Chapter 346: Farewell Letter, the Mighty Cat Raised Its Sorrow of Frost

The girl looked at this absurd scene, her eyes reflecting a middle-aged man, choked by Thousand Faces, appearing very awkward, as if the colors of emotion were frozen, revealing emerald ice cubes from a certain angle.

Eiwas, her biological father.

There aren’t that many coincidences in this world; ever since the other person sent her that letter, while her heart was in turmoil, she had also wondered if it might be a trap woven by the Church of the Gods.

After all, she had shown extraordinary talent since childhood—empathy—and had participated in the project “Dazzling Stage,” making it easy to be seen as a candidate for a magical girl.

Under these circumstances, the chances of being targeted after being noticed were not small.

On the other hand, after checking with Dream Weaver Rabbit, both her parents and she had indeed been affected by disaster aura, and Eiwas’s family had also perished in a disaster event, making it not strange that such a complicated fate would continue to touch her.

Not to mention, in Tang Liuli’s eyes, Eiwas was a scoundrel who could sell himself for money and art, and it wasn’t impossible for him to cooperate with the Church of the Gods to deceive her.

But… she still didn’t expect that the other party would be taken into the Ideal State, turning into a victim right before her eyes, performing such a scene.

Thousand Faces gently opened his palm, giving Eiwas room to breathe. A smile shone beneath his mask, and he graciously allowed Tang Liuli time to think, as if he were admiring her expression.

PERSONA is a power based on Helldir’s authority, drawn from his pursuit of pleasure and his inherently wild and playful nature.

Simply put, he is like the demons in stories that trick humans and steal their souls, able to make wagers that leave the other party with nothing, using what they lost to create a mask that embodies his own existence.

Interestingly, those who become masks still roam the world, retaining their original flesh, memories, personality, and soul.

You could say that aside from being able to be replaced, worn, controlled by Thousand Faces, or even pulled in to take the fall, they are no different from before.

Tang Liuli’s father, Eiwas, just happens to be one of them.

The email Eiwas sent about a family visit back home was not only the reason for Liuli’s mother’s change in character but also the opportunity for Thousand Faces to transform this father into a PERSONA.

Thousand Faces was not the one who brought disaster upon the family or caused a high fever, but perhaps fate played its part, as he caught a whiff of disaster aura while passing by that castle and made a deal with Eiwas.

For him, this was certainly a good bargain; just to save the other’s life, he gained a PERSONA.

However, no one expected that after more than ten years, this PERSONA in hand could still play such a role at the moment of death.

Thousand Faces had all of Eiwas’s memories, and his understanding of Tang Liuli was exactly the same as that of her biological father.

That socially anxious, timid, cowardly child, who liked to escape and was full of cracks in his spirit, only armed with acting skills like a hedgehog, had grown a lot after participating in the “Dazzling Stage.”

At least, after perfectly entering Eiwas’s perspective, the way the other person, using a technique, locked onto their position and descended from the sky riding the Holy Dragon looked very different from the daughter he recognized.

Thousand Faces really enjoyed wearing the PERSONA, deeply immersing himself in the character like cosplay, viewing the world from a different perspective, which often brought a more wonderful and unique pleasure.

It was the same now.

Liuli, my “daughter,” what kind of surprise will you bring me this time?

Tang Liuli felt a bit confused as she looked down at her father’s face, which had reddened from suffocation. The vision of Spirit Power opened, revealing the strange yet familiar colors of the soul.

It was a muddy half-gray, with grainy dust rising and falling within it, belonging to a faint and rare spark of humanity, which grew deeper as Thousand Faces’s grip tightened around the throat.

Ordinary, gloomy, and half-hearted.

Her father had always been like this; he was not completely ugly, but it was hard to find many beautiful things about him. Like many people, he was neither a good person nor a villain.

Tang Liuli was the same; she was also half-hearted. She could cut ties with Eiwas and hatefully see him as scum, yet she still couldn’t simply watch the other person die.

So, what should be done?

The girl’s thoughts were chaotic; her emotions were like a tsunami that had surged and then frozen, a moving glacier occasionally cracking, with a rumbling that sometimes poured forth, while the whole world remained silent and tranquil.

Sadness, pain, sorrow, anger, and…

Calmness.

In a daze, the memories of the first playthrough washed over like a tide, and her childhood seemed like scenes from a movie, transforming in her mind into rushing horses, a strong sense of magic overturning her self, as overwhelming loneliness began to eat at her heart.

At that moment, the Cocoon of the Heart efficiently devoured the energy of the Magic Potion, even beginning to stir her emotions, autonomously drawing the magic essence from the air, forming a strong wind that tousled her hair.

The color in the girl’s eyes became dark, her beautiful and elegant features showing a complex expression, as if she held a fragile hope. She moved her lips and quietly greeted,

“Dad, it’s been a long time.”

“Do you want me to rescue you?”

Thousand Faces was surprised and raised the corner of his mouth. He let go of Eiwas and ignored the man who was gasping for breath, feeling a joy that he could not hide.

Eiwas struggled to breathe and coughed. He raised his gloomy eyes to look at his distant daughter, and her face, filled with fear, suddenly froze. Then it quickly turned to an eager expression as she forced a smile and urged,

“Liuli, hurry up! No matter which side you choose, he won’t let you go. This has never been a choice; it’s just a way for the devil to toy with people’s hearts.”

“I was never meant to live long. As long as you can survive, that’s enough. Don’t hesitate anymore…”

Before he could finish his words, the disaster aura from Thousand Faces’s fingertips, like an extending blade, severed one of Eiwas’s arms. A spray of blood burst into the air like mist, and he watched the man’s expression suddenly twist into an ugly wail, laughing and clapping his hands in delight.

Eiwas bit down hard, trembling on the ground like a worm, desperately holding onto the broken limb. He raised his blood-marked face, grimacing, and squeezed out the words “run away” from his throat, but then his head was stepped on, and he couldn’t make a sound.

The light in Tang Liuli’s eyes dimmed, her heart longing like wilted flowers drifting away. Her feelings were stronger than any evidence.

“Hope, resentment, blame, anger, fear, hate…”

“Dad, you really never loved me, did you? Is that how you feel about Mom too? How many of the letters you wrote me were just to make yourself look good, to feel good, or to deceive yourself?”

Tang Liuli avoided looking at Eiwas’s suddenly fierce face; she took out the last bottle of Magic Potion from her storage ring and whispered softly,

“Is it because time is running out that you want to prove your worth by being a good father and a good husband? Maybe you have even tricked yourself, but… love does not lie.”

Or perhaps, even if she sensed a tiny bit of love, as faint as dust, she would cling to it like a drowning person grabbing a straw, willing to be a fool and believe that the other truly loved her.

But there was none, not even a little bit.

Tang Liuli cried calmly, her dark hair swaying in the wind, and the magical sparkles rising turned her tears to steam. She closed her eyes and drank the last bottle of Magic Potion in one gulp.

Then, without caring about anyone around, she sang the opening tune, her slender fingertips moving through the air like a conductor guiding an orchestra.

What was astonishing was that the delicate and harmonious sounds of the piano, guzheng, flute, bass, and Daxia drum all gathered from every direction, playing a beautiful, warm, and joyful melody with this movement.

The bright and dazzling light danced through the surrounding chaotic magic essence, like fireflies in the mountains entering the soul, continuously flooding into the Cocoon of the Heart as the music played, bringing a constant change of transformation.

Deep within the soul, 71 threads of spirit from the magical girls sent many comforting words that warmed the heart:

“Liuli, don’t cry.”

“Wuwuwu, feeling Liuli’s emotions, I couldn’t help but cry too; it hurts so much.”

“This is too much; I don’t want a father like that!”

“My dad always wanted another daughter; Liuli, will you be my sister?”

“Be strong, I will give you all my shining light.”

“Although I do not know how powerful the bishop is, if everyone comes together, we can definitely reach Fully Blooming and go beyond limits.”

“Cupid said that magical girls can create miracles; we will not lose. Liuli, go for it! Let’s defeat this wicked thing!”

This temporary group chat, which included 71 magical girls, quietly passed through the hourglass after the green-eyed cat faced the archbishop, using [Spirit Power] to form it.

The little idols connected with Liuli’s emotions, shared each other’s perspectives, and during this time, they crazily brainstormed ideas, acting as clever advisors, and just moments ago, they all passionately wrote different versions of the ‘Farewell Letter’ together.

The voice that echoed in Tang Liuli’s ears was not the chattering of the magical girls but rather the sound of their spirits merging with the music, naturally reaching her heart.

At that moment, the prelude of the ‘Farewell Letter’ had not faded; the emotions of 71 magical girls combined, infusing [Spirit Power], creating a force field that interfered with reality and supported a blazing light beam leading to the battlefield in the sky.

In this moment, the 71 magical girls made a united wish for the ‘Cocoon of the Heart’; the missing magic, brilliance, and feelings surged like a tsunami within Liuli, creating an incredible transformation that made her heart bloom.

Time stood still.

In the soul, budding flowers consumed the fallen cocoon threads; they seemed to be made of layers of petals, showing a dull, deep green color.

This is the green rose, also known as the Scottish green rose. It was born from the fairy tales and stories of Scotland and does not exist in reality. It symbolizes courage, hope, and new beginnings.

— I want to protect everyone.

To thank her little idols who were willing to entrust everything to her, she made a flower language wish leading to destiny and immediately returned to reality.

The girl raised her eyes ahead, as the waves of her heart like stars blocked the flood of the disaster aura. The resounding “Farewell Letter” filled the air with the brilliance of miracles, causing the hundred-faced dice thrown by the archbishop to freeze mysteriously in the void, trembling and stiff, delaying the activation of power.

The knight in the dragon-riding Magic Armor was reformed again, referencing the costume from her role in “Magical Girl Delaina,” transforming into a cute dress based on Scottish green, full of magical girl charm.

Thousand Faces watched this scene in amazement. He had always known that magical girls were a group of unreasonable and idealistic beings, but he didn’t expect that during “Fully Blooming,” the planetary consciousness seemed to be watching, causing the power of “Helldir” to temporarily freeze.

This was not a common occurrence; it could only mean that besides the “Pure White,” Tang Liuli was also deeply loved by the planet itself.

However, from “Lighting the Lamp” to “Fully Blooming,” the situation still could not be changed.

Even if one directly achieved “Fully Bloom,” the other party must possess multiple traits, learn the Unrestricted Technique, and accumulate enough foundation to qualify to compete alongside the archbishop.

Even so, his failure was an undeniable fact.

Eiwas didn’t even complete the emotional attack; even if he tormented the magical girls in the hourglass, he would likely not break Tang Liuli’s spirit.

So, the game was over; it was best to focus on taking the Vow Ring and leaving with Auguste, or else it would be hard to escape when help arrived.

Thousand Faces casually took a picture of PERSONA, and the hundred-faced dice in his hand settled on 58 as his will turned, pushing out an equal amount of chips, making reality begin to twist. He had two goals.

First, to get the Vow Ring.

Second, to cut the spiritual link between Tang Liuli and the 71 magical girls.

As long as he accomplished these two tasks, he could leave directly, and the others would not be able to find these magical girls anymore.

Tang Liuli watched Thousand Faces’s movements, the sense of time stretching infinitely, allowing her retina to capture the slow rolling of the dice, as the magic in her soul continued to boil and burn.

The support from the 71 witches didn’t just push her to “Fully Blooming”; the abundant magic, shining light, wishes, and emotions created a wonderful chemical reaction.

This wonderful feeling, similar to a combined evolution, caused the newly born Flower of the Soul to be endlessly inspired by time. Along with being a Spirit Power of Patronus Magic, a brief glimpse of its underlying branches also appeared.

Divine Control.

— Effect 1: Understand the colors and weight of the soul.

— Effect 2: At the cost of magical power, change the color of the soul (emotion, thought, character, personality, self), and change its weight (temporarily increase the soul’s limit, or weaken it, even erase it).

Mask.

— Effect 1: Telekinesis, mental shock, blade of the soul.

— Effect 2: Everything seen, heard, thought, loved, or hated could form a strong outer shell, creating spikes to resist reality, able to shield against parts of concepts, causality, and rules, causing counter damage.

— Effect 3: When emotions and thoughts reached a certain frequency, they could ignite the heart’s fire, summon the mask, elevate Divine Control, unlock the divine zone, twist thoughts to distort space, change local time, and alter parts of reality with will.

If Divine Control, this supportive skill, was a branch that might awaken during the “Fully Blooming” stage, then the mask, a powerful core branch, could only be fully used when at its “Fully Bloomed” state.

But right now, the blessings of flowers, the wishes of 71 magic girls, and her own unwavering spirit all seemed to grant her the power of the future, enhancing both [Divine Control] and [Mask].

The girl’s hair broke free from its ties, flying wildly in the wind, while the flames of determination burned in her eyes, and the waves of her stirring heart intertwined around her.

The memories of the past ten years, mixed with the broken memories of the first playthrough, poured into the phantom light, wrapping around the Magic Armor, creating sharp and pale spikes, which, at the moment fixed by the hundred-faced dice, echoed a sigh that resonated through the world.

The man’s mask hid his face, collapsing back and forth, as he caught the hundred-faced dice with his hand, shattering three PERSONA in total, to exchange life for injury. He coughed up blood but laughed with joy:

“How interesting, so thrilling! Is this a magical girl? Is this the miracle you can create? No wonder you are expected to fight against the power of the [Calamity God].”

“Come on, Tang Liuli, let me see your limits.”

Thousand Faces had already forgotten the consequences of killing or seriously injuring the opponent; he only wanted to push them to their limits and taste more of the joy.

As for death? Who in the bishop’s circle feared death?

Not to mention, this kind of backlash was far less than that red and black flame; PERSONA was only broken, not completely destroyed, and could easily be healed with resources.

Before coming here, he had already collected thousands of PERSONA in the Ideal State. How many times could Tang Liuli hurt herself again? He waited to see.

The girl did not understand Thousand Faces’s joy, nor did she want to. Her soul blazed brightly like a green light swallowed by waves, and the emotions around her formed a stormy rain, shaking the will of the land and sky and twisting the laws of the Golden Sea.

Even the Holy Dragon and the Duke at the top could not help but look down at this war that surpassed expectations, shocked by Aisha Fez’s performance.

Tang Liuli reached out her palm and plucked a mask from the shimmering ripples.

It was a shrine style of Dongliu, resembling both a fox and a cat, with the true names of 71 magical girls written on it, carved with the patterns of green roses, spreading out into tiny cracks, declaring how long it could last.

The girl listened to the unfinished “Farewell Letter,” smiling as she ignored the soul’s lament, forcing the mask onto her face, sharing the heart-wrenching pain with the 71 magical girls.

In the first second, the hourglass containing her friends fell into her hands.

In the second second, she reached out her palm to the distant archbishop, crossing space, ignoring resistance, trampling obstacles, altering reality, and taking away the other person’s mask.

In the third second, Thousand Faces’s faceless form squirmed for a moment, his suited body fell with a thud, while the hundred-faced dice symbolizing the authority of the Calamity God spun wildly.

This process had no fancy effects; it was so simple that it caught people off guard. Only the sudden emptiness in the air, the large amount of magic essence being pulled from the atmosphere, and the blood spilling from her lips silently announced the cost.

In the fourth second, she sensed a familiar soul’s essence from the bishop’s mask, drawing out the PERSONA that represented Eiwas, whispering in her heart:

“The water flows gently, parting ways with you forever.”

“Dad, in the next life, I will not recognize you as my father anymore.”

“But don’t worry, I will give you peace, no longer allowing him to insult and control you.”

Although she did not know the background story, having her father’s PERSONA in her hands made death the softest solution.

Thus, the mask burned to ashes, the scattered remains fell, becoming the final note of the “Farewell Letter.”

In the fifth second, she sent Thousand Faces’s main body along with the hundred-faced dice to the outside of the Golden Sea, using the simplest and quickest method to escape.

In the sixth second, she predicted that Auguste would summon the Emperor’s Armor—The One Truth, sliced open the alchemical realm in advance, intervened in the fusion, and fell back onto the Holy Dragon.

In the seventh second, she hugged Aurora and activated a long-distance random teleportation to escape from Grand Duke Tiffany’s pursuit, shattering her mask in the process.

In the eighth second, she broke the hourglass, releasing 71 little idols and many innocent local people, as the traces of [Divine Control] and [Mask] began to flow back into a blocked state.

In the ninth second, she had no time to pretend to be fine. As the magical girls cheered loudly and cutely, she fell into unconsciousness.

Aurora tilted her head in confusion as she watched Little Liuli surrounded by girls, being filled with Magic Potion, and fell into deep thought.

And just as the curtains fell here,

The Yves Saint Laurent Academy on the other side finally entered a heated stage.