V1: Chapter 79: What She Really Wanted Was Her Love

"Is there even a question?"

"Of course, it's for research. Otherwise, what's the point of bringing it back?"

"Disgusting. I can't believe I'm in the same space as this thing. It's disgusting."

A magician covered his nose and took several steps back.

"I don't even want to go near it. Just looking at it, I can tell it has a strong, fishy stench."

The fox-eyed woman placed Liang Di on the table.

All those insults were heard by Liang Di. She was almost eight years old, so of course she understood the meaning behind their words—the utter disgust they showed her.

She was hurt and helpless. She nervously looked around at the different faces of the magicians around her. She took her fingers down from her mouth and clasped them together, fidgeting nervously.

"Haha..."

"Is this guy scared?"

"Huh?"

"So these monsters can be scared too. I thought they were all emotionless."

"Tch, they are emotionless."

Liang Di wanted to retort, but as soon as she raised her head, a large hand grabbed her by the back of her collar and lifted her up like a chick.

"Try this potion."

To Liang Di's horrified gaze, her mouth was forcibly pried open. The middle-aged magician held a small, black jar filled with a pungent magical potion.

"Glug~"

"Cough cough cough!"

Liang Di felt as if her throat was being slashed by countless sharp knives, followed by a burning pain in her stomach.

"Ugh..."

"Ugh ugh..."

Liang Di's eyes widened like apricots. She clutched her stomach in pain, staggered a few steps on the wooden table, and then collapsed to her knees before the magicians with a "thud."

She convulsed, her small hands outstretched, trying to call for help.

But all she received were cold, indifferent gazes.

“She feels hurt too?”

“Seems like nothing’s changed?”

“Let’s wait a little longer, it’s only just begun.”

“Yeah, it probably hasn’t taken effect yet.”

They waited and waited, until Liang Di's body could no longer bear the pain and she fainted. Only then did they gather around, peering and observing.

“There really isn’t any change.”

“The mutation hasn’t spread.”

“Hiss~ This shouldn’t be, those monsters are most afraid of this potion.”

“Could it be… because it has human blood?”

“No.”

A voice interrupted their conversation. A middle-aged man, holding his daughter’s small hand, pushed through the crowd.

Everyone was clearly somewhat resistant to his arrival.

“Why are you here? Aren’t you going to study your useless, worthless magic?”

The man smiled, not angry.

"Have you all forgotten? This little girl's mother is Meredith."

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, only a few showing signs of sudden realization.

The man continued, "You've all probably forgotten, haven't you? Meredith possesses a remarkable talent for magic. However, she's from a prestigious noble family, and we couldn't bring her to the Magic Tower undetected."

"So… this child…"

The man paused, "I think we can train her as a magician. The blood of a monster combined with the blood of a magician—it's unimaginable how powerful she'll become in the future."

The crowd gasped in astonishment.

"Are you insane!"

"What nonsense are you spouting? Has the alcohol clouded your judgment?"

"Oh, heavens~ anyone who didn't know better would think you're one of those idiots who believe in God."

"She's a monster!"

The fox-eyed woman was displeased; she blocked the man's path.

“Tiffany, I think we can talk this over.” The man’s smile remained as kind as ever, and the little girl he held smiled sweetly at Tiffany.

But Tiffany wasn’t having it.

“Prescott, go back to where you belong. Have you forgotten that you’ve been officially expelled from the Tower of Magic? It’s not good for you to keep wandering around here…”

“Go back to your own tavern.”

Prescott smiled helplessly.

“Tiffany, one day you’ll regret this.”

He then gently tugged at his daughter’s hand and said softly, “Come on, Joe, Daddy will forge you a handsome and sturdy longsword.”

“But…”

Joe glanced at Tiffany longingly.

Tiffany looked away, refusing to look at Joe. Joe lowered her head dejectedly.

“Fine…”

The father and daughter walked away.

On the table, Liang Di remained completely still.

“Alright, don’t kill the child. Take her back first. Once she’s sober, we can try other potions.” Tiffany waved her hand, somewhat annoyed.

Tiffany meant to take Liang Di back to Octaville’s room, but the magicians threw the poor little tentacle girl into the dog cage.

“That’s where monsters should be.”

Some of the magicians’ children curiously approached, but their parents grabbed them by the collar, warning, “Don’t go near it. It’s a monster. This is the kind of thing you’ll be dealing with from now on.”

The children were bewildered. At that age, children don’t yet have their own complete personalities; they believe whatever their parents say. And that’s when Liang Di’s nightmare began.

But she also had a secret, one she had never told anyone except Octaville. In fact, she had no one else to tell.

Her mind held the contents of several magic books. They were the gifts Prescott had given her before he left, stroking her forehead.

“I hope you grow up safely, child.”

From then on, Prescott never returned to the Magic Tower.

Liang Di grew up in this environment.

“This is… Liang Di’s childhood story.”

Octaville finished speaking.

Hilary fell silent.

She knew Liang Di had suffered, and had heard some things about Liang Di’s childhood, but she had never imagined that her childhood would be so heartbreaking.

“So, sometimes, we can’t blame Liang Di for being emotionless… If it were me, I think I probably wouldn’t have made it to adulthood.”

“Fu… don’t say that. Your childhood was painful too.” Hilary ruffled her hair. “Then I can probably understand why her feelings for my sister were so twisted.”

Hilary’s expression was complicated.

“I understand, I understand, but if she dares to do anything too outrageous to Liang Lin, I will still… make her pay the price.”

Hopefully… that kind of thing won’t happen.

Hilary couldn’t bring herself to harm Liang Di.

However, feelings can vary in importance, and Liang Lin is, after all, Hilary's sister.

—Liang Lin's Thirty-One Day of Imprisonment—

Liang Lin felt her stomach was slightly bulging.

It must be an illusion, a misperception.

Liang Lin had lost a lot of weight. She used to have some baby fat, but now her chin was completely pointed. She was practically skin and bones, so why wasn't her stomach flat? It was even a little round.

Could it be, could I really be pregnant?

No, impossible!

Twice! Only twice! How could it be so accurate?! Two shots and she was hooked?!

Liang Lin was a little agitated. She slapped her stomach hard.

It didn't seem to hurt… So, she couldn't be pregnant, right? Absolutely! Absolutely not pregnant! Absolutely impossible!

If she really was pregnant… then, then she would abort the child! Absolutely, absolutely not let this child be born… this was a child she had been forced into.

She wouldn't be happy, and neither would that poor child.

Yes, definitely not pregnant…

Liang Di brought Liang Lin food again.

“Sister Liang Lin, you’ve been getting thinner and thinner lately. You need to eat more, otherwise…” Giving birth to my child will probably be quite strenuous.

She was afraid the word “child” would upset her, so she didn’t continue.

“I won’t eat.”

Liang Lin stubbornly turned her head away.

Liang Di leaned closer, holding the bowl and spoon, wanting to feed her herself. Liang Lin turned her head away, ignoring her completely.

“Sister, just eat one bite. This isn’t what I made, it’s what Bellica made. She’s a really good cook,” Liang Di gently coaxed.

Listening to the incessant chatter around her, Liang Lin’s already irritable heart became even more agitated.

"You really are..."

Smack!

Thump!

The bowl of rice was slammed heavily onto the ground, spun a few times, and then collapsed, the delicious-looking food scattered everywhere, a mess.

Liang Di stared blankly, looking at her empty space, then up at Liang Lin, her eyes filled with growing hurt.

"I understand... Sister Liang Lin."

She looked like a stray dog ​​that had been abandoned.

Liang Lin couldn't stand her.

She was the victim, not Liang Di, so why was she putting on such a pitiful act? Who was she trying to impress? Was she trying to play the victim? Did she think she would pity her? Or would she sympathize with her and then forget her hatred? Ha~ Could she be more miserable than her?

Liang Lin touched the collar around her neck, suddenly becoming violent, and slapped away Liang Di's raised hand.

"Who are you putting on this act for? Are you sad? Sad about what? Sad because I didn't give you a nice look? How dare you..."

Liang Di pursed her lips.

This had become their daily routine, and Liang Di even thought this kind of life was pretty good.

However, the time when Hilary and Liang Lin could meet was getting closer and closer. A bad premonition crept into Liang Di's heart.

—Liang Lin's Forty-Five Days of Imprisonment—

Liang Di's shop was becoming increasingly popular.

Meanwhile, the events she had planned for the chess and card games had occurred ahead of schedule, which was unexpected and a pleasant surprise.

"It seems that Earl Heller and Earl Morley have some conflict over tokens. Their two families have basically stopped cooperating recently," Bellica reported truthfully.

"And there's the matter between Baron Wright and Viscount Tony... the two seemed to have gotten into an argument in the shop. If there hadn't been so many people around, they probably would have come to blows. Hmm, it's about the price of tokens."

Bellica spoke from the side, while Gladys stood nearby, dozing off, swaying precariously, almost falling to the ground several times.

"Hmm."

Liang Di was satisfied with this outcome.

Although it was only a conflict between a few minor nobles like barons, viscounts, and earls, this was just the beginning. There would be many more conflicts to come.

"I reckon after a while, someone will follow Miss example and open chess and card rooms."

"Haha~" Liang Di laughed gleefully, her smile arrogant and wicked, leaning back in her wheelchair. "That's exactly what I want to see. Let them fight over this business! The more they fight, the more chaotic things will become among the nobles."

Liang Di couldn't be happier to open more chess and card rooms, to exacerbate the conflicts between the nobles.

Just as the two were talking, the window was suddenly kicked open.

Gladys was startled awake, staggering and almost falling to her knees.

The three looked out the window.

Octaville, carrying a girl in a nun's habit with stars in her eyes, jumped in through the window.

"Hi~ my dear Liang Di, long time no see~"

"....."

Liang Di indicated that she didn't really want to see this.

“What are you doing here? And...” Liang Di’s gaze fell on the girl Octaville was holding, and she frowned, “Why did you bring her back? Logically speaking… at the earliest, it should have been half a year.”

Octaville put Laura down.

Laura staggered back a few steps, then plopped down on the ground, gagging.

“It’s okay, this is a normal reaction after using a teleportation array for the first time. After a few more times, after a few more times of feeling nauseous, you’ll get used to it.” Octaville patted her shoulder.

Laura’s gagging was particularly exaggerated; it looked like she wanted to vomit her stomach out.

Octaville turned back to answer Liang Di’s question.

“Her? The child has quite a bit of talent, so we sent her back early. We thought having her by your side would give you more help.”

She glanced at the bewildered Gladys beside her, slightly embarrassed.

“Uh… I think this child is a bit slow, not very helpful.”

She was right. Gladys had displayed astonishing combat talent in the past few months, but when it came to managing the shop and assisting Liang Di, she was incredibly clumsy. Sometimes, Liang Di wanted to slap her to death to vent her anger.

“Laura is much smarter, although… she’s definitely a bit timid.”

Thinking of Laura’s several times being scared into shock by other magicians in the Magic Tower, Octaville couldn’t help but smile.

So funny.

Every time, Laura would react like an NPC in a novel, clasping her hands together in prayer, closing her eyes reverently, and screaming, "Oh my God!" before collapsing heavily to the ground, occasionally twitching, and then passing out.

However, Laura's fainting spells were becoming less frequent, probably because she was getting a little braver.

Liang Di was very reluctant.

If Laura returned now, there would be another pair of eyes watching, making it even more difficult for her to go to the basement to find Liang Lin.

Laura had been in the Magic Tower for so long; she probably got along well with Hilary and Octaville, and would definitely inform them of any suspicious activity.

Liang Di even suspected that Laura was sent by Hilary to spy on her. Of course, the truth was that she was overthinking it; Hilary was quite innocent, and bringing Laura back was entirely Octaville's idea.

She asked Laura's opinion on whether to abandon her, and Laura was happy to go back.

She had a special kind of admiration for Liang Lin after all.

But Liang Di couldn't refuse, after all, she had previously urged Octaville to quickly train Laura and then send the nun back to be her laborer.

Now, Octaville had sent Laura back at lightning speed, saying the training was good, but she didn't want her anymore. It all sounded very strange, didn't it?

Just as Liang Di was trying to come up with a plan, Octaville suddenly spoke, interrupting her thoughts: "Liang Di, it's the weekend. Liang Lin isn't at school, is she? Where is she now? Practicing swordsmanship in the backyard, or sleeping in? I'll go check on her and reassure Hilary; I haven't seen her for half a year."

Liang Di was startled, her eyes flashing with a momentary panic, but it was only for a split second before she regained her composure, appearing nonchalant, as if she didn't care about Liang Lin at all.

"I don't know what she's doing either. Lately, my mind has been focused on the shop; I haven't had much interaction with her, and I don't pay attention to where she goes all the time."

This answer was so cold and indifferent.

Octaville's eyes widened in disbelief. She nodded up and down, scrutinizing the tentacle-like woman before her. With her hands behind her back, like an old boss on an inspection tour, she circled Liang Di a few times, giving Liang Di goosebumps.

“Tsk, why are you turning around like that? Stop staring at me.”

Liang Di felt uncomfortable under that gaze.

Octaville slowly shook her head and clapped her hands.

“Well, Liang Di, you’ve really grown up! You’re not heartbroken over love anymore. The last time I saw you, you were upset because Liang Lin wasn’t close to you.”

Then, she leaned closer to Liang Di, her cheek almost touching hers, and said in a teasing tone, “What? Hurt so much that you don’t want to love her anymore?”

Liang Di was taken aback.

She was indeed hurt, but love…

“Monsters don’t love anyone,” Liang Di replied calmly, turning her wheelchair away from her foster mother.

Whenever Liang Di said something like that, Octaville felt a pang of heartache. These were ideas instilled in her by those magicians.

Octaville suddenly wanted to have a serious talk with Liang Di about this. She stepped forward, grasped the armrest of the other person's wheelchair, bent down, and spoke with utmost seriousness.

"Liang Di, you've never been a monster," Octaville tried her best to explain.

For the first time, she felt her mouth was so clumsy, unable to express her thoughts.

"Those magicians who called you a monster before, I've already taught them a lesson. You won't be called a monster again, you know? Even if someone does, it's because they're afraid of your power."

"Sometimes I call you little monster, because I think that's a cute term, and you're cute too. Um, I treat you like... a daughter, you... you should know that, right?" Octaville's voice trailed off, the image of abandoning Liang Di flashing through her mind again.

She closed her eyes in heartache.

She felt like she wasn't even human.

This was the first time Octaville had expressed herself so directly to Liang Di.

After speaking, her face flushed, feeling that these words were strangely cheesy. Liang Di was fine when she was little, but she was a big girl now.

As expected, after listening to her sentimental words, Liang Di straightened her back perfectly. Her eyes widened, and she slowly turned her head to meet Octavier's eyes. Her lips twitched slightly, as if she couldn't believe her ears.

"What... what nonsense were you spouting?"

Ahhh!!!

Octaville collapsed, blushing, wanting to disappear into the ground.

This heartbroken old mother had never expressed love to her adopted daughter.

Fine, she'd go for it. The atmosphere had built up to this point; she might as well say what she had to say.

She had to give this child a sliver of warmth from the world!

Thinking this, Octaville closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and went for it.

"Liang Di! Mommy loves you!"

Liang Di: "?"

Dead silence enveloped them.

Gladys woke up, Laura stopped vomiting, and even the usually shrewd Bellica wore a foolish expression.

Octaville kept her eyes closed, not daring to open them even a little, her clenched fists trembling, her face as red as a boiled shrimp.

After a long while.

"You, something wrong with your head?"

Liang Di stammered, wondering if she was dreaming.

"You, you used some forbidden magic again? And then, and then… so, you said all this to avoid punishment? Or is it that your and Hilary's antics have spilled over into my hands?"

Octaville opened her eyes, looking utterly defeated.

"Are my words really that unreliable?"

"No, no."

No! Why are you looking so pitiful?!

Liang Di had a headache and covered her head.

"What's wrong with you coming here today?"

The three people watching silently started enjoying the show.

So satisfying!

"You don't believe me?"

"It's not a matter of belief..."

Liang Di was completely confused. She stood up from her wheelchair and sat on the sofa next to her, trying to distance herself from the other person.

"Yes, I don't even understand what love is! Your sudden ramblings are really bothering me."

Octaville was taken aback.

Yes, no one had taught her what love was.

Oh, right, no one had ever expressed love to Liang Di.

Octaville calmed down, the blush on her face gradually fading.

She walked to the opposite side of Liang Di, her 1.88 meter height towering over Liang Di.

Octaville crouched down, only slightly shorter than Liang Di sitting on the sofa, and looked up slightly at the poor child.

"Liang Di, I know, I know what love is."

Nearby, the dutiful head maid, Bellica, grabbed Gladys and Laura by the back of their collars with both hands and forcefully dragged them out of the room.

She couldn't let outsiders see her young lady's loss of composure.

"Love..." Liang Di slowly looked at Octaville, lost and hesitant, unsure of where the future led.

"What is love?"

Love is yearning, the fear of the other leaving, the desire for them to stay by your side forever.

Isn't that it?

"Love is when this person is suffering, you care, you wish it were you who was suffering, not them. When this person is unhappy, you're unhappy with them. You always want to see their smile, you're genuinely good to them, and if they don't like you, you're sad."

Octaville raised her hand, scratched her ear, and continued, "Or, it's wanting to give them the best of everything in the world, even if it means scrimping and saving yourself, you want them to eat well and wear beautiful clothes."

Octaville paused.

"The most important thing... the most obvious reaction to love is heartache."

Heartache...?

So, when I saw Liang Lin crying, my heart ached—was it because I felt sorry for her?

So, when I heard Liang Lin say she hated me, I felt terrible—was it because of love?

"..Love?"

"You..." Octaville's eyes were full of expectation, thinking the other meant something like "love for Mom," her eyes practically sparkling.

But Liang Di remained silent.

Octaville thought: It was all in vain.

"I understand, thank you."

A tear clung to the corner of Liang Di's eye.

"If you don't have anything else, go back first. Laura can stay here."

Huh?

It felt like being used as a tool, to be discarded after use.

Octaville froze on the spot.

She didn't leave, and Liang Di didn't dare go back to the basement either. The two of them just stared at each other, each harboring their own secrets.

After a long while.

Octaville sighed, stood up, and walked to the window.

Before leaving, she turned back and looked deeply at her adopted daughter, hesitant to speak, but finally opened her mouth, "Liang Di, you...you really don't want to call me 'Mom' again?"

Liang Di lowered her head.

"It's been a long time. I'm a little rusty with the word. I'm sorry."

"...Okay," Octaville smiled weakly, one foot already out the window, "Then, I'll wait for you, until you've gotten used to it again."

Liang Di nodded, not looking at her, waved goodbye, and whispered, "Good... goodbye..."

She still couldn't bring herself to say it.

When she was little, she had called "Mom" so many times, but Octaville had never appeared before her. What was the point of calling her now?

"I love you, Liang Di. You are my most beloved daughter."

Octaville left these words, jumped out of the window, and disappeared.

"Bellica, arrange a room for Laura and take her to see it."

After sending Laura away, Liang Di immediately went to the basement. She ran, the wind whistling past her ears, her heart pounding, feeling something change within her.

She needed to talk to Liang Lin, to express her determination! She wanted to tell Liang Lin that she seemed to know what love was, that she seemed to have fallen in love with her.

She knew what she wanted.

What she wanted was for Liang Lin to love her, to willingly stay by her side.

Would Liang Lin love her?

Liang Di felt a faint anticipation, her running steps carrying a hint of excitement.