Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

I felt as if I had sunk to the bottom of the sea, those voices separated from me by the entire ocean. The only thing echoing in my mind was what the doctor had once said to me.

"I don't have time to teach a heartless person."

It was cold. Like when I was a child, I would secretly open the window, and the cold wind would blow snow into my room, and the warmth of the fireplace would dissipate from my side. My body began to stiffen, and as I moved unconsciously, my joints made a creaking sound.

The sound was utterly irritating; my body felt like a broken doll. A doll, without a heart.

The slender feathers on the hat fell down as the owner bowed his head, like a dejected peacock grieving for someone.

“Anna, say something! Do you think this is appropriate?” Beatrice’s words displeased Nia, but in her haste, Nia forgot to explain and just argued with Beatrice.

The topic was then turned to Ariana, and both sides of the debate remained silent.

It was as if squeezing out the last bit of strength, as if extinguishing the last spark of a soul.

Ariana's voice was filled with loneliness and emptiness.

“Perhaps…this…is appropriate, the plague doctor…just made the right choice, instead of…staying with fragile bones.”

Ariana's dejection extinguished Beatrice's anger. Looking at her sister standing alone, Beatrice had no strength left to utter a single complaint. Beatrice gently embraced her, and after a long while, her lips pressed tightly together, she whispered softly beside Ariana.

"Are you really willing to accept this, my stubborn sister?"

“You said it yourself, Benny, I have no feelings. Everything I feel is just a memory left over from my previous life, a sweet illusion.”

“I was lying to you, Anna. Feelings have no clear boundaries. They can be a thought, an action, an impulse, or even an illusion. If you can't trust yourself, then please trust me, Anna. I know your feelings for him. I do. I know that kind of sparkling, crystal-like thought is more valuable than anything else. At least, in my eyes, Anna, you shine. Whatever the outcome, don't leave yourself with regrets. You're already dead. There's no turning back.”

"I still remember you climbing out the window, touching the rubble, to stroke the azaleas clinging to the rooftop. My sister, nothing could frighten you. You've always been the bravest among us. I've seen you try so hard to emulate Mother. Anna, please, be brave one more time, for yourself..."

silence.

"...Bini, you have to cancel my performance tonight." Ariana transformed back into the moonlight, shining brightly in the darkness.

"Okay, no matter what, I'll be with you."

"I'm going to find a scholar-teacher."

Ariana could clearly feel Beatrice trembling, but the arms that were wrapped around Beatrice's arm never let go.

……

“The Plague Doctor’s ring bears the magical imprint left by the Scholar Teacher. The Scholar Teacher will definitely be able to help me find the Plague Doctor’s location.” Ariana walked down the corridor like a gentle breeze. “Bini, you didn’t actually need to come along.”

Beatrice's body trembled, but she still held on tightly.

"We promised to stay together forever. Not even scholars or teachers can separate us!"

“We’ve arrived.” Beatrice’s body stiffened like a corpse.

She stared in horror at the indistinguishable brick wall before her, then at the soul imprint at its center.

Ariana clicked on it.

The two were transported to a warm study, where a scholar in a linen robe was sketching out a new scroll.

A ray of light flashed across the scholar's mask, but his movements did not stop.

“Anna, and Little Rascal, welcome to my study. I’m pleased that you haven’t missed anything in your skills.”

"Anle, teacher."

"Peace and happiness, dear old teacher..."

The scholar glanced helplessly at the stuttering Beatrice. "If you want to make tea, the tableware is still in its original place. Is there some academic question you need me to answer?"

"Does the teacher know the true identity of the plague doctor?"

Upon hearing Ariana's question, the scholar put down his pen and paper, his gaze fixed on Ariana's veil, and offered no reply.

“Teacher, I want to know the location of the Plague Doctor. You can help me. You are a master of teleportation magic. Can you let me go and see him? To see the real him?”

“Anna, you and the Plague Doctor are not a good match. Your race is the biggest limitation. The Plague Doctor is just a gifted child. He has little in common with Plato. And there is no other creature in the world in the same situation as you.”

"I want to try... In any case, I don't want to do nothing and quietly accept the loss."

"...Your relationship is no different from that of a moth drawn to a flame."

"I have a reason why I have to burn myself."

“No, I mean, Mr. Lyle Bouler is the moth.” The scholar stood up, as he always did; tracing the slightest clues in space was a simple but time-consuming task for him.

“I don’t really approve of your choice, Anna. Even if Lyle accepts you, he has his own world, and you two are destined to be two sides of the same coin. In reality, there is no magic that can grant wishes.”

“Then let’s ask the gods for help.” Nia stretched out her tentacles and emerged from Ariana’s bones. In her new form, Nia waved to the scholar, then hugged Ariana tightly.

"Nia is the most, most, most terrifying evil god! Nia can grant Ariana's wishes because Nia loves her very much!"

Ariana gently stroked Nia's head. "Thank you for your comfort, Nia."

“Nia’s words are more than just comfort.” The scholar looked at Nia, who seemed to have been reborn, and at her now human-like body, and recalled Jason’s words.

[Brother Morokui, you need to be more careful. The Withered Ones have already defined Jodnia as a nascent evil god. Please be careful; gods are often associated with calamities.]

It is also associated with miracles.

“Anna, why don’t you try Nia’s method? She and Lyle always manage to meet our expectations, and that will be especially true for you.”

As Ariana listened to her teacher's earnest words, her gaze shifted to Nia, who was still wriggling on her spine. To her, Nia was always a cute little girl who would never grow up.

Do you believe Lyle?

"I'm willing to try, please, lovely evil god."

Chapter 191 Heartfelt Intentions

Noise, laughter, body temperature, and the deliciousness of food.

These things have nothing to do with Lyle.

Kevin's banquet was even more lively than he had imagined. There were nobles, wealthy merchants, elegantly dressed ladies and proud young men, and even the sheriff was invited. He was unsure whether he wanted to make connections with government agencies or simply rely on them to maintain order.

At least Ralph acted like the eye of a raging storm, maintaining absolute stability and chill in the area.

Ralph did not come to Lyle's side; he did not want to disturb his nephew's relaxing party.

Yes, this banquet was more of a matchmaking dance party; at least Lyle had seen no fewer than ten couples choose their future partners. He, meanwhile, leaned against the wall alone, only five meters from the table where the roast suckling pig was placed. The position was just right—not too far, and not revealing his intentions.

Lyle had no intention of having any wonderful encounters; his heart was already filled with those two flames of souls. Now, he just wanted to be a peripheral figure at the banquet and have a one-on-one contest with the roast suckling pig.

Kevin is the star of the party, currently engaged in what he calls tiresome social activities. He's always radiant, possessing an aristocratic elegance and confidence, with a charm that makes those around him feel at ease. William is the second most striking figure at the party; his handsome looks and slightly roguish smile complement each other perfectly. Perhaps he'll become the star of the ball, the dance partner that all the girls are vying for.

The music finally began, and people were no longer blinded by beauty, but instead pursued that captivating note.

Two smartly dressed young men, each holding their own wine glass and abandoning their social smiles, approached their reclusive brother from either side.

"Cheers, to the fact that we all survived." Kevin took the lead and began the first enjoyment of the night.

After drinking a cup, although it had a sour taste characteristic of the era, it tasted much better than the food from before.

"Lyle, are you planning to follow in Mr. Ralf's footsteps and become a lone warrior?"

"Sorry, Kevin, I just... didn't intend to have any fun with other people."

"That's not up to you. Mr. Ralph just gave me a death order: I want to see you visiting him tomorrow with a nice girl, plus the wonderful encounter I promised. Don't make things difficult for me."

“I have no intention of dating other girls, Kevin. Thank you very much, but it's not possible.”

"Because of Ariana?" Kevin looked at Lyle and fell silent, but his dark eyes shone brightly.

"Yes, she's the only girl I care about. Thank you for the invitation, Kevin, but I probably won't be able to come here and hang out with you occasionally like you want. I want to spend more time over there with Ariana. I owe her so much, so much that I feel lucky. Kevin, I think I'm even luckier than you."

Kevin finished his drink, patted Lyle on the shoulder, and said, "Good luck, Lyle. Do what you want, I'll always support you... Could you help me explain to Mr. Ralph?"

A joke about Ralph lightened the mood again.

It was getting late at night, but the grandest ball had yet to begin.

Kevin noticed Lyle's confusion.

"My plan was inspired by those monsters in Hamlet. Midnight, the end of the old, the beginning of the new. I set the ball for midnight; the revelry will not officially begin until after midnight."

Time passed quietly, and Kevin and William both left.

Kevin was talking to his pre-arranged dance partner, his family-arranged, unnamed fiancée, with whom he would begin leading the dances as the head of the Borye family. William was approached by several bold young women who were expressing their admiration.

There was no one around me, but that didn't matter; the seats at the roast suckling pig restaurant were also empty.

Tonight, I'm paired with roast suckling pig.

The atmosphere reached its climax as the passionate music of the twelve-hour clock struck.

The sound of footsteps echoed across the floor as they moved toward the dance floor, and Lyle took his seat.

Once everyone had settled down, Lyle put the first piece of pork into his mouth, savoring the perfect cooking time and the rich, succulent fat. He was overjoyed and couldn't wait to try the next bite.

However, Lyle had to stop because the music hadn't started yet, and everyone fell silent, as if something was choking them.

Get moving, I can't possibly make a sound all by myself.

Just as Lyle had expected, a footstep was heard in the quiet hall.

The only footsteps.

Like a gentle drumbeat, it appears in everyone's heart.

When the drumbeats stopped, Lyle completely lost his appetite; the footsteps disappeared behind him.

Lyle felt a tug at the hem of her dress and turned her head to the side.

It was an adorable little girl, with delicate features, wearing a pretty light blue tutu, smiling and opening her arms wide, "Gulu, Nia is back!"

Lyle ignored her. As if sensing something, he turned around and looked behind him, still holding his knife and fork.

He saw it.

moonlight.

The originally dazzling lights dimmed in my eyes, like a bright moon entering the room.

Her black, updo shone like a pure night sky under the lamplight, and her skin was as radiant as moonlight. Her features were exquisite, like a work of art, and her light green eyes held a pool of autumn water, reflecting a dazed boy. The pearl embellishments on her silk gown were merely a backdrop; even the exquisitely crafted dress seemed a desecration of her beauty.

Lyle understood why everyone was silent; they didn't want to break the miraculous beauty, just as he himself had been moved to tears.

Her appearance was exactly like that of the goddess in his dreams, as if the most beautiful woman had stepped out of his fantasy.