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.”
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