"Guards, arrest these felons of the empire!"
"Yes!"
Upon hearing General Burwell's command, a dozen fully-armored soldiers responded immediately and surrounded the other chariot.
Looking at this scene, Aili was bewildered.
She hurriedly took two steps forward, but before she could do so, another group of soldiers came over and formed a human wall, blocking her from entering.
Their actions were neat and uniform and it was apparent that this definitely wasn't an impromptu move.
"General Burwell, what's the meaning of this?
There aren't any felons in there. They are our guests! "
Facing Aili's question, General Burwell's expression remained unchanged. He raised his arms and bowed solemnly.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness Saintess. We received a report that there are felons in this chariot.
Your Highness Saintess may not be aware of this, but no matter what, the higher-ups have given orders. We are only here to arrest them. If we arrest the wrong person, I will personally pay you a visit and apologize to you! "
Burwell said, turned around, and waved his hand forcefully.
"Men, take them away!"
"You …!"
Aili glared at General Burwell and was instantly infuriated.
She wasn't a fool. How could she not understand what General Burwell meant? However, General Burwell's unyielding attitude completely blocked off Aili's path of retreat.
This made it hard for Aili to lose her temper. But she was also aware that if she allowed General Burwell to capture Aili's group, they would never be able to return them.
It was apparent that it was only a facade that General Burwell pretended not to see them at the city gate. In fact, he had secretly mobilized his troops and was just waiting to lure them into the trap!
However, this Saintess wasn't a nice person either. She let out a snort, raised her right arm, and flipped it. At the next moment, a spotlessly white scepter appeared in Aili's hand. She lifted the scepter and tapped it lightly on the chariot. Then, a golden barrier appeared out of thin air, blocking the soldiers from advancing further.
"Your Highness Saintess, what's the meaning of this?"
Looking at this scene, a trace of haze flashed across General Bowell's face. He turned to Ellie and asked.
"We are following His Majesty's orders to capture the felons of the Empire. Why are you stopping us?"
"I don't know anything about the Empire's criminals. I only know that there's an esteemed guest of the Church of Holy Church in this carriage."
Of course, Ally wouldn't back down in this aspect. Although she knew that doing so would definitely offend Seth, she had to do it.
Moreover, Alice was very clear that the moment Seth found out that she had brought back someone from Parsus, the conflict between the two sides had already appeared. In this situation, either the Church of Holy Light would hand over the person, or Seth would give up.
However, neither of these two possibilities existed. Hence, Aili no longer hesitated and chose to face them head-on. Since a conflict was bound to happen sooner or later, she might as well make her stand clear and win the favor of Irene and the others.
"Could it be that Her Highness actually wants to protect these felons?"
Facing Ailey's actions, Bolwell's expression changed slightly.
As the Saintess of the Church of Holy Light, Ailey was naturally famous in the Holy Empire. Many people had seen her before.
In most people's eyes, this Saintess was gentle, apologetic, courteous, and graceful.
She had never fought with anyone before. Of course, as a Saintess, there were not many people who dared to fight with Ailee.
As a result, many people thought that this Saintess was powerless. Even if she was capable, it wouldn't be that great.
However, they didn't consider that Ailey had inherited Saint Nora's demigod bloodline. If she really didn't have any capabilities, then those Gods might as well cry themselves to death.
"What if I say yes?"
Facing General Bolwell, Ailey's expression was unusually serious.
The Holy Empire's Seth had already expressed his stance, so as the Saintess of the Church of Holy Light, she naturally had to express her stance as well.
General Bolwell, who didn't expect Ailey to be so unyielding, frowned. Of course, he wouldn't think that Ailey was a weak girl like the others.
However, this Saintess usually didn't show her true colors. What did she mean by doing this now?
Although the situation was a little strange, General Bolwell shook his head in the end.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I don't know who's in the carriage. All I know is that there's a wanted criminal in the Empire."
As a general who guarded the Border Fortress, Bolwell wasn't one to be trifled with. With just a few words, he immediately returned Ailey's words.
"This matter was personally decided by His Majesty. Please understand, Your Highness.
Also … We've already contacted the Church and informed them of this matter. "
"…"
Ailey's expression was incomparably ashen.
Frankly speaking, she had some suspicions. Before she came here, she had already informed the Church in the Black Sword Fortress.
Logically speaking, the Church should have sent someone to receive them.
However, after entering the Fortress, she didn't see the person who was supposed to receive them and was even brought to such a place.
Now that both sides were in a deadlock, the Church didn't make any moves.
That was just too strange. Although Ailey didn't use her identity to oppress others, she also knew that the Church would definitely react.
Although Ailey didn't use her identity to oppress others, she also knew that the Church would definitely react to such treatment.
Now, General Bolwell actually said that he had communicated with the Church. That meant that not only did the Church know about this matter, but they even provided a certain degree of assistance.
It was very likely that they were the ones who leaked the news of their return to General Bolwell, and that was why he came here to arrest them.
At the thought of this, Ailey became more and more displeased.
Of course, she understood why these people would pretend to be obedient but oppose them in private. It was because her previous action of justifying the name of the "forsaken of god" had put many people in a difficult position, and some clergymen didn't agree with her at all.
Not only that, but they also believed that since Irene, one of the Nine Saints, was a forsaken one, she definitely wasn't one of the Nine Saints. In fact, some people even said that Irene was the son of the devil.
Ailey could convince the Supreme Council and the archbishops, but she couldn't convince everyone.
Besides, the Church here was obviously the faction that opposed Ailey's actions.
That was why he did such a thing. But what could Aili say in the face of such a method?
"No matter what, I won't allow you to arrest them!"
However, Ailey was the Saintess of the Church of Holy Light, and if a few words from a general could scare her, the Church of Holy Light would be in vain.
Hence, in the face of General Bolwell's words, Ailey answered fearlessly. Then, she waved the scepter in her hand, and at the next moment, a dazzling golden light shone in all directions and enveloped the entire area.
Then, Ailey raised her hand and pointed forward without hesitation.
"Everyone, prepare for battle!
Protect the guests! "
Although Ailey didn't bring too many people with her for the sake of secrecy, there was always a team of Holy Knights around her.
At this moment, after hearing Ailey's order, the Holy Knights who were in charge of guarding the convoy immediately unsheathed their swords and charged forward.
"Men, capture the felons of the Empire. No mistakes!"
At this moment, General Burwell shouted. Upon hearing his command, the soldiers immediately raised their weapons and stood in front of the Holy Knights. In an instant, the entire place was filled with the tense atmosphere of mutual hostility.
However, at this moment, a soft snort sounded in everyone's head. At the next moment, the soldiers surrounding the carriage felt as though their heads had been smashed by a stone hammer. They immediately felt dizzy and stumbled backward. The tight formation also became much looser at this moment.
At this moment, the tightly shut carriage door creaked open, and Irene, Lindy, and Pattilina walked out.
"I thought it was something barking here. So it's Seth's lackey?"
Little Rascal placed her hands on her hips, narrowed her eyes, and looked at the soldiers in front of her with disdain. She revealed a cold smile.
"It seems like I didn't beat you bastards up enough in Passus. Now that you're back in your own territory, you still dare to bark at us?
I knew Master was too kind back then. Back then, he should've stormed the Seth palace and blasted those idiots into smithereens.
It would've been better than letting your lackeys bark non-stop. What a waste of my mood! "
"What did you say?!"
Hearing this, General Bowell's face immediately darkened, and he gloomily glared at Patrina.
Although she was just a little girl, the words that came out of her mouth were enough to infuriate him.
Besides, apart from General Bolwell, the other soldiers also looked at Pattilina with unfriendly gazes. It was apparent that they didn't have a favorable impression of this arrogant little girl.
On the contrary, Ailey secretly wiped the sweat off her forehead. Oh my Nine Saints, did that overlord really consider attacking the Seth capital back then?
Fortunately, he didn't succeed …
"I said that you Seth people are a bunch of despicable dogs!
You can't even understand human language after being beaten up. You'll only be satisfied when you get beaten up again! "
Pattilina sneered. She raised her right arm and along with this movement, a huge pike appeared in Pattilina's hand.
Then, she narrowed her eyes and gazed at the old man. Her eyes glinted with ice-cold, murderous intent.
"Do you think I won't make a move on your territory?
Master told me that if you don't listen, I'll beat you up until you listen to me!
You want to capture us?
The few of you aren't qualified to do so! "
"Men, capture him!!"
General Bolwell couldn't hold it in any longer. He let out a snarl and swung his right arm forward.
Upon hearing General Bolwell's command, the soldiers raised their weapons and charged at Pattilina.
In the face of their attacks, Pattilina let out a chuckle.
"You're asking for death!"
Along with this sentence, the little fellow brandished her spear, and in the next moment, she burst forth like a cannonball, charging straight at the soldiers in front of her!