Chapter 169 - 127: The Lust-addled Moria Descendant (2)

Chapter 169: Chapter 127: The Lust-addled Moria Descendant (2)

Alex Pool immediately refuted their claims, "The Holy Empire is an indivisible whole. Yusofa is merely a prefecture within the Empire. How can a transfer of rights be considered an invasion? Are you trying to tear the Holy Empire apart?

"Is it that the Yusofa People are unwilling, or is it that you are unwilling to abide by Imperial law and recognize this document’s legitimacy? It bears the joint seals of both the Blue Moon Territory and Yusofa. If you do not recognize the legitimacy of the Blue Moon Territory, then why do you continue to discuss Yusofa’s redemption with them?

"As for the document being a fabrication, that is even more out of the question. You are questioning Lord Lian’s integrity, and that is an insult to the entire Moria Clan."

A fierce debate erupted between the two sides. In Mary’s presence, the four foreign affairs officials were clearly more emboldened, arguing as if they wanted to drown Alex Pool in spittle. Alex Pool refused to back down, and the argument eventually devolved into a shouting match, with all manner of ugly words being thrown about.

Mary and Lian, however, remained silent, sipping their coffee. Though they exchanged no glances, it was clear they were both using the officials as mouthpieces to vent their own frustrations.

The first round of the shouting match ended only when both sides were red in the face.

Mary finally spoke, her voice slow and measured.

"Do not make things difficult for Lord Lian of the Green Shade Territory. He is not representing the Blue Moon Territory at the moment, only himself. For the sake of the Moria Clan and the Creed Clan, we must allow Lord Lian to keep his dignity."

Upon hearing Mary’s words, the four foreign affairs officials from the Rose Territory conferred in hushed tones. They then put forward their eldest minister to speak for them and summarize their position.

"We are by no means targeting Lord Lian. We simply believe this document lacks one crucial seal to be legally binding."

"Oh?"

Mary arched an eyebrow slightly.

The minister continued, "Yusofa is already Lady Mary’s property and legally belongs to the Rose Territory. Therefore, for this document to take effect, it must be stamped with the seal of the Rose Territory."

"I need the Rose Territory’s seal to inherit my uncle’s property?"

Lian propped his chin on one hand, his gaze sweeping unhappily across the minister’s deeply wrinkled face.

For some unknown reason, the seasoned minister, who had weathered countless political storms, suddenly felt as though he were being targeted by a predator. A chill shot down his spine.

Mary smiled faintly. "Khrish was once my vassal. He betrayed me, so I killed all his relatives as punishment. However, these lands were indeed a gift from me. I failed to reclaim them in time, so legally, the property is yours, Lian Moria. I will stamp the document for you."

Lian had expected this outcome all along. The ministers’ earlier discussion was merely a show put on for his benefit.

They played bad cop on Mary’s behalf while she played good cop, forcing Lian to be grateful to her.

Though the foreign affairs officials feared offending Lian, they were far more terrified of angering Mary. As long as the outcome was favorable to Lian, he wouldn’t hold their impertinence against them, because their true target from start to finish had been the Blue Moon Territory.

Of course, Mary would likely have other conditions; she wouldn’t cede a prize like Yusofa so easily, perhaps by demanding he withdraw from the negotiations.

"Thank you for your generosity, Lady Mary. I believe Uncle Chris was merely confused for a moment when he betrayed you. He has paid the price he deserved."

Lian said with a tone of regret. To prevent Mary from adding any unfavorable conditions, he wrapped his arm around Nancy Stuart’s slender waist.

"I know you like Yusofa, but I have no fondness for this place myself. If not for my uncle’s last wish, I would never have come. What if I give it all to you? My dear Miss Nancy."

Gifting land and wealth to a mistress was common in noble circles, but even the four foreign affairs officials found Lian’s level of generosity to be a rare sight.

Expressions of surprise appeared on their faces.

Alex Pool, meanwhile, put a hand to his forehead, looking utterly exasperated.

It seemed that serving a Moria who threw money around like dirt was a source of great vexation for him.

Nancy Stuart glanced at Mary, whose eyes glinted with amusement.

’Just like the bait I cast has landed a big fish.’

Nancy Stuart placed a gentle kiss on Lian’s cheek and said softly, "Thank you, Lord Lian. No one has ever been so generous to me."

Annie remained expressionless, but a storm was raging in her mind. ’I’ve already sent both Nancy Stuart and Mary to the guillotine in my head.’ Those two women had once been her Nightmares. After Lian appeared, she had thought the psychological scars they’d left would eventually fade with time. She never expected Nancy Stuart to be a ghost that wouldn’t leave, destined to haunt Lian in the future.

To avoid being recognized by Mary, she had deliberately worn a disguise today—the same type of resin mask that Nancy Stuart wore.

Such masks could easily alter one’s appearance, allowing a Spy to infiltrate more effectively.

Nancy Stuart also knew that Lian’s secrets could not be exposed through Annie.

Dora could appear without any disguise because almost no one in the world was a match for a Witch. Capturing a full-fledged Witch was nearly impossible, unless one was a Legendary Knight.

Capturing a Four-star Assassin like Annie, however, was a simple matter—especially for someone as resourceful as Mary.

Nancy Stuart’s defection did not mean the entire Rose Thorn had turned against Mary.

Not unless Lian could remove their ’Heartless’ status and guarantee they wouldn’t have to live under the Nightmare of Mary’s rule, providing an escape route for these Spies and Assassins.

In fact, the Loyalty of some among them toward Mary had reached a fanatical level. They had willingly become Heartless, as the state granted them a form of immortality and a bonus to their Power.

Not all of them could be won over.

Therefore, it was all the more critical for Nancy Stuart to guard Lian’s secrets—which were also her own.

Mary had originally intended to make Lian withdraw from the negotiations between the Blue Moon and Rose Territories. Now, however, it seemed that letting him handle the talks might be more advantageous for the Rose Territory. After all, he was utterly captivated by Nancy’s beauty.

She was quite pleased that Lian had immediately gifted the wealth and lands of Yusofa to his mistress. It proved he hadn’t abandoned the Moria Clan’s tradition of being exceptionally generous to their lovers.

Furthermore, she believed that ceding the land to Nancy Stuart was as good as keeping it in her own hands. Not only that, but she had also put Lian Moria in her debt. For her, it was a win-win situation where she was the one who won twice.

"Nancy, your good fortune is truly enviable. As your master, I am gratified. But I cannot let you leave, for you are indispensable to me as well. Therefore, Lord Lian, I hope you will extend your stay in Yusofa for some time. I also extend a sincere invitation for you to visit the Rose Territory as my guest."

Mary said with a smile.

Mary’s meaning was clear. ’Nancy Stuart may be your mistress, but she is also my Maid. It’s impossible for you to take her from me. You can, however, choose to submit to the Rose Territory, or remain in Yusofa long-term as an ally.’

’If I do that, then Nancy Stuart will be Mary’s gift to me.’

"I would be delighted to stay here and spend some time with my Nancy."

Lian responded with a smile, signaling his willingness to compromise and allow the negotiations between the Blue Moon and Rose Territories to stall or even be suspended.

This was exactly what Mary wanted. She didn’t care how much money Catherine offered; she would never give up Yusofa for any price. It was a vital springboard for attacking the Blue Moon Territory. At the same time, she wanted to lull Catherine into a false sense of security, preventing her from amassing an army or seeking help from the Simmons family, which would introduce new variables into Mary’s plans.

And so, the issue of Yusofa’s redemption was tacitly shelved by both parties.

At the same time, Lian gave Mary a crucial piece of information: Lorne Jackson was, in fact, not dead. As for how he survived, Lian claimed to have no idea.

Afterward, Mary had Nancy Stuart take Lian on a tour of his properties—which were now, in theory, Nancy Stuart’s properties.

The two went boating on a lake in Yusofa, toured manors and stables, and even walked into a pastry shop under Lian’s name.

To convince Mary that he was just another lust-crazed Moria scion, that very night, he kicked all the men out of the pastry shop and invited all the young women to a party.