"General, our scouts have obtained the results."

A woman held a detailed map in front of a blind man.

It was obvious that this man was blind.

However, he sat in the position that only generals and talented figures could sit in this hall.

"Our trackers saw them enter a cave. Based on preliminary assessments, this cave is not small in size and seems to have a network of interconnected passages inside the mountain."

Working under a man seemed to make her feel somewhat uncomfortable, so her voice was relatively rebellious.

"It seems that this is the revolutionary army's base we have been searching for."

The woman added.

The man remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"If we want to capture them all in one go."

"How do you plan to do it?"

The woman glanced at the man intentionally.

Her eyes were filled with the burning desire to accomplish great feats.

"I originally planned to seal off all the caves or directly seal off the mountain."

"But the mountain is complex and contains numerous cave systems; it would be difficult to completely seal them."

"We don't have enough manpower to seal off the entire mountain."

"At night, visibility decreases, making it easier for them to escape. Even if we send mages to scout from the sky, it won't be effective."

"If our goal is to capture them all in one go, our confrontation with this group of garbage will only last until nightfall."

"If they're still alive by night, then we have lost."

The woman confidently discussed, pointing at the map with a righteous tone, attracting everyone around her deeply.

"Well said, and then what?" The man's voice was as steady as a mountain.

"I later thought about flooding the caves, but the investigator said there is underground water in the mountain, so it would be drained."

"I also considered using poisonous gas or smoke."

"But these modern methods probably won't work in time. We can't gather enough modern equipment in such a short time."

"I think it's more practical to hire an ultimate magician at a high price to directly exterminate them."

"What do you think?"

"... "The man's cheeks tightened, and his nostrils trembled slightly.

"Not a good idea."

"It would cost too much money, and in the current emergency, there is no guarantee that we can find a powerful magician willing to do such dirty work."

"I have a better idea."

"What...?" The woman asked in confusion.

"Look at this mountain." The man pointed to a high mountain next to the cursed son's hiding place on the map as if he could see it.

It was tall and thin, reaching into the clouds like a tower.

"What's wrong?" The woman's voice clearly became more respectful than before.

"We will send a few powerful magicians, including the one called Keobeog in the morning today, to fly to the top of this mountain."

"We will cut the stones on the mountaintop, coat them with oil, and attach fire to them. Then we will throw the stones down from the top of the mountain."

"The stones will fall like meteors and smash down on the small hill."

"We will flatten this small hill directly and bury them underneath."

The woman's pupils contracted, her lips trembled slightly, and she nodded.

The Day of the Falling Monster, Part Three

"What is your wish, Diana?"

"What are you longing for, Diana?"

"Diana, are you sure the Astrology Society is still active today?"

"I have a feeling...something feels off outside."

As they walked down the street, Turing occasionally caught sight of some ugly-looking passersby engaging in mad acts of vandalism and theft.

These figures could be seen in the display windows of the jewelry store, behind the counters of the bakery, and even inside the handicraft shop.

It was as if they were migrating, rushing towards the same direction once their bags were filled with loot.

The police seemed to be nowhere in sight, and there wasn't a soul trying to stop them. Everyone had disappeared.

"Let's not pay attention to them..."

"Let's hurry to the Star Gazing Cliff."

Diana and Turing struggled to find a carriage driver who was willing to take them. It took them quite some effort, but eventually, they found one who was willing, enticed by the promise of a tip.

During the ride, Turing silently observed Diana, his gaze shifting from her delicate profile to her long twintails that reached down to her chest.

Turing looked at Diana, and Diana looked up at the silent stars.

As Turing gazed upon Diana's calm and indifferent face, he suddenly realized that maybe Diana didn't believe in the unreliable legend of the Skipping Rope.

Then why was she so insistent?

What was she seeking?

Right.

"What is her wish again?"

Turing was certain that he used to know the answer to this question, but he dared not ask again.

If Diana found out that he had forgotten this too, then he would truly be shameful.

"Ladies."

"It's a full moon today."

"Are you going to see the stars? It's not a good day to go outside."

"The Curse Children are out in full force, everyone is hiding indoors."

The driver's hoarse and damp voice seemed like he was muttering to himself, easily ignored as mere background noise.

"Yes, I know."

Diana was still excited before they left.

Now, she was as calm as a stone.

The sun rotated, the evening sky burned with a fiery sunset, dyeing half of the sky red.

Kneeling horses chasing dogs, lion dances, ever-changing clouds played happily on the canvas of the sky, as they seemed to want to reveal some secrets through endless, boundless transformations.

What were they?

Turing wished that her future self, a few hours from now, could travel back in time and tell her the answers to these questions.

What was Diana's wish after all?

What were those hundred skipping ropes?

Was the legend even real?

Turing was almost driven mad by her pounding heart.

She knew nothing, she could do nothing, yet she was forced by fate to undertake such a challenging task; even the wish she would receive as a reward was not hers.

"What am I even doing?"

Turing felt a sense of confusion. She wished she were the younger sister, with Diana as the older sister. She was so lonely, so frustrated that she didn't even have the privilege to choose her own comrade.

She could only accept, accept everything.

Turing couldn't help but fantasize, if she could make a wish, what would it be?

[I wish I could become a girl.]

[At least, I wish to have the power to use magic.]