CH 49.2

“You don’t look too hot.” Magician says, checking on Lin Yi, “not used to this?”

“The fifth floor is different from my imagination.” Lin Yi has never been shy to revealing his emotions——How much of that is on purpose and exaggerated is difficult to say, however.

Magician wants information on Doctor from Lin Yi, but Lin Yi is the same——Wanting information on the fifth floor from him.

With the same goal of gathering information in mind, they continue to knowingly test each other.

“True, even if they could figure out there are a lot of insane people here, they will never be able to imagine just how unhinged they all are.” Magician continues with his usual outlandish tone, “I’ve always said that even if Stargaol was doing nothing but locking them here, we would already be doing the people a huge favour.”

“Even if Stargaol was doing nothing…” Lin Yi repeats the phrase, continuing to its logical conclusion, “not to mention Stargaol is actually doing something?”

Magician turns his head around, “of course. What we are doing…” He moves his hand to the rim of the non-existent cap, “will change the whole world.”

“That saying is…” Lin Yi pauses, trying to find the right way to put it, “not often associated with positive outcomes.”

“Not positive outcomes, huh…” Magician dwells on the phrase for a bit, before asking Lin Yi, “don’t you think it seems Doctor is the one bringing about sinister outcomes rather than Stargaol?”

“The innocent die by his actions; rules are bent for him.” Magician widens his smile, “as for why Doctor decided to visit, not a single soul knows.”

“I don’t think anyone would be so foolish as to believe he merely wants to take a look at what the fabled bottom floor of Stargaol looks like?”

Magician’s tone is a bit more pointed now, “Stargaol’s existence is a necessary evil for the Federation; Her existence is necessary for the people; Her existence is paramount for this world.”

“Only, for a very specific cabal of people, is Her existence a blight.” Magician slowly asks, “but we cannot know whether Doctor would agree with the sentiment.”

“Are you implying that Doctor is at Stargaol…” Lin Yi pauses, “to destroy it?”

“Possibly? Who knows?”

Magician glances at Lin Yi again, “well, if anyone could really work out Doctor’s goal here, then I bet it’s you.”

Lin Yi looks so unsurprised it only emphasises how fake his surprised tone is, “ridiculous.”

“I don’t think so. Only you have received a favourable treatment among all the people that have been in contact with Doctor.”

Yeah, and he knows it best himself. So thinks Lin Yi.

“He has forgiven your traitorous behaviour on more than one occasion.”

“That is not the Doctor we know.” Magician tries to soften his tone as much as possible to appear amicable, “which is why I’m curious, why Doctor would treat you generously?”

“No offence, but appearance-wise, I do not see how Doctor will make an exception for you.” Magician can see the momentary appearance of a genuine emotion on Lin Yi’s expression, but it has already been replaced by his usual act before he can analyse it further.

“That assumption…” Lin Yi had an emotional reaction only because of what Magician said in the end——That Jiang Yiyi would treat someone differently merely because of superficial qualities or sentiment, almost sounds like a bad joke to Lin Yi, who has been following Jiang Yiyi from the first floor down to the fifth floor. It’s almost an insult to the world, like implying that their whole world is some sort of game.

“Makes it painfully obvious why all of you have failed to produce any relevant, useful analysis in the end.”

“As Doctor is also human, when a surprising action is taken, we have to consider all possibilities.” Magician is not irked in the slightest, “therefore, even if only to rectify our great error in judgement, give us something.”

“Doctor is not here to destroy Stargaol.” Lin Yi suddenly jumps off back to an earlier topic.

Magician is stupefied for a good few seconds. Not just at the claim, but at the confidence behind that claim.

“Oh? Would you say that Doctor is here to have a quick tour of the scenery then?”

Lin Yi smiles, “that is less absurd of an answer than you may think, if Doctor is the person in question.”

“Yet Doctor is not here to enjoy the scenery.” Magician shuts down the possibility decisively, “do you remember how Jian Si ended up here?”

Lin Yi looks intrigued, “you’ve found something?”

“That’s a secret.” Magician winks, “but I don’t mind trading secrets.”

Lin Yi’s answer is immediate, without needing to think, “I need to ask Doctor first.”

Magician lifts a brow, and puts his hand on his imaginary cap, then asks with a dramatically exhausted tone, “everything we’ve talked about are secrets about Doctor. If you need to ask him anyway, why don’t you just ask him for the answer directly?”

“I bet Doctor knows exactly why Jian Si has been imprisoned.”

Meanwhile, Jiang Yiyi suddenly sneezes in the middle of admiring the medical tools around. He looks around curiously, before putting his attention back on his tour.

“Before Doctor gives his permission, I’m afraid I cannot divulge a secret of his to obtain another secret.”

Lin Yi answers Magician quite frankly as well, “since we’ve come to know each other a little, here’s a friendly advice. I believe you will find it useful.”

“Maintain deference.”

Magician raises his brow, “towards Doctor?”

Lin Yi corrects him calmly, “towards the strong.”

“Oh, my. You sure leave no openings behind.” Magician is putting on his act again as he continues to lead Lin Yi forward, “truly, you are the professional spy who can backstab his old benefactors without blinking.”

“Which is why, if I say that someone would like to meet you…” Magician pauses in front of a room with a tightly shut door, “an old friend, would you mind having a small chat?”

Lin Yi raises his brow, “I should ask Doctor first…”

The door opens.

Lin Yi abruptly cuts off his words.