Chapter 59

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Chapter 59: The Deep Sea

After Lin Lin suggested reviving the City Lord’s daughter, she received strong support from Sharon.

Anyway, the City Lord had already gathered the materials that needed a lot of effort to collect, and he even collected a bit more to prevent any failures during the summoning. The site and drawing of the formation, which were really challenging for the City Lord, were not difficult for Sharon.

Sharon not only wanted to support Lin Lin, but she also wanted to praise her, "You look especially daring, powerful, and extremely handsome today!"

Yes! Is that true? Lin Lin, who was already overflowing with confidence today, became even more confident.

No way, no way! She can’t be a genius, can she? The world can’t go on without her, can it?

Arthur looked up at Lin Lin, who was standing tall and straight, but he quietly turned his gaze away.

At first, I thought going to the top floor of the library would be quite difficult, especially since Sharon couldn’t use her brother Norman’s card this time. Who’s card becomes valid years later?

But when Lin Lin told the young man at the front desk that they were going to the top floor, he pulled a card from his drawer and casually gave it to her, "I know you, you’re from the City Lord’s family. You can go up by yourselves, just come back to me when you need a cart to move books."

Clearly, the City Lord had moved books from the library to his home over and over again, and this young man seemed tired and indifferent about it.

They reached the top floor smoothly; the magic on the card activated the door, and it swung open by itself.

A little dust rose up, and Lin Lin, standing in front, covered her nose and coughed a couple of times.

At that moment, the room was not as detailed as it would be later; most of the books were gone, and the empty shelves leaned against the wall.

Lin Lin looked out at the bright sunshine, and a giant humpback whale flashed through her mind.

Lin Lin calmed down, and the floating feelings in her heart slowly faded away.

They were trying a dangerous spell.

Even knowing that everything here was a fantasy, Lin Lin still hesitated before attempting the spell. So, how was the City Lord, who was supposed to protect this city, feeling while casting this selfish magic?

Unlike Lin Lin, Sharon was lost in the excitement of the new spell. She had never used this kind of magic before and didn’t know if she could be successful.

"These things are never in the textbooks," Sharon said as she began to sort through the items they brought, preparing according to the instructions and the successful template from the City Lord’s memories.

"It would be a hassle if they taught these things in textbooks," Lin Lin replied lazily.

Lin Lin picked up the statue carefully placed in the basket; it was that strange deity. But unlike her previous impression, this statue had carved facial features.

The technique was quite blurry, but one could see that it had closed eyes.

"Is this statue different from what I remember?" Lin Lin asked Sharon.

At that time, Lin Lin was responsible for sneaking into Roslyn’s room to steal a doll, while Sharon went to the City Lord’s room.

"Let’s just make do," Sharon said nonchalantly, "there’s only this one statue; I searched for most of the day."

"Alright," since a professional said so, Lin Lin kept her thoughts to herself and shifted her attention to the little girls’ dolls.

She had never been in Roslyn’s room before, and once inside, she discovered… it was filled with dolls and various hair accessories.

But when she went out, she dressed simply and didn’t seem very interested in dressing up; in contrast, she seemed much more interested in adventures at sea.

Lin Lin took a small doll that was the same as the one in the City Lord’s magical circle. The doll had golden bangs with a pink star hairpin in it. Lin Lin remembered that the City Lord’s doll didn’t have that hairpin, so she casually took it off and put it in her pocket before placing the doll in the circle.

The statue sat high up, candles lit on both sides, the ground painted with the magical circle, and offerings placed in the middle.

As soon as Sharon finished drawing the last line of the circle, Lin Lin felt the temperature around them drop.

The candlelight flickered, and the sky grew a little darker too.

Sharon stood inside the circle, chanting a spell. The complicated words flowed slowly from her mouth, and she truly looked like a powerful wizard on her own.

Without any wind, the flames by the stone statues went out by themselves.

"Do we really have to wait for the City Lord to say this?" Lin Lin lit the candle on one side of the statue with a match. "What makes him the chosen one?"

Even though the atmosphere was strange, Lin Lin still wanted to complain.

Lin Lin went to light the other candle, the tiny flame getting close to the extinguished wick.

"Wait!" Lin Lin heard Sharon’s urgent voice behind her.

The burning flame touched the candle, and it was lit.

Lin Lin suddenly remembered that they entered this space from the real world just by lighting a candle.

The candle was the last step.

Because Lin Lin stood in front of the little table with the statue, her body blocked the view of the statue, so only she could see it clearly.

The statue with closed eyes opened its eyes.

Lin Lin looked into its eyes.

The statue gazed at her calmly, as if it were looking at mountains, rivers, grass, and trees.

Pain.

It felt like countless pieces of information flowed into her brain through her eyes; it was different from the usual feeling of being hurt, more like her brain couldn’t handle the overwhelming information.

Her body felt like a balloon being inflated, and all her senses became dull.

Lin Lin felt a sense of falling and a faint feeling of being embraced by Arthur, along with Sharon’s anxious voice.

[I am okay.]

Lin Lin tried to open her mouth, wanting to say those words.

She failed.

Lin Lin’s awareness fell into darkness.

–

The sound of dripping water.

A damp breath.

Lin Lin woke up in the dim light, her fingers moved, and she felt no pain.

She was soaking in shallow water.

Lin Lin got up from the ground and saw her own face reflected in the water.

It was not a woman’s face, but a young, broader, and more serious man’s face.

She transformed into the appearance of the City Lord.

Lin Lin realized that their plan had succeeded.

According to the information revealed by Bulwo, at the same moment, there can only be one person.

So, when the City Lord traveled back in time, he remained the only City Lord in this space.

Now that they activated the resurrection circle for the City Lord’s daughter, it would surely create a crack in this world.

If the space believes that the person activating the circle is the City Lord, then two City Lords appear at the same time, causing a crack.

If the space does not consider the person activating the circle as the City Lord, then Lin Lin has changed the significant matter of "the City Lord activating the circle," leading to a crack.

Events that have already happened in memory cannot be changed; even the City Lord who created all this could not stop the death of his own daughter.

In this world, after Lin Lin was recognized as the City Lord, the memories that belonged to the City Lord began to flow into her mind.

The sound of dripping water did not stop. Lin Lin looked up and saw various fragments of memories floating in the air.

Memories also have levels; at the very bottom, easy for Lin Lin to touch, were many work-related memories, recording the busy life of the City Lord day after day.

In the middle, there were moments of joy from life, glowing softly with a purple light.

Lin Lin tried to jump a little; she already had experience in the watery world and slowly swam upward, toward the brightest place above.

Among the golden fragments, Lin Lin saw the figure of Roslyn.

She reached out to touch it.

*

"Congratulations, City Lord! What a very cute young lady!"

The sound entered her ears.

The maid, holding the tiny baby, smiled at her. Lin Lin realized she was still playing the role of the City Lord.

Lin Lin looked around in some confusion, noticing the gaze had landed on the tightly wrapped, wrinkled little face.

"How wonderful, the child takes after her mother. She didn’t inherit my looks." A low voice emerged in Lin Lin’s mind, and she realized it was the City Lord’s thought at that time.

I must say, you really have a good sense of self-awareness. Lin Lin gave him a thumbs-up.

Without needing to think too much, Lin Lin’s body moved automatically to the large bed beside her, where a woman leaned against the headboard, looking gentle yet tired.

The City Lord’s fingers gently brushed the woman’s hair away from her forehead. "Have you thought of a name for her?"

The woman looked not just weak after giving birth; she was frighteningly thin. Lin Lin guessed she must have had a physical illness.

After being touched so gently, the woman slightly lowered her head, appearing a bit shy. Then she looked at the baby the maid was holding. "Roslyn. The blend of roses and lakes, she will become a beautiful and strong woman."

"Alright, my little Roslyn," the City Lord reached out and took the quiet baby from the maid’s hands, "let’s go see your mother."

As if sensing something, the silent baby broke into a smile.

*

In winter, snowflakes danced in the air.

Little Roslyn had become a girl who could stomp through the snow on the ground, and in contrast to her cheerful spirit, the City Lord’s footsteps were clearly heavier and more serious.

Lin Lin noticed that the City Lord’s mood became very heavy and gloomy, completely different from the previous memory.

"Roslyn!" the City Lord spoke, "What happened to your head?"

The little girl, wrapped in thick clothes, had all sorts of hair clips in her hair, and the colors of the flowers were very bright.

Obviously, by this time, Roslyn was quite eloquent; she looked clever and even a bit feisty, "You didn’t say it was not allowed when we left."

The City Lord became silent and looked away.

The father and daughter walked across a small patch of snow and came to the frozen lake, where not far away stood a simple tombstone.

They silently offered flowers to the tombstone.

They were quiet for a little while.

Suddenly, the City Lord heard Roslyn’s voice.

She pointed to her mother’s tombstone and said, "I don’t know her yet."

It was just a child’s innocent remark; she could even look up with a clear gaze at the City Lord.

A great pain and sorrow flooded his heart, along with anger.

The City Lord looked down, serious as he spoke to his daughter, "Your mother wanted you to be a strong person."

People can control their emotions around strangers and hide their brilliance, but they are brutally honest with their family.

"Not like someone as flashy as you."

Lin Lin saw the small body tremble slightly. Just for a brief moment, Lin Lin’s gaze followed the City Lord as he looked up at the sky.

His body seemed to lose all happiness because of that tombstone.

*

"Miss, she looks too plain," the maid worriedly told the City Lord, "Girls her age should like to dress up more."

The City Lord said, "Isn’t that good? Simplicity is a valuable quality."

He was busy looking through documents and had little energy to focus on Roslyn.

The City Lord had many servants brought in to take care of Roslyn, and she still looked lively, which was enough.

When night came.

Roslyn entered his study.

"Father," at that moment Roslyn looked a little scared of him, "I want to go and play on the ship; they say it is very fun on the ship."

[That is too dangerous.]Lin Lin again heard the City Lord’s thoughts.

"No." The City Lord’s answer was very firm, "You are still too young."

As if she already knew he would not agree, Roslyn, feeling disappointed yet a bit hopeful, asked, "Then when can I go on the ship?"

"Wait until you are a bit older," the City Lord did not give a clear time.

Roslyn could already understand the meaning behind these words.

"Okay." The girl replied.

*

Elegance is a valuable quality.

After Roslyn nearly drowned, the City Lord held onto the elegant white little leather shoe that had been washed back to the shore by the waves, feeling deep sadness.

This scene was something Lin Lin had seen in the world of memories.

Lin Lin found it hard to judge how well others did, but sadly, when the young City Lord was serious and stern, as he grew older, he learned to be kinder. He became more forgiving toward Sharon, who had golden twin ponytails like Roslyn.

This kindness did not reach the person he should have treated gently.

In the City Lord’s memories, Lin Lin saw Bulwo from that time.

The orca looked much the same as now, dressed in a suit, but his first impression was not very good; after only saying a couple of grandiose lines like "I can help you make wishes come true," he was interrupted by the City Lord.

"You are a demon! You are the servant of the dark god!" the City Lord scolded harshly.

"Uh, to be exact, I was a servant of the God of Darkness," Bulwo carefully corrected him, "You shouldn’t casually use the name of my former leader, it doesn’t sound good for my future job."

"Everything you say is a lie," the City Lord did not want to get too entangled with him, "You better leave before others come here, or I will pray to the God of Light to judge you."

Unlike the City Lord’s tension, Bulwo appeared quite relaxed, "Well, not just the God of Light, you must have prayed to many gods already, right?"

The City Lord remained silent.

Lin Lin knew Bulwo was right; the City Lord had indeed worshipped many gods.

Bulwo smiled, "I will tell you one thing, I have a way to bring your daughter back to life."

The City Lord fell silent, but Lin Lin felt his hesitation.

"You are a liar," the City Lord slowly spoke.

He seemed to be trying to convince himself as he stared into Bulwo’s deep blue eyes, "Those who make deals with devils end up poorly."

"That’s right!" Bulwo snapped his fingers, "I need to collect your soul after you die."

This seemed like an acceptable price. The City Lord’s uncertainty was more apparent.

Bulwo moved closer to the City Lord.

Because Lin Lin shared the City Lord’s senses, Lin Lin could feel the cold, piercing gaze from the other side, "For your so-called family, you can’t even pay this small price?"

No wonder he was good at tricking others. For a moment, Lin Lin even thought Bulwo felt the same emotion, which is why he could say such cutting words.

The City Lord said, "Let me think."

Lin Lin thought this meant he agreed.

The first concession was a preparation for the next concessions to come.

It was clear that Bulwo was serious about selling this deal. After the City Lord repeatedly asked if it would affect the city’s residents, Bulwo patiently told him, "It all depends on your choice."

"You are only giving up a little bit of fish life, but it’s best if you don’t let this disturb other places," Bulwo played with the City Lord’s trophy, which was mostly gifts of carved gratitude from the residents. "You wouldn’t want to give nothing at all and just bring your daughter back to life, would you?"

Compared to Bulwo’s relaxed calmness, the City Lord felt quite gloomy, "Our port’s biggest industry is fishing."

"Oh, how sad," Bulwo said without a hint of sympathy. "But everything has two sides."

The City Lord looked up and saw the shining eyes of the orca.

"When life energy is taken, it also comes with a small reward," Bulwo said. "Magic Liquid; their bodies turn into Magic Liquid and continue to cycle in this area. But once they leave this area, the Magic Liquid has no effect."

Bulwo said, "There is no deal better than this."

*

As Bulwo said, there is no deal better than this.

Setting aside the difficulties of the process, the outcome seems lovely.

At least in the space created by the City Lord, there really appeared a girl who looked exactly like his daughter.

But this girl seemed very slow and even a bit shy.

Also, she liked to stick close to him.

Roslyn never liked to stick close to anyone.

At first, the City Lord was lost in the joy of his daughter’s return, but soon he realized that he could not tell whose soul it was.

Was Roslyn’s soul really beating in this body that looked exactly like his daughter? Why did she seem so different from before?

But this girl called him father, this girl would slowly place her cold little hand in his palm, this girl would deliberately step in a straight line just for a little game.

She was a good girl, and the City Lord believed that there truly was a girl’s soul in this body, but she was not like his Roslyn.

Many times, the City Lord wanted to ask this girl, "Who are you really?"

But he could not speak.

Once he had a daughter, and she had a father. If he broke this fragile balance, they would become each other’s torment.

The City Lord had once observed the girl as she consumed souls.

Little fish need many souls gathered together to form a ball to swallow.

A giant fish can be full with just one soul, digesting it for several days.

The feeding scene was frightening for humans, but this was the monster he had summoned.

To nurture this monster, he sacrificed his future soul and the entire harbor’s industry.

The City Lord tried to love her, using the gentleness he had not shown Roslyn to guide and teach her, spending more time to raise her.

It must be acknowledged that this girl was very lovable.

Although she is a little slow, she has her own little thoughts. She likes shiny jewelry, learns things quickly, enjoys watching the sunrise and sunset, and loves life. She is also very caring.

She has always controlled her eating, as if she is afraid that eating too much would trouble the City Lord.

The City Lord couldn’t help but gently stroke her hair.

He is seriously raising this girl, but he can’t help thinking, where is my Roslyn? Is my Roslyn being treated patiently by someone in the world?

A feeling of betrayal.

A feeling of guilt.

A feeling of atonement.

With many emotions piling up together, the City Lord fears this girl who consumes souls. He feels relieved through the fatherly love he gives her, but he also feels guilty for betraying Roslyn.

More than once, the City Lord told himself that he should stay away from her.

She devours souls like that; she might be the "pocket" that the demon uses to collect souls, a bait played by the demon.

One day, she will eat all the souls here, and then he will have to search for new souls.

The City Lord reminded himself.

*

The real thunder came when he saw the jellyfish Orc in the space.

The jellyfish had forgotten the past; she simply looked kindly at the City Lord and greeted him.

The City Lord recognized her. She was the owner of the deep-sea inn, and maybe she was in a romantic relationship with the dwarf.

He was a manager who remembered every resident clearly; he had seen that jellyfish Orc just a few days ago.

This meant that this space was starting to consume new lives again.

When the spirit of this space was no longer enough, it began to consume new lives entering that designated sea area to replenish itself.

Even though the City Lord had ruled that fishermen could no longer work in their own waters, and even though he tried everything to keep people away from the deep sea, he could not stop a jellyfish from entering the water.

A pocket that, once opened, cannot be closed again brings a constant flow of living beings in the future.

The true cost that those demons did not mention when they signed the contract finally appeared.

He could no longer care for that girl; he had to isolate her.

*

Too much information filled Lin Lin’s mind, and it felt like her head would explode.

Everything felt relaxing after she entered the last piece of the puzzle.

This was the City Lord’s most precious piece, one that had surely been read many times, which is why it was placed at the very top.

It is a bright summer day.

Among the sea of flowers, Roslyn stands in front of her, holding a Polaroid camera and taking pictures all around.

The Polaroid camera is a birthday gift from the City Lord to Roslyn. She loves it, with a smile so happy it shines.

"Father!" Lin Lin heard Roslyn call from a distance.

The City Lord turned around and saw Roslyn pointing the Polaroid camera at him.

In that moment, the love of a parent naturally flowed from his heart, and the City Lord lifted his camera to capture her image.

Lin Lin suddenly realized that this scene would later become the statue that stood at the harbor.

Reading others’ memories, happiness is real, pain is real, sorrow is real, and cowardice is real.

Human nature is the hardest thing to score.

Unexpectedly, perhaps because Lin Lin had finished reading the memories, this time she was finally able to control this body.

Lin Lin looked at the girl’s bright, cheerful smile and her own favorite colorful yet somewhat simple clothing.

Lin Lin reached into her pocket. She felt a pink star hairpin. She had just taken this hairpin from Roslyn’s doll.

It had started as just an attempt, but this hairpin was really in her pocket, and Lin Lin was a bit surprised.

Still in the image of the City Lord, Lin Lin reached out and pinned the pink hairpin on Roslyn, seeing her face lift up with bright, sparkling eyes.

In those eyes was the reflection of her father’s figure.

Roslyn seemed surprised and a bit shy, as if she couldn’t quite believe it.

Then, after the hairpin was really in her hair, she touched it and showed a very happy expression.

–

Lin Lin woke up from a tremor.

She lay flat, in a person’s arms, with the girl’s soft arms supporting her head.

"Lin! You’re awake!" Sharon’s happy voice came from above, making Lin Lin’s ears hurt a little.

But that was not the main point; Lin Lin was startled just by opening her eyes.

The sky was cracking, and the sea was rushing down from above.

This magical world was breaking apart! The sea from the world filled with fish and shrimp souls was flowing in!

Although Lin Lin had thought about what it would be like if the world shattered, this was too obvious.

At least make some fancy effects to show it, what is with this end-of-the-world scene?

Lin Lin struggled to get out of Sharon’s arms and saw that they were riding something, swimming swiftly away from the crashing waves, with Sandy and Roslyn behind Sharon.

"Sandy! Roslyn!" Lin Lin looked down and saw what was carrying them, "And a kind-hearted orca!"

"What do you mean by kind-hearted orca? I am Allen!" the orca shouted in anger, "You did this on purpose, didn’t you?"

"I’m sorry," Lin Lin didn’t admit that she did it on purpose, and pointed to Arthur, who was swimming in human form nearby, "Why isn’t he carrying anyone?"

"Because he needs to scout," Sandy replied, eager to join in, "Don’t you care how we got here?"

"We summoned you," Lin Lin said calmly.

Sandy’s excitement faded, "Oh, you are right."

Lin Lin had thought about the possibility of Allen and the others being isolated together, and coming when summoned.

Compared to Lin Lin’s impression of Roslyn, right now, Roslyn was indeed quite silent.

After reading the City Lord’s memories, Lin Lin treated her more cautiously, "Can you control yourself not to eat souls?"

Roslyn nodded and then bit Sandy’s arm to keep her mouth shut.

Sandy showed Lin Lin her other bruised arm and said, "Don’t worry, for now, I’m the only one hurt."

Lin Lin gave him a thumbs-up for encouragement.

Her gaze uncontrollably darted back to Roslyn.

Maybe it was the lingering feelings from the City Lord still on her, or perhaps Lin Lin’s straightforward nature was at play, but she still asked Roslyn, "Are you really Roslyn?"

Sharon looked at Lin Lin with a puzzled expression.

Roslyn, still biting Sandy’s arm, nodded vigorously.

Lin Lin smiled and said, "Alright, I understand, thank you for your effort."

Sandy interjected, "Right now, the one who is really struggling is not her; it’s me."

"Roslyn is very worried about her father," Sharon and Lin Lin explained, "We are looking for the City Lord."

To avoid Roslyn hearing, Lin Lin whispered in Sharon’s ear, "Though it may not be good to say this, if the City Lord dies, would this place be set free?"

Sharon gently nodded, "But this City Lord must choose to die willingly and let us go safely."

For Lin Lin now, her goal was the same as the City Lord’s; she could not waste any more lives entering this space.

From the City Lord’s memories, Lin Lin mostly saw his own unhappy moments. However, he lightly skipped over how he led the residents to build a successful new city and the efforts he made to stop the spreading cost.

In his eyes, he only saw his flaws.

This personality, which focuses only on regrets and not achieving perfection, shows how harshly he must judge himself.

Such a person easily falls into obsession and destruction. Realizing that Bulwo’s goal is to take his soul, Lin Lin almost understood why Bulwo wanted to provide clues to help them break this world.

He could not wait any longer; he could not wait to take away this stubborn soul burdened with guilt.

They finally found the City Lord.

By the sea.

This old city was destroyed by falling sea water, and the deafening sound of collapse was not far away, while the City Lord quietly looked towards the sea.

Lin Lin knew that after the fantasy world shattered, he regained his original memories.

So, when he saw Roslyn behind Lin Lin, he would show a gentle and apologetic smile.

The moment Roslyn saw the City Lord, she happily ran over, as if she didn’t care about being separated at all.

After gently touching Roslyn’s forehead, before Lin Lin could speak, the City Lord softly shook his head, "This place can’t hold on any longer; you need to leave. Before the devil takes my soul, I must at least get you out."

Even knowing his choice, Lin Lin couldn’t help but ask, "Is there no other way?"

This question made the City Lord chuckle softly, "My mistake was insisting on finding a way."

A huge bubble wrapped around a few people, and the sea water automatically moved away as it got closer.

Lin Lin sat inside the bubble, letting it soar higher and higher through the sky.

"He wants to burn away his own power," Sharon explained to Lin Lin, "so that the world will break apart on its own."

"What happens then?" Lin Lin asked.

"I haven’t seen it either," Sharon shrugged, "but at least the orcas will no longer have to live in a cursed ocean."

Before they left the space with a soul, curious little fish swam around the bubble, watching them.

Lin Lin reached out, startling a silver little fish.

She smiled, and as her shoulder sank, Arthur lowered his head; he had not been sleeping well lately and fell into a deep sleep against her shoulder.

When Lin Lin saw it was Arthur, she kept her shoulder still and turned her head to continue watching the fish.

Allen’s eyes widened, completely unable to understand the situation. Don’t orcas usually sleep next to each other? Why did Arthur suddenly do this? Can he sleep next to Lin Lin in the future?

A loud rumbling sound came from below.

Before Lin Lin and the others had completely left this space, it shattered.

The souls of the sea creatures turned into tiny sparkling lights, flowing in with the real ocean water that poured in from outside, filling the long-empty sea.

Those souls disappeared? Lin Lin felt a little sad.

Soon, she realized it was not like that.

Those sparkling lights scattered on the ocean floor, turning into the shapes of young shrimp and crabs, drifting in the water, transforming into fish or little fish.

Life began again, entering a new cycle.

Lin Lin gazed at these sea creatures, watching them struggle to live below the water.

Her fear of the deep sea seemed to fade a little after this trip.

Then, a soft shade of purple floated past Lin Lin, and a tiny jellyfish swam slowly towards her as if it was curious about her.

"Allen," Lin Lin whispered his name.

Allen squeezed in next to Lin Lin, so she was now sandwiched between two orcas.

Allen couldn’t wait to show something.

"It’s a Deep Sea Lantern Jellyfish," Allen replied. "A jellyfish blessed by the abyss, a very magical species. More than half of them take on a human form when they grow up."

"That’s wonderful," Lin Lin said, truly happy for the dwarf, "How long does it usually take for them to grow up?"

Allen, "Nine months."

Lin Lin: ???