Who is the True Master of Brainwashing

The next morning, as soon as Luo Wei entered the living room, he spotted Ophelia curled up on the sofa, yawning incessantly.

"You haven't slept at all?" Luo Wei walked over and, upon closer inspection, noticed she had developed the same dark circles as the witch lady.

"Don't even ask..." Ophelia shot a glance at Eleya, who was tied to a chair in the middle of the living room. "She kept that sour expression all night, refusing to respond no matter what we asked."

Tilis also approached Luo Wei, shrugging helplessly. "No progress at all."

"Just as I expected." Luo Wei looked at them. "You two should get some rest. If you collapse before getting any answers, she’ll have won."

"Like I could sleep now..." Ophelia muttered. "Father is attending the exhibition in three days..."

Growing increasingly agitated, she clenched her fists. "No, I have to talk to him. Even if he scolds me, it doesn’t matter. I can’t let that woman succeed!"

Luo Wei nodded. "He won’t scold you. You’re looking out for him, and from what I know, he values his life dearly."

Tilis turned her gaze to Eleya. "So what now? What do we do with her?"

Luo Wei also looked at Eleya, who stared back at him with hollow eyes.

"Give me time," Luo Wei said quietly. "She’ll slip up eventually."

As the three conversed, Helena stumbled out of her room, rubbing her eyes drowsily.

"Morning, brother..."

She greeted Luo Wei as if sleepwalking before drifting toward the kitchen.

"I’ll make breakfast. What should we have today..."

"Don’t bother, Helena," Luo Wei called out.

"Huh?" Helena stopped, blinking in confusion.

"Today, your brother’s taking you out for something delicious." Luo Wei grinned.

Helena froze for a second before breaking into a delighted smile. "Yay!!"

Luo Wei walked over to Eleya and began untying her. "You’re coming with us. Oh, and Ophelia, Tilis—you two stay behind."

Eleya watched Luo Wei expressionlessly, not moving an inch even as the ropes loosened.

Ophelia and Tilis exchanged glances.

"Well, I’ll catch up on sleep then..." Ophelia yawned. "And maybe head back to the palace for a bit."

Tilis nodded. "I’ll go to the backyard and keep working on that machine. Oh, Luo Wei, take this."

She handed him an enchanted rope that could turn invisible, just in case Eleya tried to escape.

After a few more instructions, Luo Wei, Helena, and Eleya left the old house.

Once their figures disappeared, Ophelia and Tilis shared another look.

Moving in perfect sync, they stealthily trailed after Luo Wei.

...

Half an hour later, Luo Wei led the two to a lively street food stall in the West District.

Settling at an outdoor table, they were soon served steaming black coffee, fried fish, and freshly baked bread.

Helena, unfazed by the fried fish Luo Wei had grown tired of, eagerly took a big bite out of its crispy head. Smacking her lips, she followed it up with a chunk of bread, savoring every bite with pure joy.

Watching Helena’s enthusiastic "eating show" always made Luo Wei feel like she was devouring the most exquisite delicacies, suddenly whetting his own appetite.

"Helena eats so happily," Eleya remarked, smiling softly as she watched. "Just like before—she enjoys every bite, no matter what it is. It’s making me hungry too..."

"Yeah," Luo Wei agreed, taking a couple of bites of his own fried fish before passing a portion to Eleya. "She went hungry a lot as a kid, always on the run with no warm meals. Now she’s making up for it."

"I understand her," Eleya nodded. Her childhood hadn’t been easy either.

She, too, had known displacement, though her life improved after being taken in by the church—far better than Helena’s had been.

As a non-human, she’d expected rejection, but the kind-hearted nun never once considered casting her out. That woman shaped her character and instilled in her a deep faith.

Lost in thought, Eleya turned to Helena and asked, "Helena, you really like your life now, don’t you?"

"Mm-hmm." Helena looked up. "I love it. I get to be with brother every day and eat delicious food. It’s perfect."

"But what if I told you it won’t last?" Eleya countered. "Because one day, you’ll lose your brother. You’ll lose everything."

Helena tensed immediately. "Why?"

Eleya’s tone turned grave. "The ancient seals are weakening. The day will come when They awaken one by one. When They descend upon this world, it will be the end."

"No!" Helena clutched Luo Wei’s arm, shaking her head fiercely. "I’ll get stronger! I’ll protect brother!"

Eleya sighed. "You’re so naive. They’re beings beyond your strength. You’ll die. Your brother will die."

Watching Helena’s frightened expression, Eleya felt a flicker of satisfaction. She pressed on, "Only light can dispel the darkness. So, you and your brother should support me. That’s the only thing you can do."

"Oh..." Helena blinked at her, then turned to Luo Wei. "Brother, is that true?"

Luo Wei stuffed another piece of fried fish into her hand. "Keep eating. Ignore her."

But the fish no longer tasted as good to Helena. She chewed thoughtfully, convinced she needed to act...

Noticing Helena’s troubled expression, Luo Wei shot Eleya a look. "What’s the point of manipulating her? She can’t change my mind. Save your preaching for me."

"It’s not manipulation. I’m right," Eleya insisted. "You should help me bring about that bright future, not stand in my way. If you keep being an obstacle, how are you any different from the claws of the evil gods?"

Luo Wei rolled his eyes. Everyone claimed to be "right"—he was sick of hearing it.

Though, technically speaking, he was somewhat of a "claw of the evil gods," wasn’t he?

He studied Eleya. The light she sought represented "order." If she ever learned his power came from "chaos," he wondered what face she’d make...

Returning to their debate, Luo Wei seized the initiative.

"The future..." He mulled over the word before smiling faintly. "The future you envision is the same one I desire."

"Oh? Really?" Eleya sounded skeptical.

Luo Wei knew she wouldn’t believe him, so he told her about his promise with the witch.

"A beautiful... new world?"

Eleya froze for a moment before breaking into a delighted smile. "That's wonderful! Luo Wei, does this mean you're willing to help me?"