Chapter 153 : People Really Do Laugh When They Are Speechless

“What a surprise…”

Milly murmured, her gaze fixed on the lake, yet looking past the swaying reflection of the moon to a distant memory. Her whisper was torn apart by the night wind, scattering into the inky darkness.

The unspoken words seemed to pierce Stacy’s ears. A bitter smile touched her beautiful face.

“Surprised that we’re sitting here so naturally?”

Milly didn’t answer. Her silence spoke for her. A few days ago, she could never have imagined sitting by the lake with Stacy like this, without conflict, without arguments, just quietly watching the shattered galaxy reflected in the water.

“Mm…”

A faint affirmation, barely audible. Ever since she sat down with Stacy, Milly had felt dazed, as if she hadn’t adapted to the situation.

“Should I turn back into Lisa? Would that make you more comfortable?”

As she spoke, her silver hair began to change color from the tips, taking on the flaxen hue of Lisa’s hair. Before the change was complete, Milly shook her head.

“No need. You’re still you.”

Before, when she didn’t know Lisa was Stacy in disguise, she could pretend. As long as there was no concrete proof, as long as the lie hadn’t been exposed, she could treat Lisa as someone possessed by a wisp of Stacy’s consciousness, not Stacy herself.

But now that the veil had been lifted, Milly could no longer distinguish between Lisa and Stacy. Even if Stacy wore Lisa’s freckled face, Milly would only see Stacy.

After Milly refused Stacy’s offer, the conversation stalled. Neither of them spoke. A conversation without a conclusion was meaningless.

They fell into silence.

Milly looked at the lake. The distance between them hadn’t shortened. It seemed difficult to move closer or further away. Only the sound of the water lapping against the shore filled the gap between them.

Stacy sighed softly. The sigh was laden with emotion. Milly could feel it, but she refused to interpret it.

“So, Little Milly, why do you want to go to the demon territory?”

Stacy suddenly changed the subject, breaking the stagnant atmosphere. Milly paused. She remembered hearing this question twice before, both times from Lisa. Her vague answers had satisfied Lisa, who couldn’t press further while maintaining her cover.

But now, if she didn’t explain clearly, Stacy would keep asking. Milly had already made it clear enough. Her purpose was just to confirm something.

“There are some things I must see for myself to confirm.”

The same vague answer. There was nothing wrong with it. She was going to the demon territory to confirm her guess about the truth of this world.

It wasn’t wrong. If Stacy wanted to dig deeper, Milly had nothing more to say. From the moment she started her escape, she had only one goal: find the demon territory and prove her theory.

“But I heard that no one has ever crossed this forest. Those who venture into the core never return.”

This was the third time she had heard this. Stacy raised an eyebrow. She didn’t need to know why Milly was going, but it wasn’t too late to turn back. On the other side of the forest, there was no demon territory. There was nothing.

If Milly was looking for the demon territory, hoping to escape everything in the human world and live there, she was wrong. When she arrived and found no sanctuary, she might not break down, but her heart would die.

Before this journey destined for nothing reached its end, Stacy had reason to stop Milly. Turning back now wouldn’t be a waste of time.

“Milly, listen to me. There’s nothing…”

Milly suddenly turned and leaned close to Stacy. Her soft, small hand covered Stacy’s mouth, stopping her.

Their eyes met. Milly’s face was so close that Stacy could feel her warm breath. The little one stared into her eyes, enunciating each word.

“I don’t need reminders. I will find the answer with my own eyes.”

“Answer?”

Milly released her hand and turned away, not answering. She closed her eyes and activated her God’s perspective. They were close to the demon territory. She had planned to leave tomorrow, but Stacy’s words had made her restless.

She couldn’t wait. She couldn’t wait to find out the truth, even if it was the worst-case scenario she had guessed.

Milly picked up her shoes and stockings, put them on, and spread her small wings.

“Little Milly?”

Milly didn’t respond. She flapped her wings and flew toward the demon border. Stacy sighed, watching Milly disappear into the distance. “Still so stubborn.”

Since Milly insisted, Stacy couldn’t stop her. Let her see it with her own eyes and give up completely.

The night wind whistled past her. It was the first time she had flown this high. The forest below receded rapidly, a dark green ocean in the darkness. She looked back. Stacy had caught up, keeping a certain distance.

Milly’s heart beat faster, whether from the high-speed flight or the impending truth. The wind rushed past her ears, almost taking her thoughts away, leaving only the singular purpose of confirming the truth.

She flew forward until the forest was no longer visible below. The road ahead was blocked by an invisible barrier.

Milly landed slowly. She looked back at the sparse trees behind her. She reached forward and touched the solid barrier. She couldn’t pass.

Was it the same barrier that had stopped her from leaving Starlight City?

Without much hope, Milly used her appraisal skill on the invisible barrier.

For the first time, the skill that always failed showed important information. But it made Milly laugh out loud.

[Map Load Failed]
[Error Code: MAP_404]

The worst outcome had appeared. Her guess was not wrong.

And, people really do laugh when they are speechless.