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discussions. The novel, written by Soviet author Nikolai Ostrovsky, was a cornerstone of Soviet socialist literature, a narrative of resilience and revolution.

Zhou Mingrui's mind raced, piecing together fragments of his knowledge. He recalled the protagonist, Paul, a fervent proletarian revolutionary, a figure defined by his unwavering character. Paul had faced immense hardships, yet never surrendered to the cruel whims of fate. Zhou Mingrui could almost hear the famous lines resonating in his memory:

"The most precious thing in life is life, and everyone has only one life."

A person's life should be spent like this: when he looks back on the past, he will not regret wasting his time, nor will he be ashamed of doing nothing. In this way, when he is dying, he can say: "My whole life and all my energy have been dedicated to the most magnificent cause in the world—the struggle for human liberation."

These iconic quotes encapsulated the essence of Paul's journey and the novel's powerful message. Zhou Mingrui remembered jotting down similar reflections in his junior high school reading notes, pondering the ideal of a communist society and the relentless pursuit of one's beliefs.

"The real sun should not be hanging high in the sky. The sun hanging in the sky will only be abstract. What is the communist ideal? How to work hard for the faith entrusted to one's life—"

"When Paul rose up to resist the ruthless fate with amazing perseverance, the ordinary life burst into eternal and extraordinary light in the fierce collision with fate, bringing courage and strength to the pale heart."

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Zhou Mingrui found himself intrigued. The book in his hands felt weighty, not just in its physical form but in the legacy it carried. The aged, worn cover spoke of time's passage, of countless hands that had held it, eyes that had scanned its pages. It was a relic, and yet, it seemed alive with history.

Given its notoriety in China, the book had been translated multiple times, making it widely accessible. Zhou Mingrui wondered why Meng Xian would choose the original Russian version, a language not commonly mastered. The answer seemed obvious, yet startling. There was only one logical conclusion.

"Are you learning Russian on your own?" Zhou Mingrui asked, his voice tinged with awe and curiosity. "Is this the reference book you use to help you?"

Meng Xian's eyes twinkled with a gentle amusement as she looked up from her cooking. "Isn't there a saying? Mastering a foreign language might really save your life at a critical moment." She flashed a knowing smile, her tone light yet contemplative. "I'm usually free anyway, so I might as well recharge myself."

Zhou Mingrui, who had been observing her with a mix of curiosity and admiration, listened intently. Meng Xian's decision to learn Russian had initially seemed a curious choice, but her reasoning began to make sense as she continued.

When she had first learned that the place she traveled to was an old capital on the brink of destruction, and realized that her future plans had been entirely overturned, Meng Xian knew she needed something to occupy her mind. The uncertainty and upheaval had driven her to find purpose and distraction in new endeavors. She reflected on how humans tend to let their minds wander when idle and how this idle time could be channeled into something productive.

"At worst," Meng Xian said with a serious, yet thoughtful expression, spreading her hands as if to emphasize her point, "lifelong learning can also improve a person's employment competitiveness."

"Before Mr. Fool grew up

Asg he ended the Second Era and created the Third Era. His status reached the level of the ancient sun god and creator of Silver City. He could be considered the thickest golden thigh in 'Lord of Mysteries.'"

She paused, recalling the interview with Cuttlefish, which had revealed that the Ancient Sun God in the old civilization was not only a gifted scientist but also from a superpower that disintegrated in the last century. "Although I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to apply for a job with Asg or even if I'll meet Asg alive, it's always better to be prepared."

Half an hour later, Meng Xian and Zhou Mingrui, each carrying a small stool, settled around the coffee table for their improvised meal. The living room, devoid of a dedicated dining table, served as their makeshift dining area.

Meng Xian had gone to the vegetable market the previous day to gather ingredients, knowing that Zhou Mingrui's arrival meant a special meal was in order. The coffee table was now a feast for the eyes and the palate, adorned with a variety of dishes: silky egg custard, crisp stir-fried vegetables, pumpkin with egg yolk, tender braised spareribs, juicy braised prawns, tangy sweet and sour pork tenderloin, savory pork tripe, and a fragrant chicken soup. Each dish was prepared with care, showcasing a delightful mix of colors and aromas.

As they enjoyed their meal, Zhou Mingrui glanced up, a curious look on his face. "Although Russian is a major language among minor languages, it's still relatively niche. If you really want to enhance your job prospects, wouldn't learning English be more practical? How's your English, by the way?"

Meng Xian, while savoring her deluxe clear soup noodles with extra ingredients, replied with a hint of amusement, "You're a hardware engineer, and you're asking me about this?"

Zhou Mingrui paused, his fork midway to his mouth. He knew well that hardware engineers and software programmers had to be proficient in English to stay current with the latest technologies. English was the language of technical documentation, research papers, and industry updates.

"Emmmm..." he started, searching for words. "I guess that's true."

Most engineers can read and write English well enough to keep up with their field," Meng Xian continued, "but often, they're only familiar with the technical vocabulary specific to their industry." She smiled, remembering her own journey with the language. "I've learned Russian almost completely. At least, I have no problem with verbal communication."

With a mischievous grin, Meng Xian switched to English, her accent only slightly distinguishable.

"And beside, I know how to speak English."

Zhou Mingrui's eyes widened in surprise. Despite his own basic understanding of English, he was impressed by Meng Xian's fluent and nearly American-accented English. "Is it the same self-study method as Russian? Did you use original English books to help you understand?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Meng Xian reflected on her methods. "Well, for English, I watched English movies, listened to English music, and read English books. As a writer, I've always had an interest in English literature."

Looking at Zhou Mingrui with a mix of amusement she asked, "Why do you ask?"

Zhou Mingrui shook his head with a smile. "Nothing, I'm just curious. And honestly, you're amazing. Most people wouldn't have the patience to learn a new language on their own, and you did it through self-study."

Meng Xian's eyes softened, and she responded calmly, "As I said, mastering a foreign language may really save your life at a critical moment."

Zhou Mingrui simply hummed in response, taking another bite of the sweet and sour pork. The room was filled with a comfortable silence as they enjoyed their meal together

As the calendar flipped to March, the days quietly slipped by, and Zhou Mingrui found himself settling into his new home with Meng Xian. It had been nearly two weeks since his move, and while he was slowly adjusting to the new living arrangement, the transition was not without its challenges.

Meng Xian proved to be an ideal roommate, a stark contrast to the eccentricity of his previous living situation. Her neatness and organization created a pleasant environment, and her easy-going nature made daily interactions smooth and enjoyable. She had a way of making their shared space feel warm and welcoming, a welcome change from the chaos Zhou Mingrui had endured before.

Yet, the path to harmony wasn't without its bumps.

Meng Xian was dedicated to her Russian studies, immersing herself in the language with a regularity that Zhou Mingrui found both admirable and somewhat mysterious. Every two days, she would review her lessons, diligently working through her textbooks and practicing aloud. Zhou Mingrui, intrigued by her dedication, once found himself watching her with curiosity.

One evening, as Meng Xian was in the midst of her Russian review, Zhou Mingrui, driven by a mixture of curiosity and naivety, asked her about her progress. "So, how far have you come with your Russian?" he inquired.

Meng Xian looked up from her notes, a playful glint in her eyes. "Well, I've made some progress, but I must admit, I'm quite terrible at singing. Are you sure you want to hear it?" Her tone was light, as if she were teasing him.

Zhou Mingrui, dismissing her warning as mere modesty or a jest, responded with unwarranted enthusiasm. "I want to hear your voice. Come on, show me what you've got."

Little did he know, he was about to dive into a realm of regret.

he wished he could travel back in time and slap the stubborn part of himself that had ignored Meng Xian's warning. What he had hoped would be a light-hearted moment quickly turned into a traumatic experience.

That evening, Meng Xian had enthusiastically performed "Katyusha," her rendition of the classic Russian song filled with earnest effort and good intentions. However, to Zhou Mingrui's horror, her performance bore no resemblance to the melodious original. Her voice, though not out of tune, was so painfully discordant that it left a deep scar on his auditory senses.

How is Meng Xian bad at singing???

Zhou Mingrui's nightmares that night were a cruel replay of Meng Xian's rendition, the dissonant notes echoing relentlessly in his mind. It was as if his subconscious had conspired to make him relive the trauma in an endless loop. The next morning, desperate for some semblance of normalcy, he sought out the original version of "Katyusha," hoping to compare it with Meng Xian's version.

The result was even more bewildering. Meng Xian's performance was, perhaps, technically correct. She had not strayed from the melody. Yet the dissonance was so jarring that it defied any explanation. Zhou Mingrui found himself in a state of despair, grappling with the inexplicable reality that Meng Xian's singing, despite being in tune, was somehow worse than he could have imagined.

If faced with a choice between listening to Meng Xian's singing on repeat and enduring the incessant brainwashing of marketing accounts, Zhou Mingrui would have gladly chosen the latter. At least the marketing accounts didn't leave him with a lingering sense of dread.

The experience left him grappling with an intense mixture of regret and sympathy.

Another Friday rolled around, bringing with it the familiar sense of routine and the subtle anticipation of the weekend.

Zhou Mingrui, having just put down the tablet he'd been using, stretched his arms above his head. His gaze wandered to the workstation across from him, now glaringly empty. Meng Xian had been absent for five consecutive days, taking half-days off with almost surgical precision. Despite knowing that she likely had her reasons, Zhou Mingrui couldn't shake the growing sense of unease that had accompanied her absence.

"I only work five days a week. This is the fifth day…" Zhou Mingrui muttered to himself, the words feeling like a futile attempt to impose order on his mounting curiosity.

Zhou Mingrui's brow furrowed slightly as he reflected on the situation. "Forget it," he muttered to himself, trying to dispel the nagging worry. "I shouldn't overthink it. Sir Wei won't mind, and Meng Xian knows what she's doing."

The office felt emptier without her, and the absence of her usual presence was starting to affect him more than he'd like to admit. He smacked his lips, the small distraction of his thoughts only mildly soothing.

Then, as if on cue, his mobile phone buzzed with a notification, its chime pulling him back to reality. The phone was charging on the desk, its battery at 78%—enough to last through the evening. He unplugged it and picked it up, his fingers gliding over the screen as he navigated to the notification.

It was a WeChat message from Peng Deng.

Peng Deng: My girlfriend came to visit me and is staying at my place this weekend.

Zhou Mingrui's brows knitted together as he read the message. He quickly typed back.

Zhou Mingrui: So you are not free tonight?

Peng Deng: What do you think?

Zhou Mingrui: Damn, you forget your friends when you see a beautiful woman.

Peng Deng: Besides, Meng Xian is with you.

A twitch lips played at Zhou Mingrui's lips. Peng Deng's teasing was all too familiar, but it never failed to hit its mark. Zhou Mingrui's mind wandered back to the peculiar sensations he'd been experiencing whenever Meng Xian was near—an inexplicable fluttering in his stomach, a subtle but persistent happiness that seemed to linger whenever she was around. He'd shared these feelings with Peng Deng, who, of course, had seized every opportunity to tease him about it.

Zhou Mingrui had asked Peng Deng for some insight into these strange emotions, but Peng Deng had only offered a cryptic remark, "You'll know soon."

Peng Deng's next message arrived with a picture of a dog with a cheeky grin, followed by a text.

Peng Deng: In order to comfort someone's wounded heart, I will reluctantly send a red envelope.

Zhou Mingrui's lips twitched into a reluctant smile. He was about to grumble about being mocked for his single status when his phone buzzed again. A red envelope notification flashed on the screen.

"This guy is probably making fun of me for being single again…" Zhou Mingrui gritted his teeth, but there was a playful undertone in his voice. Despite himself, he was intrigued and eagerly tapped on the notification.

The red envelope appeared on his screen, labeled with a cheerful note: Happy birthday, and get rich soon!

Zhou Mingrui rolled his eyes but quickly grabbed the red envelope.

The screen displayed the amount he'd received: 233.3 yuan. A small crown icon shimmered beneath the amount, marking him as having the best luck.

Zhou Mingrui's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. "It's a mockery! It's a mockery!" he muttered, feeling the sting of the taunt. But even as he grumbled, he couldn't deny the absurd joy of winning the red envelope.

He packed up his things, his mood oscillating between irritation and amusement. As he left the office, the usual end-of-week excitement felt slightly diminished. The empty workstation where Meng Xian usually sat only served to remind him of her absence.

Walking out of the office, he felt a pang of loneliness. The rhythmic hum of the city was a stark contrast to the quiet of the empty apartment he would return to. With a resigned sigh, he resolved to make the best of his evening.

Zhou Mingrui walked through the evening streets, the city lights flickering around him like distant stars. His phone buzzed in his hand, and he glanced down to see messages from his parents. A smile tugged at his lips as he saw their names pop up, followed by a notification for two red envelopes.

The first message was a video—a birthday greeting his parents had specially recorded for him. Zhou Mingrui slowed his pace, his attention focused entirely on the screen. His parents' familiar faces filled the frame, and their voices, warm and loving, filled his heart with a quiet joy. They joked, they reminisced, and they wished him well in the tender way that only parents could.

As he watched, Zhou Mingrui's eyes softened, and an uncontrollable smile spread across his face. He felt a surge of warmth, a connection that bridged the physical distance between them. For a moment, the busy streets and the sounds of the city faded away, leaving only the comfort of his parents' words.

By the time he reached the elevator of his residential building, the video had ended, and he tucked his phone away, still grinning. As the elevator doors closed behind him, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirrored walls. The smile was still there, wide and unabashed. He quickly suppressed it, attempting to make himself look less like a lovesick teenager, but the warmth lingered in his chest.

The elevator chimed softly as it reached his floor. Zhou Mingrui stepped out and walked to his door, reaching for the keypad. He paused as he punched in the numbers, an odd feeling creeping over him. The hallway was quiet, the kind of quiet that made him hyper-aware of his surroundings.

Finally, the door clicked open, and Zhou Mingrui stepped inside, expecting the familiar, cozy warmth of his shared home. Instead, he was met with darkness, the kind that felt strange and unsettling.

"Why is it so dark?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

The lights were off, and the apartment was shrouded in shadows. Meng Xian hadn't come back yet, he assumed, but something didn't add up. Even if she wasn't home, it shouldn't be this dark, not unless she'd deliberately left it that way.

"Clang, clang!"

Before he could fully process the situation, the room was suddenly bathed in light. The brightness made Zhou Mingrui squint, and he instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes. When his vision adjusted, he was met with a sight that left him frozen in place.

Meng Xian stood before him, grinning widely, with something rolled up in her hand. She looked at him expectantly, her eyes twinkling with mischief, and by her side, Starlight the cat was prancing around, meowing happily.

"What…?" Zhou Mingrui blinked, confusion written all over his face. "Why is it so dark? And… why are you holding a newspaper rolled into cones?"

Meng Xian shook the makeshift cone in her hand, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "Ah, this? I originally wanted to buy those small handheld fireworks or ribbon sprays, but then I thought about the aftermath. You'd have to wash your hair, take a shower, do laundry, and I'd have to clean up too. So, I improvised!"

She waved the newspaper cone triumphantly, as if it were the most brilliant idea ever conceived. "How about it? Isn't it a surprise?"

Zhou Mingrui stared at her, caught between bewilderment and amusement. The whole situation was absurd, but somehow it was exactly the kind of absurdity that Meng Xian would come up with. He suppressed a chuckle, feeling both amused and touched by her efforts.

There was no surprise, he thought wryly, but there was definitely a shock.

"Don't just stand there," Meng Xian urged, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Hurry up and cooperate with me!"

Zhou Mingrui frowned slightly, unsure of what she meant. "How… am I supposed to cooperate?"

Meng Xian's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she took a step closer, her voice taking on a dramatic flair. "Alright, listen up. You're the protagonist here. You were just surprised—no, shocked—by the fireworks from your friends. You're standing there, hair, shoulders, and clothes covered in colorful strips and petals. Sparkling sequins are scattered among them, like stars in the night sky…"

She paused, giving him a moment to absorb her words before continuing, "And what greets you? The smiling faces of your friends. You feel mixed emotions welling up inside, and an indescribable feeling surges in your heart. You can't help but shout out—"

"Meng!" Zhou Mingrui interrupted, half-shouting, "What are you doing, Meng?"

Meng Xian shook her head, her smile never faltering. "Wrong lines," she said, tapping him lightly on the forehead with the newspaper cone. "Try again."

Zhou Mingrui sighed, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. He gave in, knowing that there was no winning against her. "Oh," he said obediently, his tone exaggerated as he called out again, "Meng Xian! What are you—?"

"It's to celebrate your birthday!" Meng Xian responded with the same enthusiasm, her eyes shining with joy.

She continued her dramatic narration, her voice full of emotion. "You were shocked!"

Zhou Mingrui played along, pretending to be shocked, though his expression betrayed a mix of embarrassment and amusement.

Meng Xian's voice rose and fell with emotion as she narrated, "Ah! My friend! How did you know today was my birthday?"

Zhou Mingrui tried to keep a straight face, but he couldn't help feeling a bit embarrassed by the whole thing. He glanced up, hoping to see an end to the theatrics, but Meng Xian wasn't done yet.

"His heart was surging like the tide, and it took him a long time to calm down," she continued, her tone filled with exaggerated sentiment. "Look up! Look at your friend's sincere smile again!"

Zhou Mingrui looked up as instructed, but after a moment of trying to muster up the appropriate emotion, he gave up, his face flushing with embarrassment. "I… I really can't cry," he admitted, feeling both awkward and a little guilty for not living up to her expectations.

Meng Xian laughed, the sound light and infectious. "Then laugh!" she encouraged, her own laughter bubbling over. "Happy birthday, Zhou Mingrui!"

At that moment, Starlight the cat, sensing the excitement, began to circle around Zhou Mingrui's feet, meowing in cheerful harmony with Meng Xian's wishes. The small apartment was suddenly filled with warmth, the kind that didn't need grand gestures or expensive gifts. It was in the way Meng Xian had planned this silly, heartfelt surprise, and in the way Starlight joined in, adding her own touch of joy to the moment.

Zhou Mingrui couldn't help but laugh, the awkwardness melting away as he looked at Meng Xian, her face glowing with happiness. This was his birthday, celebrated in the quirkiest, most unexpected way possible. He might not have gotten fireworks or glittering confetti, but he had something better—a friend who cared enough to make him smile, even if it meant rolling up newspapers into cones.

Zhou Mingrui sat on the plush sofa, his gaze fixed on the small strawberry cake resting on the coffee table in front of him. The room was now softly lit, the warm glow of the lamps casting gentle shadows that danced across the walls.

The scent of fresh strawberries and cream filled the air, mingling with the familiar comfort of the home he shared with Meng Xian. Starlight, their ever-loyal feline companion, had curled up beside him, purring softly as Zhou Mingrui gently petted her fur, his thoughts adrift.

Meng Xian had just opened the curtains, allowing the cool, blue-gray light of early evening to seep into the room. She then joined him on the sofa, her presence calm and reassuring, as if she understood that Zhou Mingrui needed a moment to process everything.

The silence between them was comfortable, filled with unspoken words and shared understanding. Starlight nuzzled against Zhou Mingrui's hand, her soft fur a tactile comfort that anchored him in the present. He couldn't help but smile as he continued to stroke her, feeling a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the room's temperature.

Breaking the silence, Zhou Mingrui asked softly, almost as if to himself

"Meng, how did you know my birthday is March 4th?"

Meng Xian leaned back against the sofa, her gaze steady on him. "Don't forget, when you first joined the company, you were assigned to work under me for guidance." She smiled, her tone light but filled with a trace of nostalgia. "I was also in charge of your file."

Zhou Mingrui's eyes flickered with surprise. He hadn't expected her to remember such a small detail from his file, something that most people would have overlooked or forgotten. But then again, Meng Xian was always attentive to the little things, always thinking a step ahead.

Meng Xian's expression softened as she recalled the moment she first saw the date in his file. She had been just as surprised back then, realizing that March 4th was also the original birthday of Klein Moretti

Was it just a coincidence?

"Oh," Zhou Mingrui responded quietly, his tone subdued. He fell into a moment of introspective silence, his thoughts wandering through the years. After a long pause, he spoke again, this time with a touch of melancholy. "Actually, I haven't eaten birthday cake in a long time."

The confession hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken memories. Zhou Mingrui's mind drifted back to his childhood, a time when birthdays were simple yet magical. Back then, the highlight of his birthday was not the presents or the parties, but the moment when he would receive a slice of sweet, creamy cake. That small, sugary delight had been enough to fill his heart with pure, unfiltered joy.

But as he grew older, those moments became increasingly rare. The cake, once the centerpiece of his birthday, was gradually replaced by more 'adult' celebrations—dinners with friends, where they would laugh, talk, and make wishes over drinks instead of cake. The simplicity of childhood had been traded for the complexities of adulthood, and somewhere along the way, the joy of a birthday cake had been lost.

When he was in college, Zhou Mingrui would sometimes lie in bed, unable to sleep, and imagine his future life. He had simple dreams: a stable job, a loving wife, a child to dote on, and a life filled with small, everyday joys. He pictured himself on holidays, traveling with his family, going out for barbecues with friends, and always bringing something back for his wife and child. In his daydreams, life was uncomplicated, and birthdays were just another excuse to gather with loved ones.

But reality had a way of altering those dreams. As the years passed, birthdays became more about numbers—just another year added to his life. Sometimes he was so busy that he would forget it was his birthday until a notification from some app or software reminded him. In those moments, he would smile to himself, say a quiet "happy birthday," and move on without much fuss.

But now, as he sat in the softly lit room with Meng Xian and Starlight by his side, he felt something he hadn't in a long time—a sense of being seen, of being cared for, in a way that went beyond the usual birthday wishes. It was as if Meng Xian had reached into his past, pulled out a fragment of that lost joy

Zhou Mingrui turned to Meng Xian, his voice filled with genuine gratitude as he said, "Thank you."

Before she could respond, he quickly added, almost as if to cover up his sudden vulnerability, "Did you take these days off just for this cake?"

Meng Xian smiled, her eyes twinkling with a playful light. "How did you guess that?"

Zhou Mingrui's gaze returned to the cake on the table, and he noted its size with a slight frown. "Because this cake is a bit small... probably only four inches. And as far as I know, most cake shops aren't very willing to accept orders for four-inch cakes."

Meng Xian nodded, her expression turning serious as she explained, "That's right.

The time spent making a four-inch cake is almost the same as a six-inch one, but the profit is half as much. And the smaller the cake, the harder it is to deliver."

Zhou Mingrui listened intently, his eyes widening slightly as he processed her words. His gaze instinctively drifted towards the kitchen, but before he could say anything, Meng Xian interrupted his thoughts with a knowing smile.

"What are you thinking?" she teased. "Do you think it would still be a surprise if I made it here? Of course I made it at a cake shop outside!"

She then added, with a touch of pride in her voice, "This is the first finished product I made after a week of practice, taught by a master craftsman."

Zhou Mingrui blinked in surprise, the sincerity in her words catching him off guard. "Is that even possible?" he blurted out, still trying to wrap his head around the idea.

Meng Xian's eyes sparkled with a mysterious glint. "If it doesn't work," she said with a sly smile, "it only means the money wasn't enough."

Zhou Mingrui couldn't help but laugh, her reasoning both amusing and oddly convincing. As the laughter faded, his thoughts began to drift again, this time more focused on the person beside him.

Over the past few months, the image of Meng Xian in his mind had undergone a quiet transformation. When they first met, he had seen her as calm, serious, and perhaps a bit aloof. But as they spent more time together, he discovered layers to her personality that he hadn't expected.

For one, Meng Xian wasn't nearly as calm and serious as she appeared. She had a playful side, one that emerged in moments like this, where she orchestrated a surprise using rolled-up newspapers and a homemade cake. She could be mischievous, lighthearted, and even a bit silly, breaking the mold of the reserved mentor he had first known.

And then there was her relationship with money—an aspect of her that had puzzled him. Meng Xian wasn't reckless with her finances, but she also didn't shy away from investing in herself, even if it meant living frugally.

She lived paycheck to paycheck, often overdrawing her salary to pay for courses or experiences that she deemed valuable. Yet, despite this, she managed to maintain a sense of balance, never letting herself fall into true financial hardship.

And then there were the other little things he had noticed—how Meng Xian would listen patiently when he needed someone to talk to, offering advice when he felt lost, or simply being there when he needed a friend. She was the kind of person who, despite her own struggles, always seemed to find a way to lift others up.

In some ways, Meng Xian's persistence was a bit of a paradox. She was harsh on herself, pushing herself to the limits of her endurance, yet she was unusually generous when it came to others. Like now, with the birthday cake she had painstakingly made herself. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes about who she was.

Zhou Mingrui looked at the cake again, his heart swelling with a warmth that had nothing to do with the sweetness of the strawberries or the softness of the cream. It was the effort, the thought, the care that had gone into it that moved him. In this quiet moment, surrounded by the fading light of day, with Meng Xian by his side and Starlight purring contentedly, Zhou Mingrui felt a deep and abiding happiness.

For the first time in a long while, his birthday felt like more than just a number. It felt like a celebration—a real, heartfelt celebration.

A slender, white hand with distinct joints extended in front of Zhou Mingrui, holding a neatly folded brown scarf. The fabric looked soft and warm, with just a hint of intricate knitting patterns that suggested someone had put great care into crafting it.

Zhou Mingrui blinked, surprised, and followed the hand with his gaze until he met Meng Xian's warm, smiling face.

She held the scarf out to him with a gentle smile, her eyes shimmering with a mix of pride and affection. "Here's my gift," she said softly, her voice carrying a note of satisfaction.

"This is the other reason why I've been taking those days off. I made this for you."

For a moment, Zhou Mingrui just stared at the scarf, his mind racing to catch up with his emotions. He wasn't sure what to say, how to react. The shock of receiving something so personal, something that Meng Xian had clearly invested so much time and effort into, left him momentarily speechless. He reached out slowly, almost reverently, and took the scarf from her hands, feeling the softness of the wool between his fingers.

"Oh," he finally managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. The simplicity of the word didn't capture the whirlpool of emotions he was feeling, but it was all he could muster at that moment. He cast his eyes down to the scarf, running his fingers over the soft fabric.

"Thank you, Meng. I really appreciate it."

Happiness, shock, gratitude, and joy all surged through him in waves, each emotion tugging at his heart in different ways. His chest felt tight, and his heart began to beat faster, the rhythm quickening with each passing second. He wasn't sure if it was the surprise of the gift, the warmth of Meng Xian's gesture, or just the simple act of being thought of so deeply, but something in that moment made him feel more alive, more connected, than he had in a long time.

As Zhou Mingrui's gaze drifted towards the small birthday cake beside him, he felt his emotions swell even more. The cake was simple, but in that simplicity, it was perfect. On top of it were three whole red strawberries, bright and juicy, lightly stacked on top of the delicately decorated cream flowers. The cream wasn't the typical stark white; instead, it had a soft, pale hue, and the flowers weren't the usual roses. Zhou Mingrui leaned in closer, carefully examining the intricate design. After a moment, he realized that the flowers were chrysanthemums—golden chrysanthemums, their petals meticulously crafted with care.

The symbolism wasn't lost on him. Chrysanthemums were often associated with longevity and joy in many cultures, and the golden variety in particular symbolized wealth and prosperity. It was a thoughtful choice, a meaningful touch that made the cake feel even more special.

Zhou Mingrui felt a lump form in his throat as he took it all in. "Well," he thought to himself, "don't overthink it. Just enjoy the moment." With that, he picked up the small spoon beside the cake and scooped up a bite.

The moment the cake touched his tongue, he was enveloped in the creamy, rich flavor of the milky sweetness. The taste wasn't overly sweet or cloying; instead, it was a mellow, comforting sweetness that lingered just long enough to make him smile. The strawberries added a slight tartness that balanced the cream perfectly, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that made him close his eyes in pure satisfaction.

"Mmmm, yummy," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible. It was the kind of indulgence that made all the worries of the world melt away, leaving only the simple pleasure of the moment.

He opened his eyes and looked over at Meng Xian, who was watching him with a mix of anticipation and amusement. Zhou Mingrui couldn't help but smile back at her, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the cake or the scarf but everything to do with her presence.

"Considering the birthday cake you made for me," he said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation, "you really know me too well."

Meng Xian chuckled, a soft, melodious sound that made Zhou Mingrui's heart flutter. "Happy birthday, Zhou Mingrui!" she exclaimed, her tone light and cheerful, but with an underlying sincerity that made the words resonate deeply with him.

Zhou Mingrui sighed softly, a genuine smile spreading across his face. He could feel the emotions welling up inside him, emotions he hadn't allowed himself to feel in a long time—joy, contentment, and a sense of belonging. He looked at the scarf in his hands, then at the cake, and finally at Meng Xian, who had managed to make this day something truly special.

As he gazed into her eyes, he found himself whispering silently in his heart, "Happy birthday, Zhou Mingrui."

Unfinished Transaction

  Alice's doubts only lasted for a moment, and she immediately realized that even if the goddess could see the situation in the God War Sea, she would probably not keep an eye on her 24 hours a day.

Besides, the goddess might be worried that she would be mad at herself... Alice thought of the donation box of the Storm Church guiltily.

…No, that was Amon's doing.

Alice's eyes became firm again. She quietly watched Revere's body turn into ashes under the scroll magic, and then went to find Klein beside her... Where is Klein?

Alice looked around blankly, thought for a moment, and walked into the cabin.

She knew where Klein's room was. After knocking twice and waiting outside the door for a while, she saw Klein opening the door.

"What are you doing?" Alice asked him doubtfully, "Shouldn't you be waiting for the mermaid outside..."

Klein made way and took Alice to the desk, showing her what was on it.

"I just read a book in my dream..." Klein explained, "I just wrote down the contents of the book."

Alice looked at Klein in surprise, then curiously leaned over to look at the contents on the paper. The densely packed words and complex runes made Alice look away in a second. She turned around and asked Klein:

"Do you want to use it?"

"I plan to study it," Klein nodded. "After all, there are few opportunities to learn in a dream like this... What's that look in your eyes?"

Alice looked at Klein with a mixture of shock and pity, and asked sincerely,

"Are you sure you're not crazy?"

…It seems like she really hates studying.

The corner of Klein's mouth twitched, and after thinking for a moment, he said to Alice,

"I don't think so.

"After all, I'm different from you. I finished high school and was successfully admitted to university."

Alice felt like she might have been scolded.

"Just wait," she slapped the table with her hand and announced solemnly, "I will get into a university sooner or later to show you. If I can't get in this life, I will try in the next life. I will definitely be able to get in!"

Klein glanced at Alice, who was aroused by a strange desire to win, and gave her an understanding smile, saying with concern,

"In that case, let's work hard from now on, right?

"After I return from the sea, I will contact a school for you..."

Alice moved towards the door little by little. When she pressed herself against the door and stretched her hand towards the door handle, Klein finally reached out and grabbed her, and started to talk to her about business:

"Okay, okay, I can't tie you up if you don't want me to. I'm not really your mother... If I were really your mother... No, I'm your father, I would definitely watch you go to school every day.

"By the way, what you said to Anderson before..."

Klein looked at Alice tentatively.

Anderson, what did I say to Anderson? Oh no, he couldn't be referring to that deadly situation... What should I do, should I play dumb? No, playing dumb is useless. He never asked me about the "wealth accessories" before, but he must have guessed that there was a problem...

Alice blinked, hesitated for a moment, then gave up pretending to be stupid and tried to brush the topic off:

"Actually, I just said that nonsense at that time. It didn't happen at all. I just wanted to scare Anderson..."

Alice's voice became quieter and quieter, and finally stopped.

This was not because Klein was angry. On the contrary, Klein did not look angry. His expression was full of worry.

This made Alice feel a little uncomfortable. She stomped the floor with her shoe soles twice, and finally said in a weak, almost inaudible voice:

"I'll be fine."

Her voice was not loud, but her tone was firm. This attitude calmed Klein down a little, and he briefly pulled himself away from his worry about Alice.

The next moment, his emotions turned into anger because of Alice's words:

"Even if you and Amon are really together, I will be fine."

Very good, this distraction was successful. Now he just wants to beat me up instead of asking me what's going on… Alice thought as she unlocked the door and ran towards the captain's room, shouting,

"Help! Captain Hermann is going to beat me up!"

Klein stopped at the door, feeling both angry and amused. He pinched his brows and muttered in a low voice,

"It seems like she really doesn't want me to ask this question... Oh, forget it. Actually, there's no point in me worrying about her..."

Listening to Alice's screams echoing in the cabin, Klein suddenly felt that his desire to see the mermaid had become more urgent than ever before.

After that, time stayed at noon, and Klein stayed on the deck, watching the Future bypass several relics and ruins and go deeper and deeper into the ocean.

Most of the day passed, during which Alice ate another heartless meal, completely unaware of the strange looks the sailors gave her.

——These sailors had already learned about Alice's wonderful performance in the cabin a few hours ago.

When they were about to pass by a group of submerged buildings, Anderson stood by and pointed at the group of buildings and said,

"Go past the ruins, turn left and drive about ten nautical miles, and you will have a chance to see mermaids."

Hearing this, Alice, who was gradually losing her patience, turned her head excitedly. Just as she was about to speak, the sky suddenly darkened again.

They skillfully found a place to fall asleep quickly, and when their consciousness sank into dreams, Alice had that feeling of her consciousness floating again.

But unlike the uncontrolled swaying last time, Alice realized that she could easily break free from the pull this time.

But Alice didn't do that. She relaxed her consciousness and followed the gravity to reach her destination. When she woke up again in her dream, she saw a row of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Changing places... Alice was vaguely aware of this.

She stood up curiously and observed her surroundings. In front of her was a row of floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sunset. The windows were very clean, and under the sunlight from outside, they exuded an indescribable purity.

Next to the windows are long wooden tables and brown armchairs. Further away are rows of bookshelves filled with a variety of books.

Alice approached the bookshelf and found that there were many books on it. The titles were very clear, and they were all various mystical books.

Alice walked over expressionlessly and stopped in front of a row of bookshelves.

"Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, The Emperor's New Clothes..." She frowned and read out the names of several fairy tales one by one. Finally, her eyes stopped at the end of the bookshelf.

There lay a Roselle diary.

This was, without a doubt, blatant decoy—it even translated diaries instead of notes.

Even Alice was clearly aware of this, and she blinked and took the bait without hesitation.

Alice reached out and pulled out the Roselle diary, gently opened it, and a beautifully crafted bookmark fell to the ground... wait, it's not a bookmark.

Alice frowned and picked up the bookmark from the ground.

This is a Tarot card, or rather, the Blasphemy card.

Alice saw a roulette wheel with four long and four short pointers in the center, as well as three different eras of Russell attached to the wheel, and the text printed in the upper left corner of the card:

"Sequence 0: Wheel of Fortune!" Note ①

Alice frowned, and the sound of footsteps approached at the right moment.

Here it comes...

Alice did not try to look through the Roselle diary in her arms again. Instead, she stood there holding the diary and the "blasphemy card" with only the face of the card on it.

Bernadette, wearing a light brown knee-length skirt, beige trousers, and black leather boots, stood in front of Alice shortly afterwards, along with Klein behind her.

Alice looked at the two of them in silence. After standing there for a few seconds, she suddenly realized that this would make her look insignificant - because both of them were taller than her.

How embarrassing... Can I climb onto the bookshelf now? Oh no, climbing up is too embarrassing, and I can't do it either. Can I fly onto the bookshelf now...

Looking up at the towering bookshelves, this thought suddenly occurred to Alice.

Bernadette's voice rang out, stopping Alice's overly bizarre behavior in time:

"I'm sorry to bring you here… without permission.

"This is a library composed of the knowledge in my memory. However, it seems that you are not very interested in the mystical knowledge I possess?"

"If you had talked to him before you came to see me again, you would have known," Alice pointed at Klein, "What I hate most is reading!"

The answer was unexpected. After a few seconds of silence, Bernadette looked at what Alice was holding and asked:

"Then... the diary and the Blasphemous Card... I remember you... you collected the Blasphemous Card before?"

Alice glanced at Bernadette with a half-smile and said,

"If the reward you want is the contents of the diary, or information that can only be obtained by reading the contents of the diary, then the diary cannot be used as a price, because this is what you should have given me.

"As for the Blasphemy Card, if I have collected the other twenty-one cards and only have this one left, I might come to you for it, but now...

"What do you think this card is for me now? Does it provide status? Or does it provide the corresponding potion formula? Sequence ability?

"I think you have missed the best time to trade with me. What you need to pay now is the price of impressing an angel of the 'fate' path."

"Of course, you can also try to impress Mr. Fool… Well, maybe it's easier to impress Mr. Fool than to impress me?"

After a few seconds of silence, Bernadette spoke softly:

"There is an item that may interest you.

"I have a seal of the 'Prophet'."

Alice looked up sharply, and then realized that her answer was self-evident given her reaction.

Thinking of this, Alice simply did not hide it. She threw the diary to Bernadette and said after she read the diary:

"Hey, this is a really great bargaining chip.

"But I think you may have overlooked one thing...

"For an angel of the Path of Destiny, if we need to worry about potion materials, I think we might as well commit suicide right where we are and become potion materials for others.

"No, even if it's not an angel, this may be the best solution... After all, there was once such a 'winner' who committed suicide in front of me.

"I think that when I really need the Prophet Extraordinary Characteristics, there will be no shortage of people willing to give me a copy of the Prophet Extraordinary Characteristics. Not to mention trading, maybe someone will be willing to give it to me for free.

"Why do you think...I will choose you?"

Klein looked behind Bernadette at Alice, who was completing the negotiations on her own, and felt relieved.

She has grown up so much, it's not easy, especially for her...

This was not because Klein doubted Alice's intelligence. In Klein's opinion, Alice was actually much smarter than Emlyn and Derrick, and even smarter than Audrey.

Putting aside her unusual way of thinking, Klein believed that the main reason why Alice looked like a naive person was precisely because she was too lucky.

She had no need to use her brain at all.

She is actually a quick learner, but her mind is not on studying at all... No, she seems too lazy to use what she has learned.

Fate... However, does the "fate" path have the potential to become a profiteer?

Thinking of Alice's repeated claim that the diary was something that should have been given to her, Klein fell into deep thought.

"...What do you need?" Bernadette tried to ask.

Alice did not directly answer Bernadette's question. Instead, she stroked her chin and glanced at Klein, asking curiously:

"Why don't you use him to threaten me?

" "You must have been on the ship for quite a long time. You should be able to see that he is different from others in my place, right?"

Following Alice's suggestion, Klein collected his thoughts and looked at Alice expressionlessly.

"…As you said, you are now an angel." Bernadette glanced at German Sparrow behind her and replied calmly.

Alice blinked, and suddenly remembered the disdainful look Bernadette gave her when they first met, Bernadette's behavior of bringing her here without permission, and the "you" that she blurted out at the beginning.

However, she should also know that if I didn't agree, she would never bring me here... Forget it, why should I find excuses to cause trouble for her? I'm negotiating, I should find fault with her...

Alice withdrew her thoughts, looked at Bernadette, and smiled:

"But you don't seem to respect me at all.

"At least, I don't feel your respect for me.

"You're even braver than Cattleya... Oh, by the way, what's your relationship?"

Alice showed a curious look. (End of this chapter)

Mermaid

  In Alice's understanding, this should not be something that needs to be hidden, but Bernadette seemed to find it difficult to talk about it. She only answered with one sentence:

"I am the 'Queen of Mystery'."

This was a name that was familiar to Alice. This name alone was enough for Alice to understand the relationship between Bernadette and Cattleya, as well as the reason why Bernadette gave this answer - after all, no one likes to tell others about their not-so-good memories.

Of course, this is usually the case.

Alice actually wanted to try to see if Bernadette would tell her if she showed interest in the story, but Alice finally gave up and asked Bernadette a question:

"Do you know... in the dream here, there is... there is a very strange thing.

"It will inexplicably choose someone, and then that person will go crazy and look for the key to unlock all the treasures..."

Bernadette showed a look of visible doubt.

"It seems you haven't heard of it either." Alice looked away disappointedly and looked around for the exit of the library.

Alice's behavior showed that she was gradually losing patience, which made Bernadette anxious. She realized that if she didn't come up with something that could impress Alice, this meeting would end in vain.

What should I do... Bernadette thought anxiously, her brows furrowed involuntarily. Her eyes swept across the bookshelf beside Alice, and finally fell on the card of blasphemy that only had the front of the card in Alice's hand.

I have missed the best time to trade with Him... I can't come up with something that can move an angel of "fate"...

No, actually I took it out, but He didn't want to trade with me. He refused. He said that some people would be willing to trade with Him, and even give things to Him... Give things to Him?

Bernadette suddenly realized something. She looked at Alice, or to be more precise, at the card in Alice's hand, and said to her:

"If you like this, I will give it to you when I go back.

"Of course, this requires you to provide me with a method to give it to you first..."

Alice looked at her with a probing look, touched her chin and asked, "Didn't Cattleya tell you this?"

Bernadette stood there awkwardly. Seeing that she didn't say anything, Alice pressed the issue further:

"You don't plan to use this as a bargaining chip? Then what are you going to do?"

"As you said, I have missed the best time to trade with you." Bernadette lowered her head and showed humility in front of Alice.

What does this mean... is she trying to please me again? No, it should be "please", she is trying to please me, but...

Alice looked at Bernadette, who was actually taller than her and was assuming a humble attitude, and felt a little pain.

Well, on the bright side, she is at least not as tall as Leo Master... Thinking of that embarrassing scene, Alice closed her eyes and immediately decided to stop Bernadette from continuing:

"I can't make a decision on this matter alone, and it's no use just asking me!"

Bernadette was slightly startled.

"No one would trust a child to make decisions, ma'am." Gehrman Sparrow finished his first and last speech in this meeting, and walked from behind Bernadette to Alice, who had long wanted to leave.

"Want to go?" he asked Alice.

Alice blinked, turned her head and smiled at Klein, then said to him in an unprecedentedly gentle tone:

"How can you even think of leaving? Learning in a dream is such a precious opportunity, you should cherish it!

"Look, it's such a big library with so many books. You should stay here until you finish reading all the books!

"However, considering that you have other things to do, this is a little unrealistic, but you can stay until you leave the Sea of ​​Ruins!

"Why don't you ask the owner of this library to let you stay here and study?"

Alice and Klein, who was gradually showing an expression of disbelief, stared at each other for more than ten seconds. Klein seemed to have accepted her suggestion and turned to Bernadette and asked,

"Madam, what price do I need to pay in order to continue to study here?"

Bernadette looked at Alice, then at Klein, and the expression on her face gradually became confused.

Should she be involved in this kind of thing?

Recalling Cattleya's measures she had seen on the ship, Bernadette finally made a decision:

"No, you don't need to.

"You can stay here as long as you want."

Alice smiled smugly, patted Klein on the shoulder, and said to him earnestly,

"Even after graduating from college, you must not forget to study hard. You must work hard and become a cultured and well-educated adventurer!"

As Klein stared blankly, a beam of dazzling light illuminated the entire library. Noon arrived as scheduled, and they woke up from their dreams.

The first thing Alice did was to get on deck, for she remembered that they had been near the mermaid before she went to sleep, and she did not want to miss her appearance.

After nearly an hour, a thin, ethereal singing voice came from afar with the waves. Alice closed her eyes and listened carefully.

The scene in front appeared in front of her eyes accompanied by singing. Alice saw a reef and a graceful figure sitting on the reef and singing.

They have human bodies and fish tails like in fairy tales, scales covering their chests, and beautiful faces, not as ugly as some legends say.

Fortunately, it's a fairy-tale version of a mermaid, not the ugly and scary kind, nor the one with a fish head and human legs… Should we also rule out left and right?

Seeing her thoughts running wild again, Alice forcibly pulled her attention back, opened her eyes and said to Klein:

"You can adjust your status and prepare for promotion."

With Alice's words as a guarantee, Klein gave up his plan to return to the gray fog to do divination. He said to Cattleya:

"I need a boat."

"It's ready." Cattleya pointed to the side of the ship without any hesitation.

Seeing this, Klein turned his head and reminded Alice, who seemed to be very excited about jumping down to catch a mermaid,

"If you want to get close to mermaids, the Church of Evernight has captive mermaids."

Alice hesitated and stopped walking. It was not until Klein left the Future that she murmured,

"Since the church has it, why does he have to look for it himself..." (End of this chapter)

Guide Bernadette

  "Church?" Anderson suddenly realized something and turned to look at Alice curiously. "Are you an angel from the Church of Night?"

Cattleya was not too surprised by this. Alice had declared at the Tarot Club that the Goddess of Night was her favored one. According to her, she had even asked the Goddess of Night to transform back into a mythical creature... In any case, it was probably true that she had a close relationship with the Goddess of Night.

In fact, Cattleya had wondered about this question when she learned that German came to the Sea of ​​Ruins in search of mermaids.

She knew that the Church of Evernight kept mermaids in captivity, but considering the outrageous request Alice had made the last time she met the Goddess of Evernight, Cattleya did not ask about her doubts.

Maybe Miss Fate is feeling guilty?

When this person turned out to be Alice, this extremely far-fetched reason instantly became reasonable. Cattleya kept this guess until just now, when Gehrman Sparrow's words before leaving revealed the truth.

Alice didn't know that the Church of Evernight kept mermaids in captivity, so it wasn't that strange to Cattleya.

If it were someone else, Cattleya might have guessed that the Goddess of Night was hiding something, but facing Alice, Cattleya would only feel that Alice didn't care about these things.

So, since Gehrman Sparrow didn't mention it, she probably didn't ask...

So, why didn't Gehrman Sparrow mention it?

Such doubts emerged in Cattleya's mind, but she didn't ask aloud. She just looked at Alice, waiting for her to answer Anderson's question.

"It doesn't really count..." Alice thought for a moment and replied, "The church doesn't pay me? That doesn't seem right. The church hasn't paid me the pension before, and now they don't pay me... Is the salary arrears more or the pension more?"

Alice blinked and turned her gaze away from Klein, who was gradually moving away. She looked at Anderson, whose eyes were becoming increasingly terrified, and asked in confusion:

"What's wrong with you?"

Although this passage was bizarre, it revealed a lot of information. Cattleya, who was already accustomed to it, calmly analyzed that Alice might have been a night watchman in the past.

Anderson didn't answer Alice's question. He looked Alice up and down and asked doubtfully:

"Why do you look so short of money?

" "However, the church's pension should be linked to the level of the Beyonder. You... uh, why do you think you can get a pension? Aren't you still alive..."

"..." Cattleya was mentally prepared for Alice to give a shocking answer.

Alice's answer was surprisingly normal, mainly because she didn't explain why she thought she could get a pension:

"Sequence 7. I was Sequence 7 at the time."

"Ah?" Anderson was stunned for a moment. "How long ago was that?"

"Not long ago," Alice thought for a moment, "it was only a few months ago…"

...?

Anderson stopped where he was, maintaining a shocked expression for a few seconds, and his memory slowly revived in his brain.

Oh, she said that she became an angel because she swallowed a "0" level seal by mistake...

Anderson looked at Alice in a trance and asked tentatively:

"When you accidentally swallowed that '0' level sealed object, what was your sequence number?"

"Sequence 5." Alice answered without hesitation.

It took several months to go from Sequence 7 to Sequence 5... It was very fast, very fast, but Sequence 5 swallowed a Level 0 Sealed Artifact by mistake...?

Anderson, who originally thought that Alice was not in her right mind, began to look at Alice with a pitying look.

Receiving Anderson's gaze, Alice suddenly jumped up from where she was in anger, stared at him and asked:

"What's that expression on your face!"

"No, nothing." Anderson looked away.

Alice stared at him and gritted her teeth, then said to him through gritted teeth:

"Now that's quadruple bad luck!"

Faced with Alice's threat, Anderson obviously did not realize the seriousness of the matter. His only rationality was that he did not say words full of concern such as "Have you eaten?", but just gave Alice a smile that he thought was handsome.

Alice sneered in response to the smile, then turned her attention to Klein.

Klein took the potion while listening to the mermaid's singing and returned to the Future on a small boat. Alice watched in surprise as he stepped steadily on a rope as thick as a thumb and stepped onto the deck of the Future.

...?

" "Have you ever thought about not being an adventurer and working in a circus?" Alice asked sincerely, "Or setting up your own circus..."

Klein looked at Alice expressionlessly. Under his gaze, Alice closed her mouth, covered her mouth, and stepped aside.

Anderson was the next to appear. He looked at Alice with amazement and then began his performance:

"So you were looking for mermaids for the ritual, not to get the corresponding materials."

"That's clear," Klein responded briefly.

Anderson shrugged and said,

"No, not sure.

"A normal person would guess that the mermaid is the material you need, because it is not worthy of a Sequence 4 ritual. But who would have known that the pirate general-level adventurer Gehrman Sparrow is only Sequence 6."

Only... Alice glanced at Anderson, who was also only Sequence 5, and encouraged Klein:

"Quick, beat him!"

Klein, who originally had the urge to control Anderson's spirit thread, immediately suppressed the urge, turned around and walked towards the cabin without paying any attention to the two of them.

After achieving its original purpose, the "Future" began its return journey.

Although Alice told Klein that she could isolate herself from Bernadette's surveillance, Klein still refused to discuss things with her on the "Future", which made Alice idle again.

After walking around the deck, Alice suddenly had a good idea - she could go fishing.

Fishing rods and fishing nets were not difficult to find on a pirate ship. Alice hesitated for a moment and chose Frank Lee from several acquaintances.

"Do you know where I can find a fishing-rod?" Alice asked him. "I-I want to go fishing..."

"Fishing?" Frank Lee was stunned for a moment, then he kindly led Alice to find a fishing rod, "I have one here! I was just thinking about studying the fish here..."

Under Frank's guidance, Alice found the fishing rod and fishing net. As soon as she stepped onto the deck with the fishing rod, darkness swept across the entire "Future".

Alice retreated silently to the cabin and went back to sleep.

Dreams were an equally boring place, and Alice quickly remembered the last time she fell asleep in a dream and seriously considered whether or not to sleep again.

Before Alice made a decision, she felt a force pulling her, as if asking her if she wanted to go somewhere.

Alice, with nothing to do, decided to go over and take a look.

When she opened her eyes again, Alice found herself at the top of a spiral staircase, with Bernadette and Klein standing below.

This was actually a bit too high. The condescending posture made Alice feel that this was a huge challenge to her cervical spine. She thought about it, walked down, stopped when she was a few steps away from Bernadette, sat on the steps, and asked Bernadette below:

"Do you have something to ask me?"

After a pause, Alice suddenly remembered Bernadette's question at the end of the previous dream, and asked with a slap on her head,

"You want my sacrifice ceremony?"

"Yes." Bernadette admitted it.

Alice looked at Klein, noticing this, and Bernadette explained,

"He suggested that I ask you directly."

Alice looked at Klein expressionlessly. After a few seconds, Klein turned to Bernadette and said:

"Ma'am, I will relay the complete ritual process to you later."

The matter should end here. Alice glanced at Klein and asked Bernadette curiously:

"So...what did the Fool say? Did He agree to trade with you?"

"…I haven't asked yet." Bernadette paused and replied.

She hasn't given up on trying to get a roundabout way out of me? Well, that seems normal. After all, in the minds of normal people, it is much more difficult to impress a true god than an angel. No one would have thought that the Fool is only Sequence 6... No, he is now Sequence 5.

Alice glanced at Sequence 5 Mr. Fool, and fell silent along with the others.

This was a rather embarrassing scene. After a moment, Bernadette was the first to lose control:

"Is there anything else you want to know about this dream or this sea?"

This is a free opportunity, don't miss it... Alice rolled her eyes and asked the first question:

"Are you protecting Heath Doyle?"

Bernadette nodded and explained:

"Cattleya once gave Heath Doyle a seal that allowed him to only hear sounds at a very close distance.

"Under normal circumstances, it is enough to help Heath Doyle avoid some dangerous sounds, but the whispers in this sea area come from the 'True Creator'..."

Alice understood everything easily without Bernadette having to continue.

In addition to this and the question that Bernadette couldn't answer before, Alice realized that she didn't have a clear idea of ​​what she wanted to know. She tilted her head and asked a question that she thought no one could possibly know the answer to:

"Do you know how to get to the 'Forsaken Land'?"

Bernadette paused and said to Alice:

"It is rumored that the road leading to the 'Forsaken Land of the Gods' is hidden on the opposite mountain, in the projection of the 'Giant King's Court'."

"You really know!" Alice looked at Bernadette in shock, "What should I do if I want to go in?"

Bernadette glanced at Alice and answered her question directly without asking her why she wanted to enter the 'Forsaken Land of the Gods':

"I don't know the answer.

"The Seven Gods may know the answer. Besides... here is the dream of a saint from the Aurora Society."

Alice was stunned for a moment, and soon remembered the 2.5-meter-tall "Black Saint" Leo Master. She asked tentatively:

"…'Black Saint' Leo Master?"

"Yes." Bernadette nodded, but Alice couldn't tell her emotion.

Alice swallowed and suddenly remembered the glowing robe, the one she named "Apollo".

...No way?

——As we all know, in the "God-forsaken Land", there are huge dangers hidden in the lightless darkness.

Of course, Alice thought that most of those dangers were nothing to her. There were probably only two existences in the "God-Forsaken Land" that could pose a real threat to her. One was Amon, and the other was... the power that was summoning her.

Just like now, Alice suddenly had a premonition. She stood up, walked down the stairs slowly, looked out the window and murmured:

"I suddenly feel that I may not be able to go back."

There seemed to be some bad implications hidden in these words. Bernadette and Klein looked at Alice in surprise.

Facing the worry that was hard to conceal in Klein's eyes, Alice was silent for a moment before speaking in a shocked voice:

"I don't mean to say I'm dying!

"I mean, I think there's a good chance I'll have to go to the 'God-Forsaken Land'!"

Klein withdrew his gaze.

The scene fell silent again. Bernadette thought for a moment and began to act as a tour guide:

"This dream world is not very vast. It only has two parts. One is the projection of the Giant King's Court on the opposite mountain, and the other is the black monastery here.

"The black monastery here doesn't look big, but every building and every floor of the house represents a different place in this sea area, and behind every door there may be a dream of a living being.

I see... Alice began to look at this dream of someone unknown.

I see... Klein glanced at the handrail of the stairs and found that the sculptures on it were mainly human heads. They looked gorgeous at first glance, but creepy at a closer look. So he casually asked,

"Whose dream does this staircase belong to?"

As a qualified tour guide, Bernadette answered the tourists' questions without hesitation:

"An undead from the Spirit Cult came here to look for traces of the past Grim Reaper, which is one of the necessary elements for creating an artificial Grim Reaper. However, he lost control of himself in his mumblings and forever wandered in an underwater ruin, transforming every adventurer who dared to enter into his zombie form."

Like this… Alice nodded thoughtfully, and suddenly realized something.

The goddess, the mother goddess of the earth, the true creator... No, this should be the ancient sun god of the past, the creator that Silver City believes in, and then there is the storm, and maybe me, and now there is also the god of death...

More and more gods are joining the war... and so far, it seems that among these gods, only the goddess has not died or has died... Well, if Storm is the Lord of Storms, He has never died either.

In fact, the death of the Earth Mother is just a rumor, there is no evidence... Phew, this doesn't sound like a flag, fortunately...

Alice breathed a sigh of relief.

The tour guide Bernadette glanced at the two of them and walked towards the corridor. Alice hesitated for a moment and followed. (End of this chapter)

Distress Signal

  Bernadette stopped in front of a black wooden door covered with strange patterns, reached out to hold the handle and said,

  "I have always suspected that the dream inside is the key to supporting the existence of this place. The remaining power of the night only provides the possibility for such a development."

As she spoke, she turned the handle and opened the door.

Alice looked inside curiously, and the black door slowly retreated, revealing a golden ocean in the room.

In a dazzling golden color, Alice saw the sun falling from the sky, dyeing the entire ocean golden.

As if in response to this scene, an unimaginably strong breath leaked out, and the entire building began to shake noticeably. The dust above and the stone bricks on the wall fell one after another.

The owner of this breath can crush me to death... Wait, is the dream going to be shattered?

Alice realized this in a trance. Just as she was about to remind him, Bernadette had closed the black wooden door again, and everything returned to normal.

"Even I wouldn't dare to enter here." Bernadette said to Alice.

"Even I wouldn't dare to enter here." Alice shook her head and repeated Bernadette's words in response.

As Bernadette's eyes became increasingly confused, Klein turned to Alice and asked:

"You can't beat him?"

Alice nodded honestly.

He, He... is quite lively.

Bernadette's lips moved twice, but in the end she said nothing.

In their silence, Alice tossed the card of unknown material in her hand and smiled at Bernadette:

"Hey, do you know what the spell is to open the 'Black Emperor' card?"

Hmm? Could it be related to me?

Bernadette shook her head and looked at Alice.

"What a coincidence!" Alice clapped her hands. "I didn't know that either!"

He is really alive...

Bernadette froze in hesitation, unsure of what she should do.

She doesn't know? Oh, I didn't tell her, but is it inappropriate for me to tell her now? No, it doesn't seem inappropriate. It's normal for her not to know...

"Bernadette." Klein pronounced the name in ancient Feysac.

Bernadette realized that this should be the spell to activate the "Black Emperor" card. Her lips moved twice and then closed again.

Alice saw Bernadette's eyes lose focus for a moment, but soon regain their depth. Then, she spoke in the soft but emotionless voice they were familiar with:

"The dream is about to end."

The dazzling light illuminated the dream again. Alice got out of bed and went to the pirate restaurant for dinner.

When Alice finished her meal slowly and was about to leave the restaurant with a bowl of ice cream, Frank Lee walked in. When he saw her, his eyes lit up and he waved at her and said,

"Alice, you're here just in time!

"Come and see what I found!"

Alice stopped hesitantly and asked cautiously, "What is it?"

"Remember the fish in this sea?" Frank Lee said excitedly, "I caught something strange!"

Strange thing...?

Alice looked at Frank Lee who said this and began to feel worried.

What was it that even he found strange... Alice looked around the restaurant with a worried look, and finally landed on Klein who was walking towards them.

Klein seemed to be worried that the two of them might cause trouble together, so he walked over and asked,

"What are you talking about?"

"Hermann!" Frank Lee looked even happier. "I found something strange. Do you want to come and see it?"

Strange things...?

Klein couldn't help but glance at Alice and found that Alice's expression was calm, but her eyes were full of help.

Fortunately, she didn't look excited... A sense of relief rose in Klein's heart. With such emotion, he asked Frank Lee:

"What is it?"

"A fish with human fingers growing in its stomach!" Without waiting for their response, Frank rushed out of the restaurant. Not long after, he ran back quickly with a strange blue-black fish in his hand.

The fish was of normal length, with human-like eyelids. Its belly had been cut open, revealing three bloody fingers stuffed inside.

Before they could think, Frank Lee quickly expressed his judgment:

"I didn't put this there, it already had it! Look at its mouth, it probably won't eat this kind of thing, so it must have grown it on its own!

"Of course, I can't yet figure out what the long fingers do for it itself."

You're right. If it's useless, it won't grow. I think I learned this in biology class... What's it called? Structure determines function? Or the other way around...

Some knowledge slipped through Alice's smooth brain.

Klein glanced at the tea fish and said carefully:

"It could have been stuffed in there by someone else."

"...That makes sense. Then it's not the most unique fish." Frank was stunned for a second, vaguely disappointed. "Fingers are flesh and blood. I'll ask Heath. He's an expert in this area."

I think the most unique fish must come from your hands in the future... Alice complained in her heart, watching him look around, and found Heath Doyle who was huddled in the corner eating. She quickly walked over and followed him.

Frank Lee placed the strange dark brown fish in front of the "Rose Bishop", and the "Rose Bishop" stretched out his hands, pressed the fish's body, and was about to put his face close to it.

This scene made Alice feel strangely familiar. She realized that this was Heath Doyle eating, and hurriedly stopped him:

"This is not for you to eat!

"Why do you 'Rose Bishops' eat everything?"

Alice, who eats everything, said so.

Klein glanced at Alice secretly and said nothing. Frank saw this and laughed,

"No, this is not food for you. You've been eating fish all the time lately, and you smell fishy.

"I mean, do you recognize the finger in the fish's belly? Can you find out who it originally belonged to?"

In fact, I seem to be better at this, or Klein should also be good at finding the owner of an item... Alice looked at Klein hesitantly, thinking of the divine blood of the "Eternal Blazing Sun".

They're really good at this.

Heath Doyle stopped bending down, examined it carefully for a few seconds and said:

"They belong to a 'Rose Bishop', at least a 'Rose Bishop'."

Bishop of Rose? Alice was stunned for a moment, watching Heath Doyle take out the three fingers and stack them together, covered in blood.

The fingers melted into a pool of sticky flesh and blood, wriggling and drawing a bright red word on the dining table:

"Help!" (End of this chapter)

Kill Him

  Help...?

  Alice was stunned for a moment, and then she realized that this was a call for help from a "Rose Bishop", or at least a "Rose Bishop".

Who is it? Are you from the Aurora Society? Wait, from the Aurora Society?

Alice was stunned for a moment, and remembered the "Black Saint" and Leo Master in her dream, those two identical faces.

"Help? What to do?" Frank Lee asked with his head tilted, a little confused.

How should I know? You should ask your captain... Klein shook his head and thought about it, but did not speak directly. Instead, he looked at Alice.

Alice didn't say anything. She stared intently at the bright red "Help". Leo Master, who was running for his life in a linen robe, naturally appeared, and chasing him was the "Black Saint" holding a huge sword.

Alice was slightly startled, and the picture moved forward, revealing the building in front of them frozen in the dusk - the Giant King's Court.

By the way, Leo Master was going on a pilgrimage. If the entrance to the "Forsaken Land of God" was in a dream, Leo Master would definitely know it...

A vague thought flashed through Alice's mind. She jumped up suddenly and exclaimed,

"I'm going to save him!"

This made Klein look at Alice in surprise, and he asked her in a puzzled tone:

"When did you become so kind?"

Alice paused, and suddenly realized that she was not in a dream. She actually didn't know what to do. If she was unlucky, Leo Master might have died... Could she be unlucky?

Well, actually it would, but, I shouldn't have bad luck in this area… right?

Knowing her own character, Alice gradually became hesitant.

Of course, an explanation is still needed: "He may know how to enter the 'Forsaken Land of the Gods'."

After a pause, she added:

"However, in fact, I don't plan to do anything, because I don't know how to do it - if fate really wants me to go to the 'God-forsaken Land', the method will naturally be presented to me.

"When that time comes, I will consider whether to go or not... Hey, why doesn't Destiny just teleport me in? For example, why don't you send someone to tie me up in... No, forget it."

Thinking of Amon who invited her to become a follower and tried to kidnap or sell her, Alice decided it would be better to go by herself.

While Alice was trying to explain her thoughts to Klein, Frank Lee was already staring at the mass of flesh and blood, thinking in another direction.

Suddenly, Alice heard Frank Lee ask:

"Can the original spiritual imprint of these flesh and blood be eliminated?"

Alice suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Yes." Heath Doyle responded simply.

Frank Lee's mouth gradually widened, and he smiled like a 200-pound child:

"I have always been curious about the flesh and blood composition of the 'Rose Bishop'.

"I've always wondered what would happen if similar flesh and blood were used as a medium for hybridization."

Alice took a half step back in horror.

This successfully made Frank Lee notice that she was being ignored, so Frank turned around and asked with concern:

"What's wrong?"

Alice swallowed her saliva and looked at Frank's sincere gaze. She hesitated for two seconds, then looked at Heath Doyle and said:

"There is a 'Rose Bishop' here.

"You don't have to go through so much trouble."

Klein suddenly had the urge to curse.

"Thank you." Heath Doyle said calmly.

"Oh," Frank looked at Alice with a surprised look, "you're right, I actually overlooked this!"

After saying this, he revealed an eager expression and looked at Heath Doyle with expectant eyes. As he gazed at him, Heath Doyle merged into the shadows without saying a word, as if he had never existed.

Alice blinked her eyes, revealing a look of reminiscence:

"I still remember the first time I saw him. At that time, I thought you hybridized humans and shadows to give birth to him..."

The shadow squirmed, and Heath Doyle reappeared, landing on the deck somewhat unsteadily.

Before Alice could say anything, Klein reached out and dragged her away.

As Alice tried to convince Crane to let her go on the deck, night fell unexpectedly and they had to find a place to sleep.

No one disturbed the dream, so Alice appeared in a familiar area again. Nearby, she could see the dreams of Frank, Cattleya, Nina and other crew members of the "Future", and of course, Klein.

...So annoying.

Alice shrank her neck, looked around, and entered Frank Lee's room as if she knew the place well.

Frank Lee was still digging a hole and planting something, but what lay at his feet was no longer food, but a pool of muddy flesh and blood.

Alice mourned for the non-existent Bishop Rose for a second, then walked over, squatted beside him and asked,

"What experiment are you going to do with them?"

Frank laughed excitedly:

"A lot!

" "For example, only one cow is needed to meet the meat requirements of the entire ship. Every time a part is cut off, it can grow back again!"

I seem to have seen a similar legend in the Bible...

Alice tried to recall the relevant content.

The miracle of "five loaves and two fishes" was recorded in the New Testament. In this story, Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fishes by blessing and distributing them.

Yes, it is reasonable. After all, one of the ways of "God" is...

Alice glanced at the blood and flesh on the ground, thought for two seconds, and tried to persuade him:

"Why are you so obsessed with cows? Maybe you can consider other species, such as fish...

"Besides, I always feel that you like to grow things... One day in the future, I won't see people growing out of the ground... Wait, then can you grow me?"

Alice suddenly had a new idea.

Frank was not completely awake in the dream, but he still raised his head and began to look at Alice with longing eyes.

Alice instantly remembered the first words Frank Lee said to her after he learned her identity - requesting her flesh and blood for experiments. Facing the familiar eyes again, Alice felt the hairs on her back stand up. She jumped up, turned around and ran, rushing into some unknown room.

This was a vast hall supported by two rows of thick stone pillars. There was no candlelight in the hall and it was extremely dark. As the main door opened, the light from outside shone in, making the place clear.

There are colorful murals mainly in gold on the walls and domes here. They are connected to each other without leaving any gaps, giving this place a grand and sacred feeling.

Anderson Hood was lying in an easy chair, leisurely admiring the mural above his head, and said to German Sparrow beside him with emotion:

"Alas, I'm finally leaving this damn sea. It's only two or three times between noon and night!

"As long as I can leave here smoothly, I won't have to worry about any remaining problems... Oh, is it you?"

Alice thought about it, then walked over and conjured up a similar armchair for herself. She also placed one behind Klein, then lay down on it and said,

"Don't forget that there is four times more bad luck waiting for you."

Anderson's happy expression disappeared for a moment, and a few seconds later, he started laughing again:

"Don't you have any other means of attack besides bad luck, Miss Angel?"

"?" Alice looked at him in disbelief, "Five times!"

Klein leaned weakly on the recliner and tried to change the subject:

"Are you from Intis?"

"Just barely. My father is from Intis and my mother is Segar... Damn!" Anderson gave the frustrated Alice a provocative smile, then turned his head and answered.

He only had time to finish half of his answer before the chair beneath him suddenly fell apart, and despite his quick reaction, he still fell to the ground.

Forget it, let her vent her anger... Klein glanced at Alice and finally asked as if nothing had happened,

"So do you believe in the 'Eternal Blazing Sun', the 'God of Steam and Machinery', or the 'God of Knowledge and Wisdom'?"

Anderson wanted to curse, but when he saw Alice's threatening eyes, he couldn't help but think of the chair that had collapsed inexplicably just now, and swallowed the curse words.

Anderson held his breath and got up from the ground, making the remains of the easy chair disappear. He then materialized a new easy chair and then lay on it and replied,

"I originally believed in the 'God of Knowledge and Wisdom', but their priests were so abominable that they ignored my ordinary handsome face and looked at me like a fool just because I failed the exam.

"Pah, I'm just a bit biased in one subject, my IQ is not low at all! I have always been excellent in art knowledge, painting basics and other fields!

"Haha, before I became a hunter, my dream was to be a painter. Of course, after coming to the sea, I more or less believe in the 'Lord of Storms'."

After listening to Anderson's description, Klein was silent for a moment, then turned to Alice and asked:

"Have you ever considered converting to the 'God of Knowledge and Wisdom'?"

Alice sneered and replied, "Have you ever considered asking this question in front of the goddess?"

"How do you know that the goddess won't be happy about this?" Klein asked back, "You know, I think another being is very happy about this."

Alice choked and realized that the other being Klein was talking about was definitely not the "God of Knowledge and Wisdom", but Mr. Fool, who had only revived to Sequence 5.

Anderson was just about to join in their conversation and say a few words when suddenly, he heard the clang of a door opening from deep inside the mural hall.

They all stopped communicating and looked intently towards the source of the sound.

A man in a linen robe rushed out from the depths of the mural hall at an extremely fast speed and headed straight towards this side.

The man had shiny black hair but many wrinkles on his face, and it seemed that he had experienced a lot of hardships.

It's that Leomaster ascetic!

Alice recognized the man instantly. She jumped up from her chair in shock and cursed:

"Damn it, how the hell did he actually get out!"

"Ahem." Klein put his fist against his chin and coughed softly as a reminder.

Alice swallowed back more curse words, and at this moment, a tall figure emerged from the depths of the mural hall.

The figure was wearing heavy, dark full-body armor, with two balls of deep red light in his eye sockets.

He held a huge straight sword and chased Leomaster in front of him madly.

It was obvious that this was the knight Alice had never met.

Dang! Dang! Dang!

His boots, which seemed to be made of metal, repeatedly collided with the ground, making a crisp and rapid sound.

The two figures were getting closer and closer. Klein and Anderson reacted very quickly and retreated backwards, sticking to the wall of the mural hall.

They each took one side, and then they found Alice standing there in a daze. Klein subconsciously wanted to go forward and pull Alice back, but he saw Anderson on the opposite side making a gesture to stop her.

Klein paused for a moment, and then he saw Leo Master take the lead and shouted at Alice:

"Run!"

Alice blinked and her reaction suddenly became faster. She reached out and grabbed Leo Master, turned around and ran with him.

…?

Klein stood there in a daze for a second. He watched Alice's figure getting farther and farther away and the black-armored knight getting closer and closer, and hurriedly chased after them.

Anderson looked at their figures, raised his right hand in vain, stood there in silence for a while, looked at the square outside, and finally chose to follow them.

Alice grabbed Leomaster and rushed out of the monastery. The projection of the Giant King's Court appeared in her field of vision, so Alice let go of her hand and left a piece of random luck on Leomaster.

"Go ahead." She said to Leo Master, then took a few steps back to make way for the people behind her.

Leomaster was grabbed by her and ran out with a confused look on his face. Before he could be happy when he saw the Giant King's Court, he looked at Alice and let him go for personal protection.

What on earth was she doing... This question briefly flashed through his mind, but was interrupted by the sound of the giant sword hitting the ground. Leomaster realized that now was not the time to think, so he continued to run.

While dodging around the boulder, he took every opportunity to look at the projection of the "Giant King's Court" on the opposite mountain and prayed in a low voice in ancient Hermetic language:

"Lord, the Creator of Everything,

"You are the omniscient and omnipotent..."

"You are the source of all greatness, the beginning and the end,"

"You are the God of Gods, you are the ruler of the vast star world!"

As this honorific name came to an end, the sea of ​​clouds separating the two peaks suddenly trembled, slowly parting to the left and right, revealing a deep gap with no visible bottom.

The projection of the "Giant King's Court" on the opposite side suddenly sucked the solidified dusk in the distance over!

But, nothing happened after that.

Alice narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at the black-armored knight, who was chasing Leo Master around a huge rock.

Suddenly, the black-armored knight's hand loosened unexpectedly, and the heavy sword in his hand fell to the ground, tripping himself!

"Kill him." Alice ordered Leo Master calmly.

(End of this chapter)