It's impossible to go back now...

Captain Raymond came to find Luo Wei this time, unsurprisingly, about another case related to the mutant resistance organization. He hurriedly ushered Luo Wei and the other two into the car before driving off toward the eastern part of the city.

Luo Wei had assumed the case was within Saint Callen, but to his surprise, they ended up in a smaller city to the east—Kent City.

"This concerns the safety of the Royal Capital and even His Majesty. This series of cases is handled exclusively by our central police headquarters, with local precincts cooperating as needed," Captain Raymond explained.

Luo Wei nodded, his gaze drifting to the window. The buildings here were much shorter, though the streets were still bustling—this was a satellite city of the Royal Capital, providing resources and support.

During the ride, the captain recounted the incident: the central church in Kent City had been attacked. A mutant resistance group had attempted to rescue their imprisoned kin and, while fleeing, summoned something that caused widespread chaos.

After stepping out of the car, Luo Wei was met with a scene of devastation. The church had been burned down, and half the surrounding buildings had collapsed as if struck by an earthquake.

Luo Wei scanned the area. Corpses lay haphazardly in front of the church, while local police and church personnel worked to rescue the wounded. The air was thick with agonized cries.

The sudden sound of a carriage stopping drew his attention. Ophelia and Tilis stepped out from behind him, joining his side.

Ophelia took in the earthquake-like destruction before glancing at Eleya behind Luo Wei.

"Your doing again?"

Eleya remained expressionless.

Tilis, meanwhile, fixed her gaze on a massive corpse nearby. Agents from the Special Affairs Department were burning the remains of the monster.

After a moment of thought, she concluded, "A subterranean creature that causes earthquakes—a burrowing horror."

Luo Wei also looked over. The dead monster was long, serpentine, with a bulbous head resembling a squid and countless digging tendrils. This creature, already slain by the Special Affairs Department, had been the cause of the disaster.

He turned back to Eleya. "Definitely her handiwork."

She had been supplying the mutant resistance groups with forbidden tomes for summoning. Last time, it was a ghoul that failed to manifest—this time, they had called forth a burrowing horror.

"Just how many mutant factions has the Church secretly allied with?" Luo Wei muttered. Eleya’s actions were like handing out weapons to the enemies of the regime.

And these weren’t just ordinary weapons—each of these monsters brought immense trouble to Saint Callen.

Eleya watched Luo Wei coolly, offering no response.

He forcefully gripped her chin, forcing her to look at the carnage in the streets. "Take a good look at what you’ve caused."

Eleya stared at the mangled corpses, her gaze flickering briefly with something unreadable before it vanished.

Helena noticed a little girl crouched beside a nun’s corpse, staring blankly. She had clearly cried herself out, her small face streaked with tears and dirt.

The girl’s lonely figure reminded Helena painfully of her own past.

"Any thoughts?" Luo Wei asked.

"An unfortunate tragedy. Innocents caught in the crossfire," Eleya replied.

Luo Wei held her gaze. "If you keep this up, this is only the beginning. The casualties will grow beyond comprehension."

Eleya remained impassive. "Luo Wei, I know what you’re trying to do. You want me to see this, to stir my emotions, to make me empathize."

"But I’ve told you before—momentary cruelty and sacrifice will bring eternal order and happiness. On this, you will not sway me."

Her voice was detached. "If you can’t bear to see this, then you should help me. Together, we can minimize the losses. I’ve always held high hopes for you. When the light finally dispels the darkness—"

"Enough," Luo Wei cut her off, tired of her preaching. He had nothing left to say to this unyielding version of Eleya.

Coldly, he demanded, "I want to speak to her, not you. Let the real Eleya face me."

"She is me, and I am her," Eleya said flatly.

Helena suddenly spoke up. "The Sister we knew wasn’t like this."

Eleya turned to her. Helena peeked at Luo Wei, wanting to help her brother.

With a nostalgic sigh, she said, "The Sister we knew was kind, like a warm older sister. She wanted us to accept each other, to become a real family..."

"She was compassionate, always helping others, unable to bear suffering in the world..."

"Ah..."

Eleya interrupted, "Helena, if you’re trying to mimic your brother’s manipulative tactics, I suggest you stop."

Helena flinched at her cold tone, pouting in frustration before falling silent.

"It’s alright, Helena. No need to persuade her," Luo Wei said, patting her head before shooting Eleya a glance. "She’s beyond saving. Let her chase her so-called light."

He led Helena toward Captain Raymond, where police and church officials were gathered, discussing something.

Tilis followed, cheerfully ruffling Helena’s hair. "Our Helena’s so grown-up now, helping her brother shoulder his burdens~"

Helena giggled, the earlier hurt forgotten as everyone comforted her.

Ophelia trailed behind, scowling. "Honestly, talking to that block of wood is pointless. We’re wasting our breath. Luo Wei, just stop engaging with her..."

"Someone’s jealous again..." Tilis muttered.

"Tch, as if I’d be jealous of her..."

"Maybe take a lie detector test..."

...

Eleya watched the group walk ahead, laughing and chatting, her eyes briefly clouded with emotion.

For a fleeting moment, her humanity resurfaced, softening her expression.

Once, she had been one of them—quietly observing their lively interactions, smiling genuinely.

But now, there was no place for her among them.

A bitter smile touched her lips. There was no going back.

The melancholy vanished as quickly as it came, her face once again blank and distant.

...