Sprouts of New Life

A mist filled the air, and the gentle sound of water reached her ears. Bai Mo opened her eyes to a shimmering expanse of water. The lush green of the water, resembling that of Longjing tea, came into view, with specks of ash floating on the surface.

Taking a deep breath, Bai Mo rose from the water. He scooped up a handful of spring water, which brimmed with vibrant life. Looking around, he saw a quaint, ancient-style hot spring, with cherry blossom petals floating on the surface.

How are you feeling? Do you feel like all your fatigue has disappeared?

A pure white figure lifted the curtain and walked in carrying a plate of fruit wine. Looking at that familiar white figure, Bai Mo couldn't help but feel relaxed and comfortable.

"I feel much better, thank you, Shi. How long was I unconscious this time? I wasn't just soaking in the water the whole time, was I?"

"Only half a month, the same amount of time you spent in Northern Europe. Compared to the previous three months, this is much faster."

"Yes, it's probably because the Scandinavian Lostbelt relatively small. I think I finished it quite quickly, but I still ended up completely unconscious."

"That shows your skills have improved. Everything is difficult at the beginning, but the second time is naturally much easier. Maybe next time you can even keep your clothes."

Looking at Shi Qiao's smiling face, Bai Mo felt a chill for no reason in the warm pool. Although the mist and petals almost completely obscured him, looking at his somewhat rough skin, he realized he had probably been soaking in the water for almost half a month.

"Shi, that..."

"You have a great figure, can I use your pillow during my next afternoon nap?"

Bai Mo slapped himself in the face with a hint of helplessness, then used his strength to change his clothes.

"You're leaving already? I'm quite confident in this hot spring."

Even the best hot springs become unbearable after half a month. By the way, how's Scandinavian Lostbelt?

"Everything is fine... but there were some unexpected events. We'll talk about it later, or you can go see for yourself. I've rescued Ophelia, and she's settled in Chaldea. Judging by Chaldea's usual practices, this mission has been successfully completed."

Hearing Shi's words, Bai Mo breathed a sigh of relief. As for those unexpected phenomena, judging from Shi's expression, they shouldn't be anything serious. Bai Mo got out of the spring and casually changed the water.

"I'll go prepare dinner. You can go to the dining room once you've finished your soaking."

"Hmm, I want to eat Northern Europe salmon soup and roasted reindeer."

"Okay, I'll make it for you."

After a brief exchange, Shi watched Bai Mo's departing figure, enjoying the pleasant atmosphere.

"Sigh, when will I never have to bring you back all battered and bruised?"

Shi couldn't help but sigh, then lay quietly in the water, enjoying the tranquility of the gentle breeze.

Walking on the familiar wooden floor, this building always brought him peace. But as he approached the kitchen, Bai Mo heard the sizzling sound of oil in the pan. He couldn't help but shake his head; the ease and comfort here made him consciously shut down his senses.

In the kitchen, a golden figure was busy at work, looking at the recipe in her hand while preparing the meat in the pot. Bai Mo quietly came to her side, stood on the cutting board, and picked up a kitchen knife to cook.

"How did you get here? Didn't you move the Millennium Castle to the other side?"

"Isn't it because this is her territory? As soon as you arrived, she brought you into this house. There's no point in me staying in the castle then."

I carefully concocted a potion to replenish life force, and that guy used it all up!

"Hmm... since it's all the same body, it's not a waste. Why are you suddenly interested in cooking?"

Feeling that continuing on this topic might turn into Arcueid arguing with the Crimson Moon in her head, Bai Mo changed the subject. Hearing this, Arcueid nodded confidently and put the unknown ingredients that Bai Mo had chopped into the pot.

"Cooking like this is quite interesting. It's completely different from the previous recipes. Besides, I've taken so much of your blood before, so I wanted to give back a little something."

"And I read a book in the Chaldea library that said men would gently embrace women when they saw them cooking for them... That's completely a lie."

Arcueid grumbled with a hint of dissatisfaction. Seeing Arcueid's expression, Bai Mo breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that she might start a fight with Shiki right there. For some reason, the relationship between the two was inexplicably tense.

"What kind of look is that? You don't think I'm going to start a fight with that guy here, do you?"

Bai Mo turned her head away, avoiding Arcueid's somewhat questioning gaze.

"I'm sorry, but I was really worried about you in every sense of the word."

"I wouldn't knowingly cause trouble for you while you're busy working outside. Okay, I'm done in the kitchen. What's next? Should my dinner be before or after yours?"

After feeding the two people in the house, it was already evening. Bai Mo looked at the world in the distance. The vast Scandinavian Lostbelt had escaped its predetermined fate, and in the future, it would be revitalized.

"Phew, it's finally over. There are still five more Lostbelt like this to come."

"Alright, stop looking so down. Relax after the battle, check the results and lift your spirits."

"What were the results?"

Hearing Arcueid's words, Bai Mo turned her head in confusion, and then saw her shaking Laevateinn, which was thousands of times larger than herself, like a soda can. Bai Mo's lips twitched as she looked at this bizarre sight.

"How did this thing get here?"

"What's the problem? That Surtr wasn't summoned; he was a living, breathing fire giant. Naturally, the weapon wouldn't disappear with his death."

Look, this thing is incredibly powerful. If you pierce it into the soil of Northern Europe, it can literally cause the entire Northern Europe to erupt and scatter.

The legendary artifact was right before his eyes. Bai Mo suddenly realized this, and then, with a thought, a golden, gleaming sword flew over and floated in front of him— the Sword of Victory. Arcueid was right; there really were quite a few things to deal with this time.

Rather, he needed to sort out all that stuff about Northern Europe. Whether it was the mysterious Well of Wisdom, the situation in Helheim, or the mess left behind after Nidhogg's death—that guy hadn't completely turned into fragments of a powerful being; quite a few things remained, including the poison that would cause massive environmental pollution.

Moreover, the sudden addition of the Northern Europe means they now border the Russia Lostbelt directly; hopefully, nothing will go wrong. Thinking about this, Bai Mo suddenly felt like there were many more things to worry about.

"Take care of things tomorrow; get some rest today."

"That's right, it won't run away if you just leave it there. But if you keep it constantly on edge, it'll break."

Just as Bai Mo was about to set off, he was dragged back by Shi Wuxing's large hand and Thousand Locks. The two men's attitudes revealed an unyielding determination that brooked no refusal.

There's really no need to rush. Faraway Northern Europe is like a sleeping child—tranquil and full of unknown possibilities. At the same time, it's also a child who has already found a safe place.

Rune Runes glowed faintly on the Daichi, and patches of green appeared on this wasteland that had stood for who knows how long. In that single patch of green, lay the home that Skadi had once protected.

Outside a house, a golden steed slept, while inside, Ortlinde lay on her bed in a peaceful, infant-like sleep. Completely unaware, a golden vertical pupil slowly appeared in her empty right eye socket.

The sound of flesh and bones writhing echoed in the room.