Chapter Seventeen: Undercurrents
“So soon, they’re making their move…”
The news Felix received from Educator echoed in Luo Ling’s mind. Looking at the image of the hunched old man, Luo Ling was, of course, quite familiar with him.
Without a doubt, it was Philosopher.
“Trying to ascend to a Grotesquery Sequence position using ‘Forbidden Puppets’ and faith?”
It couldn’t be just that.
The faith of ordinary believers could only establish a connection with a Sequence Grotesquery through unorthodox means. “Forbidden Puppets” were essentially Grotesque-side Awakened Ones lacking the aptitude for awakening.
But regardless, any action was better than none.
Only when the Harbingers acted could she truly understand their intentions.
“However, Educator seems to appreciate my Puppet Ballad creations…”
Luo Ling smiled faintly. All members of the Church of Light had become lost “Lambs.” On the surface, they were indistinguishable from humans, possessing the same memories and emotions, far surpassing the low-level Puppet Ballad creations like “Meat Puppets.”
Cutting open their flesh wouldn’t reveal anything. Only the spore vision of the Puppet Ballad could discern them, just like how those lunatics at Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital recognized “Dandelion.”
This was the true culprit behind Jiangcheng County’s destruction.
If Luo Ling wished, these black-robed priests could continue their daily activities as usual, instead of remaining confined to the church.
The main issue was that their usual activities were rather unsightly…
Luo Ling couldn’t stand it, so she had frozen them all within the church.
Unexpectedly, this earned her Educator’s appreciation.
Of course, this also indicated that these peripheral churches were a relatively insignificant part of the Harbingers’ plan. Educator seemed eager to disengage, likely having more important matters to attend to.
“In that case, I’ll manage these churches for you…”
She would strive to transform all church members into model citizens, helping old ladies cross the street and returning lost items.
As for the “Forbidden Puppets” Educator requested, that was even less of a problem for Luo Ling.
The so-called “Forbidden Puppets” were merely ordinary people with a touch of the Grotesque side, while Luo Ling herself was a high-order Grotesquery of the second echelon, second only to the Taboos.
The power converted from the Church of Light members, whose flesh and blood had been consumed by the Puppet Ballad, was equivalent to dozens of “Forbidden Puppets.”
Even a small offering from her could make her the top performer among all the Harbingers’ churches.
Through this, she could gradually infiltrate and control all the churches.
Regardless of the Harbingers’ plans, if she controlled all the churches, she would at least have a means of countering them.
“Miss Luo Ling, what are you smiling about?”
A face with a mischievous grin suddenly appeared before her.
Lu Manqing’s teasing expression made Luo Ling lean back slightly, accidentally bumping into the person behind her.
Turning around, Luo Ling met Cen Xiangyun’s gaze, who quickly averted her eyes.
“Just thinking about something amusing.” Luo Ling’s smile faded slightly.
“Oh~?”
Lu Manqing hummed knowingly, then reached out and pinched Elsa’s cheek.
“Really? Is it about what happened just now?”
Although seemingly addressing Luo Ling, Lu Manqing’s gaze kept shifting between Elsa and Cen Xiangyun.
Elsa’s expression had been strange since earlier, like she was sulking, yet also wallowing in self-pity.
“I was here first…”
Elsa pouted, sulking like a child—which she was.
“What nonsense…”
Cen Xiangyun gritted her teeth. She had initially considered her actions normal, but Lu Manqing’s constant teasing made her question herself.
…Was it really nothing?
Or was it something?
Cen Xiangyun ruffled her hair in frustration, Lu Manqing’s words unsettling her.
Lu Manqing, enjoying the drama, was satisfied with everyone’s reactions, especially Luo Ling’s absent-mindedness, which she found particularly amusing.
However, Luo Ling truly was distracted. Most of her consciousness was focused on the church, gathering the believers in the name of Saint Alyssa and performing sacrifices before the statue of Philosopher.
Luo Ling believed that with her efficiency, Educator would eagerly entrust all the churches to her.
At the same time, Luo Ling was also gradually deciphering Educator’s ritual, hoping to use it against Philosopher.
If successful, it would be an unexpected bonus.
Compared to these matters, the dinner celebrating their “successful first commission” seemed less important.
“However, I am curious about the restaurant Eve recommended… Given her personality, it’s probably a lively tavern or something.”
Luo Ling and the others had already chosen a restaurant, but after hearing about it, Eve insisted on taking them to a place with excellent steak, enthusiastically inviting the entire newbie team.
Since it was a local’s recommendation, they didn’t refuse. Food was food, wherever it was.
While Luo Ling was fully engrossed in arranging the sacrificial ritual, the swaying carriage finally came to a stop.
“We’re here.”
Cen Xiangyun rubbed her sore back. The carriage ride was already uncomfortable, and Lu Manqing’s teasing had made her avoid contact with Luo Ling, making it even more unbearable.
Luo Ling snapped back to reality, habitually taking Elsa’s hand and stepping out of the carriage.
Elsa was caught off guard, but looking up at Luo Ling’s usual indifferent expression, she muttered,
“Blockhead…”
“Hmm?”
Luo Ling glanced at Elsa.
Elsa quickly lowered her head, leaning against Luo Ling’s hand.
“What an amusing drama.”
Lu Manqing was clearly enjoying the spectacle.
After disembarking, they walked a short distance to the address Eve had given them.
Looking up, their expressions turned to surprise.
“This… isn’t a restaurant, is it?”
A high wall surrounded the perimeter, a large archway with a wrought-iron gate glinting coldly. Armed sentries stood guard, and patrols could be seen in the distance.
The castle seemed to stretch endlessly, a well-guarded fortress.
“Which office is this?”
Luo Ling asked.
“None of them.” Cen Xiangyun said, a twitch at the corner of her lips. “There are no ordinary people in the offices, and… the Company wouldn’t rent such a large place for an office.”
The patrolling guards and sentries were all ordinary people. Awakened Ones had no need for such crude firearms—though for this era, they were quite powerful.
“Did we come to the wrong place?”
Lu Manqing looked around, her interest piqued by the unfamiliar scenery. She raised her camera, ready to snap some photos.
Just then, the sentries noticed them and approached, weapons raised.
“Halt! Hands up! Why are you approaching Ster Castle?”
They exchanged glances. They had just wanted to find a place to eat, not trespass on a nobleman’s estate.
Luo Ling was the first to raise her hands, the others following suit.
Suddenly, a figure dashed towards them at incredible speed, bypassing the cautiously approaching sentries and heading straight for Luo Ling and the others.
As the figure drew closer, they recognized it as Eve.
Still in her familiar Victorian maid outfit.
“Oh my, why are you so slow? It’s almost starting!”
Eve grabbed Luo Ling’s hand and pulled her towards the castle.
“Hurry up and follow me!”
Only her voice remained as she dashed away.
This sudden turn of events stunned them for a moment. Elsa was the first to react, her short legs struggling to keep up with Eve and Luo Ling.
“Miss Eve, Miss Luo Ling, wait for me…”
The sentries didn’t stop them, merely looking at each other with strange expressions.
Cen Xiangyun gritted her teeth and followed, her gait far from ladylike.
“Say cheese~”
Lu Manqing, still in a leisurely mood, snapped a photo of the two sentries before strolling towards the castle.
“Is it really okay to let them in? It’s Duke Ster’s banquet…”
One of the sentries finally spoke.
“…It’s not our concern. If the Duke blames us, we’ll just say Miss Eve forced them in.”
The other sentry said impassively. It seemed this wasn’t the first time this had happened.
They had tried to resist before, only to discover that the seemingly pampered Miss Eve was a far better fighter than they were…
“Let’s return to our posts. Pretend nothing happened.”
“Right.”
……
“This is the place you said… had excellent steak?”
Cen Xiangyun, slightly breathless, sat down in the corridor. She wasn’t a Judgment path Awakened One, her physical abilities far inferior to Luo Ling and Eve.
Elsa had climbed onto Luo Ling’s back, her face buried and her expression hidden.
At the end of the corridor was another brightly lit castle, faint music drifting from within.
“Yes,” Eve said confidently, hands on her hips. “I guarantee you won’t find better steak anywhere in Victoria. If I’m lying, may lightning strike me down!”
“You’re right, but… are you sure it’s okay?”
Lu Manqing, finally catching up, crossed her arms, looked at Eve’s attire, and said thoughtfully,
“Miss Eve, you’re dressed as a maid, but if you really were a maid…”
Before Lu Manqing could finish, a deep voice echoed from behind them.
“Eve Ster.”
Eve, who had been trying to sneak in, froze.
“Oh no.”
She wanted to run as usual, but this time was different. Luo Ling and the others were with her.
Luo Ling turned curiously towards the voice. A dignified middle-aged man approached, his crisp military uniform and stern expression betraying his military background.
Judging by his medals and the way he addressed Eve by her full name, he was likely the owner of the castle, Duke Ster.
“Ahem, Father.”
Eve turned around, curtseying perfectly.
“…”
Duke Ster remained silent for a moment, then rubbed his forehead with a weary sigh.
“The guards just reported to me. What are you up to this time? And you even brought…”
He looked at Luo Ling and the others, frowning slightly.
“Just bringing some friends for dinner…”
Eve said sheepishly.
“I have no objections to you bringing friends, but you should at least send an invitation, a formal request. This lack of decorum is simply embarrassing.”
Duke Ster said patiently, though a vein throbbed on his forehead.
“It was a last-minute decision. Besides, formality is boring. It spoils the fun of dining.” Eve patted her skirt, her tone serious. “As long as we wear maid outfits, we can eat whatever we want after we go in. Anyway, you guys never eat much…”
“You…” Duke Ster seemed to be gritting his teeth, but after a moment, he sighed. “Fine, just don’t cause too much trouble.”
He looked at Luo Ling and the others. Cen Xiangyun stepped forward, handing him a business card.
“Your Grace, I apologize for our intrusion. I am a descendant of the Cen family. Next time, we will surely send a formal request before visiting.”
“Oh?” Duke Ster’s interest was piqued. He took the card and glanced at it. “That merchant family from the East?”
“Yes.”
Cen Xiangyun bowed slightly.
Duke Ster’s expression softened.
“I apologize as well. My daughter is rather mischievous. I’m afraid she has startled our esteemed guests. For the next banquet, I will send an invitation to your residence. There’s no need to… attend in such an impolite manner.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Cen Xiangyun curtsied gracefully.
Duke Ster glared at Eve, then quickly left. As the host of the banquet, he couldn’t be away for too long.
“Unexpectedly, Cen Xiangyun, you’re quite good at putting on airs.” Lu Manqing nudged Cen Xiangyun, winking.
She mimicked Cen Xiangyun’s tone, “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“You fucking…”
Cen Xiangyun wanted to strangle this woman. Even her usual composure couldn’t withstand Lu Manqing’s teasing.
“Alright, alright, I’ve dealt with my old man. Let’s sneak in and eat.”
Eve rubbed her hands excitedly. Her mischievous demeanor was hard to reconcile with her status as the Duke’s daughter.
“Oh, and before we go in…”
Eve smacked her forehead, looking at them with a sudden grin.
……
“Do we really have to wear this?”
Cen Xiangyun tugged at her dress uncomfortably. She was tall, and finding a dress that fit was a challenge.
“Isn’t it nice?”
Lu Manqing was secretly taking photos. She truly loved photography.
The banquet hall was filled with distinguished nobles, ladies and gentlemen dancing to the melodious jazz music.
Eve and the others sat in a corner, helping themselves to the food, their expressions mostly indifferent, except for Cen Xiangyun’s awkwardness and Elsa’s curiosity.
Luo Ling was still distracted by the church matters, barely registering the taste of the food, only nodding absently when Eve asked if she liked it.
The other maids in the hall simply ignored them, accustomed to the young lady’s antics.
After all, this wasn’t the first time.
“By the way, have you exchanged your commission rewards?”
Eve asked, chewing on her steak.
“We all chose points, except for Miss Luo Ling… she chose Sacred Medicine.” Cen Xiangyun replied.
“Third-order Sacred Medicine?” Eve looked at Luo Ling in surprise. “Are you really that weak?”
“Huh? Um… yes…”
Luo Ling nodded absently, still disconnected.
“Then you really need to improve.” Eve sighed. “But, Miss Luo Ling, for some reason, I always thought you were quite powerful…”
But there hadn’t been a chance for her to demonstrate her power during this commission?
Eve couldn’t understand the events of this strange commission. The Sacred Medicine capsule she lost was a significant loss, not compensated by the commission reward.
Even the Incubation Barrier, Eve had returned to investigate secretly, but found nothing.
Eve had a feeling that Luo Ling and her team weren’t ordinary, but she couldn’t pinpoint who exactly.
Inviting them to her home… well, sort of, was partly to build rapport, and partly…
“How about I continue to lead your team for the next commission?” Eve suggested. “With my strength, missions of your level are a piece of cake…”
Since something strange had happened last time, if it happened again, she would be more careful and surely uncover the cause.
Eve wasn’t one to give up after a single setback. She wouldn’t rest until she got to the bottom of this strange matter.
“Really?”
Cen Xiangyun’s eyes lit up.
Eve was a sixth-order Awakened One on the Judgment path, the most reliable in combat. Having such a senior leading them was far better than stumbling around blindly.
“Of course.” Eve put on a senior’s demeanor, smirking. “Haven’t you heard? I’m known as the newbie-carrying expert. Never failed a mission.”
“People who say that usually fail their next mission.” Lu Manqing interjected.
“Impossible, absolutely impossible.”
Eve waved her hand dismissively.
“Alright.”
Luo Ling suddenly spoke.
They all looked at her, puzzled.
“It’s nothing.” Luo Ling nodded calmly. “Eat… wait, are we almost done?”
“Miss Luo Ling, you’re incredibly distracted today…”
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