"What a good child! They shouldn't have to bear so much responsibility and suffering at this age... "
The Queen, who had hardly spoken since the beginning, looked at Harry and Neville, who were exchanging their experiences with each other, and suddenly couldn't help but murmured something.
Then, she turned to look at Maka, who was standing not far in front of her, and added:
"And you... Mr. McClain. If I remember correctly, you and the two children were born in the same year, right?"
In about a month's time, Her Majesty the Queen of England will celebrate her 71st birthday. As a member of the British royal family who experienced World War II, she not only witnessed the hustle and bustle of war, but also experienced the cruelty of war.
"Oh, yes." Maka shrugged and said jokingly, "Her Majesty the Queen... In fact, I also think that the burden of protecting a city and a capital is indeed too heavy for us. But there is no way, Who says that with great power comes greater responsibility?”
"If possible, I still hope to live a plain and leisurely life, and I have been looking forward to that even now."
Just as he said that, Maka spread his hands, and then turned around and said:
"So, in order for this city to settle down as soon as possible, please allow us to do our best to solve this unreasonable disaster without any worries!"
When the Queen heard what he said, she couldn't help but shook her head slightly.
"I know that you all hope that I can leave London as soon as possible and seek refuge... But do you know? When World War II broke out when I was 13 years old, many people suggested that my sister and I should seek refuge in Canada. But my mother said —'The children must never leave without me, and I must never leave without the King, and the King cannot leave under any circumstances.'"
Having said this, she paused for a moment, and then said decisively:
"Now that I am the queen... that means that I cannot leave this city that is undergoing hardships, let alone the people who are undergoing the test of life and death."
To others, this sentence may sound like a majestic declaration by a "king"; but when spoken by the white-haired queen in front of her, it is more like a simple statement. facts.
To be honest, in this day and age, the identity of a queen or king is not so much a representation of the supreme power of the head of a country, but rather an honorary profession that is hereditary from generation to generation. Even if some power is still retained, in fact, it is very likely that it will not be used in a lifetime.
On this basis, once something big happens, the obligations derived from those powers will become an irresistible burden.
Maka stood there, looking at this old man who was more than enough to be her grandmother, and finally shook her head and said:
"Okay! I think we do have to respect your choice as the Queen of England."
"McLean first—"
The old Bishop Davidson sitting aside wanted to say something more, but Maka waved his hand to stop him. Then, he turned his head and said to the back:
"Harry, Neville, you two just stay here! Before I get rid of all those black-eyed wizards, stay here and do your guard work. In addition, Mr. Davidson, please come over with me. How many people are there?" I think this place needs to be defended..."
After letting Harry and Neville stay together, Maka greeted the old bishop and walked out of the spacious living room and came to the door of the front hall.
And just when the old bishop thought that Maka was going to give some insightful advice, he heard Maka casually say while pointing to the front garden outside:
"It's probably impossible to persuade the queen to cooperate with the evacuation. My suggestion is to go back and use magic spells to 'persuade' her. But right now, there are actually many powerful enemies wandering around outside. It's best for you. When I'm done cleaning up, I can evacuate London secretly."
After giving such a helpless solution lightly and casually, Maka suddenly reminded:
"Then, remember to evacuate quickly - although I left Harry and Neville with you, they can handle many unexpected situations with their strength, but that is not absolute. I believe that next, Haierbo's The methods will be even sharper... After all, we can't afford to lose anything this time, but he obviously does the same!"
"Can't you find that guy and hold him down yourself?" Old Davidson said with some confusion, "I heard that you have 'killed' him many times! Even if he can't be killed, you can do it again. ah?"
"Since you know he can't be killed, why didn't you notice that he gets stronger every time he is resurrected?" Maka said helplessly, "Up to now, in terms of personal strength, I am evenly matched with him. . And even if I try my best to kill him again... next time, I dare not say how many people in this world will be his opponents."
In fact, that despicable Haierbo has not fully recovered to his peak condition yet. Maka is somewhat aware of this.
It's hard to imagine how powerful such a wizard who has lived from ancient times to the present can become in the end... Of course, Maka doesn't want to know at all.
"Okay," after a short pause, Maka sighed and said, "I have to go, time is running out."
…
"Luna, thank God, you are alive... and woke up! You don't know, if you lie down so coldly again, I may never be able to forgive myself in this life..."
In fact, until Maka left St. Mungo's, Hermione was still holding Luna tightly and refused to let go. And her face was already full of tears.
There is no doubt that in the past few days, she really thought that she had said goodbye to Luna forever. And even if Luna didn't die because he wanted to save her, she couldn't bear the difference between life and death, let alone Luna saving her twice in a row.
On the other side, Luna just stayed in a daze for a while, then let Hermione's arms strangle her tightly, with a calm smile appearing on her face.
"Hermione?"
She didn't know that she had saved Hermione's life, let alone that she had almost died... She only knew that she seemed to have fainted when she got up at night and went to the bathroom.
However, this does not prevent her from making her own interpretation of everything in front of her.
"It's okay, Hermione... No matter what, am I standing here properly? You have to believe in Maka, he will solve everything! So no matter what happens, don't be afraid."
After feeling Hermione's arms move slightly, Luna took out one arm and reached out to touch Hermione's messy, fluffy hair.
She was trying to comfort the other person, just like she had comforted Maka before.
But a moment later, when Hermione finally calmed down, what the other person said made Luna confused. Then she heard Hermione leaning into her ear, sobbing and whispering:
"Luna, I won't fight with you for Maca anymore... because I have understood that only someone as smart and brave as you, who can create miracles at critical moments, can truly help him and be worthy of him. And I... no matter how much preparation I made, I could only stay in place in the end, unable to even move!"
"Well?"
Although Luna was a little confused by Hermione's words, she didn't ask anything. Because her intuition told her that not figuring out some things was the right choice.
However, that was all what had happened before, and Hermione's mentality was obviously not what she wanted to see - was this still the same Miss Hermione Granger who was competitive and even occasionally a bit showy in the past
Luna may indeed like Maka, but Hermione is also her good friend, and she doesn't want her always proud friend to suddenly change.
You must know that the Miss Granger who had to fight for everything was the Miss Granger she knew.
"Hermione."
Luna used a little more strength to push Hermione away from her. After seeing her face covered with tears, he took out a handkerchief printed with red cherries and wiped it for her, and then whispered in a voice that could not be heard by others around him:
"You know? In fact, there is no need for us to fight for Maka, because no matter what, he should be the one to make the choice? Since you have already confessed your love, it will be me next time, and then... we Just don’t worry about him, just let him figure it out!”
"Uh...eh?"
When Hermione showed an expression of "I actually have this hand", Luna hugged her in turn.
"Okay! Let's do it like this! After this matter is over, we will give him a hard time and see what he can do!"
Up to now, the three of them have gone through so much. It is absolutely impossible to say that Hermione still doesn't exist in Maka's heart at all.
However, the continuous incidents left Maka with no time to consider these personal issues.
Seeing that Luna was planning to run to the side to find Ginny after she finished speaking, Hermione hurriedly said:
"Luna... How can this be done! You-"
"Sh-"
Luna turned around suddenly and raised her index finger to Hermione's side, signaling her to stop talking. Then he waved his hand casually and turned to Ginny, who was worried about Harry's trip again.
Hermione looked at Luna's brisk back, and couldn't help but feel a sour feeling on the tip of her nose.
"…Luna."
After calling in a low voice, Hermione finally returned to the bedside with her lips pursed and sat down, but she didn't notice a sigh flashing in Ron's eyes at the end of the bed.