Jingyi, a gust blows away blood and conspiracy.
Tunzuo knelt on the still-warm fine sand, carefully reaching out to gently straighten Olivia’s body, which had just been scorched by golden flames and was now very weak, placing Olivia’s head on her own soft thighs.
Tunzuo adjusted Olivia’s position so that Olivia could lie more comfortably.
Tunzuo’s fingertips gently brushed away the strands of hair on Olivia’s forehead that were damp with cold sweat.
Tunzuo looked at Olivia’s face, pale from pain but still holding a hint of stubbornness, with undisguised heartache in her eyes.
Tunzuo had never imagined that Olivia, always so proud, overbearing, elegant, and noble, would one day lie helplessly on her lap like a wounded beast.
The family struggle that Olivia and Antuxi had spoken of was now playing out before Tunzuo in a bloody and vivid way for the first time.
Olivia’s cheek was cradled quietly in Tunzuo’s hands.
The scorching heat felt burning to the touch, but it brought an unexpected sense of peace.
Although Olivia usually had no sense of boundaries, always played tricks, and was a complete pervert, Tunzuo had to admit that during their time together, Olivia had carved an indelible mark in her heart.
Olivia always remembered the dessert flavors Tunzuo mentioned, would find ways to cheer her up when she was unhappy, and was always by Tunzuo’s side without fail…
That perverted dragon, Olivia, had already occupied a place in Tunzuo’s heart, but the stubborn Tunzuo had never been willing to admit it.
That was why Tunzuo hated seeing Olivia hurt—
Unless the wounds were left by her own hands.
Whether it was Olivia or Antuxi, all the witches who had given Tunzuo love and warmth, she would hold them tightly in her grasp, never allowing them to leave, and never allowing anything to harm them.
Tunzuo gazed at Olivia’s unconscious face, silent for a long time before finally breaking the stillness.
“Yuge, what exactly is Olivia’s illness? Judging from your reaction earlier, you seem… to know a lot about it?”
The Skeleton Gentleman standing beside Tunzuo bowed slightly, the ghost fire in his hollow eye sockets flickering uncertainly, as if weighing his words.
After a long pause, Yuge finally spoke, his voice heavy with the passage of time.
“This is a matter from long ago, young master.”
“Back then, when the Sovereign and Lady Antuxi were pursuing the truth and the origin point of the universe, a great work was born. Using the chaotic thoughts of the Fool of Words as a foundation, and combining the dark matter scattered at the birth of the universe, the two ladies created the ultimate shadow side of the cosmos within endless dream illusions—also known as the false origin point of the universe.”
“The two ladies named it—’The Shadow of the End.'”
The appearance of the term “Shadow of the End” made Tunzuo’s body tremble.
Her fingers, which had been stroking Olivia’s cheek, froze in midair.
Tunzuo slowly lowered her head, her hair covering her face, making it impossible for the witch to see her expression.
Only the slight trembling of her shoulders revealed the turmoil within Tunzuo at that moment.
Yuge selectively ignored Tunzuo’s reaction and continued in a flat, narrative tone.
“The universe always follows absolute balance; it regulates itself. After the two ladies created the ultimate shadow side of the cosmos, in order to maintain the balance of yin and yang and prevent order from descending into chaos, the universe naturally gave birth to the ultimate light side opposite the ‘Shadow of the End’—the so-called ‘Sun of Ruin.'”
“It was an inevitable byproduct of the universe’s birth, like the other side of a coin.”
Yuge’s answer left Tunzuo silent for a long time.
She slowly raised her head, let out a long sigh, and in her eyes was the relief of having already guessed.
The relationship between the “Shadow of the End” and the “Sun of Ruin,” the connection between her and Olivia—
Tunzuo had more or less figured it out.
Seeing that Tunzuo had already understood, Yuge nodded and continued to explain.
“After the ‘War of Annihilation,’ the Sovereign disappeared, and we were sealed within the Spirit World. Both the ‘Shadow of the End’ and the ‘Sun of Ruin’ were kept in Lady Antuxi’s hands.”
“Now it seems that Lady Antuxi used the ‘Shadow of the End’ combined with her own blood to transform into you, young master, granting you eternal stillness. As for the ‘Sun of Ruin,’ it appears Lady Antuxi handed it over to Lord Fafnir, thus giving birth to Lady Olivia and granting her the blazing heat of reincarnation.”
At this point, Yuge paused briefly, his gaze falling on the unconscious Olivia, a mix of emotion and helplessness in his voice.
“As the vessel of the ultimate shadow side, young master, you would originally have developed a corresponding illness. The cold from the dark side of the universe would have frozen you solid, eternally unchanging.”
“But the two ladies would never allow their work to have flaws, so your illness was cured right at the very beginning. You symbolize eternity, while Lady Olivia represents reincarnation. That is also why your blood can suppress the backlash of the ‘Sun of Ruin.’ Yin and yang are originally of the same source; only the ultimate yin can soothe the violence of the ultimate yang.”
“It’s just that the ultimate yang side of the universe is not something an ordinary mortal body can easily control. It represents the extreme of destruction and rebirth, which is why Lady Olivia experiences the backlash of losing control of her power.”
Yuge’s explanation fell like a heavy stone into Tunzuo’s heart, stirring ripples.
Now Tunzuo finally understood why that bad mommy Antuxi always said she had been transformed from a troublesome vessel.
Hah, the ultimate shadow side of the universe—
Quite the origin story.
Just as Tunzuo was about to ask Yuge for more information, Olivia, who was lying on Tunzuo’s lap, suddenly let out a painful, choked cough, her chest heaving violently.
Seeing this, Tunzuo quickly shifted her attention, lowering her head to watch Olivia anxiously.
Olivia’s long lashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Those brilliant golden vertical pupils were somewhat unfocused at first, but when her gaze settled on Tunzuo’s face, Olivia’s eyes immediately regained their sharpness.
Tunzuo was about to ask Olivia how she was feeling, if there was any discomfort, but before she could get the words out, a weak voice reached her ears.
“Sor…ry…”
Olivia’s inexplicable apology startled Tunzuo, but then she heard Olivia continue in a hoarse voice.
“It was supposed to be… me protecting you…”
Olivia’s apology made it impossible for Tunzuo to suppress the bitterness in her heart any longer.
She leaned down, gently pressing her forehead against Olivia’s, and scolded softly.
“Idiot, who needs your protection? Take care of yourself.”
Lying on Tunzuo’s lap, Olivia gazed up at the deep blue night sky, a hint of self-mockery and loneliness in her eyes, murmuring as if talking to herself.
“Ever since I was born, that terrifying golden flame has been with me. At first, I could suppress it with my willpower, but gradually, as my mana grew, the golden flame became more violent, and the burning periods grew longer. Eventually, it got to the point where my mother and Principal Andersen had to work together to suppress it.”
“In the end, Principal Andersen diagnosed that my mana could no longer increase, or else I would completely lose control and become a monster of destruction. That’s also why I can’t graduate from the Witch Academy. A disaster of immortality that can’t be controlled is something witch society can never accept.”
“In recent years, under Principal Andersen’s suppression and seals, my illness hasn’t flared up. I thought that if I kept my mana unchanged, sacrificing my own future, I might be able to graduate smoothly from the academy and stay by your side…”
“…But now it seems… that’s just wishful thinking.”
Olivia’s voice grew softer, filled with deep helplessness.
Olivia didn’t want Tunzuo to know any of this.
She had arrogantly believed she could handle everything, that her illness wouldn’t become an obstacle between her and Tunzuo.
But now, harsh reality told Olivia that she hadn’t been prepared.
The sea breeze swept across the sand, lifting a few grains.
Listening to Olivia’s almost self-defeating words, Tunzuo fell into silence.
Then, she raised her head, looking seriously into Olivia’s brilliant golden vertical pupils, meeting her gaze, and spoke with unprecedented solemnity.
“Olivia, if I told you that I can suppress your illness, help you graduate smoothly, on the condition that you stop pestering me, would you accept?”
Tunzuo thought this double-edged question would make Olivia hesitate for a long time.
But no sooner had the words left her mouth than Olivia replied in a tone that brooked no argument, cutting through decisively.
“Impossible.”
The word “impossible” was spoken so firmly, without a hint of hesitation.
Olivia’s answer stunned Tunzuo, but before she could say anything, Olivia shot her a sly grin.
Though her face was still pale, the flame of possessiveness reignited in those brilliant golden vertical pupils.
“You still had a bit of consciousness when you fed me your blood, little ghost.”
Olivia’s voice was weak, but the proud arrogance in her tone had returned.
“Now that you belong to me, can you really be cruel enough not to treat me? Now I’m even less likely to let you get away. I told you, you are my most precious treasure. I won’t let you escape my grasp. Even if I have to use chains, I’ll lock you by my side.”
Seeing Olivia’s domineering and cunning gaze, the tense string in Tunzuo’s mind finally relaxed.
Tunzuo laughed.
She laughed happily, with tears at the corners of her eyes.
Tunzuo reached out and pinched Olivia’s burning cheek hard, scolding with a smile.
“You selfish creature.”
Then Tunzuo lifted her head, exhaled a breath of foul air toward the stars.
As if she had finally figured something out, she shed all her defenses and reserve, lowered her head again, and looked at Olivia with burning eyes, saying seriously.
“Hey, perverted dragon, pursue me.”
Olivia was a bit slow to react to Tunzuo’s words.
She blinked, confused.
“Huh? I… wasn’t I already pursuing you?”
But Tunzuo raised a finger and waved it in front of Olivia, putting on an air of mystery.
“That’s different. Before, you were shamelessly clinging to me—that was harassment. But now, I’m giving you a formal chance to pursue me.”
“I’ll evaluate your performance. Whether I accept you in the end will be decided by my score. Understand?”
Hearing this, Olivia’s eyes suddenly blazed with dazzling light.
She wanted to sit up joyfully, but due to weakness, she fell back onto Tunzuo’s lap.
But Olivia didn’t care at all.
She just nodded vigorously, shouting excitedly.
“I accept! Little ghost, don’t worry, I’ll seriously pursue you! I guarantee you’ll see my full sincerity!”
Tunzuo was very satisfied with Olivia’s response.
But then she put on a stern face and warned Olivia harshly.
“And also, don’t go flirting with other witches! I’ve heard you dragon witches love to play the field. Don’t let me catch you, or else my revenge will be terrifying. Don’t think I can’t beat you!”
Facing Tunzuo’s threat, Olivia just laughed softly.
Lying on Tunzuo’s lap, she weakly raised her hand and gave an unsteady salute, vowing to Tunzuo.
“I guarantee I won’t, little ghost. I’m the most devoted dragon witch in all of Dona Yungla. I’m single-minded to you, my eyes only see you!”
“Hmph, you’d better be.”
Tunzuo snorted, turning her head away in a tsundere manner, but a smile lingered at the corners of her mouth.
After that, Tunzuo stretched out her arms, tightly embracing Olivia, holding her close as if she were her beloved plush toy.
“Hey, perverted dragon.”
“What is it, little ghost?”
“Send a message to Teacher Sherry to come pick us up. It’s getting late; we should go back.”
“Is that necessary? Little ghost, if you support me, we can walk back to the resort in a while, right?”
“…You numbed my legs. I can’t stand up now.”
Olivia:
(√) Huh?