For some reason, Li Yue dreamed of that pitch-black sea again—a darkness distinct from the skyline of her Blood Moon.
The scenes were familiar: atop massive triangular towers, the corpses of the hanged dangled.
She saw the bodies of men, women, children, and blood demons alike, falling into the black sea like raindrops in mid-air. She saw withered flowers drifting down like fine rain, suffocating those sleeping in the open.
Body after body was fed into the furnace; in the brilliant glow of the fire, they became similar once more, just as they were at birth.
She stood upon the black sea, quietly waiting for everything to end. The dream gradually began to shatter, but this time, she felt herself a little closer to the surface of that sea.
She woke from her light sleep. Through the window, she saw the dark high tower in the distance, its core glowing like a morning star. It was as if this world no longer had night, only perpetual day.
Li Yue knew this was a place she would never belong to. This place could belong to everyone else, leaving only her and the twilight to divide this world between them.
In the distance, Li Yue could see a wall of considerable height, perhaps three or four meters, topped with coils of barbed wire. It separated the Inner Ring from the outside world, leaving only a few small gates to serve as transportation hubs.
Because of the events that had occurred recently, these gates had been temporarily closed. They had opened once before for Aestherin and the others, and this time, it was for Li Yue.
The army stationed at the gate spotted them from afar. They stopped the carriage, not to cause trouble, but simply to follow procedure.
“Good day, noble lady,” a soldier dressed in a black overcoat stood in the snow, his waist slightly bent in a respectful bow. “Please present your invitation.”
Li Yue took a small stack from her ring and handed them to the man. She waited in silence. The man seemed to fluster for a moment, then hurriedly returned a letter to her.
“Miss, this letter was tucked inside. We have no right to open it,” the man said as he handed the invitation back to Li Yue. “Please keep it safe, Miss. Losing it could cause unnecessary trouble.”
Li Yue nodded and looked with some confusion at the letter she had overlooked. She wasn't sure if she had accidentally taken a letter addressed to someone else when she cleared her mailbox.
She looked at the name on the letter; the word 'Noah' was written in upright, formal script. Li Yue froze for a moment, then felt a wave of sadness. Judging by the signature, this was Diana’s letter, seemingly from a few days ago.
She heard a strain of melodious music, a trio composed of a violin, a cello, and a double bass. She opened the window to listen closely and felt an immense warmth; even the wind blowing in had turned balmy.
The heat sources here were exceptionally abundant, to the point where there wasn't even any snow on the ground. Here, Li Yue could see land paved with stone bricks. That miniature sun truly made this area incredibly warm.
The music was graceful, the warm breeze gentle. Occasionally, the sounds of people talking could be heard on the streets, their tones filled with laughter and joy. In the roadside shop windows, she could even see well-tended green plants.
She opened the letter. It was just a single sheet of yellowing stationery that looked a few years old, carrying an air of cheapness and poverty. Despite that, Li Yue read it carefully.
Dear Miss Noah,
Thank you for your constant care. I was surprised that you decided to help us solve our heat source problem without a second thought. It is only now that I suddenly realize my own selfishness. You have already saved me from death and given our family the money to survive; you have spent far too much on me.
I was born poor... destined to endure much hardship. I am used to it; there is no need for you to... shoulder so much for us.
No one in my life has ever given me such great help. If needed, I am willing to give my life for you.
May your every future day be beautiful.
Diana
Li Yue tucked the letter away, placing it in the same section as the sheet music Roland had written for her.
She stared at the similarly gloomy sky here, her gaze gradually lowering until she saw the wall that separated warmth from the bitter cold. Her gaze drifted past the coils of barbed wire, as if looking toward a place very, very far away.
She wondered how Diana was doing now, whether she could truly receive an equal education, and if she had been given a chance to escape her fate. Would her hardships soon be over?
Li Yue thought of many things, finally thinking of a place even further away. She remembered the city she had left some time ago, which had since undergone earth-shaking changes: Parvati.
Would it have become more beautiful? Would there be many people offering flowers at Mr. Roland’s grave? Would someone clean his simple yet great tombstone? Would there be others who would weep for him?
She closed her eyes in pain. She pulled the window shut, refusing to let the clamor of the world disturb her for another moment. She drew up her knees, hiding her pain and sorrow beneath her snow-white coat, beneath that vivid red blood crystal, and within that human nature that had been worn down but still managed to shine.
Beside a luxurious building, attendants opened the carriage door for her. They supported Li Yue and rolled out a long carpet for her, not even letting her feet touch the ground; instead, she stepped onto a cushion before landing steadily on the laid-out red woolen carpet.
The respectful attendants led her into this luxurious small castle. The overall decor was emphasized by red and white. Even the three pillars of the candelabras were each inlaid with a pure blood crystal, looking elegant without losing nobility.
The attendants crowded around her, carefully guiding her way. Li Yue felt that even if she stayed in such a residence for a while, she might not be able to avoid getting lost entirely. Fortunately, there were plenty of attendants here.
The butler and the head maid stood on either side of a long corridor, bowing to welcome her. Her luggage had long since been taken over by the attendants. They sprayed her hair with fragrant perfume and used towels warmed by a heating stove to wipe her exposed skin.
This made her feel somewhat uncomfortable, but everyone’s expression was so solemn and serious, as if they were handling an extremely important matter—or perhaps maintaining a piece of exquisitely carved jade.
Under the guidance of the butler and the head maid, she came before a large door. The butler opened the door for her, and all the servants bowed at that moment.
She looked into the room. A tall, slightly thin lady sat in a chair, the black tea by her hand emitting a faint steam. Her long hair was jet black, but her eyes were a dark red. At that moment, her gaze met Li Yue’s bright red eyes for an instant.
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