Don't You Like It? (Continued)
But... even with the conditions met, Maria's body was finding it difficult to cope.
This battle once again demonstrated Gordan's power... Even if Maria summoned him to the earth, she could not kill Gordan in one fell swoop.
Furthermore, because Gordan will eventually be divided into several bodies, facing several Maria, one consciousness will eventually discover Maria's secret and crack it to fight back.
At that point, they will truly have lost everything.
Therefore, the Doll's question was actually asking Maria whether she wanted to carry out the same plan as Yan: artificially cultivating hybrid warriors.
But soon, Maria's answer appeared, but... it didn't seem to be the same answer she wanted to ask.
"Next..."
Maria blinked slowly.
"Next, let's go to Rhodes Island."
Rhodes Island?
The Doll was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening.
"You want to go... to see them?"
"... Um."
The Doll paused for a few moments, then looked somewhat helpless.
"You've really changed a lot..."
At least in the past, the Doll would never have believed that Maria would place her personal feelings on hunting Great Beast.
Clearly, Maria has undergone changes she hasn't yet noticed...
No... maybe they noticed.
The Doll shook its head, as if refuting itself.
Maria's transformation didn't happen overnight... it actually began when she made the contract with Lamaline.
However... the Doll itself overlooked this change.
She paused for a few moments, then took a slight step back.
"We're still near Rhodes Island. You can log in anytime if needed..."
"Um."
Maria slowly rose to her feet.
Ceobe, noticing this, also struggled to pull himself away from the sweet biscuits, but still held the silver-white iron tray in one hand and approached Maria.
Maria patted the other person's head and then prepared to leave.
The Doll stood still, bowing, seeing Maria off.
Can...
Maria had only taken a few steps when she suddenly stopped.
She turned her head and looked at the Doll again.
Amidst the Doll's slightly puzzled gaze, she uttered something startling.
"Would you like... a kiss?"
"Huh?"
The Doll paused, clearly not expecting Maria to say something like that at this moment.
Maria's thoughts, however, seemed somewhat naive.
"I think I should really respond to the thoughts around me."
This trip to Kazdel made Maria realize some things.
Perhaps for someone who may possess an infinite lifespan, many things can be delayed until a certain event occurs, at which point the matter can be brought to a natural conclusion.
But... for people living in the normal timeline, this so-called natural progression might be a response that has been waiting for hundreds, or even thousands of years.
And Maria will inevitably be absent from many things in this process.
Lamaline's centuries-long wait, Aifanier's absent childhood, the years they never met again, Theresa's missed opportunity...
Maria felt that some things really should be addressed directly.
Whether it's good or bad, we shouldn't let time solve this problem.
The problem lies with people... and it must be solved by people.
"Hunter..."
The Doll was stunned after hearing Maria's words.
Even though I've always considered myself a machine, my body couldn't help but tremble slightly at this moment.
She slowly took a step forward, her eyes fixed on Maria with a hint of panic.
It seemed he was afraid of Maria's rejection.
The body seemed to react on its own, approaching step by step, and then...
He slowly reached out and wrapped his arms around Maria's neck.
"Want it?"
Maria blinked, and asked a question of her loyal companion who had never asked for anything in return.
This calm question seemed to break the last shackles in the Doll's heart, and her delicate face gently pressed against Maria's body.
"If... I am worthy."
She spoke softly, her words tinged with humility.
"You certainly deserve it."
Maria opened her mouth, and her lips slowly approached.
But...
A finger was gently placed between the two people.
It's Doll!
She held up her finger, stopping Maria from continuing.
She slowly pulled her body off Maria, her eyes trembling as she looked at Maria. After a long while, her expression was complicated, she shook her head slightly and spoke with a soft laugh.
"But, it shouldn't be like this..."
"Um?"
Maria tilted her head slightly, somewhat puzzled.
But the Doll seemed to have figured it out, and took a deep breath.
"You have found your home, kind Hunter..."
"Your lips, perhaps, are meant for someone more..."
The Doll whispered, then took a half-step back, expressing its refusal.
Although this was something she had always hoped for, she also understood that she was ultimately not the right person.
Maria cannot kiss herself... For the somewhat conservative Maria, this means betraying her own marriage.
Only...
The Doll looked at Maria's slightly pink lips, hesitated for a moment, and then took a few steps forward!
Like a dragonfly skimming the water, their lips touched, their tongues briefly meeting and then parting...
Maria can't initiate a kiss, but he can initiate a kiss with Maria!
"... I will... always be by your side..."
The Doll whispered.
"Until forever..."
After saying all this, she slowly took a few steps back, so that she was parallel to Maria again.
However, this time, a faint, almost imperceptible smile gradually appeared on her face.
"Um."
Maria looked at the Doll, paused for a moment, then turned and silently left without saying anything.
The Doll standing to the side watched Maria's departing figure, its eyelids slightly lowered.
The empty, black room held only her, and she remained standing there.
But...
"Huh?"
Suddenly, a pair of ears popped out from the doorway.
The Doll was also somewhat curious upon seeing it.
"What's wrong, Ceobe?"
The Doll also received special treatment from this little guy whom Maria adored.
Upon realizing he had been discovered, Ceobe paused for a few moments but made no attempt to hide.
She walked out confidently and placed the tray of pastries she was carrying in front of the Doll.
"Want some?"
She smiled, her smile pure and beautiful.
The Doll paused for a moment, looking at the unfinished snacks on the plate, and then casually picked up the smallest piece.
She doesn't need to eat, so she naturally chooses the smallest food available so that Ceobe can eat more.
Meanwhile, Ceobe's little tail was wagging rapidly.
This Doll realize something; after a pause, it flipped the cookie over.
On the back of the cookie, there is a tiny, barely perceptible Ceobe.
I'm waiting...
"Hunter..."
The Doll paused, then a gentle smile bloomed on its face.
Meanwhile, Ceobe to the side, was also beaming with joy...
Maria, who was standing at the door, heard everything. After calming down a few moments later, she closed her eyes and slowly left...
Rhodes Island, outdoors.
Right now, here, a rare gathering of Banshees is taking place.
Of course, this gathering wasn't just for Banshees. In fact, perhaps because of Aifanier's special status, many members of Rhodes Island were invited to the banquet.
Perhaps because Rhodes Island's predecessor was the Babel, and the Babel had many collaborations with the Banshees, many Rhodes Island members have a good impression of the Banshees, and they enjoy interacting with them.
Of course, among the happy people, Aifanier was resting with his eyes closed, was definitely not included.
"What's wrong? Don't you like the Banshees's tea?"
Lamaline poured Aifanier some black tea. Although she was dressed in black, the Banshees inexplicably had a fondness for white decorations.
At this moment, they were sitting at the white tea table, slowly enjoying their afternoon tea.
The sunlight in the sky was not glaring, and with the gentle breeze blowing, it created a unique atmosphere.
Normally, no one has the opportunity to drink this tea personally brewed by the Banshees Queen.
As the other party's child, Aifanier had this privilege.
Only...
"I don't understand, Mother..."