When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist

Chapter 1331: Chapter 1249: André? You Are...?

In late November, Horn once again left the Ry Court Barracks and sailed to Joan of Arc Castle, using it as the starting point for his inspection mission.

He didn’t go alone, but brought along a large group of monks from the Saint Father’s Association, including Thomas, as well as accountants, clerks, adjudicators, and military police.

In addition, nearly 500 members of the Holy Armor Forbidden Army were also tasked with the Pope’s protection.

Don’t think that because Horn is the Holy Alliance’s Sun, he can do as he pleases; he’s not really the sun.

Many people at the bottom aren’t rational, unable to distinguish between the major and minor powers; what if a literal mad gunner appears?

Such things have happened throughout history, and even before Horn came to this world, he saw a former prime minister of a country get shot on the roadside.

With this entourage, Horn began inspecting facilities like new recruit camps, warehouses, military barracks, and ramparts along the way.

At each location, a necessary step was finding a small room to personally meet with soldiers, inquire about their opinions, and accept reports.

At this time, the Holy Alliance didn’t have a strong enough information technology system, making many places essentially unmonitorable.

Even in the relatively open politics of the Holy Alliance, the far-reaching power of the Pope prevents strong control.

Expecting people to restrain their desires through self-awareness is still too difficult for the general populace, which is largely disengaged from refined pursuits in this era.

Therefore, almost at every location, Horn had to scold, punish, dismiss, or even execute several officers or local monks.

For a time, monks everywhere were in a state of panic, making various preparations, fearing a surprise inspection by Horn on their turf.

If one were to use a control map from a game to describe it, where Horn passed through, the surrounding control and administrative efficiency skyrocketed.

Traveling from Joan of Arc Castle to Red Sand County, Horn continued along the river westward until he reached Fishing City.

Jeanne, Shepherd Leader of the Dawn Federation, and Gilathel, Shepherd Leader of the New Jewel Federation, had long been waiting.

They brought Horn a piece of news, that after Golden Horn Bay and Eagle’s Claw Bay successively surrendered, the vampires continued their advance.

From the current trends, it seems they intend for the Central Army to remain in the two bays for stabilization, while advancing along the north and south to attack Changge City.

King Jiji chose fortified defenses and a scorched earth policy, but initial war reports show these defenses are collapsing layer by layer.

Neither the strategists nor Jeanne herself, nor the monks of the two federations, see any positive prospects.

Even some towns and oligarchs that previously submitted are starting to stir restlessly.

Only after Horn arrived in Fishing City did these settle slightly.

Horn stayed in the two federations for almost a month, even spending the New Year Festival in Fishing City.

By mid to late January of 1461, he set off again, traveling north along the Seine River, passing through Upper and Lower Seine Counties and Wolf Bridge County in the New Five Counties towards the Shattered Stone Plain.

However, compared to before, the accompanying monks and even officers began showing signs of opposition.

The reason is simple; everyone knows well what kind of person André is.

Back then, he was a figure who tried to build his own power in the Shangruifo County border region; just this stain is enough to make him lose his military command and face consequences.

Yet His Majesty Saint Sun was overly merciful, actually sparing his life and even appointing him as the Northern Army’s commander.

He was even given command of two battalions!

Most importantly, the border of Shattered Stone Plain is still essentially a front line.

Due to the presence of ramparts, the Norn Servant Army and Royal Court troops in the Roaring Corridor have not acted rashly.

If they learn of Horn’s arrival, and André cooperates with them, what would happen?

Horn, however, was indifferent; before this, he might indeed have had such doubts.

But after inspecting garrisons on the Shattered Stone Plain and meeting a large number of priests from the Thousand River Valley interior, Horn could ascertain that even if André wanted to rebel, he had no ground for it.

Leaving now would only provoke André’s conceit.

André is like a half-wolf, half-dog; if he can be tamed, he’s like a lapdog, but showing weakness gives him an inch and he’ll take a mile.

In early February, Horn passed through Silver Bay City, arriving at the logistics center of the border fort group, the camp outside Lamp City.

After sending word ahead, Horn wandered around the area casually.

Standing on a hill, he could see the Dragon Sleep Mountain Range in the distance.

In the late winter, beneath the gray-blue sky, the snow-capped mountains seemed like a slumbering white dragon.

At the foot of the mountains lay vast plains, with lakes scattered among the golden grasses and heather flowers, like mirrors.

Even from afar, Horn could see the reflection of the low-hanging clouds and silver-white snow-capped mountains in those lake mirrors.

Among the scattered large rocks, water birds and rock sparrows paused, their crisp chirps heard as they pecked for insects in the dark black soil.

Taking a deep breath of the cold, biting air, Horn felt his sleepy eyes clear a bit.

He didn’t come here to admire the scenery.

Tightening his coat, he asked the person beside him, "Is everyone here?"

"Everyone’s here, waiting below."

Horn then leisurely made his way down the mountain along a path, where he saw a group of Holy Alliance officers wearing cloaks over their uniforms.

Some leaned against rocks, some sat cross-legged, while others chatted in small groups.

But upon seeing Horn, they immediately stood at attention, with some even wearing pajamas.

"Good morning everyone, I apologize for calling you here so early," Horn waved with a smile, as a monk beside him served the officers hot coffee, "This isn’t for anything else but to check if anyone’s absent. Lord André did well, with no absences."

Standing before Horn, André slightly bowed amidst applause, although his face was dark.

The reason for André’s dark expression wasn’t because of Horn’s arrival; Horn’s itinerary had been sent to him a week ago.

The problem was that Horn was supposed to arrive tomorrow morning, but he came today.

This group of people wasn’t small, bringing along a few Holy Armor Forbidden Army, Shadow Guards, accountants, and clerks, numbering eight hundred or more.

But Horn’s early arrival didn’t prompt any reports from the outposts, not even one!

Even the most trusted regional commanders appointed by him said nothing.

The reason for this was simple: His Majesty Saint Sun had ordered them not to speak.

Even when His Majesty Saint Sun arrived, the envoy entered the military camp with the edict, waking him up from bed, no one notified anyone.

Some officers even led the envoy saying, "Lord André is here, officer."

The rationale and actions were perfectly justified, yet they had André breaking into a cold sweat.

What does this mean?

It means all his subordinates, when faced with him and Horn, firmly chose Horn.

If His Majesty Saint Sun wished, he could send an envoy to directly take André’s head and return.

The few allies he secretly nurtured within the military evaporated like a fart in front of Saint Sun.

Without a word, wearing sycophantic expressions, they eagerly crowded around Saint Sun.

Among the other generals, some wore strange expressions, others were fearful, and a few couldn’t suppress their laughter.

André might be the big boss, but could he be bigger than Saint Sun?

Now, with external enemies and the most elite Imperial Guards, plus the Fire Lizard Regiment from the New Five Counties eyeing the situation eagerly.

Meanwhile, priests under Valent Taylor tirelessly preach at various garrisons.

Soldiers witness priests from the Holy Sect involved in every major event from enlistment, marriage, to childbirth.

The soldiers are devout believers of the Holy Sect, not to mention mutual aid societies, yet Horn spent lavishly to find native teachers for the garrison.

In the soldiers’ eyes, Saint Sun is like their small father.

As for André—who are you?

If André tried to convince in the morning, by evening, garrison soldiers would wave flags to protect their leader.

Since resistance was futile, compliance was the only option.

Oh, could anyone else do the job of Shattered Stone Plain military district official that André was performing?

Countless malevolent glances focused on André’s back, making him uncomfortable.

"It’s my duty, Your Majesty," André lifted his head again, his face turning from black to red, full of obsequiousness, "I heard a rooster crow before dawn, thinking it went crazy, but no, the real sun came."

Is it not about being more ingratiating? Do you have the skill to flatter like I do?

Back then, even when I lost military command, I flattered my way to a military district commissar position.

"Alright, since no one was absent, let’s not stand here. Let’s talk inside the camp."

With Horn’s words, the officers clustered around him like stars around the moon as they headed toward the military camp.

Just before leaving, Horn suddenly noticed a familiar figure in the crowd.

He turned to Petier beside him and said, "After the morning meeting, call... to... Understand?"

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