Chapter 15: This Is For Your Own Good

Was Oasis arranged like this too…?

Lin Lan couldn’t help but think so.

“Who is your insider?”

The girl smiled mysteriously:

“A high-ranking officer dissatisfied with the tyranny.”

“I can’t reveal the exact identity yet, but I assure you he is reliable.”

Silently staring at the map, Lin Lan’s mind raced.

The plan sounded feasible…

But she knew Murphisia would never be so kind-hearted.

“How will you keep Seraphina occupied?”

“Aisenburg’s defenses are impenetrable even for the Sanctuary; how do I get in?”

“Once inside, how do I safely bring Mili out? She certainly won’t give up easily…”

Lin Lan fired a rapid barrage of questions, bombarding the other’s calm demeanor.

“Do you know what’s truly terrifying about Seraphina?” The girl didn’t answer directly but gently rolled up the map with delicate movements.

“…”

“As a sign of goodwill, Commander Lin, I will first provide you and the White Night Queen with heavy composite powered exoskeleton armor of the exact same model.”

She slipped the parchment back into her sleeve, her beautiful eyes half-closed. “These are among the only two such sets in the world — truly expensive…”

“At that time, I will personally launch a second assault on the south gate to draw more attention.”

“Sounds like you’re well-prepared…” Lin Lan looked up. “But why should I trust you won’t betray me at the crucial moment?”

Murphisia extended her right hand, palm up: “I swear on the honor of the Purification Sanctuary — we will never betray you during the rescue.”

“Hmm… as for after the operation… well, that depends on each party’s tactics.” Her smile deepened with hidden meaning.

“…”

“Think about Miss Mili; she is right now locked in that cold fortress, day and night longing for your rescue…”

“You are her only hope, her once Morninglight Knight…”

“Are you really going to disappoint her…?”

“Are you—”

“Shut up!” Lin Lan kicked the stone Murphisia sat on with force, causing the girl to quickly grab the edge to steady herself.

But Murphisia’s delicate face remained calm, wearing a faint smile.

She stood up from the stone leisurely, straightening her robe: “Worrying is useless. What matters is that our goals align — that is enough.”

Lin Lan closed her eyes, unable to suppress the image of that pale, fragile little face flooding her mind.

She recalled the night Oasis was destroyed…

Remembered her comrades’ tragic deaths…

Remembered Seraphina’s cold, heterochromatic eyes…

“You really should stop your habit of sowing discord…”

“Or I might just tear your foul mouth apart.” Lin Lan opened her eyes, voice filled with bone-deep fury:

“I can agree, but on one condition.”

“Speak.”

“After rescuing Mili, she belongs to me.” Lin Lan’s gaze turned dangerous. “No one is allowed to touch her — including your Sanctuary…”

Murphisia was silent for a moment, then nodded:

“Agreed.”

“All I need is for her to occasionally display a miracle to prove the legitimacy of my faction.”

“Daily care, of course, will be your responsibility as her ‘sister.’”

After speaking, Lin Lan finally extended her hand, firmly clasping Murphisia’s.

“You should know how to use the exoskeleton armor. There’s not much difference between heavy and light types, so I won’t repeat myself. With Commander Lin’s physique, such ‘minor injuries’ are nothing, right?”

“Remember, be ready three days from now. Don’t be absent.”

Releasing her hand, the girl turned and walked toward the camp’s outskirts.

“Murphisia.”

“Hm?”

“A warning first.” Her voice calm to a terrifying degree. “If you dare pull any tricks, I will personally kill you.”

Murphisia glanced back, lips curling into an ambiguous smile.

“Of course, dear.” From several meters away, she elegantly bowed to her former commander:

“Pleasant cooperation, may the holy light guide us.”

Lin Lan watched as the night wind swept across the ruins, stirring up dust.

…

At dusk.

When Mili slowly woke from her daze, she found herself back in a familiar room, lying on a soft large bed, covered with a thin silk quilt.

The wounds on her elbows and knees now felt cool from medicinal ointment and appeared bandaged…

She was also dressed in clean pajamas.

The faint smell of disinfectant lingered around.

She struggled to sit up but found her whole body weak and sore, her mind still a little foggy. In the end, she could only lie there limply.

What had happened felt like a nightmare, blurry and unclear, yet the despair and terror were etched deep into her bones.

Execution…

So terrifying…

Blinking blankly, her blue eyes vacant, she seemed unable to fully recover from the shock of the day.

Had that terrifying woman finally spared her?

Could she… rest for a while—

“Awake?”

Just as the thought rose, a cold, steady voice sounded from the bedside above her head, instantly dragging Mili back into the depths of terror.

Her body shuddered violently, and she looked up in fear.

Seraphina was already sitting at her bedside, silver hair casually draped over her shoulders.

The battle-worn uniform stained with unknown blood was replaced now by a plain pale white outfit.

The woman held a report in her hand, her heterochromatic eyes — one gold, one blue — calmly looking down on her, expressionless and bottomless.

“How do you feel?” Seraphina put down the report.

Only then did Mili notice the blood groove dagger Seraphina was casually playing with behind the paper.

Her thin, dry lips moved for a long time but said nothing.

Her throat felt like a desert; every swallow was painful.

“I’ve prepared dinner for you,” Seraphina said, catching the tossed dagger steadily in her hand and pointing its tip to the tray on the bedside table.

Mili looked at the exquisite food, but waves of nausea surged from her stomach.

She shook her head and curled up tighter.

“Not hungry?” The woman raised an eyebrow. “Or are you mad at me?”

Hearing this, Mili trembled even more violently.

Mad?

How could she dare be angry?

Please don’t kill me…

One life isn’t enough to suffer this…

“I know today’s test frightened you.” Seraphina stretched and stood up easily from the pillow, sitting cross-legged beside her. “But it’s necessary… You are not allowed to disobey my orders.”

“…”

The woman reached out to touch Mili’s forehead, but the girl immediately curled up into the farthest corner against the wall, eyes full of fear.

“Don’t come near…” Mili finally whispered hoarsely, “…Don’t touch me…”

Seraphina’s hand froze mid-air, her gaze coolly fixed on the trembling little figure.

After a moment, she withdrew her hand and sheathed the dagger.

“Alright. You may rest properly today.”

Mili’s teeth chattered, half doubting the woman’s words.

But Seraphina spoke again: “Time for a bath.”

Mili’s pale little face instantly drained of color, bloodlessness overtaking her features.

Recalling the humiliation of being recorded and completely exposed to the other’s gaze, she grabbed the blanket tightly and began trembling uncontrollably.

“No… please don’t…” she begged in a faint, mosquito-like voice, tears streaming freely, “Please… I can skip the bath… I’m clean… really…”

The day’s terrifying experience was still vivid.

She dared not imagine what would happen if she fell again into this woman’s clutches…

“Can’t have you filthy,” Seraphina said, stepping in front of her and pinching her chin with long fingers, forcing Mili to look up.

“My things must always be kept clean.”

“Besides, hot water helps relax your muscles and ease fatigue.”

She paused, a faint, chilling smile curling on her lips:

“This is for your own good.”

Mili tried to struggle, but her body was too weak even to raise a hand.

She could only let Seraphina drag her into the bathroom…