A Backseat Ghost Goes Better with Card Printing, You Know~

"That's right, so the choice is yours."

"..." Bianka fell into thought.

Although Liu Bai explicitly told her that she already had the power to "do whatever she wanted," Bianka did not become arrogant or complacent because of this, but instead quickly weighed the options.

This must be the time when her mind is working the fastest— Bianka with a touch of self-deprecation.

"... In short, human sacrifice is no good, is it?"

"It's said to be a human sacrifice, so how could it be anything good? The only thing I can accept is animal blood sacrifice like killing pigs and sheep—that girl should also realize the shortcomings of her beliefs."

Speaking of which, back then, Aponia was quite naive and prepared a sacrificial offering for herself—even though she couldn't actually eat it.

"It wouldn't be good if Mr. Cervantes heard you say that."

Bianka smiled too; Cervantes was indeed a devout Christian.

"But... what did you mean by that? Did you realize your shortcomings?"

"Perhaps it was just my imagination, but when I left today, I saw determination in that girl's eyes—a determination to end this barbaric belief."

"... Is that so, through divine intervention?" Bianka rarely showed her intelligence, instantly understanding Liu Bai's meaning.

"But unfortunately, as A-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal, how could I possibly watch such a cruel sacrificial ritual unfold before my eyes—it would be unjust not to stop it, wouldn't it?"

Bianka compatibility +15%

Chapter 100: The spirit behind the seal and the card go even better together!

Bianka has started taking action.

The crew members present all supported Bianka's "reckless" actions—no one liked human sacrifice.

These ordinary people were no match for you, so you forcibly entered the village's "sacred site"—a cave.

In the sacred ground, Ikonal is preparing for a ritual—piercing her tongue with a rope and then offering her life to the gods.

Bianka subdued the cavewoman without hesitation, and at the same time, you found a will—or rather, an "oracle"—beside her.

[Separation of God and Man]

[This is the oracle prepared by Ikonal. Clearly, Ikonal is quite shocked by your appearance.]

You had Bianka tell the other party that there are clearly better ways to stop this custom than death.

[You possessed Bianka's twin pistols—in that instant, this relic possessed almost limitless energy.]

[Then, under Bianka's control, the 2nd Relic fired at maximum power towards the top of the cavern—a dazzling beam of energy pierced through the entire cavern in that instant.]

This is what is meant by "divine presence".

However, in response to this attack, the entire cave showed signs of collapse, so you quickly took the "oracle" and left.

Because of that dazzling shot, no villager doubted the authenticity of the divine decree, but clearly, your forced entry into the sacred ground has made you no longer welcome among the villagers.

[You seem indifferent to this, after all, your goal has been achieved, and Ikonal is not dead—thanks to your decision.]

Rita & Bianka compatibility +10%

[Then you set off for the other side of the island—the territory known as the 'Federation'.]

But to your surprise, the soldiers who were brutally beaten by Bianka just the day before now show you the utmost respect and address Bianka as "Lord Nakom".

Through your conversation, you learned that Nacom is their honorific title for someone with superhuman strength—that is, Valkyrie- like talent.

Meanwhile, the Federation highly reveres Nacom, so you easily obtained Federation recognition of the village's independence. Furthermore, out of curiosity, you intend to meet with the Federation's High Priest.

[Therefore, you then met the Federation's high priest in the Federation's temple.]

Her name was Esther, and she lived during the reign of Cyrus the Great, the King of Kings, before falling into the World Bubble. Her father was Zarathustra, the founder of Zoroastrianism.

[Afterwards, she invited you to her palace and told you a story about the Persian snake king, Zahhak.]

Zahhak, a prince blessed by a witch known as the Cup Serpent, had two snakes growing from his shoulders, but ultimately went astray, needing to consume human brains daily, and was eventually overthrown by the rebels.

"However, my father told me that the Snake King and the Serpent Witch were real... My father and his prince assassinated the Serpent Witch, and then I was born using some kind of machine in the witch's lair."

A gentle smile graced Esther's face.

"Were you born from a machine?"

Rita's face showed a hint of surprise.

"It sounds incredible, but according to my father's description, that's exactly how it is." Esther chuckled. "Unfortunately, my father didn't fully understand the legacy of the Serpent Witch back then."

Snake... Although the two did not come from the same world, Liu Bai still inexplicably thought of Mobius.

"My story has no meaning anymore, so I'll stop here for now."

A gentler smile appeared on Esther's face.

"The night breeze has already blown, and the sleeping people are anchored in their dreams, without any pain or sorrow... Souls, let me wash away your little shame and slight immorality, so that everyone can once again bask in the glory of the sun."

Esther's voice suddenly took on a seductive, religious tone.

Two white snakes then emerged from his shoulder.

—Those are twin serpents that can seize wisdom and power by devouring human brains.

Similarly, it is also the symbol of the Snake King.

"—Come join me, join my body after death, join my spirit in my dreams—uh?!"

Pfft—!

The silver blade pierced straight through her chest, pinning Esther's beautiful body to the wall.

"Sorry, I was daydreaming just now."

Liu Bai sighed, having just become somewhat lost in thought about Mobius.

However, Esther still wore an expression of incomprehension on her face.

Why... why would a sword suddenly start cutting people on its own?

Esther couldn't hear Liu Bai's voice and could only stare at the empty sword hilt with a puzzled look.

Then, the hilt of the sword spun around once.

Esther's heart was shattered.

"Boss, your swordsmanship is really fast, accurate, and ruthless!" Little You flattered in a very obsequious manner.

That's the truth, though.

"Don't let my appearance fool you, I've been to the battlefield too—but even without me, you can handle things on your own, right?"

Liu Bai sighed again.

"Seriously, there's just too much of this trouble... Ah, what's the point of having a lowly henchman who dies as soon as he appears?"

"Doesn't this make you, Boss, look incredibly wise and powerful?"

Liu Bai drew his sword, Durandal's blade was spotless, and Esther's body collapsed completely, having lost all strength.

"Look, this kind of opportunity to be a hero and save the damsel in distress doesn't come every time."

"Give me a break, I still prefer your rebellious side..."

"Hehehe..."

This sword seems to have completely become a simp.

"Forget it, let's carry them out."

A large amount of highly concentrated anesthetic gas still remained in this enclosed space—this was the consequence of Liu Bai's momentary lapse in concentration.

Liu Bai carried one in each arm, preparing to carry them both out.

Rita's compatibility +10%

... It seems there's someone who wasn't anesthetized.

"Um... where am I..."

Bianka woke up again on the ship.

Because of the anesthetic gas, Bianka was still somewhat unable to exert her strength.

"You're awake?"

"...If I'm not hallucinating right now." Bianka propped herself up on her elbows, rubbing her forehead. "Why do I feel so dizzy... What were we doing just now?"

"Speak with that High Priestess Esther."

"Hmm... and then?"

Bianka suddenly blushed. "Don't tell me I fell asleep!?"

"No, I just stabbed her—with Durandal, straight at her heart, splat, and then I spun her around."

"... What did she do to me?" After a moment of silence, Bianka asked a question that made Liu Bai look at her with new eyes.

"I thought you were going to ask me why I killed her," Liu Bai said with a smile.

"... You're not the kind of person who likes to kill innocent people indiscriminately."

Bianka shrank back under the covers.

How could someone who says "unbridled use of violence will only lead people into the abyss of destruction" be a murderer?

Moreover, after spending these days together, Bianka would never doubt that Liu Bai was communicating with her using a false facade.

Coupled with her inexplicable fainting and general weakness, Bianka quickly realized something was wrong.

"Actually, it's nothing. She released a high concentration of anesthetic gas and then tried to eat your brains."

"Is she some kind of zombie?"

"No, it's the Snake King, the second Snake King, an experimental subject devoid of any aesthetic appeal."

Liu Bai touched Bianka's forehead, indicating that she should rest well.

"After that, we found a dragon in the blue cave behind the courtyard. We got some very useful information from him about the 'Emperor' and the 'Wall'. Also, the third crystal has been retrieved and we are about to head to our next destination—the city of Kido, which is surrounded by volcanoes and snow-capped mountains."

"Dragons and stuff... I feel like I've missed out on so much..."

"Nothing particularly interesting."

Liu Bai touched Bianka's hair again.

"I'm not a child! Stop touching my hair!"

"Yes, yes, yes... I just had some free time."

"Why don't I see you free all the time..." It's unclear whether Bianka's words were a rebuttal or something else.

"Then let's consider it taking advantage of someone's misfortune."

Liu Bai flicked Bianka on the forehead.

"Um..." Bianka completely covered her head with the blanket, but then, a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz came from under the blanket, "Um... thank you for this."

Bianka compatibility +20%

Several days later.

"Halt! You dare to follow the Third Guard! You're surrounded! Hands up!"

Fully armed soldiers surrounded Rita and Durandal.

Although this situation was entirely their own fault—because they were indeed following footprints.

"Huh? We're A-rank Valkyrie, why should we be subject to your inspection?"

Clearly, Bianka's stubbornness has resurfaced... Her tendency to constantly mention A-rank Valkyrie is actually quite endearing after a while.

However, this statement further exacerbated the conflict.

"Wait!"

Another fully armed soldier walked over—she was clearly an officer.