“These exciting things should only happen to boys not delicate maidens like me!!”

After saying that, she exerted a force on her leg and she shot herself towards the Witch.

“Aura of Courage!”

“Divine Blessings!”

“Resolution!!”

One after another, Maria buffed herself with different spells, increasing her strength and agility.

With Aura of Courage, her power and agility will be enhanced and with Divine Blessings.

Her Endurance and Vitality was increased by a significant level and she was immune to supernatural debuffs or spells from an enemy for an hour – though this can’t be used for a day after.

Resolution can strengthen the user’s will and determination to fight thus breaking several natural limitations that a person has, giving supernatural reflex and insight while at the same time doubling their strength and speed.

And lastly, “Angel Call!!”

The current strongest spell she possesses.

Her soaring body suddenly lit up in a golden light and in short moment, a pair of white angelic wings manifested on her back and above her head was a resplendent halo.

It was then followed by a strange scene– an illusory female figure, like an angel, appeared behind her but only for a moment before it gradually disappeared.

This skill gave her 30 minutes of Angelic power and all the allies within 10 meters from her will be given protection to any dark magic or spell and constantly heal them.

All the buffs stacked up together giving her power equivalent to that of a beginner Hero Level.

“Arrow of Light!!” Maria called out.

Dozens of arrows made up of light appeared and was launched towards the witch.

Seeing this, the witch only smiled and a wall made of steel appeared in front of her. The arrow pierced the wall but they stopped at the second and third layer before they dissolve.

When Maria arrived at the Witch’s position, she suddenly noticed that the witch had already disappeared from behind the steel wall.

“What!?”

“You want to be close? Then let’s meet head on!!”

A roar sounded above her.

A grey flash of energy appeared and a figure jumped off the tall steel wall.

It was the Witch.

On her hand was a long spear completely different from the ones before as its body had several gold and silver linings adorned with it. It looked like a raging dragon – It should be a magic artifact, Maria exclaimed inwardly!

The Witch swung her spear rapidly in midair and waves of grey and dark energy flew towards Maria at the speed of light. They looked unstoppable and had great momentum.

Ding!

But Maria didn’t back down and met the spear with her dual swords.

“You’re a combat witch!?” Maria gritted her teeth.

However, at this moment her pupils suddenly contracted as she saw the real face of her opponent that had been hidden by her big pointed hat and muffler.

“Talaya! Aren’t you Talaya of the Witch Queen of the North?!”

“Oh, you know my name?” The Witch Talaya smiled in interest. Was she actually recognized by a human?

“No, wait- I see… you are the same with her Majesty.” Talaya’s eyes shined. She raised her spear and repelled the swords to the side but Maria countered by a roundhouse kick.

Talaya somersaulted on the air and then landed gracefully on the ground.

“What are you-!? Wait, the Witch attack is led by the Witch Queen of the North??!” Maria realized.

Although she had suspicions before but she never thought that it was actually the truth. The Witches attacks were really led by the Witch Queen of the North – As for the reason, there were many but all of it happens if the Witch Queen had remembered the previous life.

Then, was she also a returnee?

There were many tribes of Witches in the World and the Witch Queen’s [ Frozen Garden ] was only one of the biggest organization composed of Witches.

There is also that [ Witch Alliance ] in the East and [ Nature’s Research ] in the south. Thus, Maria only suspected the Witch Queen of the North and not concluded anything but now…

- Talaya’s appearance proves her suspicion.

Talaya was the Witch Queen’s right hand woman and trusted general. With her here, it means that the Witches that had attacked the Church is none other than [ Frozen Garden ]!

“…I see, so you are similar to her Majesty,” Talaya said with cheerful voice.

“Did you also return from the other world?”

Maria frowned and didn’t reply instead she glared at Talaya, “The Crown Prince you said a while ago…”

Since it was actually the Witch Queen of the North then there was only one man that could be called crown prince of the [ Frozen Garden ]

Thinking like this, Maria can’t help but bit her lips. “… Was it Allen?”

!!?

“… Did he order you to attack the Church?” This was what Maria wanted to know.

Did Allen want to eliminate the Church and other Organization…?

Maria started having headaches. She had said before that she won’t participate anything against Allen but she just can’t step aside either if Allen picks a fight with the Church himself.

All these time, she was certain– no, hoping that Allen would never do something like that…

He’s outrageous in some matters but most of the time he’s reasonable.

She had never believed that Allen would pick a fight against the world with no specific reason whatsoever…

But now,

“Hm? You know the Prince?” Talaya was startled. Her movements stopped and her spear drooped down slightly.

Of course, Talaya knows Allen as every members of the [ Frozen Garden ] had heard about their Queen’s lover and father of their princess, Ciel Flare Bando.

Although they had never met him before but they had seen his face already through the Mirror of Recollection and all the member had memorized Allen’s appearance so that they would be able to recognize him the moment they met him.

They are extremely loyal to the Witch Queen and so the Witch Queen’s husband was also their king!

“Did he order this attack…?” Maria repeated her question.

She was actually hoping Talaya to deny her suspicion and fortunately, she wasn’t disappointed.

After a short silence, Talaya aimed down her spear on the ground and stared at Maria, hesitating.

To Maria’s relief she shook her head, “This is the Witch Queen’s orders… say, how do you know the Crown Prince? What is you relation with him?”

Talaya asked with a complicated expression.

Judging from Maria’s expression and tone just now, it seems like she knows Allen quite well – at most, they probably had some relations.

Maria also relaxed her excited nerves and said, “I’m Allen’s colleague and can be said to be his sworn big sister.”

“Ho,” Talaya’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Maria felt as if she Talaya found she was lying, Talaya would instantly kill her.

“… I implore you to stop this attack in the name of Allen or instead help us defeat the Vampires and Werewolves, you are probably not in an alliance with them… am I right?”