“You don’t need to shoulder so much! We don’t want to see you become a demon for our sake . Ever since Luna’s death, you’ve completely changed . Do you still remember the first time we went out together? You wanted to shake me off at the brothel but ended up getting mugged . I went to kill one of them, but you stopped me . You weren’t this way back then . Do you still remember what you did in the North? You stomped the anthropoids that were frozen in ice and defenceless to death . You used the anthropoids as materials for your bets . You’ve changed . Your Majesty, you initially despised blood and death, yet you’re now covered in blood!”

“It’s for your sakes!! Had I bared my fangs and demonstrated brutality from the very start, my Luna wouldn’t have died . If I could’ve control the church beforehand, you wouldn’t have been kidnapped . If I sent the church a head, you wouldn’t have been chained up!”

“That’s why I’m saying that you’ve already gone too far!! Your Majesty, we are all aware that you are doing that for us; nevertheless, is it worth you becoming a demon slaughtering everything in sight and shouldering so much? You care about us, but what about us? Have you considered us? I, personally, saw you change because of me . Do you know how much that hurts me?”

Nier pushed me away with one hand . She held back her tears sitting on the edges of her eyelids . Her lips trembled as she tried to control her emotions: “Your Majesty, you have done enough… It must be enough now… Not only are you our family, but also the King of the North . They don’t respect us . They merely fear us due to you flying into a rage because of you . Even the maids around us are afraid of us!”

I grabbed Nier’s arms and anxiously explained, “I already said that it doesn’t matter! Nier! As long as I can ensure that you’re safe . If they’re scared, they won’t dare to hurt you . Look, Nier, look . Look, everyone respects Mommy Elizabeth . Everyone is in awe of her, but this incident still happened . Luna was killed . And now, there’s somebody trying to sow discord between us . That will never happen in the North, though . There’s n.o.body there who won’t fear me . Not one person will dare oppose me . That’s what I need . That way, your safety is guaranteed! Have you forgotten the time you were captured?”

I pressed Nier down onto the bed . She caressed my face . I took in a deep breath . Voice quiet, I expressed, “You have no idea how much I love you, Nier . You have no idea how afraid I am of you being in trouble . If I must be a demon to protect you all, then so be it . As long as you’re all safe, I can stand all of the hostility, violence and evil . Nier…”

“But have you considered us?” asked Nier . She went on in a sorrowful tone: “Have you considered us? We are not villagers you are protecting, and we are not your citizens . I am your wife who loves you . I’ll always love you!! I love you the same way you love me! Therefore, I do not want to see you as a murderous demon!! Please, Your Majesty, there is no need for you to do that, and don’t become a demon for my sake…”

Before I could finish, an explosion that shook the ground went off outside . Nier and I both froze . We rushed to the window to look outside . We couldn’t see what happened in the city from the inner court; however, my elven vision allowed me to see black smoke rising into the sky from the city . Nier tensely grabbed my arm . In a soft voice, she asked, “What exactly happened…? What happened to Hilles City?”

Before I could reply, a Valkyrie pushed the door to the room open . The leader of the group that entered bowed to us: “An explosion went off in the city . The initial prediction is that it is a team of rioters from the old church killing members of the new church . Our military has begun their march . The conflict does not look as though it will reach the Royal Palace; therefore, you need not worry, Your Majesties . ”

I went to the door and pulled my cloak down . In a stern tone, I asked, “How can I not worry when something happens at Hilles City? Where is Her Majesty?”

“Her Majesty has already personally set out to quell the riot . You should just stay here; there is no need to worry . ”

“She’s my mom . ”

I shoved the Valkyrie aside and headed toward the stable, which was where the White Deer King was . I intended to head over and see what the situation was .

Nier glanced at the Valkyrie in front of her . Out of nowhere, she pressed the Valkyrie up against the wall . The Valkyrie reacted with surprise . In a baffled voice, the Valkyrie questioned, “Royal Princess, what are you trying to do?! Wh-Why are you trying to strip me . . ? Wh-What are you doing?”

“Hand me your clothes and gear . I’m changing into it to head out . ”

“But… but Her Majesty wants you to stay here…”

“He’s my husband . ”

Nier stripped the Valkyrie nude then undressed and tossed her clothes to the Valkyrie . She wore on the Valkyrie uniform and headed out . The Valkyries watched Nier with dumbfounded looks . The Valkyrie who was stripped picked up the clothes Nier gave her . She trembled as she held the clothes that still had Nier’s scent on it up to the tip of her nose for a whiff . She looked besotted after one sniff: “Instructor Nier is as cool as she was in the past… Aaahh… Senior Nier… Senior Nier… I received a present from Instructor Nier…”

Current time on the street .

The street that looked perfectly normal was engulfed in an inferno . Broken gla.s.s littered the ground reflected the storefronts . The stores with the flags hung out were fortunate enough to avoid the fire . The individuals in black robes, who were armed with fire torches and guns, marched down the street . The blaze wiped out wails and cries of despair . Burnt corpses were strewn on the ground . In fact, it was no longer possible to tell if the dead were humans before their death or not .

The people in black robes loudly recited their religious teachings . They recited the chapter ill.u.s.trating the beauty of things in the world, yet at the same time, they desecrated the land on which G.o.d’s reputation was staked .

Elizabeth tugged on her horse reins to bring her horse to a halt . She approached the individuals in black robes . She had her hand on her sword handle, but she hadn’t yet drawn her sword . She was wearing her usual military uniform without any armour . The wind buffeted her cape . A few of the individuals in black robes noticed Elizabeth . Flabbergasted, they raised the weapons in their hands . The maniacal sensation the powdered drug induced helped them overcome their panic and terror . They pulled the trigger .

Elizabeth cut the air and flames . The black bullet she split down the centre was still emitting smoke from the ground . She sheathed her sword . She then violently slammed her sword onto the ground and beamed her intense killing intent from her eyes . Every word she enunciated was a command their bodies couldn’t defy: “On your knees!”

That was the order of a sovereign . No one could oppose it…