The purple light faded, leaving Habbak and the others standing there in a daze.
A purple spider-shaped mark had appeared on each of their foreheads.
Werther watched in surprise, waiting to see what Queen would do next.
The purple glow faded from Queen's eyes.
"The contract is complete."
Calm returned to the council chamber, as though nothing had happened. Only Habbak and the others remained standing motionless, like people who had lost their souls.
"Kneel."
At Queen's sharp command, the marks on their foreheads flashed, and their pupils slowly turned purple.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Habbak and the dozens of others dropped to both knees in unison. They did not move, as though they would kneel there until they died unless Queen ordered otherwise.
"Not bad. Sparing your life wasn't a waste. Controlling thirty thousand people shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Queen came up behind Werther and rested her chin on his shoulder. He could clearly feel her breath.
"Of course not. I've controlled as many as a hundred thousand people before. Leave it to me.
"But since I'm doing you such a big favor, how about I come to your room tonight?"
Werther's face twitched. He fought down the urge to cut Queen down.
"Sure. I've been wanting to know what it feels like to cut a spider to pieces."
Queen gave a soft snort, plainly disappointed.
"What a heartless man. You use me, then toss me aside. The thirty thousand are at the docks, right? I'll go mark them now.
"But once they're marked, they'll have six months to live at most. Is that all right?"
Werther thought for a moment. The war in Wano Country was unlikely to last that long. There was plenty of time.
"As long as they don't die within a few days."
With that,