When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 821 - 772: Rumor or Truth?

When Moliat stepped into the tent, the previously noisy chatter came to a halt for a moment.

But the next second, those noises turned into low whispers, exchanged among the nobles and monks.

Looking at these core members, a trace of chill appeared on Moliat's face.

Within Moliat's governing circle, there were three types of people.

The first type was the staunch mountain folks, mainly small nobility and small landowners, among whom were both knights and commoners, perfectly fitting Moliat's "elite" requirements.

They were not loyal to titles or bloodlines, but were loyal to Moliat herself.

The second type was the mountain nobles, like those from Shangruifo County, North and South Mangde County, and other places.

These people were essentially past Kush bloodlines, subdued by the Grand Duke, and held the unique Kush tradition of strong bloodline emphasis.

They were originally loyal to the Grand Duke's title and bloodline but mixed with the staunch mountain folks, leading to internal discord and impure loyalty.

The third type was the later surrendered plain nobility, whose loyalty was pure.

They followed whoever was strong.

Except for Horn.

Back then, Horn instigated a great holy war in Hotam County, leaving the local nobles executed or exiled.

To this day, within the entire Thousand River Valley, the noble status in Langsande County is the lowest, differing from the commoners only in name.

The current situation is —

The staunch mountain folks are absolutely loyal as long as provisions reach them, needing no persuasion.

The plain nobility will switch sides and follow whoever is strong, needing no persuasion.

The real issue Moliat currently needs to address is the mountain nobles at the center.

It's important to know that within Moliat's governing team, key and military positions are held by these mountain nobles.

A cold gaze swept over these mountain nobles, who would always avoid eye contact with Moliat when their eyes met.

Seeing Moliat sitting down silently after entering the tent, someone eventually couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, is there nothing you want to say?"

"Say what? The defeat at Shattered Stone Plain is indeed my fault; if you want to blame, do so, and I will accept it all," Moliat stated bluntly.

"The matter of Shattered Stone Plain is a secondary issue." A portly count with graying hair stood up, asking in a thick mountain accent, "We're asking about your lineage issue."

"False news." Moliat's words were short and dismissive.

The people in the tent were stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting such a response from Moliat.

They looked at each other, and surprisingly, the previous restlessness dissipated a bit.

"Don't you want to explain a bit?" The portly count seemed at a loss.

"Explain what? Prove that I am my mother's daughter? Prove that I am my grandfather's granddaughter?" Moliat's gaze was sharp as lightning, "Should I call my mother over for a blood tie test?"

"Do you admit your mother is a witch?"

"Yes."

"Then you..."

"Catherine is a witch, Jeanne is a witch, whom you all revere as saints, but I am merely the daughter of a witch and hold the bloodline of the Grand Duke, yet you cannot accept it."

"Does this mean you are a witch?" a voice questioned from somewhere in the crowd.

"Alright then, let me ask you." Moliat stepped forward to confront the person, "I am indeed a witch, what would you do?"

The previously chaotic scene suddenly fell silent; the little knight shrank behind a pillar, expression awkward: "I didn't mean it like that."

Narrowing her eyes to scrutinize the knight, Moliat turned to the crowd:

"The one leading you to resist Codfish Castle, is me, the witch!"

"The one leading you to seek justice from Blue Blood Monastery, is me, the witch!"

"The one taking you from the mountains to the plains, enjoying wealth and prosperity, is still me, the witch!"

"All of your achievements are founded on the basis of me being a witch, how about that?"

"Which one of you was not promoted by me? Which one of you hasn't received my favors? Hmm?!"

"A hunchback can become a king, a leper can become the Pope, not to mention the two deceitful Popes of the Empire nowadays."

It had to be said, internally, the mountain nobles were once in chaos.

After all, the secret dossier from the Imperial Emblem Institute proved that Moliat's mother, Louise, was indeed a witch.

This explained why, despite having the capability to vie for the king's throne, Grand Duke Hemashi chose to retreat to Thousand River Valley and became a local ruler in a remote region.

Essentially, he was burdened by his own daughter's affairs, making everything clear.

Thus, it also clarified why the Ruo'an Faction at Black Snake Bay supported Moliat so staunchly.

After all, the leader of the Ruo'an Faction, Louise, was Moliat's "mother," naturally supporting her daughter.

If one emphasized Moliat's Grand Duke bloodline while downplaying her witch identity.

Seching couldn't help but stand up: "Your Highness, that's not what we meant…"

Before he finished, Moliat directly interrupted: "I tell you, after so many years of warfare, didn't the Grand Duke have any magic artifacts?

I was born under the protection of the angel's relics, not some adopted daughter; that's just a lie from the Leia people, and you were even fooled by it!

Now, with the Leia Army at our doorstep, you still haggle over these trivial matters, truly clueless."

Under Moliat's gaze, the mountain nobles bowed their heads in shame.

"Tomorrow, I will lead the troops into battle, and those who wish to participate, gather at the training ground tonight."

...

"Moliat, forgive my bluntness..." Herman handed over a thick potion, "It's best for you not to engage in a frontal confrontation with the Leia Army right now.

I know you are eager to fight, but the current situation is that Raffel advances one step at a time, slowly.

We are at a disadvantage. It's best to first defend and accumulate strength before considering a counterattack. Hotam County has enough depth for defense."

"How do you see me?" Moliat asked after drinking the potion, her lips trembling as if nauseated but still holding back.

"Stubborn?" Herman said.

"Aggressive?" Moro said.

"Overly narrow-minded?" Phil said.

"It's called perseverance, isn't it?!" Moliat wrinkled her nose, "Of course, I know the strategy is to defend first and attack later, to merge forces with Horn, but the issue is how to merge the forces?"

Herman and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

"Given my current physical condition, I can't contribute to the battlefield for at least three to four months, and I'm burdened with the political stigma of a major defeat," Moliat said softly, "If we merge the forces like this, the troops will become Horn's troops."

"This is indeed an issue." Herman also felt troubled.

Different from Moliat's straightforward approach of clashing and seizing power, Horn slowly reclaimed assets smoothly and quietly.

Moliat had just managed to tidy up the Thousand River Valley, while Horn silently took Black Snake Bay and Windmill Land, and amassed over thirty million gold pounds.

These gold pounds turned into roads, ports, and small canals, connecting various parts of the Thousand River Valley.

Through the control of commodities and tax domicile, while the Priests-in-Charge are technically under the County Governor's authority, they are actually on equal footing. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

If Horn seizes command, regardless of mountain or plain faction, the nobles will merge.

By then, there will be external and internal conflicts simultaneously.

Moliat looked at the lit candlestick on the table: "Furthermore, do you think I completely subdued those mountain nobles today?

They bow today, bow tomorrow, but the day after tomorrow, they may not. I need a victory to unite the people's hearts.

Even a minor victory could trigger a media offensive."

Seeing the three still doubtful, Moliat remained silent for a long time before speaking: "I asked Horn, and he said without first-hand front-line information, he has no say.

But if I gather the intelligence and believe a battle is feasible, he supports fighting this battle.

However, avoid major actions, the main theme currently is defense, with counterattacks as part of that defense."

"But with the current situation, achieving any victory is very challenging." The group felt troubled.

Moliat pointed at the map on the table: "We used to have the means to eat the big prey and gnaw the tough bone.

Now, we still have strength, just lost confidence, so we only nibble on the scraps, to initially gather confidence.

Originally there was no opportunity, but fortunately, Cheka provided us with crucial intelligence."

"What intelligence?" Herman looked at the marked map, "The vassal troops of Immortal Stone Field?"

"Yes, perhaps because the vassal of Immortal Stone Field does not accept Raffel's command, or perhaps to make a name for themselves.

These 6000 troops have actually separated from the main force and approached Comita Town, forty kilometers from Xia Lvcheng.

We have the spring cannon and holy gunners, our numbers, equipment, and training outmatch theirs, giving us a high chance of defeating them.

Moreover, being close enough to Xia Lvcheng, even if we lose, we can retreat leisurely."