Aaaaaah!!!! (Continued)

"Um."

Maria nodded slightly, and Lamaline beside her, naturally wouldn't disagree with Maria's idea, so she also nodded and chose to go in.

The two Banshees understood; they raised their bone staffs and waved them gently.

The heavy, cold door, carved with images of past demon kings, was slowly pushed open, revealing a long conference table before the two of them.

Light, step by step, tears through the darkness...

"Clatter..."

Just as the heavy doors were pushed open, and light spread out in geometric shapes across the floor, the uneasy Royal Court representatives sitting inside also noticed the person at the door.

The first thing that catches the eye is that familiar Banshees Queen...

And then...

"The Banshees... the queen..."

The entire conference room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop...

"Da... da..."

The crisp sound of footsteps rang out once again. Maria and Lamaline, as if ignoring everyone else, walked step by step to the cold, black, high-backed throne at the top, and then sat down quietly.

On the opposite side, the original Blood Demon Royal Court's seat had disappeared, replaced by another Royal Court...

However, Maria was not familiar with him. She simply nodded to him and then looked at the extremely old Nitze in front of her.

"It's been a long time..."

Other Royal Court rarely send their Royal Court; most only send a representative... But Nitze, as the powerful Lord of the Eaters of the Dead, still frequently comes to the conference room to listen to the Demon King's teachings.

Moreover, unlike the others who were somewhat uneasy about Maria's return, he was personally quite happy that Maria had reappeared.

On the one hand, it was because he never took sides between Theresis and Theresa —he only wanted the Sarkaz to become powerful, and he would follow whoever could do that.

On the other hand, it's because the two people do have a good relationship.

After all, the two were close comrades-in-arms during the war.

"Um."

Maria nodded, then looked at the old man covered in strips of cloth with some confusion.

"You're not dead yet?"

Maria's words were so calm, even somewhat matter-of-fact.

This left the Royal Court representatives standing nearby stunned for quite a while.

The slightly younger ones found it hard to believe... After all, Maria was a legend who died and then reappeared in their minds, so their feelings about her weren't that profound. But they knew the prestige of Nitze, the war god of Sarkaz, as a legend who had always lived.

So they never expected that Maria's first words to them upon seeing them would be like this, and their expressions became somewhat subtle for a moment.

However, Nitze didn't care about this at all, and even let out a barely audible chuckle.

That's more like it...

This is truly Maria's character...

She has never been that kind of gentle and tactful person.

Back in the Sarkaz Allied Forces, anyone who disobeyed her orders was met with ruthless suppression and punishment...

Although he fought with Maria and lost, what truly helped Maria was his sharp and assertive spirit.

Only those who are like this can truly gain his approval.

As for Maria's words...

"Perhaps my obsession is too deep... so the ancestors don't want to summon me yet."

Nitze rarely spoke at length, and his words carried a hint of suggestion.

In the course of his century-long interactions, although he could not fully comprehend everything, he deeply sensed that Theresis and Theresa would be the impending upheaval in Sarkaz!

Although these two men had different styles and goals, they both possessed astonishing willpower and intellect, and their personal charisma attracted a large number of followers.

It could be said that if these two were to separate, it would be an honor for Sarkaz.

But now, these two people have come together... This leaves Nitze feeling both helpless and curious.

He wondered who it could be that had the ability to guide the Sarkaz...

Perhaps.

Maria caught a faint, almost imperceptible odor of decay in the air, but she said nothing and simply sat quietly in her seat, waiting for the meeting to begin.

Nitze did anything more and gradually fell silent.

The other Royal Court representatives also wanted to exchange ideas, but judging from the atmosphere, no one was willing to take the initiative to speak.

Time passed little by little.

Soon, the door was opened again...

Outside the door, amidst the clanging of armor, a sharp-looking man with pink hair slowly walked in.

"Click... click..."

As soon as the man entered, his sharp eyes swept across the scene in an instant.

He didn't say anything more, but remained silent, looking at Maria beside him, and then gradually approached her.

Upon witnessing this scene, the surrounding delegates instinctively straightened their backs and followed the other party's every move closely.

He walked around everyone step by step and stood beside Maria.

"..."

Maria didn't speak, but turned her head and looked at him directly.

An eerie atmosphere instantly spread throughout the entire venue...

Everyone could sense that the people around them were slowly 'disappearing,' and in the darkness, amidst the tense standoff, only these two remained...

Even Nitze, who was standing to the side, didn't say much, restraining his aura and gradually becoming calm.

Is a fight about to break out?

In an instant, this idea spread throughout the entire conference room.

Everyone could feel the invisible, pervasive gunpowder smoke seeping into their nostrils; their eardrums seemed to bulge slightly; and the low air pressure made it difficult for them to breathe.

They wanted to catch their breath, but were afraid that the sound of their breathing would ignite this 'war'.

For a moment, everyone at the scene was filled with panic.

But even faster, something truly astonishing happened.

"Thanks..."

Theresis, facing Maria who could very well become his future rival, actually took the initiative to show goodwill!

This was hard for everyone to believe.

What are they doing?

Theresis...

Could it be that he wants to surrender?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Some astute individuals have begun to consider whether Theresis's actions indicate that Maria is someone they can actually win over.

Of course, whatever they think won't affect this side.

Maria blinked and then turned her head slightly.

"I don't feel like I've done anything that requires your gratitude..."

No... you did a lot.

Theresis shook her head slightly, then spoke firmly under everyone's gaze.

"You saved Kazdel... twice."

After speaking, Theresis nodded to Maria again before returning to her seat.

Maria blinked, then realized which two times the other person was referring to.

"The Allied Forces and Dukale...?"

Maria for a moment, then shook her head slightly.

Although Maria took the initiative to do both actions, and they had nothing to do with the so-called protection of Kazdel or the safety of Sarkaz, this did not prevent Maria from being seen as a hero by these people.

This is something Theresis must do.

Regardless of how things are handled later, it's important to state your position from the very beginning.

He respected Maria.

This way, even if things fall apart later, he won't suffer too much damage to his reputation.

Of course, there may also be some of the Theresis behind this, and only he himself can probably explain the specific details.

At least, Maria didn't care.

She simply squinted and, in silence, shook her head slightly.

The atmosphere eased, but then fell silent again.

And it was in this atmosphere that Theresa finally appeared.

She didn't look well, as if she hadn't rested well for the past two days.

Led by a servant, she walked over step by step.

As she approached, everyone rose slightly and bowed to her.

Theresa had long since passed through her period of confusion and sat quietly in her seat, her bright eyes scanning the crowd.

She didn't waste any words and got straight to the point in the report.

The first half of the meeting was very simple, as usual, just about the achievements of the Kazdel construction.

People have long been used to this, and some even seem a little tired of it.

Theresa understood what everyone cared about, so after quickly reviewing this year's achievements, she didn't rush to set out next year's plans. Instead, she simply glanced at everyone and focused her attention on her older brother.

Before outlining next year's plans, there's one more thing I'd like to hear your opinions on.

The girl spoke, her calm words filled with tranquility.

Facing the questioning gazes of the many Royal Court representatives, she slowly began to speak.

"During my years leading Kazdel, I have become increasingly aware of my shortcomings... I am not a qualified leader... I am unable to take care of every aspect of Kazdel."

"I used to just want to build up Kazdel, thinking that this would give Sarkaz a future and make our lives better... But..."

After a few moments of silence, Theresa let out a long breath and her gaze met Theresis's calm eyes.

"I've discovered that there are still many things I can't do..."

"I am not a qualified leader...at least not in all aspects."

Theresa's voice was calm, but many people sensed the underlying meaning and shuddered.

No way?

No way?!

This means that Theresa is...

Many people were startled by the thoughts in their minds and looked up in surprise.

Under the gaze of these people, Theresa slowly spoke.

"I feel that I alone might not be able to support the entire Kazdel."

Theresa spoke, using the calmest words to utter something that made everyone pause in surprise.

Is she trying to... delegate power?!