A Saintess?
Specifically, the Saint of Chastity?
In the face of the other Saintesses’ inquiries, Isiphlan simply continued to smile without saying a word, maintaining an air of mystery that suggested some things were better left unsaid.
As for the specifics, she would let them experience it for themselves.
‘Called the Saint of Chastity? Well then, is there any among them who doesn’t stray? Or rather, if they didn’t, would they still be called “chaste”?’
Over the past several generations, there had been many instances of the Saint of Chastity straying.
Since she was one of the Seven Regents herself, she could hardly go around saying that the Saint of Chastity from her own generation was someone who enjoyed “secret flings.”
However, she knew this wasn’t the fault of the Virtue of Chastity itself, as those under its influence were naturally destined to face the constant harassment of the Sin of Lust.
It was much like how even the wonderful Saint of Temperance from the past could not resist the temptation of delicious food.
The Saint of Generosity used to be a miser.
The Saint of Gentleness used to have a fierce temper.
It could only be said that everyone had their own dark history.
As for the Saint of Chastity stepping out, Isiphlan didn’t think it was that big of a deal. Most of the Saintesses were beautiful girls; she actually hoped they would keep things “in-house” if possible.
The nine of them continued to watch the crystal ball.
Inside, Aililan, the Saint of Diligence Yegeerlinai, and the Saint of Gentleness Liweiya had already entered the meeting hall.
The important figures holding real power in the Fifth Wing Region rose one after another to pay their respects as the newcomers arrived.
“Greetings, Saintesses.”
The two other Saintesses looked toward Aililan. Today, she was the one leading the meeting.
“There is no need for such formalities. Everyone, please be seated,” Aililan said, waving her hand and returning the gesture as she walked to the front of the hall.
The crowd finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat down, though a sense of unease still lingered in their hearts.
According to past conventions, they would not be summoned to the Holy Land for such matters. The previous Saintesses had never done anything like this while governing the various regions.
After a long while, Aililan finally got down to business, her voice carrying an air of majesty.
“You are all the pillars of the Fifth Wing Region. I presume you are all aware of the grim situation we currently face?”
“I have a question.”
Someone in the audience raised their hand.
“Speak.”
A man stood up from his seat and asked skeptically, “The Fifth Wing Region is currently at peace. I do not know what ‘grim situation’ you are referring to, My Lady.”
Aililan looked over.
At that moment, the Saint of Gentleness Liweiya, who was sitting beside her, silently handed over a note. It contained some basic information about the man.
The Second Feather Legion Commander — Grake.
“For you to ask such a question — don’t you think it’s ridiculous?”
Grake’s expression stiffened. He obviously knew what Aililan was referring to — it was nothing more than the threat posed by the Orcs. Many of them had even discussed it privately before coming here.
Their stance was surprisingly unanimous — they wanted the Fifth Wing Region to remain exactly as it was. This was because regardless of what adjustments were made, someone’s interests would be damaged.
Grake lowered his head slightly, not daring to meet her gaze. “I… I do not understand.”
Aililan let out a cold snort and spoke bluntly, “Since you don’t understand, I will tell you. The internal pressure within the Beastman Royal Court has reached its limit. Combined with the heavy snow from last year, there is a possibility they could march south at any moment.”
Grake took a deep breath and argued his point. “As you said, that is only a possibility. The spies we have planted among the Orcs haven’t sent back any news regarding this, have they?”
Aililan’s expression instantly darkened. It was one thing to have doubts, but to persist like this was a failure to recognize his place.
She was just about to deliver a harsh reprimand when suddenly —
*Bang!*
Yegeerlinai slammed her hand heavily onto the table and barked, “Presumptuous! Military and state affairs are no small matter! Do you intend to wait until the Orcs are at our doorstep before you start making preparations?”
“You are a joke of a Legion Commander!”
“This is a dereliction of duty!”
“I should have you charged for this!”
Yegeerlinai glared at him with fury.
Even Liweiya, the Saint of Gentleness sitting nearby, was startled. Originally, she was the one with the “dark history of a fierce temper” and was supposed to play the “bad cop,” but she hadn’t expected Yegeerlinai to be so invested in this matter.
Grake was also frightened and began to tremble. “This… this subordinate admits his mistake.”
Yegeerlinai said coldly, “Then shut your mouth.”
The floor soon returned to Aililan.
She continued to briefly explain the situation before moving on to her true objective.
She wasn’t here to host a dinner party.
She was here to demand power.
“In light of the current situation, I intend to adjust the military defense system of the Fifth Wing Region. I have made the following decisions — “
“The First Feather of the Fifth Wing will provide 9,000 elites, the Second Feather will provide 7,000, the Third Feather will provide 8,000, and the Fifth Feather will provide 5,000…”
“From the six cities mentioned above, a total of 40,000 elites will be drawn and deployed to the border defense line to guard Atester City.”
What?
Drawing elites from every region?
The Legion Commanders were the most resistant to this. Nearly half of the military strength of every city would be taken away, and she wanted their elites on top of that?
If Aililan weren’t a Saintess, they would have long since told her she was dreaming.
“I have an objection… No, I mean, it’s not a protest, but I would like to ask the Saintess: is this reasonable?”
Someone finally stood up.
Aililan countered, “Why would it be unreasonable?”
The man stood up, his emotions becoming somewhat agitated. “Atester is merely a buffer city, yet you are deploying so many troops there. What will happen to the defenses of the rear?”
Aililan smiled slightly and made a grand gesture. “It’s simple. We just have to make sure the Orcs can’t threaten the rear.”
The man was stunned for a moment, then spoke as if laughing in frustration. “That is impossible. With all due respect, My Lady, you know nothing of military affairs. As I said, Atester has always been a buffer city. Its purpose is to buy strategic buffer time for the cities in the rear.”
Aililan laughed. “Then, according to you, what should be done?”
The man took a deep breath and spoke incessantly. “Not only should you not draw from our troops, but you should also strengthen the deployments in the rear. That way, when the Orc army moves south, you can receive the best protection in the rear as well.”
As soon as he said this, the expressions of many people changed drastically.
Yegeerlinai was furious and was about to explode when Aililan shot her a look that forced her back down — Aililan was clearly the dominant one in terms of their “family hierarchy.”
Aililan took a long look at the man, her tone growing increasingly dissatisfied. “Are you implying that Atester City, the city where I am stationed, will be overrun by the Orcs?”
The man realized he had misspoken and tried to backtrack. “You misunderstand, My Lady. I am not saying you are incapable.
I simply hope you do not overlook the historical mission of Atester City — sacrificing Atester to ensure the safety of the rear has always been the way.”
“Silence,” Aililan finally said in a cold voice.
“If it has always been that way, does that make it right?”
“Next.”
“I…”
Another person stood up with a pained expression. “Saintess, if you rashly withdraw so many troops, I fear we won’t be able to suppress the bandits in our region. I hope you will reconsider.”
Aililan sneered. “Are you saying that your Second Feather region actually has that many bandits?”
“I had no idea the Fifth Wing Region was in such a state of chaos.”
“I am also quite curious as to how the Governors of the Second Feather have been managing things — the reports sent to the Holy Land claim the region is peaceful and prosperous, yet the reality is a constant struggle against bandits?”
“Are you trying to bluff me, or are you deceiving your superiors? Do you even dare to lie to the Holy Land?”
“Or perhaps the Church can no longer command the Second Feather Region?”
“If a national-level war were to break out in the future and we needed to mobilize troops from the Second Feather, would there suddenly be ‘constant bandits’ then as well?”
“I am even more curious to know if the Third Feather Region still belongs to the Church.”
“To take a step back, since the Third Feather Region is in such a state of chaos, I have reasonable doubts regarding the capabilities of that region’s Governors.”
“I think it’s time for all of you to be relieved of your duties.”
As Aililan’s voice fell, the doors to the meeting hall were pushed open.
A group of guards wearing luxurious armor marched in and “invited” the people from the Third Feather Region to leave, allowing them to go and cool their heads.
Isiphlan, one of the Seven Regents, had already given her word beforehand — Aililan could remove whoever she wanted.
There were so many “unemployed” talents in the Holy Land that if you threw a single brick, you would probably knock down a dozen of them.
There wouldn’t be even a hint of chaos.
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