Isabel's Battle

Isabel, in her Yulia form, sat obediently and quietly in the carriage, opposite her was a beautiful woman with long, platinum-gold curly hair.

This carriage was neither the one that had come to help the other party, nor was it the kind of open-top carriage commonly seen on the roadside.

This is the carriage of a knightly or merchant family, decorated with fruit and exquisite ornaments. The soft cushions beneath make the carriage ride less of a hassle.

It was something the woman had casually stopped on the roadside.

In just one encounter, the other party was completely under control.

Without asking her what she wanted to do, the other person smoothly and naturally got off their carriage and handed it over to her. When the people in the carriage said goodbye to her warmly and left, they didn't sense anything was wrong at all, and didn't even glance at Yulia once.

Once Yulia got into the carriage, the curtains were drawn. Therefore, it was impossible to see Yulia from the outside.

In the dimly lit space, a pinkish halo shimmered in the woman's pupils. Within the confined space, that sweet aura grew even stronger.

Isabel clearly felt her consciousness gradually fading. Soon she would fall back into that bewitched state.

—That's absolutely unacceptable.

Such a thought popped into Isabel's mind.

Although she didn't know who this woman was, it was clear that she was there to cause trouble for Yulia.

Even Bishop Mathers was silently controlled by her, so she must be Fifth Level superhuman.

Therefore, this person is most likely Countess Emma from the planet Antimony.

If one's true identity is revealed at such a time, it might indeed stop the other party's criminal activities... but more likely it will lead to deeper trouble.

Whether it's being completely controlled and turned into a puppet; or being manipulated to harm Iver and Yulia, ruining her relationships; or even being attacked or assassinated to silence her... even just erasing her memories and taking her to find the real Yulia, is something Isabel absolutely cannot accept.

... Yesterday, after drinking too much, Iver hugged himself, calling for his mother and sobbing. He was also talking nonsense that sounded like he was in his sleep.

That was the first time Isabel realized that the seemingly omniscient and omnipotent Iver had such vulnerable moments; it was only then that she deeply realized that she could never regard Iver as her god, and that Iver was by no means her savior.

He was only human, with his own loves, hates, and pains. Although he always wore a relaxed and confident smile, he silently accumulated the pressure in his heart.

Isabel must not leave all the responsibility and pressure to Iver.

Iver saved her, and she will protect everything Iver values.

—That's fair! If she can't even protect an innocent little girl like Yulia, how can she confidently and openly declare to the people that she will protect Avalon? So, before losing consciousness again, Isabel began to plan how to wake herself up.

Isabel instinctively realized that Countess Emma's method of manipulating minds was that fragrance. It wasn't meant to turn her into a puppet, but rather to dissolve hostility and generate immense goodwill, as if she were becoming a close friend she had known for decades.

But when the other person calls her by the wrong name, she will be brought back to her senses for a moment. If the other person does not continue to control her after that, she will be able to break free from their control.

Therefore, Isabel needs to make the other person say the name "Yulia" after leaving the carriage.

To make such a plan, one must take some risks.

—That is, her battle.

Having clarified her purpose and risks, Isabel looked up, relaxed, and opened the carriage curtains to gaze out the window. Her action surprised Emma, but Emma made no move. She simply watched Isabel with interest, wondering what she intended to do.

Where... are we going?

She adopted Yulia's soft, timid voice, which wasn't difficult for Isabel to portray... she could simply imitate her past self.

A hint of resistance and fear flickered in her eyes as she gently pursed her lips.

Are you scared?

Emma asked gently, reaching out and softly taking Yulia's hand.

She gently stroked "Yulia's" hand and asked casually, "Can you tell me what you think?"

Isabel felt a strong wave of dizziness rising from the depths of her heart. It was like taking a hot bath and snuggling into a warm bed after a hard and tiring day of studying. It felt as if she would fall asleep the moment she relaxed.

She closed her eyes slightly to balance the imbalance in her heart and resist the relaxation that came with it, while making a recalling expression. "My brother told me... Lloyd District is dangerous, and he doesn't let me wander around..."

"It's alright," Emma chuckled gently, reaching out to hug "Yulia" and pressing her forehead against Yulia's, speaking in a soft, soothing tone, "Your sister will protect you."

Isabel dared not exert the slightest force, much less show the slightest resistance.

Her mind kept replaying Iver's face, and she tried to distract herself by recalling every word he had said, attempting to reduce the overwhelming, unnatural intimacy.

At the same time, Isabel opened her eyes, looked at Emma with a curious gaze, and asked casually, "If we go to Lloyd District's, are we going abroad for a trip?"

"We will later. But this time, I'll take you to familiarize yourself with the route first."

Emma chuckled and explained earnestly, "I have things to do these next couple of days, so I can't take you with me like this. First, memorize how to get to the Lloyd's Building... Then, when your brother goes to the Round Table Hall Conference the day after tomorrow, you can sneak out. Got it?"

She's a little hesitant to deal with Iver these days.

Although Iver was only a weak Third Level being, the inexplicable special situation last time made her wary.

As a succubus, Emma's personality naturally leans towards caution. If possible, she would prefer to avoid fighting altogether—not because she's bad at combat, but because she dislikes it.

She had already dealt with Iver before, which in a sense revealed her abilities and some of her purposes. Now she had to stay here for a few more days. If she killed Yulia and took her heart now, her corpse would easily expose her.

It would be troublesome if a fight really broke out on Glass Island.

Moreover, one heart might not be enough—opening the seal might require more blood than just a heart. Carrying a living person and repeatedly treating them would ensure a sufficient blood supply, which is definitely much better than just carrying a heart.

So although her "father" had said that if all else failed, just taking the heart would be fine, she didn't want to disappoint him... If possible, it would be best to take Yulia away directly.

Moreover, having a hostage makes things safer.

By the time the enemy discovers Yulia's disappearance, she will have already arrived on Star Antimony. While they stall for time and pass the buck with Avalon, they can then take the opportunity to sacrifice her.

That's why Emma needs to let Yulia "come to her on her own" at the right time.

At a time when the Eye of Avalon is definitely not functioning, at a time when Iver definitely too busy. Don't alert anyone... only she can do this herself.

But now, she was just taking Yulia out for fun, and after a quick stroll, she took her back.

If she were caught by the Eye of Avalon now, she could easily explain herself, since she really hadn't done anything.

In fact, she had already implanted her own psychological suggestion into "Yulia's " mind.

When the time comes for "your brother to attend the Round Table Hall Conference the day after tomorrow," the suggestion planted in her heart will erupt. At that time, she will walk over directly with her own willpower.

"I've got it."

The moment she was "suggested" to actively intervene, Isabel's mental wall was completely melted away.

She nodded seriously and answered from the bottom of her heart.

The last image that remained in her mind was that of Iver hugging her and calling her "Mom" last night.

She nestled into Emma's arms, arching her back like Little Cat and gently nuzzling her head against Emma's soft chest, making a sweet, soft voice. "Mmm~ Can I call you Mommy?"

"Of course, good boy..."

Emma smiled gently and tidied Isabel's messy hair, "Yulia, you can call me whatever you want."

Upon hearing those words, a strong sense of disgust welled up within Isabel.

It's like when your lover is sweetly embracing you, but then they blurt out another woman's name—the filter of love that's about to shatter instantly.

As she felt a strong sense of disorientation, Isabel's pupils contracted again.

The rationality that had been almost out of control due to being immersed in "love" instantly returned.

This time, Isabel didn't last long before she quickly succumbed to drowsiness again.

It's like being in class, so sleepy you can barely keep your eyes open and your head is nodding off. But you still try to stay awake and rational. And just as you're nodding, you suddenly wake up for a moment—not from a drowsy state, but from being awakened again after falling asleep.

That is why she was able to maintain a brief period of consciousness.

... At least it has been verified that this method does work.

Isabel confirmed that this control was not permanent. Therefore, she felt slightly relieved and quickly began to think.

However, Yulia, by her character design, is a girl of few words. She can't keep the other person chatting indefinitely; that would only arouse suspicion. Therefore, she must now enter a state of being controlled to conserve her energy...

Suppressing her fear and resistance to the unknown, Isabel willingly immersed herself in a state of being controlled.

When Isabel lifted her head from Emma's arms, a radiant, contented smile graced her face, and she fell silent once more.

After all, Moriarty Manor was located in the White Queen District, Emma cautiously considered the possibility that someone in the vicinity of Yulia's house might recognize her. So she kept the curtains drawn, hoping that no one who knew "Yulia" would see her.

Emma finally drew back the curtains after the carriage had passed through the Red Queen District and White Queen District districts and officially entered Lloyd District.

Because she needed to help "Yulia" find her way, she had to open the curtains. However, obviously no one in the slums would recognize Yulia... After they walked around the area, they could take Yulia home.

A thin layer of White Mist hung in the air outside the window. The distant sounds of ship horns from the harbor mingled with the cries of vendors.

Yulia peered out the carriage window, carefully memorizing the route they had taken.

Just then, Isabel suddenly saw a girl carrying a basket of wildflowers flash past the window.

The girl was filthy. Even in winter, she was still thinly dressed and shivering in the cold wind.

Even her lips were bluish-purple, which worried Isabel greatly.

She couldn't resist opening the window and peering back.