A wind was about to rise in Atester City.
Aililan’s heart-piercing words had sent many in the Parliament into a state of shock, yet her true intention was to make them aware of her thoughts, and the strength of her will.
If she chose to handle things lightly at this moment—
Where would the dignity of the Saintess be placed?
The Parliament held six meetings in a single day, all revolving around how to deal with this matter, but their nature remained unchanged: compromise, as always, was their solution.
Minister of Finance Angelica, representing the Parliament, sought out Aililan, earnestly persuading her for the sake of the bigger picture: “We have extensive trade with the Orcs, so unless it is absolutely necessary, we should avoid provoking any conflict.”
Aililan replied coldly, “Are you saying that I am the one trying to start this conflict?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then why bother trying to persuade me?”
“Saintess, this matter could be settled quietly by executing those few Orcs in secret, which would give you an explanation, and would also prevent unnecessary trouble. What do you think?”
“So, you believe that my promise to the people as Saintess is as cheap as toilet paper?”
“Saintess.”
“That’s enough. You can go now. Don’t make me say anything unpleasant.”
Angelica had no choice but to leave.
There were still many others who wished to persuade her, but all were turned away by Aililan.
This incident caused quite a stir within the Parliament, with many even believing that Aililan lacked tolerance, criticizing her as immature and not a good Saintess.
But on the other hand, the people of Atester City gave Aililan the highest praise, considering her a strong and caring Saintess who protected her people.
While troubled—
The Head Maid approached, and Aililan sighed, “Is it another person trying to persuade me?”
The Head Maid shook her head quickly, “No, Grandmaster Fina Nisi requests an audience.”
“Her?”
Aililan was a bit surprised.
“Let her in.”
Soon after, Fina Nisi entered gracefully, having come precisely because of Aililan’s distress.
“Greetings, Your Highness Saintess.”
“Fina Nisi, what is it you want from me?”
“I heard you seem troubled by the issue with those Orcs?”
“Grandmaster Fina Nisi, do you have a solution?”
“What solution? If it’ll make you happy, I’ll just kill them all.”
Aililan: ……
Goodness, as expected of a cheat character.
No fussing about this or that, just kill them all and it’s done.
Yet Aililan became a little more cautious, asking with a meaningful tone, “So, Grandmaster Fina Nisi, if you help me with such a big matter, how should I thank you?”
Fina Nisi smiled, meeting Aililan’s gaze with a slightly aggressive tone: “Saintess, please don’t joke. Have you forgotten? I am your knight!”
In truth, Fina Nisi was almost overjoyed. She’d been pondering how to force or coerce the Saintess, to take another step down the road of the wickedly domineering heroine.
She hadn’t expected the Orcs to hand her a perfect opportunity to gain the Saintess’s favor.
First gain the Saintess’s trust.
Then win the Saintess’s heart.
Finally, make the Saintess into the next Pella.
Aililan’s eyes narrowed slightly; the schemes of this domineering heroine were almost written on her face.
Aililan said softly, “Grandmaster Fina Nisi, I have already seen your loyalty.”
She rubbed her head, looking exhausted, and headed for the inner room.
At the end, as if remembering something, she suddenly turned back and said to Fina Nisi with a mysterious air, “Thank you.”
Fina Nisi left, overjoyed.
After she left, Aililan summoned Florala, who had been presiding over the drafting of the Civil Code.
Aililan’s request was simple: “I want you to conduct a Judgment on those two Orcs, from the perspectives of law, morality, and even our Doctrine. I want the verdict to be watertight, so that no one can find fault with it. Do you understand?”
Judgment, conviction.
It was best left to the professionals.
Florala accepted the order and, on the very same day, produced a Judgment Book, which was posted throughout Atester City, announcing the immediate execution by hanging of those two Orcs in two days’ time.
It was not Aililan acting willfully; it was Fina Nisi who reminded her that, as long as Fina Nisi was present, no matter the Orcs or war, with Fina Nisi standing atop the city walls, what could anyone do against her cheat-like power?
As for the price… if things got too bad, she’d just have to use her looks as leverage. It’s not like she’d let herself be taken to the point of passing out, right?
That posted Judgment Book kept many in the Parliament awake all night.
A secret room.
Several Dove Faction Governors were furious.
[This is nonsense, the Saintess is being utterly unreasonable. Does she even understand politics?]
[You’re right. If we fall out with the Orcs, our northern businesses are finished.]
[We can’t let the Saintess run wild like this anymore.]
[That’s easy for you to say. She is the Saintess—what can you do about it?]
[……]
A heavy silence fell.
For them, Aililan’s status as Saintess was the greatest obstacle.
At this moment, the Governor of Foreign Affairs, Ibisos, rose with a dark expression, “Gentlemen, the Saintess’s personal attacks mean nothing to me. I don’t care at all… but in some ways, our Saintess is indeed too naïve.”
[Ibisos, do you have a plan?]
“The plan is to make Aililan realize her mistake, and get her to compromise.”
“Politics is all about compromise.”
“Gentlemen!”
[Ibisos, tell us your plan.]
“It’s simple. Each of us will send people to contact the elders of the Orc tribes and have them organize the Orcs who live in the city to protest.”
“As for me—”
“I will make a solemn remonstrance.”
“I will publicly announce that if the Saintess remains obstinate, I will hang myself at home.”
“For the sake of her own reputation, surely she would not dare let me die?”
“Hehehe.”
As soon as Ibisos finished speaking—
The secret room erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Someone even joked that Ibisos was a cunning fox; his plan would not only force Aililan to compromise, but also earn himself a reputation for integrity.
A Saintess who did not serve their interests was not a good Saintess.
If Aililan continued as before, merely listening to politics and not participating, not touching anyone’s interests, then everyone would think she was a good Saintess, and they would all be Governors with steadfast faith in the Church.
“Gentlemen, but please remember, we are always people of the Church.”
“Betraying the Church will only bring us ruin, but we’re also willing to provide the visiting Saintess a flawless Trial Experience.”
“As long as she behaves.”
When Ibisos finished speaking, another round of applause echoed in the secret room. They all believed that the fledgling Saintess
would never be able to withstand their three moves.