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"Tch, damn it. If my 'Heaven and Earth Annihilation Blade' had reached the level of 'One Blade to Sever Heaven and Earth,' no, even if it had just reached the level of 'A Hundred Blades to Shatter Mountains,' I would have been able to slay her for sure."

I watched helplessly as the already weakened divine sword slashed across my chest. Unable to resist, I was sent flying off the rooftop like a falling leaf, plummeting into the dark night.

---

Finally dealing with this unexpected formidable enemy, Catherine showed no hint of joy. She stared in the direction I fell for a long moment before turning back to see her followers emerging from the defensive barrier cast by the Great Mage Wellington. Taking a deep breath, she rallied her spirits and returned to the form of a valiant warrior maiden.

"Alright, now we can mobilize the troops and take over this city."

"I'm afraid not yet, Miss."

As he spoke, a figure burst out from the large hole in the ground—it was the tiger warrior Taylor, who had not appeared until now.

"Taylor? What's wrong? Did something happen with taking over the city?"

"Yes, Miss. The family has just issued an order for all Gold Lion troops to withdraw from Fontainebleau without delay. Additionally, Miss, you must resign from your position as Holy Maiden and return to Lion Heart City. Your wedding to the son of the Beast King is set for two months from now. If we don't hurry, it might be delayed."

"You... how could this be? No, even if the family did issue an order, it wouldn't be so coincidental that it came right when we were about to act. This order must have come from you; you're one of the Beast King Samantha's people, aren't you?"

"Half correct. I was sent by your brothers. In fact, when Miss reported the situation at Qingcheng Fort to the family and requested reinforcements, the three young masters used your plan as leverage to reach an agreement with the Beast King. The Beast King guaranteed that the family would retain half the profits from Lion Heart City, while the family would no longer interfere with the interests in Fontainebleau. As part of the treaty, Miss will marry into the Fangtooth Clan, and the three young masters will also marry noble ladies from the Fangtooth Clan. The order reached me ten days ago, instructing me to withdraw the family troops after Miss dealt with the werewolf. Even if Miss stays, she won't be able to hold the fort, and the three wolf tribes taking over will share the profits with the Beast King. It's better for the two families to share than to split with the Temple and the family. The three wolf chieftains have made the right choice. So, Miss, please return."

"Return... I won't leave. The future of the family cannot be left to those idle scions. Even if I am alone, I won't give up."

"I understand that Miss has always aimed to revive the family, but instead of struggling here hopelessly, marrying into the Fangtooth Clan would better protect the family's interests. Moreover, I have a resolution from the family's council: if Miss refuses the family's orders, she will be permanently expelled from the family, never to be taken back."

"..."

"Miss, please reconsider."

"There's no need to say more. My resolve won't waver. Reviving the family is just a means; avenging my father is my true purpose. If the family cannot support me, I'll do it myself."

"Is that so? Then there's no other way. Attack!"

Following Taylor's command, the leopard brothers standing nearby struck. The old mage Wellington and the fox shaman Linda cried out and were sent flying.

"Ha, they are truly the Beast King's men. If Miss had been in peak condition, we wouldn't have dared to act. But thanks to that werewolf, after using the 'Sword of Promised Victory,' Miss's 'Imperial Overlord Art' is probably only at the first level. This is the perfect opportunity to subdue you."

Facing this shocking turn of events, Catherine displayed her true strength and will. Despite her exhausted state, she faced three fully powered Sword Masters without fear. The divine sword "Covenant" flashed with strange runes, creating countless afterimages, completely suppressing Taylor and the leopard brothers, giving her a dominant advantage.

"Cackle, I didn't expect the 'Imperial Overlord Art' to be so powerful. Indeed, the title of the strongest is well-deserved. Unfortunately, with my lunar ability 'Piercing Gaze,' I can see that Miss's power is near its limit. Otherwise, we might have fled."

Unfortunately, Taylor's triumph was premature. Just as he finished speaking, a blood-red sword light shot into the sky.

"Pay with your life! Sword of Promised Victory!"

Seizing the chance when her three opponents were close together, Catherine activated a secret technique, forcibly boosting her aura, unleashing a devastating strike. The closest leopard brother Lin Duo couldn't even display his speed and was cut in half. His brother Sate, trying to retreat, was pushed forward by the tiger and met the same fate. Only the tiger managed to escape the sword light by sacrificing the two brothers, barely saving his life.

"Phew, phew, Miss is truly formidable. I've changed my mind. Bringing Miss back would be too dangerous for me. So, rest here, Miss!"

Seeing Catherine exhausted and kneeling on the ground, unable to rise, Taylor still dared not approach. From afar, he gathered his aura into a massive tiger claw, preparing to kill Catherine.

"Miss, prepare to say goodbye to this world! Tiger King's Claw... Ah—"

As Catherine awaited death, she heard a commotion and looked up to see a gleaming golden blade protruding from Taylor's chest. Taylor's robust body deflated like a punctured balloon. When his body fell, the wolfman emerged, holding the tiger's soul.

In truth, my survival was quite precarious. Catherine's sword through my chest should have pierced my heart, even resisting the Golden Bell Shield. However, before coming, I wore a hydra hide armor with a "Blood Essence Crystal" embedded over my heart. The divine sword "Covenant," as sharp as the tiger's soul, broke through the armor and shattered the crystal, collapsing the Golden Bell Shield. Yet, it gave me a narrow gap, allowing the sword to pass through my lung instead of my heart.