CHAPTER 303: CHAPTER 272: OPEN CONSPIRACY - KILLING BY BORROWING A KNIFE_2

Afra pouted and glared at Lette: "Can’t you just praise me properly? It really makes one angry!

But let me ask, what do you plan to do about Nora and Noi?"

"I’ll tell them the truth, then whether they stay or leave will be up to their choice.

If they insist on leaving, I won’t force them. However, one of the two Divine Artifacts they gifted has already been used by me.

It might mean I’ll owe them a big sum of Divine Coins.

We’ll just deduct that amount from Afra’s allowance."

"Why, I object!"

Afra stomped her feet anxiously: "You used it, why should I pay? If you’re compensating, just make it two compensations.

The remaining Divine Artifact will be mine!"

"You’re a Holy Light Goddess, what do you need a Life Goddess’s artifact for?"

"What do you know? Light of Life! It’s still light!"

"That kind of boastful talk, save it for when you reach the conceptual level! For now, it’s just laughable!"

"Hmph, I was about to say, don’t underestimate people. The sisters Nora and Noi aren’t the kind to run away from problems.

Besides, this place is where their father fell years ago.

Their main goal in coming here is to find the Fierce Sun King’s Divine Crown left behind.

If the world is destroyed, that crown would be dragged into the Nether Sea.

By then, they’d have even less of a chance to find it.

So, they’re very unlikely to leave."

Lette nodded slightly: "What you said makes sense, then go and talk to those two. If they choose to stay and assist us in resolving the crisis, that would be ideal.

But if they choose to leave, you mustn’t persuade them forcefully, understand?"

"Why, as a God, am I being lectured by you?"

"Because you’re not very reliable."

"Hmm..."

Afra pouted and turned to leave. Lette embraced Joanna and sat on the throne.

Cuddled in Lette’s arms, Joanna’s emotions gradually stabilized.

"Lette, I’m sorry. Even as a Divine, I still get so emotional."

"Compared to a cold God, I prefer the warmth of you."

Lette tightened his embrace: "Besides, this matter seems less like a natural crisis, more like a man-made one. And the culprit is probably the Tower of Truth.

Natural disasters follow the world’s natural development laws, hard to defy.

But man-made disasters, there’s a way to resolve and prevent them."

Joanna nuzzled her nose against Lette’s cheek: "It’s such a great feeling being held by you."

"Then enjoy it, you’ve been overworked lately, haven’t you?"

"Mm... By the way, Lette, speaking of the Tower of Truth, the news from the Lower Realm Holy City mentions something about the First Empire."

"Oh? The First Empire? Have they confessed?"

Lette asked because after the Holy Presence Ceremony, the Holy City accused the First Empire of unforgivable desecration due to Vanessa’s actions.

The Holy City sternly demanded the First Empire to hand over the main culprits and accept the investigation of the specially dispatched group from the Holy City.

Since then, the First Empire has been stalling, delaying as much as possible, occasionally throwing out a minor participant to take the fall, and continuing their procrastination.

In one word, drag.

The Holy City, lacking preparation for war, found itself short in both supplies and military readiness, allowing the First Empire’s stalling to continue.

Recently, word has come that the First Empire is ready for a full-scale war with the Church Court.

The reason is that the Holy City, across other Holy Empires, is actively promoting the establishment of the Magic Association, setting up a White Mage system.

This greatly regulated the mage community and controlled the trade in magical artifacts.

The usual mage groups benefited greatly and were very willing to accept the new policy.

However, the rogue mage groups were filled with hatred but had to flee as they couldn’t rival the Holy Light Church.

The First Empire saw an opportunity, openly resisting the Magic Association’s system more than once, refusing to enforce any White Mage ordinances issued by the Holy City.

This turned the First Empire into a haven for these Black Mages.

The First Empire also took this chance to recruit a large number of mages, significantly boosting their combat ranks, gradually gaining the confidence to challenge the Holy City.

"Lette, do you think I and Afra should intervene directly and thoroughly defeat the First Empire?"

"No. Although it would be efficient, it’s not the optimal solution.

In such matters, it’s best if the top leaders don’t personally involve themselves.

Because you are Holy Light Goddesses, any involvement removes all room for maneuverability in this matter.

Moreover, when Divines intervene directly, regardless of right or wrong, it becomes a talking point for those with agendas.

Even if we can prove we are entirely correct, lawful, and have irrefutable evidence.

They can still find ways to defame and spread rumors, sling mud.

And the believers, especially those with shaky faith, are easily swayed by such rhetoric.

After all, it’s one of humanity’s inherent flaws.

They always wish to see a black feather amidst the white swan.

So, remember.

Even if you’re right, don’t get your hands dirty.

The art of leadership is the art of drawing circles.

Draw a circle, get things done, but let the responsibility vanish."

Joanna nodded thoughtfully: "Then what do you think should be done about the First Empire?"

"You issue an oracle later, telling the Holy City not to send troops, only issuing a strong letter of condemnation.

And express that if the First Empire continues to act recklessly, it would lose the Holy Light Goddess’s protection.

In other words, stripping its status as a Holy Country."

"Huh? Just that? The punishment’s too light, isn’t it?"

"Hahaha, my Joanna, the light punishment we give doesn’t mean the punishment ends there."

Lette squinted his eyes, playing with Joanna’s fair, jade-like fingers.

"Soon, the Elf Empire will declare war on the First Empire due to the Elf slave trader incident.

Because the First Empire is no longer a Holy Country, none of the other Holy Countries can offer them aid.

At the same time, the Holy City won’t deploy a single soldier, and the Holy Light Goddess won’t grant any blessing.

This will be a one-on-one duel between the Elf Empire and the First Empire.

If in this battle, the Elf Empire crushes the First Empire hard, leaving it in disarray.

What do you think will happen?"

Joanna blushed, thinking: "Probably, the citizens within the First Empire will be greatly disappointed with the Imperial Family.

They will blame the empire’s defeat on the Imperial Family’s recklessness, causing the loss of the Holy Light Goddess’s protection.

Thus, the people of the First Empire will yearn for the days of receiving saintly grace!

Their longing for the Holy Light Church will be immense!

And the other Holy Countries, witnessing the First Empire’s defeat, will realize.

Without the protection of the Holy Light, they are nothing.

Henceforth, they will behave obediently, never daring to defy the Holy Light again."

Lette snapped his fingers: "My Joanna is indeed astute, that’s the result we want.

After this battle, no one would ever doubt the protection of the Holy Light again.

Over the years, bathing under the Holy Light, they have gradually lost reverence for it.

The arrogance and pride growing within have led them astray.

Someone needs to slap them awake.

But if that slap comes from the Holy Light Goddess or the Holy Light Church, it would not just be ineffective but worsen their rebellious tendencies.

Once the First Empire is subdued, others will harbor an implanted suggestion in their fear.

That is, the First Empire’s failure wasn’t because they were wrong, but because they were weak.

As long as they are strong enough, they’ll still resist the Holy Light.

But if the Holy Light’s protection is withdrawn and the Elves give them a good slap.

They’ll realize their limits and understand the necessity of the Holy Light.

Instead of resenting the Holy Light, they’ll long for the warmth and safety of its protection.

This is the art of leadership."

Joanna lay in Lette’s embrace, her gaze filled with admiration.

Lette smiled slightly, leaning down to kiss Joanna’s lips.

"Lette, Lette! I’ve brought Nora Noi! They want to speak to you personally!"

Afra returned to the hall, untimely, just in time to witness the scene.

Joanna blushed, quickly trying to get out of Lette’s embrace.

Lette unexpectedly held her firmly, kissing her passionately before holding her and looking at the hall entrance.

"Alright, come in and speak."