"Long time no see, Your Holiness."
"So, have you finally considered my request?"
What request?
"Could it be that Lady Luo Li has forgotten my—"
"Whoa!!"
This time, it was his turn to be dazed.
"Lady Luo Li, what... what does 'whoa' mean?"
I cleared my throat with a hint of embarrassment.
"Ahem. Your Holiness, I am not here for personal matters. The current situation is quite grim. I hope you will listen seriously."
Diocletian did not seem particularly concerned, but he nodded nonetheless.
"Very well. In that case, please report the situation to me, Lady Luo Li."
He leaned back slightly, sinking into the sofa behind him, and looked at me with a playful smile.
That gaze of his kept scanning up and down my body.
It made me very uncomfortable; his eyes felt like they were appraising a perfect work of art.
"Your Holiness, based on the latest information I have obtained, I have deduced that the demons likely possess long-distance seafaring capabilities."
I truly didn't know what to say to this Pope anymore, but since his status was technically higher than mine for the moment, I didn't plan on arguing with him over trifles.
It was better to finish the official business quickly and stay far away from this guy.
"Heh~ Lady Luo Li, are you joking with me? With the level of rationality the demons possess, they can build ships?"
As expected, the Pope's thoughts were the same.
"Your Holiness, though it may be offensive, I must advise you that your way of thinking... is too outdated."
Diocletian's expression darkened slightly, but he didn't get angry. Instead, he crossed his legs, propped his cheek on one hand, and tilted his head to look at me.
"Oh? Then Lady Luo Li, how did you learn that the demons possess the ability to sail across the ocean?"
A golden scepter in the Pope's hand lay across the armrests of the sofa.
He lowered his head, fiddling with the scepter as he continued.
"As far as I know, the demons' home base is an isolated island nearly two hundred kilometers away from the coastline of the Great Wall. Although there are no detailed records of the island's area, according to the manuscripts left by the first Pope, that island is roughly larger than the four islands of the Kingdom of the Sun combined."
"Every ten years, there is a low tide period in the waters between the continent and the outer island. During this time, the demons can cross the two-hundred-kilometer distance via the land exposed by the receding tide to attack the continent. This is their only opportunity every ten years."
A low tide period?
Wait... Hearing him say this, I suddenly understood why there was a southward current at this time every year.
In other words, the base of this outer island is likely connected to the continent underground, and the sea level between the continent and the island is not high, possibly only a few meters deep.
This area acts as a wall for the undersea currents. When the currents hit this foundation, they surge upward and then return from the sea surface.
That is probably why the currents are so strange during this period.
And this tidal period likely sees a massive fluctuation every ten years.
This means that every ten years, the seabed connecting the continent and the outer island becomes exposed.
In the past, the demons probably used this method to invade the continent.
But this time was clearly different.
"Your Holiness, I regret to inform you that the Great Wall guards have already seen demon sailing ships. It is just that, like you, they did not pay much attention to the ships."
The Pope fell silent. He looked down at his scepter, his right hand supporting his cheek while his left index finger lightly tapped the scepter.
A crisp 'clink' sound echoed.
"Are you saying the demons have the ability to develop their own ocean-going ships?"
"No, I believe the demons have spent two hundred years infiltrating certain nobles. Using the hands of these nobles and the passage of time, they have created an ocean-going fleet."
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, his finger tapping rhythmically on the scepter.
Each tap brought a crisp, distant sound.
'Clink... clink...'
This sound continued for about ten seconds before he slowly opened his eyes.
At this moment, the smile on his face had vanished, replaced by a look of profound gravity.
"The possibility is high. The rebellion of the Garnet family, combined with the fact that their fief is Seaview City... two hundred years is enough for that family to create an ocean-going fleet of ten thousand ships. If this is true, it is a massive blow to all living beings on the continent."
"Indeed. Therefore, I suspect the Kingdom of the Sun is already under attack."
The Pope's brow furrowed slightly. He suddenly turned to the mage managing the communication room and asked.
"Has the contact with the Kingdom of the Sun been interrupted recently?"
The mage was off-camera, so I couldn't see him, but I could hear the fear in his voice.
"Yes... yes."
"For how many days has it been interrupted?"
"Today... today is the fourth day."
The mage's answer caused the Pope's body to stiffen slightly. His gaze turned sharp for an instant before being hidden again.
He gave an order. "Connect to the other five nations immediately. Ask if their communication with the Kingdom of the Sun has been interrupted. I want an answer within fifteen minutes."
He turned back, looking directly at me as if seeking confirmation.
I nodded slightly, giving him his answer.
Counting today, the communication with the Kingdom of the Sun had indeed been severed for four days.
"It seems the possibility is very high."
The Pope slowly closed his eyes.
Facing a massive enemy like the demons, even the ambitious Pope would not cause trouble at a time like this.
If the demon problem wasn't resolved, the next to face them would be the Holy See.
If the demons were allowed to invade the Kingdom of the Moon, between the slaves, the nobles, and the normal population, the total number of people exceeded four hundred million.
Among those four hundred million, even if there were only one hundred million females, it would be enough for the demons to have an army of billions within a few years!
The growth rate of demons was terrifying. Just a few years after birth, they could appear on the battlefield as combat units.
An army of billions of demons would be enough to sweep through all human nations!
He pondered for a long time.
Suddenly, he turned back and said.
"Call Roland here immediately."
At the same time, he looked back at me.
"Lady Luo Li, what are your plans?"
I hesitated for a moment before informing him of my thoughts.
As I spoke, the Pope's expression shifted between surprise and silence.
It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
But after I finished, he slowly raised his head to look at me.
"I understand. Since it is Your Noble Highness's decision, I represent the Holy See in offering you unconditional support. Whatever you need, I will do everything in my power to provide it."
"Noble?"
I was stunned and subconsciously whispered the word.
Logically, the most noble person in the human nations should be the Pope.
And the term 'Noble' was something a subordinate used when addressing a superior.
The Pope's status was clearly higher than mine, yet he used this term to address me. What did this mean?
"Heh, Your Noble Highness still underestimates me. I admit I had some designs on the Kingdom of the Moon, but in the face of the greater good, even my ambition must make way for your greatness."
He slowly stood up, looking at me with a solemn expression.
"Lady Luo Li, you truly are the Saintess of the Moon. I admire your choice. In dealing with the demons, I will set everything aside to support you and ensure your strategy is executed perfectly."
"Thank you, Your Holiness."
It seemed that my act of putting myself in danger made him perceive me as noble?
Is that why he's willing to support me?
Actually... who the hell would want to go!
I'm only going because I have to.
If I don't go, where will the soldiers find their fighting spirit?
Only when I, the Saintess, am personally on the front lines will they dare to risk their lives to enter demon territory.
If we try to besiege the enemy base to save our ally but get pushed back instead, then forget the strategy, the entire country will face collapse.
So no matter what, even if it's just a front, I have to hold on.
The Temple knights have known since childhood who they are meant to protect. But if they are in demon territory with no one to protect, becoming the ones on the offensive, it will be a test of their will.
They would likely feel like they were sacrificial pawns.
If morale drops before the battle even begins, the result will surely be defeat.
There is only one way, and that is for me to stand on the front lines and tell them.
They are not pawns.
That way, even when it truly comes down to a desperate fight, they will have the courage to risk their lives with me against the demons instead of being slaughtered while fleeing in panic.
I didn't want it to be like this either!
But without this, the success rate of this surprise attack might not even be ten percent.
With me there, it can at least increase to thirty percent.
If the Dragon King is willing to help, it can increase to over fifty percent.
Now with the Pope's support, the chances are at least sixty percent.
The only problem is how to quickly besiege the demons.
An even bigger problem is that the military strength in Brilliant City is currently too low.
There are only about two thousand knights.
Right, the reinforcements from the Snow Country should be arriving soon. At least the Snow Country has not been stingy with reinforcements.
And the knights from the Kingdom of Flame, Kingdom of the Sea, and Kingdom of the Highlands should also be arriving soon.
"There is no need to thank me. Let's do this then. Since you plan to go deep into the enemy camp, I will handle the situation in the Kingdom of the Sun. I will do my best to save as many civilians as possible."
As we spoke, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside, clearly someone walking in while wearing armor.
Next, a somewhat feminine woman... no, it's a man!
I subconsciously looked at the person who appeared in the corner of the screen.
He looked almost exactly like a woman, but looking at his height combined with the difference between his armor and female armor, I instantly understood he was a male.
When Diocletian saw this person, a look of relief appeared on his face.
"Roland, you've come at the right time. Let me introduce you. This is the new Saintess of the Moon, Lady Luo Li."
Roland slowly turned his head to look at me. His gaze, set in a face as soft and beautiful as a woman's, was extremely cold. Seeing me, he only gave a slight nod and introduced himself.
"Roland Feding, holy knight."
Is he... this generation's holy knight?
Diocletian glanced at me and then explained my plan to Roland.
As the plan was fully revealed, the look Roland gave me carried a hint of surprise and inquiry, but more than that, it was respect.
His expression gradually softened.
"Lady Luo Li's purity and courage are admirable."
He spoke these words calmly.
His voice was somewhat neutral, but I always felt there was something strange about it, as if... he was intentionally deepening his voice.
It was a bit odd.
But it wasn't my place to say anything.
"Sir Roland overpraises me. As a Saintess, this is my duty."
Diocletian then sat back down on the sofa and shared his thoughts.
"Since Lady Luo Li has already invited the Dragon King as an ally, and the vanguard knight armies of the other nations are likely arriving soon, Lady Luo Li can lead them to the battlefield. I will have Roland lead the Temple knights of the Holy See to the sea to directly support the Kingdom of the Sun."
While we were talking, a sudden commotion came from a distance.
Then, the door behind me was thrown open with a 'bang', and Hilda dropped to one knee.
"Your Highness, urgent news from the Kingdom of the Sun! The Guardian Knight of the Sun, Izumi, has arrived to report. The demon army has crossed the ocean with nearly ten thousand warships and surrounded the main island of the Kingdom of the Sun. The King of the Sun, Ryuichi Yamazaki... has fallen."
As she spoke, she held up a letter.
"This is a personal letter from the Saintess of the Sun brought by Guardian Knight Izumi. Please look it over, Your Highness."
"Where is she?"
Nara quickly took the letter and placed it in my hand while I questioned Hilda.
Hilda looked up at me.
"She lost consciousness immediately after arriving. She is currently being treated. The priest said it is just excessive consumption of physical and mana. She needs to rest for a while."
"I see. See that she is well cared for."
With that, I opened the envelope.
The handwriting inside appeared before my eyes.
【To Lady Luo Li:
By the time Lady Luo Li sees this letter, you likely already know the current situation, so I will not repeat it here. I have a strategy; I wonder if Lady Luo Li dares to follow it?
The demon army has come out in full force, blocking the connection between the four islands of the Kingdom of the Sun and the continent.
If Lady Luo Li has the courage, you can lead your army to strike the demons' outer island directly and completely uproot the demons' foundation.
If Lady Luo Li is unwilling to take the risk, please notify my knight army as soon as possible to have them return and immediately reinforce the main island.
Momoka Saint Raphael.】
This woman actually had the same idea as me.
However, I was certain she was overestimating things.
With the current military strength of the Kingdom of the Moon, even with reinforcements, it was impossible to completely uproot the demons' outer island.
Strategically, her idea wasn't wrong, but it was limited to being just an idea.
To annihilate all the demons on the outer island, at least a combined effort from all races would be required.
With only the combat power of the Kingdom of the Moon at this moment, forget uprooting them, being able to besiege the enemy base to save the ally was already the limit.
I turned to look at the Pope and showed him the letter in my hand.
He paused for a moment and then nodded.
"The idea is good, but it is unrealistic. How could it be so simple to clear out the demons?"
Saying this, Diocletian stood up, scepter in hand, his face solemn.
"We have accurate information now. There is no time to lose. Lady Luo Li, please set out!"
He slowly raised his scepter and actually lowered his head slightly, giving me a respectful bow.
"I wish Your Highness a triumphant victory and may your martial fortune be prosperous!"
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