Chapter 231: Chapter 228: Entering Madness
The two women talked in the Dream Palace (if writing counts as talking) for over half an hour before stopping.
Ji Ma could feel that Eve Frostleaf was enjoying the feeling of being in the little black room, discussing schemes and plots. There was a stack of papers beside her, stacked to about the height of her forearm, serving as the best evidence.
Eve Frostleaf, with her slightly calloused hands, was holding a piece of paper with the following written on it:
“Pay attention to the rumors; there are many who are overconfident.”
“Alright, alright.”
Eve Frostleaf put down the paper, her slender fingers tidying it up, and wrote another word:
“Burn them.”
Ji Ma snapped her fingers, and the stack of papers in Eve Frostleaf’s hands ignited spontaneously without any fire. She watched the burning papers, a faint smile forming at the corners of her mouth.
Ji Ma keenly caught the expression on Eve Frostleaf’s face and pretended to casually invite her: “How about resting here tonight? It’s much more comfortable than in the city.”
Eve Frostleaf shook her head, her figure vanishing into the air.
“Annoying.” Ji Ma exhaled, “Elves are just hard to deal with.”
She began to miss the sweet and simple Saint Jenna; within just a few days of knowing Jenna, they could leisurely flirt with each other.
Ji Ma’s enthusiasm didn’t wane due to Eve Frostleaf’s refusal. According to plan, she should get to bed early tonight to prepare for tomorrow’s meeting.
But that enthusiasm felt like a cat’s claw scratching at her heart.
Ji Ma was a creature of whim; this time her whim led her to not want to waste her enthusiasm on a cold toy.
“I’m a woman with a partner now.”
She thought as she left the Dream Palace and returned to reality.
In her room, a orange cat was purring softly.
Ji Ma tiptoed out, gently closing the door behind her, and headed to the yard.
As a platinum-tier powerhouse, she was assigned a house with a yard. In the yard was a target with only one hole, which was Eve Frostleaf’s toy. She had taken it apart at night and shot arrows for several hours.
The people around admired her, saying she was indeed an elf, focusing on honing her archery skills as soon as her injury was healed, unlike those noisy knights who, once healed, rushed off to engage in political struggles and faction building.
Ji Ma spread her wings and flew into the darkness, her figure merging with the night.
George’s yard was very close, and he had declined the offer to stay in better quarters inside the fortress, intending to keep an eye out for each other in case anything happens.
Ji Ma landed lightly in George’s yard, sneaking up to his door, her face close to the window, noticing that the tiny crack was dark.
It seemed George was asleep.
Even if he is, he should get up.
Ji Ma revealed herself and knocked on the door. A moment later, George’s voice came from inside: “Who?”
“I, Ji Ma.”
“Is there something?”
A rustling sound of paper caught Ji Ma’s attention.
Could it be that guy was using paper for self-comfort?
Ji Ma smiled.
How could that be? He also had a partner.
The door swung open, and George asked, “Is there an urgent matter?”
“No, can’t I come into your room?” Ji Ma said, stretching a foot into his room, “Am I not allowed to check on you?”
Saying that, she smiled and took a deep breath.
The room lacked even a hint of the scent of peach blossoms. Looking at George, he was dressed in casual clothes, not what one usually wore to sleep.
George said, “Ji Ma, you should rest well; I need to rest too.”
Ji Ma glanced at the empty table and asked, “You were drawing just now, right? Hehe, actually you don’t have to draw.”
George fell silent for a moment, not speaking.
For a moment, Ji Ma felt this man in front of her was somewhat unfamiliar.
She looked at George, who shook his head and, with a sense of guilt, said, “No.”
“Ah?”
“I… I…” George forced a bitter smile: “I’m in madness again.”
The smile on Ji Ma’s face stiffened, asking, “Are you alright?”
“I’ve realized what I’ve done.” George took a deep breath: “I will regulate myself.”
“Where did you put the paper?”
“Ji Ma,” George said, “You came knocking in the middle of the night to check on me?”
“George!” Ji Ma said, “I… I… never mind.”
Suddenly, her heart raced: “Could it be…”
Ji Ma rushed a few steps to George’s desk, opened the drawer, and took out the papers inside. They were written in George’s handwriting, neat and tidy, looking pleasing to the eye.
In the dark, Ji Ma brought them closer to examine, only to feel dizzy.
These were “documents written by a certain woman missing her son,” which should have been burned. When Ji Ma discovered them, George even contemplated harming himself.
Now, George had memorized them completely and could write them out from memory.
Footsteps came from behind, and Ji Ma jumped to the side, startled like a frightened wildcat, shouting: “Don’t come over!”
George raised a hand, saying: “Ji Ma, I won’t hurt you.”
Ji Ma sighed and placed the papers on the table, feeling like a wife of a gambling man.
“Don’t look at me with such guilt; I… I don’t know what to do.” Ji Ma’s tone was filled with disappointment. The strong image of George in her heart had developed some cracks: “This isn’t like you.”
“I don’t know how to overcome it.”
Ji Ma looked up, meeting George’s eyes, where she surprisingly read a plea. He was actually pleading with her, asking for her forgiveness and support.
Ji Ma’s heart softened, saying: “No one can easily conquer their inner demons.”
After saying that, she dropped the papers and hugged George. George, in his linen shirt, stood straight like an iron pillar.
George’s arms tightly wrapped around Ji Ma.
Ji Ma’s enthusiasm began to burn; she lifted her leg, rubbed against George, and said suggestively: “This is all I can do as a succubus.”
George kissed her forehead.
At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door, and the two immediately turned their heads, seeing a nervous-horned child outside the door.
The door was open, and the horned child could not see in the dark; he cautiously leaned against the doorframe, poking his head in to ask: “Lord George, are… are you alive?”
George released her, saying: “Still alive.”
Ji Ma said: “You really sleep lightly.”
The horned child immediately lowered his head.
Ji Ma squinted dangerously, scrutinizing him, saying: “By the way, you should tell me about your escape story sometime.”
The horned child jumped up as if he had accidentally stepped on a poisonous snake. His face turned pale, his hands trembled, and his feet felt unsteady.
George said: “Ji Ma, don’t ask him. I’ve asked; for him, that’s an unbearable experience.”
The horned child, frightened, turned and fled.
Ji Ma’s eyes glinted dangerously, but she said nothing.
“I just thought it through,” George said, “I want to make this public and let everyone supervise.”
Ji Ma doubted her ears: “Ah?”
George said: “Making a public declaration means public supervision, thoroughly destroying my last bit of luck.”
Ji Ma suspected that George’s clever mind had become muddled from reading the scriptures. But she didn’t know how to refuse.
“No.” A cold female voice came from outside.
Ji Ma turned her head, seeing Eve Frostleaf’s oval face; her silver hair was tied into a ponytail, a bow hanging at her waist. “This will affect your authority.”
George said: “At this point…”
“Once you show weakness, those weaker than you will seize upon it, spreading rumors. People who originally believed in you will waver.”
“But this issue is objectively existing and could threaten others; it should be made public.”
“Humans often make this mistake, thinking those who can belittle others are stronger.” Eve Frostleaf said: “Some people lack the ability, yet want to seize the sword of power for selfish reasons. They want to abandon this city, bringing all their armed forces, guarding their property and family to escape far away.”
“How could that be? Are you speaking the truth? Have you heard?”
“Ji Ma told me.” Eve Frostleaf said, pointing at her long ears: “And foolish humans always overlook my hearing. George, do you believe anyone, whether in motive or ability, can wield the sword of power better than you?”
George shook his head.
Ji Ma raised her hand, saying: “I have a big problem.”
Eve Frostleaf lifted her chin towards Ji Ma.
Ji Ma asked: “By the way, why are you here? Wanting to sneak around at midnight?”
Eve Frostleaf’s long ears straightened as she said: “Taking a walk, heard.”
“Oh, then your walking path is quite strange.”
Eve Frostleaf turned her head, her long legs striding away, her figure disappearing.
George walked Ji Ma to the door, saying: “It’s getting late; you should rest well.”
Ji Ma suddenly shut the door, patting George’s shoulder while smiling: “George, I don’t feel like going back… hmm… I won’t pretend anymore, bro, how about…”
George embraced Ji Ma, lifting her into the air, laying her on the bed.
