Annan had once placed high hopes on Star-Moon Bay. Its twenty-meter City Wall and Elemental Legion made that clear.
But expecting it to withstand the terrifying Rat Tide was like expecting Annan to face Lady Deepwinter, Princess Sails, Maria, Irilanze, and Lady Fine Wine all at once.
He would be helplessly outmatched.
After Annan laid out his rebuilding plan, Lady Deepwinter broke the silence. "Annan, I have nothing to give you."
Lady Deepwinter's wealth had been exhausted during the days spent resisting the Rat Tide. Apart from the Secret Treasure she could not reveal, Deepwinter Territory had nothing left.
"Then think of it as... a Training Camp."
Unable to find a better excuse, Annan pointed to the Expeditionary Army outside the Castle. "My Cavalry can't sit still. Let them get some experience here."
So on top of supplies and fortifications, Annan offered soldiers to protect them.
"Accept his kindness. This boy values friendship deeply..." Princess Sails told the hesitant Lady Deepwinter. "All I did was give him a place to stay and shelter in the Royal Capital, yet he came and rescued me for it..."
"If you're grateful, help him with everything you have when the time comes."
At Princess Sails's urging, Lady Deepwinter stopped refusing. She signed the Alliance Pact with Free City, witnessed by a Devil.
"I'll head back first. I'll have a surprise for you in a while." Beludona, busy as ever, returned to Hell.
After the Alliance Pact was signed, the way Lady Deepwinter looked at Annan no longer matched her name. Her gaze had softened.
Click, click—
Evelyn appeared, complete with her own sound effects.
"What is she doing?" Lady Deepwinter looked at the petite girl.
"She's Evelyn, editor-in-chief and star reporter of the Voice of Freedom Newspaper Office."
Annan handed Lady Deepwinter a copy