Chapter 60: Conspiracy, Concerto of Betrayal (Part II)

"What are they talking about? I can't hear a thing!" complained the petite maid. 

"Of course not. Look how close they're standing together. They must be discussing the most secret of secrets. Even if we could hear them, we wouldn't understand."

　　"Hmm, you're right. But is the witch Visata really as evil as they say? She seems like a rather fragile foreigner…" one of the maids mused.

"That must be a false facade. Perhaps she's here to seek some advantage for her tribe…"

　　"Why… tell me this method? Tzmer, don't you also see me as a thorn in your side? What's in it for you?" Bia looked at Tzmer with a mix of belief and doubt.

"What's in it for me? Why put it so bluntly? To defeat Gra Visata, we need to unite. When the plan succeeds, that's when we'll have a fair chance to compete." Besides..." Tzmel paused, smoothing out the wrinkled hem of his robe. "Since becoming desire slaves, we've endured others' scorn and ridicule together, shared hardships, and endured suffering side by side. Such bonds are also a kind of fate, aren't they?" Tzmel smiled, taking Bia's hand. "Alright, this time we must unite as well. No matter the outcome, I won't leave your side..." A unusual tenderness flickered in Tzmer's eyes, but it vanished quickly.

"..." Bia stared blankly, unsure why, but she felt that the Tzmer before her was different from usual. In fact, she sensed that the faint glow behind him wasn't from a candle, but an unknown light.

　　Forcing a smile to hide her relief, Biya stiffly shook off the tightly clasped hand. "Don't think that just because you told me a little information, I'll be grateful to you. Our matters will have to wait until after this is successful. This... I'll go back first." 

Biya turned awkwardly, the coldness of Tzmel's fingers still lingering in her palm. "Her hands are so cold. Could she be sick?" She shook her head vigorously. She had to carefully plan her unformed plan.

Walking down the corridor, Biya did not notice the cold gaze behind her.

After bidding farewell to Biya, Tsmer walked toward the darkness like a zombie. Her eyes had lost their vitality, and her steps had lost their energy...

　　Bang! 

"What… what's happening… Tzmel…" The two maids hiding behind the stone pillar were about to slip away quietly when they happened to see Tzmel collapse on the cold stone steps. 

"Tzmel! Tzmel!" The more voluptuous maid rushed forward first. 

"Aini, don't be so impulsive…" The smaller one hadn't had time to speak up to stop her.

"No... it can't be..." Aini looked at Tsmer, who had been so lively just moments ago,

now nothing more than a rotting corpse. Her clothes were intact, but... her head had been ruthlessly pierced with several large holes. Such a brutal method... it was horrifying!

"What happened to her? Did she faint?" The petite servant was about to open the blood box she always carried with her.

"Qiliya, don't waste your effort. She… is already dead… dead." Aini's face was ashen. In truth, her mind was already a blank.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Although Tsmer hasn't done us any favors, we shouldn't curse her to death! Let me see! Let me take a good look!" 

　　But Ai Ni couldn't move. No matter how Qi Liyia pushed and shoved her, she didn't budge. 

　　"Ai Ni! You!" 

　　Suddenly, the candlelight flickered out. 

　　"Your sister was right. This woman has been dead for a long time… I can't even remember when she started to decompose… Hahaha. A supple female voice echoed from the surrounding darkness.

"You… who are you…" Qi Liyia, like Ai Ni, was immobilized by the spell, her face ashen with shock.

"I am Tsmer, the Tsmer you once spied on… What, can't believe it?" Hahaha," the woman laughed madly, her voice piercing into one's heart, causing uncontrollable tremors. 

"I'm sorry... please don't kill us. We won't do it again. Please forgive us," Ai Ni calmed her own emotions. The desire to survive outweighed everything else. 

"Since you've seen it, how can I keep you here? Unless you not only keep this secret but also work for me."

　　"I'm willing to do anything." Aini responded immediately. 

"Ah, so straightforward. Unfortunately, I need both of you… If one of you refuses, it won't count." The woman tempted Qiliya with her words. 

"You've killed someone. No matter who it is, you'll be punished. Now you want us to join you in your crimes? It's simply…"

　　"Qi Liyia, do you not want to live anymore..." Aini shouted at Qi Liyia. "Master, I agree. Please do not mind her. Let me be your servant alone."

"Oh? Qi Liyia... I only ask you to help me with one thing, just one thing. Your friend has made a wise choice. What about you?"

　　In that final moment, Qi Liyia fainted. She didn't know how she had answered that terrifying question. 

Vaguely, she heard the name Gra Vistata, and that terrifying laughter filled the air, brimming with hatred.