After the celebration, there was finally a parting.
The Saint of Humility and the Saint of Tolerance were the first to leave.
According to the arrangements made by the Saint of Tolerance, she would join forces with the two kingdoms of Yiwen and Xilier to dismantle the Kingdom of Kathy, which was attempting to launch a war of unification. The three parties would سپس divide its territory. Simultaneously, they would strive for maritime hegemony, with expectations to control two main shipping routes.
The Saint of Humility’s task was relatively simple.
The Saints of Chastity, Gentleness, and Diligence all departed on the same day.
At the moment of departure, the Saint of Gentleness took Yegeerlinai’s hand, her eyes slightly red. “Linai, you’ll come to see me, right? We used to be so close…”
Yegeerlinai nodded repeatedly. “Ah, right, right, sure.”
The Saint of Gentleness wiped her tears and stepped onto the Teleportation Array, soon disappearing from sight.
At this point, only Aililan and Yegeerlinai remained.
Yegeerlinai grabbed her and quickly explained, “Gentleness and I are really just close; it’s a pure friendship.”
“Chastity, wait for news from me once you’re back. In half a month at the earliest, or two months at the latest, I’ll have the Teleportation Array fixed and then come find you.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to hurry, but I have to seize a small Magic Crystal Vein first, and that takes time.”
Aililan reached out and pinched her cheek, smiling. “Alright, alright, I believe you.”
“It’s time for us to leave too.”
The two took one last look at the Holy Land before stepping onto the Teleportation Array.
Goodbye until next year.
—
At the gates of the Holy Land, various teams were leaving in an orderly fashion, heading in different directions.
They were the servants, soldiers, and attendants of the various Saintesses.
The cost of using a Teleportation Array was extremely high, so naturally, they were not qualified to use it.
One team among them was particularly conspicuous—it bore the badge of the Saint of Chastity, and with its many maids, it looked more like it was headed for a vacation.
Following closely behind were the apprentice monks carefully selected from the Holy Land Seminary.
However, many of these individuals wore looks of resentment.
To go to Atester and serve as Military Friars?
They were the elites who had graduated from the Church’s highest institution of learning.
This was like graduating from a prestigious university only to be sent to a remote region to start from the grassroots without any preferential treatment; naturally, it was hard for them to find balance in their hearts.
Yet, some had solemn expressions.
‘The family has already sent word that the Saint of Chastity has great ambitions; this might be an opportunity.’
There were quite a few people who had come with specific missions.
The ancient nobles were not foolish.
If Aililan’s reforms succeeded, the Church Army would be reshuffled, and the status of the Noble Army would inevitably be marginalized.
Therefore, the first batch of Military Friars were the pioneers.
They could also get a piece of the pie in advance.
This was precisely why the Seven Regents had “requested quotas” from Aililan—to leave an opening for various factions to participate.
—
In distant Atester.
The Emile Cathedral, which had been silent for a long time, began to operate once again.
Because their “Saintess” was about to return.
Hathaway had long been leading the Cathedral clergy in waiting.
With a flash of white light, Aililan’s figure appeared before everyone.
“Greetings, Lady Saintess!”
A chorus of organized greetings rang out.
Aililan scanned the crowd; they were all familiar faces. She waved her hand. “No need for such ceremony. Also, tell the people from the Administrative Council to return to their posts; I will head over there this afternoon.”
Hathaway was slightly taken aback. “The Lady Saintess has just returned; shouldn’t you rest first?”
Aililan shook her head. “I teleported back; it’s not like I traveled a long distance. I had enough rest in the Holy Land.”
Shortly after returning to Frazier Manor, a batch of important administrative documents was delivered.
These were all matters that required urgent attention and could not be decided by subordinates.
There was also a general administrative summary recording the various decisions made in Atester during her absence.
Aililan browsed through it quickly. “Hmm, not bad. There aren’t any out-of-line resolutions.”
The most pressing issue at the moment was the spring planting.
Due to factors like noble territories and land consolidation, people wouldn’t spontaneously plant grain just because spring had arrived.
Economic and market factors were changing the planting structure.
‘Grain prices were stable and on the lower side last year…’
‘They are more inclined to plant cash crops like olives, flax, or even pigweed to supply the rapidly developing livestock industry.’
Aililan frowned slightly.
This was definitely not a good thing.
Too many cash crops would crowd out food production and could even trigger a famine.
Her gaze even extended to the Orc side.
She not only had to consider what her people were planting but also what to let the Orcs plant.
—
In the afternoon.
At the Administrative Council.
An official handed over a schedule. “Lady Saintess, this is your schedule for today. Please take a look.”
Aililan took one look and felt a headache coming on.
Seven meetings had been scheduled for a single afternoon.
She took a deep breath. “No problem… it’s fine.”
The first meeting was with the administrative officials.
Aililan got straight to the point. “As you can see, the nobles and large landowners are inclined to plant cash crops. But we could face war at any time, and we need grain as a guarantee.”
“What are your thoughts?”
Everyone looked troubled.
“Lady Saintess, it’s not that we don’t want to coordinate, but the land is private property. According to Church law, we have no right to force them to plant anything. Even if it goes to waste, we cannot intervene.”
Aililan said coldly, “Foolish.”
“The way of governance is not through coercion, but through guidance.”
Everyone said in unison, “Please instruct us, Lady Saintess.”
Aililan pondered for a moment and said, “It’s simple.”
“First, increase taxes on cash crops and limit the production capacity of related industries to make their profits risky.”
“Second, lower taxes on food crops and provide subsidies when necessary.”
“Make them understand that planting cash crops is risky and they are responsible for their own profits and losses, while planting grain is at least stable.”
“They will naturally make a choice.”
“Additionally, coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs; they will be responsible for propaganda and negotiations.”
She paused and then added, “Record the minutes of this meeting and send them to the other cities in the Fifth Wing for their reference and implementation.”
In the ears of her subordinates, these words held extraordinary significance.
Quite a few people had already begun to speculate—
Was the Saintess planning to unify the entire Fifth Wing Region?
And they would be the first followers.
Their enthusiasm for work surged instantly.
The second meeting was with the Finance Department.
Aililan gave a direct order: “The Orcs in the Southern Plains seem to want to develop their own agriculture after their expansion—this is not allowed.”
“Adjust grain prices and restrict the trade of seeds. Those who violate this will be severely punished.”
“At the same time, expand the livestock trade and open up some trade for iron tools.”
“I have only one requirement—make Orc agriculture unprofitable and keep them firmly tied to the livestock industry.”
Finance Chief Grace was puzzled. “What is the purpose of opening the iron tool trade?”
Aililan said calmly, “A strategic issue.”
“To strengthen the Orcs in the south to act as a check against the Northern Beastman Royal Court.”
“The specifics are outside the scope of this meeting.”
One meeting followed another.
Even Aililan felt a bit exhausted.
At the military meeting, Gareyas, the Sergeant Major, reported, “The ‘elites’ sent by other cities… we’ve checked them secretly. Most of them are not what they claim to be; they are clearly being perfunctory. Should we send a letter to hold them accountable?”
Aililan rubbed her temples and let out a cold laugh. “They aren’t trying to fool you; they are trying to fool me.”
“The solution is simple.”
“Gather their ‘elites’ and have them march toward the Holy Land.”
“Just say that Lady Isiphlan of the Seven Regents wants to personally inspect this ‘elite army’.”
Gareyas was stunned. “Are we really sending them to the Holy Land?”
Aililan waved her hand. “Then it depends on what they choose.”
“I don’t mind letting Lady Isiphlan see their ‘sincerity’ with her own eyes.”
She gave a light smile.
“They are smart people.”
“They will know what to do.”