As soon as Qinxuan's body submerged into the water, it immediately took on a murky, dark shade. Blood from her hair and hands flowed into the water, staining it as if a reminder of the nightmare just endured.
Yet she did not care. She was more exhausted mentally than physically.
What surprised her — even when she had been a Half-Saint, she had witnessed such situations often, especially during the war. Today's events made her realize that this life had changed her.
Now she was more Xue Qinxuan than Xue Yunru.
Memory and emotion were not the same thing.
Her thoughts were tangled. She wanted to rest, but the questions she had no answers to would not let her be.
Exhaling, she turned to the spider-kin.
— I understand that everyone is tired, but I need to know what happened. Miss Sharissa, could you tell me?
The pink-eyed girl looked up and nodded.
— Just Sharissa, please. Or Shari, if you like. All these "Miss"es are for others. — She paused, recalling. — Before meeting Delia, I only knew the general details. But what happened to her before that, how she lost her hand — I do not know. When I first saw her…
Shari began to speak.
Her voice was calm, yet carried hidden emotions. She described in detail what she had seen, explained a little about her origins, and why she resembled Delia so much.
The our doctor listened intently, and with every word, her face darkened.
She realized that Lin Tian was the cause of everything.
(Again him. I had no intention of meddling in his affairs after what happened. But now he left no choice. The path back is closed. He must be dealt with.)
Meanwhile, Irina, ears alert, was analyzing what she heard. Everything she knew about the future conflicted with reality.
"Sharissa was supposed to become Lin Tian's wife. And she looked completely different. What went wrong? How did Delia change the future? Before, she and Qinxuan were not his enemies. But now… Now plans would have to change. Lin Tian will pay dearly for using this poison."
She mentally updated her list of dead.
Lin Tian.
Master.
Irina's thoughts were interrupted by the tall girl's voice.
— Does anyone here know this guy? — Her tone was icy, and the tension in her voice felt almost tangible.
Qinxuan asked a counterquestion.
— What are you planning to do with this information?
— Veina, — the word slipped from Sharissa's lips in her native tongue. Then she clarified: — Vengeance. He nearly killed my sister, and I cannot let that go.
She fell silent, as if ashamed of her words, then quietly added.
— Worse yet, I almost killed her myself. Garix… Shame.
Her clenched fists and sudden pause spoke of an internal struggle.
Irina squinted, and after a moment of thought, carefully asked.
— You've known her less than a day. Why are you willing to go this far for her?
Shari sharply lifted her head, her eyes flashing with a strange mix of pride and sadness.
— I became who I am thanks to her blood. She is like a second mother to me. But I already have a mother. So I accepted her as a sister. And I will do everything to avenge her.
Irina nodded.
— Then I understand. But let me warn you: Lin Tian is not simple. His father is powerful. And in the Lin clan, there is a hidden Heaven-rank expert. Don't rush.
The screen between Irina and the spider-girl suddenly slid aside with a soft creak.
The pink-eyed girl, completely naked, approached Irina and gently placed her hand on her head.
— Thank you for your concern, red-haired cutie. For me, and for my sister. I will remember this.
Stunned, Irina froze, feeling the warmth of her hand, unable to find words.
When she finally came back to herself, the screen had returned, and Arana's woman stood behind it, wiping herself with a towel and putting on fresh clothes.
The golden-haired alchemist , who had been watching all of this, unexpectedly joined in.
— Thank you, Irina. I will never forget this either. And I will repay you.
Irina, hesitating slightly, quietly replied.
— I have money, power, resources… But there is something I truly need.
Intrigued, both girls asked simultaneously.
— And what is that?
Irina smiled, her eyes suddenly softening.
— Friends.
Sharissa laughed quietly, her voice warm.
— I also have no friends among humans. If you don't mind, I'm all for it.
Qinxuan looked toward Irina, as if seeing her through the screen, and smiled.
— Of course.