Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Chapter 331 98 The Descending Glow of Dawn

'Lebyon, the current population estimate is around 280,000 to 330,000, located at 47.3°N longitude...'

Sitting in the underground shelter, the black-haired Tilan tapped on the projection keyboard, retrieving data and then analyzing it slowly.

'The population within Lebyon is far less than that of Jielou City in the past. Members directly affiliated with the two factions account for one-tenth, plus some peripheral and well-acquainted personnel, each side is estimated to have 40,000 to 50,000 people, which also constitutes a significant part of the population within Lebyon.' she pondered slowly.

If they wanted to quell the hostilities, they would have to crush both sides' main forces, but it was clear that they, as a group, did not have the capability to do so right now, if it were her alone... The girl spread her palm, watching the pale blue crystals gathering and transforming within it, her thoughts whirling.

It was still too risky, she shook her head, to go all out in battle meant she couldn't look after her companions.

But if they let things be, and the two sides were to fight to a conclusion, she estimated that the city would be half-destroyed, with untold numbers of casualties.

Although she wasn't the kind of saint whose kindness overflowed to the point where it needed to be vented, standing by and watching completely would be somewhat unbearable for her.

Think of a solution, she rubbed her temples to soothe the slight annoyance in her mind.

"Are you suffering from a headache?" A familiar voice came from behind her, followed by a pair of hands gently placed on either side of the girl's head, massaging them.

"Deloris." Tilan turned around, looking at her awakened companion.

"I woke up, saw you sitting here looking troubled, and walked over," she said in a very natural manner, leaning on Tilan as if it was the most natural thing to do.

"There is some worry, I just feel that letting them continue fighting is not good, but intervening would be irresponsible to everyone." The girl voiced her internal conundrum.

"Tilan... you are really too kind-hearted," Deloris said, shaking her head. Even though she liked Tilan's simplicity and cuteness, the thought of her being troubled over such things was disheartening.

"Maybe your intentions are good, but some people may not be grateful, and might even consider you an enemy with ulterior motives."

"I know, I understand their thoughts already," the girl thought to herself. How could she not be clear about it? She had experienced such things before in Payin City.

Not everyone understands that if you do a kind deed without any reason, it can only lead to suspicion and resentment. This is something that does not exist in their value system; they would rather believe that everyone is selfish than believe that someone would truly help them out of the goodness of their heart. And this isn't entirely wrong, because indeed, many people do bad things under the guise of doing good, like some cults and salespeople always come knocking with seemingly good intentions.

"Kindness is eroded in this way, but that's not why I condone their behavior."

"Although I might stand by for self-preservation and caution, it doesn't mean I approve of this behavior as being right, praiseworthy, or promotable."

"There are many frustrations and helplessness in life. Many people practice the Transcendent Sequence to gain strength just to change such helpless situations."

"But if one still chooses a helpless result despite having the power to change things, then what's the point of striving to acquire that strength? I suppose it's just frustrating; people always yearn for freedom and a bit of unrestraint."

"So, you think your wings have grown strong, and you want to fly, is that it?" Deloris couldn't help but laugh lightly.

"Well, I'm not sure about the extent of Tilan's strength, but if you really want to do something, I'll be there to cheer and support you, not just blindly oppose."

"Thank you, Deloris." After exchanging words with her close friend, the girl's mood unconsciously lightened a lot.

Not long after, Red Hat, Xie Lian, and Guluo also returned to the underground.

"The war is going on up there; right now, the streets are rife with gunfire. It probably won't quiet down until tonight," Xie Lian reported the situation.

"Then let's make our move tonight," Tilan suggested.

"Are we in such a rush?" Kinsenke was slightly puzzled. Logically speaking, if they waited a few more days, the war might be over.

"It's better to leave amidst the chaos, neither side will pay attention to such a trivial matter." The girl shook her head. She actually had another plan in mind.

"Then let's do that." Seeing that Tilan had made up her mind, the others did not object; to them, leaving earlier or later made little difference.

At dusk, the ground gradually entered twilight, and after a day of fierce fighting, the impassioned fervor in both sides' heads had cooled down somewhat. Seeing comrades and teammates wounded allowed people to calm down slightly about the war and ponder the accidents they might face.

Standing on the rooftop of a high-rise building under the setting sun, the girl looked down at the city filled with ruins and wreckage. The immense dome that now stood skeletal in the distance, the fallen towering buildings, and the lonely abandoned cranes; those skyscrapers that had once been half-built and then abandoned.

Footsteps came from the stairwell corner of the rooftop. Then a short-statured man with a mature face walked out slowly.

"Did you have something to say to me?" He was told that the dark-haired girl had something to discuss with him.

"Yes." Under the sunset, the girl turned around, her indigo dress and black hair also shrouded in the golden afterglow, bearing a wistfulness and maturity unbecoming of her age.

"Could you tell me about your past, Mr. Red Hat?" Her voice was gentle, as if chatting with an old friend.

The scene made Red Hat somewhat uncomfortable, but facing the girl's words, he unconsciously relaxed and was willing to believe she meant no harm.

It's strange that even the wicked like to be in the company of good-hearted people.

"My past? What's there to say," he shook his head, looking away.

"I grew up right here in this city, living a lowly life. Every day, I thought about making money, leading a comfortable and carefree existence. To be a big shot would be great; to be a boss even better. That way, I wouldn't have to work so hard every day."

"I used to keep watch for people, but I'd always get the least when it came to splitting the loot. Later, I wanted to take a job and do some work, but because I was too short and didn't have the right look, I was always pushed aside. No choice, I had to find other things to do; thieving, extortion, blackmail, I've done all sorts of bad things. If you want to think of me as a good person that you can save, better give up on that idea right now."

"No, I didn't mean to blame you, Mr. Red Hat," the girl shook her head.

"Life at the bottom is hard. Sometimes, to survive, there are many things you simply must do. I don't want to sound self-righteous, but if one day I was so hungry I was about to faint, I'd probably resort to stealing, too."

"But still, yesterday's hardships can't justify today's crimes."

"If you have the chance in future, Mr. Red Hat, to earn a living in a normal way and have a stable and decent life, could you change your ways?"

"Heh, that's funny. Do you think it's so easy to change like that? Do I even have the choice to make such a change, the environment to maintain such a life? Stop talking nonsense. You kids are so naive..." He shook his head, preparing to leave, but the voice from behind made him halt his steps.

"What if I said I can make it happen?" That voice seemed to have a kind of magic, so soft yet deeply ingrained in the mind, freezing his whole body as if this was the only voice echoing in his head, trembling his soul.

The originally rough and dusty rooftop floor turned in an instant into the smoothest mirror in the world, reflecting the entire sky filled with the glow of sunset, as if the beautifully burning purple-red clouds were right beneath one's feet, as though one was walking in the heavens.

On glancing back, that figure stood in the twilight wind, black hair flying, hands spread open. Transparent crystal stones floated quietly beside her, refracting the sunset light into a kaleidoscope of colors, dreamy and beautiful, like the descended glow of the heavens.