Heavy snow fell from the sky.
Atester City was more bustling and lively than ever before. On the roads leading into the City, there were continuous streams of carriages and horses carrying heavy goods.
In the past, the City would essentially come to a halt after the snow fell, but now, the people had all taken to the streets.
There was work to be found everywhere. Aililan did not dare to say that no one would starve, but as long as one had hands and feet, they certainly would not.
The endless stream of merchants needed to hire people.
The City expansion also required labor.
The financial allocation for charcoal subsidies had also been released, so even some of the struggling poor could grit their teeth and buy some to last through the winter.
Aililan calculated the dates, her brow smoothing as she said, “It is about time to return to the Holy Land to report on my duties.”
However, she did not know which scoundrel had leaked the news, and it inevitably caused some shock. Many citizens gathered in front of the Emile Cathedral.
Some people even discussed it with great concern.
“Oh dear, our lives are just starting to get better. Why is the Saintess leaving already?”
“If the Lady Saintess leaves, we won’t know what to do with our lives in the future.”
“I really don’t want the Saintess to go.”
“What nonsense are you talking about? Certain big figures in the Inner City are definitely wishing the Saintess would leave sooner. But only we ordinary people in the Outer City know how good the Saintess is.”
“The Saintess is definitely the best, but this is only a border city after all. I’m afraid we can’t keep her here.”
No matter how they discussed it, the citizens seemed quite pessimistic.
Everyone understood the situation clearly.
The politics of Atester had suddenly become clean, and various decrees benefiting the people appeared frequently. This couldn’t be because those governors had suddenly become kind-hearted, could it?
A pure white carriage slowly approached.
When the citizens saw it, they all watched with deep respect.
When Aililan stepped down from the carriage, the countless people gathered in front of the cathedral knelt down in unison.
Aililan frowned. “Hmm?”
A little girl who looked somewhat thin and weak plucked up her courage and walked over. The guards wanted to stop her, but they were halted by Aililan’s look.
The little girl looked dirty. She took a piece of hard Black Bread from her pocket, handed it over, and said timidly, “Saintess, I heard you are leaving. Will you come back?”
Aililan looked at the Black Bread and asked, “Is this your last ration?”
The little girl quickly shook her head and said, “Not at all! I have to go feed the merchants’ horses later. The money I earn is enough to eat at least two meals a day.”
Aililan’s expression stiffened, and she asked again, “Two meals? Is that enough? You can’t be full, right?”
As soon as Aililan finished speaking.
The Parliament governors who accompanied her suddenly broke out into a cold sweat on their foreheads.
They originally thought that the spontaneous send-off by the citizens could make the Saintess happy. After all, it could be considered recognition of her governance results after nearly one year in Atester. Now, however, they felt a chill on their necks.
But then again, even if they knew the citizens were coming to see her off, they wouldn’t have dared to stop them even if they were given 10,000 doses of courage.
Did they really think the current Saintess was the same as when she first arrived in Atester?
The little girl showed a satisfied smile and nodded solemnly. “It’s enough, it’s enough. We are truly satisfied now. Before, we never even dared to dream of eating bread.”
Aililan also showed a faint smile and rubbed the little girl’s head, saying, “Believe me, in the coming year, I’ll let you eat three meals a day. Do you believe me?”
The little girl nodded repeatedly, but her expression suddenly turned lonely. “Lady Saintess, will you still come to Atester City next year?”
“I will definitely come,” Aililan promised.
Hearing Aililan’s words, the citizens all let out thunderous cheers.
The accompanying officials also breathed a sigh of relief. Although they all knew that Aililan’s Trial Experience in Atester was far from over, no one was certain about such things.
Who could say for sure she wouldn’t suddenly lose interest in coming back after returning to the Holy Land?
Walking to the long steps of the Cathedral, the current Bishop, Hathaway, who had been kneeling in a saluting posture, finally rose slowly and stood behind Aililan.
“Lady Saintess, the Teleportation Array is ready for you.”
Aililan nodded slightly and said, “Yes, I understand. Also, after I leave, have your Cathedral staff visit the lower levels more often. Atester does not lack food now, but providing aid to those who are inconvenienced is also your responsibility as the Bishop of Emile Cathedral.”
Hathaway hurriedly replied, “I will follow your teachings, Lady Saintess, and will certainly visit and investigate daily.”
Aililan thought for a moment and then said, “In addition, reduce the printing and sales of Indulgence Certificates. The Church does not lack the meager profits from those at the bottom. I intend to restore the credibility of the Indulgence Certificates.”
Hathaway asked, “I wonder how you intend to do that, Lady Saintess?”
As they spoke, the two had already arrived in front of the Teleportation Array inside the Church.
Aililan realized that if they continued the discussion, they would likely have to pull up a table for a long meeting.
“We will talk about it after I return.”
After leaving those final instructions, Aililan stepped into the Teleportation Array. White Light flashed, and her figure disappeared from the array.
Seeing that Aililan had finally left, the accompanying officials and many members of the clergy in the Cathedral all breathed a collective sigh of relief, feeling as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
It wasn’t that Aililan’s strength was overwhelmingly powerful, but the aura of a superior she possessed as a Saintess was indeed becoming increasingly pressuring.
—
Meanwhile.
Aililan felt a flash of white light before her eyes, and her body experienced a momentary weightlessness, like being in an elevator, but it soon returned to normal.
The scene before her had also changed.
Unlike the usual teleportation entrances in public squares, the place where Aililan appeared was deep within the Holy Land Cathedral, beneath the dome of a palace.
Massive pillars supported the dome, which was embedded with colored windows that emitted a soft glow.
Both sides of the Teleportation Array were lined with soldiers in full heavy armor, extending all the way to the exit.
The Holy Land Pilgrimage Officer stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Greetings, Saint of Chastity Aililan. Please follow me.”
Aililan nodded slightly.
There was no relevant process in her memory, so she only needed to follow the Holy Land Pilgrimage Officer. They naturally wouldn’t let Aililan embarrass herself or have any accidents; otherwise, it would be a dereliction of duty that would ruin their futures.
As Aililan took a step forward.
The soldiers nearest to the Teleportation Array dropped to one knee.
Afterward, as Aililan passed each point, soldiers would kneel on one knee to salute.
Aililan asked, “If I may ask, have the Sisters all returned?”
The Holy Land Pilgrimage Officer hurriedly replied, “There are still three Saintesses who have not yet returned, though it is expected they should return within the next few days. I can arrange for you to rest first, or send you home to your manor.”
“Back to the manor.”
“Very well… Also, the Saint of Temperance and the Diligence Saintess have both sent you invitations.”
“Then let us go straight to Temperance Sister’s place.”
“Right now?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, none at all. I will make the arrangements immediately. Also, regarding the invitation from the Diligence Saintess…”
“Send someone to tell the Diligence Saintess that I will visit her tomorrow.”
“As you command.”
‘Diligence or Temperance?’
‘Diligence is good, however…’
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