Chapter 295

Chapter 295: The Shadow

Two days later.

The castle has been significantly restored!

Lin Yu felt pleased.

Though the luxurious hotel in town offered comfort, she comparatively preferred her spacious bedroom within the castle walls.

The workers appeared to have restored and polished the castle’s exterior as well—when viewed from outside, no trace of its former dilapidation remained.

As for the interior, the necessary breaches had been patched.

Most excitingly, the first-floor bathhouse was finally complete! After being rigorously tested by Magic Rainbow, it proved fully operational.

Only damaged walls and ceilings within the castle remained to be repaired—numerous yet manageable for such skilled professionals.

Having grown rather weary of exploring the town these past days, returning now seemed perfectly timed.

Ultimately, I suppose I’m more suited to a reclusive lifestyle.

I’ve never been one for venturing out, and winter’s chill only deepens this inertia.

Moreover, shopping excursions with my daughters bring immense pressure—passersby constantly steal glances. Though accustomed to such attention from past lives, the scrutiny still leaves me uneasy.

Thus, the decision to return was made.

I likely won’t revisit the town anytime soon.

Laziness aside, beyond delectable street food and fashionable garments, the settlement holds little of interest.

Ah… how I crave comic books, binge-worthy dramas, and video games!

This internet-less fantasy world grows tedious!

While entertainment options exist, the arena… observing mere Class C human combatants proves hardly thrilling.

As for brothels… well, those seem hardly intriguing! Not that I harbor any curiosity!

Yet upon reflection—whether arena or brothel—mightn’t such human pastimes be replicated within our territory?

Perhaps in time…

…

As Lin Yu departed the town with her daughters toward Foggy Castle, Magic Rainbow awaited them at the first-floor entrance. Spotting her mother’s approach, she glided forward.

"Mother, welcome home."

After a deliberate pause, her smile expanded to encompass the others.

"Sisters and little ones, welcome home as well."

"Has the restoration concluded?"

Lin Yu surveyed the castle’s transformed silhouette, its renewed grandeur more evident in person.

"Some ceilings and walls still require attention, but key areas—your third-floor chambers, the first-floor dining hall and baths, plus the second-floor balcony and bedrooms—stand fully restored."

"Satisfactory."

The remaining spaces—largely unused rooms and expansive halls—meant the castle already functioned as if completely renewed.

"But Mom… while you were away, Little Shadow had an incident."

"Darkling Stalker? What happened? Where is she now?"

Lin Yu sensed impending trouble and pressed urgently.

"She was ambushed by Earth Dragons…"

Magic Rainbow proceeded to brief Lin Yu concisely.

Several minutes later…

The white-haired girl’s countenance had frostily solidified.

Anger simmered within her.

Her wrath wasn’t directed at Darkling Stalker – she cherished all her daughters beyond measure, whether obedient or willful, conventional or eccentric.

The true focus of her ire lay clearly upon…

The Earth Dragon horde…

To eliminate those wretched creatures… The pale-haired woman turned her gaze sideways.

"We stand ready to venture into the forest depths at any moment."

When Lin Yu shifted her attention, Red Pupil spoke first, followed by Army Lady and the other daughters. Though they’d rarely interacted with Darkling Stalker – some even harboring trepidation toward her – their features hardened upon hearing of the Earth Dragon’s fatal ambush.

"Wait, everyone – hold a moment!"

Seeing her sisters poised for immediate retaliation, Magic Rainbow interjected hastily.

She observed Lin Yu’s unusually frigid expression.

"Wouldn’t you first visit Little Shadow?"

"Darkling Stalker? She’s in the castle?"

Lin Yu blinked in surprise.

She’d assumed her rebellious daughter would already be storming back toward danger.

"Indeed. She’s currently in her chambers. Regarding the Earth Dragon matter… perhaps consult Little Shadow’s wishes first."

"…Very well."

Darkling Stalker’s private quarters.

I never thought I’d approach her bedroom again…

…

Alone, Lin Yu arrived before the shadowed chamber.

Knuckles rapped against wood.

Silence answered.

Another knock resonated.

"Darkling Stalker, it’s me."

After her call echoed, the portal creaked open – manipulated by tendrils of living darkness.

The white-haired girl swallowed hard and stepped through the doorway.

Likely due to renovations by human workers, the chamber had shed its former dimness and sinister aura.

Gaping cracks in walls and ceiling now stood restored to seamless perfection.

Yet… no furnishings graced the space save for floorboards buried beneath dense straw layers –

This crude bedding apparently sufficed as her sleeping quarters.

Since Darkling Stalker seldom returned home, the bed and furniture originally purchased for her had been overlooked.

But such trivialities mattered little now.

Lin Yu’s gaze settled on the ant-like figure nestled in straw.

"Darkling Stalker—"

Her words died as the creature spoke first:

"Mother, the Earth Dragons… shall be mine to confront."

What?

Was this solitary vengeance or mere bravado?

"You’d face them alone?"

"Yes."

The gray ant inclined her head.

Simultaneously, shadowy limbs materialized to slam the door behind Lin Yu.

Panic flashed through the white-haired girl as she whirled to yank the handle –

Frozen fast.

"Darkling Stalker…"

When she turned back, an ant’s visage loomed inches from her face.

Closer inspection revealed tendrils of living darkness hoisting Darkling Stalker to eye level –

Ebony appendages writhing with eerie vitality.

"’Shadow Manipulation’ permits such feats… with sufficient practice."

The creature answered Lin Yu’s unspoken wonder.

As forelimbs lifted, serpentine shadows coalesced into clawed hands.

Darker currents flowed from room corners, swirling about the ant’s form –

Merging, rising, crystallizing into shadow-stuff shaped vaguely feminine.

The silhouette extended its insubstantial hand, phantom fingers brushing the girl’s cheek.

"But shadows… hold no warmth."