Chapter 18: We’ll meet soon

When Seraphina arrived at the isolated test field in the western district, even her usual calm composure couldn’t hide the astonishment on her face.

Just one night!

That patch of gray-black soil, which she had personally deemed a “dead zone,” heavily contaminated by gray mist, barren and lifeless…

Now, it was…

Sprouting green!

And at a speed far surpassing the normal growth cycle of plants!

The small, cordoned-off patch of once-hard, cracked earth was now soft and moist, the nauseating sulfur stench significantly faded.

This impossible feat was no less miraculous than raising the dead or turning decay into wonder, forcibly reversing the root of the world’s calamity…

With a touch of delicious potential on top.

A few frail, pale yellow seedlings had pushed through the cracked soil, their tiny, barely visible leaves—smaller than a fingernail—swaying gently in the cool morning breeze of the wasteland.

That hint of green stood out starkly against the surrounding dead, blackened filth, both jarring and… breathtaking.

So small and fragile, they’d snap with a flick, yet they pulsed with an unsettling, vibrant life…

“Your Majesty…” a guard accompanying her witnessed the unbelievable scene, his voice trembling with disbelief.

Seraphina said nothing.

She strode to the edge of the test field, crouched, and carefully touched one of the first seedlings to emerge, her black-gloved fingertips brushing its delicate surface.

It felt soft and real…

Not an illusion?

She stared intently at the new sprouts, a complex, fervent glint swirling in the depths of her eyes.

This little thing…

She truly was special.

“What’s the monitoring data?” Seraphina suppressed her excitement, turning to her adjutant.

“The soil’s pH has neutralized, heavy metal content dropped by sixty percent, and nutrient retention and water-holding capacity have improved significantly…” Evelyn flipped through her data, reporting swiftly:

“At this rate, this land… by this afternoon?—will meet standard cultivation conditions.”

“Tomorrow’s projections… will exceed the quality of prime farmland.”

No.

This wasn’t mere improvement.

It was a transformation beyond transformation…

Seraphina’s breathing quickened.

No wonder [Oasis] had risen so rapidly…

Mili’s value far exceeded her initial estimates!

The [Saintess of Bounty] wasn’t just a fleeting legend—she was a living miracle capable of reshaping the entire wasteland’s balance!

The food crisis would be solved, and the world would kneel at her feet!

“Bring her here.” Her voice was slightly hoarse, tinged with uncontainable excitement.

“I want her to see her masterpiece.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A quarter-hour later.

When Mili, head bowed and steps faltering, was brought before Seraphina, her expression wasn’t the expected awe.

Not even a hint of it.

She merely stared blankly at the sprouts emerging from the soil, her pale face numb and hollow.

As if this world-shaking miracle had nothing to do with her.

Fair enough.

The greater her value, the tighter the scrutiny and control…

But what did that matter?

Seraphina’s personal oversight was an honor Mili should appreciate.

Seeing the girl’s lackluster reaction, Seraphina’s brows furrowed briefly, but a smile soon spread across her face.

“See that?” She stepped behind Mili, lightly pinching her chin, pointing ahead with her other hand. “Incredible, isn’t it? This is your power.”

Mili’s lashes trembled faintly, but she remained silent.

“They’re alive.” Seraphina’s tone carried a coaxing lilt. “Because of you.”

“I’ll give you the best treatment, fulfill your every need.”

“As long as you… obey.”

Mili kept her head down, eyes closed, unresponsive.

Seraphina rose from her shoulder, turning to her adjutant:

“Reject all the Council’s proposals outright. From today, none will be entertained.”

“Arrange a larger-scale test. Clear the entire western district, seal the mines, and rezone it for agriculture.”

“Anyone who dares obstruct…”

“Kill without mercy.”

Evelyn nodded in understanding.

“Let’s go back.” Seraphina patted her shoulder, her mood buoyant.

“Today’s a good day.”

On the way back to the palace, the mood was somewhat heavy.

Seraphina seemed mildly displeased by Mili’s lukewarm reaction, her brows low.

Yet she couldn’t help but revel in her excitement, her steps lighter than usual, her grin stretching ear to ear, her face almost menacing, keeping others at a distance…

As they passed a heavily guarded supply transfer station, a few figures in Council servant attire hurried forward.

The leader, a middle-aged man who looked like a steward, bowed respectfully to Seraphina:

“Your Majesty, the Council elders request your—”

“Scram.”

Seraphina didn’t break stride, tossing a single icy word at the man’s face.

“Your… Your Majesty…”

“Evelyn, take him away.” She waved dismissively. “—Deal with him cleanly.”

The steward paled, trying to speak, but guards swiftly seized him, gagging and dragging him out of sight around a corner.

“How can you do this?! Your Majesty! Think twice, Your Majesty!”

“Keep shouting, and you’ll join him.”

In that brief moment of Seraphina’s confrontation with the Council’s lackeys, Mili, stunned, lagged a few steps behind.

Suddenly, a rough, warm hand emerged from the shadows, slipping something small into her palm before vanishing like lightning.

Startled, Mili yanked her hand back, glancing up—

The surrounding guards stood expressionless.

No one looked at her.

An illusion?

No.

In her palm was a tiny, neatly folded note, no larger than a finger.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Not daring to draw attention, she clutched the note tightly, her palm instantly slick with cold sweat.

Who?

Who would do this…

In a place like this…?

As Seraphina gave her orders, the guards split into two groups—one following Evelyn to “handle” the steward, the other moving to confront the Council’s men.

Mili suppressed the storm in her heart, maintaining a calm facade, and used her thumb to pry open the note’s fold.

Stealing a glance at the triumphant Seraphina, confirming she wasn’t watching, Mili carefully unfolded the note in her hand.

A single line, in elegant handwriting:

‘Don’t be afraid, child. We’ll meet soon.’

Child?

That term…

Lin Lan never called her that.

Confusion flashed through Mili’s mind.

It definitely wasn’t Lin Lan…

Then who?

Frowning, she nervously rubbed her hands, shredding the note bit by bit.

“Move. Why so slow?”

Seraphina’s voice came from ahead.

Mili quickly straightened, pretending nothing happened, letting the tiny fragments slip through her fingers, blending into the sand and dust beneath her feet.

Her hands were soon empty.

A spark of hope ignited in her heart, mingled with deep doubt—at the very least, this proved someone out there was watching her plight…

Should she start planning an escape?

Whoever was coming for her, she needed to be ready.

With Seraphina’s temperament, there might only be one chance…

And it could be her last.

She couldn’t afford to miss it.