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The entire scene fell silent.

A major battle was about to erupt. Yet Marcina, the key figure who could calm it, answered with a single sentence that no one could understand.

The secret of a young girl…

Forget the “young girl” for a moment. Marcina had actually stepped forward for that man.

Five years ago, Sophiel already knew of Marcina. At the time, Sophiel had also been a member of the Allied Forces.

Against the “Magic” Emperor before her, a head-on battle would be extremely disadvantageous for Sophiel.

She hadn’t wanted Marcina following her in the first place. The moment they escaped Gulf Prison, Sophiel had briefly thought Marcina might help with her revenge.

Now, she was only getting in the way.

Just as Sophiel was thinking this, Marcina spoke.

“Ooh~ Your expression is really easy to read right now. So the target of your revenge is someone who can just change on a whim~”

It was a simple sentence, but it made Sophiel’s revenge sound utterly insignificant.

Still, Sophiel didn’t lose her composure because of it.

“That’s a separate matter. Don’t mix them together and try to brush it off.”

Marcina made a catlike mouth, hiding the moment her little verbal trick was seen through.

“But fine. I’ll put aside the idea of killing that bastard for now. But if I see him again…”

“I’ll still save him, nya~ Ehehe~”

Sophiel had clearly intended to take a step back and give both sides a way out.

Marcina, however, still said exactly what was on her mind, without the slightest attempt to hide it.

Her complete disregard for the atmosphere—and the way she even started acting cute—made Sophiel remember a long-forgotten past.

The great mage before her had caused an unprecedented war that day precisely because she always spoke her mind.

After five years, that awful personality hadn’t changed at all. Life in Gulf Prison apparently hadn’t made her any more cautious.

“Hahaha! W-We’ll talk about what happens after that later! Hahaha!”

Although Onigashima barely understood the situation, he still stepped in to help.

Seeing how stiff the atmosphere had become, Onigashima first wiped away his sweat.

“Hey!!!”

But he didn’t need to say anything.

Someone was already growing impatient.

Suddenly, a shout shattered the stalemate.

“You people… Are you done playing around in my territory?”

Everyone came back to their senses and finally remembered where they were.

“And you! Are you here to make a deal or not?”

Beneath the hole Marcina had blasted through the ceiling, sunlight poured inside.

Standing beneath that sunlight was a tiny loli who had finally revealed her true form.

She was the leader of the heretics—the girl known as the “President.”

“P-President?!”

When the President stood forward and faced the four monsters before her, the shadows all wanted to rush in and stop her.

But the President waved a hand, signaling that she didn’t need protection.

“It’s fine. Prepare to evacuate.”

Her subordinates began packing up now that the basement had been exposed.

Only Sonja remained where she was, her sword still held in a stance ready to protect the President at any moment.

“Hey! You people, have you decided?”

“Don’t speak to me in that tone! Descendant of the Kakar Royal Family, Kakar King Progrell!”

Even after his true name was revealed, Kakar King showed no surprise.

“Of course I can speak to you like this, traitor to Allen! You came to find me because you need something from me, didn’t you?”

Standing before the world’s greatest swordsman, Kakar King showed no fear.

Instead, he wore a sinister grin.

“If you want what you came for, hand over what I want first!”

“And what do you want?”

Kakar King stepped forward and glared at the questioning Sophiel.

“Hey! Is it your turn to ask questions now?”

“…”

“Tell me. What do you want to trade with me?”

Indeed, Sophiel was the one asking for a favor.

It seemed the other party wasn’t stupid.

With no other choice, Sophiel decided to reveal what she wanted.

“I want the Forbidden Grimoire passed down through the Kakar Royal Family.”

“Oh~ And what do you want it for?”

“…”

Being questioned in that tone, Sophiel began to feel irritated.

“Come on, say it!”

But before Sophiel could answer, the maid stepped forward and answered in her place.

“We… want to resurrect the Grand Chancellor!”