“So, the story ends here for now.” Li Yue closed the picture book, a gentle smile on her face as she lightly stroked the girl’s head.
“Do you like this story?”
“Yes. Can you tell another one, sister?” A faint light shone in the girl’s pale red eyes, providing a small measure of comfort to Li Yue’s shattered soul.
“Of course. I have many, many more stories here that I haven't had the chance to tell yet.” Li Yue rummaged through the cabinet for a moment and pulled out a book with deep green vines and bright red berries painted on the cover.
Knock, knock, knock. A soft rapping came from Li Yue’s door. She placed the picture book in the girl’s hands and patted her head.
“Wait for me a moment.”
Li Yue opened the door. Kelly stood there, breathing heavily, holding a newspaper and a letter. She seemed unable to speak for a moment due to the heavy exertion.
“Don't rush. We can take our time.” Li Yue adjusted her clothing, smoothing down the collar of her shirt.
“What happened yesterday? Does the fire at the St. Victoria Orphanage have anything to do with those charred clothes of yours?” Kelly’s expression was serious and urgent, and she began gasping for air again after speaking.
Li Yue briefly recounted what had happened. Although she didn't quite understand the nun’s death, she slightly glossed over the details and explained where the children had gone in the end.
“No wonder that abandoned academy in the north is being rebuilt... It was the same last time, and it's the same now. Every time, they just have us clean up the aftermath...” Kelly’s tone became agitated. “You’re just like Roland used to be. Whenever there’s danger or an emergency, you just charge in alone.”
“I don't have anything left to lose anyway...” Li Yue froze for a moment, the answer slipping out of her mouth instinctively.
“He used to say that too...” Kelly thought for a moment and turned her back. “Have any of you ever considered that someone might be saddened by your departure? I’ve been here for ten years. Out of everyone I knew when I first arrived, only Roland is left...”
“Now, I occasionally go to the cemetery to visit them with Roland.” Kelly’s voice began to sob. If Yorick were still sitting in the small building or wandering around as he used to, Li Yue would surely have learned more about the past from him and been able to understand Kelly’s sorrow in this moment.
In Kelly’s memory, everyone here used to see each other as part of a large family. If there hadn't been so many attacks and so many sacrifices, Li Yue probably wouldn't have become the way she was now. She could have sat down, been pulled into a game of cards, gone out for a group meal on the weekend, visited a club, or shared her joys and sorrows with any of the people in Kelly’s memories.
She could have spent a relatively happy year here, then said her goodbyes at the harbor and set off on her journey for studies.
But these were ultimately just fantasies. The dead would not return, and Li Yue had changed; she no longer possessed the innocence she had when they first met. She had begun to grow accustomed to madness and death, to enduring mental torment alone, and to a life drenched in blood.
Li Yue gently embraced the sobbing Kelly. Kelly wiped her tears, and her trembling shoulders finally calmed after several deep breaths.
“You are different from us. You cannot die here, do you understand?” Kelly’s voice still held a hint of a sob. “If you want to run, then run...”
She looked into Li Yue’s blood-red eyes, seeing the struggle and pain hidden deep within those pupils.
In Kelly’s eyes, still shimmering with tears, Li Yue saw sorrow and heartache. In her memory, this seemed to be the first person who had looked at her eyes without any strange or ulterior thoughts.
Kelly was simply worried about her.
In Caesar’s eyes, she had seen surprise, desire, and a deep-seated reverence and fear.
In the nun’s eyes, she had seen hysteria, anger, fear, madness, and a complex series of emotions.
What these eyes represented, she still didn't know, but occasionally in the mirror, she could see a stranger staring back.
“I understand.” Li Yue gave Kelly a hug, and the latter’s emotions seemed to stabilize slightly.
“The St. Victoria incident was ruled an accident and taken over by the police inspectors. Since it happened outside the city, we cannot directly take over the investigation.” Kelly’s voice was still a bit shaky, breaking into a sob every few words.
“Based on your description, it seems there is still a mastermind behind the scenes. I’ve written a letter to Roland. Once the current commotion passes, we can start investigating.”
Kelly wiped her face with a handkerchief.
“The true storm is coming within the next few months.”
Li Yue reflected for a moment, not entirely understanding the meaning of the ‘storm.’ In her mind, although there was a terrorist organization secretly preparing something, Parvati was a metropolis with resident Great Mages. No matter what, secular forces should not be able to shake it.
“Right, I forgot to give you the letter and a set of clothes.” Kelly handed over the letter, her concern written all over her face. After hesitating for a moment, she went downstairs alone.
Dear Miss Nolan,
I have already begun settling the children you sent over. I did not expect so much evil to be hidden within that orphanage. As one of the city’s administrators, I feel a deep sense of guilt. My subordinates had already begun an investigation, but the fire and explosions buried all the truth within the ruins.
I express my deepest regrets for all of this.
Also, I will be attending a funeral the day after tomorrow—the funeral of a magic user. I hope you can change into pure black clothing by then; I will come to pick you up.
A funeral? Why do I have to go too? And for a magic user?
Li Yue unwrapped the silk-covered items. They were several pieces of clothing, apparently meant to be worn in two days. Since the other party had sent such expensive-looking clothes, it might be rude not to go.
Li Yue tried them on; they fit perfectly, perhaps even custom-made.
Miss Kelly told me to run far away, but it seems this invitation might be the beginning of being drawn into the center of a vortex again...
Whatever. I’ll take it one step at a time.
She walked back into the room and gently coaxed the girl to sleep. It was best for children to take a nap at noon.
She seemed to have asked Kelly to look after the child that day, but Kelly hadn't seemed to have seen the little girl she brought back yet. Li Yue felt a bit strange.
Memories were always blurred and mixed with confusion. These days, she was almost unable to distinguish between dreams and reality.
If my memories continue to be mixed with unreality, I might have to start keeping a journal. I just don't know where to begin writing.
The fire at the St. Victoria Orphanage, the demon hunter who had investigated it years ago, a tragedy where thousands lost their lives...
These all seemed to be hidden in history, but Li Yue believed these events must be connected.
She walked straight to Roland’s office. She wanted to know what had happened here in the past. If a region was about to undergo a massive change, the mastermind would surely need a long time to lay the groundwork to bring about the ending they desired.
She began looking through the files, flipping through them without much success until she saw a case with the codename “Blood Moon” written in red ink.
Her pupils suddenly constricted.
The other side of the world:
Inside a high tower surrounded by mysterious symbols, Clo was flipping through ancient books. Many thick, completed books were stacked beside her. She held a pen, taking notes on a page, looking very serious.
The sun slowly permeated through the window. Clo stretched, seemingly a bit tired. She slowly stood up and looked at the scenery outside the window, her mood gradually improving.
These beautiful scenes always overlapped with the scenes from her travels, making her unable to resist reminiscing again and again.
If she had to describe her current feelings, she could only say that this moment was exactly like that moment. Looking back was truly both joyful and melancholy.
She changed into the clothes of an ordinary magic user and walked leisurely down the tower.
She hummed a light tune, appearing to be in a good mood. She passed by the Time Casket. None of the magic users stationed there were so lacking in discernment that they dared to stop this lady. They gave a simple report and then continued their own meditations on magic.
The area around the academy was surrounded by a small town—or rather, this town was part of the academy, a living area managed by the students themselves.
Walking into the market, Clo barely recognized several pedestrians as freshmen who had just enrolled this year. Magic items were traded here. If it were a valuable material, like the dragon horn Clo had brought back before, it would be traded within the academy. If it were something common, the academy allowed students to trade privately, but did not allow the presence of merchant guilds or shopping guide organizations.
Clo walked into a few of the cheapest small shops. She didn't come here to buy materials for her own magic research. The items she needed were usually purchased by her subordinates. Although Clo didn't think much of the results produced by those geniuses in the Time Casket with their heart and soul, she still highly recognized their administrative abilities and conduct.
Provided one didn't consider that small matter of the lost letter.
She took out a few copper coins engraved with magic hats and placed them on the shop counter. Under the recommendation of several trainees who didn't recognize her but were very enthusiastic, she bought several bright red flowers. Although they looked very gaudy, Clo still quite liked their name and flower language.
This bouquet of flowers was called roses.
That idiot doesn't understand the language of flowers anyway, so I’ll just send them to make her happy. Should I remove the thorns? Will she get scratched the first time she holds them? I’ll write a tag to tell her to be careful.
Thinking of this, her mood seemed to get even better.
Inside the dim office, Li Yue lit the kerosene lamp and focused intently on the incident report before her. Her expression was heavy and serious, even carrying a hint of fear and confusion.
Is this the ‘Blood Moon’ the nun mentioned? Is this really magic? This is clearly a prelude to the end of the world.
Rate on N.U.
