Different Paths, Same Destination

The off-road vehicles left deep tracks in the snow. They set off at dawn. Above the pine forest, a ray of light peeked through the clouds, a rare sight. The sun's rays briefly penetrated the snowy world before flying away like startled birds.

"Moscow, I've always dreamed of traveling there, but I never imagined my first visit would be as a spy. By the way, aren't we being a bit too obvious?"

Ritsuka asked with some concern, "Judging from their appearance, they and Yaga are completely different species."

Hundreds of years ago, an asteroid crashed into this world, plunging it into an endless frigid zone. Only the modified Yaga can survive, and according to intelligence, apart from the distant royal palace, there are no other ancient species here.

"There's no need to worry about that. After all, we won't take the regular route; we'll infiltrate directly through the secret passage. With the cloak on, no one will be able to tell if you're human or Yaga."

Atalanta replied that the trip had been very rushed, with insufficient time for preparation, so the planning was primarily the responsibility of Atalanta was most familiar with the area.

The journey continued to shorten, and soon the enormous city standing tall in the wind and snow came into view.

Yaga Moscow is the only city in the entire country that has not been abandoned. There are some pedestrians on the streets, some of whom are dressed well, carrying paper bags full of goods, and leading children who look like they have just come home from school.

On the street, in what looked like a park, a young girl, almost blending into the snowy landscape, sat on a rock. Like a heroine in a romance drama, she was wrapped in a very warm coat and held a cup of hot tea in her hand.

"Ugh... Ptooey, this tastes awful. Turns out, the only familiar thing here is the streets; there's nothing else."

She was Anastasia, whom Bai Mo had unexpectedly summoned. Because she had little combat power, if she stayed with the resistance, not only would the people of Chaldea look at her strangely, but she would probably be regarded as an object of hatred by the Yaga.

Therefore, Bai Mo allowed her to move freely. She didn't need to worry about her status Servant; it was just like a return visit to a familiar place.

Although this familiar place doesn't feel familiar to her at all.

"I wish I could go home and visit him, but... forget it. Even though I don't have much contact with him, if I get caught, it won't just be me who gets into trouble."

Anastasia turned her gaze to the distant Kremlin. As the Tsar's daughter Anastasia had returned to Moscow, but she couldn't even get into the Kremlin.

This made her unable to laugh.

But she couldn't go. Since Bai Mo had given her freedom, she shouldn't interfere with his actions. Although the two of them didn't communicate much, their master-servant contract remained in place.

As she had said in her previous conversation with Bai Mo, she couldn't rely on her combat power as Servant at all. Therefore, she didn't dislike Bai Mo, who not only didn't treat her as a one-time morale-boosting Master but also gave her freedom.

Although she longed to see her home, she couldn't go directly to her opponent's lair. She belonged to the Pan-Human History faction, and neither her position nor her national system gave the other side any reason not to kill her.

Just as she was about to continue her aimless stroll, a voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Your Excellency Regent, it really is you! It's wonderful to meet you here. I'm sorry to disturb your enjoyment, but I haven't received a reply to the invitation I sent you before."

The banquet is today, so will you be attending?

Looking at the Yagar in front of her, Anastasia raised her eyes slightly and felt a little emotional in her heart.

It seems it's not just the streets that are familiar; this obsequious, fawning manner is all too familiar. He must be referring to Anastasia in the Kremlin.

This person is utterly clueless. No reply means rejection, right? They're being offered a polite refusal, yet they still have the nerve to come crawling back. Are they asking for a beating?

If you don't even understand this, how dare you try to curry favor with the court? It seems your intelligence might have deteriorated after becoming Yaga. You're so shameless, trying to improve yourself, but your methods are far too clumsy.

Her eyes darted around, and to her, these kinds of people were the most interesting to play pranks on. They were incredibly flexible when it came to power.

"Ah, I remember now. I did have some time, but you did interrupt my conversation with my friend, and now it's quite angry."

"Friends? Your Majesty, there's no one else here."

"You can't see it. It's right here. Look, it's stomping its feet in anger because you've bothered it."

Listening to Anastasia's words, the nobleman Yaga looked terrified, like a student who had gotten into trouble. In the original history, Anastasia had the nickname "Little Devil".

She loves playing pranks, and given her status, no one can control her.

Seeing Yaga's flustered state, Anastasia stood up and, adopting the air of a superior, said:

"In that case, you shall wait here until my friend forgives you. As for the banquet, I do have time; I hope you can obtain his forgiveness soon, sir."

Leaving those words behind, Anastasia unceremoniously got into the nobleman's carriage, leaving its owner in the park, repeatedly apologizing to the empty snowfield.

The vehicle slowly started moving, and the apology voice behind us gradually faded into the distance.

Of course, there were no so-called friends, but Anastasia did want to go to the so-called banquet. After all, she had attended many banquets in her previous life. Although these were all Yaga, the nobles' demeanor was all too familiar.

As for that nobleman, he can leave whenever he wants; it all depends on how much his desire for power can hold him back.

Moreover, she harbored deep resentment towards Anastasia, who had taken over her home. Having seen enough of this place, she decided to vent her frustration with the princess's name one last time, then depart in spirit form.

Soon, Anastasia arrived at a somewhat dilapidated theater. She couldn't help but show her disgust. How dare this wretched place extend an invitation to her, from the Kremlin?

But not wanting to ruin her own reputation, Anastasia still entered the theater. Meanwhile, Bai Mo and his group also arrived in the underground passage beneath the theater.

"This is where those children are being held? Tsk, let's get moving. Ritsuka, can you and the Earl stay outside to keep watch?"

Bai Mo frowned and spoke to Ritsuka, scratching her orange hair, looking somewhat confused.

"Uh, yes, that's possible, but I'm probably the only one here who knows a fair bit about Magecraft. What if our opponents have something planned in that area..."

"It's alright... It's better if you don't go and see what's going on down there."

Bai Mo spoke in a deep and serious voice, and then Ritsuka nodded, watching Bai Mo and Atalanta disappear at the end of the passage.