Before "The World" Gehrman Sparrow could respond, Audrey, sitting upright, slowly uttered a few words:
"Heaviness...
"Sting...
"Shame..."
Klein listened quietly, without commenting on "Justice" Audrey's words, and asked in a gentle tone closer to Dwayne Dantès' image:
"Why did you suddenly want to do such a test?"
"It's not a test," "Justice" Audrey shook her head. "I'm just presenting some details I usually deliberately conceal and avoid, to see what I really look like in others' eyes."
She paused, moved her lips without a smile:
"After our last conversation, I really started to formulate a plan, intending to secretly manipulate things so that nobles, merchants, the royal family, and the church would allocate enough grain.
"Saying it is easy, but when I actually tried to do it, I found I couldn't be as resolute and decisive as I imagined.
"Some of them are my uncles and aunts, some are my cousins, some are friends I've known since childhood, some are elders who have taken great care of me, some are people I often meet at various banquets and charity events, quite friendly... They form my childhood, have given me so much, are part of my growth, carrying my beautiful memories of the past...
"Moreover, they didn't seize their grain stores by force; their explanations actually have some reason.
"For me to target them like this and try to deprive them of part of their wealth... I really can't do it, at least not now."
As she said these words, Audrey's voice unconsciously rose a little, as if arguing with someone.
She immediately noticed her slight indiscretion, was silent for two seconds, and then continued:
"So, I want to understand myself more deeply, strip away the illusion of warmth, look at myself under different gazes, and ask what I truly want. Were my past thoughts impulse, hypocrisy, naivety, or a sincere, strong conviction?"
At this, "Justice" Audrey suddenly smiled:
"Although there is no result yet, the attempt itself has brought some extra gains.
"I used to think I strictly followed the principle 'you're just acting,' but now I realize I almost became addicted to the act.
"Unlike other pathways that require playing different identities and occupations, part of the 'Spectator' pathway's acting is completely integrated with daily life, sometimes hard to distinguish.
"The simplest example: who doesn't long to be liked by everyone? So I put on different masks for different people, using the abilities of the 'Spectator' pathway to create an image that best suits the other's expectations. When such instances become more and more, when you do this to everyone, you've actually become obsessed with 'acting,' almost losing yourself."
Klein nodded lightly:
"This gain is very good."
He did not comment on "Justice"'s previous words.
Audrey was silent for a while, then slowly spoke again:
"Recently, I reread the East Borough report my father commissioned before, and I have a different understanding of many things than before.
"Even before the war, many poor people, workers, and farmers lived a difficult life similar to today, suffering long-term hunger and pain. The revision of the Poor Law, mandatory restrictions on working hours and conditions, and the control of air pollution did bring some improvements, but only some...
"When the war ends, if, if we defeat the Doomsday, will similar things happen again?"
As she spoke, Audrey pursed her lips tightly and fell silent.
Klein could sense "Justice"'s confusion and perplexity. After thinking, he didn't give his own answer in his heart, and said in a low voice:
"Your questions, including the truest thoughts you just mentioned, are things you need to find answers to yourself; others cannot replace you.
"I can only give you some advice: go to the fields to see the working peasants, go to the factories to see the hardworking workers, go and experience the East Borough deeply, go to the library to carefully read past newspapers and various relevant works."
Audrey listened attentively and nodded earnestly:
"I will try."
She then stood up and bowed to the head of the mottled long table in farewell—although Mr. Fool had left, Audrey believed He was watching over here.
Just as she was waiting for Mr. Fool to send her back to the real world, "The World" Gehrman Sparrow suddenly spoke:
"Wait."
"Hmm?" "Justice" Audrey questioned with a nasal sound.
Klein looked at her and manifested a piece of paper:
"This is a description of the personality and behavior of a mythical creature. I hope you can help analyze how it would react in different situations."
"Okay," Audrey agreed without hesitation.
After she took the paper and read the content, Klein thought and added:
"Regarding your earlier words, I have another suggestion:
"Your doubts and questions actually fall into two types: some are truly urgent, others are not so pressing and can wait until things settle down for deeper investigation. Well, when people are anxious, they easily make mistakes. You'd better distinguish."
Audrey thought for a moment and nodded solemnly:
"I understand."
After replying, she suddenly laughed:
"I thought you called me to stay just to bless me, to wish that after seeing all the truth, I would still love this world."
Klein was taken aback at first, then smiled and retorted:
"You seem to have read quite a few of Emperor Roselle's novels?"