Chapter 526

Alexandra knew it was time to say goodbye, but she was truly grateful to her.

"...I just took away almost an infinite amount of your remaining life with my own hands."

"But you left a future. Misterin, don't look at me like that anymore. I hope that one day when you look back on what you did today, you will feel more pride... You stood on the opposite side of life, but that was not your intention. At least, you respected life like a real human being."

Misterin Alexandra, feeling very lucky to have met her.

"I still can't understand it, but... I don't object."

"Ah... right, before we say goodbye, let's discuss one more thing."

The time for parting had come. Misterin took a deep breath, trying to make her face look less grim. Even in farewell, she had to put on a smile. So, in these last moments, she wanted to have a good talk with her only friend.

Chapter 428 Conditions for Joining

Want to discuss something? She didn't know what Alexandra wanted to say, but she would listen carefully to whatever she wanted to say. Misterin didn't want to disappoint Alexandra. Just like before, she had thought about saying that she was powerless to help in this situation, but as soon as she thought about the expression Alexandra might show, she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

"...certainly."

"Let me think... Venice is no longer what it used to be, and the best Greek islands are sinking faster than ever. But it is precisely what we possess, rather than what we retain, that is what makes us worth cherishing. After Cocolia and I buried Alexei's pistol, I found these lines of poetry, intending to use them as my epitaph. However, upon closer reflection, I realized that probably not many people would remember me, and these words seemed too sentimental... So, I'll pass. But, I just had a new idea, would you like to hear it?"

I want to share my new ideas with this new friend. There are so many things I want to tell her. There's no need for her to look so sad. All of this is what I wanted. She just helped me fulfill my wish.

"Okay, go ahead..."

Misterin longed to hear what Alexandra wanted to tell her, but just as stories don't always have perfect endings, she had already thought the story was imperfect enough. However, she never expected the world to be so cruel, not even giving her such a chance. Just as humans cannot reverse their own death, darkness erased everything without warning at that moment.

All of this was no longer unfamiliar to her, but this time Misterin seemed incredibly agitated. She tried desperately to tear through the darkness before her, constantly calling out Alexandra's name. She hadn't yet heard what Alexandra wanted to tell her, and Shen Gonglin and Hato, who were watching this memory, were helpless. This was a memory unfolding from her perspective, so even this opportunity wasn't given to her?

For a long time, this stagnant darkness was what she longed for most. Whether it was an hour or a month, it meant that she could temporarily leave the real world and no longer have to harm innocent living beings against her will. However, at this moment, its arrival... was the greatest contradiction to her wishes.

Lost in darkness, Misterin lost the chance to say goodbye to her only friend.

She didn't know how much time had passed, maybe three months? Her memories brightened again, and the disturbances of imaginary numbers once more returned her to the world of real numbers. As if fate was deliberately mocking her, the familiar Siberia snowfields were now being adorned by life into a dazzling paradise.

It was late summer. The forest she passed through was utterly silent.

Despite knowing her own limitations, Misterin's first action was still to set out to find Alexandra. It was also during this time that the mysterious calamities of Siberia became increasingly known, and for the first time, she attempted to trace her footsteps to every corner of the Ural region, all in search of her one and only friend.

In extremely rare cases, some people have survived her encounters; however, they often suffer severe physical and psychological trauma, making it difficult for them to live normal lives. In the remaining years of their mentally unstable lives, "Baba Yaga" becomes the word they mention most often, but after paying such a price...

Misterin's attempts were still in vain.

Following her memories, not long after, on the outskirts of the town of Tiksi on the coast of the Arctic Ocean, at the sacrificial site of a branch base of the World Serpent, the dimly lit passageway twists and turns. Since its completion, no uninvited visitors have ever appeared here. But today, a girl who looks like a dream has appeared here. Misterin has found this place.

"I never expected that you would take the initiative to see me. And what's even more surprising is that you decided to leave the Ural Mountains. That's really unexpected."

Even indoors, the man in the black robe was still holding an umbrella, and the mechanical prosthetic eye under the mask emitted an ominous red light. Gray Serpent looked at the woman in front of him and said, "I've been gone for so long, I never thought we'd meet again in my own stronghold."

Her disappearance before was far too long, three months... This return to the Stigmata Space has taken far too long. Gray Serpent even thinks that she has found a way to evade him, or perhaps...

Ignoring what the Gray Serpent was saying, Misterin pondered the things she had seen nearby on her way here. No wonder...

"No wonder you raised your gun without hesitation back then. I saw more than one Awakened in this area. Although... they were all children."

"I've said before that I'm a businessman, and I'm all about getting what I need."

His words were somewhat cryptic, but that was typical of Gray Serpent. Misterin seemed to understand what he meant; a businessman... she knew that herself, which was why she had come here.

"I know. That's why I came to you. I can accept your offer to join your organization."

He took a deep breath. He couldn't do that himself, so he needed the World Serpent organization to help him. And the solution was to join the organization.

"But it requires one thing to counteract another?"

Gray Serpent wasn't surprised by her decision; in his view, it was only a matter of time. He just didn't know what she needed.

"Hmm. First, let me correct something: I didn't have any means to evade you. So, on the other hand... in this world, perhaps there is no one you cannot find."

No matter where she was before, this guy could always find her. She could never find Alexandra, so this was the only method Misterin could think of: using her joining the World Serpent to get information about Alexandra. In Misterin's opinion, this was a very worthwhile deal.

"It's not that easy. But... I can guess who you're looking for. Is that your condition?"

The World Serpent has agents all over the world, so finding someone is not exactly easy, but it's relatively simple. Knowing roughly who she wants them to find is not difficult for the World Serpent; it's a profitable business.

"... Hmm. I don't need to see her. You just need to... check on her current situation for me."

Misterin nodded slowly; this was her wish.

Chapter 429

"Is something this simple worth you condescending to do business with me? Since you want to keep things separate... to be honest, for the World Serpent, even if another cluster treats us ten times worse than you... you are certainly not our only option. So this deal... is somewhat unfair."

Like a real businessman, even though the deal was already a huge profit for the World Serpent, the Gray Serpent still wanted to "lower the price," and Misterin showed no hesitation, turning around and leaving directly.

"In that case... farewell."

"Sigh, please wait... You still don't like to let people finish speaking. Although it feels unfair to me as a trader, I'm still happy to help as an old friend."

He quickly called out to Misterin. This woman really didn't know how to do business. He could have negotiated the price he set, but instead she just walked away. Honestly, of all the people he'd met, none of them seemed to know how to conduct business properly.

"Help?"

Misterin stopped in her tracks. Although she didn't consider her relationship with the Gray Serpent to be one of friendship, this help...

"Yes... Rather than joining the World Serpent and becoming our colleague, I'd rather you owe me a favor. Don't worry, I rarely make excessive demands; besides, the day I need you may never come. Please understand it as... a request to incubate some kind of existence, you'll be good at it."

Wow... This person, has he already become such a riddle master since this time? Even though he saw it in Misterin's memory, Shen Gonglin felt his blood pressure rising a bit. Even though attacking the image in the memory was ineffective, Shen Gonglin still wanted to draw his sword. Sooner or later, he would slaughter all the riddle masters in the world!

"Okay, it's a deal."

She readily agreed to Gray Serpent's request, though she didn't know what Gray Serpent wanted her to do for him. But right now, knowing about Misterin was the most important thing for Alexandra.

"Great. It seems... you have a real talent for business."

Why does it feel like he's being sarcastic about me? Misterin thought for a moment and then asked another question.

"Gray Serpent, there's something I've always been curious about. I've transcribed many different versions of you; are those numbers their names?"

Back in the Ural Mountains, I had already killed many Gray Serpent. After killing him, I would also transcribe him into the rational form. Were all those numbers Gray Serpent?

"Of course, I'm no exception. 1904... I'm already quite an outdated model. But I'm a little surprised that you'd be interested in something like this?"

She casually refers to herself by her number; why would she care about something like this? That's surprising.

"... Nothing. I was just trying to remember everything I saw in a different way. Just an attempt. Well then... Goodbye, 1904."

Turning away from the World Serpent's branch base, Misterin felt that the open environment outside was better, but she would probably have to get used to the oppressive environment of the World Serpent.

And so, more than a year quietly flew by. Autumn departed, only to return again; the most ruthless yet most merciful aspect of nature lies in its cyclical repetition, its unchanging nature. And for the person Misterin sought...

Following the Gray Serpent's footsteps, Misterin looked at the small tombstone ahead. Upon seeing it, her last remaining hope was shattered; the miracle had not occurred this time.

For the human she sought, all she found was a cold stone tombstone. Aside from his full name, the simple epitaph didn't even contain a single blessing. The only solace was a bouquet of pure white flowers adorning the grave, clearly not the work of the Gray Serpent.

Looking at the tombstone, Misterin wanted to write something for her, but no matter what she did, she couldn't find the right words. Only now did she finally realize... that their paths had crossed for just over three days.

In the snow and ice, Gray Serpent moved his joints. Even with a mechanical prosthetic body, standing for three hours in this environment would make him a little stiff.

"How come... it's been three hours already, are you really not going to say anything? It's very windy here, and my umbrella isn't as durable as you think. Most of the time, it's just an accessory to highlight my style."

Misterin remained silent in the face of Gray Serpent's words, but her dissatisfaction was already beginning to spread. Was this the person he had found for her?

"I have done my best. She was already dead when you made that deal to me, which is why it took me so long. Finding a person is easy; being alive is a flaw, leaving countless traces... But a tombstone is different. As you can see, everything is already settled."

Is this a final verdict? Not at all. Even though Alexandra is dead, what about the little life she was willing to sacrifice everything to bring into the world? What is her current situation?

Misterin hesitated to ask further, fearing what would happen if more than one person was buried in this grave.

"Ah... I understand. That child, right? She wasn't buried here. Don't worry, I always finish what I start, so I've managed to find out some of the child's whereabouts."

Gray Serpent's words finally made Misterin raise her head; she was now eager to know everything about the child.

"It is said that on the day the child was born, the mother cried alone for an entire afternoon, seemingly feeling sad for many people."

"... She values promises very much."

After several hours of silence, Misterin finally spoke, and Gray Serpent was finally able to end his monologue.

"Very well, you've finally spoken. So... do you want that child to appear before us, or disappear into the crowd? If it's the former, I can continue to do you some favors."

He proposed a trade again, hoping to gain Yu Tu's favor, which was much more worthwhile than trading other items.

"... She's still alive?"

"It seems you're not entirely convinced. Is that surprising?"

"How is her resistance? Is it like her mother's?"

With a certain hope, Misterin asked, if possible... she wanted to keep the child with her, because it was the continuation of her life.

Chapter 430 Ascension

If her resistance is like her mother's... then could she awaken her Stigmata and bring her by her side? With this unrealistic hope, Misterin said softly, but things are always so unsatisfactory. Miracles are called miracles precisely because they are unattainable and out of reach.

"No... She's nothing special. Let alone being close to you under the umbrella for three hours, she'd probably die before she even remembered what you looked like. It's a pity, isn't it? All the connections she made with you weren't a gift for that child. Quite the opposite, it was a curse."

Nothing special? Is this being said about Bronya? She's so pitiful. She's the Herrscher of Reason now, yet people still say she's nothing special. Does everyone like to insult Bronya? Unlike me, I only feel sorry for Bronya.

"You've been making way too many witty remarks today."

She received the expected answer. Although she was mentally prepared, Misterin was still quite disappointed when it was actually confirmed. Didn't this mean that she could no longer get close to the child?

"I thought we were old friends. Or... do you prefer the Gray Serpent with the newer numbers? I guess... in your opinion, the environment in Siberia is too harsh, and a mother who needs to take medicine to survive is unlikely to give birth successfully, right?"

Each Gray Serpent is different. This Gray Serpent, who had crossed paths with Misterin a year ago, seemed to particularly enjoy making these unpopular witty remarks today. He knew what Misterin was thinking.

Honestly, if I were you, I'd definitely beat Gray Serpent up.

In the memory form, Shen Gonglin looked very seriously at Yuto beside her, and the white-haired Stigmata crystal also nodded.

Yes, Misterin at the time probably thought the same thing as you.

"Unfortunately, the child who survived was very ordinary, with very few special characteristics. I managed to collect some of her metabolic samples... Even just exposure to a normal experimental level of Honkai energy could leave her with lifelong disabilities. And unless... well, that's not worth mentioning."

She paused here, and this hesitant look gave Misterin hope. Was there any way to change the situation? If her Honkai resistance was high enough, she could awaken the Stigmata within her and have her stay by her side, just like her mother.

Even though that time together only lasted three short days.

"... How do you know? Maybe you can..."

Do you really think an ordinary person can become Herrscher?

Gray Serpent uttered these seemingly impossible words without hesitation, and neither of them could have foreseen that these words, which seemed like a fairy tale, would become a living miracle more than a decade later: Bronya would truly become a Herrscher.

He really does have a lucky mouth. Shen Gonglin exclaimed sincerely, everything he said has come true.

After a long silence, Misterin knew how difficult this almost miraculous method was to achieve, and when she finally spoke again, her tone had subtly changed.

"Gray Serpent, do you know how many lives I have transcribed so far? How many Stigmata have I given and taken back?"

She said those words out of nowhere. Gray Serpent didn't understand what she was trying to say, but he didn't care at all.

"... Compared to the Stigmata Plan, that number is insignificant."

"You've got it wrong. I'm not trying to show off my great achievements. I have an obligation to preserve stories that have ended, even if there's no future in it. But after recording so many lives, I've only discovered one thing... Ideas. They can always subtly shape reality, but it's rare for the other way around. Stigmata can easily change a human, but I've never seen a human change Stigmata."

He recounts what happened to him, how he can change countless lives because he is the crystallization of the Stigmata, and how humanity would try to change the Stigmata...

"Do you think that person succeeded?"

Now he knew what she wanted to say. Gray Serpent looked at the tombstone in front of him. Beneath this tomb, had that woman changed the Stigmata?

"I can't confirm... In the current situation, I can no longer even transcribe her and preserve everything. But since you say that child is almost the same as an ordinary person... Gray Serpent, I'm afraid I was indeed wrong, and... I've been wrong too much."

Somewhat confused, Shen Gonglin listened attentively as he and Yuto explored the life of this Stigmata named Misterin. Although he didn't quite understand, he was also listening carefully this time. Her life was also worth remembering.

"That's a matter of opinion."

The man shrugged, whether out of sarcasm or simply because he was too lazy to think about it, all he cared about was the deal. He had already shown his sincerity, so the deal should be finalized.

"I didn't intend to convince you. So... Gray Serpent, what will happen to me after the Stigmata Plan is truly completed?"

"First of all, the so-called sixteenth version of the Stigmata Plan may not be implemented. One of my colleagues is still exploring the possibility of realizing the first version. Of course, if you choose to join, she will not know that another direction is also being pursued simultaneously. In the end, I do not want her to rush in front of you and die on her own."

This colleague... must be referring to Jackal, right? What a pitiful woman. The thing she's been putting all her energy into is just a smokescreen. After putting herself in Jackal for a moment, Shen Gonglin felt her mentality starting to collapse.

"... This is your freedom."

Not knowing how to reply, Misterin could only manage to squeeze out this dry sentence.

"That's good. Oh, by the way, your code name after joining the organization was also given to you by that colleague. Feather Rabbit, perhaps that's some kind of coincidence. She had no idea what you had been through, yet she gave you the blessing of ascending to immortality."