“You don't need to have any unnecessary goodwill or understanding toward me.”
“The only reason I boarded this train again is because the last stop was truly not a suitable place to get off. That is all.”
As Violita's voice fell, his gaze lingered on Bai Ci, as if expecting her reaction.
Marg's gaze also quietly landed on Bai Ci.
“So, is Mr. Violita trying to scare me away now?” Bai Ci's attitude did not change, immediately offering this reply after Violita finished speaking.
When dealing with a deeply calculating individual like him, any hesitation in her response would make its sincerity highly suspect to him.
Although after saying it, Bai Ci realized her words sounded a bit ambiguous.
But there was no helping it; at that moment, it was the only response that had instantly popped into her head.
Having finished speaking, regardless of how it sounded, she stared straight at Violita to see his reaction.
Violita couldn't suppress it and let out a string of coughs.
Marg was already prepared, timely bringing over a glass of warm water and handing it to Violita.
Once Violita caught his breath again, that sickly gentleness from before washed over his expression once more.
Perhaps because he had already revealed a part of his true self, the gentleness that returned as he faced Bai Ci now carried a distinct, mask-like falsehood.
He paused and added an explanation, “Because I have matters I must rush back for during this period, and I cannot afford too many delays on the road.”
“The station just now was too remote, and only this run of the Mary passes through. The next train wouldn't arrive for another month. Only at the next station will the transportation options improve.”
Bai Ci nodded, seemingly lost in thought, as silence stretched between them.
After a while, having apparently sorted through her thoughts, Bai Ci suddenly spoke up, “Thank you for the warning, Mr. Violita. However, I don't plan on getting off the train just yet.”
Violita felt genuine confusion and looked at her in bewilderment. “Miss Lora, it is our consensus that this train is highly likely to be dangerous. Why do you still want to stay?”
Meeting his questioning gaze, Bai Ci's tone was calm and candid, with not a single trace of retreat in her eyes. “You and I are not the only ones on this train. There are so many passengers who know absolutely nothing.”
“Of course, I could get off the train and escape alone. But if some disaster truly strikes, I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing I stood by and watched them fall into danger.”
She paused, then added, “Of course, I am well aware that if I were to voice our suspicions, no one would believe me—or at least, the vast majority wouldn't.”
“Everyone has their own obsessions and wishful thinking. If I hadn't personally experienced some bizarre occurrences myself, even I wouldn't be this vigilant.”
“So, I want to make one more effort to see if I can find a way to stop all of this.”
Violita was startled at first, then let out a low chuckle, which eventually dissolved into a few coughs.
The laughter did not reach his eyes, however. Instead, it carried a trace of cold mockery, as if he were looking at something utterly absurd.
“Unnecessary kindness... To think you would harbor such a meaningless notion.”
“I'm not particularly kind,” Bai Ci said, not avoiding his gaze as she candidly denied it. “I am merely making the choice that allows me to keep my peace of mind.”
“If the moment truly comes when nothing more can be done, I will escape without hesitation. I will have done everything in my power; the rest is up to fate.”
Violita fell silent.
He lowered his eyes. Beneath his sickly face lay a soul long since gnawed and twisted by hatred.
He had lived in the dark for too long, so long that he had forgotten what light looked like, let alone believe that someone would willingly step into danger for a group of strangers.
After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice sounding like a mixture of wonder and a sigh. “Just what kind of person... raised you?”
He looked up at her and asked bluntly, “Do you plan to do all of this alone?”
“Let me make this clear: I will not help. I have no interest in saving anyone, much less risking my life for strangers.”
Bai Ci was not surprised by this. She had never expected to persuade this NPC anyway. “I don't need you to act. I only have one request that I hope you'll grant.”
“I hope you will allow me to share the information on the telegram with the other passengers as appropriate. Is that alright?”
Violita thought for a moment before finally giving a faint nod of agreement. “Very well.”
He paused and added another line, his tone completely flat as if tossing aside an insignificant object. “Additionally, you may command Marg. He is good with a gun and has plenty of strength.”
“As for me... I will only stay where I belong.”
“Thank you.” Bai Ci nodded solemnly. “If the time comes when I need him, I won't be polite. Just wait and see.”
Violita looked at Bai Ci, his lips curling into an extremely faint, complex curve—half indifference, and half a subtle self-mockery that even he didn't realize was there.
“Fine. I shall wait and see just how far you can go.”
He would also wait to see if this rare light would be crushed by the train's darkness, or if it... could truly tear open a rift.
“Then I'll go check on a few things first,” Bai Ci said, turning around to head to the carriages behind them.
Talking to someone like Violita was rather exhausting.
She cheered herself on internally. At the very least, she had completely laid the groundwork for Lora's character. Any seemingly busybody actions she took later to clear the instance would now have a plausible explanation.
Walking along the connecting passage between the carriages, Bai Ci heard the heavy thudding of raindrops. The light drizzle from before had intensified, turning into a torrential downpour.
Looking through the window, she could see that the sky, which had brightened slightly earlier, had darkened once more. The fog grew increasingly thick, completely enveloping the mountain forests in a misty rain, obscuring everything from view.
Stepping through the passage, Bai Ci entered the next carriage.
She slowed her pace, keeping an eye on the activity in the carriage as she walked.
Compared to before, there seemed to be a few more passengers in the carriage, likely people who had newly boarded at the last station.
These new passengers were also in a quiet state, slumped against their seats and dozing off, with not a single person conversing.
The entire carriage was abnormally quiet. Aside from the rain beating against the windows, there were only the rhythmic breathing of the passengers and the occasional soft snore.
Bai Ci grew secretly vigilant. While the new passengers might be somewhat tired, it made no sense for every single one of them to be this drowsy.
This was highly likely related to the wisteria vines absorbing life force; their vitality had probably already been quietly drained.
Rate on N.U.
