Either the Church is hiding something, or the nuns are lying.

In the latter case, Isabella couldn't imagine why they would need to fabricate orders. After all, abandonment was a fact, and judging from the dejected look on these people's faces, the monastery would become a death trap in another half month.

If it's the former, the Church has recalled all full-time personnel to Hermes, but has not provided any defense for the Ladder or the Old Holy City. What exactly do they want to do?

She suppressed her inner speculations for the time being and looked at the leader, "What is your name?"

"Your Eminence, my name is Qiu."

"Have you never thought of escaping from here?"

"Wh...what?" The nun was stunned.

"Although the walls of this courtyard are high and the doors are thick, it is not impossible to climb over them. A month and a half is enough time for you to build a wooden ladder, or pile firewood under the gate and directly burn down the door panels and melt the iron chains. These are all feasible methods." Isabella wondered, "Since you can think of sending a representative to report the situation, why not choose to go out together? Even without the Dawn Army, you will only die if you stay here, as the food supply has been cut off."

Qiu was silent for a long time before murmuring, "But...where can we go if we leave here?"

This sentence made everyone present lower their heads.

"I have never left the monastery..."

"Me too."

"Although we are not full, we can at least eat something every day. It's not much better outside." There were also voices from the orphans.

"If we ask others for food, we will become like we were before."

"The Sister said we shouldn't take begging for granted."

"I don't want to...live like I used to."

So that's it. Looking at the bewildered crowd, Isabella suddenly understood something. They were not entirely defending this place because of the Church's orders, but their living habits made it difficult for them to have other choices. This was a mixed blessing. It would be easy to deal with the nuns; she could just kill those who were loyal to the Holy City. But if these orphans all became staunch believers of the Church, then His Majesty would have a headache.

"I also want to ask you another question," she took a breath and asked in a deep voice, "Why do you call me Pope Your Eminence?"

"This..." Qiu showed a timid look, and hesitated for a while before saying, "Pope Maine has now passed away, and the three archbishops have also resigned one after another. Hermes has not issued any new appointment and removal orders. According to the automatic succession principle, you are the closest person to the temple."

"Isabella Your Eminence, please save us!"

"Don't leave us here, we are willing to accept any punishment!"

"Please take us to Hermes!"

The nuns begged again.

It seems that the reason they call themselves Your Eminence is not premeditated, but to hope to regain the attention of the Holy City, Isabella thought. Although the succession principle does not apply to the high-level of the Church, how can drowning people care about these details? As long as there is a glimmer of hope, they will grab it tightly, even if it is a straw.

Thinking of this, a plan quickly emerged in her mind, "I have an important matter to tell you this time, listen carefully!"

Everyone immediately held their breath.

"The Church is no longer the Church it used to be," Isabella said loudly, "Maine was not the real Pope. He not only betrayed Lord O'Brien, but also stole the Pope's throne! In fact, Lord O'Brien wanted to pass the throne to someone else!"

These words were like a stone thrown into a thousand waves, and everyone was in an uproar.

"That person is his first Pure, Jericho." She didn't know what His Majesty would think of these words, but since she had started, she decided to do her best, "Graycastle is not an enemy of the Church either. In order to fight against the real enemy, Lord O'Brien even hopes to form an alliance with Graycastle."

"Are you referring to...the demonic beasts?" Someone couldn't help but ask.

"The demonic beasts are even more terrifying," Isabella shook her head, "These are all recorded in the Church's holy典, only a very few people can see them. Maine was unwilling to let the Pure take away power, so he secretly launched a rebellion to frame Jericho, who wanted to serve as an ambassador to Graycastle. The battle of Coldwind Ridge broke out as a result. Fortunately, Maine's trick did not succeed. I survived this battle, but the masterminds of the rebellion all died within a month. There is no doubt that this is God's punishment."

"So there is no desperate fight to the death, and no defending the monastery until the last moment—" she paused, "You are safe now."

Whether it was the nuns or the orphans, they all showed an unbelievable expression.

"Then...the punishment for the priests..."

"Their actions are not qualified to be called priests at all. I pardon you."

The courtyard was quiet for a moment, and then a huge cheer broke out, "Great, Your Eminence is merciful!"

"Long live Isabella Your Eminence!"

"Long live the Pope!"

Isabella pressed her hand down, calming everyone down slightly, "I have already said that the Pope is not me, and the succession principle does not apply to the transfer of papal power. I am just the acting agent of the Pope, as before."

"Then you also represent the Hermes Church!" Qiu said excitedly.

"So I have a mission to give you," Isabella said undeniably, "Of course, after you fill your stomachs."

The crowd, who had finally stood up, knelt down again in unison, "Please give us your orders."

She knew that these people were not supporting her because they believed what she said... They were abandoned people, and the door of fate had originally been closed to them. Now that they had hope of returning to the Church, they would naturally be willing to give everything—even if this "Church" was not real.

If the real Hermes Church was still alive, they might still think about whether this choice was correct after they got out of trouble and calmed down, but now this premise no longer exists—when the main force of the First Army arrives, everything she said will become reality.

Break the old concepts, fabricate a half-true story, and instill a brand new "truth" into them. In this way, Roland His Majesty can truly control this land.

"It's very simple, I need you to restore order to the Old Holy City." Isabella said in an orderly manner, "Qiu, you first gather the people from the other two monasteries and relay my words to them. Then, before tonight, organize the distribution of food to all the children. The Graycastle First Army will be coordinating with you. They already know about the rebellion of Maine and others and will no longer make things difficult for you. Next, you need to notify each household one by one and count who has left and who is still there. If you encounter priests or followers of the traitor faction, notify me immediately."

As one order after another was issued, the nuns quickly agreed and then turned around to get busy. Although their situation had not improved in any substantial way from half an hour ago, the expressions on everyone's faces had become completely different at this moment.

The gate was soon dismantled. When a nun led the children to line up to leave the monastery, one of them suddenly bowed deeply to her.

"Thank you, Isabella milady."

After that, every child did the same.

"You are so kind, milady."

"I will not forget you."

Such voices almost ran through the entire team.

Thanks... Isabella closed her eyes slightly. Since becoming a Pure, she had received a lot of hatred and curses, but this was the first time she had heard words of thanks.

She did not do these things for thanks, but as a means to achieve her goals. Likewise, in order to achieve her goals, she could unhesitatingly put these people to death. So...this kind of gratitude was superfluous to her.

Even though she thought so, she felt as if something more had been added to her heart... a feeling she had never had before. Slightly swollen, and warm as light. She thought she would feel resistant, but unexpectedly...this feeling was not so unpleasant.

Is this Roland His Majesty's purpose?

Isabella exhaled softly and slowly followed the end of the team towards the camp.