Girl Doesn’t Die in Fairytale Town: Chapter 33 – Betrayal
The “Ghost Town” incident.
In the numerous disaster records of the New Era, it was just an unremarkable “Ruin” level event.
Even though there had been four or five observation records over the centuries, compared to other “Ruin” level disasters, “Ghost Town” was much more “benign.”
Of course, “benign” here didn’t mean it wasn’t destructive. In fact, even a slight leakage of “Ghost Town’s” power was enough to destroy ordinary city defenses.
However, “Ghost Town” hadn’t shown any strong aggression. Just as its name suggested, it drifted aimlessly like a ghost.
But even with the previous misjudgment, “Ghost Town” was still a “Ruin” level disaster event with multiple recorded instances in the archives.
“You might not believe this, but I’m actually just an investigator… not here to resolve the incident.”
Hua Qiling touched her nose awkwardly and looked away.
In the original plan, Yan City first dispatched an investigation team composed of “Calamity” level personnel, expecting to suffer about twenty percent casualties in exchange for preliminary results.
This kind of intelligence gathering suicide squad was a common tactic used by mega-cities when dealing with disasters, because every “Ruin” level ability user was invaluable.
Yan City, with a population of nearly a million, had only about thirty “Ruin” level ability users.
However, Hua Qiling had to admit that she had been impulsive, devising such a reckless plan and entering Ghost Town alone in place of the investigation team.
But now it seemed that this was a blessing in disguise.
Before entering, who could have known that Ghost Town was already on the verge of collapse?
Luo Yan’s growing doubts were nearing a breaking point. Just a little external force, and the fragile balance of Ghost Town would shatter.
What was even more unexpected was that Ghost Town wasn’t a “Ruin” level contaminated area at all.
A “Ruin” level incident was defined as one where “Ruin” level ability users could participate and had the ability to resolve it.
But after entering, Hua Qiling discovered that she couldn’t even deal with the small fry (like the shadowy monsters summoned by Ronner), let alone resolve the disaster.
“…That’s quite a predicament.”
Grifres twitched his lips, then, vigilantly observing the surroundings, said gravely,
“But I’m curious, why was ‘Ghost Town’ only classified as a ‘Ruin’ level incident? If we had known it was a ‘Peril’ level contaminated area, Alyxsia would have come with me.”
Alyxsia was the Dawn Cadre holding back Yan City’s forces outside, also a “Peril” level ability user, even stronger than Grifres.
Dawn always employed overwhelming force for rescue missions. For a “Ruin” level incident, they would send a “Peril” level ability user. For a “Peril” level incident, they would deploy multiple “Peril” level ability users, and if the situation was urgent, even a “Destruction” level ability user, considered the peak of human strength, might intervene.
“The disaster archives classified the incident based on ‘Ghost Town’s’ destructive capability towards the outside world. But in reality, this destruction was merely an unintentional side effect of ‘Ghost Town’s’ immense power.”
As a professional investigator, Hua Qiling sighed and concluded, “The true threat, the most dangerous aspect, lies within Ghost Town itself, at least ‘Peril’ level or above… But before this, no one knew.”
“I see…”
Grifres nodded thoughtfully.
Luo Yan was completely lost, but she didn’t ask any further questions.
She had never experienced the world outside the town. Although she was curious, resolving the town’s crisis was more important now.
Other questions could wait.
“The ‘Atonement Day’ ritual should be completely disrupted now, right?” Grifres turned to Luo Yan and asked gravely. “Miss Luo Yan, what do you think that ‘Mrs. Natalie’ will do next?”
Hua Qiling also looked at Luo Yan, her eyes questioning.
After all… only Luo Yan truly understood Ghost Town.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Luo Yan shook her head. She looked around and continued, “However, the townspeople who were here during the ‘Atonement Day’ ritual seem to have disappeared.”
Corrosive marks remained on the ground in the square, but the grotesque monsters had vanished without a trace.
“And, Mr. Ronner mentioned some interesting information before he died, such as ‘Mrs. Natalie obtaining power by making a wish to a demon’ and using it to ‘create a world of happiness’,” Luo Yan lowered her eyes and whispered.
Having spent countless years in the “eternally happy” town, she deeply understood Mrs. Natalie’s obsession.
“And ‘find Miss Tini’s lost wish’…” Hua Qiling added.
“…to resolve the crisis?” Grifres frowned.
Luo Yan was silent for a moment. She clearly remembered Ronner’s dying words, and combined with the horrific appearances of the townspeople-turned-monsters, as if they had suffered inhuman torture…
Connecting these clues, the tragic past of the town seemed to be gradually coming into focus.
“Perhaps… I know where we should go.”
Luo Yan stood up and said softly.
“Where?”
Hua Qiling asked.
“Natalie Manor,” Luo Yan looked towards the faintly visible manor in the distance, her eyes flickering. “Regarding little Tini’s lost wish…”
…
Mrs. Natalie sat gracefully in her chair, holding a worn doll in her arms.
A stone eye, the one from the church spire, slowly materialized before her.
The appearance of the stone eye signified the complete failure of the “Atonement Day” ritual, and Ronner, who had performed the ritual… was naturally dead.
Upon receiving news of Ronner’s death, Mrs. Natalie’s beautiful face was filled with unconcealed grief and sorrow.
She clutched her chest and whispered mournfully,
“Ronner, in the end, you still chose to betray us…”
Regardless of success or failure, when Ronner decided to unleash his complete form, revealing his grotesque body stitched together from countless limbs and flesh, his consciousness couldn’t be preserved.
It was his final effort, and what he considered his selfishness… Ronner had betrayed Mrs. Natalie’s wish for “eternal happiness for everyone.”
Because Ronner was in too much pain. In this endless torment disguised as “happiness,” he needed release.
“No, I can’t cry… Little Tini is watching…”
A smile, filled with love, abruptly appeared on Mrs. Natalie’s tear-stained face.
“We must be happy, eternally happy… Little Tini, you said… right?”
“That’s right, Mommy,” a sweet, childish voice sounded from the doll. “Little Tini’s wish is for everyone to have happiness!”
“Happiness…”
Mrs. Natalie laughed and cried, wordlessly hugging the doll tightly.
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