Category: Second Time Around, the Villainous Daughter Decides to Indulge First

Chapter 55: Urgent! About to Combust!

Losing an artifact was a serious matter.

Lena mentally retraced her steps, but in the chaotic Fran Black Market, skilled pickpockets were common. Searching for the ring was like searching for a needle in a haystack, impossible.

“Don’t worry, Senior Lena, you’ll find it.”

“Yes, Alice and I will help you look.”

Look for what?!

In the black market, a stolen item would change hands a dozen times in the blink of an eye. There wasn’t even a fixed location to search…

Lena wanted to slap herself, looking up at the sky in frustration.

Without the King of Narcissus, her strength was greatly reduced. The difference between rank five and six was significant, and the strength of her undead creations was also vastly different.

She had wanted to create a Bone Dragon, the materials already prepared, but her rank had regressed with the loss of the ring.

“Sigh…”

The magic carriage drove away, leaving behind a trail of dust and regret.

Back at the mansion, Lena first cursed the thief’s ancestors, then took out a glass bird for communication, setting the location to the academy’s Student Affairs Office.

“Hello?”

A pleasant female voice came from the glass bird, but Lena wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries.

Not even God could help her now!

“Tell Agnes to come pick me up.” Lena spoke quickly.

She suppressed the urge to curse, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

Soon, a gentle voice came from the bird’s beak. “What’s wrong, Lena? What do you need from your older sister?”

Agnes was about to leave work when a colleague hurriedly handed her an emerald glass bird. She hadn’t thought much of it, simply asking the reason before accepting it.

Who knew the caller would be so rude about asking for a leave of absence! How terrible!

“Missing a day of class isn’t a big deal. As long as you catch up and pass the final exam, the Student Affairs Office won’t pursue it.”

“Are you going to approve my leave or not?!”

“…Lena, is this how you speak to a teacher?” Agnes frowned, her good mood ruined by a foolish student.

She disliked arguing, always speaking calmly and gently. Even when faced with disruptive students, she always chose persuasion over force.

But Lena clearly didn’t care about her teaching ethics; she only cared about herself.

“Fake!”

“Watch your language, Lena. You’re Ling Ling’s role model. She always tells me how good you are to her, how exceptional you are among your peers. Is this how you want to set an example?”

Hearing silence from the other end, Agnes sighed and continued, “Although I don’t know why you asked me to look after Ling Ling, your position in her heart is irreplaceable. If anything happens, you must tell your teacher, don’t try to solve it alone… Lena, are you listening?”

Agnes’s gentle voice was filled with concern, but unfortunately, she couldn’t see Lena’s expression through the glass bird.

After a long while, Lena replied in a low voice, “You wouldn’t understand…”

” shouldering everything alone isn’t a good habit, Lena. Is there anything you can’t tell me directly? Why keep it bottled up inside?”

Lena: “…”

“Not speaking, are you? Then come to the Student Affairs Office tomorrow and see me, with your leave application form!”

Agnes’s expression hardened; she was actually angry.

She lectured the glass bird for half an hour, Lena listening silently, without any intention of retorting.

Lena was venting her anger, that was true. She wasn’t perfect; she had darker desires than anyone, fueled by a mad desire for revenge.

Trying to coax her out of her distress over losing the ring with a lecture was a fool’s errand.

Such people were rarely persuaded. If you wanted to conquer her, it would be more effective to strip naked and bend over.

Crack.

The disposable glass bird lost its luster, like an oil lamp running out of fuel.

Agnes put away her teaching materials, looking out the window at the gray sky, dark clouds gathering, rain starting to fall.

It was going to pour.

Hopefully, the drains wouldn’t overflow tomorrow morning, soaking her socks. That would be troublesome…

The thought of tomorrow’s weather gave her a headache. Agnes hated water; rain always brought back unpleasant memories.

Terrible.

…

In the steamy bathroom, Lena brushed her long, gray-white hair, her movements slow and deliberate, seemingly unaffected by the day’s events.

Splash—

A basin of warm water cascaded down her slender neck, over her ample bosom, and finally between her closed legs, converging like rivers flowing into a pristine, untouched land.

“I wonder which lucky bastard got my ring, what a windfall for him.”

Lena murmured to the mirror, stepping out of the bathroom, hanging her bathrobe on the rack, and slipping into a translucent white nightgown, staring out at the dark night.

The rain intensified.

A steady drumming sound.

On a stormy night like this, the Fran Black Market must be in chaos.

With the Falmouth family’s bounty, the lost ring would eventually return to its rightful owner, it was just a matter of time and price…

“Boring.”

With such heavy rain, there was no fun to be had. Should she really call those two little nuns over?

She had only been joking; she wasn’t planning on devouring them so soon.

Hmm…

The thought, once it arose, spread like a sweet poison…

She swallowed, a burning sensation in her lower abdomen.

Lena, Lena, you can’t fall like this, what’s the difference between you and those kings obsessed with beauty?!

To clear her mind of these lewd thoughts, Lena decided to go to bed early.

Once asleep, there would be no problems. Could lustful thoughts invade her dreams and ravage her?

She acted immediately.

Her dry hair flowed like a silken waterfall as she lay down on the soft silk sheets, her eyes wide open.

She couldn’t sleep!

It was like forcing a night owl college student to sleep in a room with no electricity or phone, with only the sound of rain and thunder outside, the suffocating silence and darkness overwhelming her mind.

Urgent!

She desperately needed a soft, fragrant “pillow” to comfort her body!

She was burning up, truly suffering!

The loss of her precious ring tormented her, the frustration building within her, likely to persist for several nights until she found it…

Would it really continue like this?!

Lena suddenly noticed the brocade box on her nightstand, the supposedly priceless fruits Emma had brought.

Should she try them? Maybe they could suppress the fire within her.

Actually, Lena was desperate to try them, hence her restlessness…

But she would never admit it.

Chapter 54: Living For Whom?

Caramy arrived late, returning with the setting sun.

He carried the heaviest load of the three, so it had taken him longer.

“A pile of rotten bones, that’s all you brought?”

Alice inwardly compared their offerings, feeling that hers was more likely to please their master, a sense of superiority rising within her.

“Don’t tell me the note actually said ‘bones’…”

“It did,” Emma chimed in, nodding along with Alice like a loyal follower.

After leaving Catherine, they had reverted to their familiar routine…

Flattering their master, attending to her every whim, echoing her every sentiment, doing her bidding…

“It seems Senior Lena doesn’t favor you that much.”

Alice sneered, practically spitting in Caramy’s face, her innate villainy shocking even Lena.

See, this was professionalism!

Truly worthy of a future prominent figure, the mastermind behind the Crimson Nunnery incident.

That look of disdain, mixed with a hint of flattery towards their master… Lena was impressed.

“Ahem, I asked Caramy to bring the dragon remains, not some rotten bones,” Lena interjected before the atmosphere turned too cold.

Alice immediately changed her tune. “Ah! You’re right, Senior Lena! I was being presumptuous…”

She lowered her eyes, her long bangs hiding her anxiety and fear.

They weren’t inherently malicious, but simply following the prevailing trend.

Belittling others to elevate themselves, a common tactic to gain favor with their master.

However, their usual tricks didn’t work on Lena.

They needed a new strategy…

Lena was different from the masters they had followed before. Perhaps the strong had peculiar personalities, but Alice believed she would adapt, especially with Emma by her side.

Meanwhile, Lena had finished examining the dragon bones, clapping the dust from her hands and beckoning the anxious Mines.

“Try placing your hand on it.”

Lena held Mines’s slender wrist, the prominent radial bone beneath her thin skin clearly visible, the delicate veins a pale purple-green.

Mines allowed Lena to press her hand against a large dragon leg bone.

“Can you feel the magic flowing through it…? You can conjure a hidden blade, which means you must possess magic power, but you said you don’t know your profession, and I didn’t see any professional mark…”

Lena muttered, a sudden realization striking her. “Could it be… Rapid Casting?!”

“What’s Rapid Casting…? I don’t know…”

Mines winced, instinctively trying to pull away, but Lena’s grip tightened, the slender girl unable to escape. “Tell me the truth, how did you learn a skill even I can’t master?”

Mines didn’t cry; she had forgotten how to cry. She simply repeated weakly, “I learned it by watching, Master. I can’t breathe… Master…”

She seemed to be suffering from a lung disease. Lena relented, releasing Mines, allowing her to gasp for air, her breaths coming in ragged gasps, the red spider lily in her hair trembling with her coughs.

In reality, Lena hadn’t threatened her, only embraced her, her soft breasts pressing against Mines’s face.

But Mines’s unusual reaction conveyed a message to Lena: aversion and distress.

Seriously, she couldn’t even be touched?

This wasn’t a lung disease, it was an allergy to people.

Lena thought she couldn’t continue with any intimate activities, while Mines thought… Master was going to send her away.

“Master…”

Mines stumbled to her feet, losing her balance and falling towards Lena.

The frail girl evoked pity no matter what she did. Lena caught her, using magic.

“How are you going to protect me, with that body of yours that no one can touch?”

Teasing Mines, Lena gently set her down, wanting to stroke her short, slightly coarse black hair, but ultimately refraining.

Ah… her hand itched… she wanted to touch…

Like an addict experiencing withdrawal symptoms, Lena grabbed one of the nuns, venting her frustration.

“It’s not like that, Master.”

Mines, clad in her black suit jacket, looked incredibly small, her already meek voice even softer before Lena. “I…”

She hesitated.

Always faltering at crucial moments. She had already made up her mind to sacrifice everything for her family, but she still couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Was she being too selfish?

It seemed so.

But shouldn’t such selfishness be allowed?

Her friend’s words flashed through her mind.

“Who are you living for? Yourself, or your family…? You’re asking for my answer? Hah, my answer is… spend money, dress up, be pampered by a rich Master, and live a life others can only dream of! It’s shallow, right? But it’s the best answer I can come up with… It’s all about perspective. If you haven’t seen the vastness of the sky, how can you understand the vastness of the world?”

“Don’t think about the consequences, just do it. Don’t worry about the process, it will only cloud your judgment. Don’t worry about what if it’s the wrong path. Living is already tiring enough, why burden yourself with so many thoughts? Mines, your talent is far greater than you imagine. You shouldn’t be in Cabaliga, but in a prestigious magic academy, under a bluer sky…”

“If I were you, I would abandon those burdens. But I’m not you. You should understand what I mean…”

Remembering her friend’s envious yet relieved expression, Mines felt a pang of pain.

She knew her friend didn’t have any magic talent, but what she should have known was that her friend had sacrificed far more for her than she could imagine…

…

“Did you return the bones?”

“Yes.”

“And the girl?”

“She went back. She left a message.”

Listening to Caramy’s report, Lena’s expression remained calm. With a glance from Lena, Caramy continued, “She said she’ll have an answer before tomorrow morning.”

“…As if I’m desperate for her, the little greedy ghost.”

Lena was amused.

Forget it, Mines’s story sounded pitiful, almost comparable to her own.

Lena didn’t judge this resilient girl; she was more interested in how to extract more value from her.

For example, the Rapid Casting technique, and Mines’s profession.

Hmm…

Time to go home.

Lena habitually touched the King of Narcissus, a daily habit, a subconscious protective mechanism.

But today, her fingers met empty air.

“Hmm?” Lena blinked in confusion.

Meanwhile, back at her home, Mines stared at the King of Narcissus in her hand, lost in thought.

“Master’s?”

Chapter 53: Climbing

Alice returned just in time to see Lena and a thin, black-haired girl tugging at each other. She hurried forward, pulling out her staff and chanting a holy spell.

“…What are you doing?!” Lena’s glare stopped Alice in her tracks, the glowing purple staff in her hand clattering to the ground.

“I…I…I’m here to help, Senior!”

Alice rubbed her forehead, her voice slightly distorted.

“Who asked for your help? We’re just playing around,” Lena said impatiently.

Although she sensed Mines was hiding something, Lena would keep her promises.

But before that…

She had to figure out Mines’s profession!

What if she was some kind of Origin Mage or other troublesome profession, secretly placing a soul chain on her at night, then stabbing her in the heart? She wouldn’t even know how she died.

Lena was wary of the strange and unpredictable professions in this world.

She had suffered enough in her past life, so she was cautious of certain professions.

In other words, she had to be prepared for anything.

Meanwhile, Alice was still complaining, “What’s wrong, Senior Lena…?”

Emma also approached, seeing Alice sprawled on the ground, her heart skipping a beat. She broke into a run.

“You must have upset Senior Lena.”

Emma crouched down, patting Alice’s head, and sighed.

The comforting gesture calmed Alice down somewhat, but she still muttered, “No way, I was just trying to get close to Senior…”

They were always together, sharing everything, their hearts connected. So, on their way back from completing the task, they had already discussed their plans, even intending to serve their future mistress together—Lena Falmouth.

It had always been this way; the strong were always surrounded by beauties. Although Lena was the same gender, her unparalleled strength still attracted many admirers, something Lena hadn’t experienced in her past life…

“How did the task go?”

Lena had Mines wait while she examined the rare materials Alice and Emma had collected for her in the black market.

“Let me go first.”

Alice placed the note and a large cloth bag in Lena’s hands, then began to list the contents:

“Ghost Scale Butterfly powder, Earth Dog teeth, Lich pottery jar, Earth Dragon eye, Harpy tail feather, Lava Lizard core…”

A dazzling array of items, all painstakingly collected by Alice from the black market, requiring considerable effort and persuasion.

Since Lena hadn’t given them any money, they had to use their own savings to purchase the goods, a display of their “loyalty” and also part of Lena’s test…

Lena wasn’t one to suffer losses; she would take advantage of any opportunity.

Do you want to follow me? Then pay the protection fee, it’s that simple.

“My turn, Senior Lena.”

Following Alice, Emma presented her carefully wrapped brocade box.

Made of shimmering fluorescent jade, the box itself suggested the value of its contents.

“It seems you’re very confident,” Lena raised an eyebrow, taking the box.

It felt icy cold to the touch, but upon opening it, a wave of heat washed over her.

Inside were three small, fingernail-sized fruits, their color a vibrant, blood red.

Lena was reminded of Mines’s eye color, almost the same shade.

Emma briefly explained, “It is said that in the desolate Ancient Mountains where Harpies dwell, there grows a rare treasure. Consuming it nourishes yin and yang, and is especially effective in regulating kidney energy. It’s known as a man’s gas station, a woman’s beauty salon, a rarity even in the Fran Black Market.”

Lena’s eye twitched. “I don’t think I wrote this on your note…”

“I prepared it for Senior Lena on my own initiative, I hope you’re not angry,” Emma said nervously.

“Angry?” Lena closed the lid with a snap, amused. “Why would I be angry?”

She simply hadn’t expected the quiet and demure Emma to bring such a potent fruit. What troubled Lena was whether or not to accept this generous gift.

Accepting it would seem like admitting to certain deficiencies…

But refusing would be rude, rejecting their goodwill.

Lena had already decided to accept the moment she saw it, but she was just saving face…

“If Senior Lena doesn’t mind, you can try its effects tonight, on Alice and me…” The two exchanged smiles, willingly offering their most precious first experience.

“We’ve secretly learned some techniques, even practiced together. We can definitely give Senior Lena an unforgettable experience. If you want, we can also take the lead…”

Emma covered Alice’s mouth, giving her a warning look.

Then she asked cautiously, “These three fruits are just enough for the three of us. So tonight, Senior Lena, do you have any plans?”

“…”

Wow, just wow.

Could these two little nuns be any bolder?

Seducing their master? Who taught them this?!

Well… whoever it was, they taught them well!

Couldn’t that famous idol learn from her fellow sisters?!

Lena was indignant, determined to teach them the importance of self-respect. “H-how did you know I haven’t… in a while…”

Joking aside, how could she refuse meat delivered to her doorstep?

With beauties willingly offering themselves, even if Lena was physically weak, she would rise to the occasion!

She would conquer them all! Hmph!

Emma and Alice said in unison, exchanging smiles, “That’s great!”

Great? Great what?!

You’re about to be ravaged by me all night, and you think it’s great?! Just wait and see, you two little minxes!

Lena inwardly cursed, pocketing the brocade box.

Alice’s face flushed, seemingly anticipating the night’s activities, while Emma shyly buried her face in Alice’s arms. The two little nuns from the Holy Inquisition were ready to offer their innocence to Lena.

This was the coming-of-age ritual they had longed for, the safe haven they had dreamed of. For their utopia, they were willing to sacrifice everything…

They had followed Catherine before, but Catherine didn’t have the power to lead them.

Now they followed Lena, whose strength far surpassed their imagination. If all it took was offering their bodies to join the Falmouths, they would kneel before Lena without hesitation, kissing her feet.

It was worth it.

Their chastity was worthless compared to absolute power; the scales always tipped towards profit.

One could call Alice twisted, but it was the world beneath her feet that had shaped her distorted values.

The Crimson Nunnery, which would one day bring bloodshed to the empire, wasn’t formed overnight. From a young age, Alice and Emma’s morals had been warped into a twisted form, beyond redemption.

Climbing.

Striving to reach the summit to witness the sun’s glory.

But the mountain you painstakingly climbed could be easily reached by others via cable car.

With just a little money, others could surpass your lifelong efforts. With just a small price, they could enjoy the warmth of the summit before you.

And you, my friend,

You would freeze to death on the mountainside, your body left unclaimed, unknown, eventually forgotten by the world…

This was Alice’s worldview, a belief Emma also firmly held.

They could treat anyone the way they treated Lena. As long as someone could become their god, they would follow them blindly, without hesitation.

Lena had achieved this and successfully controlled them.

Chapter 52: The Girl Without a Profession

Lena brought her back in the end.

Like a big bad wolf who had lured Little Red Riding Hood into her lair and devoured her grandmother…

Lena walked ahead, Mines trailing behind, her small hand nervously clutching Lena’s sleeve, struggling to keep up.

Her 1.6-meter stature and short legs made it difficult, but Lena slowed down, waiting for her, as if Mines were the Master.

“Need a break?” Lena stopped, frowning.

“I’m fine, Master, please don’t mind me…”

Mines clearly wasn’t used to physical exertion. After just a few hundred meters from the arena, she was already out of breath, sweat glistening on her face.

How could such a person kill?

Lena felt like she had picked up a delicate flower, beautiful but fragile. A lovely vase, but hardly a bodyguard who would collapse after a short run, needing her master to wait…

“Forget it if you can’t keep up.”

Lena glanced at the sky. It was getting late, and the others should be returning soon.

“I can do it!” Mines said anxiously.

Her flat chest heaved as she said with conviction, “I can definitely handle this job, Master, please believe me!”

“…”

Lena’s expression remained unchanged.

“Master…”

“I’m saying you should go back and pack your things. Report to the mansion tomorrow.” Lena said, exasperated.

Did she look that scary, that unapproachable? Why was everyone so afraid of her?

She felt wronged and wanted to go home and cuddle with the little fox girl…

“Then tomorrow… what time should I arrive?” Mines wanted to clarify, to avoid any further misunderstandings.

This bodyguard job was crucial for her, directly related to her siblings’ well-being, the primary source of income for her family of thirteen.

Mines had already decided to cling to someone powerful, like her friend, selling her body for a better life.

If pushed to desperation, she would even offer the most sacred thing a girl could give—praying this “Master” wouldn’t recoil from her scarred, broken body…

A painful memory seemed to surface, Mines’s eyes trembling. She looked up at Lena, like a fledgling instinctively flapping its wings, searching for its mother.

Mines desperately clung to this lifeline, refusing to let go.

And this Master… seemed approachable, not discriminating against her scarred skin, not as aggressive as other Masters…

“Tomorrow… come as early as possible. I usually wake up quite early,” Lena said casually. “As for your salary… ten gold coins a month, how about that? Don’t think it’s too little. According to the mercenary market, this is already a high salary. After a one-month probationary period, your salary will double.”

Double, that was twenty gold coins…

This was enough to cover her siblings’ food and lodging for several years, with plenty to spare.

And this was just her monthly salary.

Master was so kind…

Mines was genuinely happy, but she couldn’t help but wonder about the job’s specifics.

“Master…” Mines asked softly, her delicate face seemingly carrying an innate submissiveness. “Is it dangerous work?”

She felt uneasy accepting so much money unless Lena admitted to wanting her to go through fire and water, or if she was after her body. Only then would Mines feel better.

“Are you scared?” Lena paused, chuckling, her chest jiggling slightly. “You have the guts to fight to the death for money, but not the courage to work with me? Don’t tell me you killed Taylan just by sheer luck…”

“I… I understand.”

Mines let go of her last reservation.

“Mm, I will protect you, Master, and ensure you’re never harmed.”

“Nice words, but lacking conviction.”

Lena took Mines for a stroll, buying her a new outfit along the way. A beautiful clothes hanger needed beautiful clothes. “Try this on. An evening gown isn’t suitable for you.”

Mines hesitantly held the clothes, entering the fitting room at Lena’s urging.

Moments later, a girl in a red feather dress appeared before Lena.

The close-fitting neckline revealed the girl’s delicate collarbone and slender neck.

Her soft, slightly curled black hair made her small face appear even smaller. Her eyelashes were long and curled, the corners of her eyes slightly downturned, her crimson eyes sparkling like stars, yet a hint of sorrow lingered within them.

She was incredibly thin. Even the smallest size looked too big on her, the burn scars on her back alarming, like a monstrous parasite feeding on her life force.

“Master, is this okay?”

Mines asked timidly, her face flushed with the shyness of a young girl.

Under Lena’s gaze, her cheeks turned a delicate pink, like a ripe peach.

“Is there anything strange about it?”

“Wonderful, red suits you. It helps to offset your melancholy.”

The red feather dress resembled a phoenix reborn from ashes, symbolizing the girl’s new beginning, leaving the past behind and embracing the future.

Lena’s judgment was impeccable. She paid for the dress and left the store.

“This will be your uniform from now on. You have to wear it both inside and outside. I’ll buy you a few more in different styles so you can change…”

Looking at Mines’s emaciated figure, Lena swallowed the words “the cost will be deducted from your salary.”

Damn, she had spent the money too soon!

She hadn’t even checked Mines’s professional rank before giving her a dress! Was it too late to take it back?

“Thank you, Master, I love it. I will work hard to repay your kindness.”

Mines’s words made Lena even more embarrassed to ask for the dress back.

Forget it…

It was just a dress; Lena wasn’t stingy. “Mm, one question, what is your profession…?”

This was important, especially the rank.

Lena estimated that Mines’s rank couldn’t be lower than four. After all, she had instantly killed the arena champion, so she must be at least rank five.

Twenty gold coins a month for a loyal rank five bodyguard, what a bargain!

A huge profit!

Mines: “Profession? I don’t have one.”

“???”

Lena thought she was joking, her expression darkening.

But Mines nodded seriously, her voice weak. “I haven’t awakened yet, Master…”

“Didn’t you say you’re an adult?!”

“I am…” Mines bit her lip, her hands fidgeting. “I’m an adult, but I haven’t awakened my profession…”

Lena almost fainted, wanting to demand Mines return the dress.

But then she thought, if Mines didn’t have a profession, how did she conjure that blade?

The little girl was definitely hiding something!

Chapter 51: Mines

Mountains of corpses and piles of rotting garbage were all Mines associated with the word “home.”

Born in the infamous Cabaliga slums, a forsaken concentration of poverty, Mines struggled to survive with her twelve younger siblings.

Food was scarce; they caught rats to eat. Without clean water, they filtered sewage for drinking. The most difficult time was the annual summer plague. Once infected, there was no cure…

Mines couldn’t afford treatment. She had knelt before the Holy Knights of the church countless times, begging them to save her sister, but the cure came with a devastating price.

Her siblings were left blind, crippled, while she remained unscathed, for some unknown reason…

It was as if her siblings had shielded her from misfortune, but Mines couldn’t bear to see her family suffer, it was worse than death.

“If you can’t afford them, don’t take them in. You can’t even feed yourself, and you’re taking care of twelve mouths? Look how thin you are! With your kind heart, you would have died a thousand times over in Cabaliga. You’re just lucky!”

“They were abandoned by their families, I can’t just ignore them…”

“They don’t have a home, so you have to give them one?! What kind of logic is that?!”

“Precisely because they don’t have a home, they can’t lose another one…”

“You stubborn fool, you’ll be the death of me one day.”

Her friend’s advice was harsh, but well-intentioned.

They argued almost every time they met, always about Mines’s younger siblings, but in the end, Mines always managed to convince her friend, who would then storm off, leaving behind some “clean” money before boarding her magic carriage.

It was indeed difficult to support twelve dependents.

Her friend was right.

But Mines found solace in hardship. Seeing her siblings’ innocent eyes, she couldn’t bear to abandon them, especially with their disabilities. Asking her to give them up was like asking her to send them to their deaths, too cruel.

Her conscience wouldn’t allow it.

And when her friend suggested they serve the rich man who kept her, Mines politely refused.

She had considered it, but experiencing it firsthand, she realized that being kept was like living in hell.

She watched as her friend, dressed in finery, was driven away in a luxurious magic carriage, her eyes losing their light upon her return.

Her friend gave her some money, assuring her it was clean, telling her to buy something for her family, then disappearing without a trace.

The world seemed determined to punish those around her for her kindness.

Mines couldn’t bear it, but she was powerless.

Watching her friend being taken away and returned broken, her body thinner than Mines’s own, she finally couldn’t take it anymore.

“Next time, I’ll go in your place… I’ll serve that Master…”

“No way!”

Her friend was even more stubborn in this regard. “What are you, a pure young girl, doing getting involved in this? What about your siblings?!”

“I’m an adult, as of yesterday. You can’t keep doing this, you’ll die…”

“Who says I can’t? Mines, say that again!!”

Her friend suddenly yelled at her, hysterical. It was the angriest Mines had ever seen her.

But her memory stopped there. Mines never saw her friend again.

That same month, the Second Empire attacked. Ten Flame Mages of rank four and above surrounded the Cabaliga slums, a fiery storm engulfing the innocent, the lowly lives.

Burning figures ran everywhere, emerging from houses, tents, sewers…

Mines desperately fled with her siblings, the flames scorching her skin, leaving behind permanent scars.

She had lost her value as a woman, just as her friend had said:

“A woman’s most valuable assets are her youth and her virginity. Once that’s gone, your value plummets. Although you can spend a fortune to maintain your youth, can you guarantee that your rich benefactor will always love you?”

“People always crave novelty, creatures driven by desire… Absence makes the heart grow fonder? Hah! True love is no match for a bull.”

Mines couldn’t refute it, even agreeing.

She only knew the excruciating pain of changing her bandages at night, the injustice of society towards those at the bottom.

She mourned for her friend, praying for her future.

…

“You’re dressed so finely, you must be a wealthy ‘Master’… I won the match, I’ve proven my ability to protect you…”

Mines embraced Lena, whispering,

“I’m clean, Master…”

Fragile yet resilient, Mines had single-handedly supported twelve children, yet now she was like a prostitute selling herself for her family, using her remaining dignity to exchange for hope.

“You want me to take you away? Why?”

Lena’s gaze was fixed on Mines.

She wasn’t so foolish as to be overcome with compassion, taking in every wounded bird she saw. She was fundamentally different from Angel and Mines.

“I need a reason.”

“You came alone, Master… cough, cough… I didn’t see any guards…” Mines’s voice was weak, as if she might collapse at any moment, her coughs wracking her body, an unnatural flush on her pale cheeks.

Lena frowned, handing her a lavender-scented handkerchief. “I usually don’t like people following me, so I don’t have guards.”

“Thank you.” Mines clutched the handkerchief, her eyes downcast, evoking pity. “Your strength is undeniable, Master, but sometimes, concealing one’s abilities is more valuable. And for that, you need someone to do the dirty work, the dangerous work, the tiring work…”

As an unregistered citizen, Mines couldn’t settle in the First Empire. She had to find a powerful patron before her siblings suffered further.

And the gray-haired beauty before her seemed like a worthy “Master” to offer her first time to. She had learned a bit about Lena from the Imperial Evening News, a young lady with a preference for women, which slightly eased her fear of men.

“Master, look…”

She showed Lena the weapon on her wrist.

“Aren’t you curious how I killed that man?”

Lena’s expression remained unchanged. “What is this?”

“This is a hidden blade, one of the most popular weapons in Cabaliga…” Mines materialized a three-edged blade from magic, placing it in Lena’s hand. “I just used it to kill Mister Taylan, while I was adjusting my clothes.”

Lena examined it carefully. “An imaginative design… what else can you do?”

“Guns.”

Mines answered without hesitation, then realizing her boldness, her voice softened. “I’m quite familiar with magic firearms. Back in the slums, my friend brought me many magic firearm designs. Thanks to her, I can now create and use various magic weapons…”

Gun Kata?

The term flashed through Lena’s mind.

“Yes, Master.” Mines seemed to read her mind, a sickly smile appearing on her face. “Just as you thought, Master, Mines can help you eliminate anyone who poses a threat, silently…”

…

Life slipped through her fingers like sand, taking with it many precious things.

Only Mines understood the delicate click of the trigger, how beautiful it was. She couldn’t hold onto the flowing sand of life, but she could guide its flow.

Killing was as easy as blinking. To protect her family, she would kill anyone, even a god.

 

 

 

Chapter 50: My Name Is…

A slender girl stepped into the arena.

She wore a blood-red evening gown, adorned with flamboyant decorations, looking more like she was attending a picnic than a duel.

Her short black hair was slightly curled, a single, tragically beautiful red spider lily tucked behind her ear. Her dove-like eyes were still and lifeless. Her beautiful face was undoubtedly a gift from the heavens, but at the cost of a frail body.

She was incredibly thin…

Malnutrition had resulted in a pale complexion, her emaciated frame seemingly ready to be blown away by a gust of wind.

She was like a dove with broken wings, circling and falling within the arena, pure and beautiful, helpless and pitiful…

And her opponent was Taylan, the undefeated champion with 311 consecutive victories.

Taylan showed no mercy to challengers.

“Fight, embrace the ultimate pain, and die with glory.”

Taylan extended his hand, his thick, bandaged fingers slowly tapping his chest.

This was the gesture he made before every deathmatch, and even facing such a frail girl, he still showed her the warrior’s highest honor—respect.

“Will my death please Master?”

The black-haired girl adjusted the black suit jacket that was slipping off her shoulders, revealing the blood-red dress beneath. Her slender, bare legs were exposed to the dust and grit of the arena, fragile and vulnerable.

Her voice was soft, just like her 1.6-meter stature compared to Taylan’s 2.4 meters.

Lena could easily lift her with one hand, snapping her slender leg with a slight squeeze…

“What do you think her chances are?”

“Asking me?”

Jonathan was dumbfounded.

Weren’t the odds obvious? How could a novice girl defeat a seasoned veteran with over three hundred consecutive victories?

From the beginning, the odds were overwhelmingly in Taylan’s favor. No one believed the challenger could win.

But he only dared to think these words. Jonathan could see how much attention Lena was paying to the girl, so he asked cautiously, “Do you know her?”

If she was an acquaintance, or even a lover, and Taylan accidentally killed her, their entire arena would be in trouble.

Fortunately, Lena shrugged indifferently. “I don’t know her.”

Indeed, she didn’t. Lena didn’t have the habit of remembering every face, and she had no impression of this fledgling dove who had wandered into the arena.

“Personally, I don’t think she can win.”

Jonathan stated the obvious.

He was incredibly nervous making this judgment.

It meant the arena would disregard Lena’s identity and proceed with the match fairly.

Lena smiled, sinking into the leather sofa. “I agree, but let’s watch. There might be a surprise.”

Clang—

The bell rang, and the game began.

Taylan didn’t attack, but instead stood still, waiting.

He stood there, firm as a mountain, motionless.

One minute passed…

Two minutes passed…

The gamblers in the stands grew restless. They wanted to see a real fight between men, a clash of blood and passion. Could someone tell them how this little chick had gotten in here?!

Drink containers rained down into the arena.

The gamblers vented their frustration, more and more joining the protest, the situation spiraling out of control…

Jonathan seemed to realize something, staring at the two figures in the arena in disbelief. “She…”

“He’s dead,” Lena answered for him.

Yes, Taylan was dead, a small hole the size of a fingernail in his heart, and no one had seen when it happened…

In the blink of an eye, the man was still standing, his finger still pointing at his left chest, performing his unfinished ritual.

“How did she do that?!” Jonathan exclaimed.

“I think it must be some special weapon, hidden in her skirt, her hair, her suit pocket, or even inside her body. You know the Frontier Outpost specializes in small, concealed, high-powered magic weapons. Achieving a surprise attack isn’t difficult…”

Lena was also curious about the girl. She wanted to know how she had managed to instantly kill a high-level champion.

Besides the hero, no one could achieve such a feat. Could it be…

She was hiding her strength?

“If possible, I’d like to meet her,” Lena said.

“The arena always keeps the challengers’ identities confidential, I’m afraid…” Jonathan feigned difficulty.

“In that case, I’ll just take back my initial investment. As for this bet, consider it a gift, Mister Jonathan. Is that acceptable?”

Lena offered a deal Jonathan couldn’t refuse.

A force compelled Lena to find this girl. It was important. If she let her escape, she would definitely regret it…

…

The game ended.

Lena met the girl in the blood-red evening gown backstage. She was truly thin, like a stick figure, her malnourished appearance suggesting a possibly congenital condition.

“Hello, my name is Lena.”

“Greetings, Master, how can I help you…?”

Her voice was soft and carried a regional accent, as if she had to strain to speak louder.

“Have I offended you, Master? I’ll leave immediately…”

She addressed Lena as “Master,” likely a regional custom.

Lena didn’t know her nationality, but she wasn’t from Almeria.

Lena suddenly remembered that Ling Ling had also wanted to call her Master. Could there be a connection between them?

Ah!

Ling Ling’s homeland!!

Lena excitedly grabbed the girl’s hand, her eyes scrutinizing. “What’s your name, where do you live, why did you participate in the arena, how did you manage to kill him with one blow…?”

Countless questions poured out.

Her abrupt actions made the girl even paler, a faint, unhealthy blush appearing on her cheeks.

“Master, your hand…”

“I’m sorry, this news is too important to me, I couldn’t control my excitement, please forgive me.” Lena released the girl’s hand, apologizing.

She softened her tone, afraid of scaring this fledgling dove.

“My name is Mines, Master…” The girl wasn’t intimidated by Lena’s status, answering honestly.

“Mines.”

Lena repeated the familiar name, unable to recall who it was.

Her memories were too distant; she only remembered people relevant to her, or those involved in major events.

“My home… is gone… Because my younger siblings need money, I had no choice but to… Master, have I committed a crime?”

Mines’s bloodshot eyes trembled, her voice filled with pleading.

She knew she couldn’t be caught by the imperial soldiers. Her younger siblings were still young and needed her care. The person before her, although possibly having ulterior motives, might be able to help her improve her current situation.

Weighing the pros and cons, Mines took a gamble.

“Master, please look…”

The girl with short, curly black hair walked unsteadily, removing her suit jacket.

Her back was covered in reddish-brown scars, her small body emaciated from long-term hunger, her slightly protruding shoulder blades like a pair of invisible wings, moving rhythmically with her arms…

“Master, given your noble status, can you please prevent the soldiers from arresting me?”

In the empty hallway, the scantily clad girl embraced the gray-haired woman, her arms gently wrapping around Lena’s waist, her fingers carefully avoiding Lena’s clothes.

“I’ll do anything, including what you desire the most…”

She whispered softly.

Chapter 49: Did She Used to Be This Brave?

In a world driven by material desires, only the struggle between people remained pure.

Then there was the spectacle of women pulling each other’s hair, and men comparing sizes…

Wherever there were people, there were comparisons, and comparisons often led to conflict.

Calling each other “brothers” and “sisters” one moment, then wishing death upon each other’s families the next.

Compared to the deceitful human world, the physical clashes in the arena were much more direct, much more pure.

Lena sipped her ten-copper-coin iced drink, watching the reigning champion in the arena with an indifferent gaze.

She knew who owned this arena. Without the empire’s tacit approval, it couldn’t possibly operate so openly.

That’s right.

The existence of the Fran Black Market was a manifestation of the Empress’s will.

The empire needed a lawless place, free from social norms, to cater to the extravagant desires of the wealthy and powerful.

What to do with all that excess money?

Spend it in the black market, guaranteed to enter dressed to the nines and leave with nothing but your bare skin.

Tired of your old wife?

Choose a new slave from the black market, all sorts of exotic races available, stockings, fishnets, there was always something to satisfy your desires.

In short, the Fran Black Market was indeed operated by the empire. And the arena manager, upon learning of Lena’s arrival, was on high alert, ordering his staff to ensure Lena won this match.

“But the odds are one to one thousand, how can we afford that…?”

The rabbit-masked man trembled, kneeling on the ground, his hands covering his head, his speech slurred. “If I had known the young lady of the Falmouth family was coming, I wouldn’t have dared approach her. This jinx, of all places, she had to come here. We’re doomed! We’re going to lose a fortune!”

“Shut up! It’s not over yet!!”

A man emerged from the shadows. Jonathan Trelawney grabbed the rabbit man by the collar, his rank four Butcher profession allowing him to crush the man’s head like a watermelon.

He roared in his deep, violent voice, “So what if we let her win?! The Imperial Princess will compensate us!”

The news of Lena’s advancement to rank six had spread like wildfire, reaching even the imperial higher-ups.

Pressure came from above, forbidding any offense against this sixth-rank Necromancer, even offering an olive branch and a hefty reward.

Although these were the orders, it put him, the newly appointed arena manager, in a difficult position.

His superiors’ words were his command.

The arena was already short on funds, and its assets couldn’t be touched. It seemed he would have to use his own money to avert this disaster.

The only good news was that his direct superior was the Imperial Princess. If he reported truthfully, he might be reimbursed for some of the losses.

“How much did she bet…”

Jonathan took a deep breath, sighing. “If it’s just a small amount, we can still handle it…”

The rabbit man stood up, trembling, and held up five fingers.

“Fifty?” Jonathan asked.

The rabbit man shook his head, holding up his other hand, fingers spread.

“One hundred?”

“…”

“Don’t tell me it’s a thousand gold coins.”

Jonathan’s eyes widened, his voice losing its composure.

A thousand gold coins multiplied by a thousand, that was a million!

Deliberate, it was definitely deliberate!

Jonathan was furious, but he didn’t forget to think.

This wasn’t a coincidence.

She must have a hidden motive. What should he do? Was there a foolproof plan? He couldn’t let her win all that money, nor could he offend her…

“Boss…”

“What! Can’t you see I’m angry?!”

“To be precise… it’s one thousand four hundred and eighty-seven… I gave her a gold coupon worth one hundred… I thought she was a newbie, a whale…” The rabbit man dropped another bombshell, closing his eyes tightly, waiting for the storm.

Damn it…

He had just taken over the arena, and now this hot potato had landed in his lap. He couldn’t offend either side, and the brunt of the anger would fall on him. He was doomed…

The rabbit man had already decided what to be reincarnated as in his next life.

“Bandit! She’s here to rob us!!”

The enraged, six-foot-three giant of a man slammed his fist onto the floor, shattering the tiles beneath the rabbit man’s feet.

With a loud crash, the VIP section on the second floor collapsed, dust flying everywhere.

Jonathan jumped down from above, his fierce eyes searching through the dust, finally locking onto the gray figure. He strode towards Lena, his thick finger pointing at her. “You…!”

“Me?” Lena tilted her head.

“You! You!”

Pointing at Lena, Jonathan suddenly deflated like a punctured balloon, his anger vanishing, replaced by a stiff, flattering smile. “Have… have you eaten yet… ahahaha, Rabbit! Where are the fruits, snacks, and drinks?! A distinguished guest has arrived, and you didn’t even inform me, have you no manners?!”

Endure! A true man must be able to bend and stretch!

He would leave this problem to the Imperial Princess; this was a sacrifice for the empire, and the princess would surely understand.

“Miss Lena, this way please.”

Jonathan’s swift transformation from manager to lackey shocked even Lena, making her look at him with newfound respect.

He was a capable person, but that was all.

“Move aside, move aside! Rabbit! Where are Miss Lena’s refreshments?!”

Jonathan pushed aside the gamblers, calling for the rabbit man while announcing Lena’s name as if she were a descending deity.

This had many benefits. Jonathan, having climbed his way up from the bottom, was a master of opportunism.

“Miss Lena’s presence here can’t be just for casual gambling, right?”

He probed, mentioning Princess Diana’s name. “I heard Her Highness is about to enroll, and she’s a classmate of yours…”

“So what?”

Lena glanced at him sideways.

The bull-like man instantly fell silent, cold sweat dripping from his forehead, forgetting to breathe.

The pressure was immense, as if he were an ant at the foot of an insurmountable mountain, facing a towering storm. He could only curl up, minimizing his resistance.

“Since you’re a classmate of Her Highness, then you’re also a friend of mine, Jonathan. Today’s expenses are all on me, how about that…”

Jonathan hinted, rubbing his rough hands together like a fat, green fly.

“Mister Jonathan.” Lena interrupted, her voice light and airy. “I have a bad habit of being drawn to exciting things, like your arena… I personally think it’s a very worthwhile investment, don’t you agree?”

“So, you mean…?”

Jonathan was unsure.

What? Lena wanted to invest in him?

The young lady representing the Falmouth family wanted to go against the Imperial Family?

Didn’t she know the arena was Princess Diana’s property? Poaching like this, did she used to be this brave?

Uh… it seemed she actually was.

Lena’s reputation preceded her; who in the empire didn’t know her name?

Even Jonathan, a former mercenary, had heard of this “human bulldozer” with a preference for women. But this was too audacious. Jonathan couldn’t agree, he didn’t have the authority.

He would have to refuse her, politely.

Jonathan opened his mouth.

Lena’s gaze was fixed on the arena below. “The game has begun, Jonathan. Who do you think will win?”

…

Chapter 48: A Whale Has Arrived

Just standing outside, the roars and deafening shouts were enough to make one’s scalp tingle. Now, inside the ruins, the sound was like thunder, almost knocking one off their feet.

Bloody scenes played out repeatedly, the gamblers in the stands clutching their money bags, until finally…

“Yes!!! I won, I won!!! Hahahahaha!!!”

A crazed gambler excitedly jumped up, tripped, and fell into the arena, his leg immediately seized by a Rotting Troll, its teeth tearing through flesh and bone.

“Aaaaaah! Help me! Help…”

A sickening ripping sound echoed through the arena, followed by the gambler’s lower body disappearing into the troll’s stomach. The troll’s powerful regenerative abilities quickly healed its wounds, and moments later, it left the arena with the challenger.

The bet was settled, the winner decided, no need for a fight to the death.

No one cared about the foolish gambler’s demise.

The winners, those who had bet on the troll, were still lost in their euphoria, who would care about an insignificant death?

Some were heavily in debt, some were perpetually unlucky, and others had been lured by the promise of quick money, only to become trapped in the gambler’s dilemma.

Simply betting for the sake of winning, for the thrill of victory.

The arena was filled with such people, but Lena was the exception.

“Miss, the next match is about to begin. Care to place a bet?”

A staff member wearing a rabbit mask pushed a cart past Lena. Instead of food, the cart held stacks of gold bars.

“On the left is Taylan, a recent champion and the current defender. I recommend betting on him. Although the payout is smaller, it’s still a win. Perfect for a noble and beautiful lady like yourself to test the waters. After all, it’s a game, and everyone wants to win, no one wants to lose everything, right?”

The rabbit-masked man spoke smoothly, recognizing Lena’s noble aura, clearly a wealthy young lady here for amusement.

Such whales were to be treated with special care…

Rich and ambitious, believing themselves clever, but easily swayed with a little persuasion, they were the biggest spenders among gamblers.

The rabbit man rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming. “What do you say, Miss? A small bet is no big deal, it’s just for fun. Even if you lose, it’s just like feeding the coins to a dog, nothing to worry about… And if you win, it shows your good judgment, right?”

“Makes sense.”

Lena nodded, casually flipping through the challenger’s information for the next match.

The rabbit man smiled, thinking he had hooked a big fish. “So, how much would you like to bet, Miss? One hundred gold coins? I suggest starting with a small amount…”

If she bet big and lost, it might scare her away.

There were many such people, overconfident, then unwilling to continue after a painful loss, a classic example of turning back from the brink.

Playing the long game was the mark of a seasoned angler.

The rabbit man urged, “Have you decided, Miss? The game is about to begin.”

“Mm, I’ll bet on her,” Lena said, pointing to the right side of the table.

“What?”

The rabbit man followed Lena’s finger, his expression turning serious. It was the challenger.

“Is there a problem?” Lena asked calmly. “I prefer a challenge. She suits my taste, both in appearance and odds. I believe it will be an exciting match.”

“If you insist, Miss, I won’t object.”

The rabbit man maintained a polite facade, but inwardly, he was cursing Lena’s entire family.

Greed would be her downfall. Such people were easily fooled, but also quick to learn from their mistakes.

Seeing the big fish about to escape, the rabbit man grew anxious, determined to let Lena win a round.

Only after tasting victory could one become addicted to the thrill of gambling.

Win first, then lose, lose again and again, then become addicted, forgetting the initial intention of stopping after breaking even, borrowing money, placing all hope on the arena.

One might get lucky and win, even recoup all losses, but by then, one would have become a true gambler, unable to escape the vicious cycle, ultimately losing everything in a final, all-in bet…

This was a daily occurrence in the arena, the foundation of its operation.

The principle was simple, and many understood it, but why did people still fall for it, still gamble away everything? That was the question…

The rabbit man was confident. “How about this, Miss, as a welcome gift for newcomers, I’ll give you a complimentary gold coupon worth one hundred, which you can use to bet on either side.”

One gold coupon was equal to one hundred silver coins, which could be converted to gold coins accordingly.

The rabbit man’s intention was to let Lena play both sides, to keep her entertained.

A fish needed constant bait to stay hooked. To ensure Lena wouldn’t swim away, the rabbit man had even resorted to giving her a gold coupon.

This should work…

Wait! What are you doing?!

As if sensing the rabbit man’s gaze, Lena paused, her hand holding the gold coupon. “I want to bet on her…”

“One to one thousand, you dare bet everything at those odds?!”

That was… a hundred gold coins!

Lena was throwing it away like it was nothing?

The rabbit man was shocked and wanted to dissuade her, but then something even more terrifying happened…

“No way, wait a minute!”

“Hmm?”

Lena tossed her money bag onto the cart. Judging by its size, it contained at least a thousand gold coins.

“A total of one thousand four hundred and eighty-seven gold coins. I just brought this much for fun.”

For fun? Who brings over a thousand gold coins for fun?!

What kind of deity was this, paving the way with gold?

His own salary was only ten gold coins a month, considered high among the staff, yet this rich young lady casually took out an unimaginable amount of wealth.

This was beyond his pay grade.

The rabbit man suddenly realized that this beautiful woman with gray hair wasn’t someone he could handle, so he excused himself and decided to report to the arena manager.

He discreetly signaled towards the corner of the arena:

Whale alert!

Send help!!

Chapter 47: I’ll Teach You a Lesson!

In Lena’s memory, Diana—flaunting her noble status—would often force her into “games,” the kind only adults played.

Calling it “learning,” they ripped several bedsheets and ruined countless stockings, enough to pile up over their heads.

But Diana always denied her uncontrollable squirting, putting on new stockings and demanding another round, only to be rejected by Lena with the excuse of being tired, rescheduling for another day…

Besides her private life, Diana also liked to pester Lena with endless questions, all sorts of topics eventually circling back to romance, like a clueless idiot obsessed with love.

Lena suspected the little girl had a crush.

At first, Lena would nod and agree, but later, annoyed, she simply ignored Diana. Diana would then find other ways to get her attention.

For example, emptying Lena’s magic books and stuffing them with three-legged, gold-plated toads, rare even in the black market, then laughing at Lena’s fright when she threw the book, calling her a weakling, her small hand covering her giggling mouth, her mischievous nature on full display.

Was Lena angry?

Not really.

Back then, Lena wasn’t the Lena of now. She was still cautious, afraid of causing trouble, of angering Diana and alerting the imperial higher-ups backing her, so she repeatedly gave in.

However, Diana was the type to take an inch and ask for a mile.

Lena’s constant concessions only fueled Diana’s arrogance, making her bullying even more relentless.

Sometimes, Lena barely had time to rest before being dragged away by the haughty little princess for another round of teasing. Afterward, Lena had to feign anger to amuse Diana; it had become an unavoidable routine.

At the time, Lena thought that pleasing Diana meant gaining the favor of the empire, unaware that her submissive attitude only invited Diana’s ridicule, trapping her in an endless cycle.

So, Lena didn’t really hate Diana. How could she hate a slightly mischievous little girl?

At most, she would give her a spanking and a lecture, and that would be the end of it.

But after the Falmouth family’s downfall, when Ling Ling helped her escape, the magic traces they discovered all pointed to the ill-tempered princess.

Like a clingy ex-wife resorting to any means to salvage a broken relationship, Diana’s actions had crossed Lena’s bottom line.

When pushed to the limit, there was no holding back.

Surrounded by pursuers once more, Lena finally snapped, asking, “Was this Princess Diana’s doing?”

Upon receiving confirmation, she ruthlessly slaughtered the imperial soldiers, leaving only one alive to deliver a message.

‘If she ever rose to power again, she would teach this ignorant little devil a lesson!

What goes around comes around, she would definitely strangle her.’

Her original words were more or less like this, slightly embellished, but the general meaning was accurate.

In short, she was furious, so furious that she wanted to strangle someone for the first time, so furious that she regained her senses.

In a way, Diana had actually helped Lena.

After all, at the time, Lena was still lost in grief and self-doubt after her family’s destruction, living each day in a daze, without any sense of self.

But Diana’s provocation had snapped Lena out of it, her anger fueling her, cursing Diana for being ungrateful, a wolf she couldn’t tame.

The news reached the empire a week later.

Diana disappeared.

But the number of pursuers didn’t decrease, but instead increased.

Lena thought her words had angered the little princess, that the little devil had cried to the Empress and requested more soldiers. But there were no traces of Diana’s magic among the pursuers, which was strange.

She could only pack her bags and continue fleeing.

With Ling Ling, embarking on their endless journey.

Lena felt that Diana’s obstruction was no longer important. Her heart felt empty, a mixture of loneliness and relief, as if they had severed ties, becoming strangers.

After Ling Ling’s death and Lena’s exile to the Bis Wasteland, she never saw Diana again.

The purple figure who had relentlessly called her a weakling seemed to have vanished from her life forever, along with Lena’s soul, sold to the demons, and Ling Ling’s existence.

Grey Robe, her gray hair flowing, traveled across various continents for ten years, only learning one piece of news.

Diana von Tepes was dead, dead in her boudoir, by her own hand, two tear stains on her face.

Diana’s death coincided with the third year of the Almeria Empire’s civil war. Factions clashed, famine and plague ravaged the empire, its power rapidly declining.

Lena didn’t know if this was the reason why Diana chose to end her life.

But Lena suspected Diana’s suicide was due to an arranged marriage. After all, as an imperial princess with no right to the throne, death was her only way to defy the Empress. Unfortunately, that bitch only cared about her power, her daughter’s fate predetermined at birth.

The empire’s civil war was precisely a struggle for power. The princess’s faction wasn’t weak, but lacked crucial fighting power, unable to withstand the empire’s faction, which had the hero. And with Diana’s death, their leader gone, they were gradually absorbed by the empire, becoming a grain of sand in the Ganges, dust in the annals of history.

Hmm, summarizing Diana’s life, it seemed quite tragic, but paled in comparison to Lena’s.

And Lena didn’t think these experiences could move her, unless, like Angel, someone could pierce through her heart. But Lena believed the same trick wouldn’t work twice; Angel had simply been lucky.

Diana von Tepes, this name wouldn’t be crossed off her list just yet.

Lena would personally crush this arrogant little devil, watching her haughty expression crumble into submission before turning her into a cream puff!

Little brat! She would teach her a lesson!

…

Pushing aside her distracting thoughts, Lena arrived at the heart of the Fran Black Market.

Before her stood the ruins of an old arena, its weathered appearance not hindering its operation, remnants of its former glory still visible. The tall, crumbling walls blocked most of the sunlight, casting a dark and desolate shadow over Lena.

A man in a black robe stood at the entrance, selling tickets, a gold-swallowing dragon hovering above his head. He waved the tickets, the dragon devouring the money from his pocket. “One silver coin for a ticket, now only fifty copper coins! Half-price! First come, first served!”

“Give me one!”

“Me too! I’ll definitely win this time!!”

Gamblers surged forward, a fervent glint in their shadowed eyes.

Amidst the crowd, Lena bought a ticket, then spent two more silver coins to cut the line, finally entering the arena…

Chapter 46: Little Devil

Acting on impulse, following her whims. Lena had always been selfish. Her altruism had been exhausted in her past life, leaving only dark desires to fester in this one. She needed the nourishment of beautiful girls, their expressions of pleasure amidst despair, to find satisfaction.

So, she grabbed Alice’s full breast, lingering for three seconds, as if mentally scoring it.

“Bribing the examiner mid-exam is cheating! You must be punished severely!!”

With that, her other hand snaked around Emma’s waist, capturing her other breast, eliciting a soft moan as Emma melted against Lena.

Both of them were rising stars in Lena’s past life.

Yet now, the two most formidable members of the Crimson Nunnery were blushing, their eyes filled with desire, nestled against each other, allowing Lena’s hands to roam freely over their sensitive spots, their moans filling the air.

The advantage of rebirth allowed Lena to easily subdue these two nuns, grooming them to become her left and right hands, managing her external and internal affairs. Even if she died unexpectedly, the Falmouths could rise again.

Lena had already decided to establish an organization that worked solely for her.

Similar to Princess Diana’s Eye of the Empire, or the Empress’s Imperial Guard, Lena wanted to recruit talents from all over the world, expanding the Falmouth’s ranks, then organizing them under her direct control, assigning them secret missions…

Although the idea was simple, the execution would be difficult.

But she had time to prepare, starting with choosing a name for the organization, then testing these three before her, a trial run to identify and address any issues…

“Ahh~”

Emma suddenly cried out in pain, her body trembling.

Lena looked down and saw Emma, her eyes wide, arching her back like a shrimp, her legs trembling, unable to support her weight, soft moans escaping her lips.

Seriously?

Lena was dumbfounded. Just touching could be so pleasurable?

She stared at her own fingers.

Her long, slender fingers, slightly bent, seemed to be imbued with the magic of a famous Japanese male artist, becoming a nightmare for women.

And indeed, it was true.

Emma was incredibly sensitive, easily aroused.

Usually, she wore the thick nun’s uniform, concealing her skin, so almost no one knew how voluptuous her figure was. But today, due to various factors, she was forced to offer herself to please Lena, her sensitive body overwhelmed by the stimulation, resulting in an intense reaction.

Alice’s reaction was similar.

Ultimately, they were too young, no match for the experienced Lena.

“Ahem… I’ll allow you two to recover. After all, I’m not a devil.”

Lena said awkwardly, feeling slightly embarrassed.

She had accidentally gotten their panties wet, she couldn’t have them take the test in that state…

Although Alice was quite scheming, as long as the giant’s shoulders were broad enough, they would choose the right path.

So, Lena just had to avoid losing her composure or revealing her inadequacies as a leader.

Alice and Emma desired a safe haven, and Lena would create the paradise they envisioned, making them follow her wholeheartedly.

“It’s noon now. I’ll inspect the results in three hours. Don’t disappoint me.”

After stating the rules, Lena walked past the two nuns and approached Caramy.

Caramy’s face was filled with tension.

After being taught a lesson by Lena, he had become much more reserved, even quitting his bad habits like gambling and drug use.

Everyone thought he had gone crazy, turned over a new leaf, but only Caramy knew the real reason…

“How does it feel to be unburdened?”

Lena asked, observing him with amusement.

“I heard your reputation has improved. Hmm, commendable perseverance, worthy of praise.”

Hearing a villain praising a villain, Caramy didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “My friends almost thought I was possessed. They wanted to take me to the church for a soul cleansing ritual. Fortunately, Owen stopped them, or I would have become a holy martyr…”

Thinking of those fanatics wrapped in white cloth, Caramy shuddered.

He didn’t want to become something neither human nor ghost. At least with Lena, he could keep his whole body. With the Holy Inquisition, they would probably squeeze every last drop of nutrition from his bones…

Wait, thinking about it, Lena was almost the same!

Just as ruthless, even more so. How could he have forgotten Lena’s laughter while torturing him?!

He was scared.

Caramy wanted to go home and cry to his mother, but Lena’s sharp gaze was fixed on him, as if ready to flay him alive, crushing him inch by inch, starting from his toes…

Damn it, he should have listened to his superficial friend Owen, not Lena’s lies!

Although reluctant, Caramy accepted reality, sitting up straight, his expression serious. “Your Excellency, please rest assured, from today onwards, I will be loyal to you and dedicate my heart to the Falmouths!”

“Oh.”

Lena replied nonchalantly, looking away.

As long as a person wasn’t hopelessly stupid, they could recognize the situation.

Lena was worried that Caramy would betray her after joining Princess Diana’s faction, so she had issued a warning, reminding him of the blade hanging over his head.

“The Imperial Princess is still young, yet she’s enrolling early, most likely in preparation for the hero’s transfer in three months.”

A plump little lamb, exposed to the public eye too early. Lena figured it could only be to get close to the hero.

“The welcome ball… hmph, it’s probably just a charade by Princess Diana to build her image.”

Lena knew the Imperial Flower’s tricks all too well. If it weren’t for Diana’s schemes in her past life, she and Ling Ling wouldn’t have had to flee so desperately, constantly escaping death and being pursued by imperial soldiers, ultimately losing everything she cherished.

In terms of hatred, Diana ranked high on Lena’s list, second only to the hero and the Empress…

“Just thinking about that little devil’s laughter makes me want to strip her naked and strangle her.”

Yes.

Diana von Tepes was a true little devil.

Incredibly cunning, her favorite pastime was to startle you, then watch you panic and call you a weakling.

Although it sounded morally reprehensible, that’s exactly what Diana was like as a child.

As she grew older, the little devil transformed into a little fairy, her cloying green tea act making Lena dizzy…