Super Soldier in the City

According to the current health conditions of these elders, it seems unlikely that there will be a sudden vacancy, so stability is expected. However, the position of the saint maiden becomes a platform for the various elders to compete for power after the unexpected resignation of the current saint maiden due to her failure to overcome inner demons.

Instead, the elders seem indifferent to the saint maiden’s departure. An outgoing saint maiden loses her title, and even if she is referred to as a saint maiden, a "former" prefix must be added, making her the former saint maiden.

The saint maiden reached the doorway, suddenly halted, turned to the absent-minded elders, and asked, "I want to know who imprisoned my servants?"

"Your servants have been imprisoned?" Elder Mus immediately raised his head, seizing the point.

"Yes, I received a distress call from one of my maids, saying that the organization detained all my people, restricting their freedom, and that someone was pursuing her," the saint maiden recounted slowly. At the end, her tone turned grim as she said, "Elder Andisto, I don’t need to hold the position of saint maiden, but those few people have been with me since childhood. They are my people and my friends. I ask, who ordered their imprisonment?"

Elder Mus also shouted, "How could such a thing happen? Tell us, who did it? Outrageous!"

Andisto, with a serious look, said, "Are you certain about this?"

"Elder, do you think I’m talking nonsense?" the saint maiden replied.

Andisto shook his head and said, "Not necessarily, but... since most of the elders are present today except for two, I ask, who gave the order to detain the saint maiden’s subordinates?"

Elder Andrew also questioned, "Speak up, who was it? Even without knowing the results, someone has already acted against the saint maiden’s people. Hmph, I don’t believe the person is innocent!"

The saint maiden looked around, noticing Elder Babua’s face appeared quite unpleasant. When everyone’s gaze fell on him, Babua said, "It was me... I gave the order."

"Babua, why did you do this?" Andisto stared at him, and Elder Mus rushed in front of Babua, questioning, "Babua, your actions... I see you as the one trying to harm the saint maiden!"

The moment these words were uttered, the entire hall went silent. Elder Mus’s words struck deeply. If this were true, it would be a grave matter, as the Holy War Organization has faced numerous challenges and internal purges since its inception, but no one has ever dared to harm a saint maiden. Even if the elders openly struggle and put their conflicts on display, they cannot act against the saint maiden. This is written in the law of faith, known by countless followers.

The saint maiden is sacred, the messenger of God, the embodiment of all that is holy. If someone tries to harm the saint maiden, it opposes all members of the Holy War Organization and creates a blood feud.

Even if Elder Babua is not guilty, Elder Mus’s words could make many suspect him of overstepping, especially when elders act against a saint maiden.

Great Elder Andisto’s expression also turned grim, sternly glaring at Babua, he questioned, "Babua, is it you who detained the saint maiden’s people?"

"I..." Babua appeared flustered, his face ashen, as he instinctively looked around, only to find every eye upon him, many filled with fear. Hastily, he shook his head, "No, I did not plot to harm the saint maiden! It wasn’t me; I am loyal to the Holy Church. Why would I violate the code to harm the saint maiden!"

Andisto coldly said, "I didn’t ask about that incident; I asked if you detained the saint maiden’s people."

Babua felt as though countless eyes were pressing on him, yet the saint maiden’s gaze seemed calm, with no apparent hostility, which only made him more anxious.

Under this pressure, Babua nodded slightly, "Yes... it was my order, but it was to prevent any leaks, as I was concerned about interference when the saint maiden went to a life-or-death struggle with Golden Eagle. I was worried that it would be known externally and lead to interference or framing..."

"A mere pretext!" Elder Mus exclaimed, "Your excuses are powerless, and your panic and evasive glances betray you as the one who acted against the saint maiden!"

"No, no, I swear, it was only for protection! If you don’t believe me, you can ask my disciple who was present when the decision was made!" Babua protested.

"Your disciple, who?" Mus pressed on.

"Owen, my chief disciple Owen. He was present when the decision was made, and it was on his reminder that I acted!" Babua shouted, "Everyone, my loyalty to the organization shouldn’t need further proof. Over the years, I’ve done so much for the organization; how could I harm the saint maiden?"

"Babua, you are sinister in your intent, still denying your actions, thinking anyone will believe you?"

The saint maiden was not without anger; she just didn’t show it. Though Elder Babua ordered her servants’ detention, it didn’t prove he was the mastermind behind the drone missile assassination attempt on her and Li Yifei. However, he was highly suspicious, especially since the dark maid Li Yifei killed was someone Babua recommended as a saint maiden candidate until defeated.

This enhanced suspicion towards Babua, though outwardly the saint maiden showed no change, internally resenting Babua more due to his evident targeting of her today.

Although someone defended Babua earlier, a fellow elder said, "I don’t think it’s possible for Babua to assassinate the saint maiden. There’s nothing to gain, only self-exposure!" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Elder Babua, is it really you?" Elder Andrew questioned with bulging eyes, seizing Babua by the collar.

Babua pushed Andrew’s hand away, retreating two steps, "Andrew, stop this madness. I have no reason to frame the saint maiden; we hold no enmity."

"Who says so? The dark maid was your person who was killed by Golden Eagle. Don’t deny it; I’ve heard you were furious and threatened revenge. Now you took this opportunity, sending drones to kill Golden Eagle, perhaps intending to eliminate the saint maiden as well!" a usually quiet elder spoke, causing murmurs of agreement and making Babua’s face pale. "You’re lying; I haven’t killed, nor could I. The dark maid was indeed mine but died at Golden Eagle’s hands, unrelated to the saint maiden. Don’t falsely accuse me!"

"Everyone, I think the matter is clear. I suggest detaining Babua. While I understand detaining an elder is significant, but the audacity of attempting to assassinate the saint maiden is far greater!" proposed Mus.

Babua retorted with fury, "Mus, dare you? It wasn’t me, and I won’t let you falsely accuse me!"

"Is this a false accusation? Prove your innocence then," Mus demanded.

Andisto said, "Babua, if you can’t prove innocence, you must stay. This concerns the honor and stability of the Holy War Organization; even at an Elder’s Council, you’re not leaving!"

"I..." Babua realized escaping was impossible today, slumped into a chair, "Okay, I’ll defend myself!"

Mus motioned the saint maiden to listen, "Saint maiden, please bear with us despite your fatigue. As an elder of the Holy War Organization, I state if Babua indeed intended harm, I’ll be the first to clean house!"

Andrew interjected, "Don’t be hasty; we’ll question together. If true, Babua, blame only yourself for losing our camaraderie."

Few dared defend Babua now, if indeed guilty, speaking up might bring downfall.

The saint maiden sat down again, and Andisto asked, "Babua, when you made this decision, your disciple was present?"

"Yes, he is aware of this matter!"

"Anyone else present?" Andisto continued questioning.

Babua shook his head, "Only he and I were present when the decision was made. He’s at the headquarters. Bring him for questioning."

"Good, someone, go fetch Owen." Andisto ordered, and a few stepped out to find Owen. Important members of the Holy War Organization were returning for the annual internal memorial event.