Chapter 139 - 114: How Silky Smooth

Chapter 139: Chapter 114: How Silky Smooth

Mary, the Southern Dominator, with her long chestnut hair and an innate noble air, looked at the pleading gaze from Yaxin Matic and felt, for the first time, that things were getting complicated.

Mary had never met anyone as shameless and opportunistic as Lian.

Her Chief Knight had killed an assassin to protect his master. Even though the assassin was the Governor of Yusofa, he was merely a minor figure compared to her own noble status.

Yet Lian, this seemingly minor figure—nothing more than an illegitimate child—had so confidently invoked the names of the entire Moria Clan, the Empire Prime Minister, and the Creed Clan. He even dramatically played up his deep "father-son" bond with Khrish, leaving no room for anyone to find fault.

This clearly wasn’t aimed at Yaxin Matic.

It was a counter to her own move against Catherine.

If she were willing to abandon Yaxin Matic, she could continue to exploit Catherine’s attachment to her family, forcing her to choose between Lorne Jackson and the title of Lord of Blue Moon Territory.

If she was unwilling to abandon Yaxin Matic, she would have to compromise on the matter concerning Catherine.

Mary’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She could have abandoned anyone else present, but not Yaxin Matic. He was not only her Chief Knight but also her mentor. Back when she still followed her father onto the battlefield, her mentor had risked his life to save her many times.

Mary was a bloodthirsty and cruel person who held life in contempt, but she was fiercely loyal to those she valued.

She would never abandon Yaxin Matic over an insignificant, treacherous man like Khrish.

Looking at Lian Moria, his eyes still red and his voice thick with emotion, Mary finally understood how he had managed to reach Blue Moon Territory before her, and why Catherine viewed him as a lifeline.

The man before her was truly extraordinary.

Mary set down her wine glass, and the atmosphere in the room grew several shades heavier.

The nobles trembled in trepidation.

Alex Pool’s heart leaped into his throat. His fair cheeks grew even paler, and his forehead was beaded with cold sweat.

Kob already had his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

Aside from the ever-composed Grand Priest, the members of the Priest Team and even the Knights of the Polestar Knight Order grew inexplicably tense.

The Empire Envoy, Oppa, suddenly felt rather fortunate that he hadn’t offended a scoundrel like Lian. Ready to watch the show, he was eager to see the two sides come to blows.

All eyes were fixed nervously on Mary, everyone on edge, wondering how she would handle the situation.

Would she flip the table and resort to violence, or would she kill Yaxin Matic to appease Lian?

Finally, Mary broke the silence.

"Yaxin Matic is to me as Khrish was to you. Yaxin Matic is my Chief Knight and my mentor. He saved my life three times on the battlefield. I am willing to atone for him. Tell me, what will it take to mend the trauma of losing your father?"

Mary’s last sentence was clearly meant to mock Lian.

But Lian paid her no mind, continuing his immersive, one-man Hamlet performance.

"Oh, Uncle Chris! My poor Uncle Chris! You are dead, yet some people think I would use your death as a bargaining chip for personal gain! This is a desecration of our profound bond! An insult to the entire Moria Clan! A provocation against the Creed Clan! An affront to the Empire Prime Minister—"

Before Lian could finish, Mary cut him off.

"Yaxin Matic, are you willing to die for me?"

Mary looked at her Chief Knight, Yaxin Matic.

Yaxin Matic knelt on one knee and presented his Treasure Sword.

"Lady Mary, I am willing to lay down my life for you. I will never regret following you."

Lian frowned. ’This vicious woman... is she really going to kill her own mentor?’

He hadn’t targeted Yaxin Matic at random.

After Khrish was killed, Lian had noticed the information tags appearing above Yaxin Matic’s head and understood his special relationship with Mary.

This Six-star Knight had guided Mary on her Knight’s Path and had been by her side since she was a child. Their bond was likely even stronger than the one Mary had with her own father.

If Mary could actually bring herself to do it, Lian would have to find another way to resolve Catherine’s crisis.

Lorne Jackson couldn’t die. At the very least, he couldn’t die in front of Catherine.

Lian didn’t want his fiancée to be left with any lingering shadows in her heart.

She had just been given a new lease on life; she shouldn’t have to continue living under the domination of her fear of Mary.

Mary took the Knight’s Sword from Yaxin Matic’s hands.

"Yaxin Matic, you have erred. Though you acted to save me, you killed a treacherous coward and offended a shameless noble. I must punish you. I hereby strip you of your positions as Knight Commander of the Rose Knight Order and Chief Knight, and I cast you out to live as a commoner. Are you willing to accept this punishment?"

"I am willing."

Yaxin Matic replied, his brow furrowed.

Being stripped of his noble status was, for him, a fate equivalent to death.

Losing his position as Chief Knight meant he had lost his honor and privileges.

Yaxin Matic had saved Mary many times, but he had never been punished for it. This was the first time he had ever experienced the feeling of falling from such a great height.

Mary handed Yaxin Matic’s Knight’s Sword to Lian.

"If you are not satisfied with my judgment, you may kill this commoner before you. But then you will have to face the wrath of the Southern Dominator."