Proclamation (Continued)

Although it was time for the sun to rise, thick dark clouds shrouded the sky, preventing any light from penetrating.

The whole world was bathed in a hazy, dim light.

The once magnificent city was now a scene of devastation, with dust and charred remains everywhere.

In many places, the flames still raged, seemingly devouring everything around them.

A strange smell lingered throughout the city.

Corpses were scattered everywhere, allowing the bewildered crowd to step through them.

Among them were the bodies of Allied Forces soldiers... but even more were those of Sarkaz.

The remaining Banshees are trying their best to maintain order... but in reality, there's not much they can do.

The war is over... but it's only the beginning.

Although their support team was also overwhelmed by Maria, this was ultimately only a small part of the front line.

An army of 30,000 men doesn't even constitute a large part of a single battle line, let alone the entire Allied Forces.

After Maria successfully breached its defenses, the other Allied Forces would soon receive intelligence, and perhaps before long, they would see another army of 30,000 men advancing.

There could even be more.

Maria stood silently by the window, gazing at the battered city below.

She remained silent as she watched the wailing crowd.

Finally, she turned her attention to the church from yesterday.

Over there, tombstones had long been erected, but the fallen Father Sankta was nowhere to be found.

Perhaps he didn't know how to face his parents who trusted him, or perhaps he didn't know what reason he had to stay in this city that was now in ruins, so he chose to leave.

He needed to leave this place, to leave this place that was like a nightmare to him.

Maria blinked, then turned back.

During the meeting, the Banshees silently rose to their feet.

"In that case, let's begin the rescue operation. As for what to do next, we'll inform everyone after the meeting."

Exhausted Lamaline spoke, offering her companions simple words of encouragement.

The group of dusty, grime-covered Banshees quietly dispersed.

This time, even the maids who had previously cared about Lamaline left.

Only the maid named Mila glanced sadly in their direction before leaving, and after exchanging a final look with Maria, she chose to retreat.

The place is no longer needed for the guards.

Her Highness will handle everything...

For a moment, only the Banshees Queen and Maria remained in the Council Hall, which was not yet completely destroyed.

"It's over?"

Maria stepped forward and stood beside Lamaline, who sat in the majestic chair.

"Hmm... it's over."

Lamaline had recently escaped death, was still very weak.

While the Banshees's skin was generally quite fair, Lamaline's skin appeared more like a sickly pallor.

Even her lips were pale, and her slightly haggard face was heartbreaking to see.

Facing Maria, she wanted to stand up and talk to her.

But just a moment of weakness, and she couldn't help but kneel down on the ground.

Maria quickly helped him up, and seeing his disheveled appearance, put him back in his original position.

"Your body hasn't fully recovered yet..."

"Um."

Faced with Maria's extremely rare concern, Lamaline merely lowered her eyes slightly, revealing a hint of self-deprecation.

She couldn't help but look at her city, at the gray and gloomy world, and she felt increasingly pained and powerless.

If it weren't for Maria yesterday, she really couldn't imagine what the city would have become under her control, or how terrible the situation would have been.

"I... maybe I'm really not suited for this position."

As the leader of the Banshees, she should have led her people toward a brighter future, but in the end, the Banshees' attempt to save themselves led to an attack on the city.

She had no idea how to face those people... let alone how to continue guiding them.

She felt she was completely unqualified!

"... Is it too late to consider these things now?"

Looking at the girl blaming herself, Maria tilted her head, her expression calm.

"You've taken on this responsibility... which means that unless they choose to abandon you, you must persevere every single day."

"I've only ever heard of subjects abandoning their monarch, but I've never heard of a monarch abandoning his subjects..."

"...You're right, Ms. Maria." Lamaline sighed.

She knew that Maria was right... absolutely right.

Now that I have taken on this responsibility, I have no right to hesitate.

Moreover, she took on this responsibility voluntarily, so she has even less right to complain.

She has to be responsible for herself, and even more so for everyone else who believes in her!

"Naturally, girl."

Maria paused for a moment, then slowly extended her hand.

Cool fingers touched the girl's cheek, and she gently cupped it in her hands.

Two exquisitely beautiful faces were pressed close together.

"Besides... even if you wanted to shirk your responsibilities, that's something for later, not now..."

As Maria spoke, her eyes sparkled, and she exhaled a fragrant aroma.

These smells were extremely aggressive, and in just a few moments, they invaded the girl's entire brain!

Lamaline's face flushed uncontrollably.

His breathing became somewhat rapid.

"Mrs... Maria..."

She waved her little hands frantically, her eyes darting around wildly...

Too close...

It's really too close...

At that distance, she even felt as if she had touched those soft lips, like some kind of sweet dessert.

As they spoke, she could even feel their lips rubbing together!

It's too close... and it's too weird...

In the end, her little paws could only weakly grasp Maria's back.

He clung tightly to the fine hunting clothes.

"You owe me a favor, girl..."

Maria didn't let go of her hand; instead, she moved the two of them even closer together.

She had to admit that she was genuinely worried that the other party might actually have a mental breakdown and relinquish her responsibilities as the Banshees Queen.

Then what about her killings yesterday?

Is this a joke?

"I need you... I need you to attend that meeting of the King of the Royal Court."

"Meeting?"

The flustered girl's mind was hazy and unclear.

But Maria continued firmly.

"Yes, the meeting..."

"I have some things I want to investigate, and these are mostly things that can't be found in any ancient texts... So I need to find some beings with long lifespans to see if they know anything."

"But before that, I need you..."

Maria's voice was calm, but for Lamaline couldn't bring herself to stand up for herself in front of her.

She could only bite her lip and look into the eyes that seemed to sparkle like stars in front of her.

My heart is racing.

"I need the identity of the Queen Consort of the Banshee Court... But don't worry, I won't occupy this identity for too long. Once I get what I want, it will mean you've repaid the favor."

Maria spoke, her voice, like a demonic whisper, almost caressing Lamaline's brain.

It stimulated her body to tremble slightly.

To be honest, Lamaline's reaction was really strange to a woman she had only known for a few days.

Even if you really like something, you should still spend a few more days getting to know it better.

But the truth is... she really couldn't resist Maria's temptation.

Thinking about it carefully, although we haven't known each other for very long, Maria has actually done so much.

It conveyed crucial intelligence about the collapse at the front.

He accompanied her to investigate the Allied Forces' encampment.

They halted the enemy's advance.

She led the Banshees to defeat the Allied Forces.

In the most dangerous situation, they single-handedly turned the tide and pierced the airship flying thousands of meters in the sky!

Maria almost perfectly exemplified what it means to be both strong and beautiful through her actions.

Her unwavering, gem-like will imbued her with an indescribable air of mystery.

This made Lamaline almost irresistibly attracted to it!

No one can resist such a strong, beautiful, and determined woman...

Even if it's not a special relationship, even if it's just as friends.

She's always been so reassuring...

"I need you, girl, until I achieve my goal."

Maria spoke softly, gently stroking the back of the girl's head to make her actions seem less rough.

Her eyes were slightly lowered, and her long, thin eyelashes trembled slightly in her half-closed gray pupils. Her breath was faintly fragrant.

"So... for now, I must still be your queen..."

"Your Highness... Your Highness."

Lamaline's face flushed slightly.

His words were somewhat hesitant.

But seeing Maria's hesitant yet resolute expression, she gritted her teeth and nodded.

"I... I understand."

"No matter what the future holds."

"But at the very least, I will hold out until the Royal Court Council is convened!"

"I hope you will keep your promise," Maria said softly, her eyes slightly closed.

Outside the door, the Swarm Banshees members who had not yet evacuated looked over, their cheeks flushed. For a moment, their excitement made them speechless.