Chapter 1015: Chapter 552: The Throne Decided—Why Did Your Majesty Betray? (Part 2)

Except for exterminating some high-ranking figures parasitized by the [Gluttonous Worm], the clergy bureaucratic system she relied on remained intact.

Yet in her blue eyes, a shadow quickly replaced the delight:

"Regrettably, there’s no evidence to prove that Archbishop Roschild Pond Elliot, a Fifth Order Archbishop, was also parasitized.

But he too died on the night of the military intervention, unable to even escape despite his Fifth Order Legendary status.

The Young Faction lacks such power, only... "

Margaret I turned her head and saw her granddaughter, Violet Harrold, who had also come to greet her, embraced as the "Crown Prince." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

In her eyes, there was almost no affection for her only younger relative, only a cold examination.

"Conspiring against a Cardinal, such a senior clergyman, is a grave heresy!

Why do you keep crossing my bottom line again and again?

Vanessa was like this, and Vanessa’s daughter as well. They were all so obedient and good as children, one learned divination, another learned alchemy, dance, and sculpture.

Originally, they had hope of becoming excellent ladies adhering to the Creator’s teachings, a model among noble women respecting the Church.

This is all the fault of their husbands, [Whale Hunter] Jack Harold and [King of the Wild Hunt] Byron Lancaster.

Men of the Traditional Faction from the Bayfolk are all disasters!

They let my daughter and granddaughter stray step by step into the wrong path, finally committing irreparable mistakes, just like their husbands, degenerating into hopeless heretics.

God will never forgive you, I also cannot let you lead the Kalmar Union to destruction.

Do you think getting the ’Crown Prince’ position means you can rest assured? Today, I shall give you a good lesson!"

After making her judgment in her heart, nothing showed on her face; instead, she smoothly displayed an expected "affection," going forward to warmly take Violet’s small hand, stopping her from bowing.

Then, she led her towards the throne in the great hall, asking a few questions about her life after marriage.

To outsiders, they seemed like a truly close grandmother and granddaughter.

The [Evernight Queen], as a qualified political creature, would never act as straightforwardly as a hooligan or ordinary Bayfolk barbarian.

After taking her seat, rather than directly launching an attack, she said publicly:

"Violet, my granddaughter, in this difficult time for the Union, you take on heavy responsibilities for your grandmother, stabilizing the situation and protecting the citizens’ safety, which makes me very pleased.

Since the lords in the country are willing to endorse you as the heir to the Kalmar Union throne, of course, I am also willing to acknowledge your status."

Inside the great hall, clergy and ministers glanced at each other, feeling the Queen’s stance was truly unexpected.

Before, her attitude towards her granddaughter, the [War Witch], was not like this.

No one responded, all waiting for her next words.

Many insightful old politicians sensed that the enduring issue of the throne might finally be resolved today, and the crown of the Kalmar Triad would be thoroughly determined for the future.

The great hall was terrifyingly silent; even the sound of someone nervously swallowing was clear to hear.

The Evernight Queen unceremoniously sat back on the throne and let Violet stand on the first step to her left, making her most trusted Imperial Cleric, Luohate, stand on the first step to her right.

But the latter "deferred" a little, automatically stepping back one step, not standing alongside Violet.

At this moment, the Guardsmen brought by Margaret I had already taken over the entire palace defense, meeting no obstruction or resistance.

With everything in control, the Queen’s eagle-like sharp eyes swept over the scene, lingering especially long on Violet.

She clearly knew that the root of all problems faced by the Kalmar Union was only one.

It was the issue of to whom she, at the twilight of her life, would pass this nation’s future.

"I have never feared death, but the years of effort by the Aalborg Royal Family and the future of the Five Bay States must not be in vain at this crucial moment.

Only the Church, holding the authority of ’Earth’ and humanity’s ultimate destination, can save the Bayfolk.

There is no other path but death.

My choice from beginning to end will not change."

On this land ruled by the Church for fifteen hundred years, most humans see themselves as "the Creator’s children" first, and then "passengers of the mortal world."

This belief divides the continent’s secular politics into "secular and sacred," further enhancing the Church’s status and role in continental society.

In the eyes of devout believers, death is the eternal destination, and where to eternally rest is the most important issue.

After the collapse of the North Sea Empire, the Aalborg Kingdom of royal origin was the first among the descendants of the [Blue Dragon King] Reinhardt to convert to the Church.

At that time, they established the fundamental national policy of clinging to the Church: "Love what God loves, hate what God hates!"

Portraying themselves as a sharp sword of the Creator, identical to the steadfast Traditional Nation, the Kingdom of Castilia.

But lacking the sea power of the opponent, they were never highly regarded by the Church.

Since then, when members of the royal family and Bayfolk believers died, their souls no longer went to the "Valhalla of Heroes," but to the Church’s "Heaven."

While weakening the overall strength of the Bayfolk and strengthening the Church’s power, they also anchored the collective subconsciousness of the Bayfolk to that of the Theocratic Countries.