Akoma’na is dead.
She didn’t even know whom she’d offended.
Don’t ask why no one dealt with Akoma’na directly—it’s simply because Aililan’s status and identity make it inappropriate.
Think about it: if you’re one of a big company’s board members, would you really scheme and plot with the third-in-command of a department in a branch office?
All you have to do is find a pretext, like a warehouse fire, hold the branch’s leadership accountable, and target the department head. Without lifting a finger yourself, the aftermath will sweep away that third-in-command in an instant.
At the Yarikel estate.
When he saw the news his subordinate brought, Yarikel spat in fury, “That bitch got what she deserved.”
He wanted to summon his relatives in the middle of the night, but… it was pointless; there was no longer time to get them out. All he could do now was pray that the Saintess would show some mercy.
Yarikel went to the family treasury, took out his most precious treasure, and, deep into the night, paid a visit to Bishop Wilma. To seek the Saintess’s forgiveness, he had to be able to meet her again first.
At Emile Cathedral, the Chastity Knights had already taken control. The innermost area was guarded by the Chastity Knights, the middle had Church clergy on sentry duty, and the outer perimeter was even patrolled by segments of the military.
Now, not to mention assassins—
Not even a fly could hope to get inside.
Aililan wore a stern expression, as if she was in the middle of writing a letter.
‘Knock knock knock——’
Someone rapped on the door.
“Saintess Aililan, Bishop Wilma requests an audience.” Head Maid Yarandale reported.
“Let her in.”
Before long.
Wilma entered respectfully.
“Saintess Aililan, are you well?”
“Of course I’m well.”
“Then I am relieved.”
“I think, Bishop Wilma, that you shouldn’t be so quick to put your mind at ease. Take a look at these letters!”
Aililan tossed several of her written letters from the table to Wilma’s feet.
At the same time, her tone turned sharp.
“I am gravely concerned about the purity of Atester City. Centuries have passed, this city has been rebuilt over and over after countless wars, but is faith here truly as steadfast as ever?”
“I’m forced to consider whether I should send these letters to the Holy Land, requesting that the Court of Inquisition’s Chief Judge conduct a thorough investigation of Atester City.”
“The Church’s expeditionary legion has never slackened in their preparations for war, either.”
Aililan’s threats were truly terrifying.
Bishop Wilma nearly burst into tears from fright.
Just the mention of the Court of Inquisition was terrifying enough, but the Church’s expeditionary legion? Do you think that’s just a simple military corps?
With the Church’s influence, once the expeditionary legion is mobilized, every nation of the faith will send their armies to follow, forming a force powerful enough to destroy an ancient empire.
And once such a war breaks out, it has another, more widely-known name.
That is—
Saint War!
Aililan took a deep breath and asked, “So, what brings you here?”
Wilma trembled all over, wishing she could explain, to beg Aililan not to entertain such terrifying thoughts, that today’s incident really was just an accident.
But such an excuse—
She wouldn’t believe it herself!
The Saintess before her had just survived an assassination attempt, and even her residence had been set ablaze.
Not just the Saintess—Wilma swore that if she’d been targeted for assassination and her home burned down, she’d be even more furious than this Saintess.
After a long hesitation, Wilma braced herself and said, “It’s like this: Yarikel wishes to meet with you.”
Aililan raised her brow and demanded, “Shouldn’t he be focusing all his efforts on tracking down the assassin right now?”
Wilma: “I…” She already regretted this; she never should have accepted Yarikel’s treasure. Why did she get involved in this mess?
However—
After pondering for a moment, Aililan spoke again.
“Let him in!”
Wilma was as if granted amnesty.
Before long, Yarikel was led in.
After a solemn bow, Yarikel dared not speak first, only watching the Saintess pace back and forth. With every turn she made, his heart grew heavier.
‘Gulp~’
Yarikel swallowed nervously.
At last, Aililan stopped and said, “Mr. Yarikel, don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”
Yarikel hurriedly replied, “Saintess Aililan, after our investigation, we’ve discovered this was all the doing of Akoma’na alone. She diverted the inner City Guard, and you were immediately attacked—her heart was truly wicked.”
Aililan snorted coldly, her voice growing icy, “So it was all Akoma’na’s doing? Are you telling me your City Guard system bears no responsibility at all?”
Aililan strode to the table.
She threw a report she held heavily in front of Yarikel.
At the same time, she berated him angrily.
“Diverting the inner City Guard without authorization.”
“Disregarding the safety of the Saintess, the inner city nobles, the high officials and clergy of Atester City. If the assassins’ target hadn’t been me, but one of Atester City’s top officials, who knows how many would have died today.”
“This is gross dereliction of duty.”
‘Huff~’
‘Huff huff~’
Aililan breathed heavily, then gritted her teeth and said, “Even if I step back and admit that Akoma’na diverted the inner City Guard to suppress bandits, I’d accept that.”
“But look at what she actually did!”
“A bunch of mercenaries fighting in the countryside.”
“Tell me, what does that have to do with your City Guard?”
“Even if those mercenaries caused a major incident, it would be the military’s job to suppress them, not the inner City Guard’s business.”
“So not only did your City Guard neglect their duties, you even overstepped your authority—and as the Captain of the City Guard, the responsibility falls squarely on you.”
“Wilma, go immediately and bring me the person responsible for Atester City’s military. I want to ask him myself—has his army become so useless that the inner City Guard has to do their work, or what?”
Yarikel’s face went blank.
He’d come to plead for mercy, hoping the Saintess would let him off the hook, but instead the list of his crimes just kept growing. Why did his head feel so itchy now?
If word of Aililan’s accusations got out, he wouldn’t even last till tomorrow—the army’s commanders would tear him to pieces tonight.
“Saintess, that’s not how it is!”
“Then please, tell me—how is it?”
“Saintess, listen—our investigation showed Akoma’na diverted the inner City Guard for some personal assets, to handle her own problems.”
Wilma covered her face at this.
Can you not speak? If you can’t, just stop talking, all right?
As expected—
‘Bang——’
Aililan slammed her palm hard on the table, livid. “Diverting the inner City Guard for personal gain—this is abuse of public power for private benefit!”
“And how was she able to divert the inner City Guard? Why did no one stop her? Why did no one report it?”
“How many people benefited from her that they opened the way for her? What kind of Captain are you, Yarikel? Is the City Guard taking her surname now?”
The Saintess was roaring!
The two of them trembled with fear.
In truth, Aililan was not angry at all—after all, she’d been the one to orchestrate this scheme. She just needed to keep the pressure up to keep them in line.
To mold them into any shape she wanted.
It all depended on her whim.