Nothing More Than a Puppet

"So beautiful."

Watching Weijia's departing figure, Angela sighed in admiration as if in a dream.

"Revenge, jealousy, twisted hatred and cruelty—how beautiful it is! This is precisely what I love about humanity. They are capable of cruelty far beyond our imagination. It's like when you think smashing a baby's head with a hammer is cruel enough, they'll tell you they can also trample it with a horse's hooves... I love this endless surprise."

"Human cruelty is the very basis upon which they stand here."

Li Lin gently gazed at the cover of the Eternal Library, his expression solemn.

"Only a race that is cruel to itself has the potential to rule the world."

"That can be considered a kind of truth, can it?"

Angela smiled easily and with a smug look.

"Well then, Master, shouldn't we go back to the car too? If we're gone for too long, the avatar that Sister Nia prepared for us will become ineffective."

I hope everything goes well.

Li Lin shook his head and looked ahead, but Weijia's figure had already disappeared. She was no longer the innocent girl she was when she first entered the forest. Under the care of Li Lin and Angela, Weijia had long since transformed into a venomous devil, waiting to inflict the most painful, terrifying, and unforgettable harm on her target.

"Weijia, you're finally back."

Seeing her beloved friend emerge from the woods, Lika smiled with relief.

"Are you alright? Why did you take so long?"

"It's nothing... Damn it, we've searched for so long and still haven't found them. I have no idea where they went..."

Facing Lika, Weijia frowned and complained helplessly. Lika shook her head with a wry smile and reached out to run her hand through Weijia's hair.

"Don't be angry anymore. I just talked to Mana, and their behavior was indeed very rude. When we get back, we'll definitely teach them a lesson."

"Real?!"

Weijia jumped up with joy and hugged Lika.

"That's great, Lika! I knew it! You're not the kind of bad woman who would abandon her friends just because you have a brother!"

What are you talking about...?

Looking at the girl who was hugging her, Lika blushed slightly. She quickly lowered her head and said nothing, only gently stroking Weijia's hair.

"Alright, alright, when we get back, I'll prepare the most delicious desserts for you. Don't you love sweets the most? This time, I'll let you eat your fill."

"Really? That's great!! You really are my best friend! Lika, I love you the most!!"

The carriage was filled with cheerful laughter and chatter, while Li Lin stood there for a moment, stunned, before shaking his head helplessly.

"Women... they're just so incomprehensible."

He sighed deeply.

"Just a moment ago she was gritting her teeth, wanting revenge, but now, turning around in front of the person she hates most, she can actually put on this act..."

"You can't underestimate a woman, Master."

Angela wore a rather smug expression.

"This is a gift of being a woman."

"Looks like I'll have to be more careful with you from now on."

Li Lin jokingly tapped Angela on the head lightly and said.

"So that one day you'll call me affectionately on the surface, but secretly you'll kill me."

"How could such a thing possibly happen?"

Angela pouted and stood up, looking at Li Lin with dissatisfaction.

"Master, you should know very well that I have never kept anything from you. Whatever you want to know, I will not hide anything from you."

"I'll accept this as a promise; it might come in handy someday."

Li Lin made a half-joking gesture, then let Angela back into his arms like a kitten. Although he had just witnessed a terrifying example of a woman, Li Lin himself didn't actually intend to avoid women as he claimed. He wasn't the kind of naive newbie who would be afraid of anything after a single experience. Arcane Mage were not to be trifled with; if they were so easily fooled by women, they would probably have become those goddesses' henchmen long ago.

After that, Nia quietly removed the spell that had been imprinting on the sisters, and the two noblemen no longer pursued them as persistently as before. This relieved the sisters, but they were also somewhat disappointed. The time bomb had been planted; it was just a matter of when it would explode.

After that, both sides finally returned to their tacit understanding. When the shadow of Blackwater City appeared on the horizon, both the fat merchant and the black-clad swordsman breathed a sigh of relief. Once they entered Blackwater City, their anxious days could be temporarily put aside. After all, along the way, they were either worried about Li Lin clashing with the nobles or that the nobles would be foolish enough to provoke Li Lin. Now that they had finally reached their destination, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

As a city in the Northlands comparable to the City of a Thousand Towers, Blackwater City naturally possesses its own unique characteristics. Located between two rivers and a lake, Blackwater City appears to be a completely water-based city, similar to Venice, the water city Li Lin had seen on Earth, but even more extravagant. Blackwater City is entirely a water city; a moat tens of meters wide isolates it from the outside world, and apart from five stone bridges, no one can enter the city through these. Inside the city, Blackwater City's towering castle stands in the center of the lake within a lake, connected to the common people, commercial areas, and noble districts by only three bridges. Legend has it that the current site of Blackwater City was originally a swamp, which gradually transformed into its current form. Of course, Blackwater City's geographical location is also very special. It not only serves as a fortress for the Northern Kingdom but also as a highly accessible port city. From here, one can travel downstream to western countries or sail south. Water has become Blackwater City's most distinctive feature and its very symbol.

Of course, in a sense, the City of a Thousand Towers and Blackwater City share similar characteristics; both are products of humankind's conquest of nature. To survive in the frigid winds of the North, people hollowed out a mountain and built a city. To create a magnificent city, they transformed the originally dangerous swamps, teeming with poisonous creatures, into a beautiful wonder that even bards marveled at.

However, there is a crucial difference between the two: City of a Thousand Towers still exists as an independent city, while Blackwater City is part of the Five-Nation Alliance. This independence is also the reason why City of a Thousand Towers can subtly overshadow Blackwater City.

Upon entering Blackwater City, the portly merchant immediately headed to the Merchant Guild to conduct his business. After all, for a merchant, time is money. He had promised to wait for Li Lin in Blackwater City until he finished his business, and also to look for some rare and unusual items. Then he hurried off to the Merchant Guild. The nobles were quickly sent home by the black-clad swordsman. When Li Lin and his party stepped off the carriage, the black-clad swordsman was already waiting for them, a wry smile on his face.

"My lord, my master wishes to see you immediately."

Although he tried to make his tone sound somewhat relaxed, Li Lin still noticed the unease in the black-clad swordsman.

Clearly, something has gone wrong.

"Mina, Fina."

Thinking of this, Li Lin immediately turned around and spoke.

"Go find a hotel to stay in and prepare for the rest of your trip."

"Yes, Master."

Mina nodded slightly, then pulled Fina aside and quickly left.

It seems there are advantages to having a follower.

The thought flashed through Li Lin's mind for a moment, then he changed his expression and looked seriously at the black-clad swordsman in front of him.

"What happened, Mr. Dick? You don't look too well."

"Yes, Mr. Li Lin."

The black-clad swordsman's expression finally revealed his unease, exhaustion, and sorrow.

"My master has fallen completely."

It turned out that Grand Duke Moore had felt unwell two days prior, and he suspected it might be due to the strange stone inside his body. However, Grand Duke Moore was powerless to do anything about it; he could only pretend nothing was wrong and continue his inspection tour. This was not only out of a man's pride, preventing him from showing weakness in front of his wife, but also a political maneuver. If he showed any problems at this moment, it could give other countries an opportunity to exploit the situation. Negotiations with the southern nation of Kudel on the border had reached a stalemate, and if problems arose on his side at this juncture, it would definitely not be beneficial to the negotiations.

However, willpower can never overcome the body, and on the second night, the Grand Duke finally collapsed. Fortunately, only his wife was present, so the matter was not yet leaked. But then, the Grand Duke's conscious periods became shorter and shorter, while his periods of deep sleep became longer and longer. If this continued, he might fall into a permanent slumber... The Grand Duchess naturally anticipated this situation, so she was extremely anxious. Therefore, when she learned that Dick had found the scholar "familiar with the Caseli Magic Core," she immediately invited him to treat the Grand Duke in his name.

Since that was the purpose of their visit, Li Lin naturally wouldn't refuse. Soon, led by the black-clad swordsman, they embarked on the road to Blackwater Castle.

"Owner."

Angela followed beside Li Lin and asked in a low voice.

What are you planning to do?

"Just as I discussed with you."

With the aid of magic, Li Lin could easily bypass the black-clad swordsmen and communicate with the two. He gazed at the castle gate before him, which resembled a ferocious beast, and revealed a cruel, cold smile.

"We just need a doll."