V2: Chapter 20: Sister, We Finally Meet Again

"Pfft!"

"Ugh...!"

Two knights fell heavily to the ground, large holes in their chests, blood gushing out. They twitched a couple of times, then fell silent.

"Who?!"

The two died suddenly, bloody holes appearing in their bodies. No one saw clearly what happened, but Springhall sensed something flash past him—a long, tree-trunk-like thing.

What was that? Such a terrifying aura...

Liang Lin saw it clearly.

It was someone she wanted to see, yet didn't want to see, someone who brought her conflicting feelings.

Gurgle.

Gurgle gurgle.

That familiar, sticky sound rang out.

By the window, a silver-white figure stood out in the darkness, like a nimble sprite, appearing in everyone's sight.

Under the moonlight, her long, silvery-white hair, flowing like a waterfall, shimmered and emitted a faint fragrance. Her figure was graceful, like a forest sprite, light and ethereal, possessing a mysterious beauty.

“Sister Liang Lin, long time no see~”

That familiar voice rang in Liang Lin's ears, sounding more like a nightmare, yet at this moment, Liang Lin breathed a sigh of relief. Because she knew Liang Di had come; she wouldn't die.

Ah, this damned, inexplicable sense of security! It's quite shameful, placing my hopes on this person… Damn it!

Seeing Liang Lin lying on the ground, unable to move, and recalling the scene of Springhall grabbing Liang Lin's hair, Liang Di's eyes turned completely cold.

“You! What are yo–”

Only four short words.

“Pfft!”

Like skewering candied hawthorns, a single skewer pierced everyone in the room. When the tentacle was pulled out again, blood spread across the floor. The entire room reeked of blood.

Springhall and his knights lay sprawled on the floor, their eyes wide open in death. Even in death, Springhall stared into Liang Lin's eyes, a vengeful ghost bearing her death in his gaze. Liang Lin felt a chill run down her spine; she wanted to turn her head away, but her body wouldn't move.

At this moment, Liang Lin's room presented a scene of hell, utterly gruesome and terrifying.

"Sister Liang Lin, I'm late."

Liang Di jumped down from the window and rushed to Liang Lin's side, tenderly embracing her.

Liang Lin still felt a slight aversion to Liang Di; her touch reminded her of the days she had been chained.

"No, please–..."

But after thinking it over, she swallowed her words. After all, she had saved her; saying such things now would be ungrateful, repaying kindness with enmity.

"Hmm? Sister Liang Lin, what do you want to say?"

Liang Di moved closer to Liang Lin.

"Give... medicine... this.." Liang Lin couldn't utter a complete sentence; her mouth was starting to go numb.

Liang Di probably understood what she meant.

"Sister, there's no antidote for this medicine...they were all wearing masks, so they were fine. You'll have to wait a few hours until the effects wear off before you're better."

In other words, she would have to maintain this state—conscious but feeling heavy—for several hours. During this time, she couldn't talk or say a word, because speaking a single sentence would consume most of her strength, and every time she uttered a word, she felt like she was about to die.

Liang Lin felt a little desperate.

Liang Di pulled a small pill from her pocket.

“Sister Liang Lin, I know you're feeling unwell. Take this, and you'll fall asleep soon. When you wake up again, the effects will have worn off, and you won't feel unwell anymore.”

Liang Lin didn't hesitate at all when Liang Di offered it to her. Of course, she couldn't hesitate, because she couldn't move her mouth; Liang Di had to pry her mouth open and force the pill in.

However, the pill was dry in her mouth, and she couldn't swallow it.

Liang Lin once again looked at Liang Di with pleading eyes. Liang Di looked left and right, but couldn't find a solution. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she blushed.

“If, if Sister Liang Lin doesn't mind, then I…”

Wait!

No, no, no!

Stop right there! Wait a minute! How come after a year apart, you're already trying to take advantage of me?!

Wait, wait! What is this guy doing?! Why is she so shyly taking a sip of water, and then, and then, no, Liang Di, why are you suddenly leaning in like that? You're just giving me medicine, that's fine! You're just giving me water, that's fine! But why are you suddenly leaning your face in like that?!

Liang Lin tried to struggle, but her body wouldn't move an inch.

"Mmm..."

A wet, warm kiss landed on Liang Lin's lips. Liang Lin's eyes could move; she slowly widened them, feeling the familiar temperature, the familiar warmth, the familiar scent.

Everything was so familiar. This woman, with whom she shared so many untold stories, looked even more beautiful than before.

Glug~

Liang Lin finally swallowed the pill in her mouth.

She looked slightly dazed, staring blankly at the girl before her. Liang Di pulled away from Liang Lin's lips, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Sister, it's alright now, you can get a good night's sleep."

Within five minutes, Liang Lin felt waves of drowsiness wash over her. Her eyelids grew heavy, and finally, under Liang Di's gentle gaze and in her warm embrace, she fell into a deep sleep.

Although what happened tonight lasted less than ten minutes, it felt like centuries to Liang Lin.

Because her political beliefs had completely collapsed tonight, just like with Hillary Kronin a decade ago. Her loyalty and passion for protecting the empire vanished the moment she was betrayed. What the hell was the Soteland Empire? It was clearly an empire that chilled her to the bone.

Looking at Liang Lin sleeping in her arms, Liang Di smiled contentedly. She stared at her face for a long, long time, completely forgetting that she was in a room littered with corpses.

Just over half a month ago.

Liang Di had heard all the rumors about Liang Lin in the imperial city.

"Sister Liang Lin, you're still so outstanding."

Liang Di was actually somewhat afraid of Liang Lin's excellence.

She thought that if Liang Lin became outstanding, she would attract more gentle and lovely young ladies. Among them, there would certainly be many beautiful or outstanding women.

What if someone took advantage of her while I wasn't by her side?

She didn't have time to think about this for long.

Because something else happened.

"Octaville, I'm going to the border. I'll temporarily leave the shop matters to Bellica."

One morning, Liang Di hurriedly used a teleportation array to arrive before Octaville.

"What happened?" Octaville asked.

“Liang Di, this is a crucial moment. You can’t do this for–…” Hillary hadn’t finished speaking.

Liang Di interrupted them, “Liang Lin! It’s about Sister Liang Lin! Something will happen to her!”

Why did she say that?

Because she had heard some rumors circulating in the palace. No secrets stay hidden forever, especially when the king has gone to such lengths to carry out this matter.

“What a genius! Someone like her should be recruited into the capital. But… there are rumors that she’s a woman, right? Well, I value talent. Even if she is a woman, guarding the border is enough to atone for any wrongdoing. She deserves a great reward!”

The king feigned the appearance of a wise ruler, but in reality, he was filled with jealousy and hatred.

Recently, his people had been praising someone—the woman who had suddenly appeared on the border. This was already considered an overshadowing of his own achievements, and the jealous king wouldn’t allow this to happen. Moreover, his decree forbidding women from going to the battlefield, as they would be a burden, was now facing much criticism because of Liang Lin’s victory.

Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer and decided to send his knights and his trusted confidants to kill Liang Lin without anyone noticing.

Of course, all of this was Liang Di's own deduction.

"Do you understand what I mean? When someone's achievements overshadow their ruler, and that ruler isn't a wise one, then that person will die suddenly in the street. The reason found out later will be either revenge or an accident."

Hilary and Octaville pondered for a moment.

Hilary was worried; she feared that this tentacle-wielding woman might do something even more heinous to her sister. Liang Di saw the worry and hesitation in Hilary's eyes.

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to her again,” Liang Di forced a bitter smile. “Liang Lin already hates me enough; I can’t let her continue to hate me. I only went there to protect her.”

Hilary understood that besides saying she wanted to protect Liang Lin, Liang Di actually wanted to play the hero and win Liang Lin’s favor.

Although Liang Di had done some bad things, Hilary could feel her deep and unwavering love for Liang Lin.

This… was probably just like attracts like; hadn’t she felt the same way about Octaville before?

Thinking of this, she felt she had no right to criticize Liang Di.

In fact, she could say that if Liang Di had bullied another girl instead of her sister, she wouldn’t have been angry at all; she might even have supported her.

That's how she treated Octaville back then. Even though Octaville loved her so much, she ultimately used underhanded tactics to get Octaville pregnant.

Essentially, she and Liang Di were the same kind of person. Whenever she saw Liang Di, she saw her past self. This was why she liked and admired Liang Di, and why she didn't become hysterical when she heard how Liang Di had treated her sister.

She knew that Liang Di's "bullying" of Liang Lin was out of love, not lust or a momentary impulse.

Liang Di's love, just like her love for Octaville, was passionate and enduring.

In fact, Hilary always felt that her sister Liang Lin would be happy with Liang Di.

Because Liang Di wouldn't betray, wouldn't be irresponsible, wouldn't love only for a short time; she would genuinely care for Liang Lin, take care of her, and give up and change a lot for her.

"Okay... I understand, go ahead."

Octaville was shocked by Hilary's sudden change of heart. She had thought she would once again act on her own initiative, letting Liang Di go, only to be scolded by her wife.

Unexpectedly, this time, Hilary was the one who let Liang Di go.

"But don't let me hear anything about you forcing Liang Lin again. Liang Di, you promised us you would love my sister in the right way."

Hilary wasn't heartless. She had seen Liang Di's changes and was now willing to give her another chance, but she didn't know if her sister would accept it. Of course, she knew she couldn't make the decision herself; the real choice lay with Liang Lin.

And so, Liang Di and the Knights, practically one after the other, set off from the capital city, heading towards the border, only two days apart. Liang Di quickened her pace along the way, and finally, just before reaching the border, she caught up with the Knights' group.

She didn't rush to find Liang Lin and expose the Knights' purpose in coming. What she needed to do was patiently wait for the Knights to slip up in front of Liang Lin.

As for why…

“Liang Di, do you think that if Liang Lin finds out that the King sent someone to kill her, will she be completely disillusioned with the Empire?”

Hilary asked this before leaving. She had always been determined to have her sister on her side, and of course, Octaville was the same. A family should be united; otherwise, the plan to overthrow the Empire wouldn't be easy to carry out.

Liang Di pondered for a moment, and finally nodded.

“I understand what you mean. I think that if Sister Liang Lin finds out that the King sent someone to kill her, she will definitely be disappointed. But whether she will be completely disillusioned, I don't know.”

So, Octaville gave her a magic crystal ball.

“Appear immediately when the time is right.”

And so…

When Liang Di discovered that the Knights had already met with Liang Lin, she had already drawn a teleportation array inside the inn, waiting for the Knights and nobles to make their move so she could immediately appear beside Liang Lin.

Originally, she had already appeared outside the window when the two knights first raised their swords, intending to break in, when she heard Springhall self-destruct and mock Liang Lin.

How to put it? Wasn't this a good thing? Wasn't it accelerating Liang Lin's disappointment with this absurd empire?

Fortunately, Liang Di didn't move again.

Although she felt sorry for the person she loved, in order to make Liang Lin understand the current situation and change her blind loyalty, she had to endure, waiting for Springhall to finish speaking so she could give Liang Lin a good shock.

People need stimulation to grow, and Liang Lin was no exception.

This stimulation had a great impact on her; she had countless nightmares. Finally, she dreamed of a battle she had fought that year.

On the battlefield, in the hands of the enemy, she rescued a wounded little girl.

On the way back with Liang Lin, the little girl looked at Liang Lin with bright, sparkling eyes.

She asked, "Big sister, when I grow up, can I be your wife? I feel so safe by your side."

Liang Lin chuckled; children speak without thinking, and she wasn't angry.

"What? You called me 'big sister,' you know I'm your big sister. How can two girls be together?"

Liang Lin didn't think two girls couldn't be together; she was just teasing the child.

The little girl tilted her head, innocent and confused.

"Why can't two girls be together? I think they can! I really like you, big sister. You saved me, so I want to repay you with my body!"

Wow, this child, who looks only seven or eight years old, already knows about repaying with her body?

"You don't need to repay me with your body."

At this moment, the smile on Liang Lin's face froze. Looking at the little girl before her, her eyes filled with expectation, she suddenly thought of Liang Di.

Back then, had she looked at me with that same gaze?

Sigh, her conscience ached again.

She wondered if Liang Di had seen the contents of her letter.

The scene flashed, and Liang Lin dreamed of a warrior in armor, standing motionless before her. His features were indistinct; he simply stood silently, saying nothing.

"Hey, who are you?"

Liang Lin asked.

There was no response, only her own echo.

Liang Lin remained silent for a moment, waiting for an answer.

"Hey..."

Liang Lin couldn't help but speak again.

"I said, who are you?"

"Why aren't you speaking? Where am I? Why is it so dark?"

"Did you capture me and bring me here?"

Liang Lin tried to run over, to shove the armored warrior, but she kept running in place, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't reach him.

"Hey, talk to me!"

"Hey!"

"Speak up!"

Liang Lin pounded on the invisible wall in front of her, making a loud "bang bang bang" sound.

"Liang Lin, do you think that before, when you were still Eli, the king never had any intention of killing you?"

The warrior suddenly spoke.

“Have you forgotten? Back then, the Empire sent a large group of people, offering you rewards, which you readily accepted. They chatted with you, asked you questions, and you answered truthfully.”

“After that, they left, saying they would return the month after next.”

“But you didn’t even live to see that month; your cousin poisoned you.”

“Tell me, if you had lived to see that month, wouldn’t you have still faced death? Only, the culprit would have changed—not your cousin, but the King.”

“At that time, you hadn’t yet become too powerful, yet the King was already wary of you. If you had continued to be so flamboyant, continued to be loved by the common people, do you think the King would have sent someone to kill you?”

Liang Lin slowly stopped banging, her mind a jumbled mess.

“Hahahaha~”

The warrior, whose face was obscured, suddenly laughed. He walked towards Liang Lin, step by step.

He grabbed Liang Lin’s collar.

"I say, you idiot, all you know is fighting? You have absolutely no intelligence or emotional intelligence! Haha~ Sometimes, you should be grateful you're so stupid. People think you're foolish, they think you're easy to manipulate, that's why they haven't eliminated you immediately. Do you really think your abilities have been appreciated, that you're a thoroughbred horse that has met its discerning eye?"

"Now you know, right? The empire you're loyal to has always wanted to get rid of you. You didn't trust your sister back then, and now? You almost lost your life."

"Liang Lin, you should pay the price for your arrogance, conceit, and self-righteousness. Your near death today is one of those prices."

"Liang Lin, you brainless battle maniac, you need to use your brain. Stop living such a foolish life, okay? Improve your intelligence and emotional intelligence."

With that, the soldier, whose face was obscured, slapped her hard, making Liang Lin dizzy and almost fall to the ground.

Then, he shoved her. Liang Lin felt as if she had been pushed to the edge of a cliff. She stumbled, lost her balance, and fell heavily to the ground. The wind whistled past her ears, and Liang Lin felt a wave of weightlessness.

Whoosh!

"Haa!"

"Haa...ha, ha, ha..."

Liang Lin sat up abruptly. Everything around her was so unfamiliar. She was sitting on a soft, large bed, looking around in a daze. Just awakened from a nightmare, she hadn't recovered yet, panting heavily, staring blankly at the clock in front of her.

It was already nine in the morning.

Liang Lin touched her chest; she could vaguely feel her heart pounding wildly.

This nightmare had been so real, especially the last one—it was something she had never seen before. The previous nightmares were all things she had personally experienced.

Who exactly was that soldier?

Liang Lin thought for a while, and then it seemed she understood.

That soldier was probably herself.

She blamed herself, she regretted it, so in her dream, she created another person to scold and beat her.

Liang Lin pondered for a moment before realizing that this wasn't her own room. That made sense; if she remembered correctly, a bunch of people had died in her room.

She looked around and found no one.

Huh?

That's a bit strange.

If Liang Di had come, shouldn't she have been clinging to me? Or shamelessly sharing my bed? Why I can't see her now?

Just as Liang Lin was lost in thought, "click," the door opened.

Before her, she saw it, a wisp of long, silver-white hair.