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Priscilla was busy bushwhacking through the contents of her luggage.
- I have to fight alongside the Songstress, I have to look my best! - she announced to a confused Liliana.
She laid out in front of her several possible styles for the big evening. She couldn't make up her mind, Finally she chose a scarlet dress, then began to undress. She shed all of her clothes and stood completely naked, completely unconcerned with her company.
- Heeeeeeeeeeh?! Eeeeee?! But... Oooh! Noooo! - protested the minstrel, but she didn't look away. On the contrary, she feasted her eyes on this unusual sight. - Do we have time for such dressing up?
- It's not a disguise, but an important step on the road to victory. I always put my best foot forward, and this time will be no different. The outfit I choose will determine the future of this city," Priscilla said in all seriousness,
- Your clothing will determine your future...?!
It sounded idiotic, but Liliana understood perfectly the relationship between mood and skill. She had days when feeling good made her perform her songs even better than usual. It wasn't hard for her to imagine that the princess was improving her mood with her clothes, which gave her strength on the battlefield.
And to think that there are people whose moods can affect the fate of the world...
- We will win! - she shouted.
- Of course," replied Priscilla with a hint of rebuke in her voice. - This world exists for my pleasure, although I must admit that this time we have an unusually large number of enemies. Therefore, I will take appropriate measures," she added in a bored tone. She grabbed her long red hair and lifted it slightly, turning her back to Liliana. For some reason, she smiled demonically while doing so.
- I let you touch me. Fasten my dress.
Liliana squealed, obeying the command.
After a moment, Priscilla stepped back to show off the creation in its full glory.
- How beautiful... - sighed the Songstress.
- Of course. After all, my look has to match your music.
Lady Priscilla Barielle wore a shoulder-revealing scarlet gown with a deep thigh-high slit. The neckline beautifully emphasized her handsome face and the cut allowed for comfortable movement. The styling was crowned with a huge necklace adorning her white neck. The whole outfit was reminiscent of the element of fire.
- Know that I don't normally let anyone get that close to me. I hope you don't disappoint me.
- Ah! What a responsibility! - Liliana shook with nervousness.
Meanwhile, the Bloody Bride decided she was ready for battle. She draped the fabric over her cleavage.
- Not only beautiful, but generously endowed... The Goddess has come down to earth, I give you my word!
- Don't believe in such foolishness as gods. Call on my name, it makes more sense!
- Lady Priscilla!
They left the deserted inn for the streets of Priestella.
- In the control tower... we'll meet the Archbishop of Wrath... - began Liliana nervously. She was anxious about the impending inevitable roll, but this time it was about something else.
- Are you worried about Songstress Maniac?
- Eeeh... Yes... I heard what happened to him... - She lowered her gaze and intertwined her hands on her chest.
She was a talented artist, he was a fan of hers. When they first met, misunderstandings led to some unpleasantness, but now they got along great. Kiritaka personally made Liliana known as the Songstress. He treated her well. He was infatuated not only with her art but also with her, He proved to be a person worthy of respect, which he showed by sacrificing himself for the city.
- I liked that he spoiled me so much and I had a very nice time with him, but as for other things....
She had never openly reciprocated his confessions. Only now, when she knew she would never meet him again, never exchange a word with him again...
- I think I...
- The last of the Council of Ten is definitely alive. Given the demands of the cult, he must be alive.
- Wh-what?! Mr. Kiritaka is alive?! Is it possible?! - Liliana jumped up and down. She had already accepted his death.
- Of course it is. It's logical," Priscilla replied. - 'He's the last one who knows where the Witch's remains are. If they want them, they can't kill him.
- To tell them where the remains are?
- Exactly. If they kill Kiritaka, the person who wants those bones so badly will never get them. And only as long as that person hopes to get his wish, the Water Gate City is safe. Do you understand?
Liliana focused on putting the facts together.
- Aha!" she called out at last.
The Archbishops of Sin could have destroyed Priestella right away, but instead they just took over the control towers. They had to negotiate. They needed the inhabitants as hostages to get what they wanted. If Kiritaka died before revealing the location of the Witch's remains, finding them would become impossible. Then they would surely just open the sluices.
- If all the members of the Council died, whoever was behind this would have sunk the entire city long ago, whether out of revenge or pure malice.
- But what happens if they open the sluices to prevent us! - Liliana was worried.
- For that to happen, all the Archbishops would have to give up their demands. I find it hard to imagine any of them doing so voluntarily," Priscilla explained.
- If they want to protect Priestella until their demands are met, why did they actually murder Council members?
- It's simple. They didn't murder them.
- What!
- Someone wanted to thwart the Archbishops, knowing that they wanted the remains," Priscilla announced in a dispassionate voice.
For poor Liliana's head this was too much.
But what do you mean, there's another enemy in this town? Who killed them!
- The Archbishops panicked, seeing that there would soon be no one left to give them the information, so Wrath attacked the Muse Company headquarters to catch Songstress Maniac before something happened to him.
- So someone saw through the Archbishops' plans and wanted to stop them? But...
- The water that flowed through the open sluice prevented our imminent defeat. It interrupted a fight at City Hall that would otherwise have ended in defeat. That flood did much damage to the city, but in a way it saved our allies.
The one who opened the sluice thus dealt a mighty blow to the Witch Cult.
A thought crossed Liliana's mind.
- Lady Priscilla, do you know who has been killing Council members?
The candidate for the crown raised her eyebrows slightly.
- What makes you think that? - she asked, hiding her face behind a fan she had pulled out from the depths of her cleavage. - Do you have any reason to believe that?
- No... You just speak as if you know for sure, so I thought it was some acquaintance.
- I understand. I've said too much. It's not like me at all... - whispered Priscilla, looking away. She didn't answer the question, but the Songstress didn't feel the need to pursue the subject.
- Anyway... What wonderful news that Mr. Kiritaka is alive! - she exclaimed, overjoyed. She was walking more lightly now.
- It's likely that Wrath took him back to the tower with her, but other than the fact that he's definitely alive, there's nothing else I can predict. It's hard to say what condition he'll be in...
- How could you?! I was so calm!
Eventually they reached the control tower,
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