"What, what are you talking about, SABER!"

Upon hearing this, Louise widened her eyes in shock and looked at Red Ponytail.

"How can you say such things?!"

"Of course I can say such things. Although I was summoned by you, I am still a Divine Envoy. Mortals who desire the help of deities must pay a price. After all, this is not a particularly dangerous situation, so I won’t be so benevolent to offer charity."

"A dangerous situation? The enemy is about to attack our King’s City, isn’t that dangerous enough?"

"Of course, it’s not."

Red Ponytail glanced at Louise.

"The danger concerns only the upper echelons and the ruling class of your nations. Perhaps when Tolisstin falls, you will be captured or executed, but that is a normal occurrence. I will ensure your safety, but this country is not my concern. Wars and annexations between nations are normal phenomena unless the opponent intends to annihilate all the citizens of Tolisstin without leaving a single one. Only in such a humanitarian crisis would I intervene without charge. But right now..."

As she spoke, Red Ponytail pointed to Henrietta.

"She only wishes to preserve her family’s rule over this country and maintain the upper echelons. Since that is her wish, she must pay the price."

"How can you say that, Her Royal Highness is trying to protect the citizens of this country!"

"That’s nice to say, but I am not from this country."

Red Ponytail shrugged and looked at Henrietta again.

"So, what is your decision?"

"Your Royal Highness..."

Louise couldn’t convince Red Ponytail, so she looked to Henrietta for help. Facing Louise’s plea, Henrietta smiled and then opened her arms.

"Do you see this wedding dress, Louise?"

"Yes..."

"You should know the reason I wear this wedding dress."

"It’s to marry the King of Germania and establish a military alliance."

"Yes, but now all of that is meaningless."

Saying this, Henrietta looked at Red Ponytail.

"I am willing to give everything for this country, including myself. Whether it’s marriage or my life, as long as it’s for the country, I am prepared to do it. Moreover, if I must choose..."

As she spoke, Henrietta showed a slight smile.

"No matter what, a lovely younger sister is always better than the King of Barbarians, right?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Your Highness..."

Upon hearing this, Louise understood Henrietta’s choice clearly. Originally, the marriage to the King of Germania was just a political one to deter Albion’s aggressive ambitions through an alliance between the two nations. But now, since the opponent has already reached their doorstep, whether the marriage happens or not, it no longer matters.

"It seems you’ve made your decision?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Upon hearing Henrietta’s answer, Red Ponytail nodded and snapped her fingers.

The next moment, the scenery around them immediately changed.

A white platform wrapped in a sea of clouds and countless spires appeared before Henrietta and Louise. A white gate reached up to the sky, and under the radiance of the sun, the Supreme Heaven displayed unparalleled magnificence and grandeur. Staring at all this in awe, Henrietta and Louise widened their eyes in surprise, unable to utter a single word.

"This is the Divine Realm, the Supreme Heaven, the City of Gods."

Upon hearing this, Henrietta and Louise finally reacted, hastily kneeling in fear and reverence. If they had any doubts about Red Ponytail’s identity before, this scene before them completely dispelled any doubts they had.

Upon returning, it seems they need to build a Daimon at the entrance of the Heavenly Dao Palace.

Seeing the two kneeling before her, Red Ponytail secretly nodded in her heart. Indeed, appearances can serve a significant purpose at times!

"So... Henrietta de Tolisstin."

"Yes!"

Upon hearing Red Ponytail speak, Henrietta’s body trembled, and she hastily responded. Although Red Ponytail’s voice sounded no different than usual, it was filled with an unimaginable overwhelming pressure. Just hearing her call her name made Henrietta feel as if her heart might stop.

Is this the power of a deity?

"What is your wish?"

"I... I hope for eternal peace for Tolisstin..."

"Keep dreaming for your dreams."

"Yes, I apologize..."

Henrietta was once again frightened and bowed her head, then thought for a moment before raising her head again.

"I, I hope Tolisstin can become strong!"

"Have you thought it through?"

"Yes... I have understood, Tolisstin is too weak. Because of this, we have to make many painful decisions and compromises. But if we could become a strong nation, then... at least we wouldn’t suffer such humiliation again!"

At this moment, Henrietta has fully understood. Previously, for the sake of peace, she felt she had to compromise, whether watching the Crown Prince she loved deeply being killed, or marrying the King of Germania. At the time, Henrietta convinced herself with, "This is for Tolisstin."

But now she realized, why must she make such choices?

Why are those ministers still trembling at this critical juncture?

The root cause is just one.

That is, Tolisstin is too weak.

Compared to Gaul and Albion, Tolisstin is like a rural area. Although the Nobility and Royal Family here often mumble about dignity, honor, and credibility.

However......just as SABER said, when swords are upon us, what use are these?

"It’s not simple, and it’s very difficult, are you sure you made this choice?"

"Yes, I’ve decided."

Henrietta nodded again.

"Are you sure? Remember, this is not the same as a political marriage or being a sacrifice. With a political marriage, all you need is to lie in bed, close your eyes, and not worry about anything. Being a sacrifice is the same, whether alive or dead, pain is just a fleeting moment. But to survive, to strive to become strong, requires long-term effort. This may take years, decades, or even longer. And what you need to face are countless desires, pain, and anger. You must know, your thoughts do not align with the interests of many, and some may see you as an enemy because of it, including not only people from other countries but even your own subjects."

"W-why?"

Upon hearing this, Louise asked in confusion.

"Isn’t a stronger country a good thing?"

"But becoming strong comes at a cost."

Red Ponytail stared at Louise.

"Just like how you train your body and learn magic, to become strong, you have to pay a price. You need to give up some things to gain others. I can only show you direction and methods, but whether you are willing to take them depends on yourself."

.........

Louise fell silent, recalling that SABER also treated her this way. In principle, as the Divine Envoy, she could easily learn magic. But SABER only taught her how to correctly view her power and how to use it, relying completely on her own hard work.

Louise remembers what SABER said back then.

"This is your own matter, so you make the choice yourself. If you want to continue like this, it’s nothing to me."

But it matters to me!

Precisely because of this, Louise worked hard to learn the skills of Void Ethereal Energy and now possesses her power......

In fact, Louise had doubts long ago. If there are Deities in this world, would they really fulfill others’ wishes? If wishes could be fulfilled just by praying, what about the efforts people made to achieve them?

And now, Louise understands, although she doesn’t know about other Deities, SABER clearly has her own method. She will show you the path, give you methods, assist you in gaining power, but whether you achieve your goals and wishes still depends on yourself.

Although this seems not as omniscient and omnipotent as the legends suggest, Louise finds such Deities easier to accept.

"So have you understood, Henrietta?"

"I......"

In this moment, Henrietta hesitated. Unlike Louise, she could clearly hear the implications. After all, no matter what, she is a Princess of the Royal Family.

And precisely because of this, Henrietta couldn’t help but feel scared.

"Her Royal Highness?"

Noticing Henrietta’s anomaly, Louise looked at her with concern, while Henrietta took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

"I......... I am willing."

"Very well, then the contract is established."

Red Ponytail nodded.

"Next, do you know what to do?"

"This........."

"Louise and I will go to stop that Army, and then?"

"Then......"

"To become a great nation, territory, people, and wealth are indispensable."

"You mean for Tolisstin to send out troops to conquer other countries?"

Louise was staggered, and Red Ponytail nodded.

"That’s right, there’s no pie falling from the sky, if you want it, reach for it yourself. Fortunately, isn’t this just the perfect opportunity like a pie from the sky?"

"You mean Albion?"

Hearing this, Henrietta immediately responded.

"But, the strength gap between us and Albion......"

"That’s why I appear, otherwise why would I make a contract with you? I’ve given you power, given you methods, given you goals. Whether to achieve them, it’s up to your own choices."

As she spoke, Red Ponytail looked at Henrietta.

"You made the choice, you must bear the consequences."