Rest and recuperation

Feeling the strange sensations in her body, Bai Mo breathed a sigh of relief. After such a long period of intense activity, she finally had a moment to catch her breath.

"This must be the part that was lost during the journey when my soul was transferred to Aeaea Island by the Thread of Fate after I died in battle at Mifune's place." Bai Mo felt like a person who was about to suffocate, and finally surfaced to breathe.

This isn't about filling the wounds of the soul with the remnants of the system within those Primordial Spirit; it's a genuine restoration.

"Thank you so much, Shiki."

Bai Mo sincerely said that this help was like sending charcoal in snowy weather. As long as his horsepower could be increased, his combat power would rise rapidly, and some powers that were limited by horsepower could also be exerted, such as the Orca Heaven and Earth Way - Ultimate True Form.

"No need to thank me, after all, I'm the one who should be saying thank you." Shiki placed one hand on her chest, over her heart. At that time, Bai Cinan had retrieved all the fragments of Bai Mo Motohara's body, except for this.

He personally handed her his heart.

"It's nothing. Seeing you like this makes me feel relieved. But, do you really have to recover here?" Bai Mo looked at the cherry blossoms around him, and seemed to sense the atmosphere of a city in the distance. They must be in the Japan of some era.

"Yes, there seems to be something strange about this Lostbelt world. It might be a remnant of that system from before. Because it's all from outside the realm, your recovery speed here is much faster."

Shi conjured a pavilion from somewhere, gestured for Bai Mo to sit down, then elegantly poured two cups of fragrant hot tea, and continued:

"Don't you like it here? If you need anything, I can accommodate you."

For an ordinary person, hearing this would only seem like an exaggeration. But as part of the Vortex of the Root, she wasn't exaggerating at all; she was simply stating a fact.

Bai Mo sat down, took a sip, and explained:

"It's nothing, I was just a little worried about the situation in Uruk. I left in a bit of a hurry because I was worried about Arcueid and Manaka, especially Arcueid. It would be troublesome if she had Bloodsucking Impulse."

Upon hearing this, Shi's gaze sharpened for a moment, though only for a brief instant, but Bai Mo was not mistaken.

"I see, but I can't let you leave."

After all, it's for your treatment process's sake.

It was clearly a single sentence, but the pauses in Shi's words were somewhat eerie. Bai Mo finished his tea, and soon a voice echoed in his mind—not Bai Wunan's, but the voice of darkness.

"Why don't you just stay silent and nod at whatever you hear?"

With a slight frown, Bai Mo was somewhat puzzled as to what the darkness was suddenly doing.

Shiki, sitting opposite Bai Mo, took the teacup from Bai Mo's hand, her magnolia-like fingers brushing against Bai Mo's palm as if caressing a lover's cheek.

As if electrocuted, she put down the teacup. At the same time, in Shi's perception, Bai Mo's heartbeat remained steady and regular despite her intimate behavior.

Her gaze gradually deepened.

As he poured hot tea into the cup and watched the tea flow from the spout, for some reason, Bai Mo thought of people losing their heads on the guillotine, blood continuously flowing from their cuts.

Yes, they look alike! Very alike!

An eerie silence hung in the air, like the dark clouds before a storm on a battlefield between two armies.

Not long after, Shi spoke first, breaking the somewhat suffocating atmosphere.

"Since we'll be staying here for a while, let's decide on a place to stay first. The scenery here is beautiful, and it's cherry blossom season."

As Shi finished speaking, the scenery around Bai Mo changed abruptly. The cherry blossom grove had instantly transformed into a charming Japanese landscape garden, covering a vast area.

"Is it this kind of liking, or do you prefer the architectural style of the East?"

"No need, this is fine as it is, even a bit too big. So could I write a letter or send some things back to Uruk?"

Shi ignored Bai Mo's last sentence and stood up with a gentle smile, saying, "I'm glad you like it. I'll go prepare hot water and lunch for you. By the way, do you like Western food? Like English breakfast or something?"

Not knowing why English breakfast was brought up at lunchtime, Bai Mo replied instinctively without thinking:

"No, I'm not a picky eater..."

"That's good."

Before he finished speaking, Shi floated into the house, which was comparable to the residence of a nobleman.

Looking at the somewhat strange scene, Bai Mo took a sip of tea and thought to himself: I really don't understand these women.

He quickly accepted the current situation and then rapidly assessed his circumstances in his mind. He realized that the Authority of the Underworld and Gilgamesh's spare treasury key were both borrowed and he hadn't had time to return them.

Oh, right, the treasure vault key?

Bai Mo took out a golden key from his pocket, and then the golden Gate of Babylon appeared. With a quick scan, Bai Mo quickly discovered a gleaming clay tablet.

After it was taken out, Gilgamesh's magical image appeared directly on it.

"Looks like he's still alive, Bai Mo." A familiar voice rang out, just as Bai Mo had thought. Although he had only just left Uruk, Gilgamesh was thousands of years older than Bai Mo, so of course he could leave something behind here.

Although this is just a message.

"You don't need to worry about my situation. Everything is handled very well, at least I can rest in peace in my tomb. It's a pity that the biggest contributor to the victory banquet couldn't attend, but there's nothing we can do about it."

"You'd better take a good look at your own destiny. Sajyou Manaka, Arcueid, and even that extraordinary being... I feel there's definitely something wrong with your fate line."

Upon hearing this, Bai Mo couldn't help but mutter to himself:

Although Shi's actions were somewhat hasty, they seemed completely unrelated to either of those two things.

Gilgamesh in the Projection continued:

"As for this spare key, there's no need to return it. I was already planning to give it to you as payment. You can't refuse if you want, since I'm already dead. Make good use of this treasure trove."

You don't need to worry about the Underworld. No one's going to fight Ereshkigal for it, so whether it's 50% or Issei, it doesn't matter. If you want it returned, just summon her again later.

With this level of affinity, there's no doubt she'll come knocking on my door.

As for the rest, that vampire over here has already set off; let her explain things to you then."

After saying these words, Gilgamesh's image disappeared. Bai Mo put away the clay tablet and carefully put away the key in his hand.

Has Arcueid left? She'll probably come looking for me. Luckily, I entrusted her with that time-traveling café. Hopefully, she won't be overly suppressed by her Bloodsucking Impulse.

With that thought in mind, Bai Mo finished the last sip of tea, got up, and left.