“A summons from the Seven Regents?”
Aililan hurriedly asked Yarandale to help tidy her appearance before rushing out the door.
At the same time.
Within the White Manor deep inside the Holy Land, Isiphlan sat with several Saintesses. They were gathered around the manuscripts Aililan had sent, discussing them seriously.
Isiphlan flipped through a few pages and smiled faintly. “When I first saw this stack of paper, I thought the Virtue of Chastity had sent me a resource list. As it turns out, every case, every project, and every single word is about administration and military affairs.”
“In this regard, she is stronger than all of you.”
“The foundation of governance is not just guaranteed by powerful force, but by every single aspect of society. When Chastity was in Atester, she was able to go deep into the Slums — she went there, she saw it, so she understands better what those at the bottom truly want and need. The facts have proven that she did indeed solve the problems of the lower class.”
She paused and looked toward the Saintesses of Tolerance, Gentleness, and Diligence. Her tone was gentle but meaningful.
“The three of you should also work harder. The throne of the Pope has been vacant for many years now.”
“Tolerance, Gentleness — you both have steady personalities. You are very suitable to be monarchs who preserve what we have.”
“Diligence, you are too aggressive, but that also fits the current situation of the Church perfectly.”
“As for Chastity… she is still young, and her thinking is far too erratic. It is hard for me to judge whether that is a strength or a hidden danger.”
If these words were to spread to the outside world, they would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar.
But here, they were as natural as casual conversation.
Among the seven Saintesses, four were already being viewed as potential candidates for the position of Pope.
To have this generation of Saintesses gathered together was extremely rare in the History of the Church.
It was precisely because of this that Isiphlan hesitated.
If stability was the goal, the Saint of Tolerance and the Saint of Gentleness were undoubtedly the best choices.
But in an era where so many stars were gathered together… was it really right to continue being conservative?
Therefore, the radical Diligence Saintess was also included in the considerations.
And Chastity was like a star of potential that had not yet fully revealed itself.
The Saint of Tolerance flipped through the manuscripts and said hesitantly, “Chastity is indeed a bit too radical.
Looking at her philosophy of governance, she is constantly touching the existing systems of the Church. It could easily trigger internal tension.”
The Saint of Gentleness shook her head and added, “But you should also understand that the problems she is targeting are all hidden dangers that the Church has accumulated throughout its long History. These problems will not disappear just because we refuse to look at them.”
“It is like snow accumulating on a high mountain; one day, it will inevitably trigger an avalanche.”
The Diligence Saintess slapped the manuscript onto the table. “What is the point of talking so much? When Chastity arrives, we can just ask her directly.”
The group fell into silence.
A short while later, Aililan arrived in a hurry.
Seeing the group surrounding her manuscripts, she could not help but be startled. ‘Is it really necessary to make such a big deal out of just asking for some people?’ she wondered.
Isiphlan’s gaze swept back and forth between Aililan and Diligence, revealing a meaningful smile.
These two… something was not quite right.
Diligence gave her a look, signaling her to be at ease.
“Greetings, Lady Isiphlan.”
“Greetings, Sister Saintesses.”
Aililan bowed.
Isiphlan spoke up. “Chastity, tell us. What is your purpose for requesting so many people? If it is reasonable, I will approve it.”
Aililan bowed slightly and said, “Lady Isiphlan, the Church takes the Doctrine as its foundation and the army as its base. Only then can it remain strong for a long time.”
“But if I may speak plainly, the current military system is one of strong branches and a weak trunk — with the Noble Army, we cannot march far; without the Noble Army, we cannot move at all.”
“Therefore, we need an army with pure faith and firm ideals.”
“The role of the Military Friars is not only to cultivate the faith and loyalty of the soldiers, but also to serve as the voice of the Church within the army.”
After a moment of thought, the others actually found her reasoning quite sound.
Monks were originally the most basic of preachers.
If they went deep into the military and spread the Doctrine and ideals day after day…
They could almost see an army with faith burning in their eyes gradually taking shape in Aililan’s hands.
The thought of an army that fought for its convictions was enough to make one feel a sense of awe.
Isiphlan asked again, “Do you know that allowing monks to join the military is something without precedent?”
Aililan shook her head. “If there is no precedent, does that mean it can never be done?”
Isiphlan continued, “Then why do you only want bottom-level monks?”
Aililan said frankly, “Most people from the Theological Seminary are arrogant. I do not want to go looking for trouble for myself.”
Isiphlan sighed softly. “Your idea is good, but you need to have a longer-term vision.”
“I can give you 500 slots, but they must include — 100 people from the Holy Land Seminary, 100 people from noble backgrounds, and as for the remaining 300, I guarantee they will all have clean backgrounds and firm thoughts.”
Aililan frowned slightly. “Those 200 are not what I want.”
“If you find it difficult, then I only need 300 people.”
Isiphlan’s voice lowered slightly. “I told you, you must learn to consider things from a global perspective.”
“Those 200 slots are a signal to all parties — telling them that you, as a Saintess, care about them.”
“You must also be cautious in your words and deeds.”
“You are a Saintess of the Church. Every word and action of yours, even just a casual remark, will be repeatedly interpreted by others and produce various effects.”
She spoke many words of earnest advice.
It was both a reminder and a lesson.
Aililan understood.
From the perspective of the entire Church, starting fresh was certainly satisfying, but it would touch the existing interests of many.
She faintly sensed that Isiphlan seemed… to be intentionally grooming her.
Aililan suddenly smiled. “Lady Isiphlan, have you ever been to Atester?”
Isiphlan nodded. “I have. When the Orcs moved south years ago, I personally led the troops to suppress them.”
Aililan said with a smile, “Atester is actually very good. I have a dream — to trample the Beastman Plains, sweep through the Elven Forest, and build Atester into a city that the world longs for.”
“As long as I am stationed there, I could even keep the Demons suppressed for a lifetime — “
Before she could finish her sentence.
Isiphlan’s expression changed, and she interrupted directly. “How can you stay in a borderland forever?”
“You are a Saintess of the Church. In the future, you will inevitably return to the Holy Land. To let you stay there for a lifetime, what kind of decorum would that be?”
She was clearly becoming anxious.
One moment, she was thinking of grooming her to compete for the throne of the Pope.
The next moment, this girl was saying she wanted to settle down at the border?
Isiphlan gritted her teeth.
She really wanted to give her a whipping.