Arrangements for What Comes After

Hearing Bai Mo's reprimand, Chiyome didn't resist at all. Her expression was just like that of a certain Venus goddess who once hung a stone tablet in Uruk that read "I am the goddess of incompetence".

Bai Mo released her grip, letting her fall straight down.

"Sigh, Shi, I'll go take care of this first. Please make yourselves at home."

What's done is done. Getting angry is just an emotional outburst and won't help change anything. Meaningless venting isn't worth wasting any time or energy on.

Bai Mo had originally prepared some things for the Mochizuki Clan, but it seems that it's not enough.

Bai Mo's departure did not worsen the atmosphere; on the contrary, since they were all women, they actually got along even better.

"Alright, since it's happened, there's nothing we can do about it. We should think about how to deal with it. At least you've covered it up on the surface. Maybe the emperor, whose memory has been erased, will think he's playing a game with that concubine."

"He's the leader of a clan, after all; he can't keep looking so dejected."

Upon hearing Kenshin's words, Chiyome could only manage a bitter smile that was more painful than crying.

That's true. At the very least, Chiyome deleted the Emperor and his concubine's memories. Although her whereabouts could be reconstructed by Oda Nobunaga if he was willing to investigate or by finding a skilled Onmyoji, the truth could be uncovered.

But if the memory is erased, then there's still room for maneuver; it's bad, but not the worst possible outcome.

"I know... it's just a feeling..."

Chiyome was somewhat troubled, then grabbed a sake bottle from the side and boldly gulped down the strong liquor, not bothering to process it, letting the alcohol assault her brain.

"Now that's more like a leader, come on, drink!"

The two men, like terminally ill patients, recklessly downed their drinks. Watching them, Da Vinci silently and quietly left, not wanting to participate in this frenzied feast.

Compared to these things, it's more valuable to either check what Bai Mo is doing or tidy up the Magecraft props in your hands.

Before long, Kenshin was drunk and passed out on the floor, fast asleep. Only Chiyome was lying on the table, watching Shiki calmly drinking tea. She suddenly had the thought that life was really boring.

"Chiyome has a really good alcohol tolerance; she's surprisingly cute when she's drunk."

Looking at Chiyome's flushed cheeks, Shiki spoke with a hint of teasing. The two of them chatted in this strange atmosphere, accompanied by Kenshin's snoring.

"So... how long have you two known each other?"

Time has no meaning for us; he is by my side now, and he will always be there.

When Chiyome asked him a question, Shiki replied with a smile, each word making Chiyome grip her wine glass even tighter.

"So... he usually comes back here after the museum closes. It's just the two of you living here."

Chiyome's tone grew increasingly somber. Chiyome nodded silently, downed the last sip of sake, took a deep breath, raised her head, and asked Shiki:

"Just the two of you... living together... no children?"

Faced with this sudden question, Shi paused for a moment, then picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said:

"I haven't considered it yet. After all, there are still many things to take care of. I'll think about it after things settle down. But... I haven't really thought about it much. After all, due to certain factors, I might have a somewhat mischievous daughter who's always clinging to her father."

I don't want some little brat yelling in my ear, "I'm going to take Daddy away from Mommy!"

This feeling is so new. Before, I was willing to accept any unexpected event, good or bad, but now I'm starting to lean towards a better future.

Listening to Shiki's happy troubles, Chiyome felt an unbearable itch in her heart. She left five deep scratches on the table with her fingers and cried silently.

Shi patted her on the shoulder and smiled:

"Chiyome understands now, right? I hope you will choose a better future, right? Maybe we'll meet again in the future, and I hope we can get along just as well then."

After all, you should have more experience raising children than I do.

After leaving those words, Shiki got up and left. Chiyome lay down on the tatami mat, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Choose a better future?

Don't be ridiculous. After everything we've been through, you're telling me to give up? How could I possibly do that...?

Inside the room, Bai Mo was fiddling with several things in his hands. After taking stock, he realized that he had unknowingly acquired so many strange and unusual items.

He held up a stone that shimmered with light and strange runes. Then a surprised voice came from behind him.

"Is Mr. Bai Mo also a collector? Could this be a treasure from the Age of Gods? Could this magic and runes be Me from Mesopotamia legend?"

Da Vinci entered the room and unceremoniously peeked at what Bai Mo was holding. Bai Mo nodded, gesturing for her to sit down, and then handed her the Me.

This great inventor was unpretentious; her eyes seemed to sparkle like stars at this truly ingenious creation.

"This is the cornerstone of Mesopotamia's prosperity, the blueprint that Enki forged for humankind... What is this one? Agriculture or craftsmanship?"

"It was the craftsman's Me, which was taken by Enlil to create the Lahmu civilization in the Imaginary Number Space. Fortunately, Arcueid was there at the time, otherwise Uruk would probably be in grave danger."

I wonder where she went? She hasn't come back for so long. I hope nothing bad has happened to her.

What Bai Mo holds in his hand is Me symbolizing artisans. Once activated, outstanding artisans will continuously emerge in the city where the Me is located.

Even a being like Lahmu, lacking intelligence and obsessed with using the Hand of God on humanity, could create a City of Lahmu.

For the city-state, this thing is priceless, but for the wandering Bai Mo, it is of no help whatsoever, no different from a glowing stone.

"It's so beautiful, I really want it... I'm so curious about its internal structure. Is this for sale? I'll pay you whatever price! A trade is fine too, I'd be willing to work for nothing for a hundred years just to get this treasure."

Da Vinci was clearly very interested in this Me. Me was not only a creation of a miracle, but as an object from the origin of Mesopotamia civilization, its value was immeasurable.

However, Bai Mo took the Me without hesitation and said:

"I can't give you this, at least not this one. I have a use for it."

"Eh~"

"Stop it, it's not like it's anything very valuable."

Then, to Da Vinci's astonishment, Bai Mo opened a box-like container filled with Me: agriculture, law, animal husbandry, metallurgy, music...

Da Vinci's eyes widened at the sight of the Gilgamesh Me. She bent her arms, her mouth practically watering, as if a thirsty man couldn't wait to reach for something.

The box made a scraping sound on the table. Bai Mo pushed the pile of Me in front of Da Vinci. Da Vinci looked up and, like a child receiving a birthday present, gave Bai Mo a pure and utterly joyful smile.

But Bai Mo did not let go, and instead said to Da Vinci:

"You can borrow it for research temporarily, but it's not free."