Chapter 300: Liberation
“Teacher… that guy is already dead. He was the first, and there will be more to follow… please don’t worry, I will find a way to restore you to your original self.”
Adele said soothingly to Dalena, who resided within the scepter. Dalena quickly responded through a peculiar connection they shared; this time, her reply was devoid of the murderous intent and rage that filled their previous exchanges. Instead, it was replaced by relief, peace, and weakness.
In a pleading tone, Dalena expressed her wishes to Adele in her heart. Upon sensing it, Adele was momentarily taken aback before unexpectedly responding.
“Liberation? No… don’t say that, Teacher! Don’t give up! The Secret World is so vast, and there are so many extraordinary means in the world; there must be something that can save you and restore you… I will do everything in my power to help you, please don’t give up!”
Clutching the scepter tightly, Adele spoke urgently. She was unwilling to accept that her efforts to save her teacher would culminate in such a result. After Adele finished speaking, Dalena paused for a moment before again responding to Adele. This time, her emotions were gentle and comforting, reminiscent of the times she had taught Adele.
Listening to Dalena’s new response, Adele stood in a daze, and after a long pause, she failed to utter a single word. Tears slipped unnoticed from the corners of her eyes, and eventually, she slowly spoke up.
“Redemption… okay… I understand… Teacher… I’ll listen to you…”
Adele said with great difficulty. Then Dalena gave her final response. After hearing Dalena’s reply, Adele wiped away her tears and nodded heavily.
“Thank you… Teacher, goodbye…”
Saying this, Adele reached out toward the iron rings wrapped around the scepter, intricately inscribed with incantations.
……
As the sun sets and the moon rises, the day gradually fades away.
In the night, as lights begin to sparkle, in a private booth of a bar in East Tivyán, Adele, dressed in a plain black dress, sat at her seat. Her hat and sunglasses were placed on the table as she gazed silently at the bustling crowd outside, lost in thought. Across from her, the ever-unwavering detective Ed also looked at Adele’s face.
“So, your teacher ultimately asked you to help her seek liberation. She wished to find peace in d*ath?”
With a serious expression, Ed gazed at the somewhat absent-minded Adele, softly speaking. Hearing Ed’s words, Adele gently nodded, continuing to respond without turning her head.
“Yes… after falling into the hands of the Wolf bl**d Association, the torment she endured was worse than d*ath. Once she was transformed by the butcher into that state… we cannot comprehend or feel the suffering she went through, which has deeply scarred her spirit and left her extremely fragile. She is constantly longing for liberation. I proposed that I would find a way to restore her, and she said she could no longer endure her current state.”
Gazing out at the scenery outside, Adele murmured her response. Upon hearing her words, Ed’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Can’t hold on any longer?”
“Being alive but devoured piece by piece, left with only her brain and nerves, trapped in a jar, used as a tool, constantly oppressed by those beasts. We cannot imagine what that feeling is like, what kind of torment that is… In short, her spirit and soul have been shattered to the brink of collapse. If this continues, she will completely lose her sanity. It is better for her to find liberation now and have some peace.”
Turning her head, Adele slowly looked at Ed and said. Dorothy had not seen Adele with such a somber expression before and insisted that Ed continue speaking.
“So, you gave her liberation?”
“In a way, yes. I destroyed the control device on that damned scepter, and then her power could be freely unleashed. She ended her own life with her own strength. After she passed, I felt the release of her soul. Even in d*ath, her soul was so fragmented and weak. Perhaps, as she said, I wouldn’t last until I found a way to restore her before she went mad… this might truly be the best choice.”
As she spoke, Adele poured herself a little red wine, took a drink, and continued with a dreamy gaze.
“Heh… I didn’t expect that after all this time spent, I would think I could save my teacher, but it turned out to be such a result…”
“No, you saved her. If it weren’t for you, your teacher would still be suffering, reduced to a tool of the Wolf bl**d Association. You don’t need to blame yourself for anything.” Ed comforted Adele, and upon hearing his words, a light laugh escaped Adele.
“Thank you for your comfort, great detective. But don’t worry… I’m not at the point of self-pity. It’s just that some unrealistic hopes have fallen short. Providing my teacher with peace makes this journey worthwhile.
“Regardless, this operation benefited greatly from your involvement, Detective. Without you, I might not only have failed to find my teacher but also ended up in danger myself. I can stand here now all thanks to you, Mr. Detective. I never expected that a small mark could grant me immunity to d*ath… I’m grateful to have hired you, and of course, your reward will not be meager. I will provide all of my teacher’s research data to you.”
Adele said to Ed. Upon hearing her words, a hint of surprise appeared on Ed’s expression, and he asked.
“Hasn’t your teacher already found liberation?”
“Yes, but during her liberation, she also left me some things—some of her spiritual energy and portions of her memory. From her memories, I discovered that her research data had not been seized by the Wolf bl**d Association; instead, it was hidden in a safe place. After I return, I will retrieve this data and send it to you through the White Stone Craftsmen Guild. You can take your time to wait for it when you return.
“Of course, I don’t believe that those few materials would ever be worth what you’ve done for me today. Regardless, I owe you a favor. If you ever need help in the future, Mr. Detective, do not hesitate to ask me.”
Adele explained. Hearing her words, Dorothy couldn’t help but nod, pondering what kind of secret technique this was from Dalena, or if it was some kind of miraculous phenomenon shared among similar extraordinary beings that had “Enlightenment.”
“Well then, I’ll be in your care, Miss Adele.”
“Ha ha, just call me Adele; you don’t need to be so formal, Mr. Detective.” Adele replied, then picked up the bottle of red wine and began pouring it into two tall glasses, murmuring as she poured.
“Honestly, I don’t want to keep calling you Mr. Detective… It’s just too unfortunate that so far, I still don’t know what your real name is or what you look like… I hope to see your true self one day…”
Looking at Ed before her, Adele offered the glass of red wine she had poured to him. Ed paused slightly before slowly speaking.
“Perhaps… my true form will surprise you…”
“Ha ha, I’ve been in the Secret World for quite a while now and have seen many bizarre things. As long as your true self is not some unfathomable divine existence, I don’t think I will be surprised.”
Adele said with a smile, then took up her own glass of wine.
“I won’t force you to meet me, Mr. Detective, but tonight, I still hope you can join me for two drinks, even if it’s just a puppet; the wine here is from the bar, so feel free to drink…”
After saying this, Adele raised her glass and drank the wine in it. Dorothy saw this and urged Ed to pick up his glass as well.
