Cat Princess and Human Knight

After Sophia exchanged pleasantries with Duke Snowclaw, Marquis Velvet, and Marquis Iron Oak, a group of Maine Coon knights came up.

Regal, leading the way, knelt on one knee, followed by all the Maine Coon knights.

Looking at the wounded Royal Claw Knights before her, Sophia's expression turned serious.

After the nomadic cats went into a bloodthirsty state, the Royal Claw Knights, who were at the forefront, bore the brunt of the pressure and suffered heavy losses.

"Regal said."

"By your summons, the last of the Mankik, the Royal Claw Knights have been called forth."

Are we the loyal knights of the royal family? Have we fulfilled our oath to protect Mankiham?

Behind Regal, the Maine Coons all looked tense, an expression they had never shown even when facing swords, spears, and arrows on the battlefield.

For the Royal Claw Knights, their inaction during the Bloody Night in the Imperial City is an indelible stain. They must gain Mankik's approval before they can once again raise their heads as cats.

Sophia, the last Mankikon before them, is the last one. If she refuses to forgive, then all the Royal Claw cat knights will carry this shame to the end of their cat lives.

Sophia took a deep breath, the words of advice Yi Yin had given her before she returned echoing in her ears.

If you truly wish to become Queen Manquik, you must set aside personal feelings, unite all forces that can be united, and establish the broadest possible reach.

Having lost her conscience and joy, and having lost her noble nine-tailed ring, Sophia felt no more emotion in her heart.

"Drawing her sword, Sofia raised it high with her short arm, pointing it straight to the sky," she said.

"In the name of the last Mankik, I acknowledge that you have fulfilled your knightly oath, and I acknowledge that you fought for Mankik to the very last moment."

But the Manquican royal family has been destroyed, and I am merely a Lady of Huru, with no authority to command the knightly order directly under the royal family.

Therefore, I hereby declare that, effective today, the Royal Claw Knights are disbanded. All brave and loyal knights, take care.

All the Maine Coon riders were in tears, kneeling on one knee and bowing their heads deeply.

Sofia not only acknowledged their loyalty as knights, but also removed their shackles.

Without the royal family's existence, the Royal Claw Knights, loyal to the royal family, have always been an awkward existence.

Even if Regal, as the leader, were willing to take the initiative to disband the Knights, it would be illegitimate and without proper justification. What right did he have to disband the Knights formed by Emperor Manquikon?

Now, Sophia has not only cleared the Royal Claw Knights of their stains, but also disbanded the order to spare these knights a moral burden. How could the Maine Coon knights not be grateful?

As Yi-yin said, one should forgive others when possible, and send the Buddha to the West when one has to send him off. Since forgiveness is the goal, then forgive thoroughly, to the point that even the cat involved feels guilty. That would be enough.

Sure enough, the second Maine Coon knight behind Regal raised his head. He was the same knight who had stood up to Regal at the camp and demanded to join the battle. He spoke.

"Your Highness, I have something to report."

The bloody night in the imperial city was not because the Royal Claw Knights were unwilling to act, but because we were ambushed and all of us were unconscious in the camp.

Afterwards, the Regent and the Grand Justice told a series of lies, and the leader, seeing that things had already turned out this way, had no choice but to admit it in order to save the overall situation.

But the commander is completely devoted to you. He affixed his fingerprint to the proposal to strip you of your royal status, entirely for your safety.

"Regal said angrily."

"Leo! Stop talking! You should face the facts like a proper knight, instead of making excuses!"

The cat rider, known as Leo, stood up with his neck stiff and cursed.

"I've disliked that Grand Duke Shadowmoon for a long time. Does he even deserve to be called Regent?"

They don't care about appearances and do these awful things, and we're expected to be decent? This is just bullying an honest cat!

Princess, you are kind and have exonerated us. Since I, Leo, am a respectable cat, I must explain the whole story to you before I can serve you faithfully!

The Royal Claw Knights may disband, but I volunteer to serve the last Mankikan, faithfully fulfilling my duties. I humbly request Your Highness to take me in!

With Leo taking the lead, all the Maine Coons stood up and shouted.

"We are willing to fulfill our duties and humbly request Your Highness to take us in!"

Regal stood up, looked at the excited knights behind him, and carefully observed Sufia's expression.

"Your Highness?"

Sofia shook her head and said.

"Don't call me princess anymore. My royal status has been stripped away by the Seven-Tailed Council. I'm just a lowly Lady of Huru."

The Viscount Huru's territory is not abundant in resources, unlike the knightly orders supported by the imperial city. If you can endure this hardship, then come."

Regal carefully observed the composed Sophia. This once innocent and carefree princess had already developed the means to win over the hearts of cats.

While he was gratified, a bitter feeling inevitably arose in his heart.

Regal bowed to Sofia and said.

"We are deeply grateful for Your Excellency's willingness to take us in, but I have something to attend to and need to leave for a few days. Please allow Leo to lead the team to accompany you temporarily."

Sofia glanced at Regal, a thought flashing through her mind, as if she sensed what Regal was about to do.

"What are you going to do?"

"To do something I've always wanted to do, but haven't been able to do because of various constraints."

Sophia took a deep look at her guardian knight, the tall and majestic Maine Coon cat.

"Really?... Then go ahead..."

Regal bowed and turned to leave, but Sofia suddenly called out to him.

"Regal!"

"?"

"Come back safely. I have many questions for you and many things I want to say to you."

"Yes, Your Highness."

---

Watching Regal's resolute departing figure, Sofia's face remained calm.

These two childhood sweethearts who grew up together can never return to those innocent and carefree days.

Composing herself, Sofia welcomed new guests: Bishop Norma and Elder Raymond walked up with smiles on their faces.

Good day, Your Excellency the Bishop.

"May Mother Goddess bless you, my child."

Bishop Norma made some polite remarks and expressed his regret over the demise of the Manquican royal family before leaving.

Watching the cats disperse, Bell scratched his head and asked.

"What exactly are they here for? What did the bishop mean by those words? I don't understand them at all!"

Yi Yin chuckled.

"Haven't you noticed? Since we returned to the Shattered Hills, this diocesan bishop is the first high-ranking cat to express sympathy for the destruction of the Mankikan royal family."

Before this, those aristocratic cats either evaded the question or pretended not to know anything about it.