Chapter 92: Qingcheng’s Dream [Volume 2: Anger, Silent Lament]

An ancient-looking castle stood beneath a sky of heavy snowfall. Thick flakes drifted down endlessly, dyeing the dark fortress in white—like a bride draped in a snowy veil.

At the very top of the castle, on a broken, protruding corridor, a maid stood alone.

She remained still, her expression indifferent, gazing down at the bustling buildings below for a long time—like a lifeless statue.

The pale snow fell silently. She extended her hand to catch it, and the snowflakes lingered in her palm without melting.

“Crunch… crunch…”

The faint sound of footsteps on snow approached.

It stopped beside her.

Two white-haired girls stood side by side.

One tall, one short, both with their hands placed neatly in front of them.

“So… it snows here too?” the maid said flatly, without any emotion.

By habit and etiquette, she should have bowed deeply to the girl beside her—her master. But she didn’t. Her gaze remained fixed forward.

“Yes,” the other girl replied softly, almost wistfully. A small golden crown rested on her head, yet her attire was far simpler than the maid’s—just an ordinary nightgown.

“Every few decades, there’s a heavy snowfall here. So heavy it can block the roads.”

“I see. Snow that’s been held back for decades—of course it would fall heavily.”

“And the fire you’ve been holding back for decades… burns just as fiercely,” the queen said with a sigh, removing the crown from her head and casually tossing it off the castle.

“Elves, beastkin, humans… and now, finally, you’ve come—to bring an end to the last mortal race in this world.”

The queen turned around. For the first time, her eyes showed a trace of vulnerability. She stood on tiptoe and gently brushed the snow from the maid’s head.

“No… it’s not enough yet.” The maid shook her head and looked at her familiar, dearest friend.

“Sister Sera, everything here is the result of fate. It is a massive gear—slow, but never stopping.”

“So that’s why you’ve done all this? Destroying every mortal race in the world?”

“What is destined to happen cannot be changed. Their deaths are inevitable. I’ve merely accelerated the process.”

“And then? What do you plan to do?”

Facing the person closest to her, the maid had no intention of hiding anything.

“Kill fate.”

“Once all mortal races in this world are gone, Danluo will use the authority of time to revive everyone… and take me into a loophole within time.”

“I see…” A trace of worry appeared on the queen’s gentle face.

“Then… what about you?”

“……”

The maid fell silent for a long time.

Her answer was carved into the quiet itself.

“Your Majesty, do you remember when I once asked you to give me a name?”

“I remember. You had only just come to me back then. Thinking about it now… it’s been so long.”

“Then let’s do it now. Give me a name you like.”

“A name…”

“Peretti. It means a treasured jewel. What do you think?”

“Peretti…”

The maid repeated the name again and again, as if engraving it into her soul.

“Peretti…”

“Peretti…”

“PERETTI—!!!”

Like a thunderclap exploding in her mind—

The girl jolted awake, shooting upright in bed. Her pupils trembled violently as she gasped for air, sweat soaking her nightgown.

“…A dream?”

She had long since lost count of how many nightmares she’d had—but this was the first like this.

Dreams were supposed to be made of things one had seen before.

But this castle, those white-haired girls… everything was unfamiliar. It defied the very logic of dreams.

And that name at the end—

Peretti.

So… was that Qingcheng’s dream?

Her mind felt chaotic, as if something was trying to force its way in.

As she gradually calmed down, Peretti felt a small arm wrapped tightly around her waist. Turning her head, she saw a lump under the blanket beside her.

Grabbing the edge of the blanket, she yanked it aside—

Underneath was a petite girl in thin sleepwear, clinging tightly to her waist, face buried against her abdomen.

She could even feel the girl’s gentle breathing.

“Feiye?”

Seeing her like this, Peretti finally relaxed.

If Feiye was here… then what about Xiao Lü?

With a hint of confusion, she looked around.

Sunlight streamed gently through the wide wooden window, soothing her body. A soft breeze slipped in, like a shy youth, brushing through her hair before quietly leaving.

Suddenly, she felt a chill.

The room was gray-white and sparsely decorated. Aside from a birdcage on the desk and a lamp hanging near the door, there was little else.

She and Feiye lay on a large bed in the center. On the bedside table sat the clothes Qingcheng had given her, a book, and a pouch of gold coins—earnings from working at Aierbona’s place.

Inside the birdcage was an absurdly fat crow.

That could only be Xiao Lü.

“…Since when did Xiao Lü have a hobby like imprisoning herself?”

Peretti scratched her head helplessly. The cool air cleared her mind further.

She hadn’t forgotten being ambushed by Xiao Lü.

But since Feiye had been brought back safely, she decided not to pursue it.

She also recognized the lamp on the wall—it was “Everlight”, a gift from Amo.

Getting out of bed, she gently pried Feiye’s arms off her. Instantly, the girl’s peaceful face twisted into panic, her small hands flailing anxiously.

Peretti picked her up, holding the petite girl in her arms, and staggered toward the door—

Just as it opened, nearly hitting her.

“Who’s there?!”

She looked up.

A familiar figure stood there, most of her face hidden beneath a cloak—but her thick black lipstick was unmistakable.

“Lirna? No… why are you here?!”

Peretti stepped forward, lifting the lantern. Dense light elements surged from within, forming several glowing orbs that pulsed with dangerous magic.

“Wait!” Lirna quickly raised her hands, showing no hostility, and removed her hood.

“Peretti, calm down. This is the headquarters of the Gluttony Church. When you drifted down the Doso River, the leader saved you.”

“The Gluttony Church? What do you want?”

Hearing this, Peretti dispersed the glowing orbs, her guard shifting into confusion.

From everything she’d seen before, the Gluttony Church didn’t seem intent on making her an enemy. Even when they had captured her twice, they hadn’t done anything excessive.

As for Vinika attacking her—it was largely because Peretti had ruined their plan. Vinika had lost control of her anger… but in the end, she had only knocked her unconscious—and even inadvertently triggered her Witch’s Feast.

If anything, Peretti almost felt she owed her a thank you.

Lirna let out a small sigh of relief, her body still a bit stiff.

“I heard you woke up, so I came to check on you.”

“Let me introduce myself properly—for future interactions.”

“My name is Lirna. Priestess of the Gluttony God, and personal attendant to the leader of the Gluttony Church—Ino.”