Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 1480 Can you give me a happy dream?

Ovira awoke with a start, finding herself surrounded by emptiness and darkness. Her vision seemed to pierce through fog, revealing nothing but indistinct, illusory images. It took her a while to adjust, and the surrounding scenery gradually came into focus: the old cabin, the long table piled high with clutter, the moss-covered, gloomy corners, and the enormous glass windows in the walls that seemed to hold the entire starry sky. Yet the night sky was deep and still, devoid of stars and moon, save for the roaring sea of ​​clouds, which, propelled by the howling wind, surged higher and higher.

Her last memory was of kissing Ling Ge. Then, perhaps due to the weariness brought on by long hours of work, or perhaps due to the immense pressure she was under, she subconsciously developed a desire to escape. So, the girl had a dream, but everything in the dream was blurry. She could only remember some key details, which was probably a characteristic of dreams.

Ovira calculated the time; it was just past midnight, the darkest part of the night. The lights in the control room had been turned off sometime earlier, which explained why she couldn't see anything when she woke up. Ovira almost thought she was still dreaming.

No, if it's in a dream, it's actually brighter.

After all, that was his homeland, a country named after light, Beman.

The Bemang in her dream was different from the real Bemang; it was more prosperous, peaceful, and thriving, with its people living in peace and contentment, each finding their place. More importantly, the people she cherished most—her father, mother, and teacher—were still alive, never having left. If Bemang hadn't perished, if she hadn't been cursed and trapped in the castle, even if she weren't the so-called "Young Queen"... perhaps she could have witnessed that scene?
Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in reality, which is why it remains just a dream.

A dream so beautiful it felt unreal.

Recalling the lights and fireworks, the tides and music in her dream, the magnificent melodies, the enthusiastic feasts, the sincere blessings from the people, and the overflowing emotions, the girl's lips curled into a slight smile, as if she were still immersed in it. While this isn't entirely wrong, after all, the protagonist in a dream is, in essence, another version of herself.

In comparison, that princess was much luckier and happier. She not only protected her country and kept the people she cherished, but also, with the sincere blessings of her relatives, friends and the people, made an eternal vow with the one she loved most, becoming the most unquestionable couple in both legal and moral terms.

Of course, dreams always end in waking up, but at least she had a happy ending, didn't she?

"Since it's already such a dream, please at least give me a happy ending." Recalling the words she used to persuade the young man in her dream, Ovira blushed slightly. She found it hard to believe she had been so bold as to say such a thing. But conversely, perhaps it was precisely because it was in a dream that she was able to set aside her concerns and muster the courage to make that request to the young man?
Young people can't refuse; they never learn to refuse.

The final scene of the dream was frozen at the moment she gently pushed him down onto the bed.

Then, Ovira woke up.

When she woke up, her heart was pounding. She felt both relieved and a little regretful, for the same reason. Dreams always present the best side of things, and the girl couldn't help but think that she wished she could be as brave in real life as she was in her dreams.

pity.

Ovira sighed softly, her warm breath condensing into a wisp of white mist in the cool air. The raging roar of the sea of ​​clouds outside the window gradually subsided, turning into long, deep breaths, as if the whole world had fallen asleep with her. She rose and went to the still-sleeping young man, silently gazing at his face. A trace of weariness lingered between his brows, proof of the many fates he had longed for, his relentless burden. Whether in the curse of the ancient castle or on his journey across the stars, this young man had never truly refused any request, even those requests heavy enough to crush an ordinary person.

The courage in dreams may not come from nowhere.

Ovira suddenly realized.

It was a long-suppressed desire, a crystallization of her heart, and a seed she had secretly planted in countless lonely nights. Dreams are bright because they reflect the truest longings in one's heart: the desire to protect, the desire to accompany, the desire to never lose again. But in reality, she always hesitated and retreated, using the destiny of a "young queen" as a shell to tightly wrap those surging emotions.

If even the person in her dreams can muster the courage to push open that door, why can't the person in reality utter a single heartfelt word? Is she truly afraid of the weight of fate, or is she merely afraid of becoming greedy or vulnerable?

My fingertips gently brushed against the slightly messy strands of hair on his forehead, the touch warm and real.

Yunhai's breathing gradually subsided, as if the whole world was waiting for her to make a decision.

Ovira closed her eyes, took a deep breath of the cool, fresh air, and slowly exhaled. They met in an ancient castle weathered by time, sharing their desire to leave and witnessing memories of the past together; they walked the streets and alleys of Rostin, feeling an unprecedented freedom, and watching his departing figure; they gazed at the stars from the bell tower of the Evangelical Fellowship, waiting for the moment night and dawn to meet, gently leaning on his shoulder, pretending to be asleep; in the pouring, desolate rain, she smiled and reached out her hand to him, extending the most sincere invitation of her life…

Once upon a time, she was the one who could tell Ling Ge, "I'm willing to let you be one-seventh of my life." But where did that courage go in the end? Was it abandoned by herself in some unknown corner by those increasingly heavy responsibilities, increasingly distant longings, and increasingly lonely journeys?
A warm breath gently calls out, lingering in the young man's brow, in his warm sniff, and in the slight rise and fall of his chest; surging within is perhaps an emotion called love. There has always been someone in this world who loves him, so when the young man loses one person's love, he will still receive another's. This is neither a debt nor compensation, but rather destiny's ordained; everything he is experiencing in his dream is the best proof.

The girl lowered her face slightly.

Like a dream, whispering secrets, murmuring the heart's voice.

In my dream, I said, "Let me see the illusion of the dream, until I fall into reality."

But I'm different. What I want to see is the reality of this world, until I fall into a dream.

You, loved by so many people—

Please grant me this small wish.

after all.

"Since my life is already like this, please at least let me have one happy dream."

Her leaning down was as gentle as if afraid to disturb a fragile dream; strands of hair fell, brushing against his cheek. The distance between them closed inch by inch, and she could feel his steady breath, warm against her lips.

This is the second kiss of the night, but it is destined to be longer than the first.

Because, at least, there's still some time before dawn. Enough to soothe those restless emotions, or those pounding and confused souls.

Until the very end of reality and illusion.

……

Gloria sat on the edge of the Heavenly Sea Garden, gazing into the distance at the edge of the world. Night was crumbling, stars falling one by one, as if an unimaginable beast lurked on the far side of the universe, its jaws gaping open to devour the light of humanity. Mountains collapsed, earth crumbled; trees fell like withered grass. Valleys ripped into the void, rivers shattered into waterfalls, beasts fled in panic, birds cried out as they flew south, yet nowhere could they find a way out, for this world was born of one person's thought, and naturally, it would be destroyed by one person's thought as well.

Although the person who created it and the person who destroyed it may not be the same person, nor may they have the same feelings.

Only the Bemans in the Hexagram Square were still celebrating tonight's festivities, singing, dancing, and laughing. Sometimes Gloria envied their optimism, perhaps because she knew nothing of it. But some people should know the reality of this dream, like Mrs. Tree, and the others she met in the garden. When they knew the dream was about to collapse, would they feel resentment or accept it calmly?
Gloria thought about it for a long time and finally decided that it was probably the latter.

Because that's who she is.

Each time she switched identities, she quickly accepted the new situation, seemingly without any lingering attachment to her past life. It was precisely because of this resilient adaptability that Bai Ye relied on her and took such good care of her. In the end, even when questioned by Lin Ge and others, she referred to herself as her alternate personality, relinquishing the primary personality to herself. Perhaps, in Bai Ye's heart, this personality—capable of adapting to the curse, always maintaining an optimistic attitude, and able to interact normally with others—was more qualified to be the owner of this body.

Only Gloria knew that it wasn't like that.

She could never be the master of this body, for she would one day vanish, just like this dream; things born from illusion must also return to illusion. This was not a premonition, nor had it been related to a curse. From the moment Gloria was born, she had already seen her future. This feeling grew stronger with each change of identity, until it finally reached its peak when she encountered the travelers on the Cloud Whale Sky Island.

Bai Ye didn't understand this, or rather, she deliberately ignored it, because a tiny bit of wishful thinking still lingered in her heart. Sounds naive, doesn't it? She appears so cold and rational on the outside, yet she can't accept reality. But only Gloria knows that this is Bai Ye's true personality; she is actually the softest person on the entire Cloud Whale Sky Island, even more so than Ietta.

Her softer side made her unable to accept reality, unable to accept the inevitable and necessary disappearance of Gloria. She always worried that Gloria would take drastic action, and therefore was unwilling to tell her this cruel truth. But wasn't she herself the same? No sentient being can accept that their existence in this world is merely a means to an end. Gloria could accept it at first, because all her emotions came from the White Nights; the emotions of being needed forge a destiny of being needed—this was only natural.

But after arriving at Cloud Whale Sky Island, a strange new emotion seemed to sprout within her. It no longer came from White Night, but from her other companions. Every time she played with Alice, received care from Sister Xia, discussed novels with Ovira, or was pranked by Rorona, she felt a flutter in her heart, as if something that didn't belong to her was quietly growing.

People tend to overthink things, making it hard for them to accept reality.

That's why she came to this dream.

She witnessed firsthand how a girl facing the same predicament as herself could calmly choose reality even after realizing the dream was illusory. She could have kept that young man by her side, simply by refusing to acknowledge it as a dream. In that case, everyone would have continued the charade, her cherished family and friends would have remained, and her beloved lover would have stayed by her side forever, just as promised in their vow to protect each other and never be separated. But she also clearly realized that it wasn't love, at least not true love.

Was letting go the only option? She asked herself this question, and then made the right choice.

Is this what you wanted to tell me? Gloria asked herself the same question. If the Ovira in her dream could give up her own existence for the sake of people in reality, then why couldn't she, born of a curse, calmly accept the end of disappearing for the sake of Bai Ye and her other companions?
They are all illusions, but the love they feel is real. If we can use our illusory selves to make up for those real emotions, wouldn't that be nice?

This is the best option.

Bai Ye will definitely understand.

"White Night," a faint murmur drifted away as the dream crumbled, "you must understand, right?"

Because I am you.

I am the one you need, and the one who needs you.

So pure, inseparable.

……

Standing atop the mountain, looking down at the firelight and the burning fortress in the night, Bai Ye felt a sudden, inexplicable unease, but she was certain it wasn't because of the war.

Under Ovira's arrangement, Cloud Whale Sky Island is attacking an isolated city called Page Mountain Fortress. The Dragon Fang Legion stationed there did not expect the enemy to dare to launch an attack. In addition, without a demigod powerhouse to guard it, it is difficult to resist Cloud Whale Sky Island. Therefore, it was put on the defensive at the beginning of the war, and defeat was only a matter of time.

Bai Ye watched the entire battle from the sidelines. She had no interest in fighting between people, but this was the only way to distract herself and slightly alleviate her unease—she hadn't heard Gloria's voice in a long time.

At first, there were some dreamlike murmurs, which sounded silly and foolish, but they were reassuring; but now, she silently huddled in a corner of her consciousness, not saying a word, just like a person who was fast asleep, truly immersed in a dream.

Only Bai Ye knows that Gloria doesn't dream.

So, where did she go?
Come back here right now, you idiot.

At least, before I get angry.

Give me some cats