"This is my responsibility!" A slightly naive voice responded to Lauri, the knight Narr, who was handsome but wore a serious face. Nonetheless, no matter how he tried, his infantile features never quite achieved the effect. He had a milky and ferociously adorable quality to him.
That is quite a young, handsome man. He has a promising future.
"Your Highness the Saintess over-flatters me," Knight Yuna also answered, with Hilda repetitively shaking her head saying, 'This is expected.'
"Knights, I have summoned you not for anything else, but for tonight...there may very well be a demonic clan attacking the city." As for this presumption, Lauri was not entirely confident.
Originally, this was her conclusion based on previous memories, if she were asked to explain, it felt like she could provide an answer but also couldn't.
Nevertheless, although the four knights in front of her wore expressions filled with doubt, none of them questioned her. This demonstrated the status of the Saintess in the knights' hearts.
Lauri sighed relieved, no matter how, at least she didn't need to explain her speculations to them.
"Exactly how I came to know this information is something I can't disclose to you."
Of course, she couldn't tell them. If she did, she feared she, the faux Saintess, might end up on a stake for a witch trial.
"Your Highness, please give your command." The four individuals facing Lauri all maintained a serious attitude, which certainly was not their usual demeanor.
Even though Lauri wanted to be more familiar with them, these were her troops after all! Having inexplicably become a Saintess, her authority now was even bigger than the Emperor’s. For a while, she couldn't work out where to start.
She was unfamiliar with everything and, if she randomly interfered, the already destitute Radiant City could completely fall into ruin.
"Each of you knights must have loyal followers. I have received news, that among the Holy Knights, a traitor has emerged." At this point, seeing the four knights who seemed to have something to say, Lauri raised her hand to stop them.
"I know what you want to say. I too don't want to believe that a traitor could exist among the Holy Knights. However, I am certain there is one among the knights and this traitor’s strength is not inferior, at least a devoted knight-level."
Following that, Lauri took a deep breath, stood up and looked at the four knights with her head lowered.
"I hope you can lead your loyal followers and gather at the west during the feast tonight."
"We pledge to obey the divine directive!" The four knights collectively knelt on one knee and, apart from reverence, there was practically nothing else on their faces, including the ugly-looking Knight Kane.
Lauri turned her head to Hilda. "Hilda, do not leave later. I have more important tasks for you." Hilda didn't understand, but she didn't ask any questions either, but merely nodded slightly, and withdrew to one side.
Lauri looked towards the three Guardian Knights. "Tonight, the demon clan may attack the west city, I need you to lead your followers to guard near the west city gate, I don't have concrete information, only an estimation with no certainty. Due to a lack of troops, this operation is very dangerous, if you're unwilling, I will not force you."
"Where the Saintess points, that is where we, the Holy Knights, trample!" Kane with his dreary face, knelt on one knee without a shred of hesitation.
The trust in his eyes made Lauri's heart warm. Who would have thought she had a few trust-worthy knights in this strange world? This was enough!
"For the Saintess, I, Narr, am ready to risk my life!" Narr's naive face filled with a steadfast look; he had clearly prepared himself to face mortal danger.
Knight Yuna was solemn, kneeling on one knee. "Your Highness the Saintess, please never doubt our faith and loyalty to God and you. Regardless of the hell that lies ahead, we, the Holy Knights, are willing to defeat all difficulties for Your Highness!”Even Hilda, who was standing aside, kneeled on the ground.
"Your Highness, The Saintess, among the knights of the temple, none of us fear death. You just need to give us orders."
Hearing this, Lauri couldn't help but appreciate the selection process for the knights. Not a single person who lacked reverence for God could be selected as a knight. Even if they were capable, they could only become mercenaries in the secular world.
It didn't matter to her that she was practically strangers with these four men. It didn't matter that their faith was to God.
From what she could tell, even if she were to fall into the hands of the demon race, these four knights would give their lives to save her.
Although she absolutely wouldn't allow herself to fall into the hands of the demon race, this did enough to reassure her.
"Very well, then. Knights, listen carefully to what I'm about to say..."
The temple fell silent, with only The Saintess narrating potential scenarios one by one.
The enormous doors to the temple were tightly closed. Loyal knights were guarding outside, not even a fly could enter.
Half an hour later, the doors opened with three knights walking out side by side, chatting and laughing casually.
Soon after, The Saintess's oracle emerged from the temple.
From today, The Saintess will pray in seclusion for three days, as repayment for God's protection of the radiant city.
The news spread among the populace, and different emotions played across their faces––though most were devout.
A few manifested disdain and disgust.
Apparently, there weren't as many followers of The Saint Church in the radiant city, as it seemed. Lauri was well aware of this, and she also knew that she needed some nuns to assist her.
Those unfamiliar nuns, and those who were close to the demon Martha, must all be eliminated!
"Hilda, fetch the files of the nuns right away, I need to review them."
Though Hilda was confused, she promptly obeyed The Saintess's order, and a thick stack of files were swiftly brought forward.
Each file was accompanied by a vivid portrait of the nun, as lifelike as a photograph.
Lauri quickly selected ten nuns from the files.
After that, she started questioning.
Until... there were only three nuns left.
Everything ready, Lauri boarded an ordinary coach.
Inside the coach, Hilda sat in full armor on one side. On The Saintess's side, it took four girls to barely balance the weight of Hilda in full armour, so the coach wouldn't tip over.
"Your Highness, The Saintess... is this really a good idea?" Hilda asked, perplexed. Just after Kane and the others had left, The Saintess came up with an astoundingly daring and terrifying suggestion.
To leave the temple, and the radiant city!
"It's ok. If the demon race really retreats, we will be safe and sound. If they return for an attack, their insiders would attack and conquer the temple in an instant. The safest thing for me right now is to leave the temple."
That... was Lauri's plan.
If the demon race were to attack the radiant city, they would definitely be in alliance inside and outside, open the city gate, one group attacking the knights, while the other abduct The Saintess.
Perhaps cause a fire in the city, causing chaos.
If that were her, she would do just the same.
Lauri was certain that if the demon race were to strike at night, it would be around 3 a.m.
Because people sleep the deepest at that time.
With numerous conquests depicted in various movies and television series throughout the ages, she had seen plenty of conspiracies and tactics.
Did they think they could pull such a small trick in front of her?
Ha!
She wasn't targeting anyone, she just thought everyone here was too naive!Planning to scheme against me?
Go read up on the Thirty-Six Stratagems, The Water Margin and the like, then come play with her!
Lauri closed the hefty book in her hands, placing it on her lap. On the cover were four big characters written in the script of this world.
'Legends of Heroes'
This is a collection of various legendary stories about heroes.
Because she has a skill called 'Made Hero', but up till now, she is not much familiar with this world, so she just hurriedly flipped through the book, not wanting to use her skill without knowing who to summon.
"Hilda, how's it going with your mission of secretly arranging your confidants to leave the city?"
"Your Highness, my subordinates have already left the Brilliant City and gathered in a village in the south of the city."
"Good, that's settled."
The banquet is already set, all we need is for the lord to walk into the trap~
