V2: Chapter 65: The Duke's Most Filial Daughter & The Death of Lady Meredith

TL Note:

I don't know why the raw split this chapter into 2 part, but I'll just combine them in one chapter here.

[Part 1] The Duke's Most Filial Daughter

Octaville patted the man's shoulder.

"It's normal to be bewitched by Cthulhu. As long as humans have desires, they will inevitably be seduced by him, unless they have a very strong will. But most people's willpower is weak, so you don't need to blame yourselves so much."

The scene was somewhat chaotic, with incessant crying.

Octaville sighed, brushing her long hair over her shoulder. "We should go too. The village's future development is no longer my responsibility. I have too many things to do. But don't worry, that priest won't be coming back."

She waved to Eleanor and the others. "Let's go. We have experience dealing with heretics, but… they're probably not those weaklings anymore. Since the tentacles have learned to parasitize, that priest must have been parasitized as well."

"Of course, it's easy to deal with."

Just as Octaville had said, Joseph was also parasitized. Like the village chief, his body swelled up like a balloon before bursting, countless sticky, disgusting tentacles wriggling from his body.

Octaville didn't waste words, nor did she want the young magicians to gain experience. She was already annoyed enough with her injury and wanted to vent her anger on some monsters. So, with a snap of her fingers, she burned the tentacles to ashes.

"Alright, that's a wrap."

Octaville, hands on her hips, smugly turned to the other magicians and said, "If you encounter tentacles with such high reproductive capacity but are easy to defeat in the future, just burn them all."

Lina was a little worried, "But, what if we accidentally hurt other innocent people...?"

"Uh."

Octaville paused, her smile somewhat strange.

"But we can't sacrifice the lives of the majority for the sake of a few, can we? If you don't burn them all, more people will die. It's better to take a gamble and eliminate them all; the death toll will be lower. Besides, that really tests one's skill in magic."

"....."

On the way back, Prescott sighed. Ever since Octaville said those words, he had kept his lips tightly pressed together, remaining silent.

Finally.

"Little Fu, you're becoming more and more like the Tower Master," Prescott said.

Octaville paused. She understood the implication of his words, but this time, she didn't turn around. It was unclear whether she was avoiding the issue or demonstrating her resolve.

"Teacher Prescott, I've always been the Tower Master of the Magic Tower, but I'm the current one. My responsibilities and my dreams are entirely different."

"Hmm... Little Fu, just stick to your own path."

Prescott was always a very easygoing person. He wouldn't interfere too much if it was someone else's decision, but a hint of melancholy still lingered in his eyes. He hooked his arm around Nicholas's shoulder and sighed again.

"Sigh, what can we do? We're getting old after all."

"Go away, don't drag me into this. I'm not married yet. I'm going to marry a beautiful wife someday. You're making it sound like I'm about to die." Nicholas pushed Prescott's arm away in disgust.

Prescott chuckled twice.

Back to the Magic Tower.

“Professor Prescott, are you going back this time?” Octaville asked.

She was actually reluctant to let Prescott leave, both emotionally and in terms of his potential to help the Magic Tower. Octaville wanted him to stay.

However, Prescott shook his head. “I don’t want to get involved in these conflicts anymore.”

“Alright…”

“But,” Prescott looked directly at Octaville, “if one day you still need me, come find me. If I can help, I will.”

After all, I was also presumptuous enough to want to save all life within the entire Empire.

Prescott didn’t say the last part aloud.

[Part 2]

"Oh my god! Carol can walk, Miss!"

A gasp echoed throughout the entire Langwendi mansion.

Laura, staring at the wobbly Carol, excitedly pointed and shouted, "Miss Liang Lin! Miss Liang Di! Come quick! Carol can walk... Ahhh!"

The door to the room was suddenly flung open, startling the timid Laura so much she almost fell to the floor.

A figure rushed into the room like lightning, kneeling directly in front of Carol. "Holy crap! This little thing can walk!"

Laura: "..."

Hey, what kind of mother calls their daughter "Little thing"?!

"Hehe~"

Carol wobbled as she walked, waving her little hand to Liang Lin. She walked with a shaky gait, as if she might fall at any moment, like a cute, chubby little penguin.

"Ah..."

She's so incredibly cute!

Liang Lin felt her heart melt instantly. She wanted to rush over and hug her daughter immediately, but seeing Carol walking by, she hesitated, afraid of interrupting the child's enthusiasm.

Laura glanced at the doorway but didn't see Liang Di.

Normally, she'd be more eager to see Carol than anyone else. Why wasn't she here today? Was my call not loud enough?

"Miss Liang Lin, Miss Liang Di, she..." Laura hesitated.

"Huh?"

Liang Lin looked back but didn't see Liang Di.

Suddenly, a strange feeling crept into her heart.

As the child's other mother, how could she not care about the child at all?

Ha, typical woman!

Actually.

Liang Di was in Auston's room.

This was the first time in a year and a half that she had been in Auston's room, the room of her father, whom she considered dispensable.

Liang Di entered in a wheelchair.

Auston, the poor duke, lay on the bed like a sculpture eroded by time, devoid of his former vitality.

His body was thin, his skin pale and dry, as if drained of all life essence, appearing withered and emaciated. His eyes were sunken, empty and powerless; the once shrewd light had vanished, leaving only endless despair.

His hair was sparse and disheveled, its former blackness faded to silver-gray, scattered on the pillow like forgotten years. His hands were thin with bulging veins, his fingers bent into claws, seemingly unable to grasp anything anymore. The corners of his mouth drooped, forming a bitter arc, as if telling of his inner pain.

His bed seemed unmade in a long time, the air thick with the scent of death. The curtains were drawn, sunlight unable to penetrate the heavy fabric, making the room feel even colder and more oppressive.

In this silent and despairing space, Duke Auston's life seemed to have reached its end, with only his faint breaths proving he was still alive.

"Oh~ dear Duke Auston," Liang Di said with a smile, pushing her wheelchair to the bedside, her tone sarcastic, "Please forgive me for not visiting you in so long. Our Langwendi family's businesses are just too vast, too numerous to handle, and your good-for-nothing son isn't very capable, so all the work has to be done by me~"

Auston could hear her. Although paralyzed in bed and unable to speak, he was conscious, his eyes were open, and he could see everything. Yes, he was now in a vegetative state, retaining consciousness but unable to move.

“I know you can hear me, dear Duke. Aren’t you happy about my arrival, the arrival of your beloved daughter?”

Liang Di smiled, revealing her dimples. “Why aren’t you smiling?”

After saying this, she feigned surprise, covering her mouth in a panic. “Oh dear, I’m so sorry, Duke Auston, my mind is a little foggy. I often forget about you, that you can’t smile, haha~ Not only you cannot smile, you can’t even move you fingers, can you?”

Auston, looking at the arrogant Liang Di before him, almost spat out blood. He wanted to stand up in fury, to unleash a torrent of curses, but he couldn’t. He could only lie there weakly, watching the pretentious Liang Di before him.

“I must say, Edwin is incredibly stupid, he hasn’t inherited any of the superior genes of our Langwendi family.” Liang Di slowly and deliberately played with her long hair, her tone contemptuous. “Duke Auston, next time you look for a woman, you’d better open your eyes wide. Don’t let a stupid woman ruin our family’s with their childish genes!”

After saying that, she laughed again, her cute, innocent face filled with malice. She suddenly stood up. Although Auston couldn’t move, his eyes were filled with surprise, as if he was wondering why she could stand up.

“See? My legs are fine. I can move freely now.” Liang Di twirled a few graceful circles on the spot, then stopped, looking at Auston meaningfully. “What a pity, Duke Auston, that you can only be paralyzed in bed, unable to move.”

Auston wanted to smash something, wanted to punch Liang Di in the face. His rage had no outlet; he couldn't even refute her. He tried to speak, but his voice trembled a few times before returning to stillness.

It was agonizing.

Why is she torturing me like this?!

"Duke Auston, are you angry?" Liang Di leaned closer.

They were incredibly close, so very close, that Auston could even see the swirling vortex in her green eyes. His heart skipped a beat; a nameless panic swept over him.

What was that?! In her eyes!

[Part 2] The Death of Lady Meredith

"You mean to say I'm a monster, is that it?" Liang Di sneered, withdrawing her body.

"Duke Auston, the last thing you shouldn't have done was killing Lady Meredith, my mother."

Liang Di learned of her mother's death from a magician when she was six years old. In fact, Meredith had died when she was three, but Octaville dared not tell Liang Di, fearing she would collapse.

It was a night filled with conspiracy and tragedy.

As night fell, a soft candle burned in Lady Meredith's bedroom, casting a warm, dim light. Auston stood quietly by the door, his eyes revealing a barely perceptible ruthlessness. He clutched a bottle of colorless, transparent liquid tightly in his hand—his carefully prepared poison.

Meredith had caught a cold and was coughing softly. She sat in the rocking chair by the bed, an old book in her hand, her gaze focused and serene. Auston tiptoed into the room, a false smile on his face.

He walked behind his wife, gently patted her shoulder, and said softly, "Darling, it's time for your medicine."

Lady Meredith looked up, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. He hadn't been this gentle before; Auston's sudden concern for her in recent months was certainly unusual.

Auston brazenly poured the poison into her glass, then stirred it gently until the liquid was smooth and colorless. He handed her the glass, smiling, and said, "This is a new prescription from the doctor; it'll be good for your condition."

He knew Meredith was naturally suspicious; if he turned his back to her, she would surely be suspicious. It was better to pretend to be open and honest, administering the poison in her presence.

Meredith sized her up, her gaze settling on the bottle of clear liquid. "What kind of medicine is this?" she asked.

"For treating colds," Auston replied nonchalantly, handing the poison to Meredith. "If you're worried, I'll go get a doctor. You can ask about the ingredients."

Meredith stared at the liquid, then shook her head. Her family was wealthy and powerful; she'd turned a blind eye to Auston's infidelity (after all, she'd also cheated on him with Bellica). She didn't believe Auston would do anything too outrageous, nor did she believe he'd be foolish enough to abandon his interests.

She took the glass and drank it down in one gulp. The medicine slid down her throat, bringing a chilling sensation. She put down the glass, picked up her book again, but felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her vision blurred, and her strength gradually faded.

Auston stood by, coldly observing Meredith's changes. He watched her face grow paler, her breathing become weak and rapid. He felt no remorse or pity, only excitement and anticipation for the future.

Lady Meredith lay on her bed, pale and with vacant eyes. She loathed the man who was about to end her life—her husband, Auston. She knew that the seemingly harmless liquid concealed deadly poison.

So this man really could be so foolish as to disregard the interests of the Langwendi family for a maid.

Despair filled her heart. She had fantasized countless times about escaping this man, but reality was so cruel; even her final struggle seemed futile. She gazed at the darkening sky outside the window, a profound sadness welling up within her.

Yet, in this abyss of despair, Lady Meredith felt a tender attachment to another—her beloved maid, Bellica.

Their relationship had long transcended master and servant; they had become indispensable to each other's lives. Bellica was young and kind, always caring for her so gently, giving her the only warmth in this cold home.

Meredith thought of the happy times they had spent together, of Bellica wiping her sweat and cooking for her. Her heart was filled with reluctance to leave Bellica; she didn't want to leave this world, to leave the person she loved so deeply.

And Liang Lin… her daughter, so very young. What would happen to Liang Lin after Austin and Miranda's child was born? Her eyes looked so fragile; could such a child truly grow up safely?

The poison began to take effect, and a sharp pain shot through her. She gritted her teeth, trying not to make a sound. Her vision blurred, but she still tried to keep her eyes open, wanting to see one more thing of this world she had once loved so deeply, and the two people she could never abandon—Bellica, and her daughter, Liang Lin.

Meredith died without ever knowing that her child had been switched.

Finally, Lady Meredith's life came to an end.

Her body lay there quietly.

After Lady Meredith's death, the entire mansion fell into a deathly silence. Then, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows—the maid Miranda. Touching her round belly, a smug smile played on her lips as she leaned against Auston.

"That woman is finally dead," Miranda whispered, her voice laced with contempt and mockery. Auston didn't speak, only nodded silently, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

The unspoken understanding between them was palpable; their relationship had long transcended the boundaries of master and servant. Miranda's belly was evidence of their secret, and Lady Meredith's death had cleared all obstacles for them.

In truth, Auston knew that keeping Meredith alive would benefit his family, but Miranda's ever-growing belly meant they couldn't wait any longer. He was also filled with remorse, because ever since Meredith gave birth to Liang Di, she had refused to let Auston touch her, constantly using her postpartum (after birth) discomfort as an excuse to avoid intimacy with him.

"Meredith, what does she think she is?" Auston sneered. "As a woman, the only thing you can do is serve your husband, be his tool for satisfying his lust. What use is a hen that doesn't lay eggs?"

Auston felt both relief and an indescribable heaviness. He had finally gotten rid of the wife he hated, but at the same time, he had lost a tool that could have brought benefits to his family. He glanced at Miranda's belly, where his new hope was growing, the bond between him and Miranda's future.

Miranda, on the other hand, was immersed in the joy of victory. She had finally waited for this day, to stand proudly beside Auston, as the mistress of this mansion. She stroked her belly, imagining the beautiful life to come, her heart filled with anticipation.

However, they did not realize that Lady Meredith's death was not the end, but the beginning of another tragedy.

When Bellica, who had been sent away, rushed back, she found the cold body of her beloved.

Bellica was devastated.

After discovering her mistress's death, her world collapsed completely. The mistress she had once deeply loved, that gentle and kind woman, had been murdered by Auston.

Even without evidence, Bellica knew that her mistress had always been healthy; her sudden death could only be a murder, and the culprit must have been Auston, or the maid who had worked with her—Miranda. Bellica had always known they were having an affair.

This cruel truth was unbearable for Bellica; her heart was filled with anger and grief.

Late at night, Bellica went alone to the kitchen. The cold moonlight bathed her frail figure in a lonely silver glow. She stood before the whetstone, her hands gripping a sharp knife tightly, her eyes gleaming with unwavering determination. She knew she had to do something important—avenge Meredith.

Finally, the knife was sharp enough.  

Bellica stood up, gripping the hilt of her knife tightly, her eyes resolute and determined. She walked out of the kitchen and headed towards Austin's bedroom. Her steps were firm and powerful, each one seeming to proclaim her resolve.

"Lady Meredith, I'm sending your murderer to heaven to join you."

But as she reached a corner, a hand intercepted her, covered her mouth, and dragged her into the darkness. Bellica's eyes widened; she thought the guards had discovered her. A wave of despair washed over her; she thought her revenge was over before it even began.

A flash of white light, and the scene before her changed. Bellica sat frozen on the floor.

“Bellica, you shouldn’t be so impulsive.”

It was a deep, pleasant female voice.

In the darkness, Octaville’s face gradually became clearer. “Listen to me, the conspiracy behind this isn’t as simple as it seems… Miss Liang Di and I need you.”

“Miss Liangd Di…?”

Who is Miss Liang Di?

Bellica looked around, finding herself in an unfamiliar environment. She was bewildered, holding a sharp knife, staring warily at the woman before her.

“Who are you?!”

Octaville admired Bellica’s courage, but she sighed and shook her head. “Alas~ it’s a pity you don’t have the talent of a magician. If you did, I think you would be a very excellent magician.”

A magician?

Bellica’s expression became even more confused. She couldn’t understand a single sentence from the other woman, only that she seemed insane, and those eyes were extremely dangerous.

“Bellica, I’ve been observing you inside the magic crystal sphere for a long time. I think you’re capable of handling the undercover mission within the Langwendi family. You’re very clever.” Octaville took a step forward, her chest pressed against the tip of the other woman’s knife. “Do you want to know what other disgusting things Auston did, like… that Miss Liang Lin is a fake?”

These words caused the resolve on Bellica’s face to waver.