When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist
Chapter 73 - 72: Disaster Strikes, the Old Monster Comes to the Newbie Village

Chapter 73: Chapter 72: Disaster Strikes, the Old Monster Comes to the Newbie Village

"Qianqian, brother, up so early?"

A bright future was in sight, and Horn’s mood was much improved. His whole demeanor changed from the previous coldness to a somewhat excessively cheerful one.

"Haha, drank too much last night, got up a bit late. If I doze off, make sure to wake me up, hahaha."

Qianqian wore a faint smile, social yet detached, and politely said, "You’re quite humorous."

"Is everyone here?"

"All accounted for," said Armand, who was responsible for the count.

"Come, Qianqian, brother, we’re among friends here, speak freely."

Scanning the seated crowd, Qianqian closed his eyes first, taking almost two seconds before reopening them:

"Everyone, I’m afraid I have to tell you some bad news. Almost all the routes to Black Snake Bay are currently impassable."

Horn, who had been lazily slouched in his chair, suddenly bolted upright as if there were springs in the seat: "I don’t understand, what does that mean?"

"Just like you, I’m trapped in Thousand River Valley," Qianqian spread his hands, "The entire Secret Faction of Thousand River Valley has either withdrawn or gone into hiding. Those routes were either destroyed by floods or demolished before leaving."

"Why? Why did the Secret Faction withdraw entirely? Was it just because of the flood?"

"Yes and no." Qianqian glanced around at the crowd, seemingly pondering how to explain to those with only an elementary education.

Eventually, he simply gave up and stared directly at Horn: "Do you know why there’s a flood this year?"

"Related to the Church?" Horn quickly grasped the key point.

Qianqian laughed: "I do enjoy talking to smart people, not that I’m calling you smart.

Upstream on Nao’an River, near the Shattered Stone Plain, there’s an Innocent Dam, or called Ruo’an Dam.

This dam began construction under Pope Ruo’an’s term, but was only completed during Pope Innocent’s era.

Including the Tree Hedge Dam here, which is essentially a byproduct of this dam.

Before this, Thousand River Valley had a pattern of three years of drought followed by two years of flood. After the dam, floods only occurred once every one or two decades.

Last year, His Holiness the Pope, to win over the nobles and bishops of the Northern Four Regions, altered the Ruo’an Dam, intending to divert some water to the parched North. Then, this year it collapsed."

Horn’s face turned sour immediately. The clichéd nature of the story made him realize what would happen next.

Everyone was responsible for the matter, yet no one truly bore the accountability.

"Led by Grandiva, the Cardinals began attacking the Pope’s selfish actions, because he is from the North.

The Pope, on the other hand, claimed that Grandiva’s people sabotaged the dam.

This flood has also affected the downstream Gold Five Regions, where the nobles are complaining, and the Falan are gloating."

Leaning against the seatback, Horn rubbed his temples, understanding that the Pope’s faction certainly wanted to extinguish the fire quickly, while Grandiva’s side certainly wanted to stoke it.

No wonder, no wonder, even if there were marauding bandits and robbers post-flood, shouldn’t it have escalated so quickly?

Moreover, Juanuo and Constans’ resentment spanned over one or two decades, why did it suddenly erupt?

It turns out there were unseen hands stirring the depths.

But the little fishes and shrimps on the surface of the abyss couldn’t see anything, only sensing a dark surge coming, inevitably leading to their total annihilation.

"That’s the first issue; the second issue is the internal crisis of Leia Kingdom." Qianqian took out a map of the Empire from his arms and spread it out on the table.

"Our King, the old King Tumendjis of Leia Kingdom, is already 72 this year.

Leia Kingdom has a total of 42 Imperial Legions. Prince Kongdai controls 9, Old King Tumendjis holds 13, Prince Yingbela has 4, and the two Royal Dukes, one holds 6 and the other 10.

As for their disputes, let me put it this way: besides Prince Kongdai, the remaining individuals stand a chance for succession.

And truly speaking, Prince Kongdai is the descendant of the previous dynasty’s royal family; he has a legitimate claim too.

But Tumendjis is intent on passing the throne to his youngest son, Ginijis, without splitting the kingdom."

By now, the entire Stag Chamber was silent.

"But what does this have to do with us?" Madlan couldn’t help but ask.

Ignoring Madlan, Qianqian merely kept his gaze fixed on Horn, knowing Horn would come to understand.

"Behind the Empire are the El people. They need a stable Thousand River Valley for easy profiteering.

King Tumendjis of Leia Kingdom, nearing the twilight of his life, hopes the throne can transition smoothly, without any mishaps.

The Church folks hope that the issue with Thousand River Valley doesn’t ignite the conflict between Grandiva and the Pope."

"These are the root causes of the matter." Qianqian helplessly pointed at High Castle on the map, "Though many don’t realize it, there’s one thing they certainly understand."

"What is it?"

"Lion Knight Prince Kongdai, has already brought nine Imperial Legions to Thousand River Valley."

"Just a mere nine Imperial Legions..." Buniyan sneered disdainfully beside Madlan.

Qianqian shot Buniyan a surprised glance and asked confusedly, "Do you think it’s too few? That’s 900 Imperial Knights, 900 Square Banner Knights, and 900 Squire Knights, along with 5,000 infantry.

The number of knights alone exceeds the population of your little Pope Country."

Madlan slapped Buniyan on the face, warning him not to speak recklessly.

"Trying to avoid the royal succession dispute?" Horn pressed on.

"Yes." Qianqian said with a bitter smile, "Prince Kongdai’s great-grandfather’s throne was overturned by the Leia Kingdom’s nobles in collaboration; they won’t let a mere homingbird perch on the Gown of Scales again.

So Prince Kongdai, knowing he had no chance, declared his disinterest in the throne and took the Imperial Legions to Thousand River Valley, under the pretext of suppressing heretic rebellions."

Horn felt a dryness in his throat: "Could that mean..."

"That fellow called Boned." Qianqian stood up, "He told me that Prince Kongdai’s first stop is High Castle, a place where he learned martial skills during his youth, regarded as his half-hometown."

Horn slumped entirely in the chair.

Not just Horn, everyone sank into a deathly silence.

There are 2,700 knights, even if Horn appointed all his men as part of the Imperial Legion, they couldn’t stand a chance against the opposition.

The most crucial point is, a new officer takes charge and fires three shots; Horn’s side had just annihilated nearly 100 Church Army members, practically extending their necks for the opponent to strike.

"Is there any possibility..." Horn’s throat was devoid of any moisture.

"Impossible." Qianqian shook his head and said, "Near High Castle, you are the largest group of rebels. According to the information released by Bishop Banifus, it’s said that you have over ten thousand members.

No matter how you slice it, Prince Kongdai must deal with you first; if not first, certainly among the top five."