A room full of people—if you want to open a window, no one agrees, but if you suggest tearing off the whole roof, then suddenly, opening a window seems acceptable to everyone!
When it comes to a policy you don’t want to carry out, all you need to do is overdo it.
Aren’t they feeling sorry for the beastfolk? Want to speak up for the beastfolk? Then Aililan will show them preferential treatment—give beastfolk privileges beyond those of ordinary citizens, even abolish the death penalty for beastfolk.
Now it’s their turn to feel the pain, their turn to drag Aililan, begging her not to go that far.
Ibisos was already anxious and hurriedly said, “No, Saintess Aililan……”
This time, it was Aililan’s turn to interrupt him. “There’s no need for you to say more. I’ve already recognized my mistake.”
“Saintess, that’s not what I meant.”
“Enough. I think you’re right. I will now return to the manor to reflect. As for the preferential treatment of beastfolk, I’ll draft a set of regulations for you all later. You’ll just need to sign your agreement.”
“……”
Aililan waved her hand.
The high platform that had been erected was dismantled, and the gates of the Freizea Manor were closed once again.
The doves stared at each other, eyes wide.
The crowd was left bewildered, exchanging uneasy glances.
As for the two Saintesses, their eyes sparkled with excitement, only sighing after a long moment, “Who could have imagined things would turn out this way?”
It looked like Aililan had compromised, but in reality, she’d torn off the entire roof.
It looked as if Aililan had lost, but in truth, she’d won.
Who would dare to enforce such a preferential policy? Now, it had become Ibisos and his supporters who would have to incite thousands of people to force the Saintess to grant benefits to beastfolk; if they mishandled anything, they’d be branded as traitors to humanity.
That afternoon.
Inside the manor, Aililan issued her first consultation document regarding a new decree.
[Preferential Treatment for Beastfolk, Article One: In response to the people’s call and to heed Lord Ibisos’s advice, all beastfolk offspring, regardless of aptitude, are eligible for free education at all academies in Atist City.]
This preferential clause was posted throughout the city by the municipal officials.
But as soon as it was published, Atist City erupted in an uproar, the entire place boiling with excitement and agitation.
Beastfolk living among humans cheered and rejoiced.
The native humans, however, were filled with fury.
Inside a humble tavern.
‘Crash~’
‘Clatter~’
A patron smashed his cup in grief and shouted in outrage.
[Why?! I nearly went bankrupt just to send my child to the academy, and every month I have to cover high living expenses. Why should those beastfolk get it for free?]
[What a load of bullshit,] the tavern owner cursed, spitting on the floor as he walked over. [Why? Don’t you hear yourself? Tens of thousands supported that idiot Ibisos—even went to the Saintess’s manor to demonstrate.]
[Didn’t they feel sorry for the beastfolk?]
[So now the Saintess is giving the beastfolk preferential treatment.]
[Isn’t this exactly what they wanted?]
The patron, at a loss for words, muttered, [I… I didn’t go there. This has nothing to do with me.]
The tavern owner sneered, [But you didn’t go oppose those demonstrators either, did you!]
[I… I… But I really do feel so aggrieved! Aaaaah!]
[Who doesn’t feel aggrieved? Right now, I want nothing more than to skin those Ibisos supporters alive!]
Another patron suddenly burst into tears, [My relatives were killed on the beastfolk plains. Atist City is on the frontier; we have blood feuds with the beastfolk. Why should we still treat them well?]
But things didn’t end there.
The next day, Aililan issued yet another consultation document on the preferential treatment of beastfolk.
[Preferential Treatment for Beastfolk, Article Two: Lord Ibisos once said that the northern beastfolk live harsh and difficult lives. Atist, as a great and flourishing city, must treat the beastfolk kindly. From now on, any beastfolk who settle in the city will receive a monthly government subsidy of three silver coins to improve their living conditions.]
As soon as this document was released,
It drew a flood of curses.
No one knew how many poor people in Atist City died every day from poverty, and now the beastfolk would be given money for free—three silver coins a month, at that!
Aililan became like a vexing little demon.
Every day, a new consultation document.
She not only rattled the nerves of the council, but kept the whole populace on edge; the hottest daily topic was her next decree.
The old discussed it.
Children discussed it too.
Public opinion—the minds of the people—were now wholly in Aililan’s grasp. Everyone stared wide-eyed at her consultation documents, and countless people prayed desperately that she wouldn’t issue another one!
It wasn’t until Aililan’s fifth consultation document appeared that the people’s fury reached its peak.
[Consultation Document on Preferential Treatment, Article Five.]
[During the grand festival, I ordered the arrest of two beastfolk who had oppressed our innocent citizens. Upon investigation, these two beastfolk caused one civilian to be gravely injured, another to be left half-crippled, and even publicly burned down a civilian’s home—crimes upon crimes. I intended to sentence them to death.]
[However, Lord Ibisos claimed the beastfolk’s crimes were not worthy of death, and urged me to show kindness and restraint. Later, thousands gathered before my manor to accuse me of cruelty, saying such conduct was unworthy of a Saintess’s compassion.]
[Thus, I, Saintess Aililan, can’t help but reflect.]
[Was I truly right to want to execute beastfolk for their many crimes? Was that humane? Was that truly an act of benevolence?]
[Fortunately, your voices, your shouts awakened me. I heard you all—every single one. I will follow your will and henceforth abolish the death penalty for beastfolk. You are worthy of such a decree.]
Aililan nearly wrote, “Your ignorance befits your suffering,” right into the document.
As soon as it was published,
It exploded—the people’s emotions utterly erupted, yet they could not even protest effectively.
Why did the Saintess want to enact such a law? Wasn’t it because thousands had gone to her manor to pressure her?
In public opinion,
Aililan had seized complete initiative.
During this period, Ibisos and the doves tried desperately to turn the situation around.
They fought tooth and nail to stress among the populace, [Don’t lose sight of the real issue! If we break with the beastfolk and they go to war, what then?]
To this, Aililan responded affirmatively and addressed the people:
[Well said, reasonable and logical.]
[What if we anger the beastfolk? What if they start a war?]
[Lord Ibisos once told me: For the peaceful lives of the people, to avoid unnecessary conflict, I must endure.]
[So I ask you—if I, as Saintess, can endure, why can’t you, the people, endure a little too?]
The people: ?
The people: 屮! 艸! 芔! 茻!
Saintess, you’ve said it all—what are we supposed to say now?
If even the Saintess can endure, what’s wrong with the people enduring a little too?
That logic—there’s nothing wrong with it.
And so, at last, the people’s anger
Began to turn on Ibisos, and those who, with him, had gone to the Saintess’s manor to make trouble—it was all their doing.
Outside Ibisos’s manor.
The furious populace gathered to protest.
[Ibisos, you’re a plague upon the nation!]
An enraged citizen hurled a rotten egg at the gates of Ibisos’s home.
[Ibisos, are you a spy sent by the beastfolk?]
Another bucket of filth was dumped at his doorstep.
[Ibisos, why didn’t you hang around the Saintess’s manor back then?]
[Ibisos, you’re a traitor to humanity.]
[Traitor.]
[Traitor.]
[Traitor, get out of Atist City!]
Aililan: Traitor?
Aililan gave a scornful laugh.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.