"Your Majesty, are you resting?"

"It's okay, come in."

After a few days of gloom, the sun finally shined brightly over Athens. The monks of the Convent of Casariani hurriedly boiled the clothes and towels that had been used for the treatment of the sick for the past few days in boiling water, washed them and dried them.

Needless to say, this was also one of the numerous edicts that John issued during the plague.

The monks, along with John himself, were busy until late into the night, when a hint of sleepiness hit him in bed when there was a knock on the door.

Brother Arion was still hunched, but his complexion looked much better, and although he was old and his face was full of wrinkles, the joy that filled his body was visible to the naked eye.

"Speak quietly, Sophia is asleep." John gently carried Sophia from his side to the pillow, then put on his shoulder coat and walked to the makeshift log desk, "Brother Arion, is there anything wrong with coming here so late?"

"Your Majesty! Unbelievable, a miracle really happened! Although Arion tried his best to keep his voice low, his tone was still agitated, "Today, the number of new people infected with the plague has decreased! For the first time in more than half a month! God is on our side! ”

"God?" John smiled noncommittally, "That's right, God's wisdom has given me the strength to defeat demons. It's just a plague, isn't it? ”

Although John's tone was full of sarcasm, it did not affect Arion's self-absorption: "Thank the Lord for his kindness...... It must have been our piety that moved the Lord! Your Majesty, I will record all this wisdom of God in my writings, ah, of course, to your credit. ”

"Poof...... Brother Arion, it is all your sincere prayers that the wisdom and blessings of the Lord may come to the mortal world, and God loves the world. "Although the monastic monks also studied some academic issues, such as astronomy or medicine, their explanations of everything were based on theology. This disgusted John from the bottom of his heart. Although he came to this era, his view of the church was either influenced by his previous life or because of Sophia's influence, and every time he saw Gregory III, John saw more of the money bag behind the church and the benefits that the church could bring to Palaiologous' rule.

"God loves the world! Your Majesty! Arion was still in high spirits, both for the improvement of the plague situation and for the crown prince's "affirmation" of theocracy: "If the Academy of Athens is finally completed, I am willing to share my lifelong knowledge of theology and medicine." ”

"If given the chance, the Empire will remember your generosity. Dear Monks. ”

In fact, John had no strong dislike for the old monk. Poisoned by religion is a common phenomenon among the Catholic clergy. To be able to abandon the safety of the monastery to save civilians in a time when the plague is rife is already respectable.

The old monk left the Casariani Monastery satisfied. The Empire would have paid a handsome sum of money for the monks, scholars, and doctors who had endured the plague, whether or not they had made outstanding contributions, and even more so for famous monks like Arion.

"Brother, will you just let him go?"

"Huh? Woke you up? ”

Sophia was half-lying on the bed, watching with some amusement at the back of Brother Arion's departure.

"My brother has put so much effort into this plague, and considering the implementation and rationality of these edicts, he has hardly slept a day, and has always been running around watching the Church like this, and even the monks of the Catholic Church have recorded this merit in the name of God?" Sophia is obviously not as open-minded as John, an egoist who will never let go of any opportunity to grab profits. Even if she is just a child, "Brother, we are not some virgin or patron, all the actions of everyone must be compromised for the interests of the empire." You are the future of the Empire, and kindness is not a good virtue to be promoted. ”

"If these methods of fighting the plague are promoted, more people will receive such blessings. Rather than competing for interests in this area, it should be considered an act of kindness......"

"If the universal church is given too much of a voice because of this, does it not matter if it shakes the foundations of Palaiologo's rule?" Sophia stared at John with some hatred, "At present, when the imperial power is weak, the concentration of imperial power is the most suitable system for the empire. As long as the ruler is capable enough, monopolizing power will reduce a lot of unnecessary trouble. At this time, we must find ways to create the perfect image of the ruler! Even if it is the incarnation of God! As long as people can believe that it is good for the Palaiologos, do it! Selfless devotion is what the clergy should do, not you and me! ”

"Alright...... That's it for now. Go to sleep, Sophia, I'll think about it first. ”

John was not without concerns. The history of infighting among the nobility within the empire is probably gone. Since the defection of the nobility, most of the new nobles in the empire have become tools to support Valleologo's rule.

This part of the new aristocracy has always been dissatisfied with the arbitrariness of the imperial power, forcing them to be anxious, although it will not cause the empire to fall into a catastrophe, but it is also very likely to break the bones. If the plague is used to strengthen the royal power again and deprive the nobility of their interests in disguise, the discontent may escalate again.

Moreover, John did not think at all that the Arionian monks would become instruments of the empire because of the temptation of a little profit, just like the clergy of the Orthodox Church. The two sides had different beliefs, not to mention that Brother Arion was much more devout to God than any of the Orthodox clergy in Athens.

Once the plague is over, plans to expand the Athens Academy and promote economic development will give way to the restoration of people's livelihoods, and even if the plague is not as destructive, the empire needs to take a good breath and clean up the ruins.

In this case, it is still very irrational to break out into a sharp conflict with the new nobles.

Sophia seemed to see through John's thoughts completely, but she gave up the opportunity to refute John head-on, and instead obediently rolled over in bed.

She knew that there were some things that her brother, the co-emperor of the empire, was still reluctant to do. However, she would still do it for John in the shadows.

In order to rule, John needed to stand in front of the stage and erect the influence of a saint. And Sophia is the shadow of John's tall figure.

"Brother, I'm sleeping!"

"Well, good night."