Chapter 325
[Liuli, I don't ask for your forgiveness, and I admit my incorrigibility, and I'm completely unworthy to be called father by you, but if possible, after I die... take those paintings with you.]
The disaster made her already gloomy past even more complicated, and gave the text messages she could have ignored a complicated and entangled weight.
The girl stood in the gentle sunlight, her skirt billowing in the wind. Her heart was pounding with conflicting emotions, and she suddenly felt breathless, unsure of what to do.
Should we forgive him?
Should we believe it?
Should I go... to see him?
These thoughts mingled in my mind, overwhelmed by years of suppressed grievances, transforming into a magical force burning in my Sea of Consciousness, washing away the surging tides.
Astrid stood behind the curtains, watching the slender, Liuli figure behind her. Data flowed in her crimson eyes as she handed over the information to a certain [Lighthouse] before disappearing.
The Holy United States, a suburb of a remote city.
In the dark and deep sewers, a dripping sound could be heard. The place was covered with black cocoon silk, like the nest of a giant spider. One after another, the [Calamity Species] were displayed on the cocoon silk like jewels in a shop window.
As you venture deeper, the space seems to expand, with one incubation chamber after another stretching to the horizon. Each chamber contains corpses of unknown origin, all exhibiting varying degrees of distortion.
Some were humanoid, some were fleshy lumps like stacked eyeballs, some had multiple arms and legs, with proliferating bones, skulls full of pustules, and tentacles rooted to their eye sockets...
The black-robed cultists walked here silently, their movements subtly coordinated, like a swarm of ants guided by some will.
But even more terrifying than these outward manifestations is the deepest, dark vortex that swallows up the calamity and submerges all fluctuations into nothingness.
The black-robed cultist entered, offering the blood-stained, dull, and cloudy gemstone, a devout smile on his face, as he bowed and whispered:
"Offer the [Witch's ] heart to the messenger of the gods."
The words had barely left his mouth.
This gem, resembling a lantern, was swallowed by a dark vortex, traversed through layers of space, and, enveloped in shadow, arrived at the dome of Pocket Dimension, where it tumbled and fell like a tossed coin.
From its perspective, beneath the dome lies a labyrinth shrouded in gloom, boundless and immense, where dense calamity forms tides, its entire structure constructed of shadows, with Calamity Beasts of various postures prostrate before its center.
Splash, splash.
Countless chains surged like a tide, caused by a colossus engulfed in shadow, its original shell covered, its half-body linked to the entire shadow labyrinth. It was so enormous that it filled the entire field of vision of the dome, exuding an aura of death and a ferocious, alien presence. With each breath, it stirred up a storm of calamity that shook the labyrinth.
"Lord Tartarus, it's not time yet."
The man's face was concealed by a black robe. He sat beneath the giant god, using his scepter to part the tide of calamity, catching the Lantern Gem, and said softly:
"We need you to regain the power to overturn the world."
"Therefore, please be patient. That Dragon Witch, who is injured to the point of retirement, will be a better and more excellent source of nourishment than it."
Volume 1: 304. A Stormy Night, A New Disaster God, and a Resolved Awakening. (5K)
Cult of Disaster Gods.
This is the general term used by outsiders to refer to these believers.
Tartarus's breath, like ocean waves, permeates the entire shadowy labyrinth built upon the planet's surface. It draws upon the minute traces of calamity floating in the air through thousands of [doors] throughout the world, thus operating the Pocket Dimension.
For seventeen years, this giant has slumbered here.
The Archbishop stroked the scepter with nostalgia. He remembered that six years ago, Tartarus was still suppressed and regressed by [Pure White], forced to lie dormant in the depths of the dimension as a humiliating [Calamity Species], waiting for the Lord's favor in the shadow of only half a temple.
Fortunately, the brilliance that briefly veiled the supreme lord—[Chaos]—dimmed slightly at that moment, granting this insignificant mortal, as small as dust, the Lord's Blessing and the authority to wield the labyrinth of shadows.
He even gained power equal to that of Tartarus.
The Archbishop breathed deeply, feeling the pulse of his heart and blood, a darkness symbolizing grandeur and favor surging within, and the slow stirring of the authority of another Supreme Calamity Beast — Erebus.
Although the tiny human body could not bear this authority even with complete cataclysm, Erebus, through the Lord's grace, still resonated with it and bestowed upon it even greater power.
It was this authority, which also originated from the Disaster God and could be categorized as dark, shadowy, and hellish, that allowed him to control Tartarus and expand the Shadow Labyrinth to this extent over eleven years.
What's hateful is that the high wall that spans the world still stands, radiating its magnificent majesty across heaven and earth, forcing all believers who serve the gods to lie dormant.
Otherwise, the first few batches of [Witch] would not have survived the most vulnerable and easily suppressed stage.
But times have changed. The Divine Oracle from the Sacred Domain has reached every Archbishop, proclaiming that the darkest hour is over.
"Ragnarok is gone, [pure white] is about to pass away."
The shadow in the Archbishop's hand writhed, swallowing the dim, lifeless Lantern Gem. He chewed on the remnants of a soul, listened to the illusory wails, and saw the beautiful moments that person had experienced. He indulged in the pleasure of ravaging this happiness and let out a blissful laugh.
The man's body writhed until it lost its human form; he was like a mad beast hidden beneath a wide robe, gently caressing the giant at his feet, chanting obscure poetry out of control, with countless tentacles of shadow spreading and dancing wildly.
Inside the Shadow Labyrinth, all the Calamity Beasts of the same kind also participated in the feast.
Suddenly, the curtain on the dome was drawn back, and tens of thousands of cages fell from the sky, containing kidnapped men, women, and children, wild beasts from who-knows-where, failed experiments, and even [Calamity Species], Calamity Beasts, and believers who did not belong to any sect.
These chaotic creatures became the best prize, tearing through the swarms of shadows, as numerous as an ant colony, amidst wails and screams, revealing a poignant crimson, greedily devouring the resources, making the entire labyrinth appear slightly larger as if by sacrifice.
This frenzied, hysterical scene only came to an end when the Archbishop, still not satisfied, devoured the lantern completely.
The man, like an elegant gentleman, straightened his deformed organs and tentacles, collapsing back into human form. He looked up at the dome, where he could vaguely glimpse a pure white reflection, and murmured:
"The enemy of the gods, what a noisy radiance! Indeed, only chaos can bring peace."
"[Witch] are the best sacrifices; souls and blood are the nourishment for creating chaos. All of this is a gift from the Supreme Lord to the diligent."
"The Thirteen Sacred Domain will eventually return to the mortal realm, but only the eternal chaos of our Lord can forge a garden to embrace the believers. For this, more sacrifices are needed, more... [Witch]."
The Archbishop savored the taste of the Soul Stone, the darkness writhing in his hand, refining the remnants into a faint glow, and whispered:
"The ideal state, the beautiful pure land, has been unlocked by the shadows."
At the same time.
The undercurrents, like a labyrinth of shadows, are rising and falling. Compared to the [Calamity Species] incubation events that are still causing tragedies around the world, these unexploded landmines are far more terrifying.
Yesterday's widespread attacks have created a sense of unease among the people who have long lived in peace, a feeling that "a storm is brewing."
Videos of the Calamity Beasts have been circulating online worldwide.
However, based on the principle that prevention is better than cure, the Super AI that controls the virtual world -- Dream Weaver-- did not choose to delete everything.
Without revealing her privacy, Astrid preserved the scenes of Magical Girl fighting against the Calamity Beasts, while filtering out some overly bloody and cruel scenes that could easily cause panic, thus guiding public opinion away from unrestrained speculation and towards other aspects.
"6. The monster design and special effects are very realistic, and the plot is fast-paced and exciting, keeping you on the edge of your seat. It's just that the video is too short and blurry. Is this some kind of new kind of advertising?"
"A fantastic Magical Girl trailer, it's making my brain spin!???"
"I love it! Can my favorite Little Idol also participate in the collaboration? And could a director who makes Magical Girl films book their schedule in advance???"
"This is why I like Douyin. One second I'm immersed in pessimistic emotions about the mysteries of the universe, global warming, ocean pollution, and the end of the world, and the next second I've fallen into the animal instincts of the ecosystem and started licking Qing Bao's black-stockinged thighs???"
Some netizens, who had experienced the reality firsthand or were told the truth by friends and family, actively commented in the comments section, trying to ease their agitated emotions or simply to gain attention.
"Am I the only one who witnessed the monster's appearance? Magical Girl really exist; they are heroes who protect peace and safeguard the city!"
"Stop pretending, bro. I could also say that when I was 7 years old and believed in light, I helped Tiga defeat Gatanothor???"
"Honestly, anyone in China could go to these places and find out the truth. Exit 3 of Sea Capital Longjiang subway station, the Guomao Building in Zhaoyang District of Capital, and Hongcheng Street in Aksu City on the border—all have traces of monster destruction."
"Hilarious! Anyone can make up place names, but you can't actually internalize them, can you???"
"You can be a keyboard warrior online, but if you actually encounter that kind of monster in real life, all you can do is pray that Magical Girl can save you in time???"
Public opinion continued to ferment in this way.
Posts with titles such as "Exposing the Truth About the World" began to appear online.
Ninety-nine percent of them are marketing accounts and bloggers trying to ride the wave of trending topics. However, due to the manipulation of traffic, most of the trending topics are not allocated to them, but are instead diverted to posts that offer some useful information.
The account "[Magic Countermeasures Bureau]" went live as scheduled at 9 pm last night, selectively revealing the concepts of Calamity Beasts and Magical Girl, which once again ignited public opinion.
Around the world today, there are many people accusing governments of concealing the truth.
In some areas of the Holy United States, people organized a parade of thousands of people, claiming they wanted the Magical Girl to come forward and inform the public about the Calamity Beasts.
Furthermore, some radical environmental organizations have publicly questioned whether natural disasters are a key cause of global warming.
Although most victims don't have the time to surf the internet right now, the thousands of Calamity Beasts attacks are like a nail driven into the soil, creating a subtle atmosphere throughout society.
The actions of the Cult of Disaster Gods successfully propelled the exposure of Magical Girl, causing more and more people to harbor doubts and begin to ponder what changes had occurred in the world they knew so well.
However,
The calamities that gradually surge forth may not give people the time or inclination to find answers and adapt to the new world.
Austria.
The car's perfume was delicate, like iced milk tea on a summer night, with a refreshing coolness that diluted the sweetness. The pleasant sunlight, like slowly growing vines, climbed onto the bare skin of the thighs, seeped into the breath, and drowned out the nightmare.
"Liuli, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
The familiar voice seemed to travel slowly through the thick seawater, like a feather tickling the skin, gradually stirring up thoughts until a ray of white light fell, bringing consciousness to the surface.
Tang Liuli's eyelashes trembled as her senses returned. She felt sunlight dappling her eyelids, revealing red capillaries. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted by the warm, caring faces of her friends.
The girl was only dazed for a moment before her emerald green eyes regained their clarity. She revealed a restrained smile and said softly:
"No, I'm fine, it's just... I dreamt about some things from when I was a child."
She didn't know if it was because of the text message, but she inexplicably missed the story Ai Huasi had told her about her mother, who loved freedom, disliked constraints, wandered the world like a bird, and ended her journey by returning to Great Xia.
The reason given by Ai Huasi stirred up his deep longing for family ties.
Even knowing it was foolish, she couldn't help but wonder: if her mother had become like that due to being corrupted by evil spirits, should she, or even have the right, hate her?
The erosion of disaster is insidious and silent; it slowly strengthens the most important obsessions in people's hearts, like gnawing at the load-bearing pillars of a building, distorting originally beautiful wishes and turning people into wicked demons who are oblivious to their own existence.
If that's the case, isn't that unhealthy obsession—the belief that she's doing it for her own good—an ironic indication of just how deep her mother's love for her truly is?
Even the act of sacrificing oneself to mold her into a perfect work of art can be understood as a distorted and atrocious act of maternal love amplified to an infinite degree.
Chu Yuanqing glanced at Liuli, who was now lost in thought again, her golden eyes gleaming. She sighed inwardly, smoothed Liuli's hair with her fingertips, and softly said:
"Okay, it's good that you're alright. You need to get plenty of rest. Even if you're Magical Girl, you haven't [Lighting Up] yet."
Chu Wangshu could tell that Liuli had something on her mind, but she didn't ask. Instead, she suppressed her worry and advised her:
"Xiao Qing is right, Liuli shouldn't be secretly playing PS5 at night and staying up late, right?"
Inside the car, the Little Idol were all showing their care for the Green Eyed Cat in their own ways.
Tang Liuli didn't confide her troubles. When she wasn't lost in thought, her acting was excellent, and she appeared as usual, quickly restoring the atmosphere in the car to normal.
However, beneath the surface, the knot in her heart remained untied.
Tang Liuli understood that as long as she asked Dreamweave, she would know whether this was the truth.
But she lingered, hesitated, and felt lost, as if trapped in a labyrinth of the past, afraid to know the answer.
This is only natural.
It took her so many years to accept the cruel reality that her parents were both mentally ill and scumbags. She transformed from a sunny, happy child who often smiled into this gloomy, lonely, decadent, and sluggish person.
Flash Dance, idols, fans, Chu Yuanqing, memories of a "parallel world"...
It was this incredible stroke of luck that spurred her to pick herself up, let go of the past, and seize the small spark of courage she had been given, preparing to face the unknown future with even greater strength.
So, that's enough. She's already accepted the unhappiness that has permeated her childhood, so why actively reopen old wounds and touch upon truths that may or may not even exist?
No matter how many reasons there are,
Tang Liuli couldn't deceive herself, nor could she deceive the silent, burning magic within the [Cocoon of the Heart]. She gazed at the Moon Wing that had melted into her Sea of Consciousness, transforming into an emerald gem, and whispered in her heart:
"How cowardly, so cowardly, like another version of myself."
The solution to this problem is simple: be honest about it, talk to everyone, and you'll find the answer. You'll find peace in the warmth and help of others.
But that would be too despicable. It is precisely because they are all reliable people that she is unwilling to cower in the protective shell provided by them.
Tang Liuli recalls herself in a "parallel world".
She was a coward who feared disaster and danger and always wanted to run away. She was timid and weak, and could not regain her courage without experiencing countless losses. She was hopelessly dull-witted.
Heaven will not show you mercy a second time.