“The crops stood up and struck the master?”
For a moment, Lizberu felt as though her mind couldn’t quite process it.
This was something that had never happened in the history of the Xinglan Continent.
Even if Aililan were to search through the history books of her other world, the number of truly successful peasant uprisings could be counted on one hand.
Lizberu possessed a high level of political savvy. Her first instinct was to instinctively deny the possibility of a successful peasant rebellion, but at the same time, she did not believe Aililan’s concerns were groundless.
She pondered for a moment, frowning. “I do not agree with your statement, but I ‘acknowledge’ a portion of your thoughts,” she said.
“Peasant rebellions are indeed difficult, but if exploited by those with hidden motives, they can still lead to devastating consequences.”
She thought for a while longer, appearing to have made a firm decision. Lizberu looked directly at Aililan and spoke in a tactful tone.
“I can offer you some legal support. However, the Civil Code can only be implemented ‘temporarily’ as a trial in Atester. If the backlash is too severe, it must be terminated immediately. What do you think?”
Aililan’s eyes lit up, and she immediately said, “That’s wonderful! Thank you, Temperance Sister.”
Lizberu shook her head and sighed.
“Don’t be so quick to thank me. You should also understand that this matter doesn’t just touch the interests of the Inquisition; it affects a portion of the entire ruling class’s interests. You will face a lot of resistance. In the eyes of some, you might even be viewed as an unqualified Saintess.”
Aililan simply smiled. “Those are but empty titles.”
Lizberu frowned and asked, “Do you truly have no aspirations for the position of Pope?”
Aililan waved her hand and shrugged. “That burden is too great, and my shoulders are too small. Besides, I prefer Atester over the Holy Land.”
Lizberu suddenly took a step closer. She reached out to gently tuck a lock of Aililan’s long blonde hair. Her voice turned somewhat faint and wistful.
“What’s so bad about the Holy Land? Is it not good to stay here and keep me company?”
Aililan’s heart skipped a beat. She tried to analyze the meaning behind Lizberu’s words. ‘Was this out of official business, or personal desire?’
Aililan looked away with difficulty. “I… I should head back.”
Lizberu let out a soft sigh, her tone carrying a trace of loneliness.
“Very well. But remember to prepare yourself. The real power-holders of The Fifth Wing will arrive at the Holy Land within the next two days. You will need to meet with them then.”
The meaning behind those words was clear. If there was anyone who displeased her, Aililan could say so in advance, and the Holy Land would handle them first to save her from future trouble.
After leaving the Temple, Aililan felt a pang of regret. She could have chatted more with Lizberu to strengthen their bond, yet she had fled. Now that she was out, she wanted to go back and stay with her.
Upon returning to her mansion, Aililan quickly composed herself and began to focus on another matter. If she was to meet with the power-holders of The Fifth Wing, what should her demands be?
Aililan picked up a pen and began to jot down her thoughts on paper.
‘The existing political landscape doesn’t actually need to change. In other words, I don’t need to touch the power they hold. For example, I won’t plant my own people among them or suppress them. I only need—military power. And a portion of the economic authority. That will be enough.’
She wrote to this point and then frowned again.
‘The problem is… how can I ensure the soldiers they give me are real soldiers? That the money they provide is truly for military expenses? I don’t want them to agree readily at the top while fooling me at the bottom. They might give me a bunch of the old, weak, and sick as soldiers. They might hand over the money but then levy heavy taxes on the people, only to label it as the Saintess Tax. In the end, all the infamy will fall on my shoulders.’
The more Aililan thought, the more serious she became. Her pen moved swiftly, and various detailed plans were gradually refined. By the time she snapped out of it, the moon was already hanging high outside the window.
*Knock knock knock—*
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Aililan frowned and spoke impatiently. “Yarandale, what’s wrong with you? Didn’t I tell you not to disturb me if there’s nothing important?”
Yarandale, standing not far outside the door, looked aggrieved. Although she was the Saintess’s Head Maid, she wouldn’t dare disturb her even if given a hundred times the courage.
This was because the person knocking wasn’t her.
“If you disturb us, watch your head,” a cold voice said.
Yarandale immediately shrank back and retreated. Her Saintess might not be good at fighting, but other Saintesses were different—especially the Diligence Saintess. She was a well-known powerhouse within the Church.
*Creak—*
The door was pushed open. Hearing the sound, Aililan snapped angrily, “Yaran—”
The next moment, she saw the person clearly and nearly screamed.
“Dili… Diligence?! Why are you here? Didn’t you just visit this morning?! What are you doing here again?!”
Yegeerlinai nodded solemnly. “Work.”
Aililan shuddered and said hurriedly, “Diligence, you can’t do this! Don’t you know this is wrong?! This is a mistake; we can’t keep making mistakes!”
Yegeerlinai looked conflicted. “I know what you’re saying… but… I couldn’t help but come to find you.”
Aililan said sternly, “Didn’t we already agree? This morning was the last time!”
Yegeerlinai looked even more conflicted. “It is the last time. No problem.”
Aililan couldn’t help but begin to persuade her earnestly. “Diligence, listen to me. This sort of thing cannot become countless times just because there was a first time. We must stop here.”
Seeing her harsh tone, Yegeerlinai’s eyes suddenly reddened. This radical Saintess, who charged through battlefields and beat anyone into submission, now had tears welling in her eyes.
“Chastity, tell the truth,” she asked aggrievedly. “Do you hate me?”
Aililan was immediately at a loss. “No, how could I hate you?”
Yegeerlinai asked as a tear fell, “Then why do you lecture me and try to chase me away?”
Aililan explained frantically, “I’m not lecturing you, nor am I chasing you away.”
Yegeerlinai continued her questioning, “Then in your eyes, what kind of person am I?”
Aililan sighed. “Diligence, you are naturally the most adorable person in the world. It’s just that we cannot continue down this wrong path. I…”
“Mph—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Yegeerlinai suddenly leaned in. A light kiss silenced her immediately.
Outside, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse. The shadows of the trees swayed gently in the wind. Aililan’s eyes gradually became vacant, and her expression appeared weary. Meanwhile, Yegeerlinai had clearly gotten what she wanted.
She pulled up the blanket and rested her face lightly on Aililan’s shoulder, which was damp with light sweat.
“Chastity, you say it’s a wrong path,” she whispered. “But you aren’t me. How do you know that, in my eyes, it’s wrong? You are not a fish. You think it’s wrong…”