"To think something like this could happen..."
After hearing C.C.'s words, Rulu was deeply shaken and couldn't speak for a long while.
C.C., on the other hand, appeared unusually calm. She said in an emotionless tone: "Now you understand, don't you? Even though they aren't truly alive, they are indeed your mother and sister."
"Why? Why would he do this?"
"Who are you referring to?"
"Who else could it be but that Emperor?!"
C.C. was momentarily taken aback, then understood what Rulu meant. "You're asking why he revived your mother and sister and placed them here — that I cannot answer. I don't know everything."
"Then what do you know? Did you know from the beginning that my mother and sister were here, and kept it from me all this time?"
"Don't make reckless accusations. I did suspect the possibility, but I couldn't be certain, so I wasn't deliberately hiding it from you."
"Is there any way to take my mother and sister away from here and let them truly come back to life?"
"I don't want to see them like this either. If there were a way, I would have told you."
"So there isn't one. What about the Emperor — can he do something like that?"
"I'm not entirely sure. Perhaps he can, perhaps he can't."
Rulu raised his voice in agitation: "Then what does it take to save them?! Are they just supposed to stay here forever — unable to truly live, unable to die?!"
"Rulu, don't panic. Let me think... Actually, if you were to obtain knowledge and power from that place, you might be able to find a way to save your mother and sister."
Rulu suppressed the restlessness in his heart and kept his voice as steady as he could: "Do you mean that? If I obtain knowledge and power from that place, I can save them?"
"I'm only saying it's a possibility. I can't guarantee it completely."
The lost expression on Rulu's face gradually faded, and his eyes grew resolute. He said: "Alright then, C.C. — go meet up with Kallen right now. We'll set out again shortly."
"What about you, Rulu?"
"I need to see my mother and sister once more. It won't take long. We can't afford to waste any more time."
"Understood. I'll be off then. Give my regards to your mother — even if her condition can hardly be called well."
With that, C.C. departed alone, while Rulu made his way back to the low-roofed house. His face wore an uneasy expression as he knocked on the door. It opened to reveal the dark-haired woman named Maria, with the little girl called Lanlan standing behind her, gazing at Rulu with a mix of longing and anxiety.
Rulu and Maria looked at each other. After what had happened earlier, the air between them was somewhat awkward. In the end, Rulu spoke first: "Mom, I've come to see you."
"Rulu..." Maria murmured softly. A warm smile spread across her face. She stepped toward him and opened her arms to embrace him. This time Rulu did not pull away — he returned her embrace with a gentle smile. The little girl named Lanlan came closer, looking up at Rulu with a relieved smile. "Big brother, are you okay now?"
"I'm fine, Lanlan. I didn't frighten you just now, did I?" Rulu turned his gaze toward the little girl, his expression soft and tender. Lanlan studied his face with a puzzled look. "Big brother, what happened earlier? Why did you say those strange things? And how did you get so tall so fast?"
Rulu hesitated for a moment, then said: "Because big brother took a medicine that makes you grow up quickly."
Lanlan looked half-convinced. "Is there really such a medicine? Can I take it too?"
"Not yet," Rulu said. He ruffled Lanlan's hair, then turned his eyes to his mother. "Mom, how did you and little sister end up here?"
A look of confusion crossed Maria's face. She said in a dazed tone: "I'm not entirely sure. I remember being injured in some terrible accident and losing consciousness. When I woke up, I found myself in this house. Lanlan's situation was the same as mine. What about you, Rulu — how did you get here? Was it the same way?"
Rulu shook his head. "No. Mom, do you know where this place is? How long have you and Lanlan been here?"
Maria tried hard to recall. "Lanlan and I arrived here about a few months ago. I don't know what this place is, but someone told me there are ferocious monsters outside the city and warned me not to leave, or I'd be attacked. So Lanlan and I have just been living here since."
"And Mom, while you've been living here — have you noticed anything wrong or strange about your body?"
"Yes, something does feel very off. Even without eating or drinking, I never feel hungry or thirsty. Even without sleeping, I never feel tired. And it's not just me — everyone here is the same. Also, every so often a group of people in the city disappears, and then new people appear in their place. I don't know what's happening, and no one has come to explain it to me. Rulu, do you know what's going on? And where is your father? Why didn't he come with you to find us?"
"I'm sorry, Mom. I can't answer your questions." Rulu lowered his gaze, guilt written across his face. He didn't want his mother to know the truth — it would only bring her more pain and fear.
"Rulu, are you hiding something from me? Is there something you can't tell me?" Maria stared at his face, her voice tinged with worry.
Rulu turned away, unable to meet his mother's eyes. "I'm sorry, Mom. I truly can't tell you. I have to go now. Please take care of yourself and little sister."
"You're leaving? Where are you going?"
"To where I need to be."
As he turned to go, Lanlan rushed forward and threw her arms tightly around his waist, her face stricken with distress. "Big brother, please don't go. I'm so scared here."
A look of helplessness crossed Rulu's face. He wanted to refuse, but the words wouldn't come. He stood frozen, unable to move.
"Lanlan, come here." Maria seemed to sense the conflict in Rulu's heart. She took Lanlan's hand and gently pulled her away from him. Then she turned to Rulu. "Go, Rulu. We're doing just fine here. Don't worry about us."
Rulu's lips twitched. Sorrow crossed his face, and he said in a low voice: "I'm sorry, Mom. I can't help you."
Maria seemed to feel the conflict and pain within him. She offered him a reassuring smile. "It's all right. As long as you're safe, Rulu, I'm at peace. You've always been so clever. Go do what you need to do."
Rulu nodded. He took one long, deep look at his mother and sister, then turned and walked away with heavy but steady steps — and never looked back.