"Alright, Joanne. Let's talk about why we are gathered here first; then you can discuss whatever you want." Mary decided to cut this uncomfortable conversation and speak of the subject in question for which they had gathered.
Everyone gave a sigh of relief at that moment. When Mary was about to speak, suddenly the door of the hall opened.
Everyone looked toward there and saw a beautiful young woman dressed in a full-body armor. This red-haired girl had a vibrant and shining mane that fell in soft waves to the shoulders.
Her face was marked by a cold and enigmatic expression. Her features were fine and well-defined, with perfectly arched eyebrows that framed penetrating and deep eyes. Her eyes, of an intense emerald-green color, seemed to contain hidden secrets and reflected a great determination.
In summary, this beautiful red-haired girl with a cold face was a fascinating combination of beauty and enigma. Her vibrant red hair, her penetrating gaze, and her cold expression granted her a unique and captivating charm.
"Oh, Freya, how good that you are here. Now you can explain to everyone what is happening." Mary warmly greeted Freya, yielded her position, and stepped aside, giving her the opportunity to explain the situation.
Freya, with a firm step, walked to the main position of the hall. She sat down and began to speak:
"We have lost another containment wall. The entire legion of the battle front moved to the next wall. It is estimated that this wall will not be capable of resisting one year. We must be prepared to move to the next one."
"How is this possible? Barely five years since we lost the previous containment wall, and you tell me that the next one will not be capable of lasting one year? What is happening?" Joanne, who had a look of laziness, in the next moment was full of energy and shouted with force.
"Joanne, you have not been on the front in fifty years. You do not know that now things have changed. The enemy has begun to strengthen itself every day and we have begun to weaken." Freya's cold voice calmed Joanne a little, who, embarrassed, lowered her head.
"Are you trying to say that in five years all the containment walls will have finished? Then, if reinforcements do not arrive by then, all the work we did these two thousand years, the lost sisters… will have been in vain. We might as well leave now and save the lives of many of our sisters. After all, our master is already dead; we have no obligation to anyone." Tears could be seen on Joanne's face while she said these words.
"Shut up! That is impossible. While the last of us remains standing, we still have hope. We will fight until our last breath of life. We cannot abandon our mission." Freya shouted in a loud voice, causing the hall to fall silent again.
Only Joanne's sobs could be heard. Everyone was surprised that the always cold Freya became altered like that. After a moment they also understood how she was feeling.
"Joanne, I believe Freya is right. The last wish of our lord was to save this world. Thus he gave his life. We must also strive to fulfill it, so that we have no regret. While hope remains for us, we will fight." Mary spoke at this moment with clenched fists. She had red eyes about to cry, but there was determination in her gaze.
Everyone in the hall had the same face of determination as Mary and Freya, causing Joanne to clear her mind. She clenched her fists, stood up, and said:
"I am sorry for what happened a moment ago. Freya, tomorrow I will depart together with you toward the battle front. I will not return from there until defeating the enemy."
"Very well. Then tomorrow the entire legion of witches of the World Empire will be on the battle front. I believe we will be able to resist a little more time if we all go to the front to fight together. Let us gain more time so that the prophecy of the sage Olleg is fulfilled. I believe everyone thinks the same."
Looking at the faces of all those present, Mary smiled, looked at the sky, and said solemnly:
"We will do it. The last will of our lord, the world emperor."
Everyone stood up and made the same oath as Mary.
**Change of scene**
Time passed quickly. Five months had already passed since the departure of the expedition.
André returned to Solomon City and was received by Alicia and Rose with a mountain of documents that had to be examined and approved. André approved them without any contemplation, for he trusted the two girls a great deal.
The last thing he had to deal with was accompanying Sofía, since André had decided that she would be one of his women, so he needed to work hard.
His aunt Beth had returned from Green City and, after reading the chemistry books that André had prepared, became very interested in it. André learned that she had requested work in the chemistry laboratory, which previously was the alchemy workshop.
"I believe the time has come to expand my territory." Sitting alone at his desk, André spoke suddenly. Then he took out a sheet, drew the map of the region, and began to analyze his next steps.
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