The ordinary alongside the strange

"So, what's our next move, Director?"

Ritsuka raised her hand and asked, while Goredolf, standing to the side, closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and then decided to say:

"No, although training soldiers is important, we must act quickly. The key to the entire Russia now lies with Ivan the Terrible. If that monster awakens, we will all be crushed like insects."

If it can't withstand the pressure and dies, according to Bai Mo's explanation, those power holders in Moscow will immediately pounce on the Fantasy Tree, and in the end, we will still be unable to resist those guys.

We must take the initiative and eliminate the Fantasy Tree before the Terrible Emperor can react!

Goredolf's judgment was accurate. It was uncertain how long the current period of calm would last, so naturally, they could not leisurely wait until everything was ready before starting the war.

"Zhang Jue, leave the food preparation troops behind. Ritsuka, you and the Earl gather as much information as possible about Yaga Moscow's power users. Once you confirm the difference in strength, engage in a decisive battle as soon as possible, cut down the Fantasy Tree before the Terrible Emperor awakens, and then leave immediately!"

No one objected to Goredolf's decision; no one wanted to deal with Ivan the Terrible possessed 930,000 horses. Hearing this, Atalanta nodded, then changed the subject:

"In that case, let's set off Yaga. I happen to have some intelligence on Moscow. It seems that some of the missing rebel children have been found in Moscow."

Just as everyone had reached a decision, Ritsuka noticed Bai Mo standing by the window. He was looking out at the snowy field with the gaze of a hawk, watching something intently.

"Brother Bai, what's wrong?"

"It seemed like I sensed someone I knew, but it was only for a moment. It's nothing. Since that's the case, let's settle things here today and head to Yaga Moscow tomorrow."

Bai Mo did have a somewhat familiar feeling about this place, wondering which one of them had also come here. At the same time, something about this country was definitely off; it was too peaceful.

Generally speaking, those Primordial Spirit are not peaceful beings. In Uruk, Bai Lubao indirectly murdered almost the entire Sumer pantheon.

But things went too smoothly here. According to Yaga's account, there were absolutely no rumors of powerful figures. You have to understand, in the neighboring Qin, they were practically all- Tianxia, and even Dream Creator were becoming commonplace.

Upon hearing Bai Mo's words, Ritsuka excitedly waved her hand vigorously and said:

"That's wonderful! I feel much more at ease with you by my side."

"After all, there might be a powerful expert hiding over there; that guy is my target."

Upon hearing Bai Mo's words, everyone else was taken aback. Goredolf, somewhat exasperated, exclaimed:

"Wait, you mean, besides Ivan the Terrible, there's another powerful figure hiding in Moscow?"

"Yes, so if you're going to do something over there, try to come with me. Don't worry about that guy, I'll handle him. Just take care of yourselves."

Finally, looking somewhat haggard Goredolf finalized the plan and requested that Bai Mo not launch a direct and immediate attack on Moscow. It would be better not to act rashly before confirming the true strength of that powerful figure in Moscow.

Bai Mo was the only real fighting force they could count on.

In the large living room, everyone had left. The plan had been decided: the next day, they would follow Koyanskaya's convoy to Yaga Moscow to search for the missing children of the rebels, and at the same time gather intelligence, preferably information about the hidden powerful figure.

Ritsuka hurriedly prepared some Mystic Code, while Zhang Jue was also preparing all sorts of talismans.

Meanwhile, in a spacious room in the castle, Bai Mo finished examining a young Yaga. As the power in his hand surged, the Magnetic Field Power seeped into the child's bones and head like a spider spinning silk, curing his meningitis.

The young Yaga touched his head in disbelief.

"My head doesn't hurt anymore."

"Alright, go get some food and bedding. Don't go out at night anymore, and wear your hat."

Atalanta sat to the side, watching Bai Mo carefully taking care of the children, a happy smile on her face.

Bai Mo, do you like children?

I used to volunteer at an orphanage.

Hearing this, Atalanta seemed even happier. The cold wind howled outside the window, but inside the castle it was warm and cozy. If only everything were over, and they could open an orphanage together like this...

Just as Atalanta was lost in daydreams about the future, Bai Mo had finished treating the last child and clapped his hands.

"That's settled. What's next? We're leaving tomorrow, so let's finish everything that needs to be done here today."

As dusk settled, Bai Mo returned to his room after dealing with various minor matters. At the same time, Atalanta entered and poured a cup of hot tea, which seemed to raise the room's temperature considerably.

"So, is there something you wanted to talk to me about?"

Atalanta's heart raced slightly as she pulled her long, silvery-white hair back, revealing her delicate collarbone.

"Atalanta, your horse count is 350,000, right? Generally speaking, with that count, neither healing these Yaga nor dealing with those curses should be able to harm you, right?"

"Hmm, is that what you wanted to ask..." Atalanta glared at Bai Mo with some annoyance, then a black cloak appeared in her hand, and the next moment, she changed back into that rather revealing outfit.

The Calydonian Boar appeared on her shoulder, Atalanta stood with her legs crossed and arms over her chest, saying:

"This Magnetic Field Power does not originate from me... no, that's not quite right either. The source of the power is my Noble Phantasm [Pelt of Agrius Metamorphosis], which is this Calydonian Boar."

When I arrived here, the Counter Force directly placed me in a lair where a wild boar monster was fast asleep. While it was sleeping, I drew my bow and pierced its neck.

But after the wild boar was seriously injured, it immediately started a rampage. I thought I was going to die in the counterattack, but in the end, it bled to death first.

Then, as if it came to life, the wild boar skin wrapped around the boar and absorbed its contents. When it returned to my hand, it directly affected my Spirit Origin, and I gained this power.

I wasn't that strong back then, but there happened to be a root of the Fantasy Tree in my cave. With the help of the immense energy within that root, I gained my current power."

Hearing Atalanta's explanation, Bai Mo's brows twitched involuntarily.

Is this even possible? No, this must have been pre-arranged.

Alaya Consciousness.

The name immediately came to Bai Mo's mind, and at the same time, Crimson Moon's voice echoed in his mind:

"Heh, the Alaya Consciousness really did a perfect job, selecting the target beforehand and summoning it directly to the lair where the beasts were least wary. While the magical beasts were fast asleep, it killed them, even though they were only Electric Current Push, and then absorbed their souls using a more mysterious and powerful magical Noble Phantasm."

Crimson Moon said decisively, "It's all too coincidental, as if it were all arranged."

"Just as I said, the Alaya Consciousness has been drooling over this kind of power for a long time. This is probably just an experiment, whether it's this woman in front of us or that Mochizuki Chiyome from Japan."

On one hand, they feared this power and exiled it to the Lostbelt. On the other hand, they coveted it and wanted to control it and add it to their possession.

That Mochizuki Chiyome Alaya Consciousness was probably waiting for her. If you hadn't interfered, that female ninja would definitely not have been able to withstand it and would have signed a contract with the Counter Force, selling her soul that was fused with the Source of Power."

Crimson Moon always viewed Alaya Consciousness with the most malicious intent.

The concept of reincarnation exists in this world, and it is not limited by species.

I talked to Touko before, and like Lio Shirazumi, her origin is "eating," and she was probably some kind of large carnivore in her previous life.

Whether it's the separation of Roa's reincarnation or the current situation, it's clear that the Magnetic Field Power is gradually merging with the system of this world. What will it ultimately become? No one can say for sure.

"Alright, at least I know why you were cursed and why you didn't treat those children yourself."

Atalanta nodded in response to Bai Mo's words.

"My Magnetic Field Power is mixed with this curse. Although it's amplified in some ways, it would be fatal if used to heal someone. Also, this Spirit Origin has no Magic Resistance, so this makes it even less resistant to curses."

Seeing Atalanta, Bai Mo reached out and pulled off Enlil's divine core, then handed the necklace woven from flowing water to Atalanta.

"What's this?"

"Take this thing that can protect you from curses. I've almost mastered it. After 750,000 horses, I'm basically unaffected by curses."

I have other methods to deal with curses; you can keep this one for yourself.

Atalanta immediately sensed the intense divinity within it and instantly realized that the flowing chain before her would have been a legendary treasure in ancient Greece.

"No... this is too expensive, and..."

"Tsk, stop being so wishy-washy. If it's useless, it's just a decoration. You don't want it to turn out like before, do you?"

Bai Mo hung the pendant around Atalanta's neck, and her face instantly turned as red as an apple. She couldn't help but lick her lips, her eyes somewhat glazed over.

"Um... is it pretty?"

"This thing is transparent and can't serve any decorative purpose."

Bai Mo replied somewhat speechlessly to Atalanta's cryptic question. Atalanta pouted in annoyance, but her anger subsided after touching the cold pendant.

"Well... I'll lend this to you for now... but I don't have anything of equal value to offer in return."

"We're not strangers, why are you being so formal?"

Her words were interrupted, but Atalanta simply continued to stroke the pendant with both hands, murmuring softly, "That's not what I meant..."

"Well, anyway, thank you. I'll be going now. If you need anything, my room is right next to yours."

Atalanta fled as if escaping, leaving behind a somewhat bewildered Bai Mo.

"Isn't her room in the city lord's quarters?"

It was indeed in the city lord's bedroom before, but Atalanta moved directly to the next room. She said she couldn't offer an equivalent return gift, but then immediately revealed that the room was next door.

She lay in bed, recalling her bold suggestion, her fingers tracing the pendant.

"Honestly... this Spirit Origin's thoughts... I can't control them at all. But... it's not unpleasant, really. As a follower of Artemis, how could I be so out of control?"

Driven by the logic of Beast Transformation and the abilities of Logic of the Beast, Atalanta's perspective differs significantly from that of humans. What Bai Mo did might seem insignificant to humans, but from a beast's point of view...

"They actually put this around my neck, and I didn't even try to resist. It made me feel... like I'd been tamed."

The night wind still howled, and the rhythmic, drawn-out breathing from next door was like the best lullaby, slowly relaxing my taut hunting instincts...

Like a wild beast in its den, she fell asleep peacefully.