Chapter 78 : What Do You Really Want?

The night was black, the wind a howling torrent. Stacy stood alone on the rooftop terrace, her silver hair whipping in the moonlight.

How long had it been since she was last here?

She couldn’t remember.

Leaning against the railing, she gazed out at the night. It was the same as she remembered.

No matter how much time passed, nothing ever changed. Not the night sky.

Not this boring, rotten world.

It was as if time itself had frozen.

The wind howled, and her thoughts drifted.

The Empire’s crusade would begin tomorrow at midnight. The crusade itself was meaningless. This wasn’t the first time they had tried to destroy her. How many times had it been?

Like the bones in the rotting forest, she had lost count.

But who cared? This boring game had gone on for too long.

She couldn’t wait for tomorrow, to crush them all again, just as she had done before.

The outcome would be the same. No, wait.

Perhaps, this time, things would be a little different.

A wicked smile touched her lips. She had almost forgotten about Little Milly.

The key to her departure was tied to the Church. She could disguise her and sneak her in, but that would be no fun.

What if the crusade presented an opportunity?

And with it, she could finally deal with that person as well.

Two problems, one solution.

But she knew their cooperation was just a matter of mutual use.

She was his greatest research achievement, and he used her as a pawn.

But so what?

She had never been one for sentiment.

And in a way, he had been a great help.

At least, this time, he had saved her a lot of trouble.

The night was black, the wind a howling torrent.

With the coming crusade, she had a fun idea.

It was time to end this boring game, and in a more special way, help Little Milly connect with the Church.

She looked up at the night sky and whispered, to herself, or to someone else.

“This will be the best outcome for everyone. Haven’t we waited for this for a long time?”

No one answered. The wind tore her words apart.

She looked down, her fingers unconsciously tracing the sigil on her neck. It was still there. She tried to erase it, but it wouldn’t go away.

She had created a problem for herself.

Milly’s interference should have only been a delay. This was an “accident.”

It had not only transformed into a new sigil she had never seen before, but it couldn’t be removed by force. It was as if it were engraved on their souls.

No wonder.

But there was no need to remove it now. It was more a convenience than a problem.

And it connected their souls. A result she couldn’t have hoped for.

But the timing of its appearance… it was too coincidental.

Had Milly awakened her own ability?

She couldn’t tell. Maybe even Milly didn’t know.

The wind howled. She had been on the terrace for a long time.

It was time. Time to check on Little Milly.

She went to the kitchen first. The dinner she had so carefully prepared was cold. It would be a waste to throw it away.

The little one hadn’t eaten in a day. The formal punishment was enough. Letting her starve was not good.

She reheated Milly’s portion and brought it to the bedroom.

She placed the tray in front of the cage. The door was unlocked. She could get the food whenever she wanted.

But the little one remained curled up in the center of the cage, her back to her, silent.

She had been like this ever since she had thrown her in.

“Master prepared this especially for you. Don’t waste it.”

A hint of frustration in her voice. The defiant Little Milly who had fought her, who had challenged her, where had she gone?

Or was this a new form of resistance?

She turned and left. With her here, the little one probably wouldn’t touch it.

She spent another night in the cold wind. At dawn, she returned to the bedroom. Milly was in the same position. The food was untouched.

Stacy frowned, a flicker of annoyance in her red eyes.

“What is this little one sulking about?”

Milly remained in the same position, her back to her, silent.

Stacy’s face darkened.

“What, a hunger strike?” Her voice grew cold. “Do you think this will make me go soft? Make me cancel the punishment?”

Still no response. Her silence was wearing out Stacy’s patience.

“Little Milly, this is your last chance.”

But she didn’t move, as if Stacy’s voice were just air.

It was no use.

“Fine. Very well.” Stacy sneered. “If you like the cage so much, you can stay in it. Let’s see how long you can last.”

She turned to leave, but paused at the door. She looked back at the small figure in the cage. The frustration in her heart grew stronger.

“Tch… troublesome.”

But she still went back. The little one was like this because of her.

She moved the cold food away from the door, opened it, and stepped inside. As she reached for Milly’s shoulder, her hand froze.

“Little Milly, what do you really want?”

Her voice was laced with a frustration, and a softness she herself didn’t notice.

Still no response. But her shoulder trembled slightly.

So she wasn’t completely unresponsive.

Her gaze fell on Milly’s face. The little one seemed to be asleep. But there were still traces of tears on her cheeks.