You Are Someone I Trust. (Continued)

The Doctor was somewhat embarrassed by this.

But Maria remained calm.

Less than ten minutes later, the centurion from before also hurriedly came over.

After knocking respectfully and receiving a response from Maria, he nervously entered the room.

"Your Highness, His Regent wishes to speak with you privately..."

"Shall we talk privately?"

Maria frowned slightly, which frightened the Sarkaz centurion so much that his face turned pale.

Fortunately, the Doctor beside him understood what the other person was worried about, and after chuckling twice, he shook his head slightly.

"Go in peace... they won't dare lay a hand on me."

"..."

Maria didn't answer, she just frowned.

The Doctor could only helplessly spread his hands.

"I promise you, I'll stay here obediently for the time being and won't go anywhere... Even if the building collapses, I won't leave. Can you accept that?"

To be honest, after knowing her for so long, the Doctor is convinced that Maria is indeed a very good person... Although she can be quite ruthless, she always treats strangers or friends with extreme tolerance.

If there's any personality issue to point out, the Doctor can only say that the other person's protectiveness is a bit too strong.

It always felt like, in Maria's mind, everyone in this world except herself was made of glass...

The only difference is that some people have thicker glass, while others have thinner glass.

To be honest, the Doctor didn't quite understand Maria's idea—she knew and acknowledged that Maria was very capable, but... did everyone have to be gay?

I may not possess the various Originium Arts or the robust physiques of the people in this world, but... at least I can be considered a porcelain doll?

At least it won't lose anything from a single bump or scratch.

So, faced with Maria's dilemma, she patiently comforted her.

Maria also let out a long sigh after a moment of silence.

"Ten minutes..."

She left behind this rambling, incoherent statement, turned around, and set off with the Sarkaz centurion in front of her.

The Doctor sat there, shaking his head helplessly.

"What a... worrier."

After emerging from the Sarkaz centurion, Maria quickly found Theresis, who had been waiting for her in the conference room.

He looked much more mature now than he had when he was in Kazdel.

Perhaps it was the time he was truly leading and commanding an army himself, and he began to handle things he had never done before.

This led to significant growth for him...

Judging from the city's current performance, Theresis has done a pretty good job...

"It's been a long time."

Upon seeing the woman in front of him, Theresis paused for a few moments before taking the initiative to speak and express his attitude.

He had been somewhat skeptical after hearing reports of Maria's arrival.

After all, in his mind, Maria was clearly on the side of the Babel.

Now that he has voluntarily withdrawn from Kazdel, Theresa should be focusing Babel's main forces under Kazdel's control, and won't have much time to deal with him.

Therefore, it's impossible for Maria to be in this city.

But... although he had already considered things at that time, he still came to meet her in the end.

It wasn't because he and Maria had a particularly good relationship, but simply because he didn't dare to truly ignore her.

Even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance, if it really is Maria, and if she gets angry because of it, then he'll face a lot more trouble.

At first glance, he could tell that this was definitely Maria herself.

Anyone who has met her may have different impressions, but one thing is absolutely universally agreed upon.

Maria's eyes... were unlike any eyes they had ever seen before!

Those cold, indifferent eyes, which seemed to care nothing for anything in the world, were enough to leave an indelible mark on the hearts of anyone who met her gaze!

Although Maria occasionally softens when she's with Lamaline over the years, that softness is limited to that specific person.

As for them... naturally they won't get to enjoy it.

"That's true."

Maria spoke calmly, then pulled out a chair and sat down directly opposite the other person.

The waiters who had just extended their hands froze in place, somewhat at a loss.

This Maria... is quite different from the haughty noblewoman they've come to know.

"Step down."

Theresis understood Maria's meaning, and after a moment of silence, he waved slightly.

Since Maria didn't act immediately, it means that she didn't come here because her sister intended to kill her.

After all, with Maria's strength, she wouldn't need to make any announcements; she could have easily fought her way from the city gates to here in no time.

Since she's willing to have a proper chat, we must also give her a corresponding response.

"So, what brings you here this time?"

"... Just handling some matters."

Maria briefly explained what she had been doing these past few days, but she didn't directly address the matter of Gordan. Instead, she used the unusual occurrence of the sky during the Defense of Kazdel as a reference in her answer.

"At that time, it wasn't that Catastrophes was about to occur... but rather that He began to act."

Maria spoke calmly, but the words she uttered were enough to make Theresis's pupils dilate in shock.

His eyes trembled in their sockets for a long time before finally lowering quietly.

But he did not reply immediately; instead, he gradually fell into a long silence.

Maria had anticipated this.

She didn't urge him to make a decision. Instead, she crossed her legs slightly, leaned back in her chair, and let her tricorn hat press down on her face as she observed Theresis, who was backlit by the sun.

Behind him was a large, clear glass window... Although the sun could not be seen now, its light still shone through at all times.

However, Theresis's figure was obscured by the black high-backed chair.

His true nature remains unclear to others.

Theresis was conflicted.

Although what Maria said was indeed serious, what could he do?

The best solution might be to give Maria maximum authority, allowing her to do whatever she wants... In this scenario, Maria could probably resolve all the problems in just a few days.

But...

What happens next?

What should I do next?

It's important to understand that even if Maria doesn't actively participate in the conflict between Babel and the Kazdel Military Committee, she is still considered a member of Babel.

How much of their secrets could she possibly learn while investigating those enemies?

And how many of these secrets will she tell the Babel?

Perhaps the people Maria mentioned are dangerous, and if things get out of control, the whole world will face a crisis.

But for Taresis, even if Maria were to handle it, he might still face failure.

If failure is inevitable either way, then the dangers of the world become like an extra bonus question.

After all, he wasn't some great cosmopolitan.

He only wanted Sarkaz to become powerful again...

But he couldn't ignore what Maria said.

He considered this almost immediately, telling Maria to wait while he handled the situation himself.

But he quickly dismissed this idea.

The fact that Maria came in person means that this matter is definitely not something that an ordinary person can handle.

Rushing to use a large force to deal with the situation might actually alert the enemy.

So, after remaining silent for a while, he painfully rubbed his temples.

How long will you stay here?

"... Leave once you're done."

Maria answered quickly, without hesitation; clearly, Theresis's reaction was within her expectations.

After a few moments of silence, Theresis took a deep breath.

"I understand... I will give you certain authority to investigate everything that happened here... but I also have my conditions."

Theresis spoke up, attempting to negotiate.

Maria did not answer directly, but nodded, indicating that the other party should state their requirements so that she could consider them further.

Theresis was naturally dissatisfied with such a tough stance.

But... there's nothing I can do.

All discontent is based on a foundation of power.

And coincidentally, Maria was the most powerful person here.

Taresis dared not gamble on whether he could withstand Maria's sword strike... Just as none of the 400,000-strong Allied Forces would have imagined that they would be wiped out by a single person.

After a few moments of silence, Theresis finally spoke.

"I'll only give you one week... If you haven't dealt with them by then, I'll send my people to handle it... You can still act then, but we won't cooperate with you anymore."

Theresis spoke, but her voice sounded weak and uncertain.

Maria blinked and then nodded slightly.

She can agree to this condition.

After all, if she couldn't deal with the enemy within a week, it would only mean that the enemy was indeed more troublesome than she had imagined, and even she was caught in a tug-of-war. At this point, the intervention of external forces might be the key to breaking the deadlock.

"Um."

When Maria nodded, Theresis breathed a sigh of relief.

Things haven't gotten to the worst possible point yet.

Upon seeing Maria stand up, he also stood up, as a gesture of respect to see her off.

But Maria stopped abruptly just as she reached the door.

She turned her head and glanced calmly in Therese's direction, her gaze unchanged, but Theresis suddenly felt a strange sensation.

However, Maria didn't say much; she simply turned and left silently.

Following Maria's gaze, Theresis looked past her own position and behind her.

Over there, the black stone high-backed chair still stands quietly.

Theresis let out a breath.

"She's found you..."

"..."

The woman didn't speak; she simply stood up from behind the chair, draped in black, and walked out.

Gazing at the door that had been closed again, she squinted slightly, then squeezed her chest and exhaled a long breath.