Snake Venom

After dinner, Da Vinci seemed to be preparing to leave. Bai Mo said goodbye to this interesting lady and went to take care of household chores. Shi offered to see her to the door, since the house was not small.

On the way, Da Vinci casually remarked:

"So, your situation has a perfect ending, and the matter can be considered resolved, right?"

"Heh, there's no need for such words with me. I still have a lot to deal with. We might run into Chaldea again, so I called you here tonight for a brief encounter."

Upon hearing Shi's words, Da Vinci raised an eyebrow, then sighed somewhat helplessly:

"As expected, the troubles just won't end. Sigh, how much work is left to do? But it's not just a simple meeting, is it?"

And why choose me? If it's for future considerations, there are more suitable candidates. Ritsuka along well with Mr. Bai Ermo; she should be more suitable than me."

Looking into Da Vinci's eyes, Shi shook his finger:

"I'm just giving you a suggestion: come here after you've finished dealing with things at Chaldea. After all, because of him, I've developed a bit of an aversion to sad things, especially farewells."

Upon hearing this, Da Vinci stopped and let out a soft breath, saying:

"It's incredible that Root has such feelings. But it's not fair to you, is it? You two look like newlyweds. It's not appropriate for us to interfere."

and..."

She interrupted Da Vinci by pointing a finger, shook her head, and spoke softly.

"You're not part of Pan-Human History."

Upon hearing this, Da Vinci was stunned. The omnipotent genius fell into an eerie silence. Then, her body trembled slightly with a soft laugh, like a diligent worker suddenly learning that he had an incurable disease, letting out a laugh that was both helpless and relieved.

Where is the child?

"She is."

"I see." Upon receiving this reply, Da Vinci breathed a sigh of relief. Although his expression still carried a hint of helpless regret, this time it also showed some relief.

"But why are you helping us? Chaldea and all that stuff mean absolutely nothing to you or him. Don't tell me you like Chaldea's library; I don't think those things compare to him in your heart."

In response to Da Vinci's question, Shi waved his hand and said:

"As I said, today is just for you two to get to know each other. I just wanted to use you to raise my bond points, and I'm already quite satisfied. As payment for your help, I'll share some information with you."

As for how to choose, that's your business.

Hearing Shi's words, Da Vinci left the building. Opening the door, she found herself facing Chaldea's coffee machine. She stood there for an unknown amount of time in the quiet room, then shook her head with a hint of helplessness.

"Forget it, let's Mnemosyne from the Singularity. Good heavens, the workload has increased again. What a miserable life."

Da Vinci left the café while wailing, and silently walked towards the room where the Spiritron Transfer.

Meanwhile, in Bai Mo Kaizu Castle, in a room reeking of alcohol belonging to the Takeda Clan, a man, completely drunk and disheveled, was angrily gulping down a bottle of sake.

"Damn it! A mere woman, a lowly defeated ninja, how dare she! Having obtained this power, she's become so arrogant. I should have stabbed her to death back then."

Thinking of Chiyome, Takeda Moritoki gritted his teeth in hatred. He smashed the sake bowl in his hand, his fingers almost piercing his scalp, and let out a ferocious growl:

"That was clearly mine! That thing appeared right in front of me, it clearly chose me, the mighty samurai, instead of that woman! It's all her fault... that lowly ninja, that damned thief!"

What is most important in this era?

Power, from ancient times to the present, has always been absolute and irreplaceable, especially for a man in the Warring States period. Power represented everything; possessing it meant possessing everything.

The thought of that banquet, of that Source of Power being so close yet so close, only to fall into Chiyome's hands, filled Takeda Moritoki with a nauseating urge.

Unacceptable, absolutely unacceptable.

Mochizuki Chiyome, a woman and a ninja, what right did she have?

As a member of the Takeda Clan, even if he was unremarkable, he could still gain respect by virtue of the Takeda family crest and his lack of proficiency with the katana, though this was limited to the common people.

As fellow members of the Takeda Clan, no one would genuinely respect someone who had no redeeming qualities other than their relationship with the family. Yet, even so, Takeda Moritoki still considered himself superior to Chiyome.

Even if she possessed power, she would still be nothing more than a ninja, a surrenderer, a woman who, in this era, should be trampled underfoot!

If I didn't have that power, this woman wouldn't even be qualified to get pregnant with my child!

Morotoki roared inwardly, but that was all he could do. He wrapped himself tightly in the clothes bearing the Takeda Clan crest. Even in his disheveled state, he was still a noble Takeda.

"It's truly pathetic. They've already come to this point, yet they still have the mind to indulge in a life of debauchery. But then again, the victim is the poor; it's unfair, so incredibly unfair."

A strange sound rang in his ears, Takeda Moritoki mumbled incoherently:

"Who said that... I'll reward you, I'll reward you handsomely."

"No need for a reward. If you wish to reclaim what is rightfully yours, this humble monk is willing to lend a hand. My disciple was killed by the Mochizuki Clan; this is my revenge, and also the fulfillment of my duty."

As the sound rang out, a translucent, deep blue snake slowly crawled onto Morotoki's body, startling him so much that he hurriedly retreated, knocking over a pile of empty wine jugs in his haste.

"Don't worry, this is my help to you. That Chiyome is a cursed thief. If you mix this snake into her wine and make her drink it, she will become your puppet."

Although the power cannot be returned, this outcome is acceptable.

Hearing the eerie sounds in the air, Takeda Moritoki slowly reached out his hand. The blue snake quietly crawled up, and after touching its head, Moritoki smiled, Morotoki suddenly shook his head and said:

"No, this must be an illusion created by the Mochizuki Clan. Don't try to fool me, don't even think about it!"

"Your Excellency need not doubt. If you don't trust me, then surely you can trust His Majesty?"

A bird landed in the room, carrying a scroll in its beak. Half-drunk and half-awake, Morotoki opened it and burst into hearty laughter. On it, it read, "Launching an attack on the cursed Mochizuki Clan, who are considered evil."

The seal at the bottom is that of the Emperor.

After laughing, Morotoki sat up straight, drew his sword, and his eyes were filled with a determination to die for his cause, as well as a hazy drunkenness.

The time to be loyal has come.

Looking at his own disheveled state on the sword, he felt incredibly brave and valiant, like a mighty warrior from a folk tale.

But what was reflected on the blade was only an ugly face, swollen from drinking, womanizing, and resentment, with heavy eye bags and no trace of a warrior's spirit.