Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 1425 Is it impossible to ask?

Even if one possesses infinite life, one should not give it up for others, because life is never meant to be sacrificed.

This is the lesson Ovira wanted Leticia to understand. Even if she couldn't understand it now, it didn't matter. At least she should keep it in mind, because in the near future, it would surely become the most precious emotion and the most valuable memory in her life, shaping her into the noblest soul.

Leticia's ruby-like eyes widened slightly, reflecting Ovira's calm yet resolute face, and also the night sky above them, fragmented by glowing fungi and jagged rock walls. The luminous minerals and stalactites embedded in the dome and walls flickered and shimmered according to some unique underground rhythm, like countless silent, ancient eyes peering into the secrets of humankind.

A unique chill of the night crept in, penetrating to the bone like frost, yet also making the mind exceptionally clear. The lingering warmth of Auvila's fingers, which had just smoothed her bangs, seemed to remain on her forehead, creating a strange contrast with the surrounding coolness. That temperature was unusually clear, carrying an undeniable air of correctness. Since Auvila knew everything, surely nothing she said could be wrong?
Without realizing it, Leticia accepted this situation, but also became more silent because of it.

For a long time, the immortal power formed by the eternal monarchy and the curse of reincarnation has brought Leticia countless pains and torments, but it has also made her feel that she is a unique existence in the world. She always subconsciously regards this ability as a weapon that can be used, and even clumsily regards it as the only reliable way to establish a deep connection with a very few important people - after all, the only two people she actively gave the Fang of Immortality, her grandmother and Ling, are of great significance to her.

Undoubtedly, this is a distorted value system, with a persistent misconception about life and death, sometimes even giving rise to despair and sorrow. From the past to the present, countless people have tried to correct the little bat's views on life and death, guiding her onto the right path. From a young age, her grandmother told her that living is the most important thing, and therefore one should cherish life, whether it be one's own or that of others; when the girl sought death alone, Ling held her hand, telling her that every life in this world needs someone to pray for it; Saint Charlotte tirelessly told her fairy tales that seemed to only happen in dreams, receiving care and love; Medine and Shamy were always by her side, meticulously tolerating her willfulness, especially Medine, who, in her friend's most vulnerable moment, pierced through her confusion, guiding her to think about the meaning of life and memory…

Ultimately, everything converged here, and Ovira uttered the most important answer. Longing and memories surged forth like an unstoppable tide, washing over the mind. If immortality isn't about replacing the passing of others, then where should this long, even cruel, life find its purpose? If the meaning of connecting with those who matter isn't about unilaterally enduring pain and sacrifice, then what should it look like?
The concepts of life and death are both perplexing and sorrowful.

After a long while, Leticia gently exhaled, her white breath forming a fleeting wisp of mist in the dim light. She buried her face deeper into her knees, revealing only a pair of red eyes that still shimmered with confusion, but seemed to have lost some of their sharp arrogance. Like washed gems, they shimmered with an even more complex and indistinct brilliance under the halo of spores and moss.

“Ovira.” Her voice was muffled, coming from beneath the fabric of her knees.

"Hmm?" Ovira responded softly, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the underground.

"You...you really won't end up like Xia?"

In what aspect are you referring to the resemblance?

Is it to be as gentle and kind as her, caring for and embracing every companion equally; or to leave without saying goodbye, cruelly abandoning a young man who had just found solace in her embrace, a group of sisters who depended on her, and some companions who were deeply imprinted in his life like memories?

Leticia didn't answer immediately, but instead tightened her arms around her legs, as if trying to shrink herself into a safer position. The tension that always emanated from her, the tension of someone constantly poised to attack or defend, seemed to have melted away somewhat without her realizing it. She calmly said, "Before answering that question, may I ask you one more?"

"go ahead."

"Did you already know how to break the Nibelung curse?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a strange noise suddenly came from behind a huge chalk rock not far away. Leticia immediately became alert and looked in that direction, but it was quiet and nothing appeared. Just as she was wondering whether to go and investigate, Ovira said casually, "It's probably a rat or some other animal."

He then disregarded this unexpected little incident and returned to the main topic: "I understand now."

The first method, as Cheryl suggested, is to send Nibelungen to the paradise of Assyria and purify it with the power of the goddess's tears. However, this method requires time, and with war imminent, it is clearly not suitable. As for the other method…

"Is it dangerous?" Leticia asked again.

Ovira carefully considered the concern, confusion, and slight unease conveyed in those words, a complex mix of emotions welling up within her. Learning to revere life is the first step to becoming mortal, and the little bat had already embarked on this path. But did it understand that reality and dreams could sometimes diverge? She sighed softly and replied, "For others, it might be uncertain, but for me, there will absolutely be no problem, Leticia, I can assure you."

She paused briefly, then continued, "When I have complete control of the Nibelungen, not only can I help the Holy War Army win the war, but perhaps even the tragedies caused by the Nibelungen curse in the past can be reversed? For example, curing the Ash Fungus race of Ashification and allowing them to return to normal life—such things are possible..."

There was another slight rustling sound behind the chalk rock, but this time it quickly subsided without attracting Leticia's attention. She sat quietly for a while, letting Ovira's words and the tranquility of this underground world envelop her, as if digesting a new and unfamiliar nourishment. Only after everything she had absorbed had completely settled did a sudden feeling of loss arise. She turned to Ovira and said, "I don't know what the future holds, Ovira, and I don't know if you're lying to me, just like Grandma always treated me like a child, so she would lie to me and think it was a white lie. I used to be able to accept it, but now I can't quite accept it. Is growing up just learning to refuse things you couldn't refuse before? But no matter what, please promise me that you will cherish your life very, very much, just like you cherish everyone else's lives. Because..." She paused, her voice becoming softer, yet heavier, "Life is only once for you, isn't it?"

She rambled on, rarely speaking so much at once, and almost never revealing such genuine emotion. At this moment, she finally showed a touch of childlike innocence and sentimentality. She said she had grown up, but it seemed she wasn't becoming an adult, but rather growing from a "monster" who disregarded life and was bewildered by death into a truly mortal person.

If we gave her more time...

Ovira didn't answer immediately, but gazed silently at Leticia, as if trying to see through those ruby-like eyes into the quietly growing soil deep within her soul. The lonely thorns began to sprout soft new shoots, from which beautiful flowers might bloom—emotions called "contemplation," "cherishing," and "reluctance to part." "Leticia," Ovira's voice seemed to come from afar, yet landed with unparalleled clarity in her ears, "I will not lie to you, nor do I wish to be a person of broken promises. So I promise you, I will cherish my life as much as I cherish yours. If we live in this world to find so-called meaning, then I will certainly make sure I live a meaningful life."

She reached out and gently placed her hand on Leticia's hair, making a promise without telling her what kind of life truly had meaning. Perhaps everyone has a different definition, but Princess Beman had already found role models: her best teacher, her best sister, and her best lover—all figures who had appeared in her life…

A gentle breeze swept through the earth, bringing with it shimmering specks of light from the glowing fungi, like stardust scattered around them. In the shadows behind the chalk rocks, something quietly retreated, as if it had never existed. Only the silence of the underground world gently enveloped the night.

After a long while, the girl heard Leticia's low reply—

"Ah."

……

Ling was the first to wake up.

When he opened his eyes, the underground village was still immersed in the eternal night maintained by glowing moss and minerals, the difference between day and night seemingly only perceptible to the individual. Even breathing rose and fell within the simple dwelling; Selena curled up in a corner of the dry floor, her wolf ears twitching occasionally; Countess Neville remained elegant, maintaining an indescribable aristocratic air even in her sleep; Ovira and Leticia slept peacefully in the corner, their faces serene, showing no sign of distress.

Ling sat up silently, his movements quiet so as not to disturb anyone. His gaze habitually swept over his companions, finally lingering briefly on Ovira and Leticia. They were fast asleep, as if the previous night had been just an ordinary one. But when his eyes inadvertently met those of Ovira, who had woken up almost simultaneously, she seemed to instinctively look away. Only after realizing what had happened did she forcefully correct her gaze, nodding slightly to the young man and saying good morning, before shifting her gaze to Leticia, who was also rubbing her eyes as she woke up.

"How did you sleep last night?" Lin Ge asked proactively.

"Hmm, you slept very soundly, probably because Ling... and everyone else were around," Ovira said softly, a serene smile unconsciously appearing on her lips. "She even had a sweet dream."

"That's good."

The young man nodded, not pressing for details about her pleasant dream; he only needed to know that Ovira had slept well. It seemed that not only had the curse of fearing the darkness weakened to almost nothing, but even the sleep problems that had long plagued Princess Bemang had been perfectly resolved. This was a good thing, and reassuring.

Ovira probably knew that Ling wouldn't ask further, so she didn't tell him the contents of her dream. There was a familiar and tacit understanding between them, but strangely, there was also a sense of distance between them.

What exactly is this emotion in this world, both distant and intimate...?

Just then, Leticia yawned slightly, her crimson eyes still hazy with sleep. She instinctively glanced at her grandmother first, then quickly at Ovira. Their eyes met, and Leticia's lips pursed almost imperceptibly before she casually turned away to tidy her slightly disheveled hair. Previously, Navril had helped her with these things, but after last night's disagreement and argument, the grandmother and granddaughter were probably still a little awkward, so Leticia didn't dare wake her grandmother to help. Navril, on the other hand, simply pretended to be asleep, even though Ling had clearly seen her secretly open her eyes several times, she still thought she was putting on a good act.

Arrogance, a strong desire to save face, and hypocrisy are probably the common characteristics of this grandmother and grandson, but they are not passed down through blood, but rather formed through mutual influence.

It wasn't until Selena opened her eyes and woke up, stretching lazily and yawning wildly, disturbing the peace of the room, that the Countess had no choice but to "wake up" as well, otherwise she would have been the only one among them sleeping in. By this time, Leticia had finished fixing her hair, silently walked to her grandmother's side, and, as usual, gently said "Good morning"... and "I'm sorry" to her.

The countess secretly breathed a sigh of relief and, as usual, reached out to ruffle her granddaughter's hair, but accidentally messed it up again. She had to fix it for her herself, but this might have been her purpose.

After witnessing the interaction between the grandmother and grandson, Lin Ge couldn't help but think: What an awkward pair of people.

And what exactly did Ovira say to Leticia last night that made her suddenly change like a different person, not only turning back into the incredibly obedient child in front of her grandmother, but even taking the initiative to admit her mistakes?
pity.

Then he thought: This is a question that is destined to remain unanswered.

Because he wouldn't, wouldn't, and certainly wouldn't ask.

Give me some cats