Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Returning to Normal
Finally, she walked toward the small cabin.
She found another large pile of items on the table.
Sarah Sterling was already used to this; she had lost count of how much she had acquired over the years.
In addition to the Weapon Replication Card from before, there were now many more small, similar cards, each with a different function.
After learning the use of each item one by one, Stella Sterling felt that with what she now possessed, she could even rebuild an entire world.
She left the space. With the items she had, she no longer had to fear anything besides the ever-changing natural disasters.
And she didn’t need to worry anymore. The food she had was enough to sustain a great number of people for a very, very long time.
She no longer had to engage in life-and-death struggles with others over a scrap of food, like in her past life.
Nor would she have to die for a single, uncontaminated vegetable, eaten alive by a swarm of insects, just as she had before her death in her previous life.
She also didn’t have to worry about her abnormalities being discovered and causing her trouble.
As things stood now, it was best that others didn’t provoke her. Otherwise, no matter how strong they were, she had more than enough power to protect herself—and even make them pay dearly.
Thinking of this, Stella Sterling felt relieved, yet also a bit lost.
She had a tiny little worry. ’If I’m this powerful, doesn’t that mean I won’t face any difficulties or pressure in the future?’
But she only agonized over it for a brief moment before bursting into unrestrained laughter.
’How wonderful. Truly wonderful...’
She sat down in front of a mirror, looked at the dark, tanned face staring back at her, then took out some bottles and jars and began applying their contents to her skin.
Before long, her face returned to its original state.
Her skin became smooth and delicate, her complexion firm, and her features exquisitely beautiful.
Aside from her short hair, which she wasn’t quite satisfied with, everything else filled her with joy.
’Looks like I can start growing my hair out now.’
She had kept it short before only because she feared attracting trouble, and long hair was inconvenient to manage.
But now, she didn’t have to worry about any of that.
Just as she made this decision, she heard Stephen Lawrence’s voice from outside again.
Stella Sterling put her things away and went to open the door.
"Master, someone is—"
Stephen Lawrence’s voice cut off mid-sentence. He stared at the person before him, who seemed both familiar and strange.
He wondered if he was seeing things and rubbed his eyes, but the person in front of him remained the same.
He called out tentatively, "Ms. Sterling?"
Stella Sterling shot him a sidelong glance. "What, you suddenly don’t recognize me?"
"No, it’s just... you’ve changed so much all of a sudden. You’re very beautiful."
Stephen Lawrence stuttered through the last part.
In the apocalypse, everyone was struggling to survive in a wretched state, with no time to take care of their appearance.
Almost no one could be considered good-looking. Even if someone was, they were only slightly better-looking than others—nothing compared to how people looked before the apocalypse.
The Master before him was truly, divinely beautiful.
Even though he felt nothing but loyalty toward his Master, with absolutely no other intentions, he couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
He was just puzzled. He had seen his Master not long ago, and she had been dark-skinned back then.
It wasn’t that she was ugly, but she couldn’t be described as particularly beautiful either.
’How much time has passed? How could the Master’s appearance have changed so drastically?’
Pleased by his heartfelt words, Stella Sterling was in a good mood. She didn’t mind his lack of propriety and said directly, "What were you about to say when you arrived? Did something important happen for you to come over this late?"
Stephen Lawrence then remembered his real reason for coming and quickly pushed all his questions to the back of his mind. "Master, someone claiming to be from Crescentia Base has sent a representative to see you. They say they want to discuss a collaboration with us."
"What kind of collaboration?"
Stella Sterling’s tone was indifferent. Although she asked, it was clear her interest wasn’t piqued.
"I don’t know. The man didn’t say, only that their leader would have to discuss the specifics. He hopes to meet with you, Master, to talk in person."
Stephen Lawrence had a strange expression as he said this. It was the first time he had encountered such a situation.
He was afraid it might be a trap, which was why he had come to inform his Master immediately.
But when Stella Sterling heard this, her interest was finally piqued.
’Crescentia Base?’
Repeating the name, she suddenly thought of something and raised an eyebrow.
Stephen Lawrence had assumed his Master would refuse. After all, with such a strange request, who knew if those people were planning a trap?
But to his surprise, the next moment he heard Stella Sterling say, "Fine. Go and reply to him. We’ll set a time to discuss the collaboration."
After she finished speaking, Stephen Lawrence left.
He still had to go back and deliver the message.
In the middle of the night, while deep in sleep, Stella Sterling suddenly felt a tremor.
She was startled awake.
The tremor wasn’t strong; it shook just once before everything returned to calm.
But Stella Sterling knew what it was. The great rain was about to stop, and before it did, all sorts of disasters would occur one after another.
That tremor just now must have been an earthquake.
However, Mount Caeluna would be fine, so after being awake for only a short while, she lay back down and fell asleep.
「The next day」
The people in the base were also discussing it. Those who had returned from outside brought news that earthquakes had struck many places, and massive floods had followed.
The entire city of Mirefall had collapsed. The survivors were all drifting on the water’s surface, searching for a safe place.
No one knew how many people had died overnight. Bodies were everywhere. Even the water near their Mount Caeluna was littered with floating corpses.
Black Swan and Seven Locke had already arranged for people to dispose of the bodies.
Those who remained in the base felt fortunate to have joined Caeluna Base, sparing them the same fate as the others.
But their expressions were grim. They all seemed lifeless, with not a hint of a smile on their faces.
Although they themselves had survived, the thought of their compatriots outside saddened them.
’How many people must have died? And among the dead, who knew if their own friends and family were among them?’
"Everyone, pull yourselves together! We still have a lot to do. Now, gather your things and prepare to rescue people nearby."
As everyone stood in somber silence, a clear female voice rang out.
It was as if Stella Sterling had only said it casually, but her words sent ripples through the hearts of the crowd.
A moment of silence was followed by a surge of excitement, and then they started cheering, "Long live Sterling!"
Everyone was excited. Only Stephen Lawrence looked at Stella Sterling in confusion. Among all of them, he had interacted with his Master the most, and she had never been such a charitable person.
