When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 710 - 668: Stand Firm, and There Will Be a Way

"What nonsense Saint's Grandson, he counts as a Saint?!"

Throwing the letter in her hand fiercely to the ground, Selomis, still fuming, shouted at the Novia before her.

Novia casually dug her ear and said indifferently, "Why are you yelling at me? Go find Ottatila, it's not my decision."

"The Demon Hunter Corps attacked Avis Temple, the temple has fallen, now Solaburg is an isolated fortress, all the pressure from the front line is on me!

Ottatila is still persuading me to sign the Black Snake Bay Joint Declaration, acknowledging whatever, whatever federation, whatever tariff! Isn't this taking advantage of our plight?"

Selomis pointed at the letter on the ground, her chest heaving violently, anger almost driving her to madness.

Novia lazily yawned, unconcerned about her fury, and said slowly, "Mr. Horn's attitude is clearly written in the letter; whether it's taking advantage of our plight, in my view, is not important. What's important is that I flew all day today, my hair's tangled, do you have a decent bathroom here, let me take a bath first?"

"Novia!" Selomis stomped in anger, "Do you know what time it is now? Avis Temple is gone! We're isolated and without aid now!"

"Alright, alright, stop yelling, I was the one who told you the news." Novia waved her hand nonchalantly, "If you want to be angry, be angry at Ottatila. I'm just the messenger.

You've seen that Saint's Grandson's demands and conditions, I'm not the Salvation Army, I can't make a decision on this.

Anyway, you have a few hours to think. After I have my bath and sleep, I'll leave before dawn. Tell me when you've made up your mind."

"Don't go!" Selomis reached out to stop her but was easily avoided by Novia. "Explain clearly first, what exactly is Ottatila saying?"

"Don't worry, I'll see you after I bathe." Novia said while waving as she walked, "But, Selomis, let me give you a word of advice, think carefully.

When the Church Army reaches below Celestial Maiden City, you won't even have the qualification to negotiate with that Saint's Grandson."

After Novia left, Selomis stared at the floor, taking a deep breath, trying to suppress the anger in her heart.

She coldly glanced at the letter on the ground, took a deep breath, then called the attendants to arrange a rest for Novia in the inner fort.

"Call people, gather the Secret Party Wizards and commanders for strategy." Picking up the letter off the ground, she sat cross-legged at the low table, re-reading while turning around to command, her voice cold as the wind on a winter night, "Immediately!"

......

In the large conference hall, the lights flickered, the long table piled with maps and documents, shadows twisted on the walls, and the air filled with the strange smell of pine resin and oil lamps.

Selomis sat at the head position, looking around at the Secret Party members and subordinate officers scattered across the table.

Everyone knew Solaburg's situation, but no one spoke first.

"Avis Temple has fallen." Selomis went straight to the point, "Now Solaburg is an isolated fortress, when the surrounding church troops gather, we may face a force double in numbers, what do you think?"

The castle hall, warm but filled with stifling heat, was cold as if it were winter at this moment.

"We still have time." An elder wizard stood up attempting to calm the atmosphere, "As long as we hold steadfast, there will be a way!"

"Hold steadfast?!" A young officer interrupted hurriedly, "Once the temple falls, the Red Dragon's Breath from the rear can't be transported. When the Red Dragon's Breath runs out, how will we defend then?"

"Then what's your suggestion? Abandon the city and run?" A leader of the Wizard Clan rebutted coldly, "We've labored for years, every stone of Solaburg, every acre in Southern County is soaked with our sweat and blood. Just give up? You might accept, but I cannot!"

"Then tell me a way!" The young officer slammed the table, "I don't believe with our little troop we can fight to the end! Be reasonable, how about thinking of preserving strength..."

"Be reasonable, how am I supposed to be reasonable?!" Selomis slammed the table suddenly, her voice overpowering everyone's arguments, "Solaburg is the last line of defense for Southern County; if we abandon here, where will we go?"

Everyone was momentarily at a loss, the meeting hall fell into brief silence.

"If that's the case, why don't we invite the Salvation Army?" a more neutral council member suggested, "Regardless, they are anti-Church; compared to the Church, at least they are not our mortal enemy."

"No way!" Someone immediately opposed, "What good would it do if the Salvation Army arrives? Avis Temple has fallen, at most they can only guard Central County's border. Now bowing down is just giving away interest and claims."

"But at least the Salvation Army is anti-Church." Another voice retorted, "At least Horn is against the Church, better to give Southern County to the Salvation Army than the Church; if we're not having a good time, neither should the Church."

"Let me speak honestly, Old He Wu..."

As the argument grew increasingly fierce, Selomis stared at the letter before her in silence.

As a Falan, Selomis was absolutely anti-Church; even if Horn was a Church heretic, he was still a part of Miseria's Church.

But the problem now is the nobles are unwilling to negotiate as they did before, because they've come this time to seize territory.

Unlike before, just forcing the Secret Party to cede interests and control Secret Party numbers.

Southern County due to border trade revenues, under the development of Selomis and other Secret Party members, the sweet branch and spice plantations have considerable scale.

With efforts from the Secret Party, Southern County's economic level is the highest in Black Snake Bay, which is why Athena and others are unwilling to give up tariffs.

But now, not to mention tariffs, even the border is almost gone.

Selomis is unwilling to hand over the development achievements to the Falan Church, but north's Horn Church is still a church after all.

At this time, a Black Snake Bay Warriors leader stood up and spoke to the silent Selomis, "Madam, I suggest letting the officers supporting Mr. Horn join the discussion, they might provide us with new suggestions."

Selomis squinted slightly, thinking for a moment before nodding, "Okay."

Soon, a young officer named Danio was brought into the meeting hall.

After a brief salute to Selomis, he spoke directly, "Ladies and gentlemen, I understand your situation well and share your concerns.

But what I want to say is, His Grace is definitely not a plunderer; the Salvation Army can capture Avis Temple within ten days and support Solaburg."

"Ten days?" Selomis stared at him, her voice deep, "Are you sure it's ten days?"

From the corner, an old wizard said leisurely, "Tsk, capturing the temple in ten days, oh, compared with Mr. Horn, even Miseria's methods seem a bit poor."

Low laughter spread by the table, but Danio angrily glared at the crowd.

Taking two steps forward, Danio looked directly into Selomis's eyes, "Confidence comes from strength, Madam Selomis.

I want to reiterate, the Saint Father's Association is a tolerant church; as long as you're anti-Court, we'll not interfere with your freedom of belief.

If you decide unwilling to continue in the future, you can even exit Black Snake Bay Federation through a public vote. But now it's wartime, we must unify."

Selomis did not respond, nor did anyone else in the hall dare answer.

She tapped the table lightly with her fingers, her gaze remained on the map, her brows slightly furrowed, her white and slender hand clenched and released, finally resting on the chair's armrest, her knuckles faintly white with force.

After a long silence, she sighed deeply, as if burying all suppressed emotions in the sigh and blowing them away, "Prepare, send all young Secret Party wizards away."

The next morning, as the sun barely showed a red glow below the horizon, Novia hovered by the fortress wall, saying goodbye to Selomis.

"This time, it might be goodbye forever." Selomis said with a complex tone, looking up at Novia's back.

"Don't say such things." Frowning, Novia uncharacteristically spoke seriously, "That Saint's Grandson keeps promises; you signed the Black Snake Bay Joint Declaration, he will definitely come back to save you."

Selomis sighed, murmuring, "I know he will come back to save me, but..."

She shook her head, not speaking further, just gesturing for Novia to leave.

Watching Novia's gradually distant figure, Selomis whispered, "Capture Avis Temple within ten days… hold firm, there will be a way... what's the difference?"