Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Gray Serpent: Lost, but not Completely Lost
Rita took the soulium and reported the situation to Otto.
Otto began to lay out the plan. On the one hand, he asked Rita to dig deep into the clues of King Arthur's legend and make use of Catherine, the living dictionary of history; on the other hand, he asked Durandal to pay attention secretly as the strongest insurance; on yet another hand, he began to observe in real-time a confused Valkyrie who was recalled to the headquarters to clean the library, and prepare for acting training so that she could appear on the stage.
Everything was progressing steadily.
Jackal and Stan did not interfere at all because there was no need to add risks. Angel did not intend to block Otto's way in the matter of the Second Divine Key.
Stan wandered in the city, adapting to the cat's body and perspective, and adapting to the cat's living habits.
And Jackal, she was traveling and shopping.
...
"Doctor, look at this down jacket, this soft down, this simple and generous design..."
"Buy it."
"Yes! Doctor!"
Theoretically, Raven on the mission will restrain all the instincts of being a woman and act in an absolutely rational and efficient way of thinking.
But the reality is that almost no woman can refuse beautiful clothes and jewelry, especially when Jackal has an unlimited bank card in her hand.
"Doctor, look at this necklace..."
"Swipe."
"Doctor, look at this lipstick, it's hard to grab outside!"
"Pack it up, pack it all."
"Doctor, Doctor, the latest XXX handbag, it's not available abroad yet!"
"Swipe the card and take it away."
It was another day of eating, drinking, playing, and shopping. At dusk, Raven had heavy shopping bags on her shoulders and hands, like a human-shaped hanging rack.
But from that satisfied and happy smile, her heart was bubbling with happiness.
For women, shopping streets are paradise. Free shopping is a pleasure that cannot be described in words.
Anyway, Raven has completely changed her impression about Jackal.
'Although she is a mad scientist, she is also a woman. Her taste and hobbies are quite normal... Well, maybe her orientation is a little bit wrong, but for the sake of my bank card, it's no problem!'
'Look carefully, this windbreaker looks pretty on her, not worse than mine.'
'Hey, we have finished shopping in this commercial street. Where should we go tomorrow? Let's check the travel guide tonight!'
Following Jackal with a fluttering pace, Raven could not suppress her brilliant smile.
…
At the same time, under a bridge hole in a remote place in the foggy city.
Gray Serpent sat alone on the ground, typing on the keyboard, arranging the actions of the World Serpent, and the whistling wind made the corners of his clothes rustle.
In addition to his busy work, the red light in his mechanical eyes kept flashing.
The reason is that in his eyes, a series of negative numbers kept popping up - that was the World Serpent's expenses being deducted like water, and each number and comma represented a staggering amount of money.
"Jackal!!!"
The public-spirited Gray Serpent finally couldn't hold it anymore!
At first, he understood the series of deduction reminders as the necessary expenses for the mission disguise, and he didn't care.
Later, the deduction reminders increased day by day. Gray Serpent thought that the Second Divine Key was something that the Lord asked them to take care of, and this little effort was nothing and completely acceptable.
Later, as the expenditure continued to rise, for the development of the organization, Gray Serpent quietly checked out of the economical hotel and simply lived in the bridge hole. Anyway, he was a high-tech robot, not afraid of wind and rain.
But even if he did this, the flood-like expenditure of funds still showed no signs of stopping.
"Jackal! What on earth are you doing? Do you think the money of World Serpent comes from the wind?"
"I'm working in the region of Schicksal, and you're risking betraying me by calling me just to talk about money? Are you out of your mind?"
"I... you you you..."
"You you you head! Don't interrupt me when I'm doing something! Money is a bastard, if it's not enough, go rob it, or borrow from that Cocolia! The mission is at hand, don't cause me any trouble!"
Facing the irritable Gray Serpent, Jackal hung up the call in an even more irritable tone.
Gray Serpent sat in the whistling wind under the bridge hole, motionless. It was summer, and it was a robot, but Gray Serpent felt his heart was chilled.
He wanted to crush the communicator in his hand.
But thinking of the huge amount of funds that had been deducted rapidly in recent days, Gray Serpent didn't dare to waste resources anymore, so he had to tremble and carefully put the communicator back to his chest.
You're right, money is a bastard!
Money is not important, the World Serpent's career is important, and the Lord's order is more important!
Yes, everything is worth it.
"Damn!!!"
...
"Hu... cough, Doctor, you are this 👍!"
Walking on the way home, Raven couldn't help but give a thumbs up to Jackal with difficulty while carrying a pile of shopping bags.
Public funds can still be used to shop and retort so confidently, suppressing the furious Gray Serpent. What is a strong man? This is the real strong man!
Jackal turned around, her hands in the pockets of her windbreaker, the dinner blew up her soft long hair, and her golden eyes were reflected in the sunset, showing a bit of vicissitudes of life.
"Little crow, are you having fun?"
"Of course I am!"
"Is it because you don't have to spend money?"
"Uh..."
"The pursuit of wealth and happiness is the instinct of human beings and the fundamental driving force behind the brilliance of civilization. But at the same time, it is also the root of all inequality and pain. Just like the melting of snow mountains into clear water, it is the starting point of rivers and lakes, the nurturing of civilization, and the promoter of floods and dams, accumulating the power of destruction."
Raven blinked woodenly.
This is a bit interesting, but it is also a commonplace truth.
However, coming from the mouth of a monster like Jackal who has lived for thousands of years, does it represent some kind of perception that she has witnessed with her own eyes?
Raven guessed so and didn't know how to answer for a while.
Jackal stepped forward, pinched Raven's chin, and her golden eyes were deep and smiling, saying:
"So, moderation and balance are the long-term and even eternal principles. The enjoyment ends here. Next, take on your mission. Aren't you still raising a group of cubs in Nagazora City? Don't be careless and lose your life. When that happens, no one will feed you. You know the consequences."
Raven felt her heart pounding.
This is not a woman's reaction to ambiguous gestures, at least not entirely.
More than anything, she felt a chill in her heart. She didn't expect Jackal to pay attention to her private actions and subconsciously resisted those children being targeted by this crazy scientist.
But then, she felt that Jackal didn't mean that. While she was relieved, her impression of Jackal became more complicated.
This is an arrogant and cynical woman who looks down on everything and is indifferent to the secular world and human life. But the experience and wisdom accumulated over a long period of time seem to be able to support this attitude.
She also has human qualities, such as her love for clothes and jewelry, and her love for her body, which are all real.
But she is also like a person who transcends the world, who likes but does not sink, and examines the world from a height that ordinary people cannot replace, and acts arbitrarily and self-centeredly.
"As expected of a real World Serpent cadre, a thousand-year-old monster, compared to a half-baked person like me, she is indeed different."
Raven muttered softly, restrained her emotions, and followed the pleasing and moving back of Jackal.
It's a bit being similar to a weak little follower.
...
On the other hand, Otto's plan was carried out smoothly.
With the help of Catherine's academic background and the museum's academic resources, Rita dug out some exciting clues from the complicated and obscure historical materials.
Rita, Catherine, and the "cute and clumsy" "B-level Valkyrie Susanna" who just came from the headquarters to support, came to Glastonbury, the place closest to the legendary Avalon.
Then, the magnificent underground ruins were successfully discovered.
After that, several people were attacked.
Rita fought with the cat Stan, who had been reunited after a long absence.
Susanna and Catherine were attacked by other forces and lost their traces.
…
Outside Glastonbury, the beautiful grassland area.
Catherine walked step by step towards the tall figure wearing a white windbreaker and a wolf mask.
"Lord Jackal, our plan succeeded, everything is as you expected, those fools of Schicksal really..."
"Bang!"
A shot to the head, without any pause.
Both Otto, who was disguised as Catherine, and Raven and Gray Serpent who were waiting in secret were shocked.
Jackal came in front of Catherine, raised her foot, and stepped on Catherine's chest with the white high heels under her black silk long legs.
"Don't struggle. Soulium is a legacy of the previous civilization, and this is a bullet designed for your situation. You can't keep this body. Really, it was just in case, but I didn't expect it to be used. You are more persistent than I thought, Otto."
"....! How did you find me?"
There was a strange metal flowing and changing on Catherine's body, and soon Otto's smiling face was revealed.
Jackal shook her head and said nothing. She watched Otto gradually lose his movement, and his eyes became completely gray.
Then, she dialed the communication between Raven and Gray Serpent who were waiting in secret.
"Let's go! Cosmic Juggernaut can't be kept. Otto came here in person. Stan was also subdued by Durandal. He is determined to get it. We can't stop him."
"Jackal, that's the order of the Lord!"
"Bullshit! The Lord just wants us to take care of it as much as possible, but didn't say to protect it at all costs. Don't forget what our real mission is? We don't have the spare energy to give up everything for a dead object! Besides, the authority is with Lord Su, and the beacon is in the hands of the Lord. If they don't allow it, no one can use the Cosmic Juggernaut; if they allow it, then we don't need to intervene!"
"..."
"Don't be so fussy! Little Crow, leave Europe immediately. Gray Serpent, clear the remaining traces as much as possible. While Otto's eyes are still on the Cosmic Juggernaut, we must disappear as soon as possible. Before the Lord returns, it's not the time for the World Serpent to show up!"
"Raven, do as she says and execute orders."
Gray Serpent is not a person who can't figure things out. He knew very well that when Otto also appeared in the game, it meant that the strongest force in the world today had become completely serious, and the World Serpent was powerless to do anything about it.
Everything was for the sake of welcoming back the Lord, everything was for Project Stigma.
Other losses could be borne.
Just when he was finishing up, Gray Serpent who had studied workplace etiquette and interpersonal communication skills seriously because of Cocolia still found time to send a message to Jackal.
"The failure of the mission was not your fault. No one expected Otto to be so serious. It was force majeure. This time you performed well, with a keen eye and decisive decision-making, and maintained the secrecy of the World Serpent. The Serpent has to thank you."
Gray Serpent sent a message and sighed.
The Cosmic Juggernaut was hidden in another space, which was very secretive, but it could not withstand Otto's full pursuit. What's more, he had the right direction, and it was only a matter of time before it was taken away.
But Jackal's on-the-spot judgment and overall view in this mission were very gratifying.
"More reliable than expected, worthy of being an old comrade. That's good, I can relax a little."
In addition, Cocolia did not make a move from beginning to end, once again proving her credibility.
Although the Cosmic Juggernaut was going to be lost, the World Serpent could not use this Divine Key anyway, so there was no loss in practical terms.
On the contrary, it proved the solidity and reliability of the allies, as well as the wisdom and skills of colleagues.
This is a blessing in disguise, right?