"Ugh..."
Carissa rubbed her slightly swollen head, opened her eyes, and looked around groggily.
Beside the classical European buildings lay a vast courtyard without a soul in sight. A large hole still smoked in the arched iron gate, faint traces of her violent entry remaining.
Only Buckingham Palace, Britain's political center, could possess this desolation, so utterly unlike the circumstances of the people confined to their homes.
"Your Highness Carissa, you're finally awake!"
Beside her, the Knight Leader breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Carissa awaken, the light of his healing Magic Formula still lingering in his hands.
"How long was I unconscious?"
"About two minutes. Although we don't know the outcome of that explosion, we encountered no attacks or traps along the way."
Carissa propped herself up and nodded.
"Then where is Mother Empress?"
She looked around, searching for Elizard.
"Her Majesty Elizard... she's currently... ah, here she comes."
As the Knight Leader wondered how to explain, he suddenly caught sight of a figure approaching out of the corner of his eye.
Although she wore a voluminous formal gown, it did nothing to impede Elizard's brisk strides.
Judging by the military horse trailing closely behind her, she had clearly just gone out for a ride.
"Oh, Carissa, you recovered quickly, didn't you? More exercise really does help. After losing Angel Power, you really do have only yourself to rely on in the end. I wish Villian and Limeia would learn from you."
Elizard gave her a hearty smile and waved at Carissa, as though her daughter had never nearly beheaded her.
"I can't believe you can still smile at a time like this," Carissa said, her expression dark with exasperation. "Now that Curtana First's power has been completely stolen, we have no chance of defeating that man."