Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 1475 Is Gloria still dreaming of Wonderland...?

Did Ovira and Linger get married?

What kind of development is this? Am I dreaming? Oh no, I am dreaming. So why am I dreaming that Ovira and Linge are getting married? Is it reasonable for me to actually be hoping for this? It should at least be Bai Ye... although Bai Ye probably wouldn't like having this kind of dream.

Wait, is it possible that this isn't just a dream?

Was it actually Ovira's dream?

That makes perfect sense. As for why I entered Ovira's dream and how I got in, it's probably related to Bai Ye's ability. Bai Ye can freely enter and exit other people's dreams, so it's only natural that I, as the alternate personality, inherited this ability. As for why I couldn't do it before but can now... well, that's probably what they call growth, right?
If Bai Ye knew, he would be so proud of me!
The girl nodded with certainty, her braid bobbing up and down at the back of her head, making her look very lively.

Mrs. Tree smiled and asked, "It seems you've remembered. How about we go see them?"

"Of course!" This time, Gloria agreed without hesitation. Now that she knew the other person was her companion, there was nothing to worry about. Besides, she was also very curious about how the plot of the dream unfolded and why Ovira suddenly married Ling. Logically speaking, Ling's lover shouldn't be... Hmm, she couldn't think about it anymore; she had a feeling that something terrible was going to happen.

Her expression shifted between light and dark, which Madam Tree noticed but said nothing. She simply took her hand and said softly, "Then come with me."

She led Gloria around the bustling square, up a secluded staircase by a side gate of the courtyard, towards the palace located at the highest point of the Hexagram Square. There were no guards along the way, nor the noisy sounds of magical plants; only the sound of their footsteps echoing on the stone bricks, creating a vast and desolate sound. Along the way, Gloria couldn't contain her curiosity and asked Lady Tree about Ovira and Linger, wanting to know how their relationship had developed to this point. Even in a dream, it was too unbelievable.

Mrs. Tree slowed her pace, thought for a moment, and said, "Probably because they are both very good children."

“Ah, I know that,” Gloria agreed. “Ovira is very knowledgeable and kind, and Ling is a gentle person!”

This is how Gloria feels, although White Night might have a different opinion. In her eyes, Ovira is always silly, and Ling is a hypocrite who pretends to be strong.

That's why they became... irreplaceable to each other.

Lady Tree didn't describe the relationship between the two as lovers or partners, but rather used a more intriguing term. A glimmer of memory appeared in her eyes: "Mr. Ling was a traveler who strayed into this place. His kindness and honesty earned him the approval of the Light Spirits, making him the only human allowed to remain in Bemang. That was the beginning of his encounter with Princess Ovira. But what forged the deep bond between them dates back to an ancient legend. Long ago, the Kingdom of Bemang was born from light, and ever since, it has received the blessings of light, bringing warmth and peace to the people of this mountain range. But where there is light, there is also darkness. The power of darkness has always coveted the peace of this land, and it erupted unexpectedly. Everything was overturned, and living beings faced annihilation. All the beautiful things we are enjoying now seem to be destroyed in an instant."

It was a very ordinary and classic story, similar to the fairy tales that children love to read. But whether it was because Mrs. Tree's tone was too immersive, or because Gloria herself had a childlike side, she quickly became emotionally involved and nervously swallowed: "And then?"

"Then, as every story goes, a hero appeared, and that was Mr. Ringer."

Mrs. Tree smiled and continued the story: "That young man possessed an incredible power—perhaps the power of trust? With his sincere trust, one could unleash godlike power. In Beman, the one who possessed this power was Princess. Her relationship with Mr. Ling had transcended friendship and partnership; they could entrust their lives to each other. Thus, with Mr. Ling's complete trust, Princess used this power to repel the encroaching darkness and protect our country. And the two of them forged a deep bond in the battle, truly becoming irreplaceable to each other…"

"So that's why this wedding happened?" Gloria suddenly realized.

Mrs. Tree nodded gently.

What a wonderful story! The light fairy princess and her human companions meet in their innocent youth, and in times of crisis, they entrust themselves to each other, fight off enemies together, protect their homeland, and gradually deepen their feelings for each other. Finally, with everyone's blessings, they walk together into the hall of happiness...

As expected of someone who writes fairy tales, even the plots in her dreams are so dreamlike.

Gloria has taken on so many identities, but she's never been the protagonist of a fairy tale.

Perhaps it's because fairy tales don't exist in reality.

Mrs. Tree stopped, and Gloria stopped as well. She looked up and saw a long, empty corridor leading to the deep night, with only a few lights flickering. A gentle voice came from beside her: "Go to the end of this corridor, and you'll find the Royal Garden. Her Highness the Princess and Mr. Ling should be there, awaiting the start of the wedding. While there's still some time, if you have anything to say, don't hesitate, Miss Gloria."

Gloria felt there was something strange about Lady Tree's tone, as if she were entrusting someone with her last words. Of course, the real Lady Tree was indeed no longer alive, but this was Ovira's dream. As long as Ovira didn't wake up, she wouldn't disappear, right? Or perhaps, when she said "there's still some time," she meant the time Ovira would wake up? But how could she, as someone in a dream, know the situation in reality?
There are so many mysteries that it's truly baffling.

However, Gloria's personality is such that if she can't figure something out, she shouldn't dwell on it; after all, Bai Ye will take care of it for her. Of course, Bai Ye is gone now, but that's alright. She can ask her for advice after leaving this dream. She might get called an idiot a couple of times, but Bai Ye never refuses her requests, because she's a very gentle person.

Mrs. Tree said nothing more, only releasing her hand and gently stroking Gloria's hair before turning and leaving. The girl suddenly felt the warmth from above vanish, and quickly looked back, but the old woman had vanished into the night. Only a sigh, whether of regret or lament, echoed softly at the end of the long staircase. After staring blankly for a while, making sure no one would return, Gloria withdrew her gaze and walked towards the garden at the end of the corridor.

Thump, thump, thump. Gloria tried to keep her footsteps light, but the sound still echoed far and wide in the empty corridor, seemingly matching the rhythm of her heartbeat. Was it nervousness, or anticipation? Perhaps a bit of both. Gloria had a feeling she was walking towards the end of this dream, this story. Who brought her here? What did they want her to witness? What did they want to tell her? Everything would be answered eventually.

The walls are as smooth as a mirror, and shadows move across the ceiling and floor, as if passing through the gaps of time and space, finally arriving at this garden.

Beneath her feet lay not mud, but a soft, shimmering silver meadow, each step sending ripples of gentle light through the air. The air was filled with the crisp, refreshing scent of flowers, mingled with the scent of night dew and distant stars. The garden was far more expansive than she had glimpsed from the end of the corridor; tall trees stretched out crystal-like branches, their tips hanging not of fruit, but of frozen teardrops, swaying gently in the breeze and scattering fine, luminous dust.

Before Gloria could even marvel at the scenery, a massive shadow silently enveloped her. Gloria looked up and met a pair of eyes as black as molten gold. It was a giant wolf, the size of a small carriage, its fur a blend of night and silver, shimmering with a cold, metallic light under the starlight. It sat in the middle of the path, its posture elegant and majestic, but its eyes held no ferocity, instead carrying a calm, scrutinizing quality.

“Unfamiliar visitor.” The giant wolf spoke, its deep, resonant voice echoing directly in Gloria’s mind, “Your presence does not belong here.”

“I…I am Gloria,” the girl composed herself and tried to respond with the same politeness she would show to Lady Tree. “I am a friend of Ovira. Lady Tree sent me here to find her.”

"The guidance of Lady Tree..." The giant wolf nodded slightly, the scrutiny in its molten gold eyes fading somewhat. "I understand. Since it is her will, then you should have the right to walk here. But before that, listen to my question: What is the courage in your heart?"

“Huh! Courage?” Gloria was stunned, not understanding why he asked that.

"Be very careful, don't get lost here." But this reaction seemed to be an answer in the eyes of the giant wolf, so he gave Gloria a deep look, and without waiting for her response, he leaped and disappeared into the depths of the lush forest.

Gloria was baffled by his sudden appearance and departure, but she continued on her way. In the distance, she saw evening primroses blooming on both sides of a path, emitting a pale blue glow. As soon as she stepped onto the path, a soft, melodious voice came from beside her: "Lost child, are you searching here for your destined thing? But the past and the future are whispering. Remember the thoughts in your heart, for they will be your strength to overcome suffering."

"Go toward the brightest tree, don't let your memories wait too long."

Gloria looked up at the sound and saw a beautiful woman in a magnificent court dress leaning against a glowing tree, reading a book. Her attire was both majestic and opulent; the dress was a deep blue, its hem adorned with tiny gemstones, as if she were wearing the night sky herself. Seeing Gloria's gaze, the woman closed her book and smiled slightly. But before the girl could ask where she came from, she vanished like smoke in the wind.

How strange... Gloria couldn't help but think. There were so many strange people in Ovira's dream. Would there be more to come?
Thinking of this, she quickened her pace, bypassing three paths, crossing a stone bridge, and traversing five flower fields before arriving at a spacious garden. Sure enough, she saw a peculiar figure: a three-armed warrior clad in armor, holding a sword in each hand and behind his back, practicing swordsmanship in the garden. He strolled leisurely, exuding an air of domineering grandeur. As the swords clashed and their shadows flickered, flying sand and grass turned to dust and vanished without a trace.

When he sensed the intruder, he slowly raised his head, his cold, moon-like eyes fixing on Gloria. The girl couldn't help but hold her breath, feeling an oppressive aura comparable to that of a god (although she had never actually faced a real god). Strangely, Gloria didn't try to escape, perhaps sensing that although the other party was strong, he wouldn't attack her.

Because... he wasn't born to hurt anyone.

"Never forget..."

The three-armed warrior suddenly spoke, his voice deep and resonant, disturbing the night in the garden: "The enemy in my heart."

Never forget the enemy in your heart?

What does it mean? Is it a warning? Or a piece of advice?
Before Gloria could figure it out, he turned and walked step by step towards the courtyard exit. Unlike the giant wolf and the woman before him, he didn't vanish in an instant; he remained there, giving the impression that he could be caught at any moment. But Gloria hesitated for a moment and ultimately didn't chase after him, because she had a feeling... she couldn't catch him.

He... or rather they, are not real things, but shadows.

A shadow in a dream? Indeed, Ovira's dreams are very strange.

What is courage in one's heart? Is it remembering the longing in one's heart? And, never forgetting the enemy in one's heart? All words ultimately point to the heart.

Gloria memorized those words, then waved goodbye to the warrior. She turned her gaze away and continued her search for Ovira and Ling. This time, everything went smoothly; she encountered no more strange people. When she reached the end of the garden, she saw a vast, calm lake reflecting the stars of the night sky and the bright moon. The water and sky met, seemingly without boundary. Beside the lake stood a colossal tree, its grandeur and magnificence indescribable. Its trunk was like glass, its interior seemingly flowing with the Milky Way. Its broad canopy held a warm little star at the tip of each branch; the starlight wasn't cold, but rather like countless carefully cherished wishes twinkling brightly.

Under the tree, two figures stood side by side.

Give me some cats