Dong dong dong

The sound of lonely footsteps echoed down the corridor outside Turing's door. Turing perked up his ears and immediately became alert.

"Elizabeth, hide quickly," Turing said to his angel.

"Yes... sister," a strong, shadowy monster within the darkness responded to Turing before disappearing into the shadows.

That's right.

In order for his angel to have the autonomous fighting ability similar to Beezelbub, Turing implanted a bit of memory related to Elizabeth and named it Elizabeth.

But since Turing's knowledge of Elizabeth was limited, the implanted memory resulted in the angel not having a very high IQ.

"Oh? Turing."

"It's so late, still not asleep?"

As soon as the angel's footsteps vanished, Oedipus, holding a night lamp, quietly pushed open Turing's door.

She smiled as she walked in soundlessly, stepping to the window with Turing to look outside.

"Lucky you're not asleep, or you'd miss the show," she said.

Turing glanced suspiciously at the shadow-covered face of Oedipus, not understanding her meaning.

"Turing, do you see that light in the distance?"

Oedipus leaned down, placing the night lamp by Turing's side, one hand propped on the window frame, pointing towards the forest outside Erisburg's gate.

Turing shifted her gaze to where Oedipus pointed.

In the late night, distant sparks shimmered like a halo of stars, dancing and flickering like a group of red fireflies.

Turing focused her gaze. She immediately realized those were not sparks, but many people holding torches!

Clad in black robes, they stood like a dark wall outside Erisburg's gate, silently facing off against the maids guarding the gate.

Some maids hid in the shadows, others stood in plain sight; some wielded swords, others tightly gripped wands; all with grim faces, ready to confront these unwelcome guests.

Upon closer inspection, several maids were wearing Kyopa military uniforms. Clearly, Oedipus didn't let her subordinates linger - sending several to participate in the defense of Erisburg.

"Turing, do you know they are here for you," Oedipus smirked as if her scheme had succeeded.

She feigned intimacy, placing a hand lightly on Turing's back, whispering gently,

"Is that... Merka?"

Excited, Turing tossed aside the book in her hand, ready to jump out the window.

But Oedipus's hand restrained her.

"Wait, you can't move," she urged softly, pressing against Turing's restless body, leaning in to whisper in her ear.

"In the game of the hero defeating the dragon..."

"How can the rescued princess move on her own?"

"Right?"

Oedipus turned her face, her dangerous sapphire eyes seeming like a turbulent sea, as though ready to swallow Turing whole at any moment.

Tightening her muscles and tendrils in the darkness, Elizabeth tensed as well, as if with a slight flick of Turing's finger, it would shoot towards Oedipus like an arrow off a bow.

Turing frowned, watching Oedipus's face, exhaling a breath and lowering her hand.

She wasn't afraid.

It just wasn't the right time yet.

She didn't know if Oedipus was planning a mechanical intervention, or why this woman was willing to play such a strange game with her.

Using up her trump card now could lead to an irreparable disaster.

"Damn it."

Turing didn't think she was overly cautious...

With an opponent like Oedipus, it was better to be safe.

Seeing Turing's complex expression, Oedipus smiled at her, unconcerned, as if she held all the cards.

"This is my good child."

"I want to play a game with you... but if you don't follow the rules, I won't be in the mood to continue playing, understand?"

Uncontrollable hatred flickered in Turing's eyes.

Though she had no desire to be controlled by this woman's words, she decided to see how things played out.