Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 178 - 169 Sisterly Night Talk

"This is Sister Liana, a senior in my Holy Light cultivation..."

Karen introduced the members simply to Kevin, not ruling out the idea of enticing Kevin to join her side.

Why Lady Alianna had used a new name was not voiced by Lyle; he was also in a state where his true identity could not be revealed. His disguise, concealing his real identity, was precarious. Lyle watched the two sisters sitting quietly. Beatrice was looking at Kevin and William, sitting beside her, with an intrigued expression. She occasionally turned her head, giving Lyle a smile he wished not to see.

But Lyle’s concern was not with Beatrice; she was not a member of Andrey.

Alianna’s gaze remained fixed on his group, and coupled with his own suspicions, this might very well be his Achilles heel. He absolutely couldn’t let Alianna discover his identity.

"This is William, and this is the Plague Doctor..."

"Good day, Mr. Plague Doctor, I am Sister Liana, and I am training with my younger sister, the Paladin Karen," Lady Alianna said, swiftly completing the introduction of the two concealers before Lyle could respond.

"Hello, Lady Liana, I am the Plague Doctor," Lyle’s gaze shifted, inadvertently sweeping past the white veil that hung like a cascading waterfall directly in front of him. Without the slightest turn, Alianna was observing him, a scrutinizing gaze that had never appeared before.

If it had been a week ago, such attention might have stirred a little excitement in him, but now it only... only brought silence.

"These two are..." Kevin’s gaze moved to the sister pair of Alianna, his eyes shifting between Lyle and Alianna, yet neither offered an explanation.

It wasn’t until the tension in the atmosphere became unbearable that Alianna’s cool voice came from outside of Lyle’s line of sight.

"I am Alianna, and this is my sister Beatrice. I am a friend... a friend of the Plague Doctor."

The tone of the woman’s voice carried a natural sense of desolation, making it tough to decide whether it was a reflection of her mood or simply her nature.

"The Plague Doctor?" Kevin looked at his friend; there had to be something odd about his relationship with her. Curious, Kevin sought confirmation from his friend.

"Alianna and I are just friends," he said.

Everyone’s introductions concluded quickly, and they each returned to their respective rooms.

After entering the room, Kevin patted Lyle’s shoulder.

"William and I want some quiet time outside, you head to your room first, we’ll go in later."

William said, "I don’t particularly want to..."

Kevin slapped William’s shoulder, "If you don’t want to, I do. As my squire and bodyguard, you’re coming with me to take a stroll right now."

William, rubbing his shoulder and looking discontentedly at Kevin, complained, "The inn isn’t that big, and we can’t go outside, where do you expect to stroll to?"

"Whatever I please! I’m a young master acting on a whim, and I want to do circles downstairs with my low-EQ friend! Get moving and hit the stairs," Kevin barked.

A trace of warmth surged through Lyle; he pushed open the room’s door, and Nia perched on his head, her tentacles poking at Lyle’s mask.

Medusa slid out from her sleeve, eyeing Lyle as he removed his mask to reveal a young man’s downcast face.

"Medusa, did you know all along?"

"I only know what I need to know. I also know that you fancy Alianna. But yet, you both have chosen to make decisions that will leave you heartbroken."

"If only she would truly be heartbroken."

"Being hurt isn’t a reason to choose silence, at least the boy I know wouldn’t."

Lyle lay down on the wooden bed of the inn, and the discomfort behind him matched the unease in his heart.

"Does everything in this world have a right and wrong?"

——————————————

Alianna leaned against the window sealed by wooden boards, feeling like she was flying far away, picturing that round of the moon in her heart.

Her sister was pouring another glass of liquor, her pale skin flushed with a rosy tinge, that languid and indulgent pose making her beauty even more enticing.

"Beatrice, what does wine taste like?"

"The taste of falling and degradation. When you press your mind into the mire, you’ll find that everything bad isn’t so terrible anymore. That’s what those unscrupulous barflies at my bar say, I’m just quoting them. You know, sister, I drink to quell the bloodthirsty impulse, to me, drinking is just like bloodsucking; it’s an indescribable pleasure."

"I’m so envious of you, Benny, Helena probably feels the same as I do. Having emotions, joys and sorrows is indeed an enviable treasure."

Beatrice held her wine glass, her lips stained with the liquid, red as blood, she moved to stand beside her sister, resting her head on her shoulder.

"Without a heart, you won’t get hurt, sister Alianna."

Alianna stretched out her arm, picking up a messy strand of Beatrice’s hair, her slender fingers caressing over the smooth skin.

"Being unable to get hurt is the greatest injury. Emotions, flesh, desires, and even death, are all luxuries to me."

Beatrice, who had been enjoying the comfort, opened her eyes, her blood-colored pupils gleaming with a cold light.

"When the Plague Doctor hadn’t appeared, you never cared about these things."

"I would, it’s just a matter of time. The Plague Doctor, for me, is just... someone who appeared at the right time, in the right place... the wrong person."

Beatrice was indifferent to Alianna’s words. She suddenly furrowed her brows, "The two with the Plague Doctor, they are human. I’ve always been curious, what sort of person is able to pique your interest. Alianna, don’t you find it strange? A Lich who has lived among humans for so long, and the speed of his ascension is simply unimaginable; his conduct is just like a..."

Alianna interrupted her, "There’s nothing to be curious about, my suspicious sister. The Plague Doctor’s teachers were Mr. Dragon and Mr. Scholar, what kind of monsters they can raise, you should have an estimate in your heart, after all, you were once Mr. Scholar’s poor student."

Remembering unpleasant memories, Beatrice drank another glass, this time truly to drown her sorrows. The flush on her face started to spread, her body intoxicated with alcohol had no time to contemplate the Plague Doctor’s affairs.

"Benny, does everything in this world distinguish right from wrong?"

Pfft!

Alianna’s question elicited her mockery.

"When you were little, you were always the most well-behaved at home, and now, are you still entangled with right or wrong? My dear Alianna, we are no longer the good girls from before, we now belong to the chaos of this world. Chaos doesn’t need right or wrong, just no regrets. Follow your heart, I, Beatrice, love my sister the most!"

Beatrice was already in the adorable state of drunkenness, rubbing her head against Alianna continuously, making her once tidy hair a mess.

"You’re right, Benny, I am no longer that good girl from before, right or wrong no longer has meaning to me."

"Following the heart, my heart, is it still there?"