Category: The Grotesque Miss’s End Story

Chapter Forty-Two: Shadows in the Firelight, Exchanging Tokens of Affection p1

“……”

The fire crackled in the hearth, the only sound in the otherwise still and silent cabin, a small comfort against the encroaching darkness.

The elderly man, shrouded in an air of weariness, sat hunched before the fire, the flickering flames casting long shadows across the wrinkles on his face.

He silently gazed at a photograph in his hand, a picture of a sullen, black-haired girl with a cold, expressionless face.

Her most striking features were her dark golden eyes and the faint blue-black scales on her temples, setting her apart from ordinary humans.

“Luo Ling…”

The old man’s voice was raspy and weak, like a broken wind instrument, each sigh carrying the weight of approaching death.

“Yes, that’s her.”

A grey shadow beside him spoke.

The shadow was completely enveloped in darkness, impervious even to the firelight, like an impenetrable fog, its form and features indiscernible.

It seemed to exist outside the mortal realm, merely a projection cast upon reality.

“I didn’t expect things to turn out this way.”

The wrinkles on the old man’s face softened as he smiled, a hint of joy in his voice. “The Company, and the directors… I didn’t expect you to lose the game either.”

The existence of a Grotesquery capable of annihilating Boundaries, such a shocking truth, had finally been confirmed. Compared to this reality, a mere failed ascension was insignificant.

The Taboo disaster that had forced the Company to sacrifice lives was indeed related to the Harbingers of Calamity, but not entirely their doing. The Company also played a part.

The Harbingers had attempted to use this Taboo disaster to create their fourth Authority wielder, similar to their previous three, and Artist had been their chosen candidate.

Unfortunately, the Company’s intervention had been timely, not only containing the Taboo disaster but also interrupting Artist’s ascension.

Even worse, Artist had suffered irreversible injuries, requiring special means to sustain his life—this was why Luo Ling, using her Puppet Ballad vision, had seen him as a fragmented being.

Thus, Artist had lost all hope of wielding an Authority.

Therefore…

Within the Harbingers, Scientist was more valuable than Artist. This was one of the reasons Artist had chosen to stay behind on the train.

Artist had no hope of wielding an Authority, while Scientist still had a chance, a significant one… That’s why Philosopher had risked using his avatar to rescue Scientist in Jiangcheng County.

But the subsequent events had defied all expectations, resulting in the deaths of both Artist and Scientist in Jiangcheng County.

Artist’s failed ascension had rendered the Harbingers’ previous efforts and sacrifices meaningless, not only leaving him permanently injured but also costing them over seventy percent of their members.

Even Educator and Philosopher had been injured, their wounds still unhealed.

The Company, however, had seized control of Victoria, eliminating the Harbingers’ influence, the Order-side forces completely suppressing the Grotesque side, forcing the Harbingers into dormancy, until now.

Therefore, the Harbingers considered this plan a complete failure, despite the heavy losses suffered by the Company and the Order-side forces.

But now… this past failure seemed to offer a new opportunity.

“Philosopher, do you want to target her?”

The shadow spoke, its voice distorted, genderless, devoid of emotion. “She’s hiding many secrets and likely knows more about this Grotesquery.”

“Why would we target her?” Philosopher looked up, his wrinkled face creased with a smile. “Don’t you think she and this Grotesquery… might be connected?”

“What kind of connection?”

“Like an Apostle, for example, is that a possibility?” Philosopher asked.

The shadow pondered, the darkness surrounding it swirling slightly. Its cold voice echoed,

“I don’t know. When we met her, she was a completely ordinary person… or rather, she possessed the ability to disguise herself as one. So, besides some vague information, we know nothing about her.”

And since this was the case, Luo Ling’s previous information was essentially useless. Without resorting to forceful methods, the board couldn’t discern her Path or abilities, so they had to give up.

The board didn’t doubt the possibility of her being an Apostle. Luo Ling’s background was clean, and the purpose of this commission was to comfort Fiona.

Judging by her actions, Luo Ling seemed to be on the Company’s side—or at least, on the side of humanity’s Order forces.

“Heh, let’s leave it at that for now, consider it a possibility.”

Philosopher chuckled noncommittally. “There’s no need. That little girl is still useful. Knowing that such a Grotesquery exists is enough for now.”

Stealing Grotesqueries’ Authorities and wielding their power was the Harbingers’ specialty, a method that had caused the Order-side forces endless headaches.

And this Grotesquery, capable of annihilating Boundaries, aligned perfectly with the Harbingers’ ultimate goal of destroying the world.

Philosopher had initially planned to trigger collapses and annihilations through more conventional methods, creating disasters that exceeded the Boundaries’ limits.

This Grotesquery’s appearance was like a new weapon, a new approach. Although they lacked the blueprints and materials, they now had a target.

If they could steal this Grotesquery’s power, Philosopher would only need to trigger a Boundary collapse, a far less demanding condition than before.

Furthermore, the most crucial point.

This Grotesquery aligned with their theory of the Seventh Path, likely related to the owner of the Taboo Slate, the being who created this disordered world.

Closely related to everything the Harbingers sought to end.

“We’re one step closer to victory.”

Philosopher carefully placed Luo Ling’s photo down, then looked up at the shadow, his cloudy gaze deepening. “When the time comes, Historian, which side will you choose? Or rather, where will you stand?”

“…”

The shadow, known as Historian, remained silent.

Its silence was its answer.

The board’s conversation was absolutely confidential. Besides the four participants, no one else knew the details.

Including Secretary Melissa.

She only received the results of the meeting, relayed by the directors. The specifics… were known only to those present.

Even Other Shore path Awakened Ones, even the Speakers’ Four Premonitions, couldn’t access these secrets—the modified imitation Realm of Nothingness wasn’t just a barrier against intruders.

It also blocked all forms of scrying. Only the true power of a Taboo could bypass this restriction, not even the Harbingers’ stolen, incomplete power.

However, despite these restrictions, Historian, the shadow, had relayed the entire conversation to Philosopher.

This… could only mean one thing.

—Historian was one of the three directors.

As Luo Ling had suspected, a Harbinger member had infiltrated the Company’s high ranks.

However, even Luo Ling hadn’t anticipated that this “traitor” would be one of the three directors, one of the leaders controlling the fate of the Order-side forces and the human world.

Even more shocking, the traitor’s true identity within the Harbingers was one of their three Authority-wielding leaders.

This was unbelievable.

“It seems, Historian, it’s not yet time for you to choose. But that’s alright.”

Philosopher sat on the sofa, huddled in his thick coat, seemingly cold. “It reminds me of the past, when we made our first oath in a place like this.”

He looked around nostalgically. It was a bare cabin, with only a fireplace and the sofa he sat on as furniture.

Besides that, there was only a small stool beside the fireplace.

“Unfortunately, it fell apart.”

Historian said slowly, its voice still emotionless.

“Indeed, it fell apart…”

Philosopher sighed. “They’ve been blinded by illusions. The disordered Boundaries offer only a false reprieve. The Company’s actions can’t save anything, only delaying the inevitable.”

Few knew that the Company was originally founded by five people.

This hidden history had been kept secret by the five involved, an absolute secret to this day.

The directors and the Harbingers had once been allies, but now, they were irreconcilable enemies.

“Philosopher, you don’t need to tell me this.” Historian’s voice remained cold. “You know my stance. That’s all.”

“…Just some sentimental thoughts.” Philosopher’s gaze dimmed slightly.

Historian, both a Company director and a Harbinger leader, wasn’t entirely aligned with either side, existing between the two, its path uncertain.

The Company’s three directors vaguely knew that one of them was Historian, the elusive leader of the Harbingers, but they didn’t know who.

And the Harbingers’ leaders, Philosopher and Educator, also didn’t know Historian’s true identity, but they tacitly avoided the topic.

Philosopher didn’t even know if Historian was his younger brother, whom he hadn’t seen in years.

And… Historian didn’t always side with the Harbingers. During the previous Taboo disaster, Historian had sided with the Company, remaining hidden.

Furthermore, Historian had revealed crucial information about the Harbingers’ plan to the Company, including Artist’s ascension ritual. That was why, after resolving the Taboo disaster through the Boundary collapse, the Company had also managed to interrupt Artist’s ascension, dealing a devastating blow to the Harbingers.

“Anything else?” Philosopher asked softly.

“No.”

Historian replied, “The board will continue to engage in formal transactions with Luo Ling. Her position is unique, considered a substitute for Fiona’s deceased daughter by Andromeda, one of the Fate Society’s three constellations. Targeting her directly would have significant repercussions.”

Fiona had already lost a daughter, her grief evident. Losing another “daughter” might push her to the Grotesque side.

If Fiona joined the Harbingers or became a Grotesquery Apostle, given her status within the Fate Society, the consequences for the human world would be devastating.

Not just because of her strength, but also because she possessed valuable information, including some regarding the Company.

This was the reason the directors had opted for a formal invitation instead of forceful methods.

Otherwise, they could have simply taken what they wanted. Why bother buying it, being held hostage by someone?

“Typical of the Company, prioritizing efficiency yet choosing a less direct approach. There must be a reason.”

Philosopher chuckled, then fell silent, staring into the fire, lost in thought.

Historian, seeing this, knew that its part was over.

The grey shadow faded, dissipating like dust, leaving no trace, as if it had never existed, leaving the familiar cabin.

After a long while, Philosopher’s gaze regained some of its focus, though still cloudy.

He stood up shakily, took Luo Ling’s photo, and walked slowly to the other side of the cabin.

Philosopher looked up at the wall, then, without hesitation, hung the photo of the black-haired girl.

The wall was covered in photos.

At the top were the Company’s three directors.

Below them were other important figures of the Order-side forces, including Fiona, one of the Fate Society’s three constellations.

And among them, a small, silver-haired figure.

—The White Witch.

The photo of the black-haired girl was placed at the very bottom, the least important among those he valued.

Philosopher stared at the wall in silence.

Compared to his avatar in Jiangcheng County, he had aged considerably, seemingly over a decade older.

The “price” he had paid was nearing its limit.

The end of everything wasn’t far off.

“Godhood approaches, yet death lingers.”

Philosopher closed his eyes slowly.

“It’s time… It’s time for me to embark on this path of no return.”

……

Chapter Forty-One: Today’s Victor: Not Miss Luo Ling

“…They didn’t try to attack me?”

Luo Ling glanced back at the cabin, muttering to herself as she walked through the darkness.

She pulled several silver-white strands of hair from the nape of her neck, strands of the Puppet Ballad’s fungal threads.

Although she couldn’t use the Puppet Ballad’s abilities in her current state, like the hair she gave Odeletta, she had left these threads with a simple autonomous consciousness on her body.

Normally, these threads were indistinguishable from ordinary hair, but if anyone used an ability on her, the threads could use her second ability, “Implant,” to neutralize it.

Furthermore, Luo Ling had anticipated a soul-searching attempt, preparing a false memory within one of the threads.

Manipulating memories was the Puppet Ballad’s specialty. Even among Grotesqueries, only Taboo-level beings could surpass it in this aspect.

“Unexpected. I thought the Company would resort to underhanded tactics. It was a genuine transaction. I misjudged those directors.

“Or perhaps, they’re wary of me? Heh, regardless… gaining something from them isn’t a loss.”

Luo Ling twirled the fungal threads between her fingers, then tucked them back into her hair.

These threads hadn’t been used, all her own power, not to be wasted. They were worth at least a princess’s friendship.

As for whether the Company directors had considered killing her, Luo Ling hadn’t worried about that.

Firstly, this was a formal invitation, witnessed by many. She was still officially a Company employee.

Killing her under such circumstances would be insane.

Secondly, even if the directors were insane enough to try, their chances of success were practically zero.

Killing a Silent Demise Grotesquery wasn’t easy. Unless Luo Ling willingly pierced her own heart with “Severance” and held it there for a while, she couldn’t die.

Not truly die.

Her sister had allowed Luo Ling to consume her because she knew that was the only way the Puppet Ballad could be truly killed.

After Luo Ling left the imitation Realm of Nothingness, Melissa was waiting for her at the boundary, her unchanging smile seemingly frozen on her face.

But it seemed less fake than before.

“The directors were very satisfied with the meeting, Miss Luo Ling. When would you like to access the vault?” Melissa walked beside Luo Ling, half a step behind, her demeanor more respectful than before.

“There’s no time like the present. Today.” Luo Ling replied.

She didn’t know when she would return to Company headquarters again.

“Certainly, Miss Luo Ling.” Melissa bowed slightly. “It will be delivered to you shortly. You can take your time choosing.”

After the meeting, Melissa had immediately received the results.

She had also confirmed from the directors that Miss Luo Ling hadn’t faked her survival.

She had truly spent a month and a half in the forbidden zone, even obtaining information that the directors coveted.

This was already significant news, not to mention the astonishing level of access the directors had granted her.

So astonishing that… if Miss Luo Ling were a regular employee, not a freelancer, this level of access would have granted her a direct promotion to P6, potentially even P7 or P8 with sufficient strength.

A meteoric rise through the ranks.

“The directors are looking forward to your next visit.” Melissa said softly.

The board had granted Luo Ling unrestricted access to the restricted area. As long as this authorization remained valid, she could visit the directors at any time, bypassing all procedures and approvals.

This was direct access to the highest authority, a privilege even Melissa, the board’s dedicated secretary, didn’t possess. It was hard not to envy her.

“I understand.” Luo Ling simply nodded.

Heh…

The directors knew she was hiding something. Her claimed memory loss was merely an excuse. Some bargaining chips were best saved for the right moment.

However, although beneficial for Luo Ling, this arrangement put the Company and the directors at a disadvantage.

This was why Luo Ling had wondered why they hadn’t simply searched her soul, instead opting for a proper transaction, though even soul-searching wouldn’t have yielded any results.

“Is it because she doesn’t understand the significance of this authorization?” Melissa wondered, looking at Luo Ling’s indifferent expression.

Regardless, she needed to adjust her attitude.

Melissa’s official rank was only P7. Her influence within the Company stemmed from her direct access to the board, even if not in person.

The board rarely granted such access, only a handful of times.

However…

While others saw this as a great honor, Luo Ling understood the truth.

Like the Company, the directors only cared about profits and results, regardless of the methods employed, their actions justified by “justice” and “morality.”

Even the seemingly kind elderly man, his apologies and sadness might be genuine, but faced with a similar choice, his decision wouldn’t change.

Therefore, this wasn’t truly direct access to the highest authority, but merely a continuation of an unfinished transaction, a facade of mutual respect.

Luo Ling even suspected that the board’s public display of valuing her was part of some hidden agenda.

After experiencing all these events, Luo Ling no longer held any naive illusions about the Company. She wouldn’t allow herself, or those close to her, to become “sacrifices.”

“Miss Luo Ling, over here!”

As Luo Ling left the office area, she saw a small red figure jumping up and down, waving at her. A smile appeared on her lips.

“I’m back.”

Hand in hand with Elsa, Luo Ling returned to the reception room. Upon entering, she saw Cen Xiangyun and Lu Manqing with their faces covered in doodles, her expression turning to surprise. “What are you two doing…?”

“Playing cards.”

Cen Xiangyun pointed to the cards on the table. A turtle was drawn on her face, almost complete, the strokes childish and carefree.

“You too…”

Luo Ling looked at Lu Manqing, whose face was adorned with tiger stripes, a bold “王 (king)” character on her forehead, her whiskers still unfinished.

“Same as her.”

Lu Manqing placed her cards face down. “Miss Luo Ling, if you were any later, our masterpieces would have been complete.”

“…”

Luo Ling remained silent for a moment, then asked, “What are you playing?”

“Dou Di Zhu (Fight the Landlord).”

“Dou Di Zhu requires three players. Where’s Miss Eve?” Luo Ling sat down, noticing a deck of cards face down on her seat.

“Her masterpiece is complete, so she withdrew from the game.” Lu Manqing said. “However, Miss Luo Ling, you’re sitting in Elsa’s seat.”

“Oh?”

Luo Ling quickly stood up, Elsa still clinging to her side.

“Hehe, Miss Luo Ling, I’m playing with them too.” Elsa picked up the cards, smiling sheepishly.

“Taking turns? But Elsa, do you even know how to play cards?” Luo Ling pulled up a chair beside Elsa, preparing to offer some guidance.

They had some time before Melissa returned with the vault catalog. Playing cards wouldn’t hurt.

Although Luo Ling hadn’t played much, she knew the basic rules, which was enough.

Before Elsa could answer, the other two exchanged knowing glances.

“I know how to play, a little.”

Elsa scooted closer to Luo Ling. “We switch players after each round, and the loser gets a doodle on their face as punishment.”

So that’s why their faces were covered in doodles.

But…

“Elsa hasn’t lost a single round, not yet.” Cen Xiangyun answered Luo Ling’s unspoken question.

“Hmm?”

Luo Ling looked at Elsa in surprise, who smiled shyly.

“Did you use your ability to cheat?” Luo Ling whispered.

Elsa could use a portion of the Puppet Ballad’s abilities. Although not as proficient as Luo Ling, she could still use her spore vision to peek at the cards.

“Of course not! I would never cheat when playing with everyone.” Elsa pouted. “Miss Luo Ling, do you think I’m that kind of person?”

“Of course not, it’s just… unbelievable.” Luo Ling touched her nose awkwardly.

“Miss Luo Ling, why don’t you try?”

Cen Xiangyun quickly stood up, offering Luo Ling her seat.

She couldn’t take it anymore. Why did Elsa insist on drawing turtles on her face? Eve only got butterflies.

For someone like Cen Xiangyun, who valued her image, the permanent marker doodles were unacceptable. Fortunately, this wasn’t the Boundary where she was a famous actress. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to leave her apartment for days.

“Alright.”

Luo Ling nodded, and Cen Xiangyun, relieved, quickly left the reception room, likely to wash off the doodles.

“No using your abilities!” Elsa warned, knowing Luo Ling could cheat.

“I know.” Luo Ling sat down, picking up Cen Xiangyun’s discarded cards, her expression calm. “Whose turn is it?”

……

“Miss Luo Ling, maybe you should… use your ability?”

Elsa, adding another doodle to Luo Ling’s face, asked cautiously.

Elsa’s face now also had a few doodles—and she hadn’t lost a single round before.

“No!” Luo Ling’s fingers trembled slightly. “This… definitely isn’t my fault.”

What was going on?

Why couldn’t she win a single round…

Even Elsa, who had been invincible, after becoming Luo Ling’s teammate, had fallen victim to Lu Manqing’s merciless doodles.

Unfortunately, she lacked Elsa’s artistic skills, so she just scribbled randomly, turning Elsa’s face into a cat’s.

Meanwhile, Luo Ling’s face resembled a clown’s.

Her card skills and luck were so abysmal that even Elsa was starting to think, “Maybe Miss Luo Ling should cheat.”

“Just one round, I just need to win one round.” Luo Ling took a deep breath, clutching her cards. “I… call landlord!”

“Pass.”

“Pass…”

Elsa hesitated, looking at her own impressive hand.

This meant Miss Luo Ling was about to lose again.

Should she throw the game…? No, she would have to throw it into the ocean for Miss Luo Ling to win.

“Reveal!”

Luo Ling flipped over the landlord cards.

“3 of spades, 4 of hearts, 7 of clubs.”

Luo Ling remained silent, staring at the three cards, then silently picked them up.

Even if Elsa threw the game, Luo Ling probably couldn’t win now.

Let alone Lu Manqing, grinning mischievously, ready to add more doodles to Luo Ling’s face.

After a few rounds, Elsa only had three cards left. Unfortunately, Luo Ling had barely played any.

Elsa noticed that Miss Luo Ling seemed to be sweating slightly.

A knock echoed on the door, followed by Melissa’s voice.

“Miss Luo Ling, may I come in?”

“Yes, come in.”

Luo Ling looked up and discreetly discarded her cards.

“Huh?”

Elsa was stunned, while Lu Manqing snorted.

“You’re cheating, Miss Luo Ling.”

“Business first.”

Luo Ling’s expression returned to its usual calmness, seemingly relieved.

“Tsk.”

Lu Manqing clicked her tongue, putting down her marker.

The door opened, and Melissa entered, holding several stacks of parchment. Seeing their painted faces, she almost jumped back, thinking she had entered the wrong room.

Realizing that the heavily decorated girl was indeed Luo Ling, she suppressed her urge to leave and asked, “Am I interrupting?”

“No,” Luo Ling said calmly. “Thank you for personally delivering this.”

“You’re welcome.”

For some reason, Melissa felt like Luo Ling’s tone was genuinely grateful.

Had she done something special?

Melissa quickly composed herself and said,

“This is the vault catalog. However, it only lists the items available publicly. Some… more sensitive treasures aren’t included.”

She handed the parchment to Luo Ling and continued, “You can choose any item on this list, each costing one access opportunity. Alternatively, you can use one opportunity for a random draw from the vault.

“The items listed here are the more common ones. With a random draw, you might get something even more valuable… or something less valuable. The choice is yours.”

“Does the Company also like gacha games?” Lu Manqing peeked at the parchment curiously.

“Some people prefer surprises.” Melissa smiled faintly.

“Let me take a look.”

Luo Ling took the catalog and began browsing, quickly engrossed.

“Sacred Tool ‘Hawk Eye,’ recommended for Judgment path ability users. Requires the user to remove their own eyeballs and fuse them with a Myriad path method, granting the ability to see thousands of miles away, estimated range: 687 kilometers.”

“Sacred Relic of ‘Earthbound Wraith’ of Nightmare, Grotesquery Sequence 97, recommended for Oneiric path ability users, can be crafted into a mid-to-high-order advancement Sacred Medicine. Sacred Relic is incomplete, not recommended for crafting Sacred Tools, low success rate.”

“…”

Most items were Sacred Tools or Sacred Relics, mostly Dangerous Grotesquery level, with few related to High-Risk Grotesqueries, mostly fragments.

However, among these treasures, Luo Ling saw something unexpected.

“Sacred Relic of ‘Naraku’ of Chaos, Grotesquery Sequence 8, not recommended for redemption.”

“This is…”

Luo Ling pointed at the entry, puzzled.

A Taboo Sacred Relic among a bunch of items below High-Risk Grotesquery level was strange.

Melissa glanced at it and chuckled wryly.

“This… calling it a Sacred Relic is a bit of a stretch. It merely contains a trace of Naraku’s power, but more importantly… it’s difficult to handle.

“Naraku is a Taboo, after all. Even a trace of its power is dangerous. Few pharmacists are willing to craft it into Sacred Medicine. Accidentally touching upon a Taboo’s existence could be worse than death.

“But this trace of power isn’t enough to craft a Sacred Tool, not even a special weapon infused with Grotesquery power. So, it’s been placed here.

“Oh, you should know this. These are actually… the remains of Scientist from the Harbingers of Calamity, who died in Jiangcheng County. Her body was torn apart by the White Witch’s fungal threads, leaving only these weakened spider legs.”

“…I see.”

Luo Ling remembered seeing Scientist’s Sacred Relic in the points redemption catalog earlier, planning to exchange for it after saving enough points. She hadn’t expected this opportunity to present itself so soon.

“I’ll take this.”

Luo Ling closed the catalog and handed it back to Melissa.

“Miss Luo Ling, are you… sure?” Melissa hesitated, frowning slightly. “It clearly states that it’s not recommended…”

The item was genuine, and so was the power it contained.

However… it was unusable.

Using a precious vault access opportunity for an unusable item was a waste, even Melissa couldn’t help but advise against it.

“I’ve made up my mind.”

Luo Ling smiled at Melissa. “Don’t worry, I know what you said… I want to try. What if I can use it? It’s a Taboo within the top ten Sequences, after all.”

“…”

Melissa remained silent for a moment, sighing inwardly.

She was trying to pick up a bargain, wasn’t she?

So young, so arrogant.

A Taboo… wasn’t something anyone could handle. This previously unknown young lady was overconfident, thinking she was the center of the world, capable of anything.

Melissa had seen countless such youngsters.

However, since she had already advised against it, and the girl still insisted, she would let her be. It would be a lesson learned.

Besides, it was best to get rid of this troublesome item. Storing a Sacred Relic also consumed resources. The longer it remained, the greater the loss.

“Alright, Miss Luo Ling, your first choice is Naraku’s Sacred Relic. However, I must warn you, this Sacred Relic is dangerous. It’s best to use it under the supervision of a P8 specialist.” Melissa nodded.

“I know.”

Luo Ling nodded.

She had said that deliberately, creating an impression of arrogance and ignorance, downplaying her interest in Naraku’s Sacred Relic, making it seem like a foolish attempt at a bargain.

“With this Sacred Relic, and the power I gained from devouring the Boundary, I should be able to advance my Naraku form.”

Luo Ling thought, but she was also apprehensive about Naraku’s new ability.

Naraku’s first ability, “Ensnare,” was already incredibly powerful, even dangerous. What terrifying power would the second ability hold?

“And your second opportunity?” Melissa asked.

“…A random draw.”

Luo Ling had already decided. The listed items were useless to her.

“That’s how most employees use their vault access.”

Melissa smiled, handing Luo Ling a crystal-clear orb. “Just infuse it with your Inspiration. The orb will reveal the treasure you’ve drawn. The Company swears on its honor, there’s no manipulation or cheating. It’s completely random.”

The more they emphasized its randomness, the more suspicious it seemed…

In any game, “completely random” always felt like a joke.

“…Alright.”

Luo Ling took the orb, but hesitated.

She recalled her recent luck, losing consecutive rounds of cards despite having only one card left, and those three abysmal landlord cards.

As punishment for her humiliating defeat, her face was still covered in doodles.

“Elsa, why don’t you do it?” Luo Ling handed the orb to Elsa. “You seem to have good luck. You won every round against me.”

Could it be… Miss Luo Ling’s own problem?

Elsa didn’t dare to say it aloud, but she took the orb.

Regardless…

She couldn’t let Miss Luo Ling touch anything that required luck. She was a walking bad luck charm.

Elsa infused the orb with her Inspiration. Moments later, it glowed with multicolored light. Melissa paused, then smiled.

“You’re quite lucky. Although not the grand prize, it’s still a first-place prize.”

“What is it?”

Luo Ling was also curious. Elsa held up the orb, seeing a faint shadow within, seemingly burning with some unseen nightmare.

“Sacred Relic of ‘Core of Fear’ of Nightmare, Grotesquery Sequence 37. Used appropriately, it can effectively suppress most Oneiric and Nightmare abilities.”

Chapter Forty: This Grotesquery Is Me

A Taboo disaster.

These words, coming from the highest authority of the Company, carried significant weight.

For the directors to treat it with such gravity, it couldn’t be just some minor incident involving Apostles or Agents… besides, judging by the situation with the Naraku Godchosen, the existence of true Taboo Apostles was questionable.

This world hadn’t witnessed the true power of a Taboo for a very long time.

At the beginning of the Boundary Disorder that swept across the world, an unknown Taboo had briefly manifested, suspected to be the cause of this world-altering event, whether a disaster or salvation.

But after that, all Taboos had fallen silent, with no further recorded manifestations.

The organization that confirmed the ten Taboos’ dormant state was, unexpectedly, the Harbingers of Calamity. They had learned of this through their own methods and began to tap into the Taboos’ power.

It was rumored that the Harbingers’ high-ranking members used the Taboos’ power to access Authorities, which should only belong to Grotesqueries, but this claim was never confirmed.

“The details of this Taboo disaster aren’t something you can know at your current level.” The young man said. “You only need to know that all sacrifices were absolutely necessary. Any price is worth paying to maintain the foundation of world order.”

Luo Ling remained silent for a moment, then said softly,

“This wasn’t a sacrifice, it was murder.”

Both for the “Hunt” team and the hundred thousand ordinary people who died in the Incubation Barrier disaster.

“Whether sacrifice or murder, the result is the same.” The young man crossed his arms, his voice cold. “We only care about the result.”

“Someone has to make the difficult choices, someone has to be sacrificed. That’s the reality of this cruel world, Miss Luo Ling.”

The woman adjusted her spectacles, her narrow eyes fixed on Luo Ling. “On the scales of order, there must be a price… to maintain balance against the weight of ‘Calamity’.”

“If your loved ones perished in this disaster, I apologize. They were heroes who saved humanity.” The elderly man sighed deeply. “But that’s all I can offer.”

The Company had its reasons. Who would be sacrificed, whether willingly or by force, or even through deception, were all matters of consideration.

A seemingly simple matter, when examined closely, became incredibly complex.

Who should die, who was willing to die, who could die…

Especially when it involved high-order Awakened Ones.

For any organization, including the Company, high-order Awakened Ones were their core fighting force, especially eighth-order Awakened Ones who could access Authorities.

Even a single loss was devastating.

Even if an Awakened One was willing to sacrifice themselves for humanity’s future, their organization might not agree.

Finding suitable “sacrifices” in a short time…

Was incredibly difficult.

Practically impossible.

That was what the young man meant. The Company only cared about the result, whether sacrifice or murder, it didn’t matter. Saving humanity was paramount.

This was when the various factions engaged in their power struggles. Clearly, the Torchbearers had won this time, albeit a pyrrhic victory—as the ninth-order Awakened One, Frick, had also perished under unknown circumstances.

The Fate Society had done similar things. Humanity faced numerous crises, requiring more than one team to be sacrificed.

Linna had known this, accepting her and her teammates’ fate, only asking Luo Ling for revenge.

…Linna hadn’t expected Luo Ling to have such an ability, bringing her back to life in a different form.

“Let’s end this topic, Miss Luo Ling. You’re a smart girl, you’ll understand.”

The woman said slowly, “We summoned you here for one reason, to learn about what you saw and heard in the Realm of Nothingness—it’s very important to us.”

Her tone turned grave. “It even concerns… whether to restart everything, to prevent the next Taboo disaster.”

“This is a transaction. Ask for anything you want.” The young man looked at Luo Ling intently. “As long as you provide valuable information, the Company will do its best to fulfill your request.”

Luo Ling composed herself, regaining her composure.

Setting aside the conspiracy for now, this was a rare opportunity to interact with the Company’s highest authority.

She had come prepared.

“Alright,” Luo Ling nodded slightly. “But I need some context. For example, which Taboo was involved in this ‘Taboo disaster’?”

Could it be related to Naraku?

Seemingly anticipating this question, the directors exchanged glances, and the elderly man said, “We can tell you, but please keep it confidential. No need for an oath, ‘Order’ isn’t absolute. I trust your character.”

Luo Ling could devour the gaze of Order, and the directors also had their methods of avoiding its influence. It wasn’t difficult for beings of their level.

Therefore, they were also immune to the Speakers’ influence.

“Of course.”

Luo Ling nodded. As “Luo Ling,” she would definitely keep it a secret.

But the White Witch and Amethyst weren’t bound by such promises. If the tea party offered the right price…

“Heh.”

The woman smiled mysteriously, her gaze fixed on Luo Ling.

“I’ll tell you. The Taboo involved in this disaster was ‘Guixu’ of Silent Demise, the being of ‘Immortality.’ We can’t reveal the details, as it involves both the Harbingers and us.”

Ultimately, they could trust Luo Ling, but not completely.

Of course, Luo Ling didn’t expect them to reveal everything. Knowing which Taboo was involved was enough.

However, Guixu…

“Artist seemed to have used Guixu’s power on the train.”

Luo Ling’s eyes flickered thoughtfully.

“I know what you’re thinking. Yes, it’s related to Artist of the Harbingers of Calamity, the powerful opponent you encountered. If it weren’t for our intervention, he would have become the Harbingers’ fourth Authority wielder.”

The young man said gravely, “Unfortunately, he died at the hands of an unknown Apostle. We regret not having more details.”

Luo Ling had disappeared after shifting to “Spirit Walker,” considered missing during that period.

It was her Naraku form that had confronted Artist in the train car. Until they escaped the Realm of Nothingness, no one recognized the violet-haired, black-eyed woman as Luo Ling.

Therefore, according to the Company’s records, Artist had died at the hands of an unknown Apostle.

“If that Taboo disaster had occurred, if Guixu had manifested in the present world, millions would have been cursed with ‘immortality,’ forever losing the salvation of ‘death’.” The woman said softly.

“Immortality… isn’t that a good thing?” Luo Ling asked, puzzled.

“You’re mistaken, Miss Luo Ling. It’s one of the most terrifying disasters.” The elderly man said slowly. “Immortality doesn’t mean immunity to injury, illness, pain, decay, or aging.

“The elderly wouldn’t die, the injured wouldn’t heal, the sick would suffer eternally, the decaying would live forever… a world without the release of death, even hell couldn’t compare.”

Luo Ling remained silent, the elderly man’s words painting a horrific picture.

“Alright, we’ve answered your question. Now it’s your turn.” The young man said. “Besides that relic, what else was in that area of the Realm of Nothingness?”

“Nothing,” Luo Ling replied. “Just like any other part of the Realm of Nothingness, only endless void.”

The woman, who had been observing her, exchanged glances with the other two. She confirmed that Luo Ling wasn’t lying.

“Didn’t you encounter anything?” The young man frowned.

The reason the Company had been reluctant to send personnel into that area was simple. This area of the Realm of Nothingness, created by an unknown incident, was suspected to be the work of a Grotesquery.

Entering it carried the risk of death.

Operations in the Realm of Nothingness were already dangerous. Coupled with this unknown factor, the Company wasn’t willing to risk lives for a dead person’s belongings.

When the Boundary collapse occurred as planned, the directors had been closely monitoring the situation. And right before their eyes, the core area, after the collapse, had been annihilated.

Even with their power, the directors hadn’t dared to enter the collapsing Boundary, so they hadn’t seen anything. The only certainty was that… this annihilation wasn’t part of the plan.

The planned scale of the collapse, even multiplied several times, shouldn’t have caused annihilation, let alone localized to just the Incubation Barrier.

Therefore, it must have been external interference.

And at that time, both the Harbingers and the Company were preoccupied with their own conflict, unable to cause a disaster of this magnitude. So, only one possibility remained.

An unknown Grotesquery, capable of influencing Boundaries, had been present within the Incubation Barrier.

The directors’ assessment wasn’t wrong. It was Luo Ling, in her Grotesquery form, who had devoured the unstable Boundary.

“…”

Luo Ling didn’t answer immediately, the directors’ gazes filled with anticipation.

She was considering what information to reveal.

She couldn’t lie. The directors’ willingness to conduct this transaction without an oath wasn’t solely based on trust, or even trust at all.

They had their methods of determining the truth.

“A Grotesquery,” Luo Ling said slowly. “Although I didn’t encounter it, I know it was the one that caused the Boundary annihilation, turning it into the Realm of Nothingness.”

Luo Ling wasn’t lying. She merely omitted a crucial detail.

—The word “I.”

She hadn’t encountered this Grotesquery because this Grotesquery… was “I.”

The directors’ eyes widened in shock.

“Anything… else? Do you know anything else?” The woman’s voice trembled slightly, confirming that Luo Ling’s words were… true.

Although they had suspected it, it was still unbelievable. A Grotesquery capable of influencing Boundaries…

Among the known Taboos, none could directly interfere with Boundaries, at most causing irreversible disasters that triggered this world’s mechanisms, resulting in Boundary annihilation.

Even the most terrifying disasters could be contained if the cause was known.

But…

Directly causing Boundary annihilation?

There was no solution, only waiting for destruction!

The Company’s greatest fear was encountering such a rogue Grotesquery, with no means of counteracting it, only waiting for annihilation.

If the Harbingers obtained this Grotesquery’s power, it would be even worse. They yearned for the annihilation of all Boundaries to initiate their “new world” plan.

Neither scenario was good news for the Company.

“There is…”

Luo Ling paused deliberately, the directors on the edge of their seats.

The impatient young man wanted to curse, but fearing he would anger Luo Ling, he suppressed his frustration, his expression contorted.

After building up the suspense, Luo Ling smiled faintly.

“But that’s another question.”

“You lit—”

The young man’s outburst was cut short as the elderly man waved his hand, the young man’s shadow vanishing.

“Apologies, he has a short temper. Please forgive him, Miss Luo Ling.” The elderly man chuckled. “What do you want? Just tell us.”

“I heard the Company vault has many interesting items…”

Before Luo Ling could finish, the elderly man raised a finger.

“One chance to choose from the vault. If your information is valuable enough, we’ll increase it, no upper limit.”

“…Alright.”

What could Luo Ling say? As expected of the Company directors, they were efficient negotiators.

“This Grotesquery can’t annihilate Boundaries under any circumstances.”

Luo Ling’s first words eased the directors’ minds slightly. As long as it wasn’t unconditional, there was hope.

“Only during a Boundary collapse, when the area is extremely unstable, can it cause annihilation.”

Luo Ling revealed the limitations of her “Devour” ability. She didn’t intend to use it again anyway.

In fact, she wanted to avoid using her Grotesquery transformation, stopping before it caused even more severe consequences.

“In that case…”

The elderly man and the woman exchanged glances, relief evident in their eyes.

This condition was restrictive, but not impossible to fulfill. Even if the Company didn’t deliberately trigger Boundary collapses, other unforeseen disasters could cause Victoria to restart.

Not all seventy-four Boundary collapses were the Company’s doing.

“We must be more cautious in the future.” The elderly man thought silently, then sighed in relief. The mystery that had plagued the Company for years was finally solved.

“Can this information get me more vault access?” Luo Ling blinked.

“…Can it?”

The elderly man turned to the woman.

The woman was the director in charge of the vault.

“Two, no more than that.”

The woman crossed her legs, the firelight obscuring her eyes behind her spectacles. Luo Ling could only vaguely sense her gaze.

“…Alright.”

Luo Ling considered it a reasonable price and didn’t haggle further.

She wasn’t a good negotiator. Her sister had been far more skilled, and even with her sister’s memories, she couldn’t replicate her bargaining prowess.

“Anything else noteworthy?” The elderly man asked.

“I can’t think of anything at the moment,” Luo Ling said. “Perhaps I’ll remember later.”

“Alright, in that case… Miss Luo Ling, feel free to visit us again when you remember.”

The elderly man smiled kindly. “We’re just shadows here, so we won’t see you out. Please close the door behind you.”

Luo Ling stood up, bowing to the two directors.

“Farewell.”

The elderly man and the woman watched her leave the cabin. Only after the door closed did the young man’s shadow reappear.

“She’s hiding something.” The young man said gravely.

For example, how did Luo Ling know such detailed information about this Grotesquery, and so many details about their plan… There were no answers.

“That’s to be expected,” the woman said slowly. “Everyone has secrets, no exceptions.”

“It’s a pity. This little girl seems to have close ties to the Fate Society. Killing her and searching her soul would cause too much trouble.” The elderly man still smiled kindly.

“…You’re strangely similar to Philosopher.” The woman looked at the elderly man, her voice quiet.

It was this kind elderly man, not the woman or the young man, who had made the decision back then.

“Really? Perhaps.” The elderly man shrugged, rubbing his hands within his sleeves, seemingly cold. “We are brothers, after all.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Difficulty of Salvation

Busy.

That was Luo Ling’s first impression of Company headquarters.

Awakened Ones from various offices bustled back and forth, their diverse tokens identifying their origins.

However…

All Company tokens were watches, and among them… Luo Ling’s team’s were the most conspicuous.

While others wore ordinary mechanical watches, Luo Ling’s team all wore cartoon watches, instantly recognizable as members of the Wellington office.

The distinctive style was simply too eye-catching.

“Don’t be embarrassed, Miss Luo Ling.”

Cen Xiangyun leaned closer and whispered, “At least ours are proper watches. There are other offices with even stranger tokens, tattoos, paper watches… it all depends on the style of the first office head.”

Once the first head established the token, even their successors couldn’t easily change it. Theoretically, it was possible, but… the procedure was incredibly tedious.

Furthermore, the tokens of deceased Company employees were stored in the memorial archives… they couldn’t exactly reuse them, could they?

“…Indeed, quite liberal.” Luo Ling’s lips twitched.

At least… the former head of Wellington had decent taste.

Luo Ling, having never been to Company headquarters before, was curious. The others, however, were familiar with the place and quickly found the reception area.

Even for a rare summons from the board of directors, the Company didn’t have dedicated reception staff… since headquarters dealt with numerous Grotesquery incidents, only Awakened Ones were allowed entry.

Certain areas even required P8 clearance or higher—mostly related to Boundary matters.

Except for special cases like Luo Ling’s team, only Awakened Ones above eighth-order were allowed access to Authority-related information and knowledge of Boundaries and the Realm of Nothingness.

This world’s unique cognitive barrier was a protective mechanism. Reckless exposure without sufficient power could have severe consequences.

Eve was a prime example, requiring expensive Sacred Medicine to maintain her sanity after accidentally encountering a Boundary incident.

After receiving the message from the reception desk, Melissa, the board’s secretary, greeted them. She was a polite and proper woman, her meticulous attire reflecting Victoria’s traditional and somewhat rigid style.

Melissa’s position wasn’t insignificant.

Although nominally a secretary, since the three directors were rarely at headquarters, their whereabouts often unknown, she handled almost all matters related to them, including the formal invitation to Luo Ling.

In essence, Melissa represented the board at headquarters.

Having such a prominent figure personally greet them highlighted the board’s interest in this meeting.

“I apologize, but the board’s invitation is only for Miss Luo Ling. You cannot accompany her.” Melissa said softly, bowing to Cen Xiangyun and the others with an apologetic smile.

Even while refusing them, Melissa remained respectful, despite the vast difference in their status and power.

Although the Company was an Awakened organization, its internal structure resembled an ordinary company. Such polite superiors were rare.

“It’s alright, we understand. We’ll wait outside.”

Cen Xiangyun was slightly flustered. She understood Melissa’s influence. Even the heads of the various offices, her family elders, treated Melissa with respect.

They had anticipated this… The idea of them barging in to meet the three directors together was absurd. They were merely accompanying Luo Ling to headquarters, having nothing else to do.

“Thank you for your understanding.” Melissa bowed again, then gestured to Luo Ling politely. “Miss Luo Ling, this way, please.”

“Thank you, Senior.” Luo Ling said.

“Call me ‘colleague’ or ‘Melissa.’ I’m not used to being called ‘Senior’.”

Melissa smiled, her stern demeanor softening slightly. “Especially you, Miss Luo Ling. In all my years here, you’re the first ordinary person to be summoned by the board.”

“Ordinary person?”

Cen Xiangyun and the others were stunned. When did Miss Luo Ling become an ordinary person?

Did she mean ordinary compared to the Company’s high-ranking officials?

But that didn’t make sense…

Luo Ling’s eyes narrowed. This Melissa… was unusual, able to discern others’ strength.

Indeed, Luo Ling was currently an ordinary person. After witnessing her complete Grotesquery transformation in her consciousness space, she had awakened in this state.

It seemed… her Grotesquery form and her ordinary form had separated.

However, Luo Ling didn’t dare to attempt transforming now, unsure of the consequences, especially since her Grotesquery form had recently devoured a Boundary.

And this was Company headquarters…

“Actually, I’m not exactly an ordinary person.” Luo Ling said.

“Of course, I’m aware of that.” Melissa smiled faintly, not elaborating. “Let’s go, Miss Luo Ling. The directors shouldn’t be kept waiting.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

Luo Ling nodded to the others, ruffling Elsa’s hair before leaving. She had noticed Elsa’s sullen mood, though she didn’t understand why.

Perhaps, when she had some free time, she should offer some life guidance. After all, little Elsa had a difficult childhood and might lack some social skills.

However, if Elsa knew Luo Ling’s thoughts, she would think that Miss Luo Ling was the one lacking social skills…

Led by Melissa, Luo Ling walked through the classical and elegant section of Company headquarters. After crossing a certain boundary, the atmosphere changed drastically.

The bustling figures and the slightly noisy environment vanished instantly, Luo Ling and Melissa plunging into endless darkness, only silence remaining.

The Realm of Nothingness?

No…

Although similar, Luo Ling could sense that this wasn’t the Realm of Nothingness. There might be a connection, but it wasn’t that deadly void.

More importantly, Melissa, walking slightly ahead, remained unfazed.

Sensing Luo Ling’s puzzled gaze, Melissa turned and smiled faintly, pointing to her glowing token.

“We need some special barriers to prevent unwanted guests from entering the Company’s inner sanctum.”

Although not the Realm of Nothingness, this defensive barrier simulated its environment, requiring a certain level of clearance to enter unaffected.

However, Luo Ling was an exception.

Even the true Realm of Nothingness couldn’t harm her, let alone this imitation.

Therefore, Melissa hadn’t given Luo Ling a visitor’s token. It was unnecessary.

After walking for a few minutes, Melissa stopped. A more dangerous barrier seemed to lie ahead.

Her watch token dimmed slightly, indicating that her clearance ended here. She couldn’t proceed further.

“Unfortunately, Miss Luo Ling, I can only accompany you this far. Only P10 directors or authorized visitors can proceed beyond this point.”

Melissa’s professional smile remained unchanged. “However, you seem to be exempt from such restrictions—surviving a month and a half in the Realm of Nothingness… is unprecedented.”

She emphasized “unprecedented.”

Her meaning was clear.

She was questioning the truth of that claim.

Luo Ling knew that many, including Melissa, didn’t believe it. After all, it was Fiona’s word against theirs. No one had witnessed Luo Ling entering and returning from the Realm of Nothingness.

Even Luo Ling’s demonstrated ability upon joining the Company wasn’t enough to convince them.

From the moment they met, although polite, Melissa’s tone had been strange, including not giving Luo Ling a token before bringing her here. It was a test.

“Please.” Melissa stepped aside, then asked, “Or do you need this, Miss Luo Ling?”

She held out a glowing bracelet, likely a visitor’s token.

“No need.”

Luo Ling nodded and continued walking.

She wasn’t bothered by Melissa’s test and skepticism. It was understandable. The claim itself was too outrageous to believe.

If Luo Ling had died, her visit to the Realm of Nothingness might have been considered true, but since she hadn’t…

It was likely a fabrication.

Only Luo Ling’s friends and Fiona believed her. Most Awakened organizations now speculated that she had simply hidden somewhere for a while.

Some even suspected that it was a charade orchestrated by the Fate Society, targeting the Company, considering Luo Ling’s affiliation with them.

—Melissa was among those who held this view.

Few knew the true outcome of Fiona’s commission. She wouldn’t publicize the fact that she had retrieved her daughter’s belongings.

“Still not the Realm of Nothingness, but it does have some of its characteristics…”

Luo Ling sensed the surrounding environment, extending her hand, the darkness brushing against her palm.

It lacked the familiar sense of comfort.

The void that represented a nightmare and certain death to others was like home to Luo Ling, not only allowing her free passage but even enhancing her power.

“At least it confirms that even without my Grotesquery transformation, the Realm of Nothingness is harmless to me.” Luo Ling thought.

Her other forms, like the White Witch and Amethyst, were still affected.

Aside from her Grotesquery form, what exactly was her true nature?

As a faint light appeared ahead, Luo Ling pushed those thoughts aside and walked towards it.

Unexpectedly, at the end of this desolate barrier was a small, ordinary wooden cabin, the faint light emanating from its fireplace.

Luo Ling hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open.

Three gazes immediately fell upon her, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and an indescribable depth.

But…

Wasn’t this cabin too simple for the board of directors who controlled the entire Company?

The cabin was ordinary, almost bare, only the crackling fireplace offering a semblance of warmth.

The attire of the three directors was even stranger. The elderly man in the center wore a thick cotton-padded coat, his hands hidden in his sleeves, huddled close to the fireplace on a small stool.

The young man standing beside the fireplace wore an adult-sized tuxedo, reminding Luo Ling of her old “friend,” Artist, though Artist was a dwarf, while this young man was clearly a teenager, his face still youthful.

The third director was a woman, sitting on the cabin’s only piece of furniture, a leather sofa.

Although she looked to be in her twenties, she was dressed like an elderly noblewoman, wearing gold-rimmed spectacles with a chain, adding to her aged appearance.

“Heh, Miss Luo Ling, you’ve finally arrived.” The elderly man by the fireplace shifted slightly, making space for her. “Come, don’t mind us, this is how we are.”

Luo Ling walked over awkwardly, unsure whether to stand or squat, until the woman scolded, “Old fool, offer the young lady a chair! Do you expect her to sit on the floor?”

“I’ll get it, I’ll get it…”

The elderly man chuckled, offering Luo Ling his precious stool and sitting on the floor.

“I… can stand.”

What could Luo Ling say? Stop playing dress-up, you’re rich, can’t you get a decent office? Why torture yourselves like this?

She couldn’t understand the minds of the wealthy.

“We’re just shadows here.”

The young man explained, his voice unexpectedly deep, like a middle-aged man. “Since we’re shadows, a bit of nostalgia is fine. This was our first headquarters when we founded the Company.”

“…Starting from scratch?”

Luo Ling didn’t voice her thoughts, noticing the directors’ expressions turning serious.

“Luo Ling, you’re not an ordinary person, are you?” The woman said. “But why can’t I sense any trace of a ‘Path’ on you?”

“Indeed, we’ve reviewed your file. Initially suspected to be the mysterious Seventh Path, then confirmed as Judgment. In either case, you shouldn’t be like this.”

Luo Ling thought that if they had met yesterday, they might have sensed her Path, but even she didn’t fully understand her current situation.

“Just some useful little tricks.” Luo Ling said vaguely.

“Tricks…”

The three directors exchanged knowing glances.

However, this wasn’t important. They didn’t care about Luo Ling’s abilities, only one thing mattered.

“Miss Luo Ling, you did visit that area of the Realm of Nothingness, didn’t you?”

The elderly man said softly. “Others might doubt it, but we know that if you hadn’t, you couldn’t have retrieved Fiona’s daughter’s belongings.”

“…”

Luo Ling’s eyes narrowed. She was certain Fiona hadn’t revealed this.

But…

If she hadn’t, how did the board know?

“It seems your relationship with Fiona isn’t so simple.” The woman smiled, a strange glint in her eyes behind her spectacles.

“It’s just a client-operative relationship.” Luo Ling replied softly.

“Let’s get to the point.”

The young man, seemingly impatient with the other directors’ cryptic remarks, spoke directly. “We want to know what you saw in the Realm of Nothingness. What do you want in exchange? Just tell us… Beating around the bush is troublesome.”

Luo Ling didn’t answer, instead asking after a moment of silence, “I want to know what happened back then. Why did Linna’s team have to be sacrificed?”

Luo Ling didn’t care about anything else. She just wanted an answer.

Why did Linna and her teammates die?

What was the purpose of this senseless sacrifice and conspiracy?

Thinking of Linna’s sadness and bitter smile, Luo Ling felt a surge of anger towards the Company, the instigator, and the Torchbearers, the architects of this conspiracy.

The directors fell silent, hearing Luo Ling’s almost accusatory tone.

The elderly man finally spoke, his voice tinged with sadness.

“It’s difficult to give you a definitive answer, but… I can only say this.

“Their sacrifice saved millions of lives, including Victoria, from a Taboo disaster.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Ruthless Miss Luo Ling

“…So that’s what happened.”

After hearing Joseph’s brief explanation, Luo Ling was surprised. It seemed that much had happened to Odeletta’s family in the past few years.

Although Joseph referred to it as a “family change,” considering Odeletta’s current status… it was more likely a coup d’état.

In short, Odeletta was no longer just a Grand Duke’s daughter, but a “princess.”

Perhaps the fragmented Germanic states had finally unified into a single kingdom… The timeline didn’t quite match the history she knew.

However, in this world, the timeline was chaotic, with numerous collapses and regressions accelerating many events.

No wonder Frick had been so flustered. He must have known the historical implications of Odeletta’s death in a foreign land, especially a direct heir to the throne.

Although an enemy, Frick’s actions, like sending little Odeletta away, were ultimately to maintain order in the human world.

Luo Ling wasn’t particularly interested in these political matters, but it highlighted Odeletta’s importance, far surpassing even Eve’s.

As for saving her father’s life, Odeletta had used her ability quite cleverly. It was during her father’s visit to Victoria that an assassin had appeared.

Odeletta, using her ability, had sensed something amiss—this was Luo Ling’s intention in giving her the three strands of hair, providing her with a few life-saving opportunities. Using her spores, Odeletta had located the assassin hidden among the crowd, armed with three loaded handguns.

Even if the assassin hadn’t been discovered, the new emperor might not have been killed. The royal security measures were quite thorough. But in this case, Odeletta had indeed saved her father’s life.

Thus, Odeletta’s willfulness was rewarded, even renting out all the carriages in Victoria for three days after learning of Luo Ling’s return, just so Luo Ling could ride in her carriage again.

The assassin seemed to be connected to political rivals. Joseph was vague about the details, and Luo Ling didn’t press further, knowing the general gist was enough.

“Diviner Miss, since you’re in my carriage again, can you teach me more abilities?” Odeletta asked, her chin resting on her hands, her bright green eyes reminding Luo Ling of the blindfolded little girl in the Incubation Barrier.

Thinking about it that way, it did feel like a strange roleplay scenario…

“Miss Luo Ling, can you… teach ordinary people abilities?”

Cen Xiangyun couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer.

Although ordinary people in this era were aware of Awakened Ones and Grotesqueries due to the numerous Boundary collapses, it was still best to minimize their exposure, as it could lead to madness.

Regardless of Luo Ling’s method, the risk of mental instability remained.

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. It’s just a small trick.”

Luo Ling was aware of the risks, so the abilities she gave Odeletta were quite ordinary, less impressive than even a magic trick, not exceeding an ordinary person’s understanding.

She turned to the expectant Odeletta and said,

“You heard me. Teaching abilities is taboo. Last time was an exception. Don’t be so reckless again. Haven’t you learned your lesson?”

Running away from home and encountering a Grotesquery incident in an Incubation Barrier, she was incredibly unlucky. If it weren’t for Luo Ling and Linna, Odeletta would likely be buried in the Realm of Nothingness, unknown and forgotten.

“Last time?”

Elsa perked up her ears.

“Oh…”

The light in Odeletta’s eyes dimmed, her mood deflating.

Joseph, the coachman, who had been observing them, sighed in relief. He didn’t want the princess interacting with these mysterious scholars. It was too dangerous.

Looking at the dejected Odeletta, Luo Ling recalled their encounter in the Incubation Barrier, which to her, had been just a couple of days ago.

She instinctively reached out and ruffled Odeletta’s hair.

“Huh?”

Odeletta was stunned. Diviner Miss’s gesture felt… familiar?

“Hmm?”

Elsa’s eyes widened. They were already this close? This detestable girl, what had she been through with Miss Luo Ling?!

She wanted to know…

“Ah, I apologize, Miss Odeletta.”

Luo Ling awkwardly withdrew her hand, realizing they weren’t that close. “It’s just a habit.”

Whether it was Elsa or little Odeletta, it had become second nature.

“It’s fine, I don’t mind.” Odeletta touched her head, her expression even stranger. “Diviner Miss, have we… met before?”

Being patted on the head by Diviner Miss felt strangely familiar, but when she did it herself, it didn’t feel the same.

“Perhaps…” Luo Ling thought for a moment. “Did you experience a near-death experience a few years ago?”

It was time to determine the extent of “rewrite reality.” Odeletta had only seen her White Witch form, so Luo Ling wasn’t worried about revealing anything to her teammates.

Elsa might guess, but it didn’t matter.

“How did you know?” Odeletta blurted out, then covered her mouth. “Is it… your special power?”

“…Sort of.” Luo Ling coughed. “After all, I’m a ‘Diviner’.”

“Wow, so cool!”

Odeletta was ecstatic, always excited about special powers. Joseph, seeing the princess’s unladylike behavior, sighed and rubbed his forehead.

Joseph was more than just a coachman. He was also the princess’s bodyguard and butler, and several other guards were escorting them discreetly.

The incident a few years ago had been terrifying, even the emperor was shaken, despite the princess’s safe return. That was why Odeletta’s current guards were all active military personnel.

“What else, what else? Diviner Miss, can you also tell… can you use your special power to know more?”

Odeletta leaned closer to Luo Ling, her face filled with excitement and curiosity, making Luo Ling slightly uncomfortable.

Odeletta seemed much more cheerful now…

However, considering their encounter in the Incubation Barrier, when little Odeletta had run away from home, her previous obedience must have been due to fear.

Under the curious gazes of her teammates—”Miss Luo Ling, when did you learn this ability?”—Luo Ling cleared her throat and said mysteriously,

“I also know that you were saved by a little girl.”

“Wow, you even know that! I’ve never told anyone.” Odeletta’s shock was evident. “What else? I want to know more! I… I can pay you!”

Her eagerness was mixed with a hint of anxiety.

Luo Ling understood why.

It seemed Naraku’s ability was truly terrifying. Luo Ling’s “rewrite reality” had successfully altered the course of events in the Incubation Barrier.

If she hadn’t appeared, it should have been Linna who rescued little Odeletta, and Linna… wasn’t exactly a little girl.

“There’s no need for payment, Miss Odeletta. Tell me more details, perhaps I can… use my special power to learn more.” Luo Ling said.

She needed to confirm whether Odeletta’s experience matched hers.

“Oh, um…”

Odeletta’s excitement deflated.

She said with a dejected expression, “I… I don’t remember much, just that a little girl with white hair, about my age, saved me…”

Odeletta glanced at Luo Ling and continued, “And she was a ‘Diviner’ like you, wearing the same necklace.”

Perhaps due to the Boundary collapse, Odeletta had lost most of her memories of the incident, only retaining a few deeply ingrained fragments.

In her moment of despair, the silver-haired girl had appeared like an angel, saving her from the monsters. Odeletta would never forget that scene.

“A little girl with white hair…”

The others in the carriage were stunned.

A little girl with white hair… they could only think of one terrifying figure.

—The White Witch of Silent Demise, Grotesquery Sequence 49.

Little girl, you shouldn’t have been rescued…

Cen Xiangyun almost wanted to take Odeletta to the Company for a physical examination, checking for fungal growths, only remembering that this had happened years ago.

Years ago, the White Witch hadn’t appeared yet. The Puppet Ballad hadn’t awakened.

…It must be a coincidence.

The White Witch and the Puppet Ballad’s massacre of four hundred thousand civilians in Jiangcheng County was too horrific. They were considered extremely dangerous Grotesqueries, exceptionally cruel to humans.

Elsa, however, was now certain.

It was definitely Miss Luo Ling!

Unexpectedly, Miss Luo Ling had been to Victoria years ago, even saving this young lady, sharing a memorable experience…

She should have been the first… but now she was the later one…

Elsa felt a pang of jealousy.

But then she realized that Odeletta didn’t recognize the current Miss Luo Ling, unaware that she was her savior from years ago.

In that case…

She was still Miss Luo Ling’s one and only Apostle!

Elsa puffed out her chest, looking at Odeletta with a smug, almost possessive gaze.

“You only remember a little?” Luo Ling pondered.

Whether it was due to the Boundary collapse affecting all of Victoria or the localized Boundary annihilation within the Incubation Barrier, it was understandable. But Luo Ling was almost certain that what she had experienced was true history.

However, whether it had been altered by her presence, or it had always been this way, her actions merely fulfilling a predetermined outcome, she wasn’t sure.

But considering the Realm of Nothingness had existed before her arrival, it was likely the latter.

“Cause and effect, how troublesome…”

Luo Ling suddenly understood the cryptic nature of the Other Shore path Awakened Ones. Fate was truly unpredictable.

If she had known this beforehand, the outcome might have been different.

Perhaps this was the meaning of “heaven’s secrets mustn’t be revealed.”

“Diviner Miss, can you… find that little girl with white hair?”

Odeletta fidgeted nervously, her fingers twisting her clothes. “I’ve asked other Diviners, but they haven’t seen her.”

“Why are you looking for her?”

It wasn’t Luo Ling who asked, but Elsa, who immediately regretted her words.

Odeletta knew that the red-haired girl had been hostile towards her from the beginning, but now, it was Odeletta who was flustered.

“Just… to thank her.”

Her voice was barely a whisper, her nervousness evident.

“Oh…”

Elsa’s eyes narrowed.

Definitely something fishy.

“Sorry, I don’t know anything about that.”

Luo Ling felt the conversation was getting too personal, sensing Elsa’s warning. “Miss Odeletta, I hope you can find her soon.”

However, it was unlikely.

“Yes, yes.”

Odeletta nodded vigorously.

Perhaps because Luo Ling’s words had struck a chord, Odeletta remained silent for the rest of the journey, lost in thought.

Looking at Odeletta, Elsa suddenly felt a pang of sympathy.

She knew that Miss Luo Ling had no intention of interacting with Miss Odeletta again. Poor Odeletta… she would likely never see her savior again.

Miss Luo Ling was truly… ruthless.

If she hadn’t become Miss Luo Ling’s Apostle, would she have ended up like Miss Odeletta?

A brief encounter followed by a long separation, unable to find the person in her memories, even the memories themselves fading and fragmented.

“It’s alright, Miss Odeletta.” Elsa tugged at Odeletta’s dress and whispered. “You’ll… definitely see her again.”

If only Miss Luo Ling would meet her again in her White Witch form, even if it meant sharing a little bit of herself… it would be worth it.

Odeletta looked at the suddenly kind little girl, her mood slightly improving. “Yes, I hope so.”

She glanced at Luo Ling, who was lost in thought, seemingly unaware of Odeletta’s contemplative gaze.

The sun rose high in the sky. Shortly after lunch, they finally arrived at Company headquarters.

The old building blended seamlessly with the surrounding structures, its architectural style reminiscent of centuries past, simply put… old-fashioned.

Even for this era.

“Goodbye, Diviner Miss! And everyone!”

Odeletta waved her hat cheerfully, her face beaming.

“Goodbye,” Luo Ling smiled. “If you want to meet again, just come visit me at my apartment. There’s no need for such elaborate arrangements.”

“Okay, okay~”

Odeletta nodded enthusiastically.

Although this time, Odeletta was likely hoping to learn more abilities from Luo Ling, like last time.

“You’re quite good at charming innocent girls, Miss Luo Ling.” Cen Xiangyun said after Odeletta left. “Even a princess.”

“Such a sinner, such a sinner…”

Lu Manqing glanced at Elsa meaningfully.

“What? What are you talking about?”

Eve, looking at their expressions, was even more confused. She was the only one completely clueless.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.”

It was just a forgotten past, never to be mentioned again.

Luo Ling composed herself, looking at the headquarters building, and said gravely,

“Let’s go.”

She had many questions, and the Company had many questions for her.

This wouldn’t be a boring trip.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: How Could This Be…?

Although Luo Ling was almost used to Elsa appearing in her bed, it was still a strange sight.

“I…”

Before Luo Ling could speak, Elsa quickly scrambled out of bed, lowering her head. “I just saw Miss Luo Ling was so tired she fell asleep at her desk, so I carried you to bed! I didn’t do anything… nothing at all!”

What did she mean by “do anything”?

Luo Ling blinked in confusion, then looked out the window, her expression thoughtful.

The first light of dawn painted the sky, faint rays of sunlight filtering through the cold morning mist, too weak to penetrate the room, only illuminating the windowpane.

“It’s already morning…”

Luo Ling glanced at the time. It was almost seven o’clock.

An hour before Elsa’s usual waking time, meaning Elsa had been snuggling in her bed for almost an hour.

Luo Ling didn’t mind. She trusted Elsa implicitly, knowing she wouldn’t harm her. That’s why she found Elsa’s unnecessary explanation strange.

“Time must have accelerated while I was observing the inscriptions in the memory.” Luo Ling rubbed her temples. This was indeed troublesome.

More importantly, her Grotesquery transformation might have exceeded the time limit. Any uncontrolled changes would be disastrous.

Luo Ling quickly got up and walked to the full-length mirror, ignoring Elsa’s increasingly flustered expression, silently observing her reflection.

“I really didn’t do anything…”

Elsa followed, her voice lacking conviction.

She hadn’t left any marks, just a few stolen kisses. Surely… Miss Luo Ling wouldn’t notice, right?

However, Luo Ling wasn’t paying attention to Elsa’s subtle emotional shifts. She studied her reflection, her expression grave.

Unexpectedly, the unusual Grotesquery transformation within the memory fragment hadn’t affected her physical body.

Even…

The lingering Grotesquery traits from her excessive use of power in the Realm of Nothingness had vanished without a trace.

Her eyes were no longer tinged with dark gold, her usual black returning, the scales on her temples and collarbone gone.

The Luo Ling in the mirror looked like an ordinary girl, no trace of the grotesque.

She hadn’t looked this ordinary in a long time.

…And there was something else.

Luo Ling extended her hand, clenching it slightly, her brow furrowed.

Along with the disappearance of the Grotesquery traits, the terrifying power that had plagued her was also gone. Now, she was truly the same as before witnessing the truth of this world.

This was something she had longed for, but in the current situation, this change… might not be a good thing.

“Kingdom.”

The domain of her Authority unfolded, the silver-haired girl appearing, everything falling under her control, her pale skin and inhuman beauty a testament to her identity.

Changing forms wasn’t a problem. It seemed only her original form was affected by the Grotesquery transformation within the memory fragment.

Come to think of it, the extent of the transformation in the memory was similar to the girl in the void within her consciousness space.

All her forms existed within the grotesque corridor of her consciousness space.

Including the White Witch of the Puppet Ballad, Amethyst of Naraku, and her Grotesquery form in the void.

Could this change be related to the tombstone, the Taboo Slate?

“This is getting more and more interesting.” Luo Ling mused, stroking her chin.

Elsa, seeing the White Witch appear, was stunned.

Why had Miss Luo Ling suddenly transformed?

Wait, could it be…

Elsa’s eyes widened.

Surely… she wouldn’t go that far…

As an Apostle, Elsa was familiar with the Puppet Ballad’s abilities, one of which allowed it to read memories through its spores.

Could it be that Miss Luo Ling transformed to confirm whether she had done anything while she was asleep?

Um…

Should she confess?

Seeing Luo Ling raise her hand, as if about to use her ability, Elsa blurted out,

“I… I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you everything!”

“Hmm?”

Luo Ling, who had raised her hand to check for scales, turned to the blushing Elsa, confused.

What was Elsa doing?

She had been so preoccupied with her Grotesquery transformation that she hadn’t spoken to Elsa properly since waking up.

She should thank Elsa for carrying her to bed.

But before Luo Ling could speak, Elsa blurted out,

“Miss Luo Ling, I… I kissed you a few times while you were asleep… just your cheek, nowhere else! And I didn’t do anything else!”

“…Huh?”

Luo Ling was stunned.

She touched her cheek and said,

“I know, but… what’s wrong?”

It was just a few kisses on the cheek.

Luo Ling didn’t mind. Why was Elsa so flustered?

“Aren’t you angry?” Elsa asked, avoiding Luo Ling’s gaze, yet sneaking glances at her.

“Why would I be angry?”

Luo Ling was even more confused. “It’s just a kiss on the cheek. Besides… isn’t that something close friends do often?”

“Really?”

Elsa hesitated. Was that something people did often?

“Yes, my sister did it often. Just like you, she always kissed my cheek while I was asleep.” Luo Ling nodded matter-of-factly. “I didn’t even know until I saw her memories.”

“…”

Elsa fell silent.

That seemed like… Miss Luo Ling’s sister’s problem.

Elsa recalled the gentle woman. Miss Luo Ling’s sister was a good person, but she had been killed by those Harbingers of Calamity during the train incident.

Although Miss Luo Ling mentioned her casually, she must be heartbroken, right?

It was best not to bring it up.

“If that’s the case, Miss Luo Ling, you… you’ve never kissed me.”

Elsa’s face turned crimson as she mumbled, embarrassed.

“That’s true.”

Luo Ling nodded thoughtfully.

The silver-haired girl approached the blushing red-haired girl and leaned in.

With her current height, she didn’t even need to bend down, even slightly tilting her head up.

Like a dragonfly skimming the water, she left a light kiss on Elsa’s cheek.

“Alright,” Luo Ling said, reverting to her original form. “We should go.”

“Th-that’s it?”

Elsa touched her cheek. She hadn’t even been prepared. Miss Luo Ling’s kiss had been like a sneak attack!

It should have been more memorable!

Should she…

Ask Miss Luo Ling to kiss her on the lips?

She didn’t think Miss Luo Ling would refuse…

Gathering her courage, Elsa looked up and said,

“Miss Luo Ling, let’s kiss on the lips!”

Click.

The apartment door opened.

Two stunned faces appeared at the doorway, followed by another, wearing a curious expression.

“Oh, little Elsa’s confession scene. Such a bold declaration, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“…”

Luo Ling adjusted her clothes. She had known her teammates were outside, which was why she had reverted to her original form.

“I…”

Luo Ling was about to respond to Elsa’s request, but Elsa shrieked.

“AAAAAAAAHHHHHH…”

Elsa frantically covered Luo Ling’s mouth, her face burning hot.

She was both hoping and dreading Luo Ling’s answer.

If she agreed, they couldn’t do that in front of everyone, could they? But if she refused…

“Ugh, this is so embarrassing…”

Elsa wanted to dig a hole and bury herself. Why did this have to happen now…?

“You can continue. If you don’t want to be disturbed, we’ll give you some space.” Cen Xiangyun bowed politely. “We apologize for interrupting.”

She was about to close the door.

“No need.” Luo Ling removed Elsa’s hand, her expression unchanged. “We shouldn’t delay.”

She had agreed to the board’s summons and was about to leave.

If they were any later, the carriage wouldn’t arrive on time.

“Indeed, such matters are best left for the night.” Lu Manqing nodded in agreement.

“What matters?”

Eve, the iron-fisted maid, was the most confused. Understanding such things was more difficult for her muscle-brained self than for Luo Ling.

“Nothing.”

Luo Ling glanced at Elsa, sensing her mental turmoil.

Although she didn’t understand the situation, it was best to avoid the topic.

“Is the carriage to the Company ready?” Luo Ling asked.

“Well… there’s a slight problem.” Eve scratched her head. “For some reason, all the carriages are rented out…”

“Really?” Luo Ling was surprised. “Which rich person is this extravagant?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t ask.” Eve, unfamiliar with such matters, had no answers.

Her solution was simple.

“Let’s just run there. It’ll be good exercise!” Eve said, puffing out her chest.

“Easy for you to say, Judgment path freak…”

Cen Xiangyun muttered resentfully. She had wanted to ask Uncle Li to use his ability to transport them, but he was away on business.

“I…”

If it were before, Luo Ling wouldn’t have hesitated.

But now, it was more difficult.

Although non-Judgment path Awakened Ones were physically stronger than ordinary people, Luo Ling was currently just an ordinary person.

Her physical abilities were no different from an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl.

“I can carry you.”

Eve, seeing Luo Ling’s hesitation, offered.

“M-me too!”

Elsa quickly volunteered.

“You…”

Eve was about to point out Elsa’s small stature, but Cen Xiangyun and Lu Manqing quickly restrained her, covering her mouth.

“Let little Elsa do it.”

Lu Manqing winked at Elsa, a knowing smile on her lips.

Elsa, although still blushing, said resolutely,

“Leave it to me! No problem!”

“…Alright.”

Luo Ling didn’t argue. Elsa was far stronger than her current self.

“Let’s do that.”

Cen Xiangyun finalized the arrangement. Even Eve, despite her lack of social awareness, understood the situation and remained silent, giving Elsa the opportunity to carry Luo Ling.

Elsa beamed inwardly, sneaking glances at Luo Ling.

Hehe, Miss Luo Ling…

If only Miss Luo Ling could transform into her White Witch form, she would be smaller and easier to carry. But since everyone still misunderstood the White Witch, it was a pity.

The thought filled Elsa with a strange sense of pride.

Hmph, only she knew Miss Luo Ling’s other side, only she was this close to Miss Luo Ling, no one understood Miss Luo Ling better than her.

She was even Miss Luo Ling’s Apostle! And the only one!

Elsa moved closer to Luo Ling, as if declaring ownership.

“We shouldn’t delay, let’s go.” Luo Ling said.

Without a carriage, they had to reach Company headquarters by the afternoon break.

They understood and quickly left the apartment.

But as they stepped outside, they saw a luxurious carriage waiting for them, the coachman’s face vaguely familiar.

Luo Ling quickly recognized him.

The carriage curtains opened, and a young woman in a wide-brimmed hat peeked out, her eyes lighting up as she saw Luo Ling. She took off her hat and waved enthusiastically.

“Diviner Miss! Over here, it’s me!”

“Odeletta?”

Luo Ling instantly recognized the girl from the memory fragment in the Realm of Nothingness, her expression turning strange. “Long time no see… but what are you doing here?”

“…Who?”

Elsa’s eyes widened, searching her memories, but she couldn’t place the girl in the emerald green dress.

She had never seen her before!

“Don’t mind her,” Odeletta waved her hand dismissively. “Tell me, where do you want to go today?”

Luo Ling remained silent for a moment, looking at the coachman.

The coachman smiled wryly, spreading his hands helplessly.

“…Perhaps I know who rented all the carriages.”

Luo Ling’s eyes flickered. She knew Odeletta’s status, someone even Frick treated with caution.

Perhaps Odeletta wasn’t important in the Awakened world.

But in the ordinary world… she was quite influential.

She was certainly capable of renting all the carriages.

“Company headquarters.” Luo Ling said.

“Alright!” Odeletta clapped her hands. “Did you hear that, Uncle Joseph?”

“Yes, my lady.”

The coachman, Joseph, smiled wryly.

“Let’s go.”

Luo Ling beckoned to the others, still confused, and walked towards the carriage.

“…Let’s go.”

Although puzzled, it seemed Miss Luo Ling and this noble lady were acquainted. A free carriage ride wouldn’t hurt.

It was better than walking, and they wouldn’t have to run.

They followed Luo Ling into the luxurious carriage.

Only one person was on the verge of tears.

“How could this be…”

Elsa looked at the young lady sitting beside Miss Luo Ling, her expression bewildered.

Who was she?

How did she know Miss Luo Ling?

What had they been through together?

What was…

Their relationship?

And also…

“It seems… Miss Luo Ling doesn’t need me to carry her anymore?”

Miss Luo Ling had a luxurious carriage, no longer needing little Elsa to carry her.

Elsa sat in the corner of the carriage, dejectedly drawing circles.

“It’s been a while. Why did you think of this method?” Luo Ling asked, her lips twitching. “You didn’t have to go this far.”

“Oh, you noticed.” Odeletta stuck out her tongue playfully. “The ability you taught me is so useful! I used it to save my father—I mean, Father’s life!”

“Hmm?”

Luo Ling looked at Joseph, the coachman, in surprise.

“It’s true, Miss.” Joseph chuckled wryly. “Otherwise, His Lordship wouldn’t have allowed the young lady to be so mischievous.”

Chapter Thirty-Six: His Tombstone

The Company’s publicly available information on the Taboo Slate contained inaccuracies.

Many Awakened Ones had questioned this, but over the years, the Grotesquery Sequences indicated by the Slate hadn’t been wrong.

No one could provide evidence of the Company tampering with the Slate’s information, not even high-ranking officials within the Company.

As for whether they had or not… at least so far, no one had come forward with definitive proof.

“It’s not entirely false, just… heh, slightly modified.” Auspicious Timing chuckled. “We all know that Authorities are unique, only one being can possess the complete Authority.

“The others… can only obtain a small portion of its power.”

Luo Ling, possessing two Authorities, understood this perfectly. Even she couldn’t fully utilize the power of “Kingdom.”

In her sister’s hands, within the Puppet Ballad’s “Kingdom,” only Authorities could be used effectively, all other abilities suppressed, Awakened Ones as weak as ordinary humans.

But Luo Ling could only restrict the use of abilities, far less powerful than her sister.

“There are nineteen Awakened Ones within the Company who can wield complete Authorities. This number was eighteen until recently. These Awakened Ones are the Company’s most valuable assets, crucial for maintaining control and influencing world events.”

Auspicious Timing continued, “Therefore… their safety is paramount to the Company’s survival.”

“…”

Luo Ling remained silent for a moment, then understood.

Just like Philosopher concealing his Authority, the Company’s high-ranking officials were also hiding their trump cards.

Their Authorities were either obtained from slain High-Risk Grotesqueries or their Sacred Relics.

…All recorded on the Taboo Slate.

Therefore, theoretically, the Taboo Slate revealed their strengths and weaknesses.

And how to… kill them.

“Understanding each other’s limits and weaknesses, grasping the ever-changing battlefield, is the key to victory.”

How could the Company allow such a situation?

Concealment, fabrication… as long as the information wasn’t revealed, their Authorities would remain a secret, a powerful deterrent.

“But concealing so many… how did the Company manage to keep it a secret?” Luo Ling frowned. Nineteen was too many.

There were only fifty Authorities in total, ten of which belonged to the Taboos, practically impossible for humans to obtain or utilize.

After encountering Naraku’s Authority and abilities, Luo Ling understood the true terror of Taboos.

So, if nineteen out of forty Authorities were modified…

“It is quite a large number, so actually, the Company’s modifications aren’t as extensive as rumored. But sometimes… a mix of truth and falsehood is more effective at deceiving.”

Auspicious Timing swayed gently.

“So, Miss Luo Ling, knowing this, are you still sure you want to know the truth? I don’t know if this information is useful to you, but it might bring you misfortune.”

If this information leaked, certain entities would target Luo Ling, seeking to silence her permanently.

Auspicious Timing’s discretion depended on the price. Clearly, Luo Ling couldn’t afford it.

Of course, Auspicious Timing wouldn’t spread this information herself. She had some professional ethics, at least.

“I’m sure.”

Luo Ling nodded.

She had wanted to investigate Philosopher, and knowing more wouldn’t hurt.

As for becoming a target, she wasn’t concerned.

She had plenty of aliases. If she couldn’t handle the situation, she could simply fake her death, or even hide in the Realm of Nothingness. Who would dare to follow her there?

“Heh, such courage, Miss Luo Ling. Very impressive, as expected of someone who dared to enter the Realm of Nothingness as a fourth-order Awakened One.”

Auspicious Timing’s laughter was as clear as a bell, though it would have been better if it weren’t coming from a distorted bonsai.

Her voice turned serious.

“Since you insist, then… the transaction is complete. I’ll tell you what you want to know, and the ‘price’ between us is settled.”

The bonsai’s leaves swayed slightly. Luo Ling felt a strange, oppressive gaze directed at her from an unknown source, as if something had been taken from the plant.

Just like when she signed the contract with the Company, but the source of the gaze wasn’t the same.

However…

The moment the gaze fell upon her, it was devoured by Luo Ling.

The bonsai trembled, and Auspicious Timing’s voice echoed, tinged with resentment, “Miss Luo Ling, you have quite a few secrets, even able to avoid His gaze.

“Heh, the Speakers can no longer do business with you.”

After all, this gaze was a witness to the contract. Luo Ling could even erase this witness. If she made a deal with them, she could break it without repercussions, leaving the other party with no recourse.

“…If I said it wasn’t intentional, would you believe me?” Luo Ling said awkwardly, feeling like she had been caught stealing candy.

“It’s the same, Miss Luo Ling.” Auspicious Timing sighed. “If this favor hadn’t changed hands so many times… forget it.”

Auspicious Timing composed herself and said, “First, before I reveal this information, Miss Luo Ling, what do you think the Taboo Slate is?”

Luo Ling thought for a moment, then replied, “A stone slab?”

“Yes, and no.” Auspicious Timing said gravely. “It’s a tombstone.”

“A… tombstone?” Luo Ling’s eyes widened.

The distorted fruit on the bonsai swayed, as if nodding.

“Indeed, a tombstone of an unknown being, inscribed not only with the Grotesquery Sequences, but also an undecipherable epitaph. But His tomb is nowhere to be found.”

Luo Ling remained silent. Auspicious Timing continued,

“The reason I’m telling you this is because… the inscriptions on this tombstone, known as the Taboo Slate, aren’t in any human language. Therefore, all the information we have on the Grotesquery Sequences is deciphered through certain methods.

“The Company possesses this method, and so do I. The Company’s deciphered version is the publicly available Grotesquery Sequence information. But mine… is slightly different.”

This was why Auspicious Timing was so certain that the Company had concealed and modified the Taboo Slate’s contents. She had seen the original.

“Miss Luo Ling, you said you wanted to see the original Taboo Slate. Do you mean the original inscriptions, before being deciphered, or my deciphered version, without the Company’s modifications? I’ll be upfront, you can only choose one. This favor is only worth that much.”

Auspicious Timing’s tone was gentle, but when it came to her own interests, she was shrewd.

She had her own limits for this so-called favor that could supposedly compel her to do anything.

Just like refusing Fiona’s request, this “favor” wasn’t omnipotent.

Simply put, “the final interpretation belongs to Auspicious Timing.”

If Luo Ling chose the original inscriptions, she could see the truth, but whether she could understand them was another matter.

But if she chose Auspicious Timing’s deciphered version…

Who could guarantee that Auspicious Timing hadn’t tampered with it?

She couldn’t exactly ask her to sign a guarantee, could she?

And whether such a guarantee would be effective was another question…

From her brief interactions with the Speakers, including Auspicious Timing and the Gypsy Woman, Luo Ling had a general understanding of their cryptic ways.

“The original inscriptions.” Luo Ling said.

“You have character, I like that.” Auspicious Timing smiled faintly. “But unfortunately, Miss Luo Ling, we will never have the opportunity to cooperate again. What a pity.”

Auspicious Timing didn’t want to do business with someone who could tear up a contract at any time. The risk was too great. Betting on human nature and trust was a fool’s errand.

Hearing this, Luo Ling recalled the rings the Gypsy Woman had given her, her expression turning strange.

“Perhaps, that’s not necessarily true.”

“Heh.”

Auspicious Timing chuckled noncommittally.

The distorted bonsai withered, instantly turning into dry, decaying wood.

At the same time, a memory fragment, vivid and lifelike, appeared in Luo Ling’s mind.

“This is…”

Within her consciousness, Luo Ling slowly opened her eyes, looking up at the enormous “tombstone,” several stories tall.

—The Taboo Slate.

Perhaps because Luo Ling had only paid for the original inscriptions, everything else in this memory was dim and blurry.

This was normal. If the surroundings of the Taboo Slate were revealed, its location could be deduced. Auspicious Timing didn’t want to offend the Company, a valuable client, because of Luo Ling.

However, Auspicious Timing hadn’t anticipated that Luo Ling could use the Puppet Ballad’s abilities to observe this memory, obtaining far more details than she had intended.

“As expected, I don’t recognize these characters…”

Luo Ling stared at the inscriptions, most of them distorted and incomplete, the epitaph completely scrambled. This wasn’t due to Auspicious Timing’s interference, but its original state.

Indeed, several Sequence positions on the Taboo Slate were empty, not yet manifested in the present world.

Luo Ling frowned, studying the inscriptions for a long time, unable to decipher them.

“Forget it, I was prepared for this.”

Luo Ling sighed, abandoning her attempt to understand the Taboo Slate. She had anticipated this when choosing the original inscriptions.

Just because she couldn’t understand them didn’t mean no one else could.

Like… the leader of the tea party.

“If it’s her, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Even the Company and Auspicious Timing could decipher the inscriptions. The leader, closer to the Grotesque side, should be even more capable. Luo Ling even suspected that the leader knew who this tombstone belonged to.

However, Luo Ling didn’t intend to reveal everything about this memory.

She looked up at the scattered top fifty Grotesquery Sequences and had an idea.

“Although I don’t recognize these characters, I can memorize their shapes.”

Rote memorization was a high school student’s specialty, even without the Puppet Ballad.

She stared at the characters, etching their shapes into her memory.

One, two…

At the third character, Luo Ling frowned.

What was going on?

She felt like… she understood its meaning.

“This is… Chaos… Naraku, the being of Omniscience?”

Luo Ling deciphered the words one by one, surprised by her own understanding.

Like reading a semi-familiar language, initially confusing, but after reading it slowly, the meaning became clear.

“When did I learn this skill of understanding a language just by glancing at it a few times?”

Luo Ling was puzzled. She reached out, touching the tombstone in her memory.

Her hands…

Were covered in grotesque blue-black scales.

“Grotesquery transformation?”

Luo Ling was startled, wanting to withdraw from her consciousness to examine her body.

After the previous incident, she was cautious about this terrifying form, afraid of accidentally devouring a stable Boundary, causing irreversible damage.

Just then, she noticed the last entry on the Slate, a string of understandable words appearing in her mind.

“Sequence 426: ‘Foolish Child’ of This Life.”

She completely understood the inscription.

Without any difficulty, as if it were her native language.

At the same time, Luo Ling realized that her Grotesquery transformation was as severe as during the Boundary collapse.

“Can I only understand these inscriptions in this state?”

Luo Ling paused, a thought forming in her mind. “Could it be that I… have some connection to the one who wrote these inscriptions?”

It was highly likely.

But this wasn’t the time to think about it.

Since she could understand the inscriptions, she should quickly find the information she needed, then examine her body.

Luo Ling looked up, quickly scanning the top fifty Grotesquery Sequences, the High-Risk Grotesqueries wielding Authorities.

Their true names were recorded on the tombstone.

“No information on the Puppet Ballad… it seems Auspicious Timing’s memory fragment is from before the Jiangcheng County incident, and hasn’t been updated.”

Under the Company’s tight security, it was already a miracle that Auspicious Timing had seen the Taboo Slate once. Expecting further updates was unreasonable.

Many Grotesqueries’ true names hadn’t appeared because they hadn’t manifested, or like the Puppet Ballad, had vanished along with an annihilated Boundary.

Although their Authorities could be obtained from their Sacred Relics, their true names wouldn’t appear until they manifested again.

In the Puppet Ballad’s position, the blurry inscription contained only one piece of information.

“A being of ‘Kingdom’.”

Luo Ling searched further up the list.

Finally, near the top, she found what she was looking for.

“Sequence 12: ‘Fate Weaver’ of This Life, wielder of ‘Traveler’.”

Luo Ling immediately recalled the information she had found earlier, the Company’s publicized Grotesquery Sequence information, comparing it to the original inscription.

“Sequence 12: ‘Eternal Nether Lord’ of Chaos, wielder of ‘Submergence’.”

“It’s… not empty.”

Furthermore, “Nether Lord” did exist on the Taboo Slate, ranked thirteenth.

But the Company’s publicized thirteenth Sequence was empty.

…Not concealed, but modified.

One of the few deliberate modifications.

“This means someone within the Company is deliberately concealing Philosopher’s Authority!” Luo Ling’s breath hitched.

Being able to modify the deciphered information meant that this person held a high position within the Company.

Was it a deal with the Harbingers, or… were they a member of the Harbingers?

A chill ran down Luo Ling’s spine.

The former was still manageable, perhaps just a traitor, or a deal between the Company and the Harbingers.

But if it were the latter… a Harbinger member silently infiltrating the Company’s highest ranks, that was a devastating blow to both sides.

The conflict between the Company and the Harbingers was irreconcilable. A secret alliance was impossible.

A Harbinger member reaching the Company’s highest ranks, the damage they could inflict at a crucial moment was unimaginable.

“…I hope this is just a wrong assumption.”

Luo Ling exhaled. Compared to the Company, the Harbingers were far more dangerous.

“I should check on my body.”

Luo Ling withdrew from her consciousness space and opened her eyes.

She wasn’t sitting at the desk, but lying in bed.

Turning slightly, she met a pair of wide, innocent eyes, filled with concern.

“Oh, Miss Luo Ling.”

Chapter Thirty-Five: Do the Directors Think I’m At Their Beck and Call?

The Company used “P” plus a number to differentiate job levels. P1 to P3 were interns, and only those above P4 were considered official employees.

Those above P7 were considered management, and Li Shaoheng, Cen Xiangyun’s elder in Jiangcheng County, was a higher-level P8.

Lu Fangling, Lu Manqing’s mother and the head of the Wellington office in Victoria, was originally a P8, but after handling a High-Risk Grotesquery incident, she was promoted to P9, practically the pinnacle of the Company’s hierarchy.

Within the entire Company, there were only three, and could only be three, P10s. These were the Company’s founders, also the three directors of the board, the highest management level.

As the highest authority of the Company, and leaders of humanity’s Order-side forces, the directors were incredibly busy.

Even the High-Risk Grotesquery crisis in Jiangcheng County, due to the distance, hadn’t warranted their direct intervention. They had even chosen to abandon the rescue operation after weighing the pros and cons.

Therefore, even though Luo Ling and the others came from Jiangcheng County, and even though Luo Ling had demonstrated a unique constitution, compared to the Company’s overall operations… they were insignificant.

No one knew why the board of directors was so interested in Luo Ling, even requesting a meeting.

Although the funeral fiasco was embarrassing for the Company, it was ultimately just a matter of face, and a decision made by the Wellington office itself. It shouldn’t have warranted the directors’ precious attention.

Lu Fangling should have been the one to inform Luo Ling of the board’s summons, but after the funeral incident, she couldn’t bring herself to face Luo Ling, so she entrusted the task to Eve.

“The directors…”

Cen Xiangyun’s eyes widened. Besides Eve, she was the only one who truly understood the significance of this news.

When was the last time the board had summoned an Awakened One individually?

It had never happened in her time with the Company.

Eve also understood the rarity of this summons. A chance to meet the board was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She wouldn’t miss it if she were in Luo Ling’s shoes.

However, due to the embarrassing incident earlier that day… she remained silent, respecting Luo Ling’s decision.

“No way!”

Elsa was the first to respond, her face puffed up in anger.

“What board of directors? Let them go to hell! They didn’t lift a finger when Miss Luo Ling was presumed dead, but now they’re scrambling to meet her? Do they think Miss Luo Ling is at their beck and call? We’re not going!”

Cen Xiangyun and Eve smiled wryly, hearing Elsa’s outburst.

Perhaps to little Elsa, Luo Ling was the most important person, but… to the Company, she was just a P4 specialist.

Even this unusually grand funeral was orchestrated by the Wellington office’s higher-ups to pressure the Fate Society.

Otherwise, even if Luo Ling had died during a Company commission, they would have simply paid the compensation stipulated in her contract, deleted her file, and moved on.

…This was standard procedure. Company specialists died every day. The board, let alone the office, rarely paid attention to such trivial matters, simply following protocol.

Elsa’s naivete was understandable. More importantly… how would Miss Luo Ling respond to this invitation?

They all looked at Luo Ling, Cen Xiangyun and Eve slightly nervous.

If Miss Luo Ling refused…

It would be even more shocking than the funeral fiasco.

No one had ever refused a summons from the Company’s board of directors.

Luo Ling’s expression remained unchanged, calm and indifferent.

She ruffled Elsa’s hair and said softly,

“Actually, it’s fine to meet them.”

Luo Ling had a rough idea why the three directors wanted to see her.

It wasn’t because of the funeral fiasco, nor Fiona, nor even her month and a half in the Realm of Nothingness.

Although the Company might be concerned about those matters, only one thing could have prompted the board’s summons.

—The Boundary collapse.

Luo Ling had spent a considerable amount of time in the Realm of Nothingness, at the epicenter of that Boundary collapse…

Regardless of the reason, the directors couldn’t afford not to inquire about her experience.

Even if she knew nothing and gained nothing from the void… it was still necessary.

And Luo Ling felt the same.

This was an opportunity to interact with the highest echelons of humanity’s Order-side forces. Besides, she had many questions for the Company. She couldn’t miss this chance.

“Miss Luo Ling…”

Elsa looked up, her expression slightly aggrieved.

She had just defended Miss Luo Ling, and now she was betraying her?

“Elsa, you’re still young, you don’t understand these things.”

Luo Ling said gently. “The adult world isn’t black and white. Besides… at least for now, the Company is still on the side of order.

“At least they sent a formal invitation, instead of kidnapping me.”

Luo Ling knew that regardless of her answer, the directors would find a way to learn what they wanted, though the methods might be less pleasant.

The Company was cautious about the past. Luo Ling’s Boundary annihilation caused by “Devour” must have left a lasting impression.

Therefore, even with Fiona’s daughter involved, the Company hadn’t dared to overstep, fearing that the previous Boundary collapse would escalate into annihilation, completely destroying Victoria.

“Adult…?” Elsa tilted her head. “But Miss Luo Ling, you’re also a minor.”

Miss Luo Ling, a young woman barely sixteen, had been a high school student preparing for college entrance exams just a while ago.

She was still a minor in modern society.

“…Just consider me an adult.” Luo Ling’s serious expression faltered slightly.

“Okay.”

Elsa nodded, seemingly understanding.

Since Miss Luo Ling had made her decision, she must have her reasons. Elsa knew she wasn’t smart enough, so she would simply follow Miss Luo Ling’s lead.

Eve sighed in relief. If Luo Ling had refused, she wouldn’t have known how to explain it to her superiors.

However…

“Miss Luo Ling, the directors don’t know about the funeral incident, at least not officially.”

Eve thought for a moment, then offered a suggestion. “You can subtly mention it. They’ll definitely react.”

At least she could extort something from them, perhaps even access to the Company vault.

Of course, that was unlikely with just this incident.

“Thank you for the reminder, Miss Eve. I understand.” Luo Ling nodded, a faint smile appearing on her lips. “We’ll see.”

Compared to the funeral, she possessed far more explosive information that the Company directors would be interested in.

The somber topic ended there. Eve was also happy about Luo Ling’s unexpected return.

To celebrate Luo Ling’s return after a month and a half lost in the Realm of Nothingness, Eve suggested a celebratory dinner.

But due to the previous incident, although her suggestion wasn’t rejected, she was banned from participating in the planning.

Sneaking into a banquet disguised as maids once was enough.

Luo Ling offered to cook, claiming that after reviewing her sister’s memories, her culinary skills had improved, only to be met with even more resolute refusals.

Compared to eating Miss Luo Ling’s cooking, they’d rather shamelessly gatecrash Eve’s family dinner, although incredibly embarrassing, at least the food was edible.

Weighing their options, Cen Xiangyun volunteered, claiming to know a few decent restaurants recommended by her elders. Her suggestion was approved, and the plan was set.

However, after seeing the restaurant’s menu filled with unidentifiable dishes, they ended up filling themselves with fish and chips, the celebratory dinner concluding rather pathetically.

“Finding a decent restaurant in Victoria is a fool’s errand.”

Cen Xiangyun made her mournful declaration. Victoria was a culinary wasteland.

Night had fallen, the daytime hustle and bustle fading away.

Luo Ling sat at the apartment table, Elsa fast asleep beside her, her biological clock ticking. The little red-haired girl was wrapped in a blanket, her sleeping face peaceful.

Perhaps because she knew Miss Luo Ling was beside her.

Luo Ling’s expression softened as she adjusted Elsa’s blanket.

Since Jiangcheng County, Elsa had been the one who trusted and relied on her the most.

Their relationship wasn’t just friendship, or that of a Grotesquery and its Apostle, but something more complex and indescribable.

Like… raising a daughter.

Suddenly, Luo Ling felt like she understood Fiona, who treated her like a daughter.

“I should examine the item Aunt Fiona gave me.”

Luo Ling exhaled, her expression turning serious.

Besides the Sacred Tool “Gloomlight,” which had been given as a down payment, Fiona had also paid her with something more valuable than an ordinary Sacred Tool.

—A favor from the Speakers.

The favor that couldn’t be used to find information on Linna.

Although the Speakers hadn’t revealed the concealed truth to Fiona, this favor was still incredibly valuable.

The reason the Speakers refused to tell Fiona the truth was because the Company had already paid them for their silence… The Company understood the Speakers’ nature all too well.

For the Speakers, anything could be traded, with anyone… as long as the price was right.

Therefore, when requesting the Speakers’ services, the Company had already paid for their confidentiality.

Simply put, as long as the price was high enough, the Speakers’ mouths were shut tight.

Business people valued credibility… as long as the reward for maintaining credibility was higher than breaking it.

Fiona had given Luo Ling a ring, woven from a thin vine, pulsating with life force.

“Is this… the Auspicious Timing premonition’s token?”

Luo Ling examined the ring. It wasn’t an ordinary item, nor a Sacred Tool.

It was likely a treasure crafted by a Myriad path Awakened One’s ability.

Auspicious Timing was one of the Speakers’ four high-order Awakened Ones, known as the Four Premonitions, the others being Auspicious Location, Harbinger of Disaster, and Harbinger of Calamity.

Currently, only Auspicious Timing was active, essentially the leader of the Speakers.

The other three were either elusive or completely unknown, only their titles remaining.

Among them, Luo Ling was most familiar with the Harbinger of Disaster, the Gypsy Woman.

Come to think of it, she had also received a token from the Gypsy Woman, the metal rings she wore on her wrists and ankles, though she had been in her White Witch form at the time.

For saving Wang Lili, the Gypsy Woman had promised Luo Ling a favor, claiming she would appear when the time was right to collect it.

However…

Luo Ling recalled her recent experience and the Gypsy Woman’s appearance.

She wondered if she could use this favor to ask the Gypsy Woman about the details of that incident.

Although Fiona had failed, perhaps it was because she had used Auspicious Timing’s favor, not the Gypsy Woman’s?

“I should learn what I wanted to know first.”

Luo Ling composed herself. She had to achieve something before the next tea party.

Although the leader’s attitude towards her was strange, at least she was reliable in transactions, especially the information on the Seventh Path, far more accurate than the Company’s.

Besides, Luo Ling was also curious about Philosopher’s Authority.

After all… it was crucial information regarding the Harbingers of Calamity.

Luo Ling took the vine ring and channeled her Inspiration into it, following Fiona’s instructions.

The vine began to grow, quickly forming a bonsai-like plant with several strange fruits hanging from its branches.

The fruits split open, revealing eyes and mouths.

The eyes rolled around, and the mouths opened and closed, speaking in a soft voice,

“Long time no see, Ms. Fiona… oh, it seems to be another lovely young lady. Let me see… you must be Miss Luo Ling, correct?”

“…Yes.”

Luo Ling looked at the strange plant, her expression calm, but inwardly, she was taken aback.

Didn’t Auspicious Timing consider the user’s tolerance for the grotesque?

The vine ring looked quite normal, but after this transformation… it was rather unsettling.

Fortunately, Luo Ling had witnessed far more disturbing scenes, maintaining her composure. The others in her team… might not have fared so well.

“Heh, as rumored, a remarkably calm young lady. It seems Ms. Fiona traded this opportunity to you… as payment for the recent mission?”

Auspicious Timing’s voice was soft and pleasant. If it weren’t coming from such a grotesque plant, the conversation would have been more enjoyable.

The commission from Fiona and the subsequent events orchestrated by the Company’s Wellington office were widely known. It wasn’t surprising that the Speakers knew about it.

“I assume trading this favor is allowed?” Luo Ling asked.

“Of course, if you deem my favor worthy of exchange, I wouldn’t mind.”

Auspicious Timing continued, “Ms. Fiona also obtained this ring from someone else… honestly, it’s changed hands quite a few times. If it weren’t for Ms. Fiona’s difficult request, I would have accepted it directly.”

“I hope my request won’t be too troublesome.” Luo Ling said.

“Let’s hope so,” Auspicious Timing chuckled. “Tell me, Miss Luo Ling, what do you want me to do for you?”

“I want to see the Taboo Slate. The original, with its true contents.” Luo Ling said directly.

“…”

Auspicious Timing remained silent.

“Is that considered troublesome?” Luo Ling asked.

“It’s quite a predicament, Miss Luo Ling.” Auspicious Timing sighed. “I have a rough idea what you’re planning.”

Unlike the others, she didn’t simply tell Luo Ling to examine the Company’s publicized version. She knew some of the secrets surrounding the Taboo Slate.

“So?”

Luo Ling raised an eyebrow.

“Heh, although a predicament, it’s not a taboo.” Auspicious Timing chuckled. “Very well, I’ll tell you directly.

“Indeed, the Company’s publicized version of the Taboo Slate is partially concealed and fabricated. Its contents… aren’t entirely true.”

Chapter Thirty-Four: Such a Memorable Occasion

“……”

After Cen Xiangyun’s outburst, the sudden voice in the otherwise silent and somber funeral was jarring, attracting everyone’s attention like a thunderclap.

Countless gazes turned towards the source of the sound, an unexpected figure.

“Everyone, why are you looking at me like that?”

Fiona blinked, her demeanor noticeably different from their previous encounter, her complexion healthier, a hint of color returning to her cheeks.

A few days ago, she had appeared without any makeup, her eyes red and swollen. Today, however, she was carefully dressed, her usual radiant self.

“Why is Ms. Andromeda suddenly not grieving anymore? Has she moved on so quickly?”

Although the funeral was ostensibly for the Company specialist “Luo Ling,” the attendees knew the true purpose of this grand mourning.

It was for Andromeda of the Fate Society.

After all, some people’s deaths were worth far more than their contributions while alive.

Especially for the majority of Company members and high-ranking officials who didn’t even know “Miss Luo Ling.”

The Company always prioritized its interests, that had never changed.

While the Company members focused on Fiona, their minds filled with calculations, a few were different.

They noticed the inconspicuous black-dressed girl standing beside the radiant Fiona, holding a black umbrella for her, seemingly just a servant.

Even though the voice had come from her, everyone’s attention was drawn to Fiona, not the girl.

Cen Xiangyun stared at the familiar figure, disbelief evident in her expression.

Was she hallucinating?

She seemed to see…

But Cen Xiangyun couldn’t believe it.

The black-dressed girl looked different from the one in her memory, her face hidden behind a veil. Besides, even the Speakers had confirmed her death…

In that instant, Cen Xiangyun came up with countless reasons to deny the undeniable thought in her mind.

She didn’t dare to hope, because dashed hopes led to greater despair.

The black-dressed girl looked up, her veiled face seemingly smiling, her mischievous eyes familiar.

“Long time no see.”

The girl gently removed her veil, and in that moment, the figure in Cen Xiangyun’s memory overlapped perfectly with the black-dressed girl.

It was her.

It really… was her!

Cen Xiangyun rushed down from the stage, towards Fiona, under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Just as everyone assumed that Miss Cen, overwhelmed by grief, was about to lash out at Fiona, the “culprit” behind this tragedy, the situation took an unexpected turn.

She wasn’t rushing towards Fiona, but the inconspicuous attendant beside her.

“It really is…”

Tears choked her words.

“It’s me.”

Luo Ling’s expression softened as she released the umbrella and gently patted the sobbing woman in her arms.

Fiona took the umbrella, stepping back slightly to give them some space. All eyes turned to the black-dressed girl, finally seeing her face.

Finally, this funeral belonged to its rightful owner.

“Is that… Specialist ‘Luo Ling’?”

The emcee’s jaw dropped, speechless.

He looked at the black and white photo of the girl, then at the girl embraced by Cen Xiangyun, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

“Alive?”

In his career, he had never encountered such a situation, the deceased appearing at their own funeral.

The guests murmured, the scene momentarily chaotic.

The emcee was on pins and needles, wanting to ask his seniors for advice, but realizing that none of them had likely encountered such a situation either.

Who knew that a specialist, confirmed dead, even her file deleted, would appear alive at her own funeral? It was… unheard of.

“Miss Luo Ling, how… are you not dead?”

Lu Manqing, although not as emotional as Cen Xiangyun, was equally shocked, her face a mixture of disbelief. This was the first time Luo Ling had seen such a range of emotions on Lu Manqing’s usually impassive face.

“You’re not the only one who’s asked that.”

Luo Ling glanced at Fiona, who was holding the umbrella for them, a rare blush appearing on her cheeks as she smiled awkwardly.

“Miss Luo Ling, are you really… not dead?”

Cen Xiangyun stared at Luo Ling, reaching out to pinch her cheek.

Soft and warm… this couldn’t be a reanimated corpse, could it?

“So, did you miss me?”

Luo Ling looked at the tear-streaked face of the usually composed and dignified Cen Xiangyun, amused by her earlier outburst.

Her perception of Miss Cen had definitely changed.

“I… I…”

Cen Xiangyun’s face turned crimson, like the setting sun painting her cheeks, embarrassed by Luo Ling’s teasing.

She just wanted to find a hole and bury herself.

She’d rather be dead.

“Sorry for making you worry.”

Luo Ling lowered her head slightly, ruffling Elsa’s hair as she approached. “There was a slight mishap. I stayed in the Realm of Nothingness a bit longer than expected, but… I’m fine.”

Luo Ling’s casual tone, as if she had simply extended her business trip, was shocking to the others.

That place was the Realm of Nothingness, the forbidden zone, a place where even the most terrifying Grotesqueries tread carefully!

“A bit longer” was a month and a half, even if she hadn’t been in the Realm of Nothingness the entire time, it was still at least a month.

Previously, Luo Ling was just a unique specialist, not particularly noteworthy among the Company’s many unique specialists.

But after this incident, the Company would definitely re-evaluate her.

To survive alone in that place for so long… it couldn’t be explained by mere adaptability to the Realm of Nothingness. Luo Ling’s talent was far greater than they had assumed.

Luo Ling looked around. Fiona had explained the purpose of this funeral.

Actually, even without Fiona’s explanation, Luo Ling understood the Company’s motives.

She had to leave a lasting impression.

Luo Ling’s expression turned cold and indifferent.

She walked towards the stage, Fiona holding the umbrella behind her, shielding her from the falling snow.

The emcee on stage was flustered, unsure what to do.

Only after Luo Ling nodded to him, signaling him to leave, did he relax, quickly escaping the stage, leaving it to the unexpected guest of honor.

“My name is Luo Ling.”

Luo Ling’s gaze swept over the embarrassed attendees, including the silent Company officials.

“Yes, the subject of this funeral, the specialist you’re mourning.

“Contrary to your expectations, I’m not dead.”

She patted the coffin beside her. “I apologize for the trouble of this grand funeral. A mere P4 specialist like myself doesn’t deserve such an honor.

“I’m truly touched that the Company would hold such a grand funeral for a low-ranking specialist like myself. I’m deeply moved.”

Her words expressed gratitude, but her tone was laced with sarcasm.

Everyone could tell she was being sarcastic.

More importantly, her sarcasm… was undeniably true.

Although most attendees were Company members, there were also members of other factions, not to mention Andromeda of the Fate Society standing behind her.

Their interpretation of her words… was intriguing.

This was a blatant mockery of the Company, and they couldn’t retaliate, even forced to tread carefully due to Luo Ling’s miraculous survival.

If these words spread… no, they would spread, the Company would lose face, becoming a laughingstock.

The Company officials’ faces darkened.

“Lu Manqing.”

Luo Ling turned her gaze to the girl in Republican-era attire.

“Huh?”

Lu Manqing, surprised to be addressed, was stunned.

“Take a picture. Don’t you love taking pictures?” Luo Ling stood beside her own portrait, a faint smile on her lips. “Such a memorable occasion… how could we not commemorate it?”

“A picture? Okay, okay!”

Lu Manqing’s eyes lit up, giving Luo Ling a thumbs-up and snapping photos with her camera.

Amidst the flashing lights and the awkward silence of the attendees, this somber funeral, in the hands of its rightful owner, had become a farce.

A farce that humiliated the Company.

One could only imagine how tomorrow’s intelligence reports would describe this event.

…….

After the anticlimactic funeral, Luo Ling was dragged back to the apartment, bombarded with questions.

Luo Ling brushed them off, not wanting to elaborate, as it involved her ability, “Naraku,” and the history concealed by the Company.

Sometimes, knowing too much wasn’t a good thing. One should only learn what they needed to know, when they needed to know it.

From their accounts, Luo Ling understood the circumstances of the funeral fiasco.

It was the Company’s Wellington office that had made the decision.

Initially, Cen Xiangyun and the others had planned a simple symbolic burial, a small gathering of friends to mourn.

But the Wellington office, learning of this, had taken over the arrangements, even inviting Fiona, the “culprit.”

Therefore, Eve had refused to attend, which was why Luo Ling hadn’t seen her today.

Lu Manqing’s mother, Lu Fangling, who had brought Luo Ling from Jiangcheng County to Victoria, was also heartbroken by the tragedy and refused to exploit her death for any gain.

The Company was a monolithic entity, its operations unaffected by the decisions of individual members or officials.

“However, I should apologize to Ms. Fiona.” Cen Xiangyun looked nervous. “I haven’t been very kind to her.”

“Indeed, you should. I willingly accepted the commission, and Aunt Fiona paid me accordingly. She shouldn’t be blamed.” Luo Ling nodded.

“A-Aunt?”

Elsa peeked out, sensing something in that title.

“Ms. Fiona.” Luo Ling corrected herself. “She’s actually quite nice.”

But remembering something, Luo Ling’s expression turned slightly complicated.

Too nice.

Even now, she could still see Fiona’s reluctant gaze as they parted ways.

And the expensive black court dress she was currently wearing…

Fiona had given it to her, even expressing her hope that Luo Ling would wear it, Linna’s dress, the next time they met.

“…Let’s not.”

Being someone’s substitute once was enough. If it happened again, she would just drag Linna over.

Surely Fiona wouldn’t use her as a substitute after her real daughter returned?

The others seemed to understand the gist of Luo Ling’s vague explanation and quickly changed the subject.

“However, I’m surprised you didn’t clear out my room. Saved me the trouble.”

Luo Ling noticed that her belongings were still in their original places, except for the clothes taken for the symbolic burial. Everything was as she had left it.

Cen Xiangyun’s face turned red, and Lu Manqing looked away.

Only Elsa jumped up and said,

“It was me, it was me! I didn’t let them clean it! I knew Miss Luo Ling was fine! They were just being dramatic!”

Elsa puffed out her chest proudly.

She was the one who truly understood Miss Luo Ling, the others… hmph, they couldn’t compare.

“Well, we weren’t entirely convinced…”

Cen Xiangyun mumbled, assuming that Elsa was in denial.

They had left the room untouched to appease her.

It was a pity about those clothes, placed in the coffin. Even if Luo Ling wanted them back, Cen Xiangyun and the others wouldn’t allow it.

It was bad luck, mainly.

“As compensation, Miss Luo Ling, I’ll take you shopping for new clothes.”

Cen Xiangyun puffed out her chest. She considered herself to have the most normal fashion sense among them.

Except in this era.

She studied Luo Ling’s current appearance, then exclaimed,

“Miss Luo Ling, has anyone ever told you that you look great in this aloof, elegant style?”

Fiona, after all, came from a theatrical troupe. Her sense of style was impeccable.

She had even styled Luo Ling’s usually unkempt hair into a beautiful updo, adorned with a hairpin that even Cen Xiangyun envied, adding a touch of mystery to Luo Ling’s already somewhat gloomy aura.

“…No, they haven’t.”

Luo Ling just wanted to change into something more comfortable. Dresses… she had only worn the one her sister gave her, but it was now tucked away in her suitcase, too painful a reminder.

Fortunately, it had been well hidden. If Cen Xiangyun and the others had taken it for the symbolic burial, Luo Ling would have been furious.

“I always thought it would suit you, but I never had a chance to see it.” Cen Xiangyun stepped back slightly, nodding in approval. “You look even better from a distance.”

“But I think Miss Luo Ling would look even better in a Lolita dress!”

Elsa chimed in, eagerly promoting her style.

“Honestly, I liked her previous menswear style,” Lu Manqing said thoughtfully. “Cool and stylish.”

“You guys…”

Luo Ling’s lips twitched.

As they were discussing, the apartment door opened, and an expected figure entered.

“Thank goodness, Miss Luo Ling! I thought they were lying to me.” Eve’s anxious expression turned to relief and joy, seeing Luo Ling.

“Just a slight mishap. I’m not that easy to kill.” Luo Ling shrugged, emphasizing the word “kill.”

But Eve’s joy quickly faded, her expression turning serious.

“However… there’s something else.”

“What is it?” Luo Ling asked.

“A message from Company headquarters,” Eve said gravely. “The three directors… want to see you.”

Chapter Thirty-Three: Did You Miss Me That Much?

“Luo Ling, I think… my rose-tinted glasses for you have gotten even thicker.”

Fiona propped her chin on her hand, studying Luo Ling with unconcealed admiration.

“Hmm?”

Luo Ling frowned, tugging at the long, black court dress. A single white flower adorned her hair, adding to the somber atmosphere.

The dress fit perfectly. Fiona had instructed the maids to alter it overnight, adjusting the style and size to suit Luo Ling’s figure.

But Luo Ling rarely wore dresses, the unfamiliar feeling unsettling.

After all, high school students were required to wear uniforms, and due to her family’s financial situation, even at home, she usually wore her uniform.

Later… it became a habit. After arriving in Victoria, she chose mostly masculine clothing, though it wasn’t particularly unusual in her eccentric team.

Lu Manqing preferred cheongsams modified into shirts from the Republican era, Elsa insisted on Lolita princess dresses that resembled cosplay, and Cen Xiangyun, although normally dressed, had a fashion sense far ahead of this era.

Even the newly joined Eve, despite being a young lady, was a passionate enthusiast of maid outfits.

“Fiona… Aunt Fiona, are you sure this is Linna’s dress?”

Luo Ling couldn’t imagine Linna wearing this. She pictured Linna in an elegant tuxedo, even for formal occasions like banquets.

“It is hers.” Fiona nodded. “She just doesn’t wear it often.”

“Indeed, this dress isn’t very comfortable… at least not for me.”

Luo Ling patted the dress and sighed.

“Even this awkwardness… is exactly the same.” Fiona covered her mouth, tears welling up. “Lin— Miss Luo Ling, this dress suits you, really.”

…You just said “Lin,” didn’t you?!

Luo Ling’s expression twitched. She had prepared to play the role of Linna to comfort Fiona, but she hadn’t expected Fiona to be this invested.

Linna, you should come back and apologize to your mother. Look, she’s using me as your substitute! Can you bear it?!

Luo Ling could sense Linna’s presence, but she couldn’t pinpoint her location.

Linna hadn’t been hiding all this time. She was also exploring the power Luo Ling had bestowed upon her.

Now, Linna was half-human, half-Grotesquery, her body reshaped by the Puppet Ballad, her consciousness also influenced by Naraku.

But her memories and abilities were intact, her strength unchanged.

Linna’s situation was different from Elsa and Saint Alyssa. She couldn’t actively use the Puppet Ballad’s abilities, only her own, now under its influence.

However, although she couldn’t use the Puppet Ballad’s abilities, she still possessed some of its characteristics, like regeneration.

Linna must also be aware of Luo Ling’s existence. When news of the White Witch reached Victoria, she must have realized that their temporary separation was nearing its end.

Her absence might be due to an unwillingness to interfere with causality, or perhaps she was busy with other matters.

However, Luo Ling suspected that Linna wouldn’t mind Fiona’s substitution, even saying something like, “I’ll discreetly turn around, not wanting to interrupt your heartwarming moment.”

Secretly enjoying the situation, just like when she saw Luo Ling and little Odeletta’s “special play” in the Incubation Barrier.

This was Luo Ling’s biggest problem. How had she gotten involved with this mother-daughter duo?

“Sorry, Luo Ling, I lost control of my emotions.” Fiona composed herself, walking behind Luo Ling. “Don’t worry, I’ll try my best not to bother you.”

“It’s not that bothersome…”

Luo Ling felt slightly embarrassed.

Fiona picked up something and placed it on Luo Ling’s face.

“This is…”

Luo Ling looked at herself in the full-length mirror, seeing a thin black veil covering her face.

“A little something to obscure your features. It’s yours. Besides the funeral, you might find it useful in the future.”

Fiona placed her hands gently on Luo Ling’s shoulders, leaning closer and whispering,

“Linna hasn’t used this one.”

“Oh…”

“I have.”

“Huh?”

Luo Ling was stunned. Fiona straightened up and said,

“Let’s go, we’ll be late. It’s your big day, after all.”

Luo Ling: “…”

That phrasing was still strange, no matter how many times she heard it.

“Just us?”

Luo Ling looked around. The maids had left, leaving only her and Fiona in the dressing room.

“Yes, just us.” Fiona nodded. “It’s best not to involve the Fate Society. This is a personal matter.”

That explained the veil. Luo Ling had wondered why Fiona thought she would need it. She had planned to simply blend into the crowd.

But without the veil, she couldn’t surprise them.

However…

Fiona giving her the veil was also likely because she wanted to witness the surprise, wasn’t it?

Luo Ling’s lips twitched.

As expected of Linna’s mother, they were two peas in a pod…

“Is the carriage ready?” Luo Ling asked.

“Carriage?” Fiona blinked. “Why would we need a carriage?”

“Aren’t we going to—”

Fiona took Luo Ling’s hand, gently squeezing it.

“Yes, but we don’t need a carriage.

“Because… one step is enough.”

Fiona led Luo Ling, and they took a step together.

The scenery shifted, the dressing room fading away, replaced by a shower of white flower petals and the mournful melody of funeral music.

“To our dearest friend, family, beloved…

“Let us mourn the unfortunate passing of Miss Luo Ling.”

Fiona’s entrance was quiet. Although a few noticed the blonde woman, arguably responsible for Luo Ling’s “death,” they quickly averted their gazes.

No one noticed the young woman in the black dress beside her.

Fiona’s status was too prominent, equivalent to a member of the Company’s board of directors.

Of course, her actual status in the Awakened world wasn’t that high, but still higher than an ordinary P9 officer.

Few dared to question her. Commissions involving the Realm of Nothingness inherently carried risks. Although Miss Luo Ling’s death was unexpected, they couldn’t blame the client.

Fiona attending the funeral and arranging Luo Ling’s affairs was already considered going above and beyond.

Most attendees were Company members who barely knew Luo Ling. After all, she was officially a member of the Wellington office, so at least her colleagues would attend.

Hidden behind the veil, even Cen Xiangyun and the others, although familiar with Luo Ling, didn’t recognize her.

Besides, they weren’t eager to interact with Fiona. Even with her status, only ordinary servants attended to her at the funeral.

Admittedly, in the Awakened world, clients weren’t held responsible for such outcomes, but Luo Ling had died while carrying out this Fate Society high-ranking member’s mission. Those close to Luo Ling naturally resented Fiona.

“How can she even show her face here?”

Cen Xiangyun glared at the elegant blonde woman in a black dress.

She resented Fiona the most, having wanted to drive this woman, who caused Luo Ling’s death, away yesterday, only stopped by Lu Manqing.

“Perhaps… it was Miss Luo Ling’s fate.” Lu Manqing sighed, patting Cen Xiangyun’s back.

“Elsa, what are you looking at?”

Cen Xiangyun noticed Elsa looking around anxiously, unusual for her.

Was she shy?

She hadn’t heard of Elsa having such a problem before…

In Jiangcheng County, Elsa’s quietness was due to her physical condition. She was actually quite talkative, especially after realizing that Luo Ling wasn’t afraid of her speaking.

“Nothing…”

Elsa lowered her head.

“But Miss Luo Ling isn’t dead—she didn’t die…”

Through the connection between an Apostle and their Grotesquery, she could sense Miss Luo Ling’s presence nearby, very nearby, likely among the funeral attendees.

“It’s not your fault, Elsa.” Cen Xiangyun looked at Elsa with pity, stroking her hair. “We have to accept reality… but it’s alright for you to take your time.”

“It’s really not—”

Elsa’s words were cut short as she caught sight of a black figure in her peripheral vision.

Her eyes widened, fixated on the black-dressed girl standing beside the blonde woman.

Although the girl wore a veil, obscuring her face, and her figure and demeanor were different from the Miss Luo Ling she remembered, an Apostle’s perception of their Grotesquery was unmistakable.

Elsa recognized her instantly. The black-dressed girl was Miss Luo Ling, returned after a month and a half.

The black-dressed girl also noticed Elsa’s gaze and turned to look at her.

“Luo—”

Before Elsa could shout, the black-dressed girl placed a finger on her lips, shushing her.

Elsa swallowed her words.

“What’s wrong, Elsa?”

Cen Xiangyun and Lu Manqing looked at Elsa with puzzled expressions.

Elsa froze for a moment, then put on a sorrowful expression, wiping her tears and sobbing.

“Miss Luo Ling… is dead…”

Her cries attracted the attention of several guests, but seeing it was Elsa, they looked at her with pity.

Poor child, finally accepting reality?

However, Elsa’s mind was racing. She peeked at the black-dressed girl through her fingers, her sobs intensifying.

Did Miss Luo Ling not want to reveal her presence?

Had she been faking her death all this time, carrying out some… special operation?

It must be!

So, she had to cooperate with Miss Luo Ling!

Realizing this, Elsa instantly put on an Oscar-worthy performance.

Even the black-dressed girl was startled, wondering if she had made the wrong hand gesture.

That was the universal sign for silence, wasn’t it?

It should be…

Cen Xiangyun and Lu Manqing frantically tried to comfort the sobbing Elsa, hugging her and patting her back like a child.

…Which she was.

They whispered to each other.

“I told you not to bring Elsa. She’s from a mental hospital, not quite right in the head, and now she’s even more unstable after all this. And you’re still provoking her!”

“I thought that in this environment, she might finally accept reality… who knew she’d react so drastically. Even as a doctor, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“It’s all your fault, it’s all your fault…”

As they bickered, Elsa discreetly gave the black-dressed girl a thumbs-up and winked.

The black-dressed girl, however, was even more confused by Elsa’s actions.

The mournful music changed, interrupting their little exchange.

Cen Xiangyun looked up at the coffin containing Miss Luo Ling’s clothes and sighed deeply.

It was time to say goodbye to Miss Luo Ling.

Knowing Luo Ling’s personality, Cen Xiangyun knew that she wouldn’t have liked this boisterous affair, let alone with so many unfamiliar “colleagues.”

If she knew how noisy her funeral was, she would be frowning.

But this was the Company’s arrangement. They seemed to be using this opportunity to pressure Ms. Fiona of the Fate Society, intentionally enlarging the scale of the funeral.

Otherwise, for a P4 specialist, why would they make such a fuss?

The thought brought tears to Cen Xiangyun’s eyes.

She had been blaming Fiona for Luo Ling’s death, but deep down, she felt like the true culprit was herself.

It was her who had insisted on bringing Miss Luo Ling into the Company. If she hadn’t extended her hand that day… would the outcome have been different?

But there were no ifs.

“We invite Miss Cen Xiangyun, Captain of Specialist Luo Ling, to speak, to commemorate this great specialist who sacrificed herself for humanity.”

The emcee called her name. Cen Xiangyun looked up blankly, seeing the emcee smiling at her.

But she wasn’t in the mood for a speech…

She was still dazed as her colleagues pushed her towards the stage.

“I…”

Looking at her colleagues and the expectant emcee, Cen Xiangyun couldn’t utter a word.

She knew her colleagues weren’t wrong, the emcee wasn’t wrong, no one was wrong.

But…

This was Miss Luo Ling’s funeral. Why were there so many irrelevant people here?

Couldn’t they let Miss Luo Ling depart peacefully, surrounded by her friends, in the way she would have preferred…

Why was even her death being exploited…

Used as a bargaining chip between factions, an opportunity, a favor, a tool.

This was the first time.

For the first time, Cen Xiangyun questioned the organization she belonged to, the Company.

“I… miss her.”

Tears streamed down Cen Xiangyun’s face.

“Anything else? Any other words you’d like to share?”

The emcee hoped that this closest teammate of Miss Luo Ling would say more, making the funeral more impactful.

Preferably something that would deeply move Fiona, “Andromeda” of the Fate Society’s three constellations, leaving a lasting impression.

“No.”

Cen Xiangyun shook her head.

“Really nothing else?”

The emcee’s disappointment was evident.

Seeing his expression, a surge of anger welled up within Cen Xiangyun. Losing her usual composure, she shouted hysterically,

“No, no, no! I said no! I just miss her! That’s all! I want her alive! I want her back! That’s all!”

Cen Xiangyun gasped for breath.

The mournful music stopped. Everyone stared at her in silence, the only sound her ragged breathing.

She wanted to say more, but her throat tightened, tears blurring her vision.

“I… I…” she sobbed. “I just… miss her, that’s all.”

“Did you miss me that much?”

A familiar, clear voice echoed, calm as ever.