Zain regrouped with the rest of Team Z outside the damaged laboratory.
Maria walked toward them quickly, concern visible on her face.
"Well?" she asked. "Did they escape?"
Zain rubbed the back of his neck and nodded.
"Yeah. Sorry, Maria. But I think our Damiks are better off staying with us."
Maria crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"That's Queen Maria to you."
Then her expression softened slightly.
"…But yes. I think that's for the best."
She sighed.
"I managed to collect as much research as I could before they attacked."
Abraham stepped forward.
"So what did you find?"
Maria adjusted her glasses.
"We can create Damik-sourced weapons using the energy they produce," she explained. "But there's a problem."
Everyone listened carefully.
"In exchange for using that power… the Damiks themselves wouldn't be able to fight anymore."
Silence fell over the group.
Ryo frowned slightly.
"So it's useless for us," he said.
Maria nodded.
"Exactly."
Scarlet stretched her arms and smiled.
"Well, we're heading to the next country anyway."
Maria suddenly clapped her hands.
"Then let me give you a proper send-off!"
Everyone looked at her.
"With this country's annual royal ball tonight."
Everyone except Abraham cheered.
"Yeah! We'll come!"
Maria glanced at Abraham and noticed the look in his eyes.
"I hope you make it," she said softly with a smile.
Then she clapped again.
Several robot servants rolled into the room carrying clothing.
"What the robots are holding," Maria explained proudly, "are tuxedos, scarves, and dresses."
She pointed at them.
"You'll all be wearing these tonight."
Everyone looked down at the outfits.
"Except Zain," Maria added. "Zain already looks fine."
Zain smirked proudly.
Maria returned to her throne room to prepare for the celebration.
That Night
The palace ballroom glowed with lights and music.
Team Z entered the room dressed in the clothing Maria had chosen.
Ryo tugged at his collar uncomfortably.
"This is so uncomfortable."
Abraham looked down at his outfit.
"This color… it's itchy."
Ruqayya stood beside them wearing a black and red dress, her mother's red scarf wrapped gently around her head.
"I don't know," she said with a smile. "I think I look good in this."
Ryo stared at her for a moment.
"Incredible…"
The words slipped out before he could stop himself.
"That black and red dress really suits you," he said. "And the scarf from your mom looks perfect."
Ruqayya's face turned bright red.
"T-thank you…"
Ryo leaned closer and touched her forehead gently.
"Your face is really red," he said. "Are you okay?"
Ruqayya panicked.
"I—I have to go to the bathroom!"
She rushed away quickly.
She found Aisha and Scarlet nearby.
"What's wrong with you?" Aisha asked.
"Nothing!" Ruqayya replied quickly.
Scarlet smirked.
"Hey… I've got an idea."
Both girls looked at her.
"Let's use this ball to have some girly time."
Aisha smiled.
"Yeah, that sounds fun."
Ruqayya laughed nervously.
"Great idea."
"Tonight," Scarlet said confidently, "we enjoy the ball without the boys."
Meanwhile, across the ballroom…
Zain, Rimazu, Sulaiman, and Benjamin walked over to Ryo and Abraham.
Benjamin whistled.
"Yo, look at you guys. Fancy, huh?"
Sulaiman looked excited.
"Big brother, you look so cool!"
Abraham sighed quietly.
I'm here too, you know…
Zain casually sipped a cup of apple juice.
"Yeah, you guys clean up nicely."
Ryo shook his head.
"I wish I could say the same about you, Captain."
Zain smirked.
"Oh come on. One day you might reach my level."
Rimazu suddenly nudged Abraham.
"It's our last night here," he said. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Abraham nodded slowly.
"Before that… I need to apologize to Queen Maria."
He looked toward the balcony.
"She went through the same pain I did… and yet she was the one who apologized."
Zain wiped a fake tear dramatically.
"You guys grow up so fast…"
Then he turned to Sulaiman.
"I hope you learn something from them."
Everyone stared at him.
"You're not our father, dude."
Suddenly, a palace guard shouted.
"Everyone! Queen Maria has arrived!"
The room fell silent.
Maria entered the ballroom wearing a blue dress and a white scarf.
"Today was a hectic day," she announced. "But thanks to Team Z, we are able to celebrate tonight."
She smiled warmly.
"So please… enjoy this ball with them."
Music filled the room again as everyone began dancing.
Later that night…
Abraham approached Maria privately.
"I'm really sorry about how I treated you this morning."
Maria smiled gently.
"It's alright."
Then she added quietly:
"You also saved me earlier… so I owe you something."
Her heart began pounding.
Please ask…
Please ask…
"I'll grant you any request."
Abraham nodded.
"I want—"
Maria's heart raced.
Here it comes…
"I want to raise our flag in this country."
Maria blinked.
"…That's all?"
Abraham nodded proudly.
"Yep! So when bad guys see it, they'll run away!"
Maria sighed.
"You know… I thought you were going to ask to become king."
Abraham blinked.
"King?"
Then he paused.
"…Wait."
He looked at her again.
"If I become king… that means I'd stay here, right?"
Maria nodded slowly.
Abraham thought for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"Alright then."
"When I finish my journey with Team Z… I'll come back and become king."
Maria's eyes widened.
"So… in advance…"
Abraham scratched his head awkwardly.
"Will you marry me?"
Maria turned completely red.
"W-WHO ASKS THAT SO CASUALLY?!"
"But… fine!"
"…If you insist."
She pushed Abraham toward the door in embarrassment.
"Now go enjoy the ball!"
SLAM.
Abraham scratched his head.
"…Did I say something wrong?"
Inside the room, Maria covered her face.
"How can he say something like that so casually…?"
Suddenly—
The window behind her opened.
Maria turned in shock.
"You—!"
Victor stood there.
"Sulaiman's brother…"
Victor smiled slightly.
"Relax. I just came to talk."
Before he could move—
CRASH!
The door burst open.
Abraham stood there.
"I knew I felt someone nearby," he said. "So I stayed."
Maria quickly hid behind him.
"Let's go!" she said nervously. "Call the others! He definitely didn't come alone!"
Abraham closed his eyes for a moment.
"…Yeah."
"I can sense a few Rolencian soldiers."
Then he cracked his knuckles and smiled.
"But seriously… I don't need to call them."
He shouted:
"Right, guys?!"
Suddenly—
The entire Team Z appeared in the room in a blur.
Using Stage 1 Raiki, they speed-blitzed into position.
"YEAH!"
The battle was about to begin again.