Chapter 65: Doubt

"I asked him about Ciel' future again, and he finally spoke, telling me that death is an inevitable outcome, but it might be a good thing."

... Could it be that he was ultimately corrupted?

"Really, the words of a diviner are always so vague, making one want to pry open his mouth."

Alice secretly rejoiced that Emperor Roselle was no longer around.

"I finally asked about Bernadette's future. He suddenly became very serious and said that she would hate me, despise me, and betray me. She would become a significant figure in the mysterious world."

... This sounds like some kind of family melodrama. But, a significant figure in the mysterious world?

"Sometimes, you really shouldn't ask about the results of divination. It's hard for me to believe that my lovely, kind, brother-loving, father-worshipping, and mother-caring Bernadette would hate me, despise me, and betray me. What could be the reason? Did I do something excessive? Maybe she had a suitor I didn't approve of, and I killed that brat?"

... Maybe she learned Chinese.

"No, Zaratul is not a prophet. The divination results might be wrong! Forget about it, Roselle!"

The emperor was quite good at comforting himself.

Alice, while complaining, flipped through the middle pages and went straight to the last page.

"January 1st, the beginning of a new year, I have just completed the creation of my first 'Blasphemy Card.'"

"I will hide the ultimate secrets of the twenty-two paths of the gods within these different 'Blasphemy Cards' and scatter them across various places. If things fail, these will be my children's greatest reliance."

"Haha, I will destroy all the order you desire and spread the mysteries of the gods!"

"These 'Blasphemy Cards' will have anti-divination and anti-prophecy properties. Apart from the parts left for my children, they will be for those who are fated to find them!"

"I have always been one to repay grievances with grievances and enmities with enmities. After my death, who cares if the floodwaters rise to the heavens! Hmm, I didn't create this saying."

"In short, the more chaotic the structure of the mysterious world, the better!"

"I need to consider how to name the soon-to-be-completed set of 'Blasphemy Cards.' There are twenty-two paths of the gods, and the main cards of the Tarot also number twenty-two, which corresponds perfectly. However, some names do not meet the requirements. I must make some changes to fit the original potion names."

"That ancient organization is my last and greatest reliance. I wonder if they will support me and in what manner."

"I still remember the shock of seeing the Blasphemy Slate for the first time."

"So, the extraordinary paths are indeed 'paths of the gods,' and the 'Blasphemy Slate' truly blasphemes the gods."

"Above the sequence 1 of each path, there is a sequence 0! And there are corresponding potion formulas and rituals!"

"Each path can only have one sequence 0!"

"And sequence 0 is the sequence where true gods reside!"

"For example, sequence 0, 'The Sun'!"

Sequence 0...?

Above sequence 1, there is sequence 0, and sequence 0 equals true gods...

Am I the material for His promotion to sequence 0?!

But what should the material for sequence 0 be?

Is it some mythical creature? Or... the gods themselves?

Alice stared blankly at the last page of the diary, overwhelmed by the information. Countless thoughts and speculations crossed her mind.

That fleeting association was quickly suppressed by Alice, but she couldn't help but recall the inexplicable arrogance and disdain she felt. At that moment, a sense of terror enveloped her.

"Am I really... human?" Alice asked softly, as if talking to herself, or perhaps to someone non-existent.

Even though Alice still held reservations about whether she was "Huanhuan," she had never considered the possibility that she might not be human.

... How could she not be human? How could that be? No, absolutely impossible!

She was clearly a real person, with human thoughts and a human body... Yes, a human body!

Alice lowered her head, looking at her hands. After a while, she walked to the mirror and looked at herself.

It was her familiar appearance. First, the bright colors that initially surprised her, thinking they shouldn't exist on a stray child—dazzling blonde hair and clear blue eyes. And... the facial features that brought an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Of course, there was also the human body and limbs—this body clearly belonged to a human.

Alice looked at herself in the mirror, feeling much more at ease. She pinched her arm hard, and the pain twisted her expression. The vivid change in expression and the real pain finally made her more certain of her identity.

Alice let go of her arm, no longer torturing herself—though she had already left a noticeable swelling on her arm, which would likely turn blue and purple later, judging by an ordinary person's recovery rate.

"Knock, knock, knock."

A knock on the door interrupted Alice's thoughts. She had to put on the necklace she named "Matilda," adjust her appearance, and then go to open the door.

Outside the door was a girl with somewhat familiar features, but Alice didn't recognize her. She blinked in confusion and asked, "Hello, who are you?"

"I'm Evelyn Greenland," the girl blinked and introduced herself. "Mom said a girl my age moved in next door, so I came to visit—hope it's not too abrupt?"

"No, of course not, please come in," the visit from someone her age made Alice feel more at ease. Yes, she must be human... Reaffirming her thoughts, she decided to invite the other in, "Would you like something to drink?"

"I actually prefer juice," Evelyn said.

"I also prefer juice," Alice responded.

They looked at each other and suddenly burst into laughter. Alice realized that from now on, they could be considered friends.

See, I am human. If I weren't, how could I understand what friendship is...

Convincing herself once more, Alice gave Evelyn an apologetic smile, "Sorry, I don't seem to have anything to entertain you with, and I didn't prepare in advance..."

"It was abrupt of me to come," Evelyn took the blame upon herself. "But since there's nothing much to do at home, would you like to go out for a walk?"

Yes, that's right, being among people will make me feel much better...

Alice smiled and agreed to Evelyn's suggestion.