The people from the Second Feather Region had actually been ‘invited’ out in their entirety.
This meant that they no longer possessed even the qualification to sit at the table.
However, the conditions Aililan had proposed were only just beginning.
She looked directly at the people who were now as quiet as winter cicadas and continued, “The Fifth Wing Region is a single entity. Atester City cannot sustain an army of tens of thousands on its own.”
“Therefore, I hope you all can ‘coordinate’ your resources. Every city must continue to provide all supplies and wages for the soldiers they contribute.”
As soon as Aililan finished speaking —
*Boom — *
The venue erupted into a frenzy once again.
The Saintess wasn’t just killing them; she was trampling on their hearts. Not only did she want them to provide soldiers, but she also wanted them to provide food and military pay?
“S — Saintess, this… this isn’t right, is it?”
“What isn’t right about it? Military expenses have always been a Church expenditure. Are you suggesting the Church has been providing funds to raise your private soldiers?”
“I…”
“Do you still have questions?”
“No.”
“Very well.”
Aililan reached out and tapped the table, continuing, “Next, we will discuss some economic matters. In light of our preparations for the upcoming war, Atester City’s resource security must not be compromised.”
“Therefore, I have decided that we will temporarily enter a state of economic war readiness. I am abolishing all checkpoint taxes on the roads leading to Atester City from the other six cities within the Fifth Wing.”
No sooner had Aililan finished than —
*Boom — *
Another uproar broke out below.
This was where the greatest economic benefit she sought lay.
Under the Church’s rule — or more accurately, within the political system of this world — things were too fragmented. Feudal lands of nobles were everywhere, and they had the right to set up checkpoints and collect tolls on their own territories.
Aililan was attempting to use the name of war to seize a portion of the taxing authority within her jurisdiction.
This was also a vital part of Atester’s rise. If the taxes at the checkpoints along the way were abolished, it would inevitably stimulate the enthusiasm of the merchants.
Just as she had expected.
The moment this resolution was proposed, the crowd below exploded again.
A group of people looked bitter and expressed their disapproval one after another.
“Saintess, please be cautious.”
“This matter is absolutely impossible.”
“Saintess, please listen to me. This move will surely shake the very foundations of the Church.”
“Please withdraw this resolution. This matter requires further deliberation.”
“This really won’t work.”
“I also oppose it.”
Aililan tapped the table again and said angrily, “This won’t work, that’s opposed. How about you all become the Saintess instead? You can just issue whatever decrees suit your hearts. What do you think?”
An old woman with a face full of wrinkles slowly stood up and looked directly at Aililan.
“Saintess, do you truly intend to go this far? I find myself unable to obey such a decree. I’m certain the people of the Fifth Wing Region would not wish to see such an immature decree executed, either.”
Yegeerlinai’s gaze turned cold.
She had thought that driving away everyone from the Second Feather Region would serve as an effective warning, but she hadn’t expected the effect to be so minimal.
Aililan, however, showed a look of interest.
She glanced at Liweiya, who nodded slightly while silently recording the old woman’s name on a piece of paper.
This meeting was originally intended to help Aililan reorganize the Fifth Wing Region. The more people who jumped out to protest, the better.
Aililan smiled slightly and said softly, “Is that truly how you see me?”
“My intention was for the good of the Fifth Wing Region. I even dare to guarantee in the name of the Saintess that as long as you all support Atester City with all your might, I will surely block the Orcs’ vanguard at the border.”
“I never expected such a reaction. Perhaps I truly didn’t consider it thoroughly enough.”
“I have seen your loyalty. If that is the case, perhaps I will reconsider your suggestions… maybe I really was wrong.”
She paused.
A look of difficulty appeared on her face as she sighed.
“But on the other hand, I have already given my guarantee in the name of the Saintess. Does no one support me? Am I truly in the wrong?”
Her words were deeply meaningful.
She seemed to be showing weakness, yet she was also invisibly forcing everyone to take a side.
Many people echoed the old woman’s sentiments because it indeed concerned their own vital interests. Some remained in a wait-and-see state.
Over in the Sixth Feather Region section.
Development there was relatively backward. They were the ones who were neglected and unloved. In meetings like this, they had almost no voice.
Their three most powerful figures — the Chairman, the City Lord, and the Bishop — looked solemn, their eyes filled with helplessness and calculation.
They saw the situation clearly. The core of the problem was ‘taking a side.’
Should they follow the other regions in opposition, or…
The three of them exchanged glances.
Finally, the Bishop, who was closest to the Church, spoke up.
“Our loyalty will always belong to the Church. Only what the Saintess gives us is what we can have; what the Saintess does not give, we cannot snatch.”
With a single sentence, he pointed out the core of the issue — the Church was everything.
Following that, they made their decision.
The City Lord of the Sixth Feather stood up and said loudly, “All of us governors and clergy of the Sixth Feather admire the responsibility and commitment of the Saint of Chastity. We are willing to unconditionally support all of the Saintess’s decrees.”
Aililan, sitting at the very top, revealed a rare smile.
“Very well. I deeply appreciate your support. I will not fail your trust.”
“Is there anyone else who supports me?”
She understood in her heart.
This was the final test.
A short while later, a few more people stood up to express their support.
The numbers were not large.
Judging by the number of people in the venue, those who supported Aililan amounted to less than one-third.
In other words, out of the six cities in the Fifth Wing, only two cities stood by her side.
Aililan nodded and smiled. “I have heard your voices. However, there is much controversy regarding this matter, so it requires further discussion. We will stop here for today and continue tomorrow.”
“Meeting adjourned.”
The Saintesses stood up and left.
After they had walked far away, the venue once again rang with noisy discussions.
The people who had supported Aililan instead became the targets of everyone’s scorn.
Supporting the Saintess had yielded no clear reward; instead, they were being criticized by their colleagues. For a moment, they were caught in a dilemma, even beginning to doubt whether they had made the right choice.
The crowd dispersed on a sour note.
Unfortunately, no one could give them an answer.
And Aililan would not be the one to explain.