Chapter 195 - 138: Witch Empire 2

Chapter 195: Chapter 138: Witch Empire 2

"Has the Witch sent by His Majesty the King arrived?"

Catherine asked.

"Lady Catherine, she has arrived. It is the Fire Witch, Fenna Barbosa."

The new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anthony, spoke. After Viscount Steel’s death, Catherine had asked Lian for one of Alex Pool’s former deputies to serve as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This new minister was originally from Green Shade Territory, but since taking office, he had worked diligently and wasted no time in arranging for the Witch’s arrival. He was a rare talent, a true man of action. His current situation, however, was awkward; the other ministers all saw him as an enemy.

"The Fire Witch, Fenna Barbosa, has taken up residence in the High Tower and awaits your summons at any time."

Anthony said.

Catherine nodded slightly, pleased with Anthony’s competence.

"Anthony, you’ve done well. I will reward you."

"Lady Catherine, it is merely my duty. Lord Lian instructed me that I must complete the tasks you assign."

Anthony bowed and said with his head lowered.

The ministers shot daggers at Anthony. If looks could kill, he would have died a dozen times over.

"Anthony, if Lord Lian and I were to have a falling out, whose side would you choose?"

Catherine asked suddenly.

This was what all the ministers wanted to know: whether Anthony was a Spy for Green Shade Territory.

Anthony dropped to one knee and said earnestly,

"Lord Lian told me to follow you and pledge my fealty to you forever. You granted me the status of a Blue Moon Territory noble, giving me trust and opportunity, and I will never betray you. However, if you asked me to betray Lord Lian, that is something I could not do. If that day ever comes, I ask that you allow me to resign."

"Anthony, you ungrateful country bumpkin from Green Shade Territory! A man like you, sitting in the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs—do you really think you got there on your own merits? It was purely by Lady Catherine’s grace, you ungrateful wretch!"

The Minister of Internal Affairs angrily kicked Anthony. The other ministers also wanted to rush forward and beat him, but were stopped by a single look from Catherine.

They sheepishly retracted their outstretched hands and feet, instead resorting to glaring viciously at Anthony to express their displeasure with Lian.

Catherine was no longer the little girl who could be easily manipulated. She now possessed an imposing air without needing to show anger, her aura growing ever closer to that of a true Superior.

"Enough. Anthony, you are very frank, and that is what I admire about you. But I must tell you, from this day forward, the only person you will pledge loyalty to is me, Catherine Rochelle Hernandez Mehelban Jackson. You may feel gratitude toward Lian, but you are, and always will be, my subordinate."

Catherine walked over to Anthony and helped him up from the floor.

Anthony’s and Catherine’s eyes met. In that instant, he felt his blood boil with passion, and his heart even skipped a beat.

In his eyes, Catherine was no longer the frail girl who had needed saving. She was a young Lord with soaring ambitions. Her future was limitless, like the rising sun—impossible to look away from, yet so brilliant that to stare too long would burn you.

No one but Catherine could ignite such fervor in him.

"Lady Catherine, I swear to you my eternal loyalty. To you, and you alone."

Catherine patted Anthony’s shoulder. "I never mistreat my subordinates. Your name will follow mine into the annals of history. When Blue Moon Territory once again makes the entire Holy Empire recognize its might, you will certainly not be forgotten."

"I will live and die with Blue Moon Territory."

Anthony said, his voice filled with emotion.

He was a talented young man, but as long as he worked under Alex Pool, he would never be able to surpass him.

Lian had seen this and gave him to Catherine, who was in desperate need of talented people. Catherine gave him great responsibility, allowing him to see a path to surpassing Alex Pool.

The timely arrival of the Fire Witch was the best proof of this. The Guardian Bureau had originally only planned to send an ordinary Witch, but thanks to his efforts, they received one of Heaven’s favored daughters.

Any Witch ranked in the top 50 was considered one of Heaven’s favored daughters. Those in the top 100 were elite Witches, while any not ranked in the top 100 were considered ordinary Witches.

Although each territory only had one Guardian Witch, the Guardian Bureau’s reserves were substantial, with no fewer than 2,000 Witches registered under its name.

Of course, compared to the vast population of the Holy Empire, this number was still far too small.

But for other nations, it was an unimaginably large number.

For this reason, the Holy Empire was also known by other kingdoms as the Witch Empire.

Unfortunately, these Witches were all bound by a rule set by the first King: they were absolutely forbidden from participating in war.

As humanity’s last line of defense, their sole mission was to protect the territories from monster invasions, serving a defensive role rather than waging external wars.

Not even King Augustus could overturn this law and make the Witches fight for him against the Azure Dragon Court.

"Anthony, now tell me, how should I deal with the Yusofa matter?"

Catherine looked at Anthony.

Anthony thought for a moment before speaking. "Yusofa is not critically important to Blue Moon Territory. Since we’ve already lost it, we should just abandon it. What we need to do now is drive Green Shade Territory’s army to the border and have our own troops garrison the High Wall and other key areas."

The ministers stared at Anthony in astonishment.

"Are you telling us to reject Green Shade Territory’s protection? Do you have any idea how many troops Lady Mary has? How could Blue Moon Territory’s army possibly withstand Lady Mary’s iron hooves?"

The Minister of Internal Affairs was the first to object.

The other ministers quickly chimed in with their agreement.

"Yes, without Green Shade Territory’s protection, we’ll be in great danger."

"We can’t face Lady Mary alone! There’s no way we can win."

Catherine looked at Anthony, whose gaze was resolute.

"Very well. We’ll do as Anthony says. Mary has no reason to declare war on us for now, and we must make our position clear: the Jackson Family are not the spineless old nobles of Blue Moon Territory."

The ministers wanted to object further, but Catherine waved her hand, signaling for Mina to escort them out.

Only after the ministers had all left did Mina ask worriedly,

"Lady Catherine, are you really going to have a falling out with Lord Lian? All because of one Nancy Stuart?"

"Have you seen a portrait of Nancy Stuart?"

"Yes, I have. She is indeed beautiful, but she can’t compare to you. You and Lord Lian have been through life and death together. Your bond is enviable."

Mina said this truthfully, though she was reluctant to admit it.

A smile touched Catherine’s lips.

"Yes, I certainly wouldn’t do this because of her. I’m not going to have a falling out with Lian. In fact, I read the letters he writes me every day to feel closer to him."

Catherine was very frank with Mina, because even if she didn’t say it, Mina, as her personal Maid, knew everything.

"Then why are you expelling Green Shade Territory’s army and sending them beyond the High Wall? Doing so makes it seem like Blue Moon Territory is completely breaking ties with Green Shade Territory. Some might even question your engagement."

Mina said.

"Only by expelling Green Shade Territory’s army beyond the High Wall can Lian be safer in Mary’s territory. Besides, he might have other plans."

Catherine returned to her bedroom and stroked the suit of armor displayed there.

This suit of Valkyrie Armor was a gift from Lian, which he had taken the time to help forge before he left.

Catherine looked forward to the day she would wear it, but at the same time, she feared plunging Blue Moon Territory into crisis once more.

"Lady Catherine, are you thinking about Lord Lian?"

"Yes. If it were him, he would know the best choice to make, wouldn’t he?"

Catherine gazed out the window. The moon was already high in the sky, and its light seemed to lend a touch of warmth to the twilight.

Meanwhile, Lian, the very person being thought of, was receiving a special guest.