V1: Chapter 77: She's a Sadist

Liang Lin's grip on the sheets gradually loosened.

Her vision went blank, her mind tingling as if a thousand ants were gnawing at her brain.

Her breathing became calm.

Noticing Liang Lin's change, Liang Di hesitated for a second before abruptly releasing her grip.

"Liang... Liang Lin, sister..."

Liang Lin, lacking oxygen, hadn't yet recovered.

Liang Di also began to feel dazed.

What was she doing?

So, those children were right after all. She really was a monster, trying to strangle her beloved, having such wicked thoughts.

Liang Di fell into deep self-doubt.

Liang Di had asked Bellica what love was.

But Bellica's innate submissiveness, masochistic tendencies, and distorted, broken values ​​led to an inappropriate answer.

"Love is abuse, love is willingly suffering abuse, love is being able to do anything for the other person~"

Bellica touched her cheek, a look of ecstasy on her face.

Although Liang Di wasn't mentally stable either, she still found what Bellica said absurd.

How could this possibly be love?

Liang Lin's breathing gradually calmed down.

"I'm... sorry."

"...Haha." Liang Lin laughed heartily, "The expression on your face is really lame."

"..."

Knock knock knock.

"Miss Liang Di, someone is looking for you."

Bellica's voice came through the crack in the door, muffled. Liang Lin felt like she was lying in a coffin, and Bellica was knocking on the coffin door, speaking to them.

Liang Di silently got off Liang Lin and rolled out of bed.

"Sister Liang Lin, you should rest well."

Only boundless silence answered her.

Click~

The door was gently closed again.

After Liang Di left, Liang Lin looked at the pink ceiling, which had some cute little stars, moons, and other adorable patterns drawn on it.

A profound emptiness washed over her. She hadn't been in contact with anyone except Liang Di for so long.

She wondered how everyone at the academy was doing. Although she didn't have a deep connection with them, the thought of them being knocked over by her was somehow comical, almost laughable. And what about the people in the tavern? Were they still drinking? And her former subordinates—were they living in clean, new houses now? Did they blame her for never visiting them again after that incident?

She missed her sister so much… she missed her former subordinates so much… what were they doing right now? Were they thinking of her? Were they searching for her?

Ah…was it night or day? There was no clock on the wall, and her pocket watch was nowhere to be found. Liang Lin couldn't tell if it was night or day, or how long she had been in the basement. She had completely lost her sense of time.

This was a terrifying thing; when you lose track of time, life becomes unbearably agonizing.

Liang Di's forced affections caused her immense pain.

Meanwhile, on Liang Di's side...

"Liang Di, how's the matter with Liang Lin going?"

"No knights have come to investigate yet, but I expect they will in a few days. I've already come up with a general plan."

Octaville sat on the sofa, legs crossed, looking nonchalant.

She asked, as if to kill time, "Where's Liang Lin? I didn't see too her last time I came."

"She's in class at the academy."

"Hmm~" Octavill stroked her chin, straightening up. "I haven't seen you bothering Liang Lin lately either. What's wrong, Miss Liang Di? Have you fallen for someone else, or have you cut ties?"

This hit Liang Di's sore spot. Her face instantly turned awkward, and she lowered her head.

"Um... I've been busy with classes lately, I haven't had time for romance."

She lied again.

Octaville, quite pleased, stood up and patted the other woman's shoulder, cheekily saying, "That's right, that's more like it. Women with ambition are the most attractive to girls."

"...Octaville, why are you always running around here? Shouldn't you be at home with Hilary?"

"You little rascal, I'm just here to check on you. After all, I'm practically your foster mother."

"No need," Liangdi refused decisively, "I can take care of myself. Stop running around here all the time, it's annoying me."

Liang Di harbored some resentment towards Octaville.

She often wondered if Octaville had left her at the border, with Liang Lin, instead of taking her back to the Demon Tower, would she have avoided all that suffering?

If Octaville had kept her by her side instead of abandoning her, would she have been spared from being bullied?

However, Liang Di also knew in her heart that Octaville had her own reasons.

In truth, she realized that subconsciously, she was still capable of understanding and empathy for others; but she simply refused to admit it or tell anyone. 

Liang Di was closing herself off emotionally.

Octaville, with a deeply wounded expression, exaggeratedly clutched her chest, took a few steps back, and plopped back onto the sofa, thrashing about like a fish out of water.

"Oh dear~ I really have raised a little wolf cub~"

Liang Di suddenly remembered something. She pondered for a moment before speaking, "Octaville, you and Hilary used a forbidden technique, didn't you? The side effect is that you can't see your closest relatives for six months. If you do, you'll bleed from all seven orifices and die."

Octaville's nonchalant expression vanished. "You've got quite a wide range of interests now, even knowing this."

"It's written in a book."

"Hmm, don't tell Liang Lin. If that child knew, she'd definitely blame herself."

"Why would she blame herself? Is it because her beloved sister suffered because of this forbidden technique, or... from the very beginning, the original Liang Lin was just a vessel?"

Octaville's breath hitched. Clearly, she hadn't expected Liang Di to guess so accurately.

"Liang Lin is such an upright person. If she knew that her body was acquired in a shameful way, and that it was done by her beloved older sister, she couldn't hate her sister. She would definitely hate herself, wouldn't she?"

Liang Di stood in front of Octaville, her face obscured by shadows.

This was the first time Octaville felt that Liang Di was somewhat frightening.

She was intelligent enough to see through everything.

“Liang Di, you know what you should and shouldn’t say, right?”

“…Of course I know.”

Octaville sighed.

“Liang Di, we’re not as bad as you think. The original Liang Lin wasn’t a vessel; it was a sudden situation. Only Liang Lin’s body was suitable, so…”

“So we took over her body.”

“You can’t say that.” Octaville sat up straight, her hands on her knees. “Yes, the body, but the original Liang Lin didn’t die. I attached her soul to someone else. She has a warm family now.”

“Heh.” Liang Di suddenly chuckled coldly.

Octaville frowned, wanting to say something, but unsure how to begin.

The two parted on bad terms this time.

After Octaville left, Liang Di breathed a sigh of relief and sat back in her wheelchair.

“Phew~”

She had deliberately provoked Octaville just to argue with her, forcing her to leave quickly and come here less often.

She didn't have that much of a sense of justice, nor would she stand up for people she didn't want to be involved in.

"Who cares whose body it is... as long as Sister Liang Lin is alive, that's enough."

For Liang Lin, Liang Di could kill—one, two, three, hundreds, even more–she would.

—The Thirteenth Day of Liang Lin's Imprisonment—

The Knights finally arrived, claiming it was a routine inspection, and every noble's house would be searched.

As for Elton's identity, it had already been thoroughly exposed. When the Knights arrived and began their search, the neighbors started chattering, vying to say that a dark-haired woman had stolen Elton's identification documents half a month ago, leaving behind threats that forced the Oriel family to move away, hiding far away and afraid to return.

It seemed premeditated.

The trail went cold there.

"Miss Liang Di, where is Miss Liang Lin?"

"She's in class at the academy. What do you need her for?"

The Knights were also in a difficult position.

“As you know, Miss Liang Lin has black hair and is exceptionally skilled in swordsmanship…”

“Didn’t you know? Her hand is crippled.”

The knights’ eyes widened. Liang Di sat leisurely in her wheelchair.

“She missed school a few days ago because her hand was crippled.”

“She’ll be out of school in a little while, and you’ll see her then. Just wait.”

A member of the knights gasped.

Did she really go that far to avoid suspicion?

About fifteen minutes later.

The fake Liang Lin returned.

Sure enough, her right hand was wrapped in bandages.

"During the final days of the swordsmanship competition, Liang Lin didn't go to the academy because her hand was crushed. Even our maid knows about it."

Bellica nodded in agreement, "Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. Miss Liang Lin's hand was smashed by a toppled bookshelf."

"This..."

The leader of the knights stepped forward.

"Miss, may I see your hand beneath the bandages?"

Liang Lin glanced at Liang Di.

Tsk.

One downside of mannequins is that they need orders from their master to act; they can't think for themselves, which makes them easy to expose.

"Sister Liang Lin, it's alright. Let's untie it and let them see. Your wound should be almost healed. I spent a lot of money to find you the best medicine."

The fake Liang Lin nodded, and with Bellica's help, unwrapped the bandages from her arm. The bandages were thrown to the ground, gradually revealing Liang Lin's arm completely.

"Ahh."

The knights gasped.

All that could be seen on Liang Lin's wrist were gruesome, rough scars, as if worms were lurking beneath her skin. Her entire right hand was scarred, except for her arm.

"We apologize, Miss Liang Lin, for our rudeness."

The knights bowed in unison.

"We apologize for disturbing you, ladies. We understand the situation and will report back truthfully."

"Then we'll trouble you all."

After the knights left, Liang Di visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Go back to your room."

The fake Liang Lin nodded and obediently returned to Liang Lin's room.

Liang Di went back to the basement.

In the basement, only thirteen days had passed, and Liang Lin had already lost weight, looking visibly exhausted. She lay quietly on the bed, her eyes devoid of any light.

The only thing that gave her some relief was that her belly hadn't shown any signs of pregnancy. She felt she had escaped unscathed and wasn't pregnant with the monster's child.

"Sister Liang Lin, you've lost weight."

Liang Di sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking Lianglin's cheek.

Liang Lin didn't speak; she was lost in thought, absorbed in her own world.

In less than a month and a half, she would be able to see her sister. But now, it seemed her sister probably wouldn't see her in that a month and a half.

Would her sister be sad if she didn't see her?

Would she search for her everywhere because she couldn't see her? Could her sister rescue her?

Forget it, Liang Di is too dangerous. my sister is such a frail woman, and she's carrying around a weakling like Octaville. It's better not to let them rescue me; let them live a peaceful and happy life.

Liang Lin still didn't know that the weakling and burden she referred to was actually the powerful Tower Master of the Magic Tower.

“Sister, do you know? Your impulsive actions at the sword competition have been investigated,” Liang Di said boastfully, her eyes full of expectation as she nestled beside Liang Lin, resting her head on her arm.

“But it’s okay, I’ve dealt with them all. No one will suspect you.”

“What’s the point?” Liang Lin suddenly spoke, her gaze still fixed on the ceiling. “Anyway, I’m locked up here, and no one will find me. Whether they suspect me or investigate me doesn’t matter, right?”

She now possessed a kind of resigned beauty.

Liang Di looked at Liang Lin’s numb face.

“Sister Liang Lin, you haven’t smiled in so long.”

She wanted to see Liang Lin smile.

When Liang Lin smiled, she felt a sense of healing.

Liang Lin found the words laughable.

“Do you think I can still smile?”

Liang Di fell silent. She reached out and helped Liang Lin up.

“Sister Liang Lin, it’s time for a bath again. Let me help you…”

Last time, her bath was a complete disaster; Liang Lin almost tipped over the basin.

Bellica pushed over a wooden bucket about half her height and poured warm water into it.

This time, Liang Lin didn’t struggle, letting Liang Di undress her and let the clothes slide onto the bed. Her smooth, white shoulders were revealed, and her perfectly sized breasts popped out. She hadn’t been eating much lately, so her lower abdomen was flat, and coupled with her blank expression and slightly parted rosy lips, she looked incredibly pitiful.

Liang Lin’s legs weren’t the skinny kind; they were fleshy, the kind that would bulge out when she wore stockings, and they felt wonderful to the touch. Her feet were small, with rounded toes. Her pink toes were like five tiny pearls, neatly arranged, and the skin on the instep was as smooth as silk.

Liang Di swallowed, her eyes gradually darkening.

Since the last time, she hadn't touched Liang Lin at all.

Even when they shared a bed, they simply leaned against each other and cuddled as they slept.

She missed… the feeling of being intimate with Liang Lin.

Clothes were carelessly tossed on the bed. Liang Di bound Liang Lin's hands and legs with rope, then unchained her neck, picked her up in a princess carry, and brought her to the bucket.

Liang Lin's hands were bound behind her back, a slightly alluring sight.

Splash~

Liang Di gently placed Liang Lin into the bucket, then began to undress herself.

One button, two buttons…

The clothes were tossed onto the bed.

Liang Di lifted one leg and stepped into the wooden bucket.

Warm water covered her upper body. She sat down; the water reached her chest, exposing her fair shoulders.

Liang Lin remained silent.

In the past, she would have already burst into curses.

Liang Di felt something was wrong with her; she actually wanted to hear Liang Lin scold her.

"Sister Liang Lin, why aren't you saying anything?"

Only silence answered her.

Liang Di pursed her lips, opened her arms, and hugged Liang Lin. Hugging in the warm water had a unique feeling. Unlike a hug while clothed, or even naked in the open, a hug in the water was warmer, more intimate.

Liang Di rested her head on Liang Lin's shoulder.

The water soaked their long hair, sticking stickily to their cheeks, backs, and shoulders.

Splash~

Liang Di raised her hand.

"I'll scrub your back, Sister."

"How disgusting." Liang Lin suddenly spoke up, "Being with you is disgusting."

Liang Di's eyes were full of hurt.

But she smiled happily.

"Sister Liang Lin, you're finally like before."

Liang Di grabbed a bowl of rose petals and expensive spices, poured them into the water, and instantly, a captivating fragrance filled the air.

Liang Di placed one hand on Liang Lin's shoulder, and the other pressed against the back of Liang Lin's head. She slowly leaned closer, using her lips to gently trace patterns on Liang Lin's face and lips, lightly dancing.

Her face felt itchy.

To be honest, this feeling was quite comfortable, but Liang Lin had neither the mood nor the inclination to enjoy it. Doing this with someone she loved would definitely be joyful, but she didn't love Liang Di.

“Sister Liang Lin, was I a little rough the first time? Did it hurt you? It's okay, I'll be more gentle this time…”

Liang Di, she's a tentacle girl, a tentacle girl with huge needs. The fact that she's refrained from touching Lianglin for so many days proves her self-control is incredibly strong.

What?

She wants to… again?

Liang Lin regained her senses.

“No!” Lianglin shouted loudly, even her voice was somewhat shrill and terrifying, “Don't touch me! Get away!”

It was that kind of weak, desperate plea again.

“Sister Liang Lin… I really don't want to treat you so violently anymore.” Although being violent towards you makes me happy.

She didn't dare say the second half of the sentence.

Undoubtedly, Liang Di is a complete sadist.

When she's doing those strange things, seeing her beloved cry, or even show slight pain, excites her immensely. She feels that it's something she's giving to the other person, and this thought makes her feel happy.