Chapter 133 - 111: Catherine’s Succession Ceremony

Chapter 133: Chapter 111: Catherine’s Succession Ceremony

When Yusofa’s men delivered the assassins’ heads to Rose Territory, Mary not only killed the messengers, but also flew into a rage and beheaded Khrish’s entire family. She had their bodies hung from the walls of Rose Territory, a grim warning to all who would dare betray her.

Their heads, in turn, were packed up and delivered to Khrish in Blue Moon Territory.

Khrish’s wife, mistress, and son had not been spared; their heads were arranged neatly inside a wooden box.

Even though Khrish had prepared himself for the worst, he never imagined Mary would be so utterly ruthless. She had left no room for negotiation, slaughtering all of his loved ones.

His fury erupted like a volcano. He swore an oath in the name of the God of Tiger: a fight to the death with Mary Frank.

Three days later, Catherine’s succession ceremony officially began.

Blue Moon Territory was festooned with lanterns and decorations. The blue moon banner of the Jackson Family fluttered from every landmark building.

The once-quiet main street was now bustling and full of life.

The people of Blue Moon Territory who had been resettled in Green Shade Territory flocked back. They hadn’t abandoned their lives in Green Shade Territory; rather, they had to attend this sacred ceremony—to honor their fallen loved ones and to celebrate their own new beginning.

Lian had promised that once the celebration was over, they would be free to choose whether to remain in Blue Moon Territory or return to Green Shade Territory.

Their debts could be repaid in either place, as both Blue Moon Territory and Green Shade Territory needed people to rebuild.

In addition to these returning citizens of Blue Moon Territory, there was also Green Shade Territory’s army, its merchant caravans, and the Adventurer’s Guild.

Ever since a path had been forged through the Golden Forest, members of the Adventurer’s Guild and a growing number of merchant caravans had been crossing the forest to reach Blue Moon Territory.

They weren’t about to miss the celebration, nor the business opportunities it presented.

Most of the houses in Blue Moon Territory were vacant, making it an incredibly good time to either rent or buy.

Many properties, as long as they weren’t registered to a noble, could even be claimed for oneself.

The adventurers weren’t the only ones thinking this way; the soldiers from Green Shade Territory had the same idea.

It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times.

This period was destined for chaos, but only after the chaos could Order be established.

In addition, there were the vassals of the Jackson Family and the people they had brought. These vassals had preserved their foundational strength, possessing not only wealth and their own Knight Orders, but also a considerable number of subjects.

In other words, the nobility of Blue Moon Territory had not been critically damaged, even if its numbers had been reduced by a third.

The sky over Blue Moon Territory was awash with the magnificent golden glow of the festival lights, and the square at the heart of the territory teemed with a surging crowd.

Catherine was dressed in magnificent robes with a golden mantle draped over her shoulders. Her gaze was resolute and filled with a majesty befitting a new ruler.

High Priest Cosme Pizarro, clad in solemn vestments and holding a scepter, stood upon the high altar. His voice carried on the wind to every corner:

"We bear witness, as Catherine Rochelle Hernandez Mehelban Jackson, by the name of the blood oath, inherits the title of Lord."

Bathed in the firelight, Catherine slowly ascended the altar and accepted the scepter from the Priest.

The gem set atop the scepter glittered in the flames, as if recounting the glory and hardships of countless generations of Lords.

She raised the scepter to the heavens and proclaimed in a clear voice:

"I, Catherine Rochelle Hernandez Mehelban Jackson, swear to protect Blue Moon Territory until my last breath."

Dora, dressed in a splendid gown, handed Catherine an exquisite dagger inlaid with 365 brilliant gems.

Catherine used the dagger to slice open the palm of her left hand, letting her blood drip into a silver chalice on the altar.

Runes materialized on the silver chalice, which began to emit a soft, golden radiance.

High Priest Cosme Pizarro declared solemnly,

"God has spoken: Catherine Rochelle Hernandez Mehelban Jackson shall lead Blue Moon Territory into an age of glory."

At that moment, Catherine felt a subtle change within herself.

She discovered that a new entry had been added.

[Lord of Blue Moon Territory] You have become the true Lord of Blue Moon Territory. Its fate is now bound to yours. You shall possess endless wealth and the loyalty of your people.

The moment the High Priest finished speaking, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

The Empire’s Envoy, Oppa, had also arrived for the celebration, and he presented the blessings of King Augustus Franger.

"His Majesty the King congratulates you, Catherine Rochelle Hernandez Mehelban Jackson, on becoming the Lord of Blue Moon Territory. He bestows upon you the Silver Moon Knight Order, and a Witch from the Guardian Bureau will arrive to assume her post in one month."

Oppa personally handed the official writ of congratulations to Catherine, a smile on his face.

As he looked up, his gaze inadvertently fell upon Lian Moria, who was seated among the honored guests not far away.

Oppa subconsciously narrowed his eyes. ’Fancy meeting an old acquaintance here.’

Although he was an envoy dispatched by the Empire, he was unaware of the relationship between Lian Moria and Catherine.

"So, your ally is Green Shade Territory? That’s... not a good sign. I feel I must remind you, they are buried in debt and can barely fend for themselves."

Envoy Oppa murmured.

Catherine was taken aback for a moment, then she offered a polite smile but made no attempt to explain.

The next part of the ceremony was for the various vassals to swear their fealty to Catherine.

They, too, cut their hands, letting their blood flow into a silver chalice.

"The Maximilian family swears eternal loyalty to the Jackson Family and to Lord Catherine Rochelle Hernandez Mehelban Jackson!"