Talulah, I'm still a child.

However, it's clear that Cecilia really likes Meixue. Well, as a mother, she needs to offer more help and advice.

But as she stepped out the door, something in Mei Xue's heart seemed to be inexplicably touched.

【Meixue, what did you see this time?】

[Theresia... I see countless mirrors reflecting similar yet different futures, I see floating bubbles reflecting each of your faces, and the stars in the sky are all twinkling.]

Are you in our mirror?

No... I've been watching you from outside the mirror the whole time.

"Meixue, why are you spacing out? Do you really want to get married?"

Exusiai's hand flashed in front of the little fox. Mei Xue subconsciously shook his head to clear his mind. The conversation just now undoubtedly came from his memory, but when did it happen?

I've forgotten; I can't remember anything.

Mei Xue took Mostima's hand and walked forward. The latter was also a little dazed, but it was unclear what he was thinking. After regaining his senses, he casually led Mei Xue forward.

But only Mostima herself knew that, for a moment just now, she felt as if Mei Xue beside her was in another world.

Chapter 259 Vina's Dream

To be honest, Felia never imagined that she would actually have such a day, walking into the Papal Palace with her daughter under the protection of the musketeers, with even a little fox and another fallen angel by her side.

With a heart full of trepidation, Felia gently held her daughter's hand. Perhaps knowing her worries, Ivan did not allow the musketeers to confiscate her gun.

Compared to Felia, Cecilia, as the daughter, was much more lively and relaxed. She didn't know what her presence in the Papal Palace meant, but with her mother and Mei Xue by her side, fear didn't creep into her heart.

Cecilia was deeply attracted by the magnificent decorations inside the Papal Palace, as well as by the tall and imposing cavalrymen. They were more friendly than Cecilia had imagined, and at least they would be happy to accept the cake that she and Mei Xue offered.

"This is the reception room, please come in."

Put away the cakes that Mei Xue and Cecilia had given him for the time being. Gun Knight pointed to the door in front of him. Felia was still a little hesitant, but Mei Xue had already politely knocked on the door with her tail.

"Please come in."

Ivan XI’s kind and gentle voice came from inside the room, and the little fox led Cecilia in, followed closely by Felia and Mostima.

There was no one else in the reception room except Ivan. Felia was probably the only one who was reserved. Mostima even took off his hood, revealing a dim aura, without caring at all.

"Your Holiness, you haven't wiped the cream off your lips yet."

"Ah... cough cough, I forgot to wipe it off after afternoon tea because I was busy with work."

"So the Pope also likes to play Monster Hunter, oh, and he even uses a heavy bowgun."

With her sharp eyes, Mei Xue immediately spotted the game console that Ivan had tucked under the cushion. The game screen was even lit up, clearly indicating that the old man had indeed been slacking off.

"I knew it. If it's just about meeting us, there's no need to cancel all our meetings."

Mostima, without any politeness, sat on the sofa with Mei Xue in his arms. While petting the little fox, he complained, showing no respect for Ivan whatsoever, as if he were simply chatting with an old man.

"Ahem... I'm enjoying a rare moment of leisure, since there are some newly released DLC expansion packs."

"So, you didn't invite us over just to have a meal together, did you?"

“Of course not. Oh, Felia and Cecilia, please sit down as well.”

If it's just about having a meal together, then the Papal Palace is definitely not a good choice. The cafeteria downstairs is more suitable. Ivan invited Felia and the others over today to discuss their future.

"Your Holiness, did you summon us here because of Andorn?"

"No, it actually has nothing to do with Andorn and the Lost Ones. As long as they keep a certain level of discipline, I can turn a blind eye to the Church of Requiem."

Ivan seemed quite at ease, but in reality, he couldn't hide anything about Andorn from her. However, Arturo's appearance was indeed an accident, but fortunately, she didn't cause any trouble, otherwise Lateran would definitely be in chaos.

"That……"

"Don't worry, this is just a farewell dinner."

It wasn't out of any conspiracy or concern; he simply felt it was necessary to meet Cecilia and Felia. Ivan admired the mother and adored the cute little girl. Hmm, he wished he had such a lovely granddaughter.

"Grandpa Pope, do you agree to let Cecilia and Aunt Felia come to Rhodes Island with me?"

"Hehe, I never said that this matter requires anyone's permission. Mei Xue, Lateran will not become anyone's prison. Felia just wants to go for treatment and is worried about her daughter, so she plans to move with her. To put it bluntly, it's that simple."

Yes, it's that simple: a sick mother and her daughter go to get treatment. But behind it all are too many people: Andorn and his lost followers, Oren as the messenger of the Victorian kingdoms, and the Sarkaz who have never shown their faces.

All of this is closely related to the mother and daughter in front of us.

Of course, Ivan had no intention of doing anything to them. He would not force Felia to reveal the information she knew, nor would he use Cecilia as a hostage. Conspiracy would not, and should not, be the only thing protecting Lateran.

However, Ivan found it strange that Mei Xue always addressed him as someone of a higher generation.

"Actually, Rhodes Island is the most suitable place for you that I know of right now."

After learning that Kal'tsit was also on Rhodes Island, Ivan no longer had any doubts about the matter. Of course he knew Kal'tsit, and the secret passed down by word of mouth among the popes was a truth he would never utter even if it meant his death.

"Grandpa Pope, can Sister Remienne come with us too?"

"Of course, I hope she gets better too. The cavalry will escort you out of Laterano. By the way, would you like some cake?"

"One strawberry cake and one chocolate cake, please, and one bottle of apple cider vinegar as well."

Mostima was in charge of taking orders, since she was the most relaxed and didn't care about anything. Felia was the most nervous, and as for Cecilia... she wondered if the Pope would ride a flying broomstick to deliver gifts to the children of Léatillan on Requiem Night.

The Pope was more amiable than Felia had imagined. He didn't bring up any more topics that worried her, and after confirming that Felia and the others had packed everything, he thoughtfully took out the necklace he had blessed and handed it to them.

"Brother Meixue, do you want this?"

Since Cecilia was huddled together with Mei Xue, she became less nervous after spending some time in front of Ivan. She naturally moved closer to Mei Xue and handed the little fox the necklace she had just received, because the Pope said it could bring good luck to cute little children.

"I don't need it, I have this."

Mei Xue shook his head. It's just a necklace that costs fifteen yuan at Exusiai's place. He got one of these when he joined Penguin Logistics. In fact, Little Fox bought a bunch of them at the shopping street when he came, intending to give them to Suzuran and the others later.

As for what Ivan said about bringing good luck... no one should think that Mei Xue lacks that.

"Alright then, um... what's this, brother?"

Cecilia suddenly noticed that Mei Xue's wrist was wrapped with something that looked like scales made of steel.

"This was a gift from my sister. She said that once I wear this, I belong to her and I can only marry her."

"So we can't go get married now?"

"It shouldn't affect anything. I got married to Talulah in Ursus, and I got married to you in Laterano. We're each on our own."

Mei Xue figured that this made sense. Ghost Shark even suggested that Mei Xue transfer her household registration to Agor because there was no strict control over this area there, and she wouldn't mind letting Skadi be her concubine.

But the little fox's unintentional remark left the remaining three adults speechless. This angle was truly novel! Speaking of which, the little fox's older sister sounded vaguely familiar... Talulah... Wait, Talulah?!

The Pope was so startled he almost jumped off the sofa. Good heavens, the name was exactly the same as the leader of the Reunion Movement.

(No wonder Ursus couldn't handle the Reunion Movement. It's no wonder. Wait, how long can Ursus hold out like this?)

Ivan subconsciously began to think about this question. As the ruler of Laterano, he certainly wouldn't regard the Reunion Movement as some kind of dangerous riot organization just because Ursus said one thing. In fact, he knew very well what kind of person Ursus was.

"Then what should I do?"

Mostima reached out and grabbed Mei Xue's ear. If she hadn't felt sorry for her, she probably would have twisted it. This little fox, it's one thing to say such things in private, but she dared to say them to her face, and not even to her.

"Waaah, sister, don't pull my ears!"

"I was even planning to help you build your harem and coax your sisters Remian and Fiamet to Rhodes Island, and this is how you treat me?"

Mostima's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, as if she were about to cry.

If she hadn't known Mostima's character so well, her performance might have actually fooled the little fox, even though Mei Xue's ID card was with her.

"But Sister Remian was originally planning to go to Rhodes Island..."

"You dare to talk back to me? Just you wait!"

Mostima reached out and placed his hand on Mei Xue's waist, tickling her soft ribs until Mei Xue rolled around on the sofa, feeling itchy.

"Cough cough!"

The Pope felt it was necessary to let Mostima know that this was not a suitable place for flirting, completely forgetting that he had just been talking to the little fox about Fiametta's marriage.

Since the Pope had already made his stance clear, Mostima had no choice but to back down, watching as Mei Xue hid behind Cecilia with lingering fear.

"Actually, there's another matter I called you here for today, to be precise, it's something related to Mei Xue."

"Me?"

The little fox twitched its ears, and the image of the Doctor immediately popped into its mind. Mei Xue had essentially accepted that most of the things about her were related to the Doctor.

"Yes, Meixue, you stay here for a while. Only you should know about this."

"Neither can I?"

Mostima raised an eyebrow. It wasn't that she was worried the Pope would do anything to Mei Xue, but she subconsciously felt uneasy. Most things involving Mei Xue were never simple, and every time they were brought up, it was bound to be something bad.

"Neither can you, Mostima, this is not something you are qualified to know right now."

Ivan shook his head and waved for Felia to take Cecilia out first, because this was not something they should know.

"Since that's the case, I have no choice but to obey."

Mostima smiled wryly, but in his heart he was already thinking about how to get Mei Xue to talk when he got back, after all, the little fox was not easy to fool.

Only after Mostima left did the Pope turn his attention to Mei Xue. He had originally planned to invite her over separately the next day, but this was fine as it was.

"Your Holiness, what is it that you can only tell me?"

"This matter concerns you, it concerns me, it concerns Sarkaz and Sarkaz."

Ivan didn't say anything more, because some things can't be expressed just by words. He walked up to Mei Xue and extended his hand.

"Come with me."

————————————————————————————

Vina had a dream in which she was wearing the armor of the king of Aslan, holding the blade that symbolized Victoria in her hand, standing on a desolate field, with three majestic and ferocious beasts behind her, their manes as dazzling as the sun.

Before her lay a storm, dark clouds shrouded the sky, lightning raged, and the winds swept through a landslide where no living creatures remained; those caught in the storm faced certain death.

"Vina, wave it."

As the lion beast lord behind her spoke these words, Vina couldn't help but tighten her grip on the sword in her hand—the Breath of Kings, the royal sword passed down through generations of Victoria. In Victoria's legends, this sword protected the capital from natural disasters for hundreds of years, and some even speculated that this blade, gifted to the Victoria king by the beast lord, possessed the power to cut through natural calamities.

"Vina, swing your sword!"

The Beast Lord urged her on, and Vina subconsciously raised her hand. The Breath of the Beasts shimmered with golden light, as bright as their manes.