Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 64 Will You Forget Your Mother’s Face?

"I want to know how to remove the golden apple from my body."

Lingge said to Saint Xia Liya: "To you, it may be a precious treasure left by the goddess, but to me it is an unnecessary burden. Because I am just an ordinary person, I just want to live a peaceful life and have no intention of being involved in the fate of others. In this case, returning it to its original owner is the best choice."

That's what I said.

Alice, who was sitting next to him, scooped a spoonful of mashed potatoes and curled her lips where Lingge couldn't see: I just want to live a peaceful life. It sounds like something the male protagonist of a Japanese light novel would say. It doesn't quite fit with your personality.

But Lingge really thought so, and even in his heart, nothing was more important than this.

He used to be a pastor, and later a history teacher, working hard in this city to earn a weekly salary to support his life. His life was like the track of a steam train, and it had not changed at all after so many years. He watched his sister grow up little by little, pursuing her own dreams, with a happy smile on her face... This was the promise he made in front of someone's grave.

Even when a maid suddenly appeared in the house, she could not change this idea. Alice was special, and maybe one day she would leave here and go far away, but Lingge would not, he was destined to live in this city, in this small church.

So, when he looked intently into Saint Shallia's eyes, waiting for her answer, Saint Shallia was also looking into his eyes, and was sure that he saw something of human emotion in the hazy gold, and thus deeply realized one thing: the young man in front of him was not living in the present, or he had never lived in the present.

He has been living in a memory from long ago, stubbornly refusing to come out.

The golden ball of yarn floated in Ling's palm. It seemed to have no substance and no weight, but the magical thing was that the young man could really feel its existence. Even if he closed his eyes, he could still feel its radiance in the dark vision. If I had to make a metaphor, it would probably be similar to a person and his shadow.

What did he see in his eyes as you looked at him?
Saint Xia Liya opened her mouth slightly: "I'm sorry, Mr. Lingge, I can't answer this question."

As light must live with shadow, so men live with their fate.

Metien also stared at the ball of yarn in Ling'er's hand with curiosity and anticipation.

Saint Shallia calmly avoided her hand and handed the ball of yarn woven with the thread of fate to Linger. After the latter took it, she explained in a soft voice: "This is the [Destiny Beacon], and it is also the power I have as the agent of the kingship of fate. Everyone will be confused at times, because fate is always so fair. At this time, you might as well leave the choice to things beyond reason and try to believe in an impulse. It may not guide you to the right path, but it must be the most suitable path for you."

"but--"

She raised her hand, and countless golden threads flowed out from the void and gathered in her palm, as if woven by an invisible pair of hands, gradually turning into a fluffy ball of yarn, which looked small and delicate. Saint Shallia, holding the golden ball of yarn, looked at Ling Ge with clear eyes: "You can find the answer yourself."

Alice urged, "What are you waiting for? Try it now!"

Linger asked, "How do I use its power?"

"What's this?" Alice came forward curiously and reached out to pat the ball of yarn: "A cat toy?"

That's really easy, all you need is hands.

"It's very simple." Saint Xia Liya said: "Recite in your mind what you want to know or obtain, and then throw it out."

Is fate a cat's toy or a child's ignorant prank?

Ling stared at the ball of yarn in his hand, and as Saint Shallia said, he silently said in his heart: I want to know how to peel the golden apple from my body.

Then, he gently threw the ball of yarn out. Under the gaze of the four people, the yarn first rose and then fell. After landing on the ground, it rolled in one direction, and finally even passed through the wall and disappeared. On the road it passed, it left a golden line, guiding the unknown road.

"North." Saint Shallia said, "This is the direction that the 'Line' is pointing you to. This is also the direction I came from."

A look of reminiscence emerged in her eyes. "I woke up in a mountain in the north and set out on a journey with the lamb to find other sisters. During the journey, we briefly stopped in a city full of ancient trees and flowers. I have a hunch that this line will eventually extend to that city."

"The city of ancient trees and flowers?" A name popped up in Linger's mind. "You should be talking about the 'prosperous city' Rustin located on the southern foot of the Sosen Mountains. Is there the answer I want?"

"It is destined to be so."

Saint Shallia's eyes swept across the faces of the three people one by one, and she said softly: "The golden apple left by my mother has brought trouble to you, and this is also my responsibility. Therefore, I am willing to provide some help in this matter to the best of my ability. If you have made up your mind, you can come to the 'Fairy Sleep' Hotel at No. 13 Sherrel Street in Rostin City to find me, and I will be waiting for your arrival there."

After that, she stood up, picked up the lamb that was still reluctant to part with the beef and carrots, and said goodbye to the three people. Lingge did not try to stop her, and while he was still thinking, Metien stepped forward and volunteered: "I'll take you away, Sister Saint Xia Liya!"

The pink-haired girl led the girl and the sheep out of the kitchen, leaving only Alice and Ringer. The maid quietly observed her employer's expression, but could not tell what he was thinking. After all, her skill of observing people's expressions was not fully upgraded, and Ringer happened to be the kind of person who was the most difficult to see through.

After observing for a long time, I finally decided to ask directly.

"Lingge, what do you think?" She pretended to be casual and asked, "Do you want to listen to Saint Xia Liya and go to that Rostin City? In fact, I think it's pretty good. Even if she is fooling us, it doesn't matter. How about taking me on a trip? I, a maid, have worked diligently for you for so long. It shouldn't be too much to take me on a trip, right? And Metien, she studies so hard, sooner or later she will get tired and get into trouble. It's just the right opportunity to help her relax... Uh, I'm kidding, I didn't say anything?"

Faced with Lingge's sudden gaze, she decisively gave in and shrank under the dining table like a quail.

Then, his calm voice came to my ears:

"Let's eat first."

……

Metien led Saint Shalia out of the kitchen. When they passed the statue of the goddess, the girl suddenly stopped, raised her head, and fixed her sight on the veiled face. From the silence of the stone, she felt a kind and compassionate gaze. She looked lost and a little absent-minded.

Seeing this, Metien also stopped. She remembered that the girl in front of her called the goddess "mother" and her tone was very gentle when she mentioned the goddess. I guess in the ancient times when the world was just born, their relationship must have been very close, right? Just like a real mother and daughter. But when she woke up, everything changed. She couldn't find her mother or her other sisters. She could only wander around the world alone. That must have been a very lonely feeling.

If it were me, I would definitely not be able to bear it, a world without my father, without Lingge, and without Alice...

She suddenly tugged at the girl's sleeve and said in a low voice, "This statue of the goddess was made by the most famous sculptor in Linville City, whom my father hired. How about it, Sister Saint Xia Liya? Compared with the real goddess, does it look like it?"

Saint Shalia shook her head slightly.

Metien thought she meant it was not like that, and was a little disappointed. He blamed the craftsman for his poor craftsmanship. At this moment, he suddenly heard her speak again. Her voice sounded relieved, but so gentle that it made people feel a little sad: "Sorry, I forgot."

"so."

"I do not know."

　Give me some meow, by the way, the editor suggested that I change my introduction (sad)
　　
　
(End of this chapter)