When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist

The geographical layout of Daze Village is different from other places.

It was originally just a mountainous basin, but due to obstructions and sedimentation after earthquakes, the river course was permanently changed, turning the entire basin into a swamp.

Most of the Beastmen live on the mountain foothill plains.

From Horn's recent observations, those foothill plains are fragmented into various sizes of gray-green patches by small rivers and waterlogged pools, forming the Mire Heart Continent.

Most kingdoms are situated on these small Mire Heart Continents.

On the swamp, whenever Horn looked to either side, he could see Beastmen in rafts or dugouts engaging in aquatic battles on rivers and lakes.

Even though peace conferences are being held here, battles are still ongoing, leaving Horn speechless.

This Mire Heart Continent is about 60 meters long and wide, and its relative height above the lake is low, causing floods during spring and summer, making farming impossible.

Thus, this place has always been recognized by all the queens as a permanent neutral zone.

Pulling the commanders of the allied forces from both sides, Horn walked onto the Mire Heart Continent, flanked distinctly by four or five rows of queens, even those unable to attend had sent a "Hand of Kingdom" or chief minister to be present.

Some old scholars and old priests stood on the roadside waiting with a few children.

When Horn walked out wearing a simple reddish-brown priestly robe, these queens, who were originally cursing, stood up and silenced, paying respects to Horn.

Initially, the queens were reluctant to obey Horn, but when Saint Jeanne led a dozen Holy Gunmen to easily suppress other battling Beastman armies, they immediately became much more obedient.

When Horn arrived with over a hundred divisions from the Suo Mu River battlefield, this obedience quickly turned into awe.

Beastmen also admire strength, but most of the Empire's army trying to conquer them were often heretics, and no matter how strong the heretics are, it's false strength.

Thus, Beastmen have maintained the spirit of the east continent's indigenous people during the Great Migration Era—clear-minded yet foolish.

Horn walked silently past these queens, heading to a black velvet teak chair stolen from City Hall, and turned to sit down.

Pressing his hands against the armrest, he silently scanned around until there was no sound, then proclaimed loudly:

"Beastmen, your Emperor has returned!"

"I have returned, bringing peace, offering you a generation of peace!"

"I have returned, moreover, for the glory of Angel Brother Kong and Angel Brother Meng!"

After taking command and controlling the situation, Horn pressed down with both hands for the queens to sit, while Busak stepped forward to recite the Pope's Golden Seal Decree.

"Ah, eternal and omnipotent Father..."

"Hereby, servant of servants, grandson of Holy Father, foster child of Saint Master, eye of Holy Trinity, sinner Horn in place of Father declares to you..."

"Hereby proclaim: Establishment of the Great Pope and Hidon and Osha and Heila and Wolf Fang and Carthage and Pat and Luluya and... and the Northern Beierlan United Kingdom."

Busak read until his mouth was dry about the union kingdom composed of nearly three hundred small kingdoms, momentarily breathless.

Upon hearing the decree, the queens leaned out of their seats, discussing with those beside them.

This united kingdom, what is it? How come they've never heard of it?

Is it a union established to form a new kingdom? Could it be the Pope wants to unite them all with mere words? Then are they still queens?

Beastmen still retain a matriarchal clan tradition similar to Ancient Aier people, most kings are queens, outside of war, their method of unifying other nations is often through marriage alliances.

Seeing the queens whispering chaotically, Horn quickly explained, "The so-called united kingdom is actually a conglomeration of kingdoms with shared faith, aimed at maintaining international peace and security, and will not take away your thrones."

If given time, it should have been about conquering one by one for maximum benefit and tightest control.

But time doesn't wait for anyone now, Horn can only first form such a loose organization to dispatch and gather resources.

As the dissent within the venue grew louder, Horn struck the ground heavily with the Pope's Staff in his hand, chiding angrily:

"Why am I forming this kingdom, don't you know? Look at yourselves, you are clearly brother believers but actually fight each other, making a thirty-day war come out.

When those Evil Gods see it, they would think we're not united; you're all so arrogant, not thinking of reviving the Holy Church, still living in the old island."

"Your Majesty…" Queen of Carthage barely spoke before Horn interrupted.

"I know you have disputes, but those are our Beastmen's own affairs, why let outsiders laugh at us?" Horn stared at her intently, "Can't we sit down and talk?"

Silencing Queen of Carthage, Horn continued looking at them: "I established this united kingdom primarily to provide you a platform, a platform to mediate disputes, a platform for brother believers to unite against outsiders.

Clearly, barbarians are before us, the old lands of Autumn Dusk Island are before us, yet you don't progress, instead want to fight among brothers, what's that reasoning?

Let me tell you, originally I was about to leave for Holy Seat City to be enthroned, but Ah Mu informed me that her kind believers disregard the existence of heresy, actually engaging in internal slaughter.

I could have easily defeated those Imperial Knights and left, but I sympathize with your plight, thus returned to bring you new hope.

I know the quarrels between you both, also know none of you admit each other, it's indeed a difficult issue.

As the Pope, I shouldn't involve myself in mundane affairs, yet the current situation forces me to sacrifice myself, reluctantly becoming the Emperor within this united kingdom.

After my words, who agrees, who opposes?"

The queens looked at each other, and after a while, someone asked, "Then what about Heila Kingdom and Osha Kingdom? What about Jilari?"

"As for the people of Heila Kingdom, let them decide themselves, those willing to remain in Hidon can stay." Horn waved his hand broadly, muddy the waters, "Those unwilling to stay, just wanting to be Heila people, establish a new Heila Kingdom elsewhere.

Regarding the assassination of Queen Osha by a warrior from the Hidon Kingdom, it's a life for a life, debt repaid, murder compensated with execution.

Thus in the future, whenever similar incidents occur, it will be dealt with in this manner, any objections?"

The queens discussed quietly again, the thirty-day war has dragged on, with both nations suffering severe losses.

September to November is when fish are fattest, yet their young and strong were fighting, frequently engaging in aquatic battles, severely impacting fishing.

Even though Queen of Hidon lost a warrior, she gained another kingdom, unifying the entire Xidian Continent.

Osha Kingdom lost its queen but was similarly unified by Carthage Kingdom, Queen Osha's great revenge was achieved, the Heila Kingdom wasn't annihilated, the family's face was saved, and Carthage Kingdom had no reason to continue the war.

As for the other kingdoms, disputes over fisheries and territory, Horn told them to postpone handling, first complete the most urgent two tasks.

"I agree!"

"I agree too!"

Amidst a chorus of agreement, Horn waved his hand broadly, picked up the temporarily carved radish seal, and stamped it in red on the Golden Seal Decree.

To commemorate this great moment, a nearby group of old scholars immediately pulled out thorny strips and began wildly flogging the children they brought.

Flogging until they would never forget this matter for the rest of their lives.