"Are you...going to face me in person?"

"Isn't this a bit of going too far?"

A drop of cold sweat trickled down Merka's temple as his gaze continued to focus on the mechanical divinity discarded by Beezelbub on the ground.

Although Merka had long heard that Oedipus's current strength was not as great as before,

in Merka's almost distorted magical perception, Oedipus's oppressive force was no less than the first time he saw it in court.

In Merka's mind, one of the only few chances for victory now was that mechanical divinity.

However, as luck would have it, just as Merka was debating whether to rush over and pick up the mechanical divinity, Merka noticed that Oedipus's gaze was firmly fixed on the path leading to the mechanical divinity.

Merka frowned, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his face. At this moment, unbeknownst to others, the cold sweat dripping down Merka's back was already soaking his clothes like rain.

"Why, not coming over?"

"Well, if possible, I don't want to always resort to violence."

"Shall we talk a little?"

Oedipus said.

Merka clenched his fists, nervously locking eyes with Oedipus.

If Oedipus showed even the slightest opening, Merka would immediately rush to the mechanical divinity and then use the teleportation gate to shove it into Oedipus's body.

Although this was what Merka was thinking, what Oedipus said next deeply captivated Merka's attention.

"You don't actually like Turing that much, do you, Merka Christopher."

"Well, don't be angry, what I mean is, you don't really prioritize Turing in your heart."

"From my guess, in your heart, you prioritize the well-being of the people first, then Turing, and lastly yourself."

"Am I right?"

Merka was startled, he hadn't expected Oedipus to easily point out the question he had never dared to think deeply about.

In reality, if he had to choose between the lives of the common people and Turing, Merka really didn't know how to choose.

But after a slight wavering, what surged in Merka's mind was an unstoppable anger.

He understood that this was exactly what Oedipus wanted.

"Don't rush, don't rush. What I'm saying now is just an introduction, the main point is coming up next."

"Listen to me, Merka."

Oedipus cleared his throat, under her youthful and beautiful face, a smile that was both alluring and terrifying emerged.

Like a snake, a tiger, an eagle, a dragon, in Oedipus's shallow smile, it seemed to contain countless terrifying images beyond human imagination - the deep sense of oppression, the beguiling and cunning temptation, making everyone who faced Oedipus experience a thorough, bone-chilling realism.

Suddenly, she spoke.

"Do you understand the current international situation?"

"The mutual sanctions and constraints between countries."

"Modern warfare is a battle of economies, a competition of capital."

"But what about Acadia? It's already the year 2000, and still stuck in the old-fashioned agriculture of tobacco, tea, and the like."

"Though our land is fertile, food is abundant..."

"But no matter how fertile the land is, it's still just ordinary land. How can it compare to the land abroad nourished by fertilizers?"

"You see, how expensive the products from abroad are in Acadia."

"They are marked up tens or even hundreds of times. Those countries outside treat us like fools, do you understand?"

"Now, at least we can offset some of the trade deficits with tobacco... but what about in ten years? Twenty years?"

"Under the complex international situation, Acadia, with no industrial advantage, will sooner or later become a plaything among many great powers."

"And as for the conservative Maria, she doesn't understand this, she only knows how to fight within her own nest, only knows how to cling to my identity as an angel – that's why I got rid of her."

"In the end, does it really matter who becomes the ruler?"

"Would the achievements that make the people of Acadia happier and more prosperous be overshadowed by Maria's single sentence of 'an angel must die'?"

Merka's eyes widened as every word spoken by Oedipus struck his heart.

He knew that in recent years Acadia had been declining, and he knew how successful the economic zones in Red Port had become... but he hadn't realized that this progress toward modern urbanization was spearheaded by Oedipus.

Indeed, over these past twenty years, the political scene in Acadia had been dominated by Oedipus; if it wasn't her doing, then who else could it have been?

Seeing Merka's silence, she took light steps towards him.

"Surrender to me, Merka."

"Some sacrifices are inevitable. The deaths of a wave of city people will forge a new brilliance for all of Acadia."

"Although I cannot relent on Turing."

"I can promise, before I use Turing, that I will allow you to enjoy a few more days of happiness."

"And Curseborn... Curseborn, is that your main concern, right?"

"I can assure you, recognize Curseborn as an official nationality of Acadia, establish an autonomous region for Curseborn, and build a healthy trade platform for them to enjoy the respect and prosperity that a normal person in Acadia deserves."

"...These are the greatest concessions I can make. And you? What do you think?"

As Oedipus drew closer, her enchanting scent was like the poison of a snake, causing blood to surge and scalp to tingle.

Merka's lips trembled slightly. His complexion was pale, his eyelids twitching, and even his lips began to turn slightly purple uncontrollably.

The immense pressure pressed on his nerves, the pain of conflicting emotions brought upon by Oedipus's words, made Merka feel even worse than facing a punch from Beezlebub head-on.

Watching Merka's wavering demeanor, Oedipus's smile deepened even further.

She raised her hand slightly, wanting to pat Merka's shoulder.

But Merka pushed her hand away.

"What a joke... isn't this the same as that day in the past?"

"Sacrificing a few for the happiness of many..."

"This is just like the choice I made at the orphanage in the beginning."

"But I'm sorry, I've already made up my mind."

"I will never let that heavy snowfall from the orphanage happen again."

Merka's voice was resolute.

The faint and fading figure of Joan in his magical vision seemed like a ghostly phantom, flickering in Merka's mind.

Gritting his teeth, Merka tried not to dwell on Oedipus's enticing words, and re-evaluated the cunning fox-like woman in front of him.

"You underestimate my love for Turing, Your Highness."

"Turing has long been my top priority now..."

A vigorous fighting spirit reflected in Merka's black diamond eyes.

In a sudden motion, he pulled out his twisted wand from his pocket and threw it into the air. A blue-hued clone materialized out of nowhere and firmly grabbed hold of the wand.

A towering sword intent soared into the sky, dispelling all the red clouds above Merka.

Oedipus's smile faded, her brows furrowed. Faced with this level of magic, even she had to take it seriously.

"Even if it means bowing to the stronger and turning the blade on the weaker for protection and growth... the prosperity of such a nation is not worth it!"

"I will never sacrifice Turing to achieve some elusive glory for a group of people!"

"But you..."

"Those who are not of my kin, their hearts are bound to be different!"

"Prepare to meet your end, Oedipus!"