The Priest

On the frozen ground, larch trees sway in the biting wind. On this land abandoned by life, only the most tenacious pines and the humblest moss can eke out a living.

Just like the creatures struggling on this land.

The leather boots made a soft sound on the snow as three figures arrived at the battlefield where Atalanta had just fought the Murderous Hunters. After carefully examining the surroundings, a somewhat gaunt, white-haired man sniffed the dirt in his hands and asked the priest beside him:

"He's gone, Father. It seems your plan has failed. The Servant gained power did not fall into a mindless beast because of your curse."

"It seems that's indeed the case, Kadoc. As expected of the legendary hero who could withstand the Golden Apple of Love, even under the influence of the Beast Transformation and burdened with such a huge curse, he has still been able to maintain his self-control."

The priest examined the remains of the Murderous Hunters on the ground, clicking his tongue in amazement. Kadoc seemed unable to accept this explanation.

So, we made a wasted trip?

The only woman among the three spoke; she was holding a doll and wearing a luxurious fur coat. Standing in the snow, she resembled a blooming flower.

"It seems so for now. I was originally thinking of contracting the second Servant with power, but since she hasn't fallen into beasthood, there's no way around it. If I were to approach her rashly, I'd probably get my head pierced by an arrow before we even have a chance to talk."

I'm sorry, Anastasia.

"Why should I apologize? It's clearly not your fault. Besides, I was the one who asked you to come. As my Master, apologizing all the time makes me feel cheap."

If you say that again, you can walk back by yourself.

Anastasia was very displeased with Kadoc's attitude. The entire operation was predicated on the priest's curse succeeding. Not only did Kadoc not reprimand the priest, but he also acted as if it was all his fault.

This displeased the princess greatly.

"I understand. Please don't say such terrifying things; it could kill someone."

Kadoc gave a wry smile. The priest beside him watched the two with interest, but the princess's rebuking gaze quickly made him close his eyes.

"Go back, Father Rasputin. As punishment for this defeat, you can walk back on your own."

The priest, known as Rasputin, did not make a statement but nodded with his eyes closed. Then Kadoc and the princess got into a snowmobile with the NFF logo and drove away.

"Anna, is this really the right thing to do for him? He was someone you had some interaction with when he was alive."

"But I have no memory of what happened before, and... if they were true friends, there would be some feelings involved, right? But all I feel is a disgusting sense of hypocrisy."

Hearing the princess's words, Kadoc raised an eyebrow slightly, his mind involuntarily turning to anecdotes about Rasputin. Generally speaking, Rasputin, who had treated Anastasia, should be a good person to her.

But I personally feel disgusted by Rasputin?

Hmm, could some of the scandals involving Empress Alexandra and Rasputin in history be true? Besides, there shouldn't be anything that could make a girl hate a priest who healed her brother so much.

While Kadoc was passing the time in contemplation, Rasputin, who had been left behind, seemed completely unconcerned. Like a forensic doctor, he carefully collected the remains of the Murderous Hunters, including the few pieces of flesh that had been cut off by the Magnetic Field Heavenly Blade.

Rasputin reverently picked up a piece of still slightly warm minced meat and put it into his mouth as if savoring communion.

The moment the chunk of meat touched the tip of the tongue, the remaining blade energy suddenly erupted. This power, having already fulfilled its master's command to fight, was still ferocious and terrifying, and with a hissing sound!

The skin on one side of his face was as if it had been neatly sliced open by a sharp blade. Before the blood could even gush out, his pale cheekbone and jagged teeth were already exposed.

He seemed oblivious, savoring the moment, a chilling curve slowly forming at the corner of his chapped lips.

"It feels familiar... Is it you? If so, then some arrangements will have to be changed."

Rasputin gazed at the distant rebel fortress, then turned to the resting place of Ivan the Terrible.

"This is really... getting more and more interesting."

The snow continued to fall, Rasputin's figure disappeared from sight. Meanwhile, in the distant rebel fortress, Atalanta had changed into a dress, the same one she wore on the Argo, only in a darker color.

"Is it just my imagination? Why does the fortress seem bigger?"

"I've expanded it a bit, and I reckon Zhang Jue did some work too. It's not all bad. The Chaldea group should be rested by now, let's go take a look."

"You seem to know them quite well?"

"I've only known him for a few days, but he seems like a nice person."

Before long, everyone gathered in the castle's main hall. Atalanta had arrived quite some time earlier, so she naturally had a better understanding of the local situation.

After understanding, Zhang Jue rubbed his beard and couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement:

"So that's how it is. The emperor doesn't hold court and has no heir, so power falls into the hands of the nominal regent Anastasia. At the same time, the nobles control a large amount of resources and power."

However, the rebels received aid from the neighboring Qin, gaining the strength to rival the nobles. Ultimately, the two sides would only engage in a war of arms, and the regent seemed to turn a blind eye to it? Even the nobles didn't resist?

Zhang Jue seemed somewhat puzzled by this, but upon hearing this, Koyanskaya revealed a charming yet dangerous smile.

"Who do you think those gold treasures in my car are for? These nobles didn't dare to act recklessly when the Terrible Emperor was sober, but now... heh heh, if you go to Yaga Moscow, you'll see the extravagance of feudal nobles."

There's an old saying in the East: "Take every last penny, use it like dirt."

Suppressed by the Terrible Emperor, the Yaga, who possessed power, naturally did not worship violence as much as they did in the Martial God Era.

Without the Magnetic Field Power, those nobles would still be troubled by this deadly climate, but with the Magnetic Field Power, even just the Electric Current Push would be enough to keep them well-fed and clothed.

This is why Koyanskaya's business wasn't shut down.

After hearing Koyanskaya's words, Zhang Jue Jiao remained silent for a long time, almost breaking off his beard in his hand.

Finally, he forced a sigh through his teeth:

"The frozen soil yields no millet, yet golden goblets are raised high in the pavilion. Enemy states rely on fleeting sparks, while powerful figures entangle themselves in bureaucratic curtains... This nation's fate is sealed."

From every perspective, this country had no future. As Zhang Jue had witnessed the end of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Jiao understood this all too well.

"Then, Your Excellency Bai Mo and Your Excellency Atalanta, please entrust the task of training the soldiers to me. This old man cannot remain indifferent to such a corrupt kingdom."

Atalanta nodded. She herself was not good at leading troops, and she would naturally be happy to see these armed Yaga exert greater power.