"Haha... Quite willful indeed."

"Maria, you're becoming more and more like your old self."

Oedipus slightly adjusted her solemn expression and once again put on her usual meaningful smile.

Glancing disdainfully at Maria, who sat on the machinery venting her hatred like a child, Oedipus let out a soft chuckle.

She also found a large piece of machinery beside her, leaned against it, and calmly engaged in conversation with Maria.

"We could have lived in peace..."

"After all, if you wanted to overthrow some tyrant or despot, that would be one thing. But I am a wise ruler."

"What's wrong with being ruled by a creature as wise as me?"

"The people are healthy, and the nobles understand shame. Under my rule, everyone plays their part, and society is more stable and harmonious."

"I actually wanted to let you go... truly."

"But you kept provoking me time and time again."

"You threatened my life, undermined my rule, openly disobeyed my orders, and deceived and abducted my daughter."

"Now you bring out your ridiculous toy, trying to intimidate me with it..."

"You're like a little girl who just learned magic, waving a wand around in a fit."

Oedipus raised a finger lightly, pointing at the remote control in Maria's hand, and tapped it slightly; the other hand covered her face, unable to hold back a laugh— laughter that shook the flowers, laughter that charmed all.

"I don't know if that little thing can kill me."

"But I believe it can destroy you."

"It can also destroy the refugees seeking shelter in this solitary mountain castle and the brave warriors protecting them."

"Maria, you still haven't realized that merely sacrificing others won't kill me."

"You never sacrificed yourself— you hid deeply behind your false national righteousness."

"Sacrificing oneself isn't just about being ready for mutual destruction..."

"So you can never defeat me— because the price I paid far exceeds yours."

Oedipus spoke slowly but with great aggression and inducement.

For any emotionally normal person, Oedipus's words were very dangerous.

They were like the sharp point of a fishing spear. They could easily pierce your psychological defenses, penetrate your flesh and blood, drill into your marrow, leave you in self-doubt, and lead to a hopeless situation.

But for Maria now, they had little effect.

"Have you ever considered that the person standing here might not be me?"

"It could be my clone, or an angel, or perhaps just a semi-angel under my command."

"Yet you put the lives of the entire castle on a scale equal to mine."

"How cruel and heartless you are."

"Which one of us is truly the angel in human form? I seem to be a little confused ~ ~ oh, what a pity."

Oedipus pretended to cry with her hands covering her face, but Maria was not fooled.

She jumped down from the machinery, held both hands in front of her, tightly gripping the remote control, and said fiercely to Oedipus.

"It's too late for talk now, Oedipus."

"I won't listen to your wicked words anymore."

"Keep that saliva, go to hell and repent with Joan."

Seeing Maria determined, Oedipus became interested again. She clapped her hands as if enjoying an extra show in the circus, smiling at Maria.

"Exactly right, Miss Maria."

"You still don't believe my kind reminder."

"So go ahead, press the button."

Oedipus shrugged as if advising a dear friend and said to Maria.

"......"

At this point, a hint of confusion flickered in Maria's eyes.

But soon, that little confusion was engulfed by the rising tide of hatred from memories.

The cold hatred, like a fishbone stuck in the throat, like the rust marks under the broken ship's keel, made people anxious, unforgettable, tossing and turning in bed, sleepless at night.

Maria was like a rock by the sea, battered all night and day by this tide, eroded.

Unconsciously, her cold body began to hollow out. And now, looking back, her body had been hollowed out to the point of emptiness.

Cruel time had ground her down to her last breath.

She knew that if she didn't press the button immediately, even that last breath would quickly leave her.

"Fine... This is what you asked for!"

"Go to hell! Lucifer—"

Maria commanded with her finger.

But her finger did not obey her.

A fierce blow came from behind, tearing Maria's arm from her body.

Terrified, Maria looked back, and a sudden large clamp pierced her body through.