Chapter 39: The Unveiling of a Dream

“Battlefield, this… how is this possible? Cecelia never told me about this!”

Bai Yu immediately rose from her bed, gazing at Lili with profound shock coursing through her.

Though she had never experienced true warfare, she was acutely aware of its inherent brutality.

However, what truly astonished her was the unfolding of these events; she had initially believed this to be an unformed illusionary world, yet the current reality was far surpassing her wildest imaginings.

“Please don’t fret, Master. The Knight Captain was simply caught off guard by the suddenness of the situation, which is why she couldn’t inform you. Don’t worry, Lili will stay by your side.”

Lili took a step forward, her luminous eyes gazing up at Bai Yu with an eager, pleading expression.

“This… how could this be?”

Bai Yu furrowed her brow, utterly bewildered by the circumstances of this place; could it truly be a real world?

Her paramount concern remained Cecelia’s safety, for she had no idea what fate awaited those who perished in this realm.

Yet, given the profound realism of everything she witnessed, death here would most likely entail unbearable consequences.

“Where is Cecelia? I need to find her!”

Bai Yu declared urgently, convinced she had to unravel the mystery and refuse to remain so utterly passive.

“No, Master, you mustn’t go! The Knight Captain departed at dawn, and the battlefield is perilously dangerous. The Demon Race’s army has already crossed the border; you absolutely cannot venture there!”

Lili spoke with profound worry, her face etched with a pleading expression.

“The Demon Race? What exactly are they?”

Bai Yu pressed, finding the complexity of this world far exceeded her imagination, as if it were a truly existing realm.

A world of swords and magic.

A shiver of apprehension traced her spine; this world felt like a projection of reality, where everything within it might be genuinely tangible.

Bai Yu ceased her overthinking; the most crucial task now was to uncover the key to escaping this place.

And that vital key, she realized, was Cecelia, as she was the only one who had arrived here alongside her.

“Master, the Demon Race is one of the ancient races that have existed since time immemorial. Throughout history, they have been mortal enemies with humans, and wars erupt between them every few decades.”

Lili explained with earnestness.

Upon hearing this, Bai Yu settled down to ponder, wondering if, by treating this world as a game, defeating the Demon Race might be the path to victory.

Moreover, with such monumental events unfolding, the Emperor’s complete silence struck her as utterly bizarre.

Whether the so-called Emperor even existed remained an enigma, for she had not encountered a single male in the imperial palace.

“Lili, take me to the Throne Room. I need to see my so-called father.”

Bai Yu stated to Lili with unwavering conviction.

“This… Master, why are you in such a hurry? His Majesty is likely overwhelmed by the war; perhaps we shouldn’t disturb him.”

Lili faltered for a moment, a subtle shift in her tone.

Yet, this minute alteration did not escape Bai Yu’s keen notice.

“Lili, do you know something about this world?”

Bai Yu narrowed her eyes, observing Lili with an unblinking gaze.

“No, Master, what are you talking about? Haven’t we always lived here? There are no other worlds.”

‘Is that so…’

Bai Yu did not immediately credit Lili’s words, instead pulling her weary body upright.

“Lili, take me to the Throne Room. I need to see for myself.”

Bai Yu’s expression was resolute, brooks no argument; she felt an increasing unease about this place, as if the world itself were incomplete, riddled with anomalies.

“This… very well.”

Lili nervously clutched at the corner of her clothes, ultimately acceding to Bai Yu’s request.

She then gently supported Bai Yu’s shoulder, guiding her slowly towards the grand doors of the Throne Room.

With a light push from Bai Yu, the massive doors swung open.

This unexpected ease momentarily startled Bai Yu, but she chose not to question it further.

Bai Yu stepped inside, and the entirety of the Throne Room unfolded before her eyes.

The silence that pervaded the surroundings was terrifying; not only was the Emperor absent, but there wasn’t even a single living soul present.

Logically, the operation of a nation would necessitate immense human and material resources for its upkeep.

It was inconceivable that the absolute center of a country could be so devoid of even a single silhouette.

Gazing at the empty throne in the distance, Bai Yu finally became convinced that this place was undeniably some form of illusion, for even with partial memory loss, she could discern the true nature of her current predicament.

“Lili, what exactly is going on here?”

Bai Yu turned to Lili, her expression grave, and questioned her in an unequivocal tone.

“Master, don’t be mad at me. Lili knows she was wrong.”

Lili clung to Bai Yu’s shoulder, explaining with a playful pout.

Bai Yu immediately pushed Lili’s hand away, retreating to the side with her weary body.

“Don’t speak to me in that tone! Who are you, and what have you done to Cecelia?”

Even Bai Yu, with her previous slowness to react, could now grasp the situation; Lili’s adorable facade could no longer deceive her.

“Master, why can’t you just accept all of this as normal?”

Lili lowered her head, her face darkening, and her voice instantly turned chilling.

“What are you saying? What’s normal?”

Bai Yu paused, failing to comprehend Lili’s words.

“This time, it truly was too sudden, and with those annoying interferences, I simply couldn’t construct the sweet world meant solely for Master and me~”

Lili mused to herself, shaking her head.

“A world? You built this place?”

Having caught this crucial piece of information, Bai Yu immediately pressed for answers.

“That’s right~ It was meant to be a sweet sanctuary exclusively for Master and me, but thanks to some pesky individuals, it never fully materialized~”

Lili gazed at Bai Yu with a teasing look, her eyes brimming with desire for her.

“It’s perfectly fine if you don’t listen now; I can wait, and wait, indefinitely.”

Lili laughed heartily, as if she could already perceive the future.

“Who are you, and why are you doing this?”

“Ah.”

Lili’s expression turned to one of disappointment.

“It seems Master has truly forgotten everything. But that’s alright; we can cultivate beautiful memories anew, as long as Master stays with me forever.”

Bai Yu found herself utterly unable to communicate with Lili; she was only now gradually regaining her clarity, as the memories Lili had erased rushed back to her, revealing how her very consciousness had been influenced by Lili.

The forgotten events, the ritual of the Source of Dreams, and the dreams she had previously entered—everything came flooding back.

“We will meet again very soon, Master. And by then, I will surely create a perfect world, I promise.”

Lili’s form gradually grew transparent, on the verge of vanishing.

“Wait, don’t go! Are you Morpheus? Damn it, how do I leave this place? What have you done to everyone else?”

Bai Yu rushed forward anxiously, nearly stumbling, as she finally realized that the Source of Dreams’ plan had been executed, and the Outer God had successfully descended.

And the girl standing before her was none other than the Outer God, Morpheus.

“Master truly remains as kind as ever, but do you truly care so much about those insignificant people?”

“Hehehe, how about Master and I play a game? Here, in this unfinished world, if Master wins, everyone will be perfectly fine.”