Alice in the Land of Steam

Is there hope at the end of Chapter 1348?
In a period of memory that is neither short nor long enough to make one forget the past, Ovira looks back on her life. She recalls times when she did or said things without thinking, deeply hurting others. However, the motives that drove her to do so or the consequences that caused anyone sadness were not her true intentions, but simply because she was born clumsy.

To be precise, no one is born clumsy, but if you are born tormented by a terrible curse, and no one dares to approach you—even your maids or guards look at you with pity mixed with fear—you are lonely, unable to trust anyone, and no one trusts you. Therefore, it is only natural that you would appear clumsy with emotions you have never encountered or deeply understood.

Because of her clumsiness, the princess didn't know what to say at what time, and could only learn from books. She often curled up by the huge French windows of the library, sunlight streaming through the stained glass, casting dappled yet cold light on the carpet, enveloping her small figure. But books are, after all, written by people, and everyone's experiences and state of mind are different, so the words written in books are naturally different, and the statements in books are often contradictory. Sometimes she would frown in confusion, her fingertips repeatedly tracing the contradictory proverbs on the pages, trying to find the only correct answer between the lines, but always in vain. The young girl lacked the ability to discern, and could only rigidly adhere to those principles, stumbling and falling in pursuit of her nascent emotions, sometimes moving forward, sometimes backward, but more often than not, standing still.

For example, the book says that only by facing one's true feelings honestly and treating others sincerely can one gain their affection. The princess firmly believed this. So, on a suffocating afternoon filled with the strong smell of medicine and a somber atmosphere, when she was finally allowed to visit her seriously ill mother, she almost held her breath as she cautiously approached the ornate sickbed shrouded in heavy curtains. When the woman on the sickbed gently asked her what her wish was, she innocently replied: "I hope my mother recovers soon and takes me to see the stars every day." She didn't notice the sorrow and grief that welled up in her mother's eyes after hearing this wish.

For example, the book also says that sometimes a white lie can warm people's hearts more than a cruel truth. The princess seemed to understand, and so, when the castle destined to imprison her for so long rose from the ground, the man who was both king and father looked at his daughter with loving sorrow and told her that if she wanted to cry, she could cry. But despite her fear, she refused to shed a single tear, instead feigning strength and replying that she was already used to it. She didn't realize his guilt and self-reproach at that moment. The hand that had intended to rest on her head ultimately fell heavily, accompanied by a sigh almost blown away by the wind. The weight of that sigh didn't truly settle on the young girl's heart until many years later.

Later, she often wondered if, when faced with her mother's questions, she hadn't spoken her mind directly but instead deceived her with a white lie; or if, when her father wanted her to cry, she hadn't pretended to be strong but honestly faced her own tears, would she have had so many regrets?

These thoughts, like ghosts, often surfaced quietly in her quiet moments of solitude, lingering endlessly.

Leaving the castle and coming to live in the human world, traveling on the back of a cloud whale, witnessing all sorts of wondrous and incredible landscapes, the hustle and bustle of the journey, the daily lives of her companions, and the adventures they shared, like a warm stream, gradually washed away the fragile shell that had covered her. She believed she had grown up, at least not like before, when even her comforting words were so clumsy, and her lies so awkward.

At this moment, a long-lost, cold, dull pain gripped her heart once more. The feeling was so familiar, like the light in her mother's eyes dimming for a moment years ago, and like her father's hand stroking her head, followed by a heavy sigh.

Screwed it again...

She thought about it blankly.

……

The sudden silence at the dining table was unsettling. This silence was even more unbearable than the initial stifling silence. In that brief moment, Ovira's mood underwent a dramatic shift, sometimes soaring high, sometimes plummeting low. She lowered her head, biting her lower lip where no one could see, filled with regret yet unsure how to make amends. She didn't even dare to look up, afraid of meeting the condemning gazes of the others.

Although the existence of the problem was not her fault, sometimes pointing out the problem itself is a mistake.

At that moment, in the frozen air, Ling put down his spoon, his calm voice breaking the somber atmosphere at the table: "Ovira is right."

Princess Beman suddenly raised her head, staring intently at the young man sitting opposite her. He seemed somewhat uncomfortable with such a direct gaze, so he slightly turned his neck, shifting his gaze to a simple painting depicting a bountiful harvest on the restaurant wall. She continued, “We have done what we needed to do in the Ansers region. The fate of this land is no longer our concern. So, where should we go next? This is a question we must consider. My opinion remains unchanged: set off as soon as possible for the Atoliga province of the Yalas Empire to find the successor of the legendary holy war army and inquire from her about the location of Paradise Country, Assyria.”

His words were clear and logical, as calm as ever, as if the embarrassing incident had never happened, and he subtly brought the topic back on track.

"It sounds good..."

Alice pursed her lips, her fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of golden hair hanging down her chest. "But, once we find Paradise Country Assyria, will there definitely be a way?"

Are we sure we can fight against the Witch Society?
Can we really stop the witches' plot?

Are there absolutely no more casualties?
No one can give a definite answer to a question like this...

"There must be a way!"

Ovira suddenly perked up, placing her hands on the table, leaning forward, her eyes sparkling, and even her voice rising several octaves: "The Assyrian Paradise is the only remaining lineage of the Goddess of Creation's religion, and they've been fighting against the Witch Society without ever revealing themselves; their strength must be immense. If we cooperate with the Assyrian Paradise, perhaps we can fight against the Witch Society!"

Lin Ge nodded slightly, the lines of his jaw appearing softer in the warm light. "That's what I think too."

With the support of the young people, Ovira became even more excited and immediately began to plan: "Then we must prepare and set off as soon as possible. Ieta's Cloud Whale Sky Island was slightly injured in the battle with Karapos, but it has recovered now, and a long journey should not be a problem. That being said, considering her own physical condition, perhaps we should still devise the shortest route, even if there might be a small risk along the way... After arriving in Atorica Province, we still need to find a way to contact that Holy War Army. Unfortunately, after Sister Xia changed everyone's fate, Mr. Carson and we are strangers again, and we cannot ask him for help... Ah..."

She suddenly stopped, her expression stiffening.

Did I... say something wrong again?
Initially, Ling's reason for persuading everyone to help the Ash Bracers and even the Liberator Front was to use the war to expand their influence, making it easier to gain trust when contacting the Jihadist Army in Atoliga Province later. However, everyone knew perfectly well that this was just an excuse for the young man to help them while refusing to admit his own kindness. Perhaps he saw a familiar shadow in the Ash Bracers' leader, Carson Borg the Eagle of Grayhill—himself? Rochelle's? Or perhaps every idealist he had ever met? Maybe a little bit of all of them.

During their interactions, the young man and the Greyhill Eagle gradually forged a deep friendship, which was incredible for him, as he had always been withdrawn and resistant to communication. Everyone was happy for him. And it wasn't just Linger; didn't Medion also get along well with the young soldiers like Mitch and Cardora in the Rebel Army? And Alice, who considered herself a mentor and friend to the young soldiers, often sneaked off to the Cathedral of Heavenly Hearts to guide them in playing games.

And that school, once filled with laughter and joy, still stands alone in the wind, exactly as it was when it was first built, except that the children are no longer there, leaving only empty classrooms and playgrounds.

To meet, to get to know each other, to communicate, and then to recognize each other's true feelings and become friends—this is undoubtedly the most joyful thing on a journey. But as fate changes, everything changes too. Now, they are just a group of travelers passing through this place, no longer bound to the people of this land with such deep and profound ties. Everyone knows this, and they all have the courage to accept reality. After all, it was the most beautiful ending Saint Sharia had created for him, for them, and for everyone in the Gray Hills. Even if there was a small flaw, perhaps it was destined? After all, fate can never allow a world that is too perfect to exist.

However, accepting it yourself is one thing, but having it exposed is another.

The words Ovira blurted out unintentionally were like a sharp needle, unexpectedly piercing the protective shell she was trying to maintain as calm and accept reality, and exposing the not-yet-fully-healed sense of loss and regret beneath.

Princess Alice had never hated her own clumsiness so much. Why did she always have to say the most inappropriate things at the most inappropriate times? Although that was not her intention, even Alice knew that unintentional words were the most hurtful.

Perhaps she simply lacked the talent, she thought dejectedly. Becoming someone like Xia Xia, who could gently soothe all wounds, defuse all awkwardness without batting an eye, and offer strength and comfort to others with the most appropriate words... seemed impossible.

"What only Saint Charlotte could do," in the end, it was indeed only she who could do it.

"It's okay."

A soft yet incredibly clear voice rang out. Medien looked up and gave Princess Beman a gentle and encouraging smile: "It's not that just because we don't know each other anymore, we can't get to know each other again. Just like fate can be changed, I think some things won't change. Someday in the future, we'll definitely meet them again and become good friends again, right? I have a lot of experience with this kind of thing, you know, Sister Ovira?"

Because she also has a friend who is constantly dying and being reborn, constantly forgetting and remembering, constantly leaving and returning.

Each time, they manage to become friends again.

Therefore, the pink-haired girl firmly believed in this somewhat naive truth.

As the "good friend" Medine mentioned, she secretly puffed out her chest, a smug smile unconsciously curving her lips, a glint of "See, I told you I was important" flashing in her red eyes. But after her smugness, she suddenly felt a strange taste in her mouth. Wasn't this... her most hated vegetable? And it was the double torment of carrots and turnips!
How could I possibly eat something like that?!

It must be an illusion!

"Ah bah bah bah!"

"Leticia, what are you doing? What happened to the table manners I taught you? Have you forgotten them all?"

"Ah, no, Grandma, I—"

"Got a lesson, huh?" Shemi gloated, but her second sister immediately grabbed her butterfly wings, lifted her up, and gave her a disgusted look: "Shemi, what are you laughing at again? Don't you have any picky eating habits? Don't just eat vegetables and fruits, eat more meat too, that's how you grow taller!"

"Huh? No, sister, I—"

Although it was only for a moment, listening to Leticia's quiet defense after being scolded, seeing Shamy being carried by her sister by her wings with a worried look on her face as she ate the meat steak, and Miss Neville shaking her head helplessly and continuing to eat... it was as if Ovira had returned to the Fairy Deep Sleep Inn of the past.

This lively, noisy, and bustling dining table is what she has always experienced in her daily life.

For some reason, it had suddenly become a precious treasure, so much so that it brought a lump to her throat and an urge to cry welled up. She quickly lowered her head, and under the guise of adjusting her skirt, secretly wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. The princess firmly believed these were tears of joy and emotion, not because she had suddenly realized that she might... truly be unable to replace that person.
The clumsy princess hasn't even learned one ten-thousandth of it.

"Then it's decided!"

As the atmosphere at the dinner table became lively again, Princess Beman took a deep breath, trying to banish those irrelevant thoughts from her mind, and announced with great confidence, her voice clear and firm, carrying an undeniable determination that instantly attracted everyone's attention: "Our next destination is the Atoliga Province of the Yalas Empire!"

Go find the legendary paradise of Assyria, and you will surely, surely find it...

It will definitely happen, just as she hopes.

It has come to a happy ending.

Give me some cats