While a storm was about to descend upon the Kingdom of the Moon...
In the Kingdom of Flame, located in the south of the continent, the weather remained scorching hot with the sun shining brilliantly.
The air was thick with a humid, muggy atmosphere that made one feel rather uncomfortable.
A blonde boy, who shared an eighty percent resemblance to Dominica, was currently lying on the lap of a girl with fiery red hair.
The girl's slender fingers gently rolled a thin wooden stick, letting the luxurious feathers of a Blazing Skywing Bird brush softly against the boy's ear.
"Anna, have you received the latest news from the Kingdom of the Moon?"
The boy's voice was quite immature; judging by his physique, he was only a child of about eleven or twelve years old.
"Of course. Although the Pope has tried his best to conceal it, our knights, Amir and Kiran, have already sent back reports. The Saintess of the Moon has disappeared after falling into the sea."
Upon hearing this, the boy slowly opened his eyes, a trace of gloom flashing through his emerald-green pupils.
"What do you think we should do?"
"I suspect Your Majesty already has a plan, do you not?"
Anna gave a faint smile. Seeing the boy intended to get up, she withdrew the thin stick and set it aside.
In this high tower of the imperial city built entirely of stone, Anna, the Saintess of Flame, and Dominic, the Emperor of the Kingdom of Flame, began their discussion.
The boy rolled over and sat up, then shuffled back a bit before leaning directly into Anna's embrace.
His head sank deep into that soft warmth, his emerald-green eyes staring fixedly at the skylight.
Watching the sunlight spilling down, his immature lips curled into a chilling sneer.
"The Kingdom of the Sun has just been defeated, and the four islands are completely eroded by demonic energy. The remaining citizens have only just evacuated to Twin-Wing City. The Saintess of the Moon is missing, yet the Pope hasn't made a move. Clearly... this Saintess had already laid the groundwork before her disappearance."
At this point, he suddenly sat up straight, his brow furrowed.
"This Saintess of the Moon, despite only having held her position for a little over a year—and even being a complete idiot at the very beginning—is now entirely different."
Dominic turned his head to look at Anna.
"I suspect she likely disappeared on purpose. Her goal is very likely to purge the internal tumors of the Kingdom of the Sun once again."
"However... it cannot be ruled out that this was a final lifeline she left for the Kingdom of the Moon before vanishing."
Anna chuckled, covering her mouth, but there was no trace of mirety in her eyes.
"Then, Your Majesty, do you intend to give up those vast stretches of fertile land?"
"Heh! How could that be possible?"
Dominic turned his gaze toward the outside of the hall.
"Someone, come here."
"Present."
"Pass on my royal decree. To prevent demon infiltration, mass heavy troops at the border of the Kingdom of the Sun and prepare for war. Order Guardian Knights Castor and Santiago to head to the border and take command of the army."
"Yes, Sire!!"
Anna watched Dominic's performance quietly, a shallow smile playing on her lips.
Only after the soldiers outside had closed the doors did she speak.
"It seems Your Majesty has already decided to compete with the Holy See for land?"
"Naturally. With such a fine opportunity, wouldn't it be a pity to let it pass?"
Anna and Dominic looked at each other and smiled. Although there was a massive age gap between them, at this moment, they found a resonance within one another.
Laughter drifted out from the hall, and even if the soldiers outside heard it, they would act as if they noticed nothing at all.
...
In the Maritime Commercial Capital, Water City.
In the center of this bustling city, atop a tower far taller than any other building.
Accompanied by the sound of a whistle, a train sped away across the sea.
Watching the splashing waves, Naya, currently the only queen among the eight nations, wore an exceptionally solemn expression.
"Ophelia, what do you think of this situation in the Kingdom of the Moon?"
"Your Majesty, I believe..."
"Ophelia, haven't I said it before? When it's just the two of us, you can just call me by my name."
Naya seemed to be complaining slightly as she rolled her eyes.
Ophelia, the Saintess of Water of the Kingdom of the Sea, frowned slightly and pondered for a moment.
"Naya, the current situation is not optimistic. I think it's time for even us to make a move."
"Ophelia, do you mean we should send troops?"
"No."
Ophelia shook her head.
"In terms of military strength and combat capability, the Kingdom of the Sea is far behind the other nations. But our advantage does not lie in military force. What is the most important skill for a merchant?"
This rhetorical question plunged Naya into deep thought.
"You mean... negotiation?"
"Exactly. If possible, it is best to bring this matter to the table and discuss it openly."
"I see. You mean you want me to use the Kingdom of the Sea's advantages to act as a peacemaker?"
"...If possible," Ophelia added.
Naya pondered for a moment before nodding.
"In that case, let's start making preparations. Since it's a negotiation, we must ensure all parties are satisfied."
...
In the City of Heaven, the capital of the Kingdom of the Highlands.
Inside the communication room.
The wrinkles on Scott's face were noticeably more numerous than they had been a month ago.
He looked as if he had aged significantly, and even his back was slightly hunched.
"Lina, I'm glad you're safe."
Looking at the old man on the video screen, Lina's eyes involuntarily grew moist.
"Grandpa Scott, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have run away without telling you."
"Hmph... as long as you're safe. Come back as soon as possible. The problems the Kingdom of the Moon is about to face are likely not small. Recklessly interfering will only lead to trouble."
"I will immediately arrange for people to bring you and the ten thousand Black Armored Knights back. Once you return, Grandpa will personally make omurice for you."
As he spoke, Lina's expression became somewhat conflicted, as if she were hesitating to speak.
Seeing this, Scott's brow tightened fiercely, his forehead creasing into a deep frown.
"Lina, don't tell me you want to..."
"Grandpa Scott, I want to stay and help the Kingdom of the Moon!"
"No!!"
Scott's face instantly turned flushed, and he flew into a state of rage.
The aura emanating from him was bone-chilling.
Like an enraged lion, his aged gaze suddenly became sharp.
"Grandpa Scott! Her Highness the Saintess of the Moon personally went to the battlefield to ensure the people of the continent could survive. With only a level in the teens, she dared to stand in the center of the battlefield against the demon race!"
"I have never seen such a selfless person!"
"Grandpa Scott, I am the Saintess of War, the Saintess with the strongest combat power among the Eight Nations of the Holy Church!"
"While the Kingdom of the Moon is in crisis, as a fellow Saintess, how can I just stand by and watch!"
"If I retreat now, I will regret it for the rest of my life!!"
Scott roared, "No means no! I order you to come back immediately!! Something major is bound to happen in the Kingdom of the Moon within three months!"
Facing Scott's roar, Lina instead acted like a provoked little lion.
Her own aura exploded, feeling exactly the same as Scott's.
Except... no matter how one looked at it, Lina's aura felt a bit more immature.
"No! Since I know something will happen, I'm even less likely to go back!"
"Lina!! The Kingdom of the Moon is so far from the Kingdom of the Highlands. Even if you want to help, your strength is all here. Distant water cannot put out a nearby fire!!"
"Then I'll mobilize the knights under my command!!"
"Fine, fine, fine! Do as you wish! But let me say this first! You are not allowed to touch the soldiers on the front lines!"
"Whatever! I won't touch them!"
The grandfather and granddaughter argued as if they were throwing a tantrum, but Lina didn't realize it at all.
In fact, from the very beginning, Scott had already started considering things for her.
'Something major is bound to happen in the Kingdom of the Moon within three months.'
'Distant water cannot put out a nearby fire.'
'Don't touch the soldiers on the front lines.'
Each of these sentences, though seemingly spoken in anger, was actually a reminder to Lina.
In the end, the two of them angrily hung up the communication at the same time.
Lina walked out of the communication room in Brilliant City with a pouting face.
Meanwhile, in the communication room in the City of Heaven in the Kingdom of the Highlands...
There was silence.
After a long while... a weary sigh echoed through the room.
"Sigh... the girl has grown up and has her own ideas now."
At that moment, standing outside the communication room...
Was the strongest combatant of the Kingdom of the Highlands.
Babulo, the Heavenly Punishment Knight.
Standing two hundred and twenty centimeters tall, he was like a giant among humans who averaged only about one hundred and seventy centimeters.
One of his arms was much thicker than a normal person's waist.
Standing at the door, he was like a wall, blocking out a large portion of the sunlight.
"Your Majesty."
"Mm. Go and assemble the army. I will contact the nearest merchant caravans and have them send magic airships to transport you."
A trace of concern appeared on the giant man's face.
"Your Majesty, what about your health?"
"It's fine. Don't tell her. This girl's mind is as stubborn as an ox; she loves to go down rabbit holes. If she finds out, she won't be able to focus entirely on the problems at hand. When you go... don't forget to constantly advise her."
"Your servant understands."
As Scott walked out of the communication room, his figure seemed even more hunched.
His appearance inside the communication room seemed to have been a forced front.
"Mm. When you leave, don't forget to take that doll she likes."
"The... the doll?"
"Yes. That girl... if she isn't holding that doll, she's prone to nightmares at night."
"Yes, your servant understands."
"Go on."
"Take care, Your Majesty."
...
In Oasis City, the Kingdom of Sand.
Inside the Sand Temple.
Hugh, the King of the Kingdom of Sand, was sitting in a chair, looking at Aisha, the Saintess of Sand, who was exuding an alluring aura.
"Aisha, do you really not intend to do anything?"
"I don't."
Aisha looked down at Hugh.
"You know I won't do anything, so why ask?"
"Heh~ I just wanted to find an excuse to talk to you."
Hugh smiled slightly. A trace of heartache appeared on his sunny, handsome face, but it was quickly hidden away.
However, Aisha, the Saintess of Sand, did not notice this.
Her gaze turned toward the outside of the hall, her eyes holding a trace of admiration.
"I have a sense of propriety, and I know what's important."
"This Saintess of the Moon sacrificed herself for all the races of the continent. If you want me to strike now, you're looking down on me."
"It's true that I, Aisha, am jealous of her, but I have my bottom line. She could sacrifice herself for the entire continent; if I were to make a move now, what would that make me?"
"It's just a pity... I've lost a good rival."
A trace of loneliness actually appeared on Aisha's face.
Clearly, she had been very focused on Luo Li before.
In fact, she had already begun to regard Luo Li as a competitor.
"Heh, this is the Aisha I know."
"Nonsense! I've never changed, okay!"
Aisha rolled her eyes at Hugh, who only smiled faintly, seemingly not bothered by her slightly crude phrasing.
The atmosphere in the hall returned to silence.
Neither of them spoke again, seemingly enjoying this moment of tranquility and ambiguity.
...
In Ice and Snow City, the capital of the Snow Country.
Broderick's expression was very poor.
Upon receiving the news, not only his, but even Elizabeth's face had turned very grim.
"Your Majesty, the Kingdom of the Moon is facing a great disaster. We have just received their kindness; we cannot sit idly by."
"Mm. Then let's do this: send troops to the border of the Holy See to temporarily suppress them."
"Also, Elizabeth, you need to contact the other four Saintesses. If possible, it's best to get in touch with the heavily injured Lady Momoka as well. Only by doing this can we put pressure on the Pope."
Broderick was a very competent emperor.
After his body had recovered, he had resumed management of the Snow Country's administrative affairs.
He immediately thought of a solution.
This method had also been used eight hundred years ago.
Although back then, the Saintess of the Moon hadn't disappeared but was instead in a coma from heavy injuries.
At least the situation was similar.
Only by gathering the six Saintesses could they prevent the expansion of the Holy See.
Otherwise, the balance would surely be broken!
"Yes, I understand."
Elizabeth's expression was solemn.
The relationship between the Snow Country and the Kingdom of the Moon had been excellent since the founding of the Holy Church.
"Also, for this demon crusade, both the Dragon King and the Beast Sovereign made a move. At this stage, they should still be considered allies. It's best to get in touch with the Beast Sovereign to prevent the Beastmen Empire from launching a chaotic attack."
If they wanted to pressure the Holy See, they would inevitably have to mobilize a large number of troops to the border.
But in doing so, their external defenses would surely become weak.
The Beastmen Empire could then take advantage of the situation.
To prevent this, it was necessary to make use of the Saintess of the Moon's sacrifice.
To make it so the Beastmen Empire had no justification for sending troops.
Although such tactics were somewhat despicable, for the stability and balance of the human kingdoms...
As a king, he had no choice but to do so.
Of the Six Nations of the Holy Church, besides the Holy See, the other five nations were all stirring.
Each nation's people had their own individual plans.
In this situation not seen for a thousand years, the entire human kingdoms had entered a strange silence.
That feeling of an impending storm... was even more suffocating.
However, Luo Li was currently quite relaxed and carefree.
With the ox-horse beast to carry them, although the speed wasn't great, it was stable.
Furthermore, this ox-horse beast had excellent endurance and was carrying various supplies.
All the human meat had been discarded.
What remained were some ordinary meats, horses, and the like.
After all, human meat was a sought-after commodity among the demon race.
At this moment, Luo Li and Mochizuki Shingen were hiding in a cave on the edge of a cliff, staring blankly at a piece of horse meat on the fire.
Rate on N.U.
