Chapter 137 - 113: Declaring War on Green Shade Territory, the Creed Clan, and the Empire Prime Minister’s Hero

Chapter 137: Chapter 113: Declaring War on Green Shade Territory, the Creed Clan, and the Empire Prime Minister’s Hero

The tense, blade’s-edge atmosphere in the banquet hall had softened considerably after the tale of Empress Catherine the Great.

Everyone was eager to hear the rest of the Empress’s story, but Lian had to stop at the most exciting part because he couldn’t remember the details of the plot.

After all, when he’d watched that Russian drama back in the day, he hadn’t been watching it for the plot. It was simply because Marina Alexandrova was exactly his type.

Although Mary and Marina Alexandrova looked nothing alike, they shared the same confidence and aura. In their expressions, they both held a valiant, heroic air rarely seen in women.

Unfortunately, Lian’s aesthetic tastes had since changed. He now preferred the more delicate Catherine.

Catherine’s features were softer, with black hair and brown eyes—more characteristic of someone from the East.

Lian finally understood the warmth one feels when meeting a compatriot abroad. In the same way, now that he’d crossed over to this Otherworld, he found himself looking twice whenever he saw a girl with black hair.

Facing the crowd’s questions, Lian let out a sigh.

"This poor author passed away from an illness not long ago. I’m very sorry, but there is no one left to continue writing the story."

"He passed away?"

Catherine’s eyes filled with sorrow.

Mary’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The other nobles sighed, remarking that the loss of such a talent was a great blow to the Holy Empire.

It was only then that Lian discovered that in this world, novelists held extremely high status.

Many were frequent guests at court or in the manors of the nobility. They were even allowed to live off the nobles’ hospitality, provided they continued to produce their excellent works.

’If I hadn’t chosen to become a Lord, I could have become a novelist, plagiarizing works from my old world. That would’ve been an easy way to coast through life.’

But he quickly dismissed the thought, his keen hearing catching snippets of conversation from the surrounding nobles.

"A novelist capable of such an outstanding work must be on par with Sir Xie Qin Fasi of the Royal Palace, wouldn’t you say?"

"Such a pity. To die before he could become famous... He’ll never reach the heights of Sir Xie Qin Fasi now."

"I heard that not only does Xie Qin Fasi have the appreciation of His Majesty the King, but the Queen and the royal mistresses all adore him. They want to keep him in the inner palace to live there forever."

"Actually, your information is out of date. My sources say that Sir Xie Qin Fasi has already become one of the Pure and will be staying in the Royal Palace forever."

"Oh, how truly pitiful."

’Pure? A eunuch?’

’So if a novelist becomes famous enough, they’re forced to become a eunuch.’

Lian decisively abandoned the idea of becoming a plagiarist. If ’coasting’ meant becoming a neutered ginger tomcat, he’d much rather be a roaming calico, sowing his wild oats wherever he pleased.

Snapping out of her reverie from the story, Mary smiled at Catherine.

"Catherine, I have yet to give you your congratulatory gift."

As a visiting Lord attending Catherine’s succession banquet, it was only natural for Mary to present a gift.

But Catherine wanted nothing to do with any gift from Mary.

However, Catherine knew that her own power was still far from sufficient. To make a move against Mary now would not only come at a terrible price but might also fail to achieve the desired outcome.

Even though Mary was technically deep in hostile territory, no one dared to underestimate her.

She had brought with her fifty members of the Rose Knight Order. The Knights in this order were basically all Four-star or higher, with the Knight Commander himself having reached Six-star.

This contingent alone could form an impregnable fortress around her. They could protect her and ensure she emerged unscathed, even from the heart of a raging battle.

Furthermore, Mary herself was a Sequence Five. Her true power was unknown, making her a terrifying presence.

Even if Mary hadn’t brought her Knight Order with her, no one would have dared to make a move against her.

Her status was unassailable. She was the true Southern Dominator and the only sister of Augustus Frank.

Catherine knew that even with Lian and Dora by her side, she could not strike down the enemy before her with her own hands.

She needed greater political standing. She had to expose Mary’s crimes to the world, ruin her reputation, and wait until she was utterly abandoned by all. That would be the opportune moment to kill her.

If that proved impossible, her only other chance would be when their two sides were officially at war.

And it had to be a war that Mary herself had instigated.

"Lady Mary, what gift is it you wish to give me?"

Catherine suppressed the turmoil roiling within her and asked politely.

Mary smiled and glanced at the "husband" by her side, Lorne Jackson.

"A month ago, in Rose Territory, my third husband, Lorne Jackson, announced his inheritance of the title of Lord of Blue Moon Territory. He also promised to gift all of the Blue Moon Ore to me."

The corners of Mary’s lips curled upward as she spoke in an unhurried tone.

Catherine’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She knew Mary was spouting nonsense; no Lord would ever announce their succession while on another’s territory.

But Mary’s ambition to seize the Blue Moon Ore was now laid bare for all to see.

Hearing Mary’s words, the nobles in the banquet hall immediately grew tense.

They stopped their discussions about the novel, now worried they were about to be drawn into a bloody conflict.

"However, there is only one Blue Moon Territory. How can it tolerate two Lords? I trust that even on his deathbed, Old Jackson would not have been so muddle-headed as to write two separate Inheritance Documents."

Mary raised her wine glass and took a casual sip. "Therefore, one of you must have forged the document. Between Catherine and Lorne, who is the true Lord? And who is the ambitious usurper?"