Morion Village.
The two mercenary bands had already been locked in fierce battle for a long while.
Among them, there were perhaps some who had once shared drinks together in a tavern, but at this moment, their blades and swords showed no mercy.
Such was the fate of mercenaries.
Existing as a third-party force.
Mercenaries had no standing of their own, nor were they allowed to possess one. Whoever paid them became their standpoint.
Wave after wave, mercenaries hunted each other.
When this round ended today, new faces would surely arrive tomorrow. No one knew when this would ever end.
But to the mercenaries, this was just as they liked it. What they feared wasn’t the number of their dead, but that there would be no more employers to hire them.
At the center of the storm.
“Captain, we need to withdraw now!”
“If this goes on, our Lionwind Mercenary Company will be wiped out. The brothers can’t all die here.”
The Lionwind Mercenary Company had suffered heavy casualties.
Captain Andrei was covered in wounds from head to toe.
“Damn it.”
“This is the second mid-tier mercenary band we’ve driven off today, isn’t it?”
Andrei’s gaze was complicated.
But he did not feel any regret.
Because this was the fate of mercenaries. Now, as long as he could survive and return, a reward of at least a thousand gold coins awaited him. Not only could he give the fallen brothers a generous burial fee, but with the money, Lionwind could recruit even stronger people—the company might even become more powerful than before.
But… could they really make it back alive? Just then, in the distance, a force of over a hundred men appeared, all clad in standard-issue armor.
“City Guard on official duty.”
“Drop your weapons and surrender, or you’ll be treated as heretics.”
Andrei was overjoyed at the sight: “Fantastic, finally saved.”
But his delight lasted only a moment.
From the depths of the village woods came the sounds of movement.
One, two, three… as many as three mid-tier mercenary bands—mercenaries numbering at least twice the City Guard’s force—closed in from all directions, encircling them. The City Guards were instantly in peril themselves.
Within Atester City.
Aililan stood with hands behind her back, gazing up at the deep night sky.
Renata walked over, her expression grave: “Saintess, the City Guard have moved again. This time, at least five hundred men have been redeployed. The defenses in the inner city are now extremely weak.”
Aililan pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, “In one hour, have people burn down my residence. Publicly, say that an assassin tried to kill me.”
“In two hours, I’ll question the Governors of Atester in my capacity as Saintess.”
“In three hours, I want the Chastity Knights fully armed and ready for war.”
“……”
Task after task was arranged.
But what Aililan was really thinking was: since things have already been stirred up, why not take the opportunity—just as with the Inspection Office—and integrate the inner city’s guard authority too!
At around eight or nine in the evening.
The inner city’s night market remained bustling and lively.
Suddenly, no one knew who first cried out in alarm, eyes wide with terror, pointing toward the direction of the Governor’s residence.
In the pitch-black night, a terrifying red glow appeared. Under billowing black smoke, it looked as if the heavens themselves might catch fire. Countless people shrieked in horror.
At Emile Cathedral.
Bishop Wilma’s banquet was only halfway through when she saw that column of fire shoot into the sky. All the wine instantly left her head, and her legs nearly gave out.
She all but crawled to the door, pointing toward Aililan’s residence, her voice hoarse and desperate: “The, the Saintess’s home is on fire! Hurry… hurry and go save her! The Saintess mustn’t come to harm!”
The major Governors within the city—
They tumbled and scrambled, rushing to the scene of the fire.
They could cajole, deceive, even come into conflict with the Saintess, but one line could never be crossed: Aililan must never die in Atester City.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t just be Wilma thrown into the Prison of the Tribunal; every major Governor, no exceptions, from top to bottom, would be dragged through the mud.
As they neared the residence, they heard the screams of the servants.
[There are assassins.]
[Protect Saintess Aililan.]
What? Assassins?
But then, it made sense. Given Atester City’s unique position, with a Saintess of the Seven Virtues here, there were bound to be plenty who wanted her dead.
No one knew whether the Church had dispatched a ‘Protector Daoist’ to guard Aililan, but all they could do now was pray nothing would happen to her!
Hidden in the darkness.
Aililan observed the reactions of the crowd.
Then she changed into clothes scorched by fire and smeared her face with black ash.
Only then did she take a deep breath, and in the protection of the servants, dashed out of the flaming mansion in a panic.
[It’s the Saintess!]
[Thank goodness, the Saintess is alive.]
[Shut your crow’s mouth! The Saintess is to become one of the Seven Regents—how could she die?]
[Light God bless us!]
All who arrived felt nothing but relief—their own necks were safe for now.
Wilma, in particular, was nearly sobbing, rushing forward to clutch Aililan’s long legs, howling with emotion.
“Saintess!”
“Waaaah, it’s truly wonderful you’re unharmed! Otherwise, how would I answer to the Holy Land?”
And not just unable to explain—
She feared that tomorrow, people from the Tribunal would come knocking, dragging her off to Prison without another word.
Aililan panted heavily.
Her appearance was one of someone who had just barely regained her composure, finally steadying herself.
She quickly helped Bishop Wilma up, speaking with heartfelt gratitude: “Bishop Wilma, I am very glad that in such a perilous moment, you thought first of my safety.”
Aililan paused.
Then she pointed to the other Governors.
“And all of you as well.”
“I, Aililan, will never forget your tireless efforts and dedication, rushing here in loyalty for my safety.”
“Some of you were likely already asleep, some at home with your families, some still on duty, serving this city.”
“Your character is truly noble, your loyalty so moving to me…”
Aililan’s eyes suddenly reddened.
She looked thoroughly touched.
After comforting everyone in turn,
As the atmosphere grew warm and harmonious, suddenly… Aililan furrowed her brow and asked, “Everyone, the reason my residence caught fire was because of an assassin’s attack.”
“I have a question.”
“You all rushed here.”
“But where are the City Guards responsible for inner city security? Why haven’t I seen them here keeping order?”
Everyone froze.
Then their hearts churned with unease.
Only now did they realize—right! Damn it, where are the City Guards responsible for the inner city’s safety?
Aililan appeared to have thought of something, her face gradually growing icy: “Could it be the City Guards are connected to the assassin?”
“Otherwise, why was it that nothing happened since I arrived in Atester City, but only tonight did something occur?”
“The fire has raged for so long, so why haven’t the City Guards appeared?”
“Could it really be as I suspect—that the City Guards colluded with the assassin, making everything easy for them?”
Yarikel, Commander of City Defense in Atester City, had gone deathly pale.
An incident like this—he, as Commander, bore responsibility that could not be escaped.
Moreover.
Where were they?
Where the hell were the City Guards?