Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

The candlelight, filtering through the potion, refracted an eerie rainbow, casting flickering light on her face. Zelena's voice rang in her ears, yet it seemed muffled, as if veiled by layers of water.

"Next, you need to stay calm, maintain your rationality, and not be misled by the subsequent illusions."

Ms. Z's fingertips lightly tapped on the table, causing the rhythm to gradually overlap with the former's heartbeat, providing audible support.

Holding the slender neck of the beaker, Charlotte naturally felt no fear at the moment; she was simply curious about the ingredients of the potion and even its taste after drinking it.

When you bring your nose close and take a gentle sniff, a rich yet not cloying fragrance lingers around your nose, subtle and elusive, like a newly opened gardenia.

"Don't worry, I'll be here waiting for you."

With her eyes lowered, Zelena's gaze was exceptionally gentle.

"Ah."

Without further thought, she let the murky liquid slide down the side of the cup, rising and falling in her throat, completely swallowed by her body and mind, the icy stimulation seeping into her internal organs.

Without the pain of a split consciousness, without the allure of illusion and madness, Charlotte felt that the world before her eyes was clearer.

It is not a refinement on the material level, but an extension on the spiritual level. The ups and downs of emotions and the restraint of desires are intertwined to form the whole of a person, just like countless complex seaweeds, twisted into indistinct clumps, forming an underwater forest.

Her gaze rose, looking down from the church tower, taking in the myriad aspects of life: the humble yet thriving desires like weeds, the hunched figures crushed and shattered by life, yet stubbornly piecing themselves together into scarred forms, living on in their own way.

In the past, extending her consciousness, Charlotte used the threads that controlled the puppets to wrap around the city like a spider web. She couldn't help but reach out, wanting to pluck the strings of this forest of desire. In an instant, a spiritual roar exploded from the fingertips of the crowd, and they suddenly possessed a vigorous, even morbid, drive and desire.

Within sight, restless flames burned away the remaining rationality and unleashed the deep-seated beastly instincts.

In the adjacent room, Pederina's fingers, which had been playing a tune, paused, unable to return to calm. Melvis covered his lips and nose, using the pain of biting his tongue to suppress the increasingly intense red light in his eyes.

All of this was a subtle, gradual process; no one was aware of what was influencing, observing, and corrupting them at that moment. Only Charlotte felt it; it was her own spiritual ocean rippling outwards, stirring up waves.

She couldn't help but lick her lips; these dark emotions, like sweet desserts, stimulated her sense of joy, even making her slightly intoxicated, until—

"Come to your senses!"

Pressing down on the girl's shoulder, a clear female voice drowned out the noise, pulling her down from the high altitude and back to the perspective of an ordinary person.

It's Zelena.

Among the bewildered people of the world, only she remained steadfast in her convictions, unmoved by the sway of those emotions.

"Thank you, Ms. Z."

The sweet and sour taste that lingered on her tongue slowly faded, and Charlotte opened and closed her eyes, revealing a struggle in her expression.

Those who were invaded and affected felt a jolt, sensing both what they had lost and what they had gained, and were filled with a sense of loss.

"How are you feeling now? Are those delirious ramblings still affecting you?"

"It's not as intense anymore."

She nodded slightly and let out a long sigh of relief, but the concern in her voice still lingered.

"A high-ranking being was watching this place just now, which intensified the spiritual activity and caused emotions to boil over. Unfortunately, your promotion was affected by this, but fortunately there was no further impact."

Is it at a high level?

Charlotte was already perplexed by her own existence, whether it was her immunity to pollution or the various anomalies that followed her promotion. She did not ignore the former’s description.

Although she is confident in her abilities, she is not arrogant to the point of being presumptuous.

Everything has a cause and an effect. The previous assumptions then came true. While reviewing the case files of the arbitration tribunal, she would occasionally notice those disasters that were brought down by evil gods as their vessels. Almost every one of these incidents had a great impact.

The feeling of indulging in desires before was incredibly real. With Charlotte's current level, she would undoubtedly be unable to arbitrarily stir up people's emotions. However, in the cases, the situation of being tempted by evil gods and gradually sinking into depravity has never occurred to her.

She maintained absolute self-rationality from beginning to end.

So why didn't this happen when I drank the potion before?

"Contain your senses, digest the overflowing power of the potion through meditation, and awaken the unique abilities belonging to the 'favored one' through spirituality."

Charlotte's thoughts were interrupted by the beautiful woman's subsequent words. She nodded and tried each of Ms. Z's instructions one by one.

Just like before, although she could no longer see through others, she could look inward at herself and observe the fluctuations of her emotions and desires.

Unlike ordinary people whose minds and bodies are occupied by the seven emotions and six desires, those intertwined threads protect themselves like a silkworm cocoon, unaffected by the outside world.

“Ms. Z, I feel like I can observe a certain trajectory of fate, although it is very vague. But the closer I get to the crisis, the more intense the throbbing in my mind becomes.”

Although this statement contained some omissions, it roughly summarized her most obvious ability as a 'favorite'—to see herself and others.

"Preferring observation? That's somewhat similar to divination." After a pause, Zelena wrung out the damp towel she had prepared and handed it to Charlotte. "Wipe your sweat, girl. The abilities of 'favored ones' are not fixed. They are favored by mysterious beings and establish an initial connection through innate affinity. Extraordinary individuals who embark on this path will have different development directions depending on the favor they receive."

"Fortunately, the beings you are observing are not those inherently evil and wicked. Our division does indeed need extraordinary beings of the observation class."

Having said all that, Charlotte now understood why Ms. Z had hesitated when describing this approach.

Not only abilities, but even the ascension ceremony is influenced by an unknown entity. If it is favored by a purely benevolent goddess, then all is well; but if the opposite is true, then perhaps...

"When you first become an extraordinary being, try not to overuse your abilities, as it will put a great burden on your mental body, which will manifest as symptoms such as twitching between your eyebrows and stabbing in your head."

"I will submit your application for formal membership to the church. It won't be long. There's nothing urgent to do today, so go and get some rest, young lady."

As soon as she finished speaking, the wooden door was pushed open by the young red-haired girl, who skipped and hopped to Charlotte's side.

"Congratulations, Charlotte! This way, we can share the workload and both have more time to rest!"

Pedeline's temperament has always been like this: lively and unpretentious. However, as Charlotte drew closer, she felt as fine, spider-like strings appear on her fingertips.

She seems to be able to influence people who are close to her but not too powerful.

If that's the case, then—

Recalling the previous events, her gaze slowly rose, and three or four spider silks of different colors extended from her fingertips.

Aside from the puppet she had created, she vaguely saw her own little sparrow after extending her senses.

From Winnie, who lived nearby, to Melina, who was in the middle, and then to Sofby, who lived far away in Florence...

Ah, what a pleasant surprise!

Chapter 140 Loss of Voice, Unease

The cool breeze in the early morning is always neither dry nor hot, carrying a hint of misty moisture.

Yesterday was over, and she and the Conch Girl had spent a good amount of money at the shop on the street.

Removing the plain white hairpin from her forehead, she still remembered how relaxed Pedeline looked after leaving the arbitration court. Even though they hadn't known each other for long, the girl regarded Charlotte as a friend who had shared joys and sorrows.

Whether it's joy or sorrow, there is something to share and something to care about.

"Today is your first day as an extraordinary person. It's not something to celebrate, but something to remember."

It was more like Pedeline was craving something and simply wanted to satisfy her cravings outside, so she used that as an excuse to drag her out for a big meal.

This simple hair clip was a gift she gave herself as a keepsake after a leisurely stroll, before parting ways.

"Charlotte, I hope we can both stay safe and sound, and have many more holidays like this!"

It was a smile as pure as a flower.

"Hehe, I'll be bothering you again, Charlotte. As a friend, don't refuse!"

Becoming extraordinary and possessing power is a good thing, but not a blessing, for those caught up in calamity. They will be corrupted and influenced throughout their lives, surrounded by evil spirits, trembling with fear, lest they harm their loved ones.

Leaving aside the indifference fostered by colleagues in the environment, Zelena, though gentle and considerate, has the face of an elder and cannot be treated with impartiality. Therefore, Pedeline naturally feels a fondness for her peer and spontaneously becomes familiar with her during their brief time together.

In a repressive environment and with many perilous missions, she needed to find a window, an open window, in her precarious life, where she could pour out her troubles and hear her unfulfilled grievances.

This was hardly a problem, and Charlotte didn't care much about the small expenses. Pedeline wasn't the type of girl who liked to take advantage of others; she was lively and cheerful, like a pistachio that had been peeled and swallowed. Knowing herself, she didn't want to refuse or make things difficult for anyone.

After all, it's meaningless.

Her slender fingers repeatedly opened and closed the hair clip. She had intended to discard it like trash, but when she actually did it, she felt a pang of reluctance.

Remembering how heartbroken the three little sparrows were when Watson passed away, Charlotte picked up the hair clip that had been tossed into the corner and put it into her suitcase.

Enough. What I need to focus on now is the changes that will occur after I become a 'favorite'.

Lost in thought, the delicate, spiderweb-like strings vibrate and tremble at will, as if silently plucking the strings of fate.

Feeling a sense of supreme control, as if sharpening its teeth, the mother spider, coiled in its web and waiting patiently, seemed to have its spiritual gleam in its eyes gently tugged at by its fingertips.

Even though it was minor, it still had a real impact.

According to Ms. Z, 'favored ones' are those who receive intimacy through extraordinary means and are favored by higher beings, thus possessing similar abilities. They are merely branching limbs, manipulated by the roots in a condescending manner.

However, she herself was the opposite. Compared to the former, her abilities were more like some kind of independent existence. She was not a favored mortal, but a part of a higher level, and perhaps even the source of this power.

Re-examining the remaining memories, the parts belonging to my mother are too hazy, as if they were the result of deliberate manipulation.

Unconsciously, his fingertips caressed the rim of the cup. Among the registered cases, similar situations all indicated that these were vessels specially cultivated by an evil god from beyond the world in order to descend.

Will she also be seen as a tool by those in power, something to be discarded at any time? Just like the puppet they currently control.

Recalling the unusual circumstances during the promotion, the state of mind unaffected by corruption, those oceans of spirituality, those waves of emotion, that joyful roar—if we assume this direction, then everything makes sense.

But why me?

Souls from other worlds possess greater knowledge and broader perspectives, and should therefore be more difficult to manipulate. Aren't ordinary people, born and raised in the land and bound by feudal doctrines, more easily tempted and led astray?

She still lacked the necessary information, and her understanding of the destination of the extraordinary path was still too superficial.

Everything has a cause and an effect; even selfless acts of charity will come at a huge price later.

Instead of hiding her arrogance at this moment, Charlotte slowly closed her eyes and once again entered that spiritual level of perception.

As her thoughts sank deeper, the fine, spiderweb-like strings reappeared, as if responding to her call, gradually reaching even more distant lands.

She saw Sophie; the red-haired girl had changed her appearance, standing with an ordinary figure in a small room, holding a paintbrush stained with paint, her brow slightly furrowed, as if contemplating where to place the next stroke. Her emotions were like a resilient flame, suppressed yet burning, carrying a hint of deeply buried expectation.

She saw Melina again, the girl she hadn't seen in so long, carrying luggage, boarding a train to Florence, gazing intently into the distance, silent. Her heart was like a calm lake, its surface undisturbed, but deep within lay a long-accumulated melancholy and sorrow.

She also saw Pederina sleeping peacefully in bed, Zelena writing a letter to a friend, and Eliza sitting in front of the dressing mirror, gently wiping the bloodstains from her face. Their emotions were like scattered clouds, sometimes bright, sometimes dark, weaving a complex spider web.

Those were people who, influenced by themselves, had more or less deviated from their original course of destiny. Their futures were different, but they had a connection, both overt and covert, because of Charlotte.

However, just as her consciousness was trying to touch upon it and make contact, a strong sense of repulsion arose in her mind, abruptly pushing her into a meditative state.

When I opened my eyes again, fine beads of sweat covered my forehead.

"Aren't the 'favored ones' of Sequence Nine enough?"

Regardless of whether it's the arbitrator or the monster, the spirituality of the "favored" category has dimmed considerably. What was said yesterday was also correct: after the main body advances, it can indeed perceive some of the threads of fate for simple observation and divination, but this is only a byproduct of its ability.

There were too many coincidences. Becoming a 'favorite' was her own choice. But fundamentally, she disrespected the gods, valued only herself, despised filth, and was unwilling to be personally involved. From beginning to end, she only had this one option.

Dispelling her unfounded fantasies, Charlotte walked slowly to the door. Through her previous senses, she had actually noticed the little sparrow's arrival, so it wasn't a deliberate attempt to ignore it.

Separated by a wall, a girl with brown hair and green eyes stood outside the door, her hand half-outstretched, red from the cold, hesitating whether or not to push open the door.

Her thin, petite figure shivered in the cold wind, yet hesitated due to fear in her heart.

She held up a newspaper wider than her face, covering her face like a squirrel peeking from a tree branch, as if in this way, passersby would not look at a strange person who had stayed at his house for so long but did not even dare to knock on the door with strange eyes.

It's Winnie.

Even with the change in her attire and the addition of the 'craftsman' armband on her chest, the newsboy cap given to her by Watson remained conspicuous, making her adorable little gestures even more endearing.

Fortunately, Charlotte was understanding and didn't want the person who cared about her to suffer from the cold wind.

Just as the girl finally made up her mind and reached out her hand, she opened the door, allowing the little sparrow, which had lost its balance and was leaning forward, to fall right into her arms.

"Woo!"

With a hurried exclamation, Winnie froze, pressing her legs tightly together and fidgeting nervously with her hands in front of her.

Her face flushed red, and she blurted out instinctively:

"Yes, I'm sorry, Miss Charlotte!"

Chapter 141 I Am Not a Good Man

Looking down at the little sparrow in her arms, so close that she could even glimpse Winnie's tightly closed eyelids and the slight twitching of her nostrils with each breath.

Small and cute seem to be descriptions made for it by nature.

"It's alright, Winnie."

Charlotte softened her voice and gently lifted Winnie's shoulder, intending for her to lean on her for support.

Only then did the girl open her eyes, her emerald eyes filled with panic and embarrassment. Her fingers were still tightly gripping the edge of the newspaper, her fingertips slightly white. She wanted to pull away and back, but was afraid of touching Charlotte's sensitive areas, so she could only nervously glance at the former.

“Miss Charlotte, I… have I disturbed you?” Winnie asked softly, noticing the woman’s formal attire, her voice trembling with apology.