When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist

On December 31st, 1444 of the Imperial Calendar, the celebration of the New Year Festival was about to begin.

The Autumn Dusk Island, occupied by the undead, after centuries of silence, finally welcomed a festive and lively atmosphere once more.

On the ruins once marked by broken walls, the debris had been cleared, and the water rats residing in the ditches were swept away by nearby citizens.

Among the Insula Apartments, colorful triangular flags flapped in the cold wind, while children pointed at the paper flags overhead, laughing loudly.

All day, citizens and villagers strolled about everywhere. By afternoon, vendors selling goods and Night Watchers maintaining order had appeared in the Mansion Square at the town center.

In the evening, there were several important events, the first being the Octagon Cage fighting match after dinner.

When Horn said there was an opportunity to fight, it meant a real opportunity to fight, and when the elders said fight, it was truly a fight.

Three bare-fist battles in the Octagon Cage; six elders personally took to the field to determine the naming of the Mansion Square, the theater, and the Great Cathedral.

The reason for not deciding by vote was that the Senate practiced the principle of an absolute majority, requiring the agreement of two-thirds.

If a battle of words was not possible, then only a battle of fists would do.

The second event was the dance after the Octagon Cage fight.

Regardless of status, all young men and women of eligible age could participate.

This was to solve the marriage issues of young people in the Pope Country.

The third event was the countdown to the New Year after the dance.

The grand clock developed by Haimodin would chime in the New Year, celebrating surviving another year of hardship.

For this, Horn specially issued a notice to extend the curfew on December 31st and January 1st until one a.m. the next day.

"But I don't quite understand." Following behind Horn, Mitney asked as if questioning, "What's the point of doing all this when you are in a time of material scarcity?"

"Life needs a sense of ceremony." Seeing Mitney's lack of understanding, Horn smiled, "Throughout history, people have been puzzled about how to establish a personal sense of belonging to the group."

"Do you know how to establish it?"

"I believe it's established through political ceremonies and shared memories." Moving forward with the flow of shoppers, Horn's lips curled up as he looked at the bargaining men, women, and children.

"Between people, it's actually hard to understand and trust each other, and shared memories are key to distinguishing 'us' from 'them' among people.

You and I go to see the same clown show on the same day every year, he does not; we definitely have more in common with each other than with him.

It sounds absurd, but that's often how it is. Many of our daily festivals and collective activities are probably born for this reason."

On the side, Jeanne added, "And there's another point, they've experienced too much suffering and sorrow this year, we need to release their pent-up emotions."

Mitney pondered for a moment and then asked, "Doesn't happiness make people forget the hatred in their hearts? Aren't you afraid they'll become weak when facing the Church?"

"On the days when they should be together the most, missing one or even several family members, they will only remember the hatred more strongly." Standing in front of a villager's cheese stall, Horn shamelessly tried three big bites before buying the cheese, "Besides, they want to overthrow the Church not merely for their hatred."

"In the evening, will you be hosting all these events?"

"I might appear at the opening of the Octagon Cage fight, the rest will be arranged by Madlan and Armand."

Horn, holding a stick just picked from the bushes, finished the cheese in a few bites.

The group walked out of Mansion Square and onto a street wide enough for four carriages to travel side by side.

"After the opening ceremony, I'll visit the workshops and barracks to see the soldiers and artisans, I'll return in time for the countdown."

Leaving this sentence behind, Horn mounted his horse and headed towards the industrial district.

From afternoon to nightfall seemed to pass in the blink of an eye as the night quietly descended.

Due to the ongoing food shortage, each Tens stood only added eggs and butter to their meals, but it still left people, who hadn't tasted meat for so long, unsatisfied.

Torches flared up in clusters, and as the melodious music from the flute players filled the air, the torches illuminated half the sky.

Citizens of the Pope Country from various districts left their Insula Apartments and headed towards the theater.

As Gashkour and his family arrived near the theater, there was a dense crowd everywhere.

Some people uninterested in the Octagon Cage fighting arrived at Mansion Square early, carving dice from bones and taking out their small amounts of Dinars, cheering loudly.

Flute players and lute players were nervously rehearsing on the wooden stage, musical melodies flowing from the instruments.

Standing at the front of Mansion Square, amidst the noisy voices, Gashkour smelled a hint of roast meat and honey.

He swallowed a gulp but, remembering the expensive price of meat, pulled his wife and children firmly towards the theater.

Before the Octagon Cage fight, there were performances rehearsed by the local citizens themselves. According to Horn's request, each Hundred Households District had to produce a program.

The six elders would act as judges before the showdown, scoring these performances, and the Hundred Households District with the highest score would receive a red flag symbolizing honor.

After scoring, the six judges would personally take to the arena to perform free combat.

At this time, based on the previous scores, the citizens and villagers would surely have their inclinations of support and non-support for the elders.

This is what adds to the show, after all.

Many people came to the theater mainly to support their own Hundred Households District's performance.

The Gashkour family came for this very reason.

It's just that today they came a bit late and might not get a good spot.

Entering the semi-circular theater, Gashkour carefully selected and finally found a suitable row of seats in the sixth row.

Brushing away the curious hands of his son Domam tapping on the bronze urn, Gashkour settled into a comfortable position, looking towards the center stage.

"Good evening, faithful citizens, Horn, the sinner, your Pope extends sincere greetings to you all."

"The hero of the Thousand River Valley People!"

"Our very own Chosen Pope of the Thousand River Valley People!"

"Long live His Holiness the Pope!"

"Two suns cannot exist in the sky, His Holiness is the eternal sun in my heart!"

As soon as Horn finished speaking, the faithful citizens stood up in unison, raising their hands or hats towards him, cheering.

They clapped frenziedly, waving their hats towards Horn.

All passionate gazes focused on Horn, for they knew the man before them would lead them to overthrow the Church, to redeem all their wrongs and grievances.

Just like he had once severed the Duke's head.

Pressing his hands down gently, Horn felt a surge of excitement, and he scanned the hopeful audience around him:

"This year, 1444, is a year of hardship. From the Gulag, I raised an army, traversing countless hardships, and finally reached Joan of Arc Castle.

I thought the Duke Kush of Joan of Arc Castle could be entrusted with the Thousand River Valley People, but I was wrong; he was the same demon.

Archbishop Banifus is a demon, Duke Kush Danai is a demon, and the Archbishop of Constans high above is a demon.

Their power is too great, so we have to hide here.

They've locked us in, thinking we will suffer through the New Year Festival, but I say no.

Under the glow of the Holy Father, even though they attempt to restrict our joy intentionally, we will not let them succeed.

We will prove that as long as we unite, we can not only attain happiness and glory but also topple their castles and break their scepters!

Today we celebrate here, for our people have finally awakened. Next year, it will be a year of suffering for the demons, because we are coming!

Lambs of Miseria, please enjoy to your heart's content! May Miseria bless you all!"