"Goluthos…Waaah…I…I'm really about to collapse…"
In Goluthos's room, Victoria's voice was tearful, her hands trembling like reeds in the wind.
"My…my hands are really sore and tired. Let me rest for a bit, please…"
Chloe pushed open the door, her legs feeling like they were filled with lead, and this scene met her eyes: Victoria, with a tear-streaked face, was using all her might to fan Goluthos, who was sprawled leisurely on the bed.
Sweat drenched the wisps of hair on her forehead, and her forearms visibly trembled.
Chloe's gaze passed over the struggling young lady and landed on the center of the bed—Goluthos was like a sated cat, stretching contentedly, her chin resting on her arm, enjoying the cool breeze with half-closed eyes, a faint, satisfied purr emanating from her throat.
A hint of helpless amusement crept onto Chloe's tired lips.
She walked forward, bent down, and carefully scooped up the lazy little body, holding her in her arms.
"I'm back, Goluthos…" Her voice was hoarse from battle, yet incredibly gentle.
Serie comfortably rubbed against her neck, inhaling her unique scent—a blend of slight sweat, the fresh sweetness of blood orange, and a hint of steady woody aroma—bringing an unparalleled sense of security.
This intimate scene made the eyes of Victoria, who was suffering from sore hands and weak legs, turn red!
Was physical torture not enough?! Now she had to endure mental torment?!
She stomped her foot in anger, her small face scrunched up.
The commotion finally attracted Chloe's attention.
Holding Goluthos, she turned to look at the aggrieved Victoria, who was almost fuming, and said gently, "You've worked hard, Victoria."
"Go back and rest."
With that, she naturally took the fan from Victoria's hand.
With a gentle flick of her wrist, a cool breeze once again softly brushed Goluthos's cheek.
Victoria: "!!!"
The flames of jealousy instantly spread like wildfire!
She glared at the little mute, who was so comfortable she was almost asleep, grinding her teeth loudly.
Waaah, why her?!
Why does she get to be held and fanned by Big Sister?! I want that too!
I want to make a great contribution too! So Big Sister will treat me like that!
Determination shone in Victoria's eyes. She stomped her foot hard, and with a mix of grief and resolve, she shot out of the room like a small cannonball.
Only when the huffy footsteps faded did Chloe gently sigh, sitting down on the bed with Goluthos in her arms.
She rested her cheek on Goluthos's soft hair, her voice very low and weary: "Goluthos…"
"The areas around the New Reclamation Area have been completely taken, and the outer strongholds are lightly defended. Progress is even smoother than expected…"
Serie rubbed against her in her arms, indicating she understood.
It's good that it's going smoothly.
Chloe freed one hand and pulled out a folded, slightly frayed piece of paper from her combat uniform pocket, carefully unfolding it.
It was a simple hand-drawn map, with somewhat rough lines, but key locations were marked prominently with charcoal pencil.
"This was drawn by Haniye in a hurry… There are still some details to be perfected, but the general situation is all here."
Chloe held the map up to Goluthos's eyes.
Serie struggled to pry open her heavy eyelids, her vision focusing.
The map clearly showed that the small island where the Black Queen was entrenched served as a springboard; to its north, a considerable area along the long southern coastline of Saint Martan had been conquered by them, marked as the "Black Queen Control Area" in a colored block.
It encompassed the New Reclamation Area with its continuous flower fields, the unfinished wealthy Emerald Coast, and the old industrial town of Iron Rust Town.
Along with the surrounding outposts, roads, factories, and other facilities, everything had changed hands!
Naturally, this also included the former sugar refinery, which no longer needed to be hidden.
Although this was only a tiny fraction compared to the vast territory of Saint Martan, a sense of pioneering ambition naturally arose in Serie's heart, and she seemed to already see the future—
The Black Queen's flag planted throughout the entire country, and she, Serie, would become the Black King, above all others!
By then, the Control Bureau would have to be polite to Serie.
Even if they discovered she was an anomaly, they would have to respectfully offer her up due to national prestige.
As for Chloe…of course, she would be the Queen.
She couldn't help but burrow deeper into Chloe's warm embrace, finding Chloe more and more pleasing to the eye the more she looked at her.
Chloe, unaware that the little one in her arms had already designated her as her wife, continued to report another piece of good news:
"Over at Emerald Coast, although most of the projects were abandoned, several villas near the coast have had their main structures completed, and water and electricity are available. We plan to move some of the injured, elderly, and children there in a while; conditions will be better than on the island."
She paused, a hint of almost imperceptible anticipation in her tone, looking down at Goluthos:
"There's a semi-open-air grand bathhouse there, built on the edge of a cliff, facing the sea… Although the facilities aren't fully completed, there are a few hot spring pools that can be used. I heard it's very luxurious. Tonight, would you like…to go see it with me?"
Her fingertips unconsciously gently combed through Goluthos's white long hair.
Before Goluthos could respond, Chloe added, a hint of sly amusement in her voice: "And, I found a few new…ancient texts about Goluthos civilization in the occupied government building."
"Most of the content is like a cryptic text, and I'm still deciphering it… But one of them, I've roughly figured out." Her finger gently traced circles on Goluthos's back, "It says… Goluthos civilization was a matriarchal society that revered women."
"Those powerful female warriors, after battles or celebrations, would use a unique massage technique to relax and comfort each other's fatigue…"
Chloe's voice grew softer, with a hint of experimental and gentle coaxing: "I'd like…to try learning it, just to…reward our greatest Goluthos, alright?"
Serie's eyes instantly lit up!
Where was any trace of sleepiness? She immediately nodded her small head vigorously in Chloe's arms, afraid the other party would change her mind!
Bathhouse! Hot springs! And Chloe's exclusive massage?!
This battle…it was worth it! So worth it!
However, after only a moment, Serie returned to Chloe's warm embrace, her eyes comfortably narrowed.
Of course, her mind was not idle at all—Newborn Count, activate!
"What…do you want?"
The female voice arrived as expected.
"Give me a hexagonal warrior!" Serie shouted the witches' collectively requested requirement in her mind, "They must be strong, pleasing to the eye, emotionally stable as an old dog, and also a self-propelled human-shaped food machine, so the other witches don't starve."
As soon as the request left her mouth, she herself felt it was a bit excessive.
This was simply wanting the horse to run, but not eat grass, and also be as beautiful as a celestial being…
Does such a perfect option truly exist in the world?
But to Serie's surprise, the female voice only remained silent for a few seconds before asking—
"Choose—do you value a person's soul quality more; or a person's physical beauty?"
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