The Best Choice

"Your Highness, absolutely not!"

Audis’s old, panicked voice echoed through the hall.

"Is there something wrong?"

Audis stood up and looked at me in a panic.

"Your Highness, you absolutely cannot do this at this stage!"

"If you do, it will likely trigger a backlash from every noble on the continent."

"At that time, even with the protection of the Pope and your title as the Saintess, you will never be able to withstand such immense pressure."

"This plan is not feasible!!"

"Indeed."

Augus nodded, his expression solemn.

"Your Highness, you must not announce this decree at this moment."

"Otherwise, what awaits us will be the retaliation of all the nobility across the continent."

"Whether it is the human kingdoms or the nations of other races, they will never allow you to enact this decree."

I was stunned by their words.

Not just me, even Lola was taken aback.

I couldn't help but exchange a glance with her.

Clearly, although we had considered many things, the most crucial point was that neither Lola nor I had looked at this matter from a noble's perspective.

Nor had we considered that foreign nobles would interfere.

"Both of you, calm down for a moment and speak one at a time."

Hearing the two of them say this, my heart sank.

Although the Kingdom of the Moon was currently strong in terms of military force, if it suddenly faced resistance from every noble on the continent, this decree would be impossible to implement no matter what.

"Lord Audis, you speak first."

I turned to the old man. A sharp glint flashed in his old, cloudy eyes.

"I must say, Your Highness's strategy is undoubtedly the best one to use against the nobility, but it absolutely cannot be implemented by force."

"Otherwise, it will inevitably face resistance from the nobles."

"If it were just the nobles within our borders, that would be one thing."

"But now, the entire Kingdom of the Moon is the focus of the whole continent."

He took a deep breath, his breathing appearing somewhat hurried due to his panic.

"Your Highness, once other monarchs see that this policy is effective, they will surely follow suit."

"The consequences for the nobles of other nations would be obvious."

"Those nobles are not stupid; they will definitely unite to oppose you."

I nodded, but I still tried to counter with my own argument.

"But Lord Audis, the demons are invading in force right now."

"Even if these nobles want to resist, they shouldn't act at a time like this."

However, Audis only shook his head with a helpless, bitter smile.

"No, Your Highness, this era has been at peace for too long."

"How could those nobles who live only to eat and wait for death know the true power of the demons?"

"If these nobles are pushed into a corner, they would rather burn everything down than easily give up the power in their hands."

Speaking to this point, Audis looked up at me with a heavy gaze.

"Your Highness, not everyone is capable of considering the bigger picture first."

That was right—human nature.

If I enacted this decree, the resistance brought about by human nature would be terrifying.

I nodded.

"Lord Audis, take a breath. Someone, bring some tea."

"Augus, tell me why you think it shouldn't be enacted?"

I turned to Augus. He coughed a few times, his breathing clearly uneven from his earlier excitement.

I hesitated for a moment.

Since he already knew about the Decree of Distribution of Grace, he was now one of my confidants.

Since he was a confidant, it was necessary to treat him.

If his health was poor, how could he work himself to death for me?

Oh, I really am such a philanthropist.

I raised my hand and pointed at Augus.

"Heal."

Accompanied by a flash of light, a hint of color returned to Augus's pale face.

He looked in shock at the holy light shimmering across his body.

"This... what is this?"

"Augus, do you feel better?"

I looked at him with a smile. Augus looked up at me, his face filled with amazement.

"Your Highness, this... is my illness cured?"

"No, that’s impossible, right? Both doctors and priests thought it was an incurable disease?"

Lola calmly adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses.

"Augus, Your Highness's healing art possesses god-like power. Please do not be too surprised."

Augus took a deep breath. It seemed his breathing had become much smoother.

A smile appeared on his face, and his entire demeanor became much more energetic.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Looking at his thin, pale face which now showed a slight flush, I knew his illness was gone.

There was no need for polite words. As long as you work hard, there will be plenty of rewards in the future.

"Don't mention it. Tell me, what are your thoughts?"

Augus lowered his head in thought before slowly speaking.

"My thoughts are similar to those of Lord Audis."

"Your Highness's decree will inevitably draw resistance from all the nobles on the continent."

"Although the decree is powerful, it cannot be announced like this, and we certainly cannot forcibly demand the division of estates."

"Human nature is selfish."

"Although Your Highness's decree is of great use to the nation, for the nobles, it is a pain as sharp as cutting to the bone."

"I can state with certainty that once the decree is announced, the Kingdom of the Moon will inevitably be suppressed by every race on the continent."

"Aside from ancient races like the elves and the giants, all other races will strongly resist."

"This includes the beastmen, dwarves, gnomes, the Eight Nations of the Holy Church, and the Southern Kingdoms."

"Your Highness, the world today is in the hands of the nobility."

"Commerce, education, governance, and the powerful—almost everything is held within the grasp of the nobles."

"If Your Highness rashly announces a decree that opposes all the nobles of the continent, it will inevitably trigger a counterattack from them all."

It was true.

I had thought of many things but forgotten that when the Decree of Distribution of Grace was used in my old world, the land was in a state of isolation and under the control of imperial power.

With no external influence, the emperor only needed to reform the interior.

However, things were different here.

Although the Kingdom of the Moon was vast and wealthy, almost like a replica of my old world's land, the continent of this world was many times larger than Earth.

Beyond the Kingdom of the Moon, there were the other seven nations of the Holy Church, the Southern Kingdoms, the Beastmen Kingdom in the north, the giants further north, the dwarves in the west, the gnomes in the northwest, and the elves in the southwest.

While customs differed across the continent, the entire world seemed unable to function without the nobility.

Nobles existed in every single nation.

My original plan shattered in an instant.

Until my strength reached a point where I could crush all the nobles of the entire continent, this decree would inevitably bring disaster upon me.

I sat blankly on the sacred bed, gazing at the piercing sunlight outside the hall.

At this moment... I suddenly felt helpless.

"Your Highness..."

I instinctively looked toward the voice and saw Lola’s worried gaze.

"I’m fine."

Yes, I was fine.

As long as I accepted the help of the other seven nations of the Holy Church and repelled the demons, I could ignore everyone else.

With my ability to form a contract with the document tablet, I could live out the rest of my life in peace.

But if I did that, what was the point of me coming to this world?

I see. It seems I was too arrogant.

I thought that by coming to this world and wanting to change it, I had the illusion of being a protagonist.

However, the words of Audis and Augus had instantly woken me up.

No, that’s not right!!

This isn't right!

The rules of this world are wrong!

The nobility endlessly exploits and oppresses the people. Am I supposed to just watch them be exploited forever?

I knew that the reason my heart felt so holy right now was because of the influence of this body.

But I still could not suppress the desire to save the people.

I cannot back down now.

As my ancestors said: when there are difficulties, face them. If there are no difficulties... create them and face them anyway!

Damn it!

I stood up and glanced at Lola, giving her a small smile to show she didn't need to worry.

Then I turned to look at Augus and Audis.

"Both of you are people I rely on now."

"Lord Audis, although you are old, you are experienced and were the first to support me. I trust you very much."

Hearing this, Audis instinctively stood up and bowed slightly.

I turned to Augus.

"Augus, you were the first to respond to the Recruitment Order notice, and you are a young man who has impressed me greatly."

"Even though you have only just become my confidant, I still trust you deeply."

Augus also stood up and gave me a slight nod.

I turned to look at Lola.

"Lola was the first to follow me. I rely on her just as much."

Audis and Augus both looked at Lola, and she stood up, adjusting her gold-rimmed glasses.

"Now, it is impossible to implement this decree. However, my desire to save the Kingdom of the Moon has not changed."

"Lord Audis, Augus, Lola—I hope you can help me."

A sharp glint flashed in Audis’s cloudy eyes, and he nodded heavily.

"Your Highness worries for the world. This old servant admires you immensely. How could I not obey your command?"

Augus took a deep breath, a burning fire flashing in his eyes.

"Your Highness is broad-minded and mercifully holy. I will do my utmost to assist you!"

Lola looked at me, a faint trace of tears in her eyes.

Lord Audis was the head of a family; naturally, he could not truly understand how difficult life was for commoners.

Although Augus's family had declined, their foundations still allowed him to live a normal life, so it was hard for him to experience the struggles of ordinary people as well.

But Lola was different.

She was an orphan. The relatives who raised her were also orphans. Almost everyone around her was an orphan.

She understood very well how difficult it was for an ordinary person in this world.

"Even if my body is ground to powder, I will assist Your Highness in achieving your lofty ambitions."

All three had declared their loyalty. I nodded and sat back down on the sacred bed.

"Very well. Thank you. Now... let's talk about this matter."

The three of them couldn't help but look at each other.

They were all incredibly intelligent and naturally understood what I wanted to discuss.

Lola thought for a moment before speaking.

"Since Your Highness wants to save the Kingdom of the Moon, military force is naturally the first choice."

"And the prerequisite for military force is finance."

"The prerequisite for finance is how to reclaim the territories of other nobles, bring them back under the direct jurisdiction of Brilliant City, and reorganize them."

"My suggestion is to first improve the quality and strength of the army and investigate past crimes. No noble is innocent."

Old Audis’s eyes shifted as if he had an idea, and he spoke slowly.

"Your Highness, if you want money, it is not impossible."

"As for taxes, Your Highness could take this opportunity to raise them."

"Compared to the Decree of Distribution of Grace, which would cause a continent-wide backlash, simply raising taxes is quite easy."

"Just find any excuse. To stay in the Temple's good graces, the nobles will certainly not oppose Your Highness at this time."

"Even doubling or tripling them wouldn't be a problem."

Augus pondered slightly, a smile gradually touching the corners of his mouth.

"What is it... that Your Highness wants?"

"Is it for the Kingdom of the Moon to have overwhelming military strength? Or for the nation to be prosperous? Or is it something else?"

As expected, the perspectives of these three were all different.

Lola was somewhat rigid and had no good feelings toward the nobility.

Audis was smooth and knew the nobility very well.

But Augus's vision and perspective were far greater than both of them!

I turned to look at Augus.

"Since you asked, I will tell you the truth."

"My ultimate goal is to eliminate noble privileges, abolish the slave class, and ensure that all citizens of the Kingdom of the Moon are treated equally."

Augus nodded slightly and pondered for a moment before suddenly looking up at me with burning eyes.

"Your Highness has no small ambition."

"However, this ambition will eventually place you in opposition to every noble on the continent."

"Have you thought about the consequences? Do you... have the courage for this?"

"I don't know."

To be honest, at this stage, I will just do what I can.

Becoming the enemy of all the nobles on the continent was something I had never considered.

But if I wanted to abolish the noble and slave systems, it would happen sooner or later.

I didn't know if my answer of 'I don't know' would disappoint Augus.

But at least for now, I truly didn't know if I would go that far.

However, Augus's reaction was beyond my expectations.

"Heh... Hahaha! Good! What a perfect 'I don't know'!"

He suddenly threw his head back and laughed, his entire being seemingly erupting with a burst of determination and momentum.

"What? Did my words disappoint you?"

If he really was disappointed, I could only let him go.

While I might not be able to use him anymore, he would never be able to leave Brilliant City.

Rather than letting him join other nobles and become a blade in their hands turned against me, it would be better to have him sheathe his blade and live out his life quietly.

I could afford the cost of supporting one person.

I would rather raise him as a useless man than ever allow him to become my enemy!

"No, quite the opposite. Your Highness's answer exceeded my expectations!"

Augus looked at me with narrowed eyes. His gaze told me he had seen through my thoughts.

However, he showed no fear; in fact, his smile grew even wider.

"Very good. It is excellent that Your Highness has such thoughts."

"A blade that cannot be used by me is better off destroyed than handed to someone else. I like that very much."

"Augus, I think you might have misunderstood. I wouldn't kill you."

"Heh, there is no difference."

"If Your Highness did not want to kill me, then you were likely thinking that if I ever refused to serve as your subject, you would simply keep me under house arrest for the rest of my life."

Augus was full of smiles, looking completely different from the calm person he was on the first day.

At this moment, it was as if he had suddenly come to life.

His entire person became filled with vitality.

"If Your Highness had said 'I don't dare' just now, I would have been disappointed in you, though I probably would have stayed to work for you."

Augus spoke suddenly, and we all watched him quietly.

He continued.

"If Your Highness had said something like 'I'm not afraid,' then I would likely have been completely disappointed."

"I would rather have been raised as a useless person than help Your Highness any further."

Hearing this, Lola adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses, looking thoughtful.

Audis, on the other hand, looked at Augus with a face full of confusion.

"This old servant doesn't quite understand. What do you mean?"

Augus turned to look at Audis, his voice calm.

"If Your Highness had said those words just now, it would only prove one thing..."

"That she is ignorant, reckless, and incompetent—a useless person."

Augus turned back to look at me.

"Ignorance breeds fearlessness, and ignorance breeds incompetence."

"When facing the colossus that is the nobility of the entire continent, if Your Highness had truly said 'I'm not afraid,' it would mean either you don't trust us at all and are lying, or you are truly ignorant."

"So no matter which it was, I would have been disappointed."

"But the choice Your Highness made was exactly the best choice."