At the upper levels of the Fifth Wing’s leadership.
Aililan never expected that after the purge in the Holy Land, they would still dare to pull these small stunts. However, upon further reflection, she understood.
Even now, the most elite parts of the military were still in the hands of the nobility. Naturally, they wouldn’t give up their own trusted elites for nothing. Most of the soldiers provided were just there to make up the numbers and fill the quotas.
As it turned out, it wasn’t just one or two doing this, but many. The result was a patched-together army that was practically useless.
Aililan was not angry about this.
After she had the army assemble, she ordered them to march directly toward the Holy Land and released a statement—the Seven Regents would personally inspect them.
After the meeting ended, Gareyas asked privately, “Will you really have the Seven Regents inspect them? If that truly happens, I’m afraid many people will suffer.”
Aililan stopped in her tracks and asked back with a faint smile, “Lord Gareyas, are you asking this out of self-interest or for the public good?”
Gareyas quickly explained, “It’s not like that. I’m just worried that if too many officers are dealt with, it might affect our subsequent strategy.”
Aililan pondered for a moment and smiled. “There is no need to worry. The Church is never short on talent.”
“When you first joined me, you also mentioned that there are plenty of commanders in the military looking for a chance to rise.”
“As for the other issue—”
“If they remain obstinate, what’s the harm in letting the army take a trip to the Holy Land? It won’t be me losing face, and it won’t be my head on the chopping block.”
Gareyas heard the underlying threat and whispered, “And how is ‘obstinate’ defined?”
Aililan gave a mysterious smile. “Lord Gareyas, why don’t you guess, and let them guess as well?”
“Must I explain everything word for word?”
Gareyas understood instantly.
No ruler would ever state their intentions so bluntly.
Soon, the Atest Military Department swung into full action.
Initially, a certain commander secretly leaked word to his distant relatives, warning them not to play any tricks.
For some reason, however, this news spread rapidly throughout the entire Five Wings Region.
For a time, panic spread among the people.
Inside a noble’s manor in the city of First Feather.
A group of noble generals was anxiously deliberating.
“Is the news confirmed?”
“Of course! My distant relative is in the Atest Military Department and personally participated in the meeting. The Saintess ordered that as soon as the army is assembled, they are to march to the Holy Land.”
“Isn’t this madness? Marching over 40,000 people all that way will cost a fortune, and they might even die on the road!”
“Bullshit! I don’t know if the Saintess is being reckless, but the cities went too far this time! Even if they didn’t send all elites, they should have at least sent some decent soldiers. Instead, they’re all the old, the weak, and the crippled!”
“If you were the Saintess, wouldn’t you be angry?”
Someone was defiant. “Isn’t everyone doing the same thing? I don’t believe the Saintess actually dares to move against us.”
Another person sneered. “Doesn’t dare? Then go ask the original City Lord, Chairman, and Bishop of First Feather.”
“They took one trip to the Holy Land and were completely wiped out!”
That single sentence silenced the room instantly.
The Great Purge had been a massive shock.
Many people only then realized that the Church was not weak; its long-standing “leniency” was merely born of “goodness.”
Once the bottom line was crossed—
No matter how high the status, it could be annihilated in an instant.
Now, First Feather had been quickly taken over by new nobles, and the situation was stable.
Similar things were happening in more than one city.
The leadership of three or four cities had undergone a total replacement.
The new Military Chief of First Feather remained silent for a long time before speaking. “Now is not the time for complaining; it’s time to find a solution.”
Everyone turned to look at him.
This was because the new Military Chief was part of Aililan’s faction.
He cleared his throat and said, “I still have some connections over in Atester. There is only one way right now to save your heads.”
The group asked urgently, “What way?”
The Military Chief said slowly, “Those soldiers are still on the road.”
“Immediately gather your true elites and swap those people out.”
Someone immediately objected, “But those are the private forces we carefully raised!”
The Military Chief spread his hands. “I’ve already told you the solution.”
“Your lives, or your soldiers. Choose for yourselves.”
The group fell silent.
The answer was self-evident.
As for those who were not tactful—
The Military Chief recorded them directly on the List of Parasites and sent it to Atester.
How they would be handled afterward was obvious.
Thus, a strange scene occurred.
With Aililan’s tacit approval, the troops sent by various cities were urgently intercepted.
The original “trash” were replaced with true elites.
When they left, they were a disorganized mess, but they returned as a gathering of elites.
The final statistics showed—
The proportion of elites had exceeded 70%.
After Aililan finished reading the report, she waved her hand. “Have them come directly to Atester.”
Gareyas was stunned. “They’re not going to the Holy Land? Shouldn’t we at least keep up appearances?”
Aililan shook her head and smiled. “No need. After all, it’s an army of tens of thousands.”
“Besides, I already gave them a chance.”
“Yet more than 30% of them still didn’t know what’s good for them.”
Gareyas asked, “Then those people…”
Aililan’s tone was calm. “Record them all and seize their estates.”
“But…”
Aililan said flatly, “The title of the Seven Regents is a sword hanging over their heads.”
“When the sword actually falls, it’s not that terrifying.”
“What is terrifying is not knowing when it will fall.”
“That is where the deterrence lies.”
She added, “Go personally to inspect the camp construction.”
“I expect these elites to be fully integrated into the Atester military system within two months.”
“At the same time, coordinate with the finance and administration departments on follow-up issues. Military expenses and grain, according to the agreement with the Holy Land, will be borne by each city.”
“Considering transport losses, we will switch to a unified settlement in gold.”
Aililan’s work intensity was extreme.
It wasn’t as if she could just propose an idea and her subordinates would automatically execute it.
She had to constantly issue orders, coordinate various departments, and push the entire operation forward.
She was truly very busy.