- 6 hours ago
Three Alphas, One Dead Sister
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Short filmTranscript
00:00At the wedding banquet, Isabella, the one they called my sister, took the opportunity of toasting to lean in close
00:06and give me a taunting smile.
00:08Congratulations on your marriage.
00:10I tried out your husband on the wedding bed for you last night.
00:15It was absolutely amazing.
00:18Couldn't stand it and slapped her across the face.
00:21The next second, Dorian, my fianco, as well as the most reputed Lycan lord in the Ironspire kingdom,
00:26gave me six hard lashes in front of everyone.
00:32Isabelle has never offended you.
00:34She gave you everything, yet you still can't stand her.
00:42Do you really think you can conceal your filthy past from me?
00:46You slave mongrel.
00:48If it weren't for your brothers, I'd rather marry a dog than a shameless ingrate like you.
00:52At his command.
00:55He threw me into a deep, remote forest, and tossed me into a snake den, teeming with venomous snakes to
01:01reflect on my actions.
01:07After seven days of torment, my three older brothers of Ashvale's house came to me.
01:15I thought I'd be saved finally.
01:17But I was wrong.
01:23My eldest brother, the alpha king in the Ironspire kingdom.
01:28The most valiant commander, yet also the most ruthless ruler,
01:32who slaughtered the inhabitants of two cities to bring the north under his control.
01:37Without hesitation, he thrust his sword through my shoulder blade.
01:43Isabelle cried all night.
01:45I've already decided to name her as the heiress of the kingdom.
01:50My second brother, the dragon justitia, cold as he was sculpted from a marble stone,
01:55once burned thin of features accused of treason and witchcraft at the stake without batting an eye.
02:00He didn't even take a glance at my battered body, just said coldly.
02:04From now on, only Isabelle's name will be recorded in the Royal Family Registry.
02:09As for you, don't even think about being recognized as a member of this family for the rest of your
02:13life.
02:14My third brother, the renowned vampire healer,
02:21was even more ruthless.
02:23His sharp teeth pierced my throat.
02:28Isabelle has suffered from Scurvius since childhood.
02:33To compensate her.
02:36You must keep giving out your blood to save her.
02:40I heard a cold voice, coarse from ancient.
02:42It is done.
02:44The suffering ordained for this form has run its course.
02:47Not one lash unearned.
02:48Not one sorrow unspent.
02:50Death will not be an ending.
02:52It will be a door.
02:54Dear Traveler,
02:55Once this body dies,
02:57you may return to your original world.
03:02Hearing those words, I suddenly stopped wailing.
03:04My heart shifted from the despair and agony of moments ago to a sense of relief at the imminent release.
03:10My eldest and second brothers had already left with my blood in a large exquisite bottle.
03:15In the chilly, snake infested den,
03:17only my third brother, Mortimer,
03:19and I remained.
03:20Blood was still gushing from the incision,
03:22and Mortimer frowned in exasperation as he sutured the wound on my neck.
03:27If you'd cooperated sooner, we wouldn't have had to do this under such primitive conditions.
03:33It's taking me so much effort.
03:36It's a real hassle.
03:37Just last week, while Isabella was feeding the puppy which the eldest brother gave to her,
03:42she was scratched by it and got a nearly invisible cut.
03:45Mortimer reacted as if the sky had fallen.
03:48He summoned all his assistants from the court to take care of Isabella,
03:51applying the most precious ointment,
03:53and he checked the progress of her wound recovery every three hours.
03:57But now, facing me,
03:59who had almost lost one's life,
04:01with nothing but a ball of thread I'd torn from my tattered dress,
04:05and a thorn from a bramble bush,
04:07he was still complaining about the hassle of the most basic suturing.
04:11Perhaps seeing that I hadn't moved for a while,
04:14he leaned down,
04:15patted my face.
04:16Stop pretending.
04:18I know you're in great shape.
04:23Aren't you just trying to play the victim to make me feel guilty,
04:27so you can steal my affection for Isabelle?
04:31You're so dark and petty.
04:34Since you've been a member of us, put those petty schemes away.
04:37In the past, faced with a loved one's misunderstanding,
04:41I would have defended myself with tear-filled eyes,
04:44crying out that I wasn't that kind of person.
04:46But at the time, I felt only numb calm, closing my eyes, I said hoarsely.
04:51You should leave too.
04:53I can wait here alone to die.
04:57Seraphina, you?
04:59Just let me die so that I can return to my original world.
05:07For me, the quickest way to find relief right now was to die immediately.
05:11But to Mortimer, those words clearly carried a different meaning.
05:17Seraphina, what do you mean?
05:19Are you deliberately saying these depressing things to disgust me?
05:22He deliberately yanked hard on the stitches.
05:25The fragile edges of the wound instantly tightened,
05:28and foul blood gushed out,
05:29bringing excruciating pain that no normal person could bear.
05:33Seeing me gasp in pain,
05:35my head drenched in cold sweat,
05:37a flicker of pity crossed his eyes,
05:39and he softened his tone.
05:40Don't speak nonsense.
05:42You are not going to die.
05:44At the end of the day, if you hadn't been so narrow-minded,
05:48refusing to accept Isabel,
05:50and even hitting her,
05:51you wouldn't be suffering like this.
05:54As long as you promise not to give Isabel a hard time once we get back,
05:57and sincerely apologize to her.
05:59I can take you back to the court and get you the best treatment.
06:03You won't have to suffer here anymore.
06:05Hearing the condescending tone in his voice,
06:07I felt even more chilled to the bone and mocked.
06:10Although I am a time traveler,
06:12I had been reincarnated into the body of Seraphina in this world starting from the age of six.
06:17Poor, parentless, and nearly being sold as a slave.
06:20Before being sold,
06:21the only chance laying before me was to get adopted.
06:25I was lucky.
06:26That night, the administrator of the orphanage with twinklings in her eyes said to me,
06:31Lucky sweetie, there were three anonymous gentlemen who claim to be your biological brothers.
06:39Back then in the orphanage, in the blackness, I heard Isabel pull on my dress,
06:44heard her practice my voice, softening it, sweetening it.
06:48Before she greeted my brothers with a pretty curtsy,
06:50a sliver of light appeared beneath the door, then vanished.
06:53I can't do anything, because Isabel locked me in the attic.
06:56The carriage wheels faded down the gravel drive, but no one came.
07:00After I had endured countless hardships,
07:03the Ashevale brothers found me presented on the slave market.
07:06Limbs bounded by chains.
07:08They claimed that I was their long lost biological sister,
07:11and brought me back to Ashevale's house.
07:13But once I returned, I discovered they had already had a sister Isabella,
07:17that imposter whom they had adopted years ago.
07:20The moment I saw her, I recognized her.
07:22For 20 years, Isabella had enjoyed all the care and love the Ashevale house had to offer,
07:28while I had borne all the hardships and misfortunes in her stead.
07:31Yet, whenever she feigns a look of grievance by furrowing her brow,
07:35my three biological brothers unconditionally take her side,
07:39accusing me of being petty.
07:40Even my betrothed, Dorian, would only smile at her while glaring coldly at me.
07:45I was tired of this entanglement and pain.
07:48I didn't want to waste any more energy arguing,
07:50so I simply raised my hand and tore open the knife wound that had just been stitched up.
07:55As blood and intestines gushed out,
07:58Mortimer screamed with voice cracked.
08:01Seraphina, you're crazy!
08:03You'll die!
08:07Watching the tears welled up in his eyes,
08:09I curled the corners of my mouth into a smile.
08:12Death? That would be just fine.
08:14Every second I live longer makes me...
08:17feel sick!
08:19After saying that, I could no longer keep my eyelids from drooping.
08:23My head lolled to one side, and I passed out.
08:26I don't know how long it had been when I woke up from the darkness.
08:29I thought I'd returned to my own world, but I felt I was leaning on a velvet cushion.
08:33When I opened my eyes, I saw the dome of the palace,
08:37carved with golden grapevines and winged wolves,
08:40and the familiar haughty profile of my elder brother.
08:42Alistair!
08:44You're finally awake.
08:45His eyes were slightly bloodshot.
08:47He looked like he hadn't slept well,
08:49but his tone was brimming with impatience.
08:52You're a grown woman now.
08:54Why do you behave like a kid?
08:56Making such a fuss over a trifle,
08:58where's the dignity of an ash well?
09:00The mere thought of having to deal with this rotten world left me feeling utterly drained.
09:05I had no interest in defending myself,
09:07so I interrupted him with a vacant stare.
09:11You're right.
09:12I've brought shame upon myself.
09:15I'm unworthy of living.
09:19So, let me die.
09:22Alistair's expression changed abruptly,
09:24and he instinctively gripped me by the neck.
09:27But when he saw my deathly pale face,
09:29devoid of even a hint of color,
09:31he loosened the gripping hand.
09:34Seraphina!
09:35You dare give me that look?
09:37His voice trembled.
09:39The impatience in his eyes faded slightly,
09:41revealing a trace of panic he didn't even realize he was feeling.
09:45I went to such great length to rescue you from the slave dealers,
09:49not so you could spout nonsense here!
09:52I tugged at the corner of my mouth,
09:54revealing a smile devoid of any warmth.
09:57Great lengths?
09:58More likely you were afraid I'd die, don't you?
10:01So no one could serve as a blood provide for Isabella.
10:04No one to let her continue playing the wrong little flower to her heart's content.
10:08Isn't that your planning?
10:10Just as I was thinking this,
10:11the door swung open,
10:13and third brother Mortimer walked in,
10:15holding a bowl of tea-sane.
10:21Seeing that I was awake, a flicker of joy flashed in his eyes.
10:25He held the bowl out to me.
10:27Now that you're awake, drink this.
10:28Don't make me force it down your throat.
10:30The liquid was pitch black and reeked of bitterness.
10:33I turned my head away and closed my eyes in refusal.
10:37No, it's a waste of medicine.
10:39Mortimer was so furious his hands were trembling,
10:41yet instead of forcing the tea-sane down my throat as he usually did,
10:45he gave the bowl to the maid,
10:46you insufferable wretch,
10:49and reached out to examine my wound.
10:50When his fingertips touched the bandage,
10:52his movements were surprisingly gentle.
10:54For the first time, there was a hint of tenderness and consideration
10:58he usually showed Isabella.
11:00As expected, with the best medicine,
11:04the recovery is best more faster.
11:07He rewrapped the bandage and glared at me menacingly.
11:10You'd better behave myself.
11:12If the shunk reopens, I won't seen it up a second time.
11:15His words were harsh, but I clearly saw the red veins in his eyes
11:18and the barely perceptible tremor in his fingertips.
11:21I suppose he'd watched over me these past few days,
11:24regardless of day or night.
11:25In the past, I would have been moved by this hint of tenderness,
11:28would have thrown my arms around him and cried out my grievances.
11:31But now, I only felt irony.
11:34I wrenched my arm free from his grip,
11:36yanked the blanket off,
11:37and was about to tear open the incision again.
11:40Every second of my life right now was torture.
11:42As long as I could die quickly, anything would do.
11:45Alistair grabbed my arm with such force,
11:47he nearly crushed my bones.
11:48Yet the moment I groaned in pain,
11:50he instantly loosened his grip slightly.
11:53You're crazy!
11:55Serafina, what on earth are you trying to do?
11:57I want to die.
12:00I want to die.
12:04My tone was calm, as if I were discussing some trivial matter.
12:07Let me die. It'll be better for everyone.
12:10You won't have to struggle anymore,
12:12and Isabella can live out her life as the Ashwell's heiress in peace.
12:16So, please.
12:19Do me a favor and let me die quickly.
12:22Those words seemed to strike a nerve with Alistair.
12:24His eyes reddened, and he raised his hand to slap me.
12:27Though it was lighter than any blow he'd ever dealt me before.
12:30More like a frustrated outburst at a wayward child.
12:34I won't allow it!
12:35You're the daughter of Ashwell House.
12:38Who dares let you die?
12:39Mortimer panicked too.
12:40He stepped forward, and pushed me back onto the bed.
12:43Serafina, stop this.
12:45I know you're in pain.
12:47Just focus on getting better.
12:50Later, later I'll take better care of you, alright?
12:52I looked into the pleading in his eyes and found it absurd.
12:55Where was that all this time?
12:56When he was forcibly tearing open my throat?
12:59When he was making a mountain out of a molehill over Isabella's minor scratch?
13:02Why didn't he think to cherish me then?
13:05I closed my eyes, refusing to look at them.
13:07I let Mortimer tuck the blanket back around me and bring the bowl of T-Sane to my lips.
13:12But I stubbornly refused to open my mouth.
13:14As we stood there in a standoff, my second older brother, Edmund, pushed open the door, followed by a pale
13:19-faced door in him.
13:20When Edmund saw me, his eyes reddened, and he hurried to the bedside.
13:24Serafina, I'm so glad you're awake. You scared the life out of me.
13:29I was first taken back into the Asheville house by him.
13:33It was he who saved me before the prince would lay a hand on me.
13:37This dragon form scared all the creatures except for me.
13:41He let me ride on his black scaled back and rise into the sky.
13:44Not only did he take me on trips to see the sights, but he also told me how much the
13:48family had missed and searched for me over the years.
13:51Whenever he got emotional, he couldn't help but shed tears.
13:54He was once the tenderest heart of all.
13:56But later, after Isabella wiped away her tears and complained that I've stolen her lover to him several times,
14:02he turned on a dime, accusing me of being a two-faced schemer who had betrayed the family's sincere love
14:07for me.
14:08Seeing him again only made me feel more repulsed, and I dodged his hand as he reached out to touch
14:13my face.
14:18Edmund's hand, suspended in midair, froze, and he withdrew it with a bitter expression.
14:23Seeing this, Dorian stepped forward and took the bowl of T-Sane from Mortimer's hands.
14:27Let me feed her. She might listen to me.
14:30It was no wonder he was so confident.
14:32After all, over the years, anyone with eyes could see just how endlessly patient and accommodating I'd been toward this
14:38fianx.
14:39I loved him to the very core of my being.
14:42But what is the return of my love?
14:44On the day of our wedding ceremony, he confessed his true intention behind this convenient marriage.
14:49I remembered how he held Isabella in his arms, sneering.
14:52Do you know how I suffered for these years just for what your brothers had promised me?
14:57Even thirty cities in the Iron Spire could not make up for my sufferings under your endless jibber-jabbles.
15:02What can a bleak manor in the North do?
15:05Rose Palace.
15:06The manor he contempted was the only thing left untouched by Isabella for my dowry.
15:11Just as he was walking toward me, the door swung open again.
15:14Isabella, dressed in a thin, purple gown, walked in looking extremely frail.
15:18Sister, I've come to see you.
15:21Alistair immediately stood up to support her.
15:24Isabella, you're still weak. Why did you come here?
15:26Isabella shook her head, her gaze falling on me, filled with feigned remorse.
15:31It's all my fault. If I hadn't failed to stop Sister Serafina that day, things wouldn't have escalated to this
15:37point.
15:39I felt quilty, so I had to come and apologize to her.
15:42As she spoke, she took the bowl from Dorian's hands and sat down by my bedside.
15:46Serafina, don't be so hard on yourself. Take your medicine and focus on recovering. Everyone has been worried sick about
15:51you.
15:52I know you still blame me, but I really didn't mean to compete with you for anything. I won't have
15:56much time left.
15:58Everything in the ash wheel was meant to be yours anyway.
16:00These words seemed like a concession, but in reality, every sentence implied that I was narrow, minded, clinging to the
16:06past, and deliberately using my own body to throw a tantrum.
16:10Before her spoon could touch my lips, I raised my hand and slapped the medicine bowl out of her hand.
16:15With a clatter, thalding liquid splashed all over Isabella, especially her wrist and the hem of her robe, which instantly
16:22turned red.
16:22Isabella let out a startled cry. Her eyes welled up with tears, and her voice trembled with emotion.
16:29Sister Serafina, how could you do this? I was just trying to comfort you.
16:35She bit her lip, looking utterly wronged, with tears welling up in her eyes. A sight that tugged at the
16:40heartstrings.
16:42Serafina! You've lost your mind!
16:45I instantly recognized that it was Alistair's voice.
16:51Alistair flew into a rage, yanking Isabella behind him and glaring at me with fury.
16:57Isabella came to see you out of kindness. Is this how you treat her?
17:01Mortimer immediately stepped forward to examine Isabella's wound, his voice filled with anxiety.
17:06How do you feel?
17:08Edmund furrowed his brows, staring at me, his eyes brimming with disappointment.
17:12Serafina, you've gone too far. Isabella has already apologized. How long do you plan to keep this up?
17:17Dorian hurried over to Isabella's side, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe her face.
17:21Serafina, can't you be a little more sensible?
17:24Isabella meant well. Even if you don't appreciate it, you shouldn't have hurt her.
17:27The group gathered around Isabella, fussing over her, completely ignoring me.
17:31Leaning against Alistair's chest, Isabella stole a glance at me. A flash of smugness crossed her eyes.
17:37Yet she continued to feign innocence as she pleaded.
17:40I'm fine. Please don't scold Serafina. She's just in a bad mood.
17:46That holier than thou act. In the past, it would have made me shake with rage.
17:50But now, I just find it laughably absurd. Such a clumsy ploy would have been seen through by anyone else
17:56at a glance.
17:57Yet these four, elites at the pinnacle of their respective fields, were willingly being led around by the nose by
18:03Isabella.
18:03Or perhaps this is what they call one willing to strike, one willing to be struck. I am merely a
18:09pawn in their game.
18:10If you feel sorry for this beast, please do so outside. Don't stir my peace.
18:15Hearing my cold voice, all of them trembled with rage.
18:18Serafiana, it seems you haven't reflected enough. From now on, I won't stop the bleeding for you.
18:25I'll only resume your medication when you've come to your senses and are willing to apologize to Isabelle.
18:30Mortimer looked at me with disappointment etched on his face. Alistair chimed in.
18:35I shall disown you. You are no longer Alpha King's sister from now on. I'll name Isabella as the only
18:42heiress of the kingdom.
18:43Kingdom Deedman sighed. His eyes filled with resignation, yet he offered no objection.
18:47Dorian stood to the side, nodding silently, clearly in agreement with this decision.
18:52I closed my eyes, offering neither rebuttal nor anger. The pain from my wounds is nothing compared to the grievances
18:58and torment
18:59I've endured over the past 20 years. But the pain allows me to wait for death's arrival with greater clarity.
19:05The moment the overwhelming pain struck, my closest family and fianc, all hurriedly gathered around Isabella and left the room.
19:12Not a single one of them looked back, not even as the door slammed shut.
19:16I bit back the blood trickling from the corner of my mouth, pulled a shard of porcelain I'd hidden under
19:21my pillow from earlier, and without hesitation, slashed at my throat.
19:26I collapsed once more.
19:31In the magnificent hall, roasted peacocks, lark pies, saffron swans, all kinds of the most luxurious delicacies you could imagine
19:39were served on a long table that could seat 200 lords.
19:43All were celebrating the nomination of Isabella as the royal heiress of the kingdom.
19:47But Alistair, leaning on the throne, wore a gloomy expression. He was thinking of Seraphina. Something just felt wrong, but
19:53he couldn't figure out what was going wrong.
19:55Your Highness, now that I've done what you've told me to do, and your heiress had got the right blood
20:02to cure her disease, it's time to keep your promise to me.
20:06Dorian, half-drunken, gave a toast to Alistair. His voice sounds to be excited. Alistair twitched his brows, questioning in
20:13doubt.
20:13What promise?
20:14Dorian made a sycophantic smile.
20:17Control over the three cities on the border. You can't just forget it.
20:22Alistair's expression darkened.
20:24Oh, did I?
20:25Both Edmund and Mortimer turned their heads towards Dorian. Dorian seemed to be much confused, voice trembling.
20:31Was it not your will that I humiliate Seraphina at my wedding ceremony and force her to submit, so that
20:37she might offer her blood to Isabella?
20:39Alistair's smile grew broader, but the intimidating tone in his voice was suffocating.
20:44Did I say anything like this?
20:45Isabella, now sitting beside the throne, shivered and turned pale. At that moment, a servant suddenly appeared in the hall.
20:52Mortimer recognized that he was the one whom he arranged to take care of Seraphina in secret at first sight.
20:58Your Highness Lady Seraphina has gone!
21:05Alistair jumped up from the throne.
21:07What?
21:07Shouting out in impossible rage.
21:09Dare you to say it again!
21:11Edmund, Mortimer and Dorian were all in shock, and all the Lycan lords present were silenced.
21:16Mortimer murmured.
21:17That cannot be.
21:18The next moment, all the four rushed out of the gate of the hall, leaving Isabella alone in the empty
21:23hall.
21:23But when they pushed open the door they had just left, a pungent, unmistakable smell of blood hit them in
21:29the face.
21:30The moment my body was completely dead, the familiar coarse ancient voice sounded.
21:36Congratulations, dear traveller, corporeal death confirmed. The 10 billion bonus has been credited. You are now going back to your
21:44original world.
21:45I felt my body grow light, as if I'd broken free from heavy shackles, floating in mid-air. In the
21:51chamber below, the stench of blood filled the air, accompanied by frantic cries and screams.
21:55Utter chaos, Alistair clung desperately to my corpse, his usually stern face streaked with tears.
22:00Fiend, I'm sorry. It was all my fault. Please, come back. I'll do anything for you. Don't leave me.
22:09Edmund knelt on the floor, saying nothing, just staring blankly at me with a vacant gaze.
22:14Mortimer's legs gave way, and he collapsed at the doorway, though he was accustomed to all manner of bloody scenes.
22:20He didn't dare take a single step closer to examine the state of my death. He suddenly reached out and
22:25opened the floor to ceiling window in the room.
22:27The blinding midday sunlight poured in. His pale skin exposed to the light instantly began to rot, oozing thick blood.
22:34His cheeks quickly swelled and turned red. Tears mixed with blood at the corners of his mouth.
22:39I killed you, Seraphine. I personally slit your throat. I deserve to die.
22:44Come back and scold me or hit me. I don't care. Just please don't leave me like this.
22:49Only when servants found his self-keeled gesture and dragged him into the darkness did he broke down in tears.
22:58Dorian stood frozen in place for a long time before suddenly rushing forward and shoving Alistair aside.
23:04She's not dead! Seraphine isn't dead! This is all a lie!
23:08He reached out to check my breath, then felt my pulse, over and over again, repeating the words incessantly.
23:16She's still breathing! Look, she's still breathing!
23:19She's just faking it. She's doing this on purpose.
23:21A servant nearby tried to step in to stop him, but he shoved him away like a madman.
23:26His eyes red, he turned to face the people in the chamber and shouted like a lunatic.
23:30Seraphine Ashwil isn't dead! Even if this person is dead, it's not really her!
23:35She must be hiding somewhere, watching. Watching us cry here, watching us regret it. She's laughing at us.
23:41She's always been so vindictive. How could she just die like this?
23:46He scanned the chamber, his voice a constant howl.
23:50Come out! If you've got the guts, come out! Stop pretending to be dead! Don't you hate us the most?
23:57Don't you want to see us suffer more than anything? Come out!
24:00He grew increasingly hysterical, screaming and thrashing about in a fit of despair. I floated in midair.
24:07Watching them with a cold gaze, I used to long for their compassion, but now I found their tears and
24:12repentance laughably cheap.
24:13If I hadn't actually died, they'd probably still be surrounding Isabella, pointing their fingers at me and hurling insults.
24:19Just then, Isabella, standing behind the crowd, stirred. She quietly took two steps back. While everyone was lost in grief,
24:27she turned to slip out of the court stealthily.
24:29Stop right there!
24:32Alistair suddenly looked up, his bloodshot eyes fixed intently on Isabella.
24:37It's you! You're the one behind all this!
24:41He staggered forward and grabbed Isabella by the arm. Caught off guard, Isabella stumbled.
24:45Brother, you... What are you talking about? Sister is dead, and I'm heartbroken too! How could you blame me?
24:52Edmund stepped forward to block the doorway, his gaze icy.
24:55Seraphine's death is suspicious. You can't leave now.
24:59Mortimer also snapped out of his breakdown, wiped the tears and blood from his face, and spoke firmly.
25:04Until this is cleared up, you must stay here.
25:07Isabella turned pale and struggled to break free.
25:10I didn't do anything. Sister Seraphine took her own life. It has nothing to do with me.
25:16She still wore that aggrieved expression, but this time, the three brothers saw nothing but suspicion in their eyes.
25:25We never looked into the details of how you were adopted or how Seraphine went missing back then.
25:31Now that she's dead, you think you can just walk away?
25:35Guard! Arrest her!
25:37I'm sending someone over to keep an eye on you. Don't even think about pulling any tricks.
25:42Isabella watched the guards closing in on her. Although she wanted to run, she didn't dare make a move.
25:47I floated in mid-air, watching this scene unfold, and found it utterly boring.
25:52The next second, the scene before me suddenly warped, and a strong sensation of weightlessness washed over me.
25:58When I opened my eyes again, what met my gaze was the ceiling of a rented apartment.
26:02This was the rental apartment where I'd lived for five years before I time-traveled.
26:06I wiggled my fingers. My body felt perfectly fine.
26:10I turned back, and looked into the old vintage oil painting on the wall.
26:13A design featuring a wolf, a dragon, and a giant bat, arranged in a continuous loop.
26:18That was the place from where I came back.
26:20I gradually remembered that I used to be an antique collector, and this painting was bought about five years ago
26:25in which I invested all my money.
26:27But a famous connoisseur stood out. Out of jealousy, she publicly claimed that the painting was a fake, and that
26:32I was a fraud.
26:33I spent every last penny I had, only to end up disgraced and ruined.
26:37In my despair, I threw the painting into the shredder, but unexpectedly found myself transported into the world within the
26:43painting.
26:44The so-called Iron Spire.
26:45Goodbye bloody hell Iron Spire, I thought.
26:51My phone vibrated on the desk. The screen lit up. It was a notification from my banking app.
26:56Your account ending in $5,489 has received a deposit of $10 billion.
27:01Current balance. $10035. $621.78.
27:07The string of zeros made my eyes fall. The coarse voice sounded again.
27:10The fate granted you a healthy body. Wishing the traveler a fresh start in life.
27:15I sat up and stretched my limbs. No wounds. No pain.
27:19My whole body was brimming with strength.
27:21Twenty years of pent-up oppression vanished in an instant.
27:24I couldn't help but laugh out loud as I began planning for the future.
27:28The $10 billion in my phone was solid, tangible confidence.
27:31I didn't rush to splurge.
27:33First I picked up a low-key family car, then bought a mid-rise apartment near a city park.
27:38A new bookshelf. A few low-maintenance houseplants.
27:41And a full set of cooking utensils gradually filled the empty apartment.
27:45Comfortable and at ease, it became a home that truly belonged to me.
27:48But the oil painting that hung beside the bookshelf in my study, still made noises at times.
27:54It haunted me by day and night.
27:55When I got tired, and was about to fall asleep.
27:58The nightmare ran to me. I still can't get through with that rotten world.
28:02But days passed peacefully, with a regular daily routine, and doing what I loved.
28:06Slowly shaking off the shadows left by that rotten world.
28:09However, a little over a month later, I heard an unexpected ringing of the doorbell.
28:17It was already midnight. Who would come to visit at this time?
28:21A woman wearing heavy makeup with two tall bodyguards stood at the door.
28:25Guns in hands.
28:27I almost recognized the woman at first sight.
28:30Isabella. Also the connoisseur that framed me.
28:33Long time no see, Mrs. Arnold.
28:35Or shall I call you dear Serafina Ashwheel?
28:38Give me the painting now. Maybe I'll consider to spare your life.
28:42You may take it as you wish. I don't give a shit of it, honestly.
28:45Isabella bade her bodyguards to take the painting quickly from off the wall, laughing out loudly.
28:50This time I shall be the heroine, the innocent, helpless Serafina.
28:54Ten billion dollars shall be mine!
29:00While you, Mrs. Arnold, you know your role, I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine.
29:06Dear Traveler, the time tunnel has been forcibly opened, and the initial character swaps have been completed.
29:13Your character this time is the adopted sister of Ashwheel Brothers, Isabella.
29:21I furrowed my brow. What did this have to do with me?
29:24I had long since wanted nothing to do with the people and events of that world.
29:28Not to mention that this time I am forced to take the role of that vicious villainess.
29:33I dismissed the echoing voice, but it wouldn't let it go.
29:36If you doesn't accept the role, the chaos in Iron Spike will threaten the stability of the real world.
29:42Your ten billion dollars bonus will also be withdrawn.
29:46So I'm being forced to go back.
29:48The system's warning is no joke.
29:50I couldn't risk the stability of the real world, and the bonus I earned.
29:54After a long internal struggle, I finally gave in.
29:57I agree to go back, but once I've handled this, I want to completely sever ties with that world and
30:03have no further involvement.
30:05No problem, once order is restored, the Traveler may freely choose whether to remain in the mission world or return
30:11to the arena later.
30:17The scene before me worked once more.
30:20A strong metallic smell of rust instantly filled my nostrils.
30:24And I immediately realized it was the smell of my own blood.
30:27I felt the coldness and stiffness of the iron chains on my limbs.
30:32This was the dungeon in the Ashevale's old castle.
30:34I once heard that it was used to punish those who committed treason.
30:38I lifted my eyes and saw four familiar faces.
30:41Alistair, Edmund, Mortimer, and Dorian.
30:45Alistair opened his mouth.
30:48What would you say, Isabella? Confess your sin.
30:54I had not been used to this name yet.
30:57After realizing that he was addressing to me, I sneered coldly.
31:00What would I say? My dear brother, shouldn't you have figured out what I did a long time ago?
31:07Dorian stepped out in rage.
31:08How dare you, Mongrel?
31:11Do you know that Seraphine just passed away because of your lie?
31:16You killed my beloved, and I want you to pay with your life, bitch!
31:21Dorian clamped his hands tightly around my neck.
31:24I smiled in a more sarcastic way.
31:27Mongrel?
31:29Don't you remember how did you call your dear Seraphina by this word?
31:33My words left him speechless, and he began to cry again.
31:37I will hand down the harshest sentence possible.
31:40Edmund added coldly. I suddenly burst out laughing.
31:43I'll be waiting for you, your honor.
31:46Such a provocation left the four of them staring at each other.
31:49At a loss, Mortimer just stood beside, keeping silent like a sculpture.
31:53His blue eyes glistening in the darkness.
31:56Mortimer finally spoke.
31:59Isabella, you've changed.
32:01You never used to be like this.
32:04It was him who first discovered the weirdness of this.
32:07Isabella, a light, cheerful patter of footsteps could be heard, accompanied by giggling.
32:12The brothers and the husband turned their heads.
32:14A familiar profile appeared.
32:17Seraphina!
32:21Alistair was the first to rush to her, pulling that Seraphina into a tight embrace.
32:25Seraphine.
32:28You're really back.
32:30Don't ever leave us again.
32:31Edmund stood by her, his eyes red-rimmed, holding a small jar of honeyed grapes,
32:36which I'd longed for but never got to eat back when I was at the orphanage.
32:40He held the jar out to me.
32:41His voice choked with emotion.
32:43I've locked up that bitch, Isabella.
32:47She owed you, and we're here to get what's yours back.
32:50Mortimer took her hand, as if to confirm she was real.
32:53Dorian said passionately, eyes welling up with tears.
32:56We've locked deep down in this dungeon, making her pray for you day and night, to atone for her sins.
33:06Edmund said.
33:06We've already figured out that it was Isabella who deliberately locked you up, and let you be sold in the
33:12slave market.
33:13In three days, I will hold a public trial for her.
33:16As they were saying about this, I was staring at the face of that Seraphina, the original Isabella.
33:21I saw the flash of malice crossing her cloudy eyes, followed by a twisted smile.
33:26I could tell from her lip movements that she was saying to me,
33:30You're... dead.
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