Brilliant City’s greatest information broker looked like nothing more than a harmless uncle next door.
However, Hilda, Yuna, and Cain all understood just how terrifying this man was.
Though his own strength was merely close to that of a Brave Knight and he lacked the blessing of a title, meaning he could only barely hold his own against a Fidelity Knight in their prime, his influence was not to be underestimated.
He had his own methods of transmitting information, entirely different from the magic towers currently in use.
While no one knew how he did it, the news had indeed reached him.
“The Holy Church actually mobilized an army to press our borders... Did they already know about the demon invasion?”
Hilda was shocked.
“Fortunately, they’ve already withdrawn. Otherwise, with Brilliant City’s current military strength, it would have been impossible to withstand an invasion.” Yuna patted her heaving chest.
No one could remain calm in the face of such a situation.
Cain’s expression was also dark, yet he seemed somewhat relieved. At the very least, among the information Baker had just shared, there was one piece that was very favorable to the Kingdom of the Moon.
This allowed the three of them to breathe a sigh of relief.
...
“The Snow Country and the Kingdom of the Sun mobilized their troops at the same time?”
Luo Li had also learned the news from Lola, who had rushed in to report, not hesitating to disturb the Saintess’s rest.
Luo Li was now wide awake, asking the question in almost the exact same tone as the others.
“Yes, Your Highness. The Snow Country and the Kingdom of the Sun have both mobilized their forces to the borders, and the Holy Church has already begun an orderly retreat.”
While it was unclear why the Kingdom of the Sun and the Snow Country shared such a tacit understanding to suddenly exert pressure, it was enough to place immense strain on the Holy Church.
Even the Holy Church could not emerge unscathed if it faced three Holy Nations simultaneously.
Furthermore, the other four of the Seven Saintesses’ nations were watching like tigers stalking their prey. If war broke out, the Holy Church would inevitably face a coordinated attack from all sides.
The Snow Country was located to the northwest of the Kingdom of the Moon, while the Kingdom of the Sun was to the northeast; both shared borders with the Kingdom of the Moon.
One could argue they were acting out of self-interest, knowing that if the moon fell, they would be next.
But Luo Li felt... this was the work of the Heavenly Punishment Knight, Kevin Cromwell.
Perhaps because Brilliant City’s communications were suddenly severed and he received certain information, Kevin had taken action.
Kevin, who had been sent as an envoy to the Snow Country’s capital, Frozen City, had been away for over three months. If he had traveled quickly, he should have arrived by now.
Brilliant City, lacking its magic towers, could not contact the outside world, and likewise, the outside world could not contact Brilliant City.
Combined with the Holy Church’s sudden military pressure and even the deployment of a Sacred Knight, these shifts—along with Kevin’s diplomatic maneuvering—likely prompted the Snow Country and the Kingdom of the Sun to act together.
Of course, this was all speculation.
As for the specific details, no news had arrived yet, so she couldn't be certain.
However, it was a good sign. At the very least, it would make His Holiness the ambitious Pope realize that even a declining Kingdom of the Moon was not something he could easily occupy!
But ultimately, it was because the demon army had been defeated. If they hadn't, the Holy Church would have raised their banners under the guise of ‘resisting the demons,’ and even the Kingdom of the Sun and the Snow Country wouldn't have been able to directly move against them.
The two nations, unable to react in time, would have been forced to watch as the Holy Church’s army completely occupied the Kingdom of the Moon.
“Phew...”
She exhaled a long breath of turbid air.
Her tense nerves suddenly relaxed the moment she received the news.
I won!
At least in this particular confrontation, I won!
I won fairly and squarely... I won so decisively that the Holy Church cannot find a single excuse to deploy their troops.
And this would inevitably bring more benefits.
Once the other nobles received this news, some of them would surely look at her in a new light.
This would greatly increase her prestige and make her subsequent moves much more effortless.
“Good news, truly good news... Thank you, Lola.”
Luo Li looked at Lola, whose face showed exhaustion but whose eyes sparkled with intelligence.
From this alone, it was clear that she was truly devoted to her.
“Yes, Your Highness, it is indeed good news.”
Lola habitually reached up to push the bridge of her nose with her index finger, but she froze slightly when her finger failed to find the frames of her glasses.
“You were in such a hurry that you didn't even have time to put on your glasses, did you?”
Seeing the surprise and embarrassment on Lola’s face, Luo Li waved her hand.
“Lola, come here.”
This was her bedchamber. Except for a few particularly trusted nuns, no one was allowed to enter. Lola had come in because the matter was urgent and hadn't had time to announce herself.
“Your Highness, this... this is against the rules.”
“There are no rules here but mine. What I say is the rule.”
Lola was stunned for a moment, hesitating before slowly stepping forward to the edge of the bed.
“Your Highness, you...” She looked at Luo Li with a puzzled gaze.
Because Lola had entered in a rush, Luo Li hadn't dressed yet and was currently wrapped in a large white bedsheet pulled up to her chest. Fortunately, it was large enough to stay in place.
Luo Li patted the mattress.
“Come, rest your head here.”
Lola was a bit nervous, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead.
“Your Highness... I, this...”
Luo Li simply responded with a smile, watching her, knowing that Lola would not refuse her command.
Perhaps faced with that smile, Lola knew she couldn't refuse. Finally, she pursed her lips and, with a face full of shyness, knelt by the bed and rested her head on the mattress.
Judging by her expression, she had clearly misunderstood something, but Luo Li didn't bother to explain.
She placed both hands gently on Lola’s temples and activated her skill!
“Healing.”
As a golden light lit up from her palms, every structure within Lola’s brain was revealed before her eyes without exception.
Guiding this trace of light, she let it travel to Lola’s eyes. Lola seemed to find it very comfortable; she closed her eyes, her red lips parting slightly as she let out a soft, melodious hum.
At this moment, Luo Li could feel the radiance rapidly repairing Lola’s eyes. Although she didn't understand all the medical details, it was clear that there was some level of pathology in her eyes.
That was why she had to wear glasses.
After a moment, Luo Li withdrew her hands. For some reason... a sliver of golden light had just flowed into Lola’s brain.
Could it be that this healing art had other abilities besides just healing?
Lola slowly raised her head. Her gaze appeared deep and bright, and the moment she opened her eyes, they were filled with pure surprise.
“Your Highness, my eyes... they’re actually cured?”
Rate on N.U.
