Chapter Fifty-Four: The Kept Miss Luo Ling
The quiet cafe was a suitable place for discussing important matters, but for the two women present, the atmosphere was anything but “quiet.”
A waiter carrying coffee froze mid-step, nearby patrons casting curious glances, their eyes blinking at the wrong moment.
In this time-frozen world, Luo Ling’s casual words struck Fiona like a thunderclap, making her stand up abruptly.
“What did you just say?”
Fiona stared at the girl with the strange makeup, her calm demeanor giving her an unexpected air of elegance, her gaze fixed on the girl’s eyes, searching for a flicker of doubt.
A hint of falsehood.
But she found none.
The girl’s eyes were as calm and indifferent as her expression.
“Should I repeat myself?” Luo Ling asked softly.
“…I’m just surprised, not deaf.” Fiona composed herself, though her rapid breathing betrayed her inner turmoil.
She sat down again, her expression now a mixture of anxiety and anticipation.
After a moment of hesitation, she asked, “Did you really… see Linna? And the ‘Hunt’ team?”
“Aunt Fiona, do I seem like the kind of person who jokes about such sensitive matters?”
“I-I apologize…”
Fiona quickly lowered her head, an unprecedented display of vulnerability—rarely did anyone witness such unease from a high-ranking member of the Fate Society.
Luo Ling smiled faintly. Fiona’s flustered expression slightly appeased her earlier resentment.
Serves you right for treating me like Linna!
When the real Linna appeared before Aunt Fiona, she would surely feel guilty.
Before Luo Ling could speak, Fiona raised her hand, took a deep breath, and said,
“Wait a moment, Luo Ling, let me process this… this news is too shocking, I need some time to calm down.”
Luo Ling nodded. After a while, Fiona regained her composure, her expression turning serious.
“This must be related to your experience in the Realm of Nothingness.” Fiona said gravely. “You must have experienced an illusion… witnessing the past.”
“Something like that.”
Luo Ling wasn’t surprised that Fiona had guessed it.
However, Fiona couldn’t possibly imagine, or rather, hadn’t dared to imagine, that Luo Ling had not only witnessed the “illusion” but also actively participated in it, influencing the past.
Through her recent exploration of the Realm of Nothingness and Naraku’s unpredictable abilities, Luo Ling had a theory about her return to the past.
It wasn’t time travel, but Naraku’s “rewrite reality,” somehow triggering the Realm of Nothingness’s “Transcendence,” allowing her to enter the Boundary before its annihilation.
As long as she left the Incubation Barrier, the brief “Transcendence” would end, and she would return to the present.
However, the causal relationship was complex, whether intentional or not, it had led to the current outcome.
“Linna’s Sacred Tool…”
Fiona said hesitantly.
“Yes, I obtained it in the illusion.” Luo Ling nodded.
Luo Ling omitted her own involvement and Linna’s transformation, recounting the events within the Incubation Barrier, including the Company’s scheme, the Speakers’ participation, and the untold truths.
She withheld some information, as her own involvement, related to “Transcendence” and her other abilities, was difficult to explain. As for Linna’s situation… she would let Linna decide.
“I can’t believe Frick was a Torchbearer agent…”
Fiona shook her head wryly. “The Torchbearers rarely recruit Westerners, let alone train them to ninth-order… perhaps that’s why we overlooked him.”
From Cheng Jianming’s letter, it was clear that although the Torchbearers used tarot card code names, they leaned towards Eastern culture.
The Torchbearers’ presence in Victoria was unique. They were merchants from the East, trading tea, spices, and other Eastern specialties.
“However, this likely involves more than just the Torchbearers and the Company…”
Fiona’s expression turned grim.
She hadn’t been able to uncover the truth all these years. There must have been some interference…
Fiona looked at Luo Ling and said, “Luo Ling, don’t get involved in this anymore. It’s too dangerous for you.
“The Sacred Medicines from the Torchbearers weren’t just a gesture of goodwill, but also a warning. And the Company… those directors aren’t kind. I suspect that the ‘old man’ himself orchestrated a part of the Torchbearers’ plan.”
“The old man?”
Luo Ling was surprised. She had a favorable impression of the elderly director.
He seemed kind and approachable, even expressing remorse for the Company’s past actions.
“That’s all true. He wasn’t being deceitful. He was sincere.”
Fiona shook her head. “But that sincerity is what makes him terrifying… If the board decides to silence you, he will be the one to make that decision.”
Luo Ling nodded, her expression turning serious.
It seemed she needed to re-evaluate the threat levels of the various factions…
Fiona seemed reluctant to discuss the Company directors further. She paused, then continued, “I’ll handle the rest. You just focus on being a Company employee.”
Fiona didn’t suggest that Luo Ling abandon her Company identity and join the Fate Society. She knew that would only put her in greater danger.
How could she let this girl, so similar to her daughter, face such risks? She would handle it herself.
“Okay.”
Luo Ling nodded, knowing she needed to keep a low profile.
“But… are you sure Linna is really alive?”
After a long hesitation, Fiona finally asked the question that weighed most heavily on her mind.
According to Luo Ling’s account, Linna had escaped the Incubation Barrier at the last moment, then vanished without a trace.
“Yes, of course, I wouldn’t lie about this.” Luo Ling nodded. “I told you before, Miss Linna might not be dead.”
She had merely omitted some details. The main points were true. Luo Ling hadn’t lied.
Even Luo Ling, Linna’s master, didn’t know her current whereabouts… Although the term “master” was embarrassing, it was true. Linna had become a part of the White Witch, her consciousness even invaded by the Puppet Ballad.
“I thought… that was just a kind lie, to comfort me.”
Fiona’s expression was strange, a mixture of hope and disbelief. Her long-dormant emotions stirred, yet it still felt unreal.
Luo Ling, knowing herself well, said, “I’m not that considerate.”
“That’s true, heh…”
Fiona chuckled, her expression lighter, the recent good news bringing a smile to her face for the first time in years.
“By the way, Aunt Fiona, there’s something I’d like to ask you for help with.”
Luo Ling took out a box and pushed it towards Fiona. “I heard the Fate Society specializes in crafting Sacred Tools, right? I have a Sacred Relic I’d like you to craft into a Sacred Tool.”
“Hmm?” Fiona’s eyes lit up, taking the box. “Crafting a Sacred Tool is no problem, but I have to tell you, the success rate isn’t very high. Most of the time, it just becomes a weapon imbued with special power. It has to contain a Grotesquery’s ability to be considered a Sacred Tool.”
“I’ve heard that, but… does the success rate depend on the crafting method?” Luo Ling asked.
“It’s a factor, but the most important factor is whether the Sacred Relic contains a Grotesquery’s ability, and the amount of power it contains.”
Fiona opened the box, wrapped tightly with tape. “What level of Grotesquery is this from? If it’s close to Dangerous Grotesquery level, I can personally craft it for you. If it’s too low-level… it’s not worth my time.”
Fiona was the highest-ranking Sacred Tool crafter within the Fate Society. Her services were expensive, and she wouldn’t even bother with lower-level Dangerous Grotesquery Sacred Relics, only those within the top hundred Sequences.
Of course, for Luo Ling’s request… it was a different matter.
“Oh, it should meet your requirements,” Luo Ling said. “It’s from ‘Core of Fear’ of Nightmare, Grotesquery Sequence 37.”
She had retrieved the Sacred Relic from Elsa before meeting Fiona.
For some reason, Elsa had been keeping it in her bed… likely the only person who would do such a thing with a Grotesquery’s remains.
“One hundred thirty-seventh? Alright, no problem.” Fiona nodded, then took out a crystal orb from the crude, almost package-like box.
“It’s thirty-seventh.” Luo Ling corrected her.
“…Thirty-seventh?”
Fiona recalled the thirty-seventh Sequence. It was indeed “Core of Fear.”
Her expression changed, feeling the powerful aura emanating from the orb, almost dropping it. “Luo Ling… this is a High-Risk Grotesquery Sacred Relic! You kept it in this shoddy box?”
“I couldn’t find another box. Oh, and when I drew it, the description said, ‘Used appropriately, it can effectively suppress most Oneiric and Nightmare abilities’.” Luo Ling said.
“…It has the potential to become a Sacred Tool!” Fiona’s eyes lit up. For a Sacred Tool crafter, this was a treasure.
However, she was puzzled. “How did you obtain such a valuable item? Even the Company requires a P9 or higher annual bonus to redeem this.”
Luo Ling hadn’t been able to see the more valuable treasures in the vault because of her low rank. Higher ranks had access to better items.
And some particularly valuable items, like this High-Risk Grotesquery Sacred Relic with Sacred Tool potential, required multiple vault access opportunities.
“I drew it.” Luo Ling replied.
“You drew it?”
Fiona’s disbelief was even greater than when she learned that Linna was alive. “Seriously, can you actually draw something like this from the Company’s vault?”
The general consensus regarding the Company’s vault lottery system was that it was a scheme to drain employees’ annual bonuses…
But there were always gamblers, hoping to win a prize worth several years’ worth of bonuses.
“You drew it yourself?”
Fiona asked suspiciously.
“I drew it myself.”
Luo Ling’s expression remained unchanged.
…A lie.
Fiona saw the flicker of guilt in Luo Ling’s eyes and chuckled.
She put the Sacred Relic away and said, “But I have to tell you, even I can’t guarantee creating a Sacred Tool from a High-Risk Grotesquery Sacred Relic. Besides the necessary conditions, it also requires some luck. I can only try my best.”
“Of course, I understand.” Luo Ling paused, then asked, “How much will it cost?”
“Between us, do we need to discuss such things?” Fiona raised an eyebrow. “Of course, if you insist on paying, I won’t refuse. I don’t lack resources or money. What I lack is…”
“Since you’re being so evasive, Aunt Fiona, I won’t stand on ceremony.” Luo Ling interrupted, knowing what Fiona wanted.
“Oh, what a pity.”
Fiona shook her head, her expression turning regretful.
She really wanted to adopt Luo Ling as her daughter…
Even if Linna was still alive, who said she couldn’t have two daughters?
Linna would definitely like Miss Luo Ling too.
“Time’s almost up. Don’t mention any of this after the time stop is lifted. It might attract unwanted attention.”
Fiona said, “The ‘old man’ is an Other Shore path Awakened One, constantly monitoring Victoria… be careful.”
And Philosopher, he was a This Life path Awakened One.
Luo Ling’s expression turned serious. Fortunately, her original body had a natural cloaking effect, and she never transformed into her White Witch form without her domain, leaving no detectable traces.
Although she had been cautious, she would be even more careful now.
“But there’s one more thing, Luo Ling… don’t you think your makeup is a bit… much?”
Fiona studied Luo Ling’s face, unable to suppress her amusement. “Even I’m struggling to see you through rose-tinted glasses. You look like you just escaped from a mental hospital.”
“Really? I think it’s fine.”
“Fine…?”
Fiona touched Luo Ling’s face, her fingers coated in powder.
“Here, let me fix it for you.”
Fiona sighed, taking out a small makeup kit from her bag, and began fixing Luo Ling’s makeup.
“As the general manager of the Victoria Opera House, I can’t let you go out looking like this… hey, don’t move.”
Luo Ling giggled, then quickly suppressed it, her face twitching slightly as Fiona continued.
After a while, Fiona clapped her hands, satisfied. “Alright, although not perfect… it’s much better than before.”
Luo Ling looked at herself in the mirror, feeling like Fiona had simply removed her previous makeup… but looking closer, she did look different.
More heroic, and strangely familiar.
Luo Ling quickly realized why.
“This looks like Linna!”
Luo Ling looked up, seeing Fiona’s mischievous smile.
“As payment for crafting the Sacred Tool—I accept.” Fiona mimed eating. “I’m very satisfied, Miss Luo Ling.”
Fiona stood up and left, leaving the clock Sacred Tool on the table.
Luo Ling picked it up, wanting to return it, but Fiona was gone.
A note, still slightly wet, lay on the table.
“Even the Torchbearers sent you high-order Sacred Medicines, how could I be less generous? Keep the Sacred Tool… I have plenty.”
Luo Ling remained silent for a moment, then put the Sacred Tool away, sighing.
“Aunt this, Aunt that… I feel like I’m being kept.”
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