Cat Princess and Human Knight

Chapter 21 A Good Idea

In spring, the earth awakens and all things revive.

The agile cat riders, riding their lynx mounts, weave through the bushes of the hills, constantly driving animals in the same direction.

This hilly area belongs to the Duke of Snowclaw, and commoners who wish to hunt or chop wood here must pay the Duke exorbitant taxes.

But today, this place has been closed off, because His Highness the Duke will be hunting here in the spring, and all irrelevant people have been expelled in advance.

The Duke's cat riders are driving prey for him, all riding medium-sized lynx mounts that have been domesticated for three generations.

This mount, standing 1.2 meters tall at the shoulder, features a high-quality leather saddle inlaid with gemstones, carrying the cat rider swiftly through the jungle, exuding an exceptionally majestic and awe-inspiring presence.

The animals, driven away in a panic, rushed toward the hunting grounds together. Among them were pheasants, rabbits, and even a sizable coyote.

The coyote, relying on its speed, ran ahead of the other animals, but was accurately shot in the throat by a sharp arrow. The force of the arrow carried it away, howling and rolling on the ground until it gradually lost its life.

"good!"

A group of cat knights surrounded two noble cats riding tall lynxes. One of the cats held a bow, from which the arrow had just been shot.

Coyotes are animals with strong backs, thick waists, brittle chins, and rotten buttocks. If you shoot them in the back or waist, they can still struggle for a while, but a single arrow to the throat is the real killer.

The noble cat that shoots arrows is jet black and shiny, except for its two paws which are pure white. It has a resolute face and piercing eyes, and it is none other than the current Duke Snowclaw himself.

The noble cat cheering beside him was a black and white calico cat, the Marquis of the Crushed Hills.

The Snowclaw Duke's family and the Blanket Marquis's family have been linked by marriage for generations. The two noble cats are not only relatives but also political allies.

The wise and resourceful Marquis of Velvet Carpet was also a trusted advisor to the Duke of Snowclaw.

Seeing that Duke Snowclaw had put down his bow after firing an arrow, Marquis Velvet Carpet asked.

"Your Grace, are you not going to continue?"

Duke Snowclaw shook his head.

"Spring is the season for reproduction, so let's kill fewer animals."

Marquis Velvet nodded; the purpose of this hunt was not originally for the prey.

Hunting was a favorite activity of nobles, with many benefits, including but not limited to those mentioned above.

Firstly, interpersonal communication.

Secondly, it demonstrates martial prowess.

Third, obtain more high-quality protein.

Fourth, private talks.

The Duke of Snowclaw's hunting expedition was actually a pretext to discuss matters with the Marquis of Velvet Carpet; the hunting activity was merely a smokescreen.

Nobles enjoyed discussing matters during hunts, and traveling together with weapons in hand increased trust among them.

More importantly, in the desolate wilderness, one can shield oneself from spying and eavesdropping. With only one loyal knight around, the open wilderness offers a clear view, making it difficult for the contents of a secret conversation to be leaked.

When Duke Snowclaw's cavalry returned to camp, the serving knights and squires had already pitched tents and were constantly unloading supplies from the backs of reindeer.

These dwarf reindeer are docile and hardy, carrying silk tents and drinking vessels on their backs, silently waiting for the cat warriors to dismantle them.

Duke Snowclaw dismounted his lynx mount, waved to Marquis Velvet, and together they walked to the campfire.

Once the two were seated, the knight's attendant respectfully handed them a water bag filled with wine.

Duke Snowclaw looked up, took a deep drink, sighed, and said...

"Are you aware that Princess Sofia of the royal family has fled back to Viscount Huru's territory?"

The Marquis of Velvet nodded.

"I heard about it. What a lucky girl, managing to escape from those cold-blooded assassins of the Shadow Guard."

Duke Snowclaw snorted.

"The Regent of the Imperial City sent me an official document, requesting me to escort Lady Sophia, who had been stripped of her royal status by the Seven-Tailed Council, back to the Imperial City."

Is he out of his mind? Does he think this is still the era of Emperor Manquikham? That with a single word from the capital, nobles from all over the country have to bow their heads in fear and obey?

Let alone this usurper regent, even if the Mankikang royal family were still alive, His Majesty's imperial edict would be worthless in the Shaky Hills.

I tore up the official document on the spot and told the envoy from the capital to get lost!

The Marquis of Velvet nodded.

"You did a good job."

Lady Sofia has been stripped of her royal status and is now the lord of the Viscount Huru, your vassal.

According to the decrees issued by Emperor Manquik, a vassal's vassal is not his vassal, and even the royal family has no right to overstep the lord and order his vassals around, let alone him, who is merely a regent without any power.

If you truly make a mistake and send Lady Sophia back to the capital, it will become a laughing stock in the entire aristocratic circle.

Duke Snowclaw nodded.

"I understand that principle, but Lady Sophia... Although the Seven-Tailed Council has stripped her of her royal status, this plague god is always quite troublesome to have in my territory."

I can't be bothered with the conflicts between the royal family and the imperial family in the Seven-Tailed Council, but as the lord of the Huru Viscount's territory, I can't help but get involved.

You don't know yet, do you? Norma. The Bishop of the Diocese of Vorrang wrote me a personal letter, addressing Duchess Sophia as a devout believer and hoping that I would treat her well.

"I'm in a real bind right now. The nomadic cats are about to head south, and I have no energy left to deal with all this messy royal offspring stuff. It's such a hassle."

Marquis Velvet thought for a moment and then said.

"I remember Norma. Bishop Worang's mentor was Milo. Lord Light Whisperer, this retired Privy Councilor, was from Huru Territory, and he was also the godfather of the former Huru Territory Lady."

Duke Snowclaw suddenly realized and slapped his thigh.

"Oh right, how could I forget about that? So that's why the church got involved in the Seven-Tailed Council's political mess."

The Marquis of Velvet nodded.

"Norma. Bishop Worang probably didn't want to get involved in these messy things, but he stepped in to put in a good word for us out of respect for his mentor."

But since the Church has intervened, you must be careful and not simply turn away Lady Sophia; that would be a slap in the face to the Church.

Duke Snowclaw sighed helplessly.

"That's why I've come to you this time. I want you to give me some advice that will neither offend the church nor get me involved in the mess of the royal family's downfall."

"The Duke of Snowclaw's request is a bit troublesome," Marquis Velvet Carpet said after a long pause of thought.

"How about we do it this way?"

The lord had an obligation to protect his vassals, but the vassals also had an obligation to send troops to assist the lord in battle.

With the nomadic cats about to march south, as is customary, the Shattered Hills will host a knightly tournament, inviting knights from various lords and free knights to participate, in order to select talent for the upcoming war.

Now that Lady Sophia has returned to her fief, she must fulfill her vassal duties, and Huru must perform well in this knightly tournament.

If she cannot prove that she is capable of fulfilling her vassal obligations as Viscount Huru, you may suspend her vassal rights in accordance with the Meow Code.

After that, whether she marries into the family of a cat and becomes a viscountess, or is forced to abolish her territory due to childlessness, as long as she is not your vassal, you have no obligation as a lord to protect her.

This way, if you encounter any major trouble later, you'll have room to maneuver.

Duke Snowclaw squinted and thought carefully for a moment before speaking.

"That's right, we should give the church face, but we won't take on any trouble for the royal family."

If it's just Lady Sophia herself who's incapable, then no one else can really say much, and I trust that Bishop Norma won't hold a grudge against me because of it.

That's certainly a good idea. I'll have someone send a letter inviting Lady Sophia, making it mandatory for Huru Territory to participate in this knightly tournament."