Girls' Frontline: My Apocalypse with Dolls

Page 431

No, that's not right...

It was precisely her seemingly nonchalant and indifferent demeanor that was worrying. Although her words and facial expressions showed no emotion, the degree of her mental distress continued to increase, indicating that her heart condition was gradually becoming more serious.

Was it his departure? There doesn't seem to be any other factor, right?

"Really not? Impossible. If there really weren't any, how could those shadows have spread? I can feel 'they' getting stronger. 'They' can even materialize when you're emotionally stable...!"

......

“I really don’t feel anything, Morse. The way you are makes me feel more pressured.”

Yingque's final answer was nothing more than that.

Morse was stunned for a moment, and after a few seconds, she lowered her hand: "Is that so... I understand. I'm sorry for losing my composure, but if you're really unhappy about something, be sure to tell the people around you in time. Only they can help you."

"Yes, I know."

......

After Morse left, the door closed, and shadows spread through the room once more. A huge black figure appeared behind Ying Que, as still as a virgin, neither humble nor arrogant, and silent.

"Is it really as you say, or is this what I've always hoped for?"

The shadow did not respond, but its form continued to gradually take shape; perhaps this was the best answer...

692. Not in control of one's own destiny

Perhaps, as Morse said, my mental illness is indeed getting worse day by day, but if I can't even feel it myself, then why should I care?

At least, I've never felt that my daily life has been significantly disrupted...

......

But undeniably, life has indeed gotten better since the arrival of the shrikes. There are people who can always talk to her, and even when she goes out shopping occasionally, they are willing to accompany her.

Even as they gradually realized that their arrival might also be related to Luo Fan, it didn't matter. Their behavior wasn't pointless flattery, but rather genuine interaction in the little things of life. As friends, they undoubtedly added more color to their otherwise ordinary days.

Two weeks later, the bar's residents and regulars gradually got used to the arrival of these four new friends...

"Move that terrarium here, hey, right, put it here, hey, the effect looks really good."

"Move those bunches of lilies, roses, and other rose bushes around. Don't put them in such a conspicuous place. Damn it, are you putting them together like this to commemorate someone? Should we put another photo in the middle?"

Vulcan has already begun to put her optimization plan into practice, transforming the bar into a more Eastern-style bar. As for the renderings, Yingque has naturally seen them. They look like a retro-style teahouse, but when placed together with the wine cabinets, they create a sense of collision between classic and modern. In any case, even Yingque, who is not an architecture professional, can see the design level, and she likes this style very much.

Aphrodite, Juno, and Freyne sat to the side with Yingque, quietly watching Vulcan direct the construction, and casually having a couple of drinks.

"That's strange. You're good at mixing drinks, and quite well at it, but you just don't drink alcohol. How do you manage that?"

Aphrodite swirled the empty wine glass and handed it to Yingque.

“There are notes left by Luo Fan here,” Ying Que took them, washed them, and started making new ones again: “His notes mention how to make each kind of wine and the amount of ingredients. As long as it’s not too demanding, you can always make a similar effect by following his notes. If all else fails, there’s a friend here, the double bass player you’ve met.”

This time, Aphrodite wanted to drink a dry martini. Many newcomers who have never drunk alcohol like to order these well-known wines. After many attempts, Yingque has become very skilled at mixing them.

Soon, the dry martini was ready, and Aphrodite was about to drink it when Freyne next to him raised her glass, intending to clink glasses with him.

Okay then, let's touch...

“I used to drink very little,” Juno added, “but the method of ebb and flow has changed my mind about it.”

"Then we should try to get approval. If Luo Fan were here, he would probably be able to create an even more satisfactory effect."

Instead of alcohol, four women clinked glasses at the bar and drank tea—a typical day at the bar.

【jingle】

The bar doorbell rang sharply, and two women with strikingly similar appearances entered: short gray hair, striped suits, and fedoras. However, the other woman's expression seemed... a bit more arrogant...

"Hey, long time no see, Boss Ying, do you still remember me?"

The other party's greeting was quite warm, and Yingque naturally responded with a smile: "Of course I remember, Mr. Thomson Insievelt. It's been a long time since I've been back. What would you like to drink?"

The bar's regulars weren't just the familiar residents upstairs. Even Thomson, who worked all day, would return to Valhalla for a drink in her spare time. This time, she brought Melper, who also belonged to the "Dynasty," along.

"I'd like a smoked lager godfather. I've been craving something strong lately, so I'd like something a bit stronger."

"Maybe it's because of my recent work, haha..."

Melper’s faint smile hinted at Thomson’s recent work, but Yingque, of course, couldn’t understand its meaning.

As usual, it was prepared, and Thomson took it, downing half a cup in one gulp... Hmm, it's not quite as good as the Commander's cooking, but it's still pretty good.

Thomson rubbed his head, his eyes looking slightly tired: "Uh, maybe smoking a cigarette would be more effective, but it still doesn't feel energizing enough."

"Smoking is prohibited in bars; that's one of the rules Luo Fan established, remember?"

“Yes, of course, it was just a joke.” After saying that, Thomson leaned closer: “But I’m here today because I have something serious to discuss.”

Serious business? Thomson rarely has time to go back to the bar, and she usually rests at her "company" at night. What serious business could she possibly need to come back and tell her in person?

After all, he is the de facto godfather of the Riverwatch, currently the largest Mafia gang in New York. The fact that he didn't send anyone to relay the message, given the gang's rule against bypassing superiors, inevitably raises suspicions...

"Does she need help, or is there something that absolutely requires her?"

Aphrodite asked questions in a way that was not ideal, in order to protect her rights as much as possible.

Thomson, of course, guessed what she was wary of, and honestly replied, "It has to be her. Tonight, at a social gathering at the Dessell Club in Times Square, New York, someone specifically asked to see Mr. Luo, but Mr. Luo isn't here, so... Yingque, you know what this identity means, right?"

"This attitude doesn't sound very friendly?"

Aphrodite gently took Yingque's hand in a gesture of comfort.

However, Yingque was different from before; she was much calmer than expected...

"It's just stating the facts. Being friendly is meaningless at this point. I believe no one likes those flattering 'advice's', right?"

......

Indeed, sometimes stating the facts in an overly friendly manner can backfire.

But that doesn't mean the shrikes will readily accept it, especially with Melper here...

Is it possible to refuse?

Aphrodite spoke again.

"No."

......

Freyne winked at her teammates, but Yingque had already let go of her hand and slowly nodded.

"I understand. I'll go."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Shrike turned their gaze to Yingque. They were still thinking of directly and clearly refusing, so why did they suddenly nod?

But Yingque simply asked again, "This is the responsibility I must bear as his wife, isn't it?"

“...Perhaps this way of thinking is not wrong,” Thomson hesitated for a long time, but finally agreed: “Sometimes when you are around him, there are many situations where you have no choice in the matter.”

693 Bewildered

"Are you sure, Yingque? That place is very likely the environment you dislike. If it's really unbearable, we can refuse. I believe Luo Fan wouldn't mind this ordinary exchange meeting..."

“I know, Juno, but as Thomson said, sometimes we are not in control of our own lives, and as his wife, I have a duty to share his burdens.”

Perhaps there's nothing to hesitate about; in fact, it's quite obvious...

"Don't worry, Yingque, we will have someone to take care of your safety throughout the process. You just need to remain silent when you arrive at the scene."

It was clear that comforting this resolute girl would have no effect, so Thomson could only offer her his assurance in this way.

Ying Que simply smiled faintly: "Well, then I'll trouble you."

Now that the deal was done, Melper stood up from the side and said, "Then, Miss Yingque, please come with me. I will take care of your makeup and clothing tonight."

"Um..."

The other members of the Shrike also planned to leave with Yingque, but Melper turned around and gently shielded Yingque behind him: "Well, please stay here for now, and when the time comes, you can go to the venue with Thomson."

"Is there anything that even we can't know?"

Juno frowned, and even considered drawing her gun, but was gently stopped by Freyne beside her.

“It just takes a little time to talk to her,” Melper chuckled lightly, then turned back to ask, “What does Miss Yingque think?”

"Don't worry, Juno, nothing will happen. Miss Melper's abilities have always been reliable, haven't they?"

......

It's precisely because her abilities are so strong that it's worrying...

Even though she reached out again to try and hold him back, Juno lowered her hand because of the gentle yet resolute look in his eyes.

She had indeed figured it out. She didn't feel forced; everything was of her own volition. Was she truly ready to step into another world that didn't belong to her?

Like AK12, Juno has eyes that she doesn't usually open, but others can still see a hint of sadness in her expression.

"Then let's go."

Melper's smile had vanished, but no one noticed at that moment...

......

Once the two men had completely disappeared behind the wooden door, the shrikes turned their attention back to Thomson, their previous friendliness vanishing and even turning into a hint of hostility.

"Is it too hasty to expose her to this kind of world now...?"

"...I didn't realize, Freyne, that you actually care about her quite a bit."

"answer my question."

After remaining silent until now, Freyne finally spoke, and although her tone was unfriendly, it made her stance clear to Thomson.

Thomson, of course, wouldn't back down on this: "The commander's gone, and she can't stay here like a hothouse flower forever. Sooner or later she'll have to come into contact with these environments, so let's take advantage of this opportunity..."

"So you're planning to make the choice in her place, in the Commander's place?"

"..."

This time, she chose to remain silent.

This means that there's no point in saying anything more for now.

The shrikes left one after another, until the last one, Juno, left a gray tail feather on the bar.

"If anything happens to her, please be careful..."

......

......

P.S.: The following recommendation is "Burst Witch Theme" – Shuiyi/Nightingale Records.

Once again, she returned to the "Marquis de Tuscany," but this time Melper revealed another world behind the dressing mirror to Yingque.

A dressing area with a strong sense of privacy, featuring a record player, asymmetrical chandeliers in various black and gold colors, and a variety of rare and exotic furniture and clothing.

Whether it was because he had grown accustomed to such a rare sight, or because the mental illness Morse mentioned had gradually cooled his emotions, Yingque appeared calmer than ever before, and sat down in front of the chair quite naturally, waiting for Melper.

“This time, I will do your hair and makeup myself. Miss Yingque, it seems you are more comfortable in this environment than before.”

I put my gloves back on, took off my hat, and there were cosmetics waiting, as if they had anticipated my arrival...

“Okay, let’s begin,” Ying Que nodded. “I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

"Oh? 'Waiting for you for a long time' means...?"

"I'll be able to see some sights that I haven't seen in the last ten years or so, right?"

This statement might seem cruel to an ordinary person, but Yingque still expressed it quite calmly.

But perhaps for her, that so-called "never seen before" was just the limit of her imagination.

The scenery that Lovan and Paradis encountered was more gloomy and cruel than most people could imagine; it was an urban legend that could not be summarized in a single sentence.

However, in an effort to appease her, Melper simply nodded in response through the vanity mirror: "Of course you can interpret it that way. After all, you are more intelligent than anyone here can imagine, and you must have realized long ago that something is happening around you that you have never seen or imagined before."

Ying Que shook his head, looking troubled, and said, "Should I say that I lack imagination, or that I failed to guess the full picture of reality? Perhaps I need to witness it with my own eyes before I can make my own judgment?"

......

"Why say 'belongs to oneself'? Aren't those evaluations based on your subjective judgment?"

"Because I have always lived through a filter left to me by them, the judgments made through that filter are naturally biased."

......