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"So, this is the pet you picked up?"
Lilianna, like an eternally frozen iceberg, maintained a cold, pretty face as she silently watched Gilgamesh drag Erica back.
"Don't pretend you don't know me, Lili!"
Erica struggled up from the ground, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth.
During the process of being dragged back by Gilgamesh, the knight's regenerative abilities had already suppressed her internal injuries. Now, apart from her ribs still being broken, she had no other overly serious problems.
"Someone like you, covered in filth, disheveled in appearance, clearly a piece of trash that offended my King—I really would like to pretend I don't know you!"
Lilianna looked at this woman who had bullied her in the past, finally meeting such an end; perhaps there was a little joy in her heart.
Moreover, the moment she saw Erica's miserable state, she mostly knew what this past 'friend' had done.
After all, to encounter Gilgamesh so quickly in itself indicated a problem.
Presumably, there were spies within the Bronze Black Cross.
Of course, regarding this point, it wasn't something the current Lilianna could concern herself with.
Compared to that, she was still more concerned about her past friend.
"Hey, hey! Lilianna, we've been friends for so many years, haven't we?"
Erica argued unwillingly, attempting to stand up from the ground, but still sat back down in pain.
No matter how much she pretended not to care, the injuries that could have endangered her life still existed.
However, the silver-haired Knight Princess paid her no attention at all.
"Your Majesty, may this unworthy one be allowed to deal with this rude person?"
Lilianna performed an utterly standard knightly salute, a hint of expectation on her face.
However, beneath her lowered head, a trace of apprehension also flickered in her light blue, exquisite eyes.
Sure enough, Gilgamesh spoke in a deep voice.
"Then, where do you intend to take my pet?"
A playful smile was on his face. Although he phrased it as a question, his tone carried an unquestionable authority.
If he hadn't already known about the relationship between Lilianna and Erica, he probably would have been deceived.
But this crime of daring to deceive the King was not so easily forgiven.
"This unworthy one naturally intends to first groom this pet, then bring her to see you!"
Hearing the anger in Gilgamesh's tone, the girl couldn't help but tremble.
After all, this was the King she had pledged loyalty to; her request just now had already been an overstep.
So she immediately changed her intention. Originally planning to secretly take Erica away, she now phrased it differently.
At least treat her injuries first. Lilianna looked with a trace of pity at Erica, who, despite her composed expression, was still sweating from the pain of her injuries.
"Then do as you please. I shall let you off this time. Do not disappoint my expectations, Lady Lilianna!"
Hearing the girl's words, Gilgamesh couldn't help but relax his furrowed brows.
After all, she was a subject loyal to him; the necessary magnanimity of a king still needed to be displayed. So he chose not to nitpick Lilianna's error.
"Yes, thank you for Your Majesty's pardon."
Due to Gilgamesh's imposing presence, Lilianna, who had broken out in a slight cold sweat, showed a trace of apprehension on her face and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, this person is Erica Blandelli, the daughter of Paul Blandelli, the Grand Master of the 'Copper Black Cross'!"
Lilianna spoke, hesitating slightly. She knew well how strict the King she served was, so at this moment, she didn't even have the courage to straighten her posture.
Perhaps this was also a symbol of her loyalty. What she was about to do was the duty of countless subjects, the duty known as 'remonstrance'.
Countless subjects had been killed for remonstrating with tyrants. Although Lilianna had immense faith in her lord's character, she still felt somewhat uneasy.
Perhaps Gilgamesh's arrogance wouldn't allow her remonstrance either. But regardless, whether for her own loyalty or the knight's code, she couldn't conceal it.
However, this King also felt dissatisfied with Lilianna's hesitation.
"If you have something to say, then say it. I am not one of those foolish kings who completely refuse to listen to their subjects' counsel. Or perhaps, what do you take me for?"
Even though Gilgamesh's tone was very calm, the power within his words still made Lilianna tremble involuntarily.
"Yes, Your Majesty! Forgive my offense!"
The girl once again bowed respectfully, then gently exhaled, as if to release the pressure in her heart. Her light blue eyes, however, were already filled with determination.
"If Erica is detained like this, presumably Sir Paul will come to demand her return. The Copper Black Cross currently has no one capable of defeating this generation's 'Diavolo Rosso'."
Lilianna spoke thus, her resolute gaze earning even a slight trace of appreciation from Gilgamesh.
Such a subject, daring to offer counsel, unafraid of death, incomparably loyal—this was also what he desired to possess.
Therefore, the compatibility between Lilianna, who abided by the knight's code, and Gilgamesh was truly exceptionally high.
"Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to retract the order and send Erica back."
Her voice also carried a slight tremor, her face filled with a struggling expression.
"If Your Majesty is dissatisfied, please take me as your pet instead."
As she spoke thus, she closed her light blue eyes, awaiting the King's judgment.
"Though foolish, this is undeniably loyalty, Lady Lilianna."
What awaited the girl was not punishment, nor a scolding, but a hand gently stroking her silver hair.
"As a subject, you are barely qualified."
Gilgamesh spoke thus, gently stroking the girl's soft silver hair.
"If that so-called Paul dares to come, this King will naturally let him know the King's wrath. There is no need to worry about this. Alright, withdraw."
An arrogant smile played on the King's face, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, as if he didn't give a damn about Italy's highest knight.
Indeed, in this world, in Gilgamesh's eyes, apart from those who earned his recognition, everyone else was merely a lowly mongrel.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This unworthy one shall withdraw first."
The girl asked for leave, intending to depart. After all, if her friend Erica's injuries weren't treated soon, her life might be endangered.
However, after she picked up Erica, as if suddenly remembering something, she spoke to Gilgamesh in a respectful tone.
"Your Majesty, the ritual to summon a Heretic God is mostly prepared. As soon as you are ready, the Heretic God can be made to descend at any time."
She spoke thus, then respectfully awaited Gilgamesh's words.
Outside the door, from within that luxurious room, came arrogant laughter, carrying an utterly unquestionable will.
"A Heretic God, you say? Then, I shall look forward to it. Which mongrel will be the first to be crushed by my hand?"