Silence.

A choking silence that could make anyone in the vicinity freeze in fear and trepidation.

That was what was currently being displayed by the few who stood in the devastated landscape of shattered ground and razed trees.

"Who are you?" The first to break the silence was the Midas Impersonator, of course.

'He doesn't know who I am? I guess he wasn't able to get any information from the two.' Gloria narrowed her eyes as she stared at him.

He didn't seem all too threatening, but that was only at face value.

'The girl also doesn't look harmful. The only thing to be really concerned about us that giant wolf. It shouldn't be a problem for me, though.' She thought to herself.

Despite her looks and personality, Gloria was actually very adept at using her head. Even now, while being consumed by insurmountable rage, she was still thinking and strategizing.

That was just the kind of person she was.

"I am the First Princess; Gloria Midas. Identify yourselves, and be prepared to face the consequences of your actions.

'Looking at this bloody mess, he and that girl must have killed all these Inquisition Officers.' Gloria could see how their numbers were about five thousand.

Confirming this, it wasn't very difficult to believe that they were able to defeat Kendrick and his Division.

'But how? Why are they so strong?'

Gloria was not among the close-minded Midas citizens who believed that a non-Midas could never stand a chance against a Midas. Reality didn't work that way, unfortunately.

The fact that there was a non-Midas that had escaped their grasp for so long proved just hoe formidable they could be.

'Does that mean they're also irregulars? But how?'

After the disaster with their current headache, they had ensured their indoctrination methods improved by leaps and bounds.

Their current system was more akin to brainwashing than anything else.

It wouldn't be easy, or even possible, for anyone to break the mold.

'And if they did, we would have been notified. So... how?'

That didn't matter right now, though. Her major concern was capturing the enemy, protecting her siblings, and then returning to the Empire.

'So what of they defeated five thousand Knights and two Royals? I could do the same!' She gritted her teeth and tightened her fist.

Her confidence was further boosted by the fact that the two would naturally be tired after their fight.

Evidence of that was how the Midas Impersonator was breathing heavily. He was trying to hide it as best as he could, but she noticed it regardless.

'The girl on top of the golden wolf is an even better pretender, but it's probably because she used that pet of hers to so the fighting. She's most likely not a combatant, so if I defeat her summon, then...'

Gloria's grin widened as she pretty much developed her strategy on the spot.

'Let's do this!' With a determined gaze, and a fiery heart, she resolved to fight...

... and WIN!

*

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'Looks like she's all fired up. I don't want to fight her, though.' Kuzon gazed at his opponent.

If he did, it would be a waste of the opportunity he had been given.

'I would rather retreat. It's better that way, and it wastes less time.'

He had already achieved his goal. All he needed was for his minions to invade the ranks of the Midas Royals.

'If I can use 'that', then things would get even more interesting.' He smiled internally.

Kuzon could only hope the princess in front of him was noticing the subtle signs of exhaustion he was giving her.

She was bound to underestimate him thanks to these factors, so her initial attack wouldn't be overwhelmingly powerful.

'Once she does that... at that exact moment... that will decide everything!'

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!<

Just like clockwork, the Midas Princess lunged at Kuzon, shattering everything around her, though paying special mind not to affect her siblings.

Like the wind, she rushed towards him, her hand outstretched.

'... As expected.' Kuzon thought to himself.

This was the part where things got interesting.

His construct, Fenrir, instantly jumped in her way, shielding Kuzon.

At that moment, Maya fell off the massive wolf, slowly falling in midair as she displayed surprise and slight fear.

"You....!" The loud voice of the first princess echoed at that very moment, and more golden light shrouded her body.

>BOOOOMMMMM!!!<

The loud impact made from her clash with Fenrir sent shockwaves flying around, and the ground trembled once more.

Kuzon stifled his smile and caught Maya, who yelped as soon as she fell into his arms.

'Time to undo Fenrir so it seems there was damage...'

The golden threads that made up his massive construct instantly scattered, starting from the point where Gloria's fit landed on.

Snapping and dissipating not long after, the pieces of Fenrir's body began to vanish.

"Heh!" Gloria leaked out a condescending smile as she glared even deeper at Kuzon and Maya, who now seemed powerless and helpless.

"All I need to do is take care of you two now." She strengthened her muscles and prepared for yet another display of sheer strength.

"Really? You should be more worried about your siblings, you know?"

Gloria's eyes widened as he said this, granting Kuzon yet another reason to smile.

"Kak!"

"Urgh!"

Both of them suddenly coughed out blood, their vomits oozing from their mouths. They shivered, their faces pale.

Gloria, who hadn't looked at them before, sharply glanced in their direction out of pure concern.

The moment she noticed their physiological reactions, only one thought appeared in her mind.

"P-poison?!"

"Hehe. Correct. How else would I have been able to take down two Royals of such strength?" Kuzon swiftly responded.

'Good. She's biting in.'

Gloria's face turned distraught. However, at the same time, she expressed more rage than before.

"You bastard!"

"Call me whatever you like. I need to do whatever I can to win. In any case, what are you going to do about them? Will you save them? Or will you continue this fight?"

Kuzon's grin grew wider.

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[A/N]

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