So, that’s how Her Royal Highness the Consort has been living lately?
Ling Ru conversed with the maid, a helpless expression gracing her features.
“Indeed. I don’t know why, but initially, she remained secluded, yet now she has suddenly become optimistic and cheerful. Not only does she seem to get along splendidly with ‘Arrogance’ and ‘Wrath’ — whom she apparently knew before — but even ‘Sloth,’ who rarely shows their face, can engage in delightful conversation with her.”
The maid, Liu Wenwen, became considerably more talkative whenever Qi Yue’an was mentioned.
“And… ordinarily, she couldn’t even tie her own hair, nor would she allow anyone to accompany her during baths. She’d even blush if accidentally touched, always remaining quiet. Yet, at other times, she would suddenly become incredibly cheerful, not only delighting in trying on new clothes but also… also enjoying giving us…”
A flush crept across her face as she seemed to recall past events, and Ling Ru noticed that the clothes and makeup Liu Wenwen wore did not resemble the standard uniform of the attendants here.
Ling Ru listened patiently, though her fist tightened beneath the table. She had experienced such things before, being treated like a dress-up doll, trying on clothes together. At the time, she had been overjoyed, believing it was an experience unique to her.
“Ahem… So, how has she and the Demon Lord been getting along lately?”
Ling Ru deftly shifted the conversation, steering it towards the aspect that concerned her most.
“Her and His Majesty the Demon Lord, you ask…”
It seemed Ling Ru had touched upon a topic of particular interest.
“You wouldn’t know, having been on leave, but I’ve been personally attending to her during this period. They are truly inseparable, like glue. I’ve often seen her looking quite lonely, but the moment His Majesty the Demon Lord returns, that feeling vanishes instantly.”
“I’ve never seen them more than a meter apart after meeting. And she often leaves with His Majesty the Demon Lord… Hmm… While I haven’t deliberately eavesdropped, the few snippets I’ve overheard have been quite sappy.”
“Do you know… that one day, His Majesty the Demon Lord messaged her, saying he was too busy to return and would sleep elsewhere? But upon hearing this, she immediately packed her pillow and blanket and went to him… insisting on being with him no matter what…”
She recounted this with great delight, her words akin to a friend gossiping, save for the titles. As Ling Ru listened to the details of her daily life, a flicker of darkness crossed her eyes. Although her previous worries had completely dissipated, a strange, suffocating sensation inexplicably intensified within her, compelling her to change the subject.
She forced a strained smile, her hand behind her back already gripping her magic staff.
“Um… I’ve been meaning to ask, is it really alright for us to gossip about His Majesty here?”
Liu Wenwen tilted her head.
“Hmm? Why not? ‘Demon Lord’ and ‘Consort’ are just titles. We’re not truly feudal servants or anything. Though, we shouldn’t go too far, of course, because for a demon without status, finding a job like this — with a monthly salary of fifty thousand and full benefits — is incredibly difficult. Besides, His Majesty the Demon Lord has promised to protect us; we don’t have to worry about being caught and devoured by those crazy Magical Girls here…”
A look of fear crossed her face when she mentioned “Magical Girls.”
“Speaking of Magical Girls, they’re not all like Her Royal Highness the Consort. Did you know, I once heard Lord Li Yan say that Magical Girls usually like to use demon skulls…”
Liu Wenwen’s words grew increasingly outrageous, causing Ling Ru’s mouth to twitch. She recalled Xiyin mentioning Li Yan before, and it seemed he possessed a peculiar delight in teasing young girls. She resolved to tell Xiyin later…
“When I suddenly became a demon, I endured my instinctive urges while fleeing from pursuers. It was the people of Lixing Palace who found me, granting me both identity and a home…”
She then spoke of her own story, her face first clouding with reminiscence before turning serious.
“That’s why, freedom belongs to Lixing Palace!”
She performed a salute commonly used by the people here. Ling Ru now understood why everyone in this place was so loyal; the money she earned working to support both herself and Qi Yue’an when they lived together hadn’t even been a tenth of this.
“Oh, Wenwen…”
“Hmm? What is it?”
She tilted her head innocently, only to see the girl before her suddenly transform. Her silver hair turned raven black, and for some unknown reason, she was now clad in a black princess dress. The smile on her face, no longer concealed, hinted at a subtle mischievousness, leaving Liu Wenwen momentarily stunned.
“Let me tell you a scary story. Actually… I’m also a Magical Girl.”
Liu Wenwen’s face first registered blank astonishment, then transformed into sheer terror. She prepared to turn and flee, but a phantom flying dagger, imbued with a trace of jealousy and dark energy, struck her squarely on the head, rendering her unconscious in an instant.
“My apologies, but I’ll be borrowing your identity for a while. Get some good rest for a few days.”
Having said this, she bound Liu Wenwen securely, much like a culprit disposing of evidence, and then locked her inside her dorm room’s wardrobe.
Then, with a flourish of her staff, she was instantly enveloped in a sheath of purple crystals. These shattered into points of light, and from the shimmering remnants, she emerged, transformed into the spitting image of Liu Wenwen.
“I had initially prepared myself for a fierce battle.”
Finally, she exhaled in relief, stretched her body, and then dismantled a concealed device in the corner.
It was a sacred artifact secretly given to her by the Night Watchmen, capable of silently sealing off a small surrounding area and, after a period, rendering anyone unconscious except for the user.
Although the other party had appeared amiable, she was, in fact, already a Level Two demon. If it had come to a direct confrontation, Ling Ru, as a newly advanced Level One Magical Girl specializing in non-combat abilities, would have stood no chance whatsoever.
However, their previous conversation had inadvertently amplified the fear of Magical Girls, and Ling Ru had also attempted to combine Chen Ling’s and Qi Yue’an’s magical characteristics for a focused mental assault, allowing her to “instantly kill” her opponent.
After completing everything, she casually made her way to the washroom. Upon confirming there were no hidden listening devices, she pulled out her earpiece.
“Reporting, superior. Target incapacitated. Requesting next instructions.”
Meanwhile, Chen Ling had already disembarked from her plane and arrived at Lixing Palace. She brazenly walked through the警戒区域, dark energy swirling at her sides. The guards, as if under a psychological invisibility spell, noticed nothing amiss.
“Received. Begin the next phase of the plan: approach Qi Yue’an and obtain her perfect imitation. I have already instilled a mental suggestion in the ordinary guards here that she is due to inspect this area soon. However, I cannot influence the high-ranking units, so you will need to coordinate with others to find a suitable pretext. This mission is highly dangerous; you still have the right to back out, and we can proceed with Plan B.”
Chen Ling replied, a hint of worry in her tone. After all, Ling Ru had become something of an apprentice to her during this time, and she didn’t wish for her to foolishly sacrifice herself without careful consideration.
“I’ve made up my mind. Let’s proceed with the original plan.”
“…Very well. At the appointed time, I will create a diversion elsewhere to draw their attention. Remember, safety first.”
With that, Chen Ling severed the communication. Ling Ru concealed the device on her person, her face betraying not a hint of hesitation. She then strode towards Qi Yue’an’s sleeping quarters.
****
The tranquil sleeping quarters were sumptuously adorned, resembling a lost fairyland. Qi Yue’an, clad in a magnificent gown, no longer wore her hair casually loose; it was now elegantly tied up.
She wore a small, wing-like golden ornament, and the Crown of Reason, coveted by the entire world, rested securely upon her head, as if she were the queen of this pure land.
Yet, within this very courtyard, a glaringly out-of-place white plastic chair, typical of a street food stall, had been placed. She sat upon it now, poised as though it were a divine throne of ultimate power.
She remained silent, seemingly resting with her eyes closed, yet her inner world was far from the calm exterior she presented.
‘Moon, this outfit is such a hassle… And why must I strike this pose?’
Within the realm of consciousness, two opulent, throne-like seats stood on either side, with a pure gold scale positioned in the center. Qi Yue’an and Qi Yue sat on the left and right, respectively.
“Huh? Don’t you think this looks incredibly cool? Like a final boss, waiting for Xiyin and Ling Ru to arrive, then slowly rising from your power chair.”
Qi Yue, seeing that her sense of drama was unappreciated, expressed a hint of dissatisfaction.
“I find this a waste of time… Couldn’t we simply explain everything clearly to everyone? Why go to such elaborate lengths?”
Qi Yue shook her head, a smile reminiscent of a theatrical villain gracing her face. She rose, moving behind Qi Yue’an, and at that moment, the scales began to tip to the left.
“According to Lin Xiao’s plan, one of the conditions for fully mastering the Crown of Reason is to capture everyone’s attention. So, we absolutely must make a grand spectacle of it! Besides, aren’t you reluctant to always be led by them? This is your chance to be the mastermind for once…”
As she spoke, she leaned back against the chair, reaching out to playfully pinch Qi Yue’an’s cheek, but the gesture was deftly evaded.
‘But… if we do this, Lixing Palace will…’
She spoke only half a sentence before Qi Yue pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her.
“Oh, come on, it won’t affect the outcome anyway. I suspect what he intends to do won’t be much different, and this will only serve to further his plans. And truly, aren’t you curious about what’s hidden in that place?”
These words caused a flicker of uncertainty on Qi Yue’an’s face. Ever since she had been captured and made consort, she had received no further information.
Although she had recently been granted freedom of movement and had interacted with other members of Lixing Palace, truly beginning to resemble a “two-faced demon queen” rather than merely a concubine to be held at night, all she knew about the sacred artifacts, the End, and his ultimate goal had been told to her directly by him. This constant feeling of being led was deeply unsettling.
“I am willing to trust him…”
Qi Yue’an stated firmly. However, just as Qi Yue was about to dismiss her as hopelessly love-struck, she added the next sentence.
“Therefore, the responsibility… I will bear it alongside him…”
Having uttered these words, she slowly opened her eyes. At that very moment, Liu Wenwen — or rather, Ling Ru impersonating Liu Wenwen — entered through the door.
“Your Royal Highness the Consort, it’s time for bed. His Majesty the Demon Lord is very busy tonight and won’t be returning. Would you like me to help you bring your blankets?”
She flawlessly mimicked Liu Wenwen, even mentioning details about Qi Yue’an’s habits. Yet, Qi Yue’an showed no inclination whatsoever to seek out Lin Xiao. Instead, she remained seated on the street food stall chair, meeting Ling Ru’s puzzled gaze with an unperturbed expression.
“No need. Just wait here. It’s been a long time since we’ve all gathered together. I believe… they’ll be arriving soon.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than footsteps echoed from the entrance. Xiyin, Bai Jin, and Bai Zhi had already reached the doorway, their eyes reflecting both confusion and inquiry as they gazed at Qi Yue’an’s back.
“You may withdraw. Let us meet alone.”
She waved her hand, dismissing the guards, and then slowly rose from the plastic chair.