The girl’s voice echoed in Momoka’s ears.
In that instant, Momoka understood.
She finally realized why the Saintess of the Moon, who had been so muddled half a year ago, had suddenly become so wise and powerful.
She saw the future!
While it wasn’t impossible for time-element mages to exist in this world, they had to pay a significant price for their abilities.
To clearly ‘see’ the future as this girl did, the price was absolutely not something an individual could bear.
In other words, this was definitely not something a mortal creature could achieve!
Only God could grant a girl power akin to that of a prophet.
Only this single deduction fit everything she was hearing now.
It also made her understand why the Chosen One was the girl before her and not one of the other Saintesses.
Logically, at that time, the other Saintesses possessed power far exceeding that of this girl.
Yet, in the end, God had chosen her.
It was all because only the Kingdom of the Moon could stop the demon race, and only she could control the Kingdom of the Moon.
That desperate counterattack and the subsequent triumphant march to conquer the demon island... it all originated from this.
"I understand."
Momoka studied the silver-haired girl before her intently before closing her eyes once more.
She nodded, and those two words seemed to carry much more weight in that moment.
She understood?
As long as she understood, it was fine. Luo Li had said so much that whether the other girl believed her or not was up to her now. Any more words would be a waste of breath.
"However, I have one condition."
Momoka’s expression was grave, her brow furrowed deeply.
It was as if she were making a momentous decision.
"Luo Li, I know your will and your thoughts now, and I understand your experiences. Therefore, I am willing to help you. However!"
At this, she raised her head.
"You must guarantee that one day, once your goal is achieved, you will help me restore my nation. You must let my Kingdom of the Sun return to its former brilliance."
"If you agree, I will assist you with all my strength. If you do not, I will take my people and leave to find another place where we can settle."
Hearing this, the girl’s brow twitched.
It seemed... she had successfully won her over.
However, this condition was quite demanding.
Restoring a nation... was that ever easy?
Furthermore, if Momoka truly gave her full support now, would her people even want to restore their own nation when the day finally came?
But... it wasn't a loss for now. Future matters could be dealt with in the future.
Regardless, Momoka’s combat power was certainly sufficient. Combined with her prestige as the Saintess of the Sun, along with her thirty thousand knights and two Guardian Knights, she was a significant asset.
This manpower was more than enough!
"Fine, I agree."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Lina suddenly perked up beside them.
"Hey, hey! Count me in too!"
Luo Li turned to look at Lina, whose face was filled with excitement.
Clearly, she had been thoroughly swayed by the speech just now.
"Lina, you are the Saintess of War. Are you sure you can make this decision?"
"Of course! From today onward, we are allies in a united front! This alliance shall not be broken until the demon race is crushed!"
She raised both hands, palms facing Luo Li and Momoka.
"Clap hands to seal the oath!"
This girl really wasn't afraid of her Grandpa Scott coming to drag her back personally.
But... that was fine too.
Regardless, having such an ally was better than having another enemy.
Luo Li also raised both her hands.
Seeing this, Momoka hesitated for a moment before raising her hands as well.
They clapped hands to seal the oath.
The alliance was formed!
Retracting her left hand, which had been turned red by Lina’s overly forceful clap, Luo Li rubbed her wrist.
Momoka, beside her, was also rubbing her own wrist.
The two of them couldn't help but lock eyes and burst into laughter.
Lina, on the other hand, looked at their reddened palms without a hint of guilt. Instead, she pumped her fist.
"How about that? Aren't I amazing!"
How exactly are you amazing?
But, fine, yes, you're amazing.
In any case, the persuasion had been largely successful.
In this so-called alliance, the only one who could truly make the decisions was Luo Li herself.
Once Momoka’s refugees were dispersed throughout the Kingdom of the Moon, it would not be easy to gather them again.
As for Lina, she didn't have a single soldier under her command at the moment.
Even if the Black Armored Knights were reconstructed in the future, they would only number ten thousand. They wouldn't be able to interfere in administrative affairs at all.
The only one with sufficient resources and capability was Luo Li.
Not to mention, she was the one who had initiated everything.
The girls lay back down on the bed.
They stared at the ceiling, their mouths never stopping as they discussed their plans for the future.
"Momoka, although it’s a bit sudden, I might need your help very soon."
"I said I would help you, so I will do my utmost. It’s just... the immigrants from the Kingdom of the Sun haven't been transferred yet, and there are still many things to do."
Momoka was clearly worried about the people who had migrated from the Kingdom of the Sun.
But Luo Li simply smiled in the face of this.
"That is exactly what I need. I actually have a plan to build a railway, and I need to conscript laborers. However, the population loss in Seaview City and the northeast region is massive, making it difficult to gather so many people at once."
"The immigrants from the Kingdom of the Sun have just arrived and have no means of survival yet. It would be better to hire them directly. This way, they have food to eat and can work peacefully while adapting to the environment of the Kingdom of the Moon."
Momoka thought for a moment.
"Yes, that is indeed a good idea. However, what is a railway?"
"Well, a railway is..."
Just as Luo Li was about to explain, Lina chimed in.
"I know, I know! A railway is an iron carriage that can run!"
"An... iron carriage?"
Well, the meaning was close enough, but the explanation felt a bit strange.
However, watching the two girls whispering and chatting away, Luo Li let out a light laugh.
Forget it, let them talk. She was tired and was going to sleep first.
Seeing that Luo Li had already fallen asleep, Momoka and Lina glanced at each other.
They too closed their eyes to rest.
The three girls each harbored their own thoughts as they shared the same bed.
...
The next morning.
"Your Highness, it is time to wake up. Lady Lina and Lady Momoka have already finished washing up and are having morning tea outside."
"Mmm... just a bit longer."
"Today's morning report..."
"Then wait until I’ve taken a bath before I look at it."
In the hall, the already awake Momoka and Lina turned their gazes toward her.
"Good morning, Luo Li," said Lina, still full of energy and showing no signs of sleepiness.
"Good morning, Luo Li," Momoka added with a bright, smiling face.
"Good morning."
Replying casually, Luo Li sat in the long-vacant main seat, resting her wide sleeves on her lap.
She listened carefully to Lola’s report.
"Yesterday’s explosion resulted in a total loss of over ten thousand gold coins, including compensation, reconstruction costs, and the repair of the workshop. Your Highness... the steam engine was destroyed yesterday."
Luo Li nodded. She had basically guessed as much yesterday.
With such a massive explosion, the steam engine was bound to be damaged.
But that wasn't an issue.
Now that Anton was in her hands, as long as he was alive, couldn't she just build as many trains as she wanted?
"If it’s destroyed, then so be it. Notify Anton to prepare twenty... no, forty steam engines. All materials and wages will be paid by the national treasury."
At this point, Luo Li looked at Lola.
"By the way, when is today’s meeting scheduled?"
She had said yesterday that they would hold a meeting today. This was a matter of the highest priority.
The Five-Year Plan would begin here, as would the construction of the Six Ministries and the Cabinet.
"In response to Your Highness, the meeting starts at nine-thirty. There is still one hour until then."
"I see. Report the list of attendees to me."
Lola adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses and reported to Luo Li:
"The list of personnel summoned for today’s meeting is as follows..."
Bishop Lola.
Personal Nun Nara.
Cabinet Minister Augus Di Clapham.
Commander of the Dragon Knight Corps Lancelot and Dragon Knight Corps Advisor Ligeia.
Cabinet Minister Audis Von.
Proposed Minister of Infrastructure Anton, the physician Scott, and his wife Carrie.
Head of the Alchemists' Association Camilla.
Proposed Minister of the Slave Trading Department Fulong Cavendish.
Proposed Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice Rodney.
The personnel from the knight orders are as follows:
Heavenly Punishment Knight Kevin Cromwell.
Guardian Knights:
Hilda Cromwell.
Yuna Von.
Nar Alvin.
Cain Winchester.
Tristan Stuart.
Guardian Knight of the Kingdom of the Sun, Izumi.
Personal Bodyguard Knight Dominica.
Aside from the mage Grannia, who was away on orders, the three Guardian Knights guarding the Great Wall, and Yanagi Musashi of the Kingdom of the Sun, basically everyone who should be there had arrived.
As for those so-called useless old officials who only occupied space, they had all retired.
Thinking of this, Luo Li couldn't help but feel emotional.
If the Saintess of Brilliance, Martha, hadn't ravaged Brilliant City for an entire year, those old officials' original control would have been far greater.
At the very least, this meant she had smoothly taken over Brilliant City.
As for the other city-states, aside from Final City in the northeast and Seaview City in the southeast, the rest were not yet under her control.
"Mmm... Lola, send someone to notify Vincent, the new head of the Mage Association. If he is willing, invite him to attend as well."
Back in Moonrise City, she wouldn't have been able to hold out for so long if Vincent hadn't stepped in.
This man was definitely a key figure worth winning over.
This invitation was a test. If he agreed, things would proceed naturally. If he didn't, she would find another way to make him agree later.
None of these talents would be allowed to leave Brilliant City without being put to use!
Luo Li let out a soft breath and looked up at the two girls before her.
"Momoka, Lina, you should attend the meeting this afternoon as well. It concerns the plans for the Kingdom of the Moon for the next several years."
Momoka and Lina looked at each other and naturally had no objections.
And so, with her mind full of the matters to be discussed at the meeting, Luo Li hurriedly finished her breakfast and led Lina and Momoka to the main hall.
The main hall was now set with a massive long table, an interconnected wooden table over twenty meters long.
The martial faction naturally took the seats on the right side, while the civil faction naturally gravitated toward the left.
Even before Luo Li spoke, the seating had already been settled.
The top seat on the left was currently empty; that was Lola’s spot.
At the top of the right side sat the Heavenly Punishment Knight, Kevin.
What caught Luo Li’s attention most was Lancelot, who sat just below Kevin.
His position was between the Heavenly Punishment Knight and the Guardian Knights.
This was enough to prove that his strength had been accepted by these knights.
Though she didn't know what had transpired in the hall earlier, it was clear that Lancelot had established his authority here, and quite successfully at that.
The moment the silver-haired girl appeared, everyone seated instinctively stood up.
"We greet Your Highness the Saintess. We pray for your well-being."
"I am well. Everyone, please rise. Is everyone here?"
Luo Li was not a fan of ostentation; she prioritized practicality and didn't care for such formalities.
"In response to Your Highness, everyone has arrived."
It was Lola who spoke. She had already conducted a full head count before the Saintess arrived.
Only after everyone was present did she lead Luo Li into the hall.
As expected of Lola.
"Good. Arrange a chair on either side of me for Lina and Momoka."
The little nun beside her was quick-witted and immediately brought over two chairs.
Lina naturally sat to Luo Li’s right, while Momoka sat to her left.
Luo Li looked up and scanned the standing crowd.
"Everyone, sit. Why are you standing? Today is indeed a meeting, but it is also a day for us all to gather. Some of you may be meeting for the first time. Once the meeting is over, take the time to get to know one another."
She lightly tapped the table.
"What we are discussing today is the plan for the next five years. Lola, you start us off."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Lola stood up and picked up a stack of documents. Then, the little nuns distributed the documents to everyone present.
"The primary objective of today’s meeting is the development plan for the next five years. This includes infrastructure development, livelihood development, and military development."
"Infrastructure development is divided into transportation and urban construction."
"Livelihood development includes education, slavery, and production."
"Military development includes coastal defense, military expansion, and the reorganization of the army’s scale."
"Alright, that’s all for now. I will now make the appointments."
Luo Li turned her gaze first toward the dwarf sitting at the end of the table.
"Mr. Anton, it is time to fulfill what we discussed before."
Luo Li stood up and looked at everyone.
"From this day forth, I appoint the dwarf Anton as the Minister of Infrastructure, in charge of all engineering, construction, and manufacturing."
"I appoint Nara as the Minister of Rites, in charge of all ceremonial matters."
"I appoint Audis Von as the Finance Minister, in charge of all financial affairs."
"I appoint Augus Di Clapham as a Cabinet Minister and the Minister of Land."
"I appoint Lola as the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and the Minister of Personnel."
"I appoint Ligeia and Camilla as Cabinet Advisors."
"I appoint Kevin Cromwell as the commander-in-chief of the three armies."
Everyone seemed to approve of these appointments, as no one raised any objections. Those whose names were called simply stood and nodded to the others.
It wasn't until the next two appointments that everyone’s jaws dropped in shock!
"I appoint Momoka, the Saintess of the Sun, as a cabinet elder and the Minister of Justice."
"I appoint Lina, the Saintess of War, as a cabinet elder and the Minister of War."
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