Todd poured himself and Mary a cup of coffee, then sat down and listened quietly to what the other had to say.

Mary took a sip of her bitter drink, let out a faint sigh, and said softly, "It feels like it's been a long time since I last tasted coffee."

“If you wish, I can send a unit right now to take you back to Twilight City.” Todd held the mug, feeling the warmth emanating from its rim. “You should know that my intention was not to have you participate in this war.”

Mary focused her gaze on the swirling water in her glass, shook her head, and said, "I know what you want to say, but I can't leave there now. The hope and pleading in the eyes of those soldiers and civilians are like unbreakable threads, binding me tightly to the throne of Holy Guard City. I can't go anywhere..."

Todd's eyes dimmed slightly: "Mary, I'm sorry."

“If you’re apologizing because I have to assume the responsibilities of the Queen, then I can tell you now that there’s no need for that.” Mary took small sips of her coffee, looking at the man across from her. “If you’re apologizing for something else, I’ll gladly accept it.”

Todd had managed to lift his head: "Something else?"

Mary put down her cup, stared at Todd, and asked in a deep voice, "I heard that you refused to accept me as the Queen of Twilight City."

Todd gave a wry smile. He had been in this other world for almost four years, and he still couldn't quite accept the straightforward way Westerners spoke.

"I did say that, but there were some reasons..."

Mary leaned forward and asked, "Is it because I was once married?"

Todd replied with a headache, "No, that's not it, let me explain..."

Mary pressed on, "Is it because my appearance displeases you?"

"No, you are exceptionally beautiful, but..."

"Is it because of Rachel?"

Upon hearing the name that Mary suddenly uttered, Todd froze, his body stiffening, and all his movements ceased.

Looking at the expression on Todd's face, Mary gently closed her eyes and whispered, "I understand."

Mary's immense frustration and sorrow caused Todd a sudden pang of pain. He moved his chair toward her and whispered, "You may not understand, but in the future, there may never be a queen in Twilight City."

Mary opened her eyes in surprise: "What do you mean by that?"

Todd pondered for a moment, organized his thoughts, and slowly began, “If we are victorious after the Battle of Holy City, then Twilight City will inevitably have to implement religious reforms, and I believe you are aware of that.”

Mary nodded.

"The so-called religious reformation is to create a third denomination on the basis of the existing Church of the Father and the Orthodox Church. I call this soon-to-be-established denomination 'Muxi Protestantism'. After the denomination is established, I will win over the many kingdoms in the diocese and persuade them to break away from other denominations and join Protestantism."

Mary was still a little confused when she heard this: "Then what is the connection between the founding of Protestantism and the fact that there will be no queen in Twilight City?"

Todd glanced at her and said only one sentence: "Who do you think will be the first Pope of Protestantism?"

Mary's eyes widened, and she immediately understood everything.

Indeed, as Todd said, if Protestantism were established, no one in the entire city of Twilight would have the same influence as the king, and the throne of the Protestant Pope could only belong to Todd.

Therefore, as Pope Todd, he could not possibly marry a woman like a secular king.

Seeing Mary's sudden realization, Todd sighed inwardly. There were some things he had only told her halfway, and the other half of the truth was so cruel that he simply couldn't bring himself to tell her.

“Your Majesty, if that’s the case, then I understand your good intentions.” Mary looked somewhat troubled. “But aren’t you considering having children? Do you intend to live a lonely life?”

Mary's words made Todd fall into deep thought.

Todd thought to himself that he had only been with two women, one of whom was Rachel, who had made it clear that she was unable to have children; the other was Deirdre, but he wondered what her situation was.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!” Mary’s call startled Todd from his reverie. She asked, “If you have no children, who will inherit the city of Twilight?”

Todd scratched his head: "The issue of inheriting the throne of Muxi City might be a bit complicated. I can't tell you the details right now, but you'll find out later."

Mary looked at Todd for a long time, and finally nodded: "Since you have said so, then I will not ask any further questions. What I want to tell you is that if you really become the Pope, then I promise you that St. Victory City will be the first to convert to Protestantism. And I, as the Queen of St. Victory City, will choose to serve the Holy Spirit and God for the rest of my life and will never marry again."

"Wait a minute! What do you mean by not wanting to marry again?"

Just as Todd was about to ask Mary for more details, she finished her coffee in one gulp and turned to leave the soul space.

Looking at the empty seat, Todd ran his hand through his hair, sighed deeply, and said helplessly, "In the end, it still turned out to be my fault..."

———————————————

The Battle of Holy Guard City, Day One.

Cumberland stood atop the city wall, using the latest high-powered telescope invented by Twilight City to peer at the enemy lines, his brow furrowed.

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