Chapter Fifty-Three: Little Elsa’s Big Change, A Mother’s Pain
Luo Ling hadn’t initially told Fiona about her experiences in the Incubation Barrier partly because the situation wasn’t clear, she wasn’t even sure if it was real or an illusion.
And…
She didn’t fully understand the Company and Victoria.
As her investigation deepened, Luo Ling realized that Victoria was like a massive whirlpool, silently consuming everything.
The more she learned, the more unfathomable this whirlpool seemed, like a bottomless abyss.
The Harbingers and the Company used Victoria as their chessboard, everyone, including the Company itself, merely pawns, the players being the six figures in the shadows… or perhaps five.
And the relationships between these pawns were incredibly complex.
Not just the entanglement between the Company and the Harbingers, but also the power struggles within the Order-side factions, and the Grotesquery Apostles and Agents lurking in the darkness, ready to seize any opportunity.
The Speakers, the most enigmatic faction, seemed to exist outside this game, their true allegiance unknown.
Fortunately, Luo Ling had also transcended this game. Although not yet a player, she could observe the entire board, even influencing the players to a certain extent.
Essentially, backseat driving.
As one of the Fate Society’s three constellations, Fiona was undoubtedly a crucial piece in this game, perhaps not the “king” or “queen,” but at least a “rook” or “knight.”
Therefore, regardless of her motives, Luo Ling had waited until she had a general understanding of the situation before revealing it to Aunt Fiona.
Now, the time was right.
“I’ll see if Aunt Fiona can use the remaining Sacred Medicines.” Luo Ling thought. “If not…”
Only Eve seemed interested in them. Perhaps she could trade them for something useful.
Giving them away wasn’t impossible, but given Eve’s personality, she likely wouldn’t accept them, or would feel indebted, even though she could be frivolous at times, she was a reliable senior.
Therefore, a trade was the better option.
After everything was settled, everyone except Luo Ling was exhausted, so despite it being New Year’s Eve, there were no special activities, and they quickly retired to their rooms.
Eve, who would be moving in a few days later, having received the valuable Judgment path Sacred Medicines from Luo Ling, rushed home.
She had enough experience and qualifications within the Company, only lacking the strength of a high-order Awakened One and a formal review for promotion to P7.
Those below P7 were considered low-level employees. Only those above P7 held any real power within the Company, considered minor leaders.
Their treatment and access to resources were significantly better, even allowing them to occasionally snag some food from the Company’s private kitchen…
Luo Ling had experienced quite a bit today, the tea party and the twilight Kingdom had been mentally taxing, and then experiencing the Leader’s memory, witnessing the other side of the Seventh Path, Transcendence.
Even the Leader had only known about Doomsday.
Hearing her sister’s voice again had lifted Luo Ling’s spirits, prompting her rare attempt at cooking, which had even received praise—at least they had eaten it.
Only now, after relaxing, did Luo Ling feel the mental exhaustion.
As the clock struck eight, Elsa yawned, changed into her pajamas, and climbed into bed, only to find the opposite bed occupied, a few strands of black hair peeking out from beneath the covers.
“Hmm?!”
Elsa’s drowsiness vanished as she tiptoed over, seeing Luo Ling lying in bed, staring at the ceiling.
“Miss Luo Ling, why are you sleeping so early today?”
Elsa was startled, reaching out to touch Luo Ling’s forehead.
“Don’t worry, Elsa, I’m not sick.” Luo Ling said softly, not moving Elsa’s slightly cold hand. “I just want to sleep, but I can’t.”
Although mentally exhausted, she couldn’t close her eyes, simply lying in bed, her heart pounding in her ears, making her anxious.
An inexplicable unease lingered, like a nameless anxiety.
“But you look so tired.”
Elsa leaned over the bed, her face filled with concern, seeing Luo Ling’s exhaustion.
Yes, she was tired.
Luo Ling was alone, facing the Company, the Harbingers, and even the Grotesque-side tea party… various dangers, endless schemes and power struggles.
The more she learned, the more she realized that even as a High-Risk Grotesquery, she was still insignificant in Victoria’s game.
The Harbingers had killed a twelfth Sequence High-Risk Grotesquery to obtain Philosopher’s “Traveler” Authority.
And Educator’s domain, casually eradicating all life within a ten-mile radius, was terrifying, his Sequence likely no lower than twentieth.
The Company directors, capable of rivaling them, must be equally powerful.
If her identity as the White Witch were exposed… she would be considered merely a sacrifice on their path to godhood. With enough preparation, even a Silent Demise Grotesquery could be silenced.
“…I’m not that tired.”
Luo Ling turned away slightly, seeing the worry in Elsa’s beautiful green eyes.
That worried gaze… felt familiar.
She had seen it before…
No, there was no need to think about it. The answer was obvious.
“But Miss Luo Ling, I can’t even help you.” Elsa sighed, her expression filled with self-reproach. “Even though I’m your Apostle…”
“Godchosen.”
Luo Ling corrected her. She found the terms “Apostle” and “Agent” a bit unsettling.
The tea party’s terms, “Godchosen” and “God’s Favored,” sounded much better.
“Oh right, Godchosen.” Elsa nodded repeatedly, then frowned. “But I’m only equivalent to a seventh-order Awakened One…”
“Hmm?” Luo Ling paused. “You’re already seventh-order?”
“Yes.” Elsa nodded, then demonstrated her abilities. “I’ve killed three of the Grotesqueries sealed within me, absorbing their power.”
The six Grotesqueries forced into Elsa by Scientist had been her greatest fear. Even Scientist simply entering Elsa’s consciousness space could trigger a mental breakdown.
After Luo Ling suppressed them with the White Witch’s will, their lives had become increasingly difficult.
Previously, Elsa had to pay a price to use their abilities. But now, they couldn’t even scare her, let alone demand payment.
Therefore, whenever Elsa used their abilities, it consumed their very existence.
And after accidentally killing “Soul Torture,” the most troublesome of the six, in her consciousness space, Elsa had discovered that she now completely controlled its ability.
It was no longer channeled through the Grotesquery, but her own.
The former was difficult to control, often causing friendly fire, while the latter, although consuming her own Inspiration, was completely under her control.
After that, Elsa had sent two more Grotesqueries to their demise, the remaining three submitting to her, allowing her to use their powers at the cost of her own Inspiration.
With three Grotesqueries’ abilities and three more willingly offering their power, Elsa possessed six abilities in total.
Both in terms of power and Inspiration reserves, she was a true high-order Awakened One.
“Do the others know?” Luo Ling asked.
“No, I’ve kept it a secret. They think I can only use ‘Proverb’.” Elsa lowered her voice. “I’m only telling you, Miss Luo Ling.”
“You should use them when necessary.” Luo Ling reminded her. She couldn’t stand by and watch her teammates in danger just to hide her abilities.
“Of course, I know. But Eve always takes us to low-level Incubation Barriers, so ‘Proverb’ is enough.” Elsa puffed out her chest proudly. “They think I’m incredibly strong just with that.”
Elsa had been hiding her true strength, unable to reveal her accomplishments.
Now, before Luo Ling, she could finally share her secrets.
“Elsa is amazing.”
Luo Ling pinched Elsa’s cheek, soft and squishy like a marshmallow.
“Hehe.” Elsa giggled, then sighed softly. “But I’m still too weak to help Miss Luo Ling…”
“You’re already very strong, Elsa. You’ll be able to help.” Luo Ling gently brushed aside Elsa’s bangs. “Trust me, your potential is far greater than this.”
Luo Ling thought of the living Grotesquery and the High-Risk Grotesquery Sacred Relic fragment she had given Elsa. These could make her even stronger.
Elsa possessed a unique talent for controlling Grotesqueries, something neither Scientist nor Elsa herself had fully realized.
Although she could currently only control those below Dangerous Grotesquery level, with Luo Ling’s help, she might even be able to control High-Risk Grotesqueries, or perhaps even… Taboos.
“Really?”
Elsa’s eyes widened.
“When have I ever lied to you?” Luo Ling smiled faintly. Seeing the adorable little Elsa, her anxiety subsided slightly.
Drowsiness, brought on by her biological clock, washed over Elsa, and she yawned.
“Ah~ ha~”
Elsa rubbed her eyes.
“Miss Luo Ling, I can’t take it anymore, I have to go back to sleep… tomorrow…”
“Go back?” Luo Ling chuckled. “Don’t you always sneak into my bed?”
“Huh?”
Elsa’s drowsiness vanished, staring at Luo Ling in disbelief.
“Come on, sleep with me, if you don’t mind.”
Luo Ling lifted the corner of her blanket, patting the bed.
They usually slept separately—mainly because Elsa slept early, while Luo Ling stayed up past midnight.
Only upon waking up would Luo Ling find Elsa in her bed.
This time, Luo Ling was taking the initiative.
“I… I don’t mind! Ah~ ha~ of course I don’t mind… I’m coming…”
Elsa yawned as she snuggled into Luo Ling’s bed, pressing close to her.
“Miss Luo Ling…”
Elsa seemed to want to feel Luo Ling’s warmth, but her drowsiness was overwhelming, her eyelids growing heavy, soon drifting off to sleep.
“A bit cold…”
Luo Ling took Elsa’s small hand, warming it with her breath.
Elsa’s slightly trembling body relaxed.
Looking at the adorable sleeping face, framed by messy red hair, her small chest rising and falling gently with each breath, a warm smile appeared on Luo Ling’s lips.
No, wait…
She wasn’t alone, facing Victoria’s terrifying whirlpool.
At least now, she had Elsa, always by her side.
Luo Ling wrapped her arms around the small, red-haired girl and closed her eyes slowly.
“Elsa… it’s good to have you here.”
A dreamless night.
………..
Bright red lipstick, thick white foundation, crayon-like eyebrows, and blush that looked like spilled ink.
This woman sat in the cafe, even the waiters avoiding her, not daring to ask for her order.
“Is she crazy?”
“Definitely crazy…”
Whispers echoed around her, and Luo Ling frowned, wondering if she had done something similar to the patients at Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital.
But examining her memories, she couldn’t find anything amiss.
Everything was normal.
Miss Luo Ling—or rather, Ms. Luo Ling—waited for about ten minutes, then a brisk figure appeared before her.
But the figure immediately stood up after sitting down, bowing apologetically. “Sorry, I mistook you for someone else.”
“Aunt Fiona, stop joking.” Luo Ling said helplessly.
“…You’re really Luo Ling?” Fiona asked, her face filled with shock.
“…….”
Luo Ling remained silent.
This was a disguise.
Meeting Fiona required caution, especially now, with Luo Ling in the spotlight. She didn’t believe the Company and the Harbingers weren’t monitoring her.
Fortunately, the Speakers couldn’t scry her, even Ji Shinian, the most skilled among them, had failed, which would have been even more troublesome.
Therefore, Luo Ling had left the apartment in disguise, even leaving a decoy behind, pretending to be reading.
However, she wasn’t skilled at disguises. Theoretically, she could alter her appearance with the Puppet Ballad’s “Proliferation” ability, but to avoid growing extra limbs on her face, she had abandoned that idea.
She had heard that makeup could transform a person, and since Luo Ling never wore makeup, she decided to try it.
After finding some makeup tutorials in the puppets’ memories, she had confidently applied some of Cen Xiangyun’s cosmetics, and her “masterpiece” was born.
“…Truly a masterpiece.”
Fiona gasped, her heart sinking.
Then, after a moment of hesitation, she covered her mouth, as if about to cry. “So similar… she didn’t wear makeup either…”
“…….”
She really wanted to drag Linna back here.
Luo Ling had informed Fiona of the meeting through her spores, planted in the Victoria Opera House during her previous visit.
Hearing Luo Ling’s serious tone, Fiona knew it was important, so she had made arrangements to avoid the Company’s surveillance, meeting Luo Ling at the designated cafe.
She hadn’t expected to see Miss Luo Ling—Ms. Luo Ling—like this…
“Luo Ling, the saying ‘makeup can transform a person’ means making them look better, not worse.”
Fiona said earnestly. “However, turning such a good foundation into this… is a special skill indeed.”
“Do I… look that bad?” Luo Ling asked hesitantly.
“Not just bad,” Fiona shook her head. “Exceptionally bad.”
She also heard the whispers around them, her expression a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
Like her daughter Linna, Miss Luo Ling’s sense of aesthetics was disastrous…
“I see…”
Luo Ling nodded thoughtfully.
“This puppet’s memories are useless. I’ll have to find another one.”
Her previous cooking “success” had given her confidence. With the puppets’ memories, she could learn anything.
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
“But as a disguise, it’s perfect. No one would recognize you as Luo Ling, even I hesitated for a moment.”
Fiona smiled, then her expression turned serious. “You wouldn’t meet me like this unless it was important.”
“Yes.”
Luo Ling nodded, then hesitated, looking around.
Fiona placed a clock-like Sacred Tool on the table.
Time seemed to freeze, everyone’s movements stopping, only Luo Ling and Fiona unaffected.
“A Chaos path Sacred Tool, ‘The World.’ I don’t know why the creator chose such a strange name, but it’s quite useful.”
Fiona explained, “It creates a three-meter radius domain where time stops relative to the outside world, lasting up to half an hour.
“Meaning, we can talk here for half an hour, and only a moment will have passed outside.”
Even the Speakers’ Other Shore abilities couldn’t penetrate this domain. This was one of Fiona’s methods of concealment.
“Indeed, very powerful.”
Luo Ling was impressed. This Sacred Tool must have been crafted from a High-Risk Grotesquery Sacred Relic, even she was slightly envious.
Unlike Luo Ling, Fiona was one of the three highest-ranking members of a large Awakened organization, the Fate Society, renowned for its Sacred Tool crafting. She had easy access to such items.
The Sacred Tool she had given Luo Ling, and the one Linna used, were both crafted by Fiona.
“If you’re interested, I can give it to you.” Fiona chuckled, then her tone changed. “However, I have a small request…”
“Stop right there.”
Luo Ling raised her hand, anticipating Fiona’s words.
Absolutely not.
Impersonating Linna once was enough.
“What a pity.”
Fiona said regretfully.
Before Fiona could offer more temptations, Luo Ling got to the point.
Her expression turned serious. “Aunt Fiona, did you know that the ‘Hunt’ team’s annihilation wasn’t an accident?”
Fiona’s face fell, a bitter expression appearing.
“Of course, I know.”
How could she not?
Having reached her current position, Fiona wasn’t naive. She had her suspicions.
But…
Who was the culprit?
Their rivals, the Torchbearers? Or the Company? Or the Harbingers of Calamity? Or even… another faction within the Fate Society?
Fiona didn’t know.
Every time she tried to investigate, an invisible barrier blocked her, preventing her from finding any clues.
She knew Linna had been murdered.
But she didn’t know by whom, who to avenge.
As a mother, Fiona had suffered for years, only finding some solace in Luo Ling’s presence, a distraction from her grief.
“Perhaps, it’s time to let go.”
Fiona had resigned herself to the unknown.
Until Luo Ling’s next words.
“I know the culprit, and everything that happened.” Luo Ling said slowly. “I witnessed the entire conspiracy, the deaths of every member of the ‘Hunt’ team.
“And… I also met Linna.”
“Yes, Aunt Fiona, your daughter, Linna.”
Leave a Reply