Deep into the night.
Aililan looked unwell.
After all, who would be in a good mood when woken up in the middle of the night?
What’s more, her most loyal subordinates were all in a sorry state, especially that knight, Arkernard, who was covered in several terrifying, deep sword wounds.
Renata’s face was grim.
“Saintess Aililan, we…”
Aililan cut her off with a cold, “Silence.” As she softly chanted the Song of the Sanctuary, a gentle light appeared in her hand.
Under the powerful blessing of her unwavering faith, the deep wounds on Arkernard’s body began to heal rapidly. Aililan’s Holy Light Healing was exceedingly strong—even in the game, she would be top-tier among healers.
Next, she cast a Great Heal.
In the secret room, the wounded knights, now treated, finally regained much of their spirit.
‘Whew~’
Aililan let out a long breath.
Then she composed herself and asked sternly, “Speak. What exactly happened?”
Knight Arkernard tried to stand and salute, but Aililan stopped him, so he could only give a bitter smile and say, “We were following your orders, clearing out Bandit Gangs in the Slums, when we were suddenly ambushed by the Military Police.”
Aililan frowned slightly. “The Military Police of Atester City?”
Arkernard nodded, still somewhat unwilling. “Yes. We’ve already looked into it the Military Police in Atester City usually don’t get involved in the Slums unless there’s a riot.”
As if afraid Aililan would misunderstand, Arkernard quickly explained, “But please rest assured, we are all knights with higher education. We thought before we acted. Every battle was kept to the level of a ‘brawl’—never to the point of causing a riot that would warrant Military Police suppression.”
At this moment—
Rose Knight Milisanel entered, her tone somber. “News just came in the Military Police not only ambushed and suppressed the gangs we supported, but are also planning to launch a counter Clean Sweep Operation against us.”
‘Bang~’
Aililan slammed her hand on the table. When she lifted it, her palm was visibly red from anger and force.
“How dare they?”
“A bunch of deadweight! When you really need them to step up and solve problems, all they do is make excuses, but now they’re so eager to crack down on crime?”
Aililan soon calmed down. She had thought that with the strength of the Twelve Knights, it would be easy to sweep away the gangs in the Slums.
But she’d underestimated just how deep the waters ran for those Bandit Gangs.
Smuggling alone involved who knows how many interests in the city.
‘Pat~’
‘Pat~’
The girl paced inside the secret room.
After a while, a sly smile curled at her lips. “Milisanel, you just said they’re planning to crack down on the gangs we support tomorrow?”
Milisanel replied, “Exactly. I hope you, Saintess, will prepare in advance and perhaps avoid the edge for now.”
But Aililan merely waved her hand and sneered, “Avoid their edge? Me?”
She looked at Arkernard and the others, her tone even more playful. “Arkernard, Nelson, Stella… will you all be able to move tomorrow?”
The group was stunned.
Then they exchanged glances.
Determination flashed in their eyes even Arkernard, who was most gravely injured, forced himself to stand tall.
[Willing to fight for the Saintess!]
“No need to be tense.”
“I’m not asking you to fight, but to go give them some trouble. Can you manage that?”
Arkernard couldn’t quite follow, suspiciously asking, “Give trouble? Are we to incite a riot, or commit arson and murder… If this is your will, even if it goes against the way of the knight, I… I will do it!”
Aililan quickly stopped him. “Sir Arkernard, that’s a dangerous thought!”
Arkernard froze, asking, “Ah? We’re not going to kill and burn for you?”
Aililan took a deep breath and instructed, “I don’t want you to kill or burn. I want you to go to the Military Police and check their archives and records over the years.”
Arkernard: “That’s it?”
Aililan said, “Don’t tell me you lot can’t even find a speck of dirt on them?”
Arkernard thumped his chest in promise. “Leave it to me! I guarantee you, in Atester City’s Military Police, barely any are truly clean.”
Aililan reminded, “Be sure to keep an eye on those who participated in the raid today. If anyone’s face has been recognized, they shouldn’t go.”
Everyone smacked their foreheads.
Now that made sense!
Aililan’s approach was truly striking at the root who in their right mind would brawl with you head-on?
You want to crack down on the gangs we support? Well, then we’ll just sweep your own nest first.
Early the next morning.
All Twelve Knights had assembled.
Many had put on heavy makeup Arkernard, for instance, had darkened his originally rugged face, determined to personally take revenge.
Bishop Wilma, as usual, delivered the city’s administrative documents to Aililan. This was to help her quickly familiarize herself with each department and its affairs, rather than have her blunder around cluelessly.
“Saintess, this is the report on Atester City’s commercial taxes. I’ll read it to you…” Wilma always gave Aililan some guidance on governance matters.
The Chanting Church is a religious organization.
But also a ‘Transmission Church Nation’ with its own lands.
It’s somewhat like another world’s “theocracy” for instance, if Knight Commander Fina Nisi kept developing, she might become a Governor in the future.
Bishops like Wilma served as Advisors to the Governor.
And in places like Atester City, which had no Governor (Lord), before Aililan’s arrival, Wilma also acted as acting Lord.
Aililan pushed the document aside. “Please wait, Bishop Wilma.”
“Is there something you’re puzzled about, Saintess? I will answer all.”
“We’ll pause today’s ‘instruction’ for now.” Aililan stood up, her voice soft and distant. “You know I’ve been active in the Slums recently, and I’ve heard quite a bit about the Military Police.”
Wilma was startled. “What? You mean the Military Police?”
Aililan nodded. “So, today I’d like to visit the Military Police. After all, reading a hundred lessons on paper can’t compare to experiencing it yourself, don’t you think?”
Wilma: “Uh, yes, that’s true.” She really couldn’t figure out Aililan’s intentions now, and in her mind, she cursed out the Military Police just what had they done to make the Saintess want to inspect them personally?
Wilma bowed and tried to speak up for the Military Police. “Saintess Aililan, the Military Police have always been diligent in their duties…”
Aililan gave a faint, meaningful smile. “Bishop Wilma, are you trying to vouch for the Military Police?”
Wilma: “I wouldn’t dare… that’s not it. Though I’ve been acting Lord, the Military Police always had considerable autonomy.”
In other words: the Military Police weren’t her responsibility she was washing her hands of them.
If Aililan had only brought a small team to Atester City, maybe she could have mediated a bit. But now… well, let the five hundred Chastity Knights the Saintess brought deal with it!
Let them handle it!
After all, better a dead churchmate than a dead bishop!
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