CHAPTER 542: CHAPTER 520 ATTITUDE TOWARD MOLIAT

The attitude towards Moliat within the Salvation Army has always been a grey area.

Generally speaking, the attitude towards a certain force can be reflected in the commentary articles by the Cardinal or His Majesty Saint Sun in the Truth Newspaper.

Of course, all these articles must be refined by the Secret Monks of the Saint Father’s Association.

After all, these monks of the Saint Father’s Association were personally instructed by Horn, and possess profound insight into the goals, positioning, and future development of the Salvation Army.

In the previous issues of the newspaper, Horn almost always published articles expressing his stance towards the Church, the Thousand River Valley Church and Prince Kongdai, Black Snake Bay and the Ruo’an Faction, and the Juanist Monastery.

The Church, with good intentions, but led astray by traitors; the Thousand River Valley should not emulate them, and should believe in the Miseria religion characteristic of the Thousand River Valley.

The Thousand River Valley Church and Prince Kongdai are devils among devils, the terminators of devils, with the devils controlling the Church due to its negligence.

Black Snake Bay and the Ruo’an Faction, although not religious, possess wisdom, and are lost sages that can be objects of evangelism and development.

The Juanist Monastery, brothers with the same faith, but a bit too conservative.

So far, Horn and Moliat have had little communication, both parties maintaining a superficially ambiguous alliance.

Meanwhile, Count North Seching, as a vassal of Moliat, shares the attitude problem towards Moliat like the Saint Sun’s Army.

If in the future they become friends, then what difference does changing flags make?

But the issue is, Horn can only be sure that they are allies now, but cannot determine if they will be in the future.

Currently, although there is no substantial ally treaty between both parties, whether it’s Horn capturing Rapids City or Moliat resisting the edict, there is a tacit mutual understanding.

Sometimes Horn even feels that this understanding is a bit too implicit.

In the only two instances of correspondence, nothing of substance was discussed, yet he always feels there’s a sense of familiarity and ambiguity between the lines from Grand Duchess Moliat.

But they haven’t even met face to face, could it really be that I’m too self-absorbed?

Dismissing his wild thoughts, Horn continued listening to the discussions in the council hall.

"A group of disorderly troops under our banner, many of them are bandits, their actions are hardly better than robbers? Why should we support them?" Busak said, frowning.

"But if we really let the Saint Sun’s Army fly Moliat’s flag, we will lose our last supporters in Hotam County." Madlan, rarely, expressed an opposing opinion in the council hall.

"Yes, the refugee group originally sided with us," Jeanne echoed.

In the territory of Hotam County, or rather, beyond Langsande County, the Thousand River Valley People generally support Moliat over Horn.

In the eyes of many Thousand River Valley People, especially among affluent farmers and monk groups, the Salvation Army roams without engaging, while Duke Hemashi is the main force resisting the enemy.

Only the refugee and Public Register Farmers group supports the Salvation Army as lords.

But they lack power, so they don’t have much voice.

In this uprising war, Moliat’s opinion is not something to be considered but a necessary issue.

Unfortunately, Moliat’s relationship with them remains quite ambiguous, unable to seize the opportunity for sincere dialogue.

The leader of the Saint Sun’s Army, André, is a wise man; he holds actual power, yet Valent Taylor is the nominal supreme leader.

Should a conflict arise, besides providing the enemy with amusement, it won’t yield any benefit.

Shifting the hassle to the Salvation Army makes it their problem.

If the Salvation Army can solve the Saint Sun Army’s winter issue, he is entirely willing to follow Valent Taylor’s advice.

If the Salvation Army wants both, it is a difficult demand, and André would have no pressure in splitting or persuading Valent Taylor.

Concerning the Saint Sun’s Army, Horn seeks support from nobles because it can amplify the Saint Sun Army’s strength, laying groundwork for the major summer counterattack.

However, accepting it gives Moliat an opportunity to pluck the fruits of victory.

But does it matter who picks this fruit? Must it necessarily be Horn who conquers Hotam County?

There seems to be no agreement stating the first to enter Hotam County shall be King of Thousand River Valley.

"If they disagree, other Rebel Armies will agree, what use is our opinion then?"

"Then let’s say, we don’t have control over them anyway."

"The goal is victory in the Thousand River Valley war, not to seize Hotam County."

"Aren’t you afraid Moliat might steal our fruits of victory?"

After two rounds of quarrel, Horn’s internal balance gradually tilted, finally making his last decision: "Alright, stop arguing, let’s have them agree to the nobles’ request."

Anyway, he temporarily lacks the ability to control the entire Thousand River Valley and is sure to share parts with Moliat in the future.

Although these nobles are long-term enemies, the primary objective at present is to dismantle the Thousand River Valley Church.

One must not confuse priorities, pushing everyone to the opposition side.

Horn doesn’t mind being hypocritical when necessary.

Just like the union with the Falan Kingdom, future generations might brand him Falan’s spy, yet he wouldn’t care.

If he initiates an attack on Hotam County later, should these nobles defect, how many young firm believers could be spared from death?

With regards to these nobles, just as Horn did in Ibe Village and Jinhe Town, some can be killed, some suppressed, some wooed.

As for hibernating and rebelling later, they surely wouldn’t live as long as Horn, nor as long as witches like Jeanne and Catherine.

If so-called hibernation reaches the second generation, there probably wouldn’t be any opportunity for uprising.

Just like the Kush noble youngsters at Frick Middle School, when they grow up facing a choice between rebellion and piety, the majority would choose piety.

As for the ownership of the Saint Sun’s Army, in a somewhat cold-blooded statement, Horn doesn’t care.

He cares if the reform outcomes in the southeastern three counties can be preserved? Can the Church forces be driven out of the Thousand River Valley? Does Moliat have the ability to hold the victory fruits of the independence war?

If these three can be fulfilled, then the first phase of the Thousand River Valley’s independence has succeeded, with the so-called welfare of believers to be pondered post-victory.

One must ensure survival before seeking development.

Even if Moliat became Prince of Thousand River Valley, Horn would not oppose.

As long as the Ethereal Tower is in hand, giving Spring Industry time, the lands of the three counties are enough to generate troops resisting the Empire Chao Character Army.

He has this confidence.

Concerning the flow migrants in Saint Sun’s Army unwilling to succumb, sending them out of the army to Langsande County would suffice.

"I have a suggestion," Busak suddenly raised his hand, "how about this? Isn’t Count Seching planning to circumvent from Daze Village to Mande County, then traverse via the mountain road to Honey River Town to meet that Gray Horse Knight and Duchess Moliat?"

If so, simply hand this letter to him, direct it to Moliat.

Of course, we should proceed concurrently, agreeing to André’s opinions while sending the letter, testing her sincerity and attitude."

"Alright, just do it this way, as per the second handling suggestion of this issue, endeavor to display our goodwill, dispelling their prejudices, as he will be meeting Moliat." Horn finally set the tone by tapping the wooden mallet.

"Who shall be responsible for this matter, then?"

Horn dipped the quill pen in ink, wrote Busak’s name beside the agenda document: "Let Busak and Mira arrange it."