Chapter 50: The disease is called love.

Mary finally handed over the path.

Inside the laboratory, Sophie held her wand, murmuring incantations under her breath.

“In my true name, reveal your original form!”

Whoosh—

The constantly boiling Boiler shook violently.

Buzz!

Dazzling colors instantly flooded the spacious laboratory.

Gurgle, gurgle.

The potion, brimming with powerful magic, materialized from thin air above the Boiler, then steadily dropped into the Mithril Potion Bottle that had been prepared in advance.

“Hoo…” Sophie breathed in with delight, a smile spreading across her face, “The experiment was a success.”

Success?

Mary stared blankly at the shimmering potion before her, a torrent of complicated feelings surging in her heart.

It was neither joy nor sorrow.

It was…

“Green will be back soon.”

Suddenly, Sophie spoke.

“After this victory, the whole world will be utterly changed.”

Picking up the potion, Sophie’s eyes shone with deep happiness.

Victory.

Yes.

After enduring countless hardships and tribulations, Hope’s Land had finally won.

The shape of the world to come, everything…

And Green.

Sophie’s mind was full of memories of that foolish Lord.

Burning the midnight oil in the study, pondering the future of Hope’s Land.

Despite how many times they’d been close, still blushing like a lovestruck youth whenever they were together.

After cooking a delicious meal, gazing at her with hopeful eyes, longing for praise.

Green.

Such an ordinary name, yet in the heart of the immortal witch, it now held a completely different meaning.

“I’m about to succeed.”

The witch whispered softly, as if to Mary beside her, or perhaps just to herself.

“Brother Green will be back soon.”

Seeing the elated Sophie before her, Mary’s gloom only grew heavier.

Why? Sophie had only brewed a soul-healing potion as Mr. Brown requested.

That was all.

So why couldn’t she truly feel happy and celebrate from the heart?

“Yes, I heard from the Black Gloves.” Sophie said happily, “In just a few hours, Green will return to Falling Leaf City—our home.”

Home?

Mary fell silent at those words.

She knew what “home” truly meant in Sophie’s heart.

“This time, when your brother Green returns, we must celebrate for several days. Let Jessica handle the duties of Chief Executive!”

Sophie rattled off her joyful plans for the future.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been so busy with experiments lately, I haven’t gone out for a long time. When Green comes back, we must go everywhere and have fun together.”

After locking herself in the lab for days, Sophie now radiated pure happiness.

So beautiful.

Faced with Sophie’s genuine smile, Mary was momentarily entranced.

Even as a fellow woman, even having been raised by Sophie since childhood,

Every time Mary saw Sophie’s stunning beauty, she couldn’t help but be captivated.

Only such a Sophie deserved Brother Green, right?

Someone as ordinary as me…

No, what am I thinking?

Mary was shocked by her own thoughts, her whole body stiffening.

Could it be…

She suddenly shivered.

Lately, I haven’t wanted to help Sophie. Is it because…

Jealousy?

No, no, that’s not it.

I just—I just remembered the stories Brother Green told me, and didn’t want Sophie to go astray!

That’s all!

Bang, bang.

The loud knock at the door snapped Mary out of her thoughts.

“Ms. Sophie! Miss Mary! Lord Green has returned!”

Cheers erupted from outside.

“A complete victory!”

The roar of celebration swept over them in waves. Even in the basement, Sophie and Mary could hear it all clearly.

“Only Radiant City remains, right?”

People discussed the current situation everywhere.

“I heard several kingdoms have already sent envoys to surrender to Hope’s Land!”

“Looks like Hope’s Land will unite the continent any day now.”

Click.

The laboratory door swung open.

“A salute to all the comrades who made sacrifices for this decisive victory!”

It was the Great Victory Parade.

The blaring of horns echoed into the sky.

Mary couldn’t help but walk out of the lab, finally setting foot on the surface after so long.

The blazing sunlight poured mercilessly over the earth. The long winter’s snow and ice had completely melted away, leaving not a trace.

March, march, march!

Mighty troops marched in neat rows down the avenue, their powerful steps in perfect rhythm, making the ground tremble with every footfall.

Victorious in every battle, invincible wherever they went.

This was the army of Hope’s Land, the force Green had built from scratch, once made up of commoners and even vagrants.

Their bloodlines were low, their origins humble.

And their enemies had been the most noble and sacred of the human world.

Yet they had still triumphed.

“Look, it’s the Chief Executive!”

Beneath a golden banner, that figure was dazzling.

“Long live the Chief Executive!”

“Long live Hope’s Land!”

The atmosphere erupted completely.

People stared without blinking at the imposing man riding a splendid horse.

Green.

Mary felt as if time suddenly stopped.

In that instant, the deafening cheers, the ecstatic crowds on both sides of the avenue, the blue sky and the blazing sun…

All of creation seemed to lose its luster before that figure, the man who had wrought all these miracles.

Like a hero from a myth, though Mary had seen Green’s face countless times before, at this moment, set against this scene, he was bathed in golden light.

A man like this…

I, I…

Mary suddenly felt she was the luckiest person in the world.

Because she had had the honor of staying by Green’s side all these years.

“Mary.”

That great hero reined in his horse, stopping in front of her.

“Long time no see.”

He touched the gap in his armor.

A faint, familiar fragrance drifted to her.

The flower she’d given him!

“This violet,” Green took the bloom from his chest, “I’ll return it to you.”

Green smiled as he gently patted her head.

Just like years ago.

“I’ve come back safely.” Green softly placed the flower in Mary’s hair.

“Lord Green.”

Mary’s eyes were already brimming with tears, “Congratulations on your victorious return.”

“Eh?” Green paused curiously, “Why aren’t you calling me brother anymore?”

Mary didn’t answer.

She just gazed silently at Green’s handsome face, savoring the moment in silence.

“Forget it. By the way, where’s Sophie?”

Green didn’t dwell on it. Having poured every ounce of his strength and nearly broken his bones for this decisive victory, all he wanted now was to relax.

Of course, with Sophie.

“Idiot.”

That familiar voice rang in his ear.

He turned, astonished, to look at the figure he’d dreamed of day and night.

Sophie stood there, holding a sparkling potion, gazing at him with deep affection.

“I’m right here.”

Nothing more needed to be said.

“Mm, I’m back.”

Green dismounted and strode over to the witch.

“This beautiful lady,” he bowed slightly, “May I have the honor of inviting you to the victory banquet?”

“Well then.”

Holding the potion bottle, Sophie pursed her lips mischievously, like a girl up to some trick.

“First, you have to drink this potion.” Sophie handed him the bottle.

“Really, didn’t I tell you to be more careful? Yet you still fell into the Light Church’s trap?”

Though Sophie sounded as if she were scolding him, her words were filled with concern, warming Green’s heart.

He didn’t hesitate, uncorked the bottle, and drank it all.

Gulp.

“What could I do? Who’d have thought that High Priest would be so shameless.”

Recalling that perilous battle, Green’s eyes showed lingering fear.

Even though it was just a life simulation, the High Priest’s mad tactics at the brink of defeat had nearly cost him his life.

He was already a ninth-rank Legendary Mage and top-tier Holy Knight, wielded legendary weapons, and even had Super Combat Talent…

And even with such almost-invincible conditions, Green had nearly fallen under the High Priest’s terrifying power. The memory left him with deep emotion.

“That so-called God of Light.”

He shivered.

Fortunately, it was all over now.

Although the High Priest had sacrificed all her subordinates as cannon fodder to escape, with only a sliver of life left, she’d surely never cause any more trouble.

“By the way, Sophie.” Looking at the smiling Sophie, Green couldn’t help but pull the witch into his arms, feeling her delicate body and breathing in her faint fragrance.

“I’ve already ordered a brand-new laboratory built at the magic crystal mine.”

Green said enthusiastically, “The magical industrial revolution I mentioned to you before—it’s about to begin!”

The era of material abundance was finally arriving.

In that case, his task in this simulated life was complete, right?

“Mm.”

Sophie responded passionately, “The world you dreamed of is about to become reality.”

And I will always be by your side.

She didn’t care about the bright future of humankind, or whether there would be equality for all.

She only wanted Green.

Watching Green, who had just finished the potion, Sophie’s heart surged with emotion.

To achieve immortality, one must first make the soul undying.

And Sophie had succeeded in the first step.

Green wouldn’t like what she had done, but sorry, just this once, she couldn’t do as he wished.

Gazing at Green’s warm smile, Sophie felt that she was hopelessly, incurably ill.

An illness called love.