Chapter 15: This is for your own good

Was Oasis set up like this too…?

Lin Lan couldn’t help but think.

“Who’s your insider?”

The girl smiled mysteriously:

“A high-ranking officer fed up with tyranny.”

“—I can’t reveal their identity yet, but I assure you, they’re reliable.”

Silently studying the map, Lin Lan’s mind raced.

The plan sounded feasible…

But she knew Murphyxia wasn’t being altruistic.

“How will you keep Seraphina occupied?”

“Eisenburg’s defenses are impenetrable, even for the Court. How do I get in?”

“And once I’m in, how do I get Mili out safely? Seraphina won’t let it go…”

Lin Lan bombarded her with rapid-fire questions, challenging the girl’s calm demeanor.

“Do you know what makes Seraphina truly terrifying?” Murphyxia didn’t answer directly, instead rolling up the map with deliberate, graceful movements.

“…”

“As a gesture of good faith, Commander Lin, I’ll provide you with a heavy composite exoskeletal armor, identical to the [White Night Queen]’s.”

She tucked the parchment back into her sleeve, her eyes half-lidded: “Only two exist in the world. Quite valuable…”

“I’ll personally lead a second wave at the south gate to draw more attention.”

“Sounds like you’ve prepared thoroughly…” Lin Lan looked up. “But why should I trust you won’t betray me at the critical moment?”

Murphyxia extended her right hand, palm up: “I swear on the honor of the [Purification Court]—we won’t betray you during the rescue.”

“As for after…” Her smile turned cryptic. “That depends on our respective skills.”

“…”

“Think of Miss Mili, suffering in that cold fortress, longing for your rescue day and night…”

“You’re her only hope, her former Dawn Knight…”

“Will you let her down…?”

“Will you—”

“Shut up!” Lin Lan slammed her foot into the stone Murphyxia sat on, making her grab the edge to steady herself.

Yet the girl’s delicate face remained unfazed, her smile unshaken.

She stood, leisurely smoothing her robe: “Worrying is pointless. Our goals align. That’s enough.”

When Lin Lan closed her eyes, she couldn’t stop picturing that pale, frail face.

She remembered the night [Oasis] was destroyed…

The deaths of her comrades…

Seraphina’s cold, heterochromatic eyes…

“You should drop that manipulative tongue of yours…”

“Or I’ll tear that foul mouth apart myself.” Lin Lan opened her eyes, her voice thick with bone-deep anger:

“I’ll agree, but on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“After we save Mili, she’s mine.” Lin Lan’s gaze turned dangerous.

“No one touches her—not even your Court…”

Murphyxia paused, then nodded:

“Agreed.”

“I only need her to occasionally display her miracles to prove my faction’s legitimacy.”

“Her daily care, naturally, falls to you, her ‘big sister.’”

With that, Lin Lan extended her hand, clasping Murphyxia’s firmly.

“You know how to use exoskeletal armor. Heavy or light, it’s similar enough. I won’t waste words. With your constitution, that ‘minor injury’ won’t be an issue, right?”

“Three days from now, be ready. Don’t miss it.”

Releasing her hand, the girl turned to leave the camp.

“Murphyxia,” Lin Lan called after her.

“Hm?”

“Let’s be clear.” Her voice was chillingly calm. “If you pull any tricks, I’ll kill you myself.”

Murphyxia glanced back, her lips curling into an ambiguous smile.

“Of course, my dear.” From a few meters away, she gave the former commander a graceful curtsy:

“Pleasant cooperation. May the holy light guide us.”

“I look forward to your performance, Lin…”

The night wind swept through the ruins, stirring up dust.

…

Evening.

When Mili stirred from her haze, she found herself back in the familiar room, lying on the soft bed, covered with a thin silk blanket.

Her elbows and knees, previously scraped, now felt cool with the touch of medicated ointment, apparently bandaged…

She was dressed in clean sleepwear.

A faint smell of antiseptic lingered in the air.

Struggling to sit up, she found her body weak and aching, her head still foggy, and collapsed back onto the bed.

The events of earlier felt like a blurry nightmare, but the raw terror was etched into her bones.

Execution…

So terrifying…

Blinking dazedly, her blue eyes hollow, she hadn’t yet recovered from the day’s fright.

Had that awful woman finally let her go?

Could she… rest for a moment—

“Awake?”

The thought barely formed when a cold, steady voice sounded from above the headboard, plunging Mili back into an abyss of fear.

Her body jolted, and she looked up in panic.

Seraphina was already seated by her bed, silver hair loosely draped over her shoulders.

The bloodstained combat suit had been replaced by a simple white outfit.

She held a report file, her gold-and-blue heterochromatic eyes gazing down at Mili, calm as a still, unfathomable pool.

“How do you feel?” Seraphina set the file down.

Only then did Mili notice the blood-grooved dagger she was toying with, previously hidden by the papers.

Her dry lips moved, but no words came out.

Her throat felt like a desert, each swallow stinging painfully.

“Dinner’s ready.” Seraphina caught the dagger by its handle mid-air, pointing its tip at a tray on the nightstand.

Mili glanced at the exquisite food, but her stomach churned with nausea.

She shook her head, curling up tighter.

“Not hungry?” Seraphina raised an eyebrow. “Or… are you mad at me?”

At those words, Mili’s trembling intensified.

Mad?

How could she dare be mad?

Please don’t kill her…

She didn’t have enough lives to spare…

“I know today’s test scared you.” Seraphina shifted, rising effortlessly from the pillows and sitting cross-legged beside her.

“But it was necessary… You’re not allowed to defy my orders.”

“…”

She reached to touch Mili’s forehead, but the girl recoiled to the corner against the wall, eyes full of fear.

“Don’t come near me…” Mili’s voice finally emerged, hoarse and faint. “…Don’t touch me…”

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

After a moment, she withdrew her hand, sheathing the dagger.

“Fine. You can rest today.”

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

But Seraphina spoke again: “Time to bathe.”

Mili’s face paled further, blood draining completely.

The memory of being recorded, exposed under that gaze, flooded back. Clutching the blanket, her body shook uncontrollably, tears spilling over.

“No… please…” Her voice was barely a whisper, sobbing.

“Please… I don’t need to bathe… I’m clean… really…”

The day’s terror was still vivid.

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

“Dirty won’t do.” Seraphina stepped over, her fingers seizing Mili’s chin, forcing her to look up.

“My possessions must always be clean.”

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

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

“It’s for your own good.”

Mili tried to struggle, but her weakened body lacked the strength to even lift her arms.

She could only let Seraphina haul her into the bathroom…