Chapter 129 - 109: Betray to Survive

Chapter 129: Chapter 109: Betray to Survive

Khrish, the Governor of Yusofa, personally witnessed the execution of all nine of Jackson’s former treacherous vassals. The remaining six wept bitterly, prostrated themselves, and pledged their absolute support for Catherine’s succession. They swore new oaths of loyalty to Catherine and signed the harshest of Blood Covenants, which promised divine punishment for any betrayal.

This bloody storm came and went swiftly. The entire affair took less than an hour, yet it was enough to solidify Catherine’s legitimate claim.

No one dared to oppose Catherine becoming the Lord of Blue Moon Territory any longer, not even Khrish, for he too had signed a Blood Covenant.

From that day forward, no one dared mention that Catherine was the one confined to the High Tower, that she possessed the Misfortune Physique, or that she had brought disaster upon Blue Moon Territory.

And no one dared to underestimate this sixteen-year-old girl any longer. She had officially stepped onto her own political stage.

This banquet was later recorded by historians as the "Bloody Party." They considered it Catherine’s first step in her transformation from a naive young girl into a stateswoman, setting the tone for her political career over the next several decades.

The image of Catherine holding the Broken Blade aloft was even captured by an unknown painter. It later became the world-renowned painting, *The Wrath of Catherine, First Wife of Lian Moria*, before eventually being renamed *The Rise of Catherine, the Southern Dominator*.

Khrish found himself in a dilemma. He was different from the other nobles. To control him, Mary had not used a Ripper to carve out his heart and turn him into one of the Heartless, but she had moved his family to live in Rose Territory.

His second wife, three mistresses, five sons, and three daughters were all in Mary’s hands.

Khrish could only pin his hopes on the Assassins he had brought with him. If the Assassins succeeded in killing Catherine, the effects of the Blood Covenant would naturally disappear, and his family would not be harmed.

But things always seemed to move in the worst possible direction.

Before Khrish even had a chance to wipe the blood from his Oath Sword, he heard Lian give the order to surround his Knight Order.

"Lord Lian, what are you doing? That’s my Knight Order, my vassals, my most loyal subordinates."

Khrish said nervously.

There was not a trace of a smile on Lian’s face, making the youth appear stern and cold.

He completely ignored Khrish’s words, walked over to Catherine, and whispered something in her ear.

Catherine nodded slightly and left the scene with Mina’s support.

Knight Kage Mori followed closely behind.

Dora naturally wanted to leave as well, but Lian stopped her.

"Magic Box, you stay by my side."

Dora rolled her eyes and stood behind Lian.

She didn’t like the name Magic Box.

It made her sound like a freak—what kind of lady was called Magic Box?

"Alex."

Lian looked at the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"Here."

The petite Alex Pool stepped forward, his expression serious.

"Our distinguished guests from the Church Court have been alarmed. Take them back to rest. Prepare hot water and dessert, and serve them attentively. They are representatives of the divine."

Without the Grand Priest present, Lian wouldn’t have been able to help Catherine sign so many Blood Covenants.

For both official and private reasons, the Grand Priest deserved his thanks.

Thankfully, the Grand Priest had brought his own male and female twin attendants. Otherwise, Lian would have had to go against his conscience and find some Beautiful Youths for him to express his gratitude.

Grand Priest Cosme Pizarro and Hickman, the Knight Commander of the Polestar Knight Order, hadn’t officially taken a side, but after witnessing Lian’s ruthless methods, they had in fact chosen to stand with him.

No one wanted to cross a madman.

Besides, Lian had previously fabricated a divine oracle, leading everyone to believe he was someone favored by a demigod.

With the Church Court emotionally leaning in his favor, no one dared to say anything.

"Yes, Lord Lian."

Alex Pool turned and, with a smile, helped Grand Priest Cosme Pizarro to his feet.

Grand Priest Cosme Pizarro was quite fond of Alex Pool’s looks. It was a pity he was no longer a virgin. Otherwise, the Grand Priest would have surely let him experience divine grace and bask in the god’s radiance.

Unaware of what he had just been subjected to, Alex Pool happily led the Polestar Knight Order and the Clergy away, arranging accommodations and post-banquet entertainment for each of them.

Meanwhile, Catherine’s new vassals had already realized another bloody storm was about to break out here. They respectfully bid Lian farewell and hurried away with their Knights.

Lian didn’t stop them. In any case, they had signed the Blood Covenants, so he wasn’t worried about them betraying him.

Even Kob, the legion officer Robson, and the others were sent out of the banquet hall by Lian.

At this point, only Lian, Dora, Khrish the Governor of Yusofa, and his Knight Order remained in the banquet hall.

Seeing the Guards surrounding his Knight Order withdraw, Khrish didn’t feel relieved. Instead, his panic intensified.

He didn’t know what Lian was planning. Fear stems from the unknown.

"Lord Lian, I have already sworn allegiance to your fiancée, Catherine. Since you can let the others go, please let me go as well."

Whatever Lian wanted to do, all Khrish wanted now was to save his own skin.

There was nothing more unbearable than losing one’s life.

He was willing to do anything to survive.

Even grovel before an Illegitimate Child.

"Of course, Uncle Khrish, you may leave."

Lian made a gesture of invitation.

Khrish gave him a suspicious look, then turned and left without hesitation, taking his Knight Order with him, of course.