What exactly is the core of a truly powerful army?
Is it equipment, rations, or young soldiers? All of those count, but they are not comprehensive enough.
The core of a truly powerful army lies in — faith like steel and a will like iron.
This was the real reason Aililan had gone through so much trouble to introduce a large number of monks into the army.
“Faith.”
Aililan took a deep breath and continued, “Those monks must have adapted to military life by now.”
“It is time to let them play their part.”
Her tone deepened. “I suggest… no.”
“This is a requirement.”
“It is an order.”
“Do you all understand clearly?”
Numerous officers, along with Gareyas, bowed in unison and responded, “We understand!”
“Very good.”
“I require every soldier to visit the monks and receive a two-hour lesson on Doctrine and faith every day after training ends.”
“At the same time, link their progress in studying Doctrine and faith to their Military Merit and promotions.”
As soon as she said this, the officers were shocked.
In their minds, Military Merit should naturally come from the battlefield.
Someone could not help but speak up, “Saintess, this…”
“Are you questioning me?”
“…I wouldn’t dare.”
“Then execute it.”
“As you command!”
Aililan nodded and continued, “Next, I will mention another measure.”
She paused to consider her words. “I will establish a Military Academy in Atester.”
“Any commoner soldier who accumulates enough Military Merit will be able to enter the academy for further studies.”
The moment those words left her mouth, the officers completely erupted.
This meant that commoners would have a channel for promotion.
“Saintess, this is inappropriate!”
“In what way is it inappropriate?”
“They… those low-borns are illiterate and know nothing of military affairs. they only rely on brute force to fight and kill.”
“Because they do not understand, they need to learn even more.”
“But…”
“Shut up.”
“Let me finish.”
“…Yes.”
Aililan scanned the crowd, her tone calm but heavy with pressure.
She knew very well that these people were resistant in their hearts.
Thus, she continued, “I will contact the Holy Land Supreme Military Academy.”
“Any officer of noble birth who has sufficient Military Merit will be personally recommended by me to enter the Holy Land Supreme Military Academy for further study.”
This was the bargaining chip for the nobility.
Sure enough, light instantly flared in everyone’s eyes.
They might not have the chance themselves, but what about their family descendants?
The Holy Land Supreme Military Academy was a palace that every officer dreamed of.
Those who could enter were either children of top-tier nobility or peerless geniuses.
For border city officers like them, they would have no hope of stepping foot inside without such an opportunity.
Furthermore —
It was not just a place for learning, but a gathering point for connections and resources.
Gareyas’s breathing grew slightly heavy. “Saintess, are you serious?”
Aililan nodded. “I have no reason to deceive you.”
“However, the slots are limited — ten per year at most.”
“Ten… that is enough!”
Aililan suddenly changed the subject. “However, looking at your reactions just now, it seems you do not support my Proposal much.”
“Since that is the case, perhaps there are inappropriate aspects to this matter. I will go back and reconsider it.”
The moment she finished speaking —
Everyone instantly grew anxious.
“Who said they didn’t agree?”
“We support it fully!”
“The Saintess’s decisions are bound to be correct!”
“Whoever opposes is our enemy!”
“Long live the Saintess!”
Aililan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The most critical step of her reform was now stable.
This was a three-way win.
For the nobility —
The commoners were only gaining a path upward to become, at most, the lowest-level nobility.
Meanwhile, their own children had a chance to enter the Holy Land Supreme Military Academy.
For Aililan —
Those ten slots were merely “diplomas.”
If they produced talent, that was great; if not, it did not matter.
In short —
Everyone got the benefits they desired.
Several days later, the decree was officially implemented in the army.
For a time, the military camp was boiling with excitement.
The soldiers discussed it fervently.
【Are you saying studying Doctrine also counts as Military Merit? I thought those noble lords were talking nonsense.】
【Nonsense? It’s in black and white, and it has the Saintess’s seal. This is the absolute truth!】
【Then doesn’t that mean I’m going to take off?】
【You’re thinking too simply. There’s an assessment! One in a hundred!】
【One in a hundred?】
【There are currently over 50,000 men in the entire army, and only fifty are chosen for each term. That’s one in a thousand!】
【…】
【This is the Saintess’s grace!】
【Let’s go, time for class!】
The enthusiasm of the soldiers was instantly ignited.
Regardless of whether they could understand or learn it —
They went to learn first.
Ideological construction and the shaping of faith.
This was exactly what Aililan wanted to see.
She knew very well —
The improvement that religious faith brought to an army’s combat effectiveness was not inferior to any other system.
Of course, there were also those who were not optimistic.
In their view, it was more practical to train more rather than listen to monks talk about Doctrine.
Inside the military camp.
At the monks’ camp.
An elegant young female monk with a faint air of nobility was quietly watching all of this.
Adelina.
She came from a prominent background; her family had produced two Archbishops.
Initially, when she was assigned to the army, she had been extremely dissatisfied.
But now —
Looking at the fanatical eyes of those soldiers, her thoughts had changed.
“What kind of army exactly do you want to build…”
“Saint of Chastity.”
She murmured softly.
“You are truly worthy of the title of Saintess.”
That was not just a group of fanatics.
It was —
An entire army of faith, numbering in the tens of thousands.
She could almost see the future:
Fifty thousand, 100,000, or even hundreds of thousands of soldiers, carrying a fanatical faith and shouting the Church’s name as they tore all enemies to pieces.
Thinking of this, she could not help but sigh.
‘My family’s vision is indeed long-term.’
‘If the Military Friars system spreads, we will be the pioneers.’
‘And we will also be the ones who benefit the most.’
Returning to her tent, many monks were still complaining.
They came from superior backgrounds and could not endure hardships; they only wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Their applications had already been submitted, and they assumed approval would come soon.
But others remained silent.
Adelina exchanged looks with a few people, and they smiled at one another with a mutual understanding.
‘One less person means one less competitor.’