Chapter 10: With a little analysis

Outside the door, Hilda stood in a daze. Her shadow blocked the last rays of sunlight coming through the crack.

Luo Li glanced toward the entrance—she was sure someone was standing there.

There was still a demon spy hiding in the city. If that person tried to attack her, she wouldn’t be able to defend herself at all with her current strength.

Her level was way too low!

She waited for a long time, but the person outside didn’t come in. Luo Li let out a sigh of relief.

If the person really intended to assassinate her or force himself on her, he wouldn’t just stand dumbly outside the door.

The inner part of the temple was restricted—only nuns and the Saintess were allowed inside. Male entry was generally

forbidden.

However, there were knights patrolling the temple grounds.

As the Saintess, Luo Li held both the political and religious authority of the country. You could say the entire Moon Nation revolved around her.

In a way, the temple was her royal palace.

“Who’s outside? Come in if you want to speak.”

Luo Li called out cautiously. The heavy temple doors slowly opened. Hilda stepped inside, her expression oddly conflicted—she looked emotional but was clearly trying to suppress it.

Luo Li was baffled. What was Hilda up to?

Did she… do something naughty?

No way.

Could she be in love with someone?

But would that make her this flustered?

Besides, the demon army was still a threat. How could she have time for that?

“Hilda, are you… alright?”

Watching how awkwardly she walked, Luo Li became even more convinced of her own theory.

Her legs were trembling—clearly from exhaustion.

But that guy must be strong to tire out even a Guardian Knight. Impressive! Truly a role model for the rest of us! (#ﾟДﾟ)

Too bad I lost my precious body… otherwise, I probably wouldn’t lose either!

Hilda stepped in front of her, knelt on one knee, and raised a stack of documents high above her head.

“Saintess, please forgive me. I didn’t know you were communicating with the gods. I interrupted your divine communion

—please punish me!”

What is she talking about?

Divine communion?

Luo Li was utterly confused.

She had no idea what Hilda meant, but clearly, she had misunderstood something.

“You may rise. It’s fine.”

Seeing Hilda like this, Luo Li didn’t press the issue. The less said, the better. Being cautious was best.

“Just place the documents to the side, Hilda.”

“At your service!”

Hilda stood and placed the documents on a small desk next to the bed. Then, she backed down the steps respectfully.

Men weren’t allowed in the temple, and even ordinary nuns weren’t permitted to approach the divine platform. Only the Saintess and carefully selected nuns had that privilege.

As the Saintess, Luo Li needed to pray frequently, so she often slept there.

“Hilda.”

“I’m here.”

Hilda took a step back and bowed slightly.

“Did the demon army really retreat?”

“Yes. I’ve just received a report from the East Gate. Guardian Knight Nar confirmed that the demon army has indeed withdrawn.”

The demon race lived in the northeast of the continent. They had once been driven to an isolated island by humans but

had now risen again after many years.

What made them terrifying was their ability to reproduce using other species.

And strangely, no matter what race they mated with, the offspring were always demons.

So technically, their reproductive capability was quite strong. As long as they conquered other races, they would have

unlimited breeding stock.

This was how the demon race came to control the northern Winter Forest and parts of the eastern coastline.

The Holy Church Nation was located at the center of the continent, surrounded by seven other Church-aligned nations.

The Moon Nation sat on the eastern coast, with the Holy Church Nation behind it, and the Demon Nation in front.

Luo Li nodded slightly, her face calm and graceful.

“Hilda, please inform Nar, Yuna, and Cain to come to the temple to discuss important matters.”

Hilda paused, looking hesitant.

“Saintess, the demon army just retreated. The three Guardian Knights have fought for days and are exhausted. Perhaps it

would be better to wait until tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

Luo Li shook her head.

“Do we even have a tomorrow?”

Hilda’s expression changed drastically. She looked up sharply at Luo Li.

“Saintess… does the divine message you just received mean that Glorious City will fall?”

Luo Li nodded.

“Lend me your silver coins.”

“What do you need them for, Saintess?”

Hilda handed her a small pouch of coins—about twenty in total.

Luo Li wasn’t sure what these coins were worth in this world, but Hilda was a level-50 Guardian Knight. Was this really all she had?

Either silver coins were very valuable, or Glorious City was truly poor.

Luo Li took out five silver coins, knelt down, and spread her long white robe across the floor. Despite dragging on the ground, the robe remained spotless.

There must be some kind of magic formation in the temple keeping everything clean.

She placed the coins in four directions and pointed to the one in the center.

“Hilda, I want you to answer honestly. If this coin in the center represents the temple, and you had enough forces to surround Glorious City, and your goal was to capture me, which direction would you launch your surprise attack from?”

Hilda furrowed her brows, her expression serious. After a brief thought, she pointed west.

“From here.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Saintess, Glorious City faces the sea in the east, mountains in the north, and flat plains in the south. Because the Demon

Nation is to the east, most of our forces are concentrated in the northeast. The southwest has weaker defenses. The west is

hilly, with low peaks and thick forests—perfect for hiding troops. The southern plains are too open, and any surprise

attack would be easily spotted. The western gate is also closest to the temple.”

So that’s it.

If someone left through the western gate, they’d reach a rugged landscape of hills and forests, making escape almost impossible.

The demon army’s sudden retreat likely followed the failure of Martha’s mission to abduct the Saintess.

Luo Li didn’t believe they would give up so easily. After all, they’d spent an entire year preparing this scheme.

“Hilda, for the sake of Glorious City and the Holy Church, I ask you to secretly summon the three Guardian Knights. Make sure no one else finds out.”

“As you command.”

Hilda turned and left the temple.

Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword as she looked up at the blue sky and bright sun.

“O God, I sincerely pray… no matter what happens, please protect the Saintess.”

“May the glory… never fade!”