Chapter 215 - Chapter 215: Chapter 204: Mother and Daughter (2/2)

If this is what they consider low, what’s the endgame? Do these people want to become monsters? Byrne found it hard to believe at the time.

Although the Reforging Church never coerced anyone into modifying their bodies, their followers were repeatedly indoctrinated with the theory that flesh was inferior to mechanical steel. As a result, many would voluntarily join in the modifications.

“I think they want to do more than just transform the world, they even want to refashion all of humanity. No, not just transform but truly reforge…”

A chill ran through the depths of Byrne’s heart.

——

After a long carriage ride, Lilian finally returned to Fein City once again.

This city had drastically changed, with its wildly growing population leading to increasingly crowded and chaotic residential areas, deteriorating public order, rampant crime, and a living environment made filthy by the numerous factories.

A few years ago, the Lion clan still had the energy to manage the city, but now with war underway, they had to fight on the front lines, and could no longer fully address the situation at home. Meanwhile, the population of Fein City kept rising, and the pollution from the factories grew ever more severe.

In the years she had traveled with Aunt Irene, she had seen many things, met many people, and visited various cities and towns. Since the advent of the steam engine, most of them faced a host of problems caused by rapid population growth, so Lilian was not particularly surprised by the situation in Fein City.

“Perhaps, from these suffering masses, we can find some followers that our Lord needs.”

She squinted her eyes, gazing out of the carriage window at Fein City, where the ground was filthy and muddied. Ruffians strutted through the streets laughing loudly, underage prostitutes were brutally pinned against walls by men, groups of children displayed the cunning eyes of thieves, and even someone raised a middle finger, maliciously spitting at the carriage.

“Goo goo goo!”

The small Spiritual Dragon, hidden in liquid form in Lilian’s sleeve, curiously poked its head out, excited by the sight of so many people outside the carriage.

“Goo goo goo goo goo!”

It was very excited, for it seldom saw so many people!

The Fischer family carriage continued on its way to the affluent district of Fein City.

Lilian noticed the environment change instantaneously; the previous chaos and filth, madness and congestion, vanished as if she had entered a brand new world.

“The contradiction between the poor and the rich is as vast as the gap in their living environments.”

The carriage stopped next to the lush greenery of the Hoffman family estate, where the scent of flowers and grass was refreshing.

Many had seen Baron Hoffman come to grief in the Spirit Realm, but since Viscount Bast had imposed a gag order, no one dared to speak the truth.

After the mishap with Baron Hoffman, another family member took over the Hoffman family, and they quickly surrendered to the Lion clan due to the downfall of the Eagle clan.

Of course, due to Byrne’s involvement, Viscount Bast did not trouble them afterward.

“Lilian?”

Nearing forty, Margaret, wearing glasses, sat in a hanging chair in the small garden, smiling at her daughter as she approached.

For a moment, she was taken aback, feeling a strong resemblance between her daughter and Irene.

It seemed like an illusion and yet so real. Margaret was not particularly fond of Irene, who had usurped the right to educate the children, yet her love for her daughter Lilian was overflowing.

“Mom, it’s me, I’m back.”

Lilian smiled, sitting beside Margaret.

All at once, she felt an indescribable sense of tearing, as mere days ago she had been deciding the fates of others, yet now she sat beside her mother like an obedient daughter.

“Lilian, you’re so pretty. Don’t let any men deceive you, okay? Innocent girls like you who haven’t been through much are the easiest to fool,” Margaret said lovingly as she looked at her daughter with a smile.

Innocent.

Lilian was taken aback, unsure how to respond. She was indeed at the age to be deceived by others, yet she had already experienced so much and was no longer the same.

However, in her mother’s eyes, she was just a regular noble girl who enjoyed playing with small animals, pure-hearted, who would never guess her daughter’s true nature.

That feeling of tearing grew stronger, and Lilian had many words stuck in her throat that she couldn’t express. She simply couldn’t and wouldn’t make her mother understand who she really was.

So she just nodded lightly, smiling and replying, “Mm-hmm, Mom, stop it! I know all that. Don’t worry, I won’t be fooled by any man!”