Walking through the mansion, the older Shiro would give a few of the guards a small wave and a soft smile.

  Seeing her, the guards only nodded their heads before letting her through.

  Looking down at her younger self, she could guess what she was thinking.

  "If you’re wondering about why they’re so relaxed, it’s because I’ve been here a few times. In the beginning, they were quite stringent you know?" The older Shiro chuckled.

  Walking through the quiet hallways, they soon arrived before a giant set of doors that was guarded by four soldiers while a butler stood by the side.

  "Ah Miss Shiro, I was informed by the guards about your arrival. Please wait a moment since her majesty is still dealing with one of the souls. It’s taking a little longer than expected." The butler smiled with a small bow.

  He was a rather young man with a slim physique. He had black hair that was brushed backwards and a pair of black eyes.

  Shiro could see that this man was an undead due to his pale skin and sunken eyes but his expression was quite cheerful.

  "I see…… there aren’t many souls that could make Misu spend this long so what’s the occasion?" The older Shiro asked curiously.

  "Well, it’s hard because a part of his soul has been eradicated/exorcised by lightning. With an incomplete soul that was deliberately harmed, it’s a little harder to revive him properly." The butler explained.

  "Seems like the other queen is rather impatient then."

  "Mn."

  Before they could continue their conversation, they felt mana spike up behind the room as the butler immediately charged in. From the feel of the mana, he could tell that it was lightning based and it wasn’t something that Misu could produce.

  Pushing open the doors, they could see a beautiful woman kneeling on the ground with a pale complexion while a man with blond hair prepared to strike her with lightning.

  Before he could, skeletal arms erupted out of the ground and grabbed him by the neck. Slamming his body down on the floor, the soldiers sprang into action and pierced his body with blades before ripping out his soul with black chains.

  Slamming a collar around the soul’s neck, the soldier’s restrained him while the butler helped the young woman up.

  "Are you ok my queen?" He asked with worry.

  "Mn, just a little surprised that’s all. To think she would harm her own subject like this……" The woman muttered after taking a moment to calm herself down.

  Looking at the woman, Shiro could see long silky black hair that extended past her waist. She had a pair of emerald eyes that seemed to flicker like a small flame.

  She wore a black dress that extended past her ankles, covering her legs and preventing any skin from being exposed. The sleeves of the dress reached her wrist before blooming out slightly.

  Adjusting the glasses on her face, Misu took a deep breath and stood up straight.

  "It seems like you were insincere. I’m sorry but your only fate is death." She sighed.

  Snapping her fingers, green flames appeared around the soul and started to burn the edges of his illusionary figure. The expression on the man’s face started to dull as his soul became smaller. Scattering into particles of light, Misu shook her head and turned to Shiro.

  "I’m sorry that you had to see that. So what brings you here today?" Misu asked as she gestured for the soldiers to take the body away.

  "Nothing much just wondering how it’s fairing between you and The Lightning Queen. Though considering what I’ve just seen, not good." The older Shiro shrugged.

  "Mn. That still doesn’t answer my question though. What brings you here?" Misu asked once more.

  "No fun as usual. Just asking to see if you wanted some help against the Lightning Queen. I do have some rather capable companions."

  "Considering the nature of your contract, wouldn’t this mean that you are willing to risk your life?" Misu furrowed her brows.

  "Pretty much but I’ll be transparent with you. I won’t be able to help you directly if you fight the queen. The most I can do is cut off her supply of strength through the anchors." The older Shiro shrugged.

  "That’s much appreciated but tell me, why? I understand that I am not the most powerful queen and I’m probably going to lose this fight so why are you helping me? We’re not friends but not enemies either, business partners suit us more. And business partners usually prioritise the better investment." Misu questioned.

  In the new age, one couldn’t trust people easily or else they’ll get stabbed from behind.

  "Well what if I told you that this is indeed a good investment for me? You see, sometimes it’s not about the value but rather the meaning. And to me, the meaning of your city and what it upholds is more valuable than anything the Lightning Queen can offer. Between you and her, I’d much rather you win. Plus, I’m pretty sure you know that I’ve been trying to get my hands on a few anchors so I want to get my hands on a piece of her anchor."

  "I do know that anchors are your primary objective. Tell me this then Shiro, what help can you offer? In this fight, numbers are important as we need to cover ground. My personal strength is lacking so a direct confrontation is always going to be a loss for me. The only reason I’ve been able to stay around for this long is because the Lightning Queen may suffer more loses than what she wants. Should that happen, a giant red target will be painted on her back by the other queens." Misu narrowed her eyes.

  "I can provide all of you with weaponry that may help close the gap in terms of numbers. My children can help but their lives cannot be risked. I wish I could offer more but my hands are tied." The older Shiro replied with a smile.

  "Hmm…… I understand. What is the price of your weapons then?"

  "A contract. Just a small one that makes it so that you can’t team up with the Lightning Queen to kill me nor can you just shoot her with one of my weapons and leave. After all, doing so would mean that ’I’ just attacked the queen, rendering my protection contract null." Shiro chuckled.

  "That is fine. What weapons are you offering then?"

  "A fleet of remote control flying fortresses armed to the teeth with my best weapons. Orbital cannons, rail guns, mech suits and mana regen zones to help your people in the fight." The older Shiro smiled.

  "Do you have enough to arm every single solder that I have?" Misu narrowed her eyes.

  "Yes. However, I do hope that you don’t immediately go into combat since even with my weapons, you cannot just charge head on." Shiro nodded.

  "Of course. I’m fighting at a disadvantage after all." Misu smiled.

  "Then let us establish the contract. I shall provide you with all the weapons you need when the fight begins and in return, you cannot turn against me for this fight only. Sound good?" The older Shiro asked as a tier 6 magic circle appeared between the two of them.

  Nodding her head, Misu examined the magic circle before smiling.

  "Everything is in order. The contract contents are agreeable. I, The Undead Queen Misu, accept this contract." She said as a part of the magic circle hummed with a soft light.

  "I, Shiro, accept this contract." The older Shiro followed up.

  *Ping~

  Shattering into a soft golden tether that flickered between the two of them, Shiro threw Misu a phone.

  "Just contact me on that when you need the weapons. I’ll be on my way now."

  "Mn." Watching the older Shiro leave, Misu narrowed her eyes at Tia who was in her arms. During the entire conversation, she could sense an intelligence behind that pair of eyes which seemed to be understanding everything that was going on. Observing and noting down everything that it deemed important.

  "Strange……" She muttered before shaking her head.

  Regardless, she was happy. With Shiro supplying her with weapons, it should hopefully give them a slightly better chance against the Lightning Queen. However, despite all this, there is still a low probability of success.

  "Don’t worry my queen, I believe that in the end, your kingdom will survive." The butler reassured.

  "I hope that is the case."