection. This plague cannot be cured by treatment alone, surely everyone present realizes this. If unwilling to change proactively, when the Church Court abandons Li Long, Li Long’s demise will follow."

The bird reports indicated that the plague was under control, in reality, it soothed public concern but conditions remained dire. Seemingly recovered cases soon relapsed, infecting more individuals, though information was suppressed, the situation couldn’t last long, necessitating urgent Cabinet solutions. Unfortunately, Chen Rutang lacked connections with the Church Court.