Everyone’s hearts were suspended, a fear that could not be extinguished by the intense heat spread throughout their souls. Some had already begun to tremble faintly, even closing their eyes, awaiting the arrival of destruction.

However…

“Ha, hahaha… hahahaha!”

They were not consumed by the fire of tyranny, instead, they heard… the laughter of Evora?

“So that’s it… I wondered why Ansel would plead for you, even making a bet with me.”

Evora, seemingly amused, was slightly cheered up. She lifted her head slightly and said, “He bet that you would surrender voluntarily. If you did, I would spare all of your lives.”

“Because I didn’t think you would have the courage to surrender. It seems I underestimated you.”

Hendrik, who appeared calm but was extremely tense, also breathed a sigh of relief.

Lord Ansel, as you expected… fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

This outcome sent the other higher up members of Babel into uncontrollable ecstasy after a brief moment of confusion.

They knew better than anyone that victory in this war was impossible. Everything they had done was nothing more than a desperate struggle, merely a difference between a dignified death and a disgraceful one.

But now… now there was a path to survival right before their eyes!

And it was not just their survival, but also the survival of countless lives in the two innocent territories!

“He also made a lot of sense to me… I have to admit, he’s quite persuasive. I was somewhat swayed by him.”

Evora said listlessly, “Although it’s only right for you to atone for your failure with death, it would make things difficult for me after my ascension. I will be a great empress, I can’t let you, the stains, become bigger stains.”

Her words, which completely disregarded the people of the Tower of Babel as “people”, did not stir up any emotions in the others. They had long grown accustomed to being treated this way, to being trampled upon by this future… deity.

“So, I did consider his words and made a bet with him.”

A strong hope flickered in Hendrik’s eyes, “So, Your Highness…”

“I am not a dishonorable liar.” The Elder Princess waved her hand, “After all, Ansel was right. That old soul has no shame, it’s normal for me to lose.”

Her words seemed to have accepted Ansel’s proposal by default. All members of the Tower of Babel had a chance to live, the meaningless war could be avoided, and the only price was the dissolution of the Tower of Babel.

“But—”

This cold transition made everyone’s hearts stop.

“But, I hate losing, so I added an extra condition to this bet.”

“What I want are weapons, not the Tower of Babel, which means… I want to hear from the person who made the finished product, not all of you. After all, that’s meaningless to me.”

“Among you, who made the finished product? As long as she chooses to surrender, I’ll let you rats go. You can run to whichever gutter you want, as long as you don’t return to the capital, I won’t pursue it.”

“But, if she chooses to fight a courageous and glorious battle to the death…”

A cruel and excited smile gradually spread across Evora’s face:

“Then, this war must continue.”

“…”

The conference room was silent.

Everyone’s gaze fell on a certain person in the crowd, the most rational, but also the most insane… idealist in the entire Tower of Babel.

Ravenna Ziegler.

If it’s Ravenna… if it’s Ravenna, everything will be fine. Because she seems aloof, but she’s very good at weighing the pros and cons. In this situation, anyone would know what the best choice is.

Under everyone’s expectant gaze, Ravenna stood up and calmly said:

“The only one who has made a finished product should be me, Your Highness.”

“Hmm, so what’s your answer?” Evora looked at her with interest.

“War.”

Without silence, without hesitation, without the slightest pause.

Ravenna gave her answer, an answer that stunned everyone present, left them dumbfounded, then furious, and finally despairing.

“Rave—”

Bang!

A ball of fire exploded in front of Hendrik, blasting him into the wall of the conference room.

Evora waved her hand indifferently, “Who allowed you to speak? You, continue.”

“My answer is war,” Ravenna declared, locking eyes with Evora. “I refuse to surrender.”

“Hehe… I admire your courage,” Evora chuckled with delight.

“Then, whence comes your courage? Do you believe you can triumph over that behemoth?”

“I can.”

Ravenna responded succinctly, her reply brimming with conviction, “I shall emerge victorious… no, Your Highness, you shall be victorious.”

“Hahaha! Very well, I shall remember that!”

The Elder Princess’s laughter was unrestrained and joyous. “Should you win, you may ask anything of me, even the elimination of an old thing from the Etheric Academy.”

“But if you lose…” Her smile vanished without a trace. “What then, do you propose we do?”

“I hope that you would still spare the other members of the Tower of Babel. Let me bear the consequences of defeat alone,” Ravenna answered with calm reason.

“Since you only require the creator of weapons, it is only fair that I take responsibility for the outcome, regardless of victory or defeat.”

This was not merely a rational consideration. Ravenna was acutely aware that the woman before her was the second most unreasonable bastard in the world, and expecting her to be reasonable was futile. Yet, she dared to make this choice because Evora was in high spirits, a dramatic turn of events amidst the universal resignation to defeat.

In her pleasant mood, she would agree to this request.

And indeed, Evora laughed again, pleased. “A coldly rational scholar, embodying heroism for her ideals and honor, alone… Ah, what a splendid drama. I am thoroughly entertained. Your request is granted.”

“Thank you for your leniency, Your Highness.”

This was, undoubtedly, the best choice.

Even if she were to fail, only she would pay the price — and she was determined not to fail.

As for the war…

Ravenna would not take the deaths as a given, nor would she allow the resolve to face death to become a burden that held her back.

–>