Chapter 47: Elizabeth’s Sense of Crisis

“The Philosopher’s Stone…” Elizabeth murmured.
She knew exactly what it was—the embodiment of miracles, an unattainable dream for countless alchemists.

“And it was a massive piece, half the size of a fist,” Corona added.

“But where did she get it?”

Elizabeth was deeply curious about the stone’s origin.
Lu Ming’s death, even temporarily, infuriated her—she wanted to storm the capital with the Magic Affairs Department to confront those responsible.
But for now, she was eager to hear what Corona had to say next.

“She’s Lady Mercury’s student. It was given to Little Moon by Lady Mercury yesterday,” Corona explained.

“Lady Mercury, huh.”

Unlike Corona, who spent her days battling ferocious beasts, Elizabeth, as the president of the Magical Girl Association and a fixture in political circles, knew more about Lady Mercury.
This elusive member of the Magic Committee, rarely seen in public, was regarded as the pinnacle of alchemy since Isaac.
Though a magical girl, Lady Mercury never abandoned her pursuit of magic and alchemy.

Her reputation in alchemy now far surpassed her fame as a magical girl, to the point that the world knew her only as the alchemical master Mercury, her magical girl codename all but forgotten.
To learn that codename, one would likely need to ask her in person.

Mercury’s seat on the Magic Committee had always been represented by Vice-Chairman Lu An.
Wait… Lu An… and Lu Xin.
Elizabeth felt she’d stumbled onto something critical.
No wonder Lady Mercury was willing to part with such an invaluable treasure.

So that’s why Corona and I could never find Alice Phil back then.

Elizabeth glanced at Corona, who was still rambling about how Alice Phil used the Philosopher’s Stone to revive Lu Ming.
It was clear Corona was unaware of Yuehua’s connections to the higher-ups.

So the little princess we all looked after back in the team was an actual princess.

After Corona finished recounting Yuehua’s revival of Lu Ming, she paused, looking to Elizabeth for a response.

“With that in mind, it’s no surprise Lu Ming awakened as a magical girl. Becoming one is a miracle in itself,” Elizabeth said.

“But… I don’t know how to repay Little Moon,” Corona said, clutching her chest, her heart pounding.

“I owe her so much.”

“What could I possibly offer to match her sacrifice?”

“Elizabeth, I really don’t know.”

“Back in the team, I always saw her as a sister.”

“Yeah, we all treated her like a sister back then, always looking out for her,” Elizabeth affirmed.

“You know I’ve always loved her.”

“Of course, who wouldn’t love an adorable little princess like Yuehua?”

“No, I mean… I love her, Elizabeth.”

“Yeah, like family—”

“No, that kind of love.”

“What?!” Elizabeth’s composure shattered.

You’re a married woman! How are you just like that other married woman, pining for someone else’s wife?!

Elizabeth felt a pang of fear—Corona was about to compete with her for Alice Phil.
After twenty years of longing, would she have to face off against Corona?

She was torn.
On one hand, she cherished her sisterly bond with Corona.
On the other, she couldn’t let go of the faint, one-sided love she’d carried for Alice Phil for over two decades.

But Corona’s next words dispelled her worries.

“But I can’t bear to disrupt her life.”

“She’s done so much for me—for us.”

“I don’t think I ever truly understood my feelings. I got married in a haze, and by the time I realized I truly loved her, it was too late.”

“All that’s left between us is… sisterly affection.”

“I love her so much, but… she belongs to someone else now.”

Tears welled in Corona’s eyes as she spoke.

“I love her, but I don’t know how to repay her. All I can do is stay away from her, from her family.”

“She saved Lu Ming’s life. The only thing I have of equal value is my own life. Since yesterday, everything I am belongs to her.”

“Even though she asks for nothing in return, I just…” A warm tear rolled down Corona’s cheek, hitting the ground.

“I have nothing more to give.”

“I really… don’t know what to do.”

Seeing Corona’s tears, Elizabeth couldn’t bear it.
She pulled a handkerchief from her trench coat, gently patting Corona’s back with one hand while wiping her tears with the other.

Perhaps Corona’s constant care for Yuehua had blinded Elizabeth to the truth.
It seemed everyone in their old team harbored special feelings for Yuehua.

Alice Phil, you’re one sinful woman.

Corona felt this way, Elizabeth did too, and so did Haiyin, who’d gone missing years ago.
It was those feelings that drove Haiyin to investigate before the mission was even assigned—otherwise, Yuehua might have been lost forever.

Thank you, Haiyin, Elizabeth thought, honoring her friend, whose fate remained unknown.

Now, Corona had confessed her love for Yuehua and chosen to let her go.
The race for Alice Phil’s heart was hers alone again!

Thank you too, Corona. If you and Alice Phil had gone all-in for each other, I’d have no chance.

“It’s okay, sister, it’s okay,” Elizabeth comforted Corona.

“As long as you and Lu Ming live well, that’s repayment enough for Yuehua’s efforts.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth,” Corona said, taking the hand wiping her tears.

“Thank you for listening to me patiently.”

I should be thanking you, sister, Elizabeth thought.

Alice Phil is finally mine.

“It’s what sisters do,” Elizabeth said with a smile.

…………

Meanwhile, having dealt with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Lu Xin sat in her Magic Affairs Department office, reviewing reports from her subordinates.
She suddenly realized she hadn’t yet visited Lu Yue in the hospital.

With her duties at the Tongzhou City Magic Affairs Bureau still ongoing, she decided to visit the hospitalized magical girl squad once she finished her work.

Hope everything’s alright.

Lu Xin resumed reading the reports.