Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

Chapter Seventy-Five: The Revelation of the True Face

"Every gain in this world comes at a price. 3-017 follows the desires of the human heart, drawing spirit and flesh from within and then bestowing them upon the holder. If one is willing to dedicate everything, even to the point of death, then it can even transcend the vast difference in sequence, rising from the bottom to the top, blooming in the most magnificent splendor at the last moment of life."

After closing the metal container, Mr. Makoto refilled the flickering kerosene lamp with candle oil, then took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the dust off the table.

He looked at Charlotte's thin figure, his tone softened, and his words became more earnest. He said:

"Of course, I don't think this is a merit worth boasting about. After all, once a person loses their life, they have nothing left. Whether it's lofty ambitions or just trying to survive, the moment you close your eyes, the things you desire completely lose their meaning."

This was a genuine explanation, a heartfelt sigh, yet it was denied by the silver-haired girl.

"No, sir, I disagree. Even the ephemeral beauty of the night-blooming cereus has its prime, the candle burns itself out to give light to others, and the sandalwood burns to ashes to uplift others. Perhaps a virtuous person would rather give up the money, honor, and even life that the world fights for, just to seek nobility for themselves and to look after all that is to come."

"Sacrifice is not without value. If it can save friends and change the world, then it is a form of self-preservation, that is, preserving the ideal self. It does not need to gain anything, nor does it need to make a dark room as bright as day, but at least it can let people in the darkness see a glimmer of hope and hold up a flame."

Silent and speechless, a gentle voice fell on his ear. The old man was stunned for a long time before he came to his senses and looked at Charlotte with surprise.

"...Madam, I cannot imagine that if someone is willing to sacrifice himself for his beliefs, then he is no longer just a figurehead, but a true 'gentleman,' a hero who deserves everyone's respect."

Having said all she could say, Charlotte quickly turned her attention back to the bracelet, as this exchange was not the main topic of the gathering.

To be honest, she was indeed tempted.

This sealed artifact not only suited her eye, but was also exquisite in appearance, and even its negative effects had very little impact on her.

Although it is said to consume the spirit and flesh to satisfy desires, this puppet is just a body to be discarded. As for the loss of the spirit?

Charlotte had long recognized her uniqueness; her spirituality was like an abyss, and now only half of it had surfaced. What did it matter if it was worn down a little?

"Mr. Zhenzhi, what should I offer in order to buy it?"

"Two thousand gold pounds. Sealed items of this level usually cost over a thousand pounds and are generally rare and hard to find. However, given the potential risks associated with this item, I don't have a strong attachment to collecting it. Therefore, I'm willing to lower the price and sell it to you."

"Of course, it is precisely because of its special nature that I have explained the advantages and disadvantages so that each extraordinary person present can carefully consider before making a decision."

The candlelight illuminated the girl's fair face as she pondered what she had gained and what she had given, estimating the value of the item.

If you spend two thousand gold coins, you'll probably still have about four hundred pounds left. From an ordinary person's perspective, that's still enough to raise a lot of resources.

That's enough, so there's no need to hesitate.

"make a deal."

Charlotte handed the folded banknotes to the former and received the seal 3-017 as promised.

As my fingertips gently brushed over the inside and outside of the bracelet, I noticed that the outer material was more like jade, while the inner part was relatively soft and would contract upon contact with touch, making it seem less like an inanimate object and more like a living being.

Seeing the girl's curious gaze, Mr. Zhenzhi stroked the armrest of the sofa and subtly gave her another reminder.

"Madam, every sealed artifact carries a hidden danger that cannot be ignored. Some of them are quite special, possessing a certain 'living' characteristic that can tempt the holder. I hope you will use them with caution."

"Actually, I wanted to recommend some other extraordinary items to you, but their functions are more functional and they rarely play a practical role in combat."

Charlotte nodded slightly to indicate that she understood.

"Thank you for your kindness. If there is another gathering, I will consult you again."

After speaking, she also curled the corners of her lips and smiled lightly, feigning ease.

"After all, I don't have that much money right now."

The party ended there. As the waiter led Charlotte away, the little parrot that hadn't left took the opportunity to make a request to the old man.

"Alright, ma'am, you used a code word at the party earlier, is there something you want to ask me?"

"Yes, sir, I would like to purchase an extraordinary item."

Feeling a little uneasy, Melina rubbed her toes and watched the girl's departing figure, silently apologizing to herself.

"An item that can prove whether someone is sincere."

......

The cement road was dirty from the long snowfall, and the gas streetlights, as tall as an adult man, emitted a bright but hazy light due to the dampness of their glass covers.

Charlotte leaned against the wall, waiting for the little parrot to come out, and with nothing else to do, she carefully admired the evening view of Tingen.

Josephine.

It was a nearby call.

The carriage rumbled past, and the chestnut-haired girl left the bar, hurrying towards her friend.

She saw the silver-haired girl leaning against the pillar of the road sign, gazing intently at the starry sky.

Even if she didn't miss it much, Charlotte Brontë, as a woman, still had a certain longing for her hometown.

People often space out when they are lost in memories.

Melina noticed that many passersby were looking at Watson, at this beautiful young woman. Although they knew it, they would still glance at Josephine intentionally or unintentionally as they passed by.

For some reason, the little parrot felt a slight sense of superiority.

Calming her breathing, the hand mirror hanging at her waist swayed with her steps, making a soft rustling sound as she walked over. She slowed her pace, quietly walked over, and patted Watson on the shoulder, wanting to startle this usually composed girl.

However, she did not see Watson's frightened side as she had hoped.

Charlotte merely turned her head slightly, letting her gaze return to its former intensity, before turning back to look at him.

She smiled when she saw it was Melina.

"It's finally here."

It was just a tiny little complaint.

"Hmm, have you been waiting long?"

"No, it's mainly because I don't have any friends to keep me company, so it's always a bit boring."

Charlotte glanced at Melina, and the implication in her words was obvious.

"I'm sorry, I had to trouble that gentleman with something, so I'm a little late."

It was clearly unnecessary, but the little parrot still gave the girl a small explanation.

"Then, shall we go back together?"

"where?"

"Naturally, it's home, our home."

Charlotte raised the corners of her lips slightly and waved to a passing carriage, emphasizing the word "we".

It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision; she noticed that the little parrot's brows were slightly furrowed, as if it had something unspeakable to say, and also seemed to be feeling a little sad.

That's a bit strange.

I hadn't seen that hand mirror before I arrived; it must be the extraordinary item Melina had mentioned earlier, the source of the trouble she had mentioned.

"Watson, when you said those words to Mr. Shinji, were you referring to yourself...?"

The horse's hooves left tracks, and as the quiet atmosphere gently spread, the little parrot hesitated for a moment before finally asking a question.

She was worried about Watson's desires, and everything that was happening now seemed like a sign. Life is like a feather in the palm of your hand, easily lost in the wind. Considering their current situation, did the girl beside her prepare to sacrifice herself when she took that step?

Is life something worth sacrificing for ideals, for oneself, and for those who suffer?

She should revere such noble people, she should praise their achievements, but if it's Josephine, if it's her destiny...

The girl, her fingers veiled in white, gripped the mirror tightly, pleading for denial, hoping her knight wouldn't ride away on his steed without a sound.

Because she couldn't even see the strong survival instinct in Watson as a human being; it was as if this figure would gladly give everything for the sake of the masses.

"of course not."

Charlotte looked at the little bird's chubby face with surprise.

Logically speaking, Melina wouldn't ask so directly unless her words had truly provoked the other party.

"I will not make a meaningless sacrifice, nor will I willingly go to my death."

The hand mirror revealed the girl's beautiful figure, which made Melina breathe a long sigh of relief.

If it's true, that's great.

A thousand thoughts swirled in Charlotte's mind as her thin lips approached the little parrot's ear. She noticed her sparrow's unusual behavior and wanted to correct it and inquire.

she says:

"As the saying goes, a gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. Melina, I have a question."

Her thin lips exhaled a warm breath.

"If, in your story, a person wears a mask, treats others kindly, and bestows favors upon all, though inwardly he may think he is deceiving, he will still walk with gentleness to the end of his life."

"So, do you think she is evil or good, right or wrong?"

Chapter Seventy-Six: The Evening Bell Tolls

"..."

With furrowed brows and pursed pink lips, the little parrot seemed stumped by the question.

After pondering for a long time amidst the sound of horses' hooves, she finally looked up at Charlotte and said thoughtfully.

"Humans are two-sided. Novels differ from reality. Words can fill in the gaps through indirect descriptions, allowing readers to understand the true feelings and pretenses of each person. But in reality, it's difficult to see through someone's heart based solely on their words and actions. For Cheng En, she is naturally a kind and noble person, but—"

"For friends or even lovers who are deeply in love but completely unaware of each other's feelings, even if you are always gentle, if the truth is revealed one day, all the beautiful memories of the past will turn into pain a thousand times more, leaving you heartbroken yet unwilling to let go, struggling bitterly."

Melina took out her notebook, raised her knuckles, rested them on her chin, hesitated a few times, and then put her pen to the pure white paper.

"After all, once you accept past kindness, it's hard to change your initial impression, and you can't attribute everything to the other party's deception. Evil based on rumors is something you can't grasp or argue about clearly; there's always half the truth in the other party's hands. In the end, no amount of reluctance or longing will only make you more heartbroken."

"If one can extend gentleness to the end of life, then perhaps it will be a little better for the person one cares about. It is better to indulge in past feelings than to be heartbroken by the deception."

She pressed down on the pen tip, and the ink immediately spread across the oiled paper. She saw the little parrot raise its eyebrows, its previous calm demeanor gone, as if it were brewing resentment.

"Of course, I don't think so. If that happened in reality, that person would be too selfish..."

"To be faithful to one's partner, to deceive others, and to leave without a word, keeping the best version of them in one's heart—that's just too much, not only to others, but also to oneself."

Melina shook her head solemnly and sighed softly as if she were experiencing the same feeling herself.

"Wearing a mask for too long can make it hard to breathe. Living with a mask on all the time... is too tiring."

The girl's voice faded away, but the ripples in her heart did not subside. Charlotte looked at the little parrot, a rare look of surprise appearing in her eyes.

The little sparrow clearly saw through everything, yet there was not a trace of suspicion about her in her words; it was more like she was simply answering every question.

Undoubtedly, this is the effect of first impressions. Watson entered the former's life as a knight who did not follow the crowd. Even if he was cunning at times, he always showed concern in a timely manner. How could this unique gentleness arouse suspicion?

Is life really that tiring?

She spread her fingers, watching the lines on her palm spread into her sleeve, and the girl smiled faintly to herself.

No, Melina, because treating others with kindness and seeing them enamored with you is a source of joy and a driving force for continuing life.

Like love, any moment of pleasure will bring an equal emptiness after it ends. Emptiness is not terrible. Even if one's life goes on in a plain and uneventful way, it won't be a big deal. What is terrible is experiencing a brilliant wave in a boring life and then facing emptiness. When that happens, you will always be thinking about it and will never be able to let go.

If she lost it, even Charlotte would be like a pitiful rabbit, committing suicide out of loneliness.

"A very unique insight. After your argument with your father this morning, has the relationship improved?"

No longer fixated on it, she softened her voice and began to chat about everyday matters.

“He is a stubborn person. Once he has made up his mind, he will not change it. I am unwilling to argue with him anymore, because that would only be seen as challenging his authority.”

"It seems to be something sad, so let's not talk about it. Melina, tell me about your insights on the extraordinary, or perhaps about the methods of the 'author'?"

With a snap of the fingers, the law takes effect; the shadows of night pass by the window, but the sound of the wind can no longer flow as before.

No noise is allowed here.

The question brushed past its ear, and upon hearing it, the little parrot seemed troubled as it twirled the stray hairs on its face.

"Regarding the next sequence, I actually have no clue either. I accidentally ingested the material and entered the extraordinary world, so apart from the notes of the survivors, I know very little about the path I took, and I have only just managed to get some further information."

"Of course, I'm not that obsessed with improving the sequence. Although I initially tried to write the story because of the name of the path, I found myself gradually getting used to writing and falling in love with the immersion of recording and compiling as I went along with each stroke. Even my thoughts became more and more sharp and agile."

It seems that Melina did not receive the same detailed guidance from Ms. Mossant as I did, and was merely a stumbling traveler groping in the dark. However, her actions after becoming an extraordinary person were almost like acting and digesting, which is undoubtedly a talent and a kind of adaptation.

This means that our little sparrow is quite suited to developing in this direction.

"...After the previous novel received a good response, I could feel all the pent-up spirituality being digested. However, Josephine, I want to ask, the three ingredients you sold at the party seem very similar to the lump I mistakenly ingested back then. What are they?"