Chapter 56: Snake's Shadow Reveals Itself

'Good, good, good! So this is how you're going to play it, huh.'

If Mobius were a normal person, facing such a golden opportunity, of course he wouldn't refuse it.

To speak frankly, Mobius, this recommendation spot for academic delegation can be auctioned off. There would absolutely be people willing to spend a fortune to buy it.

However, this spot that thousands of people are scrambling for, to Van, is nothing but a disaster.

Because, he knows the true face of that woman Mobius. Even without her recovering her memory, Van doesn't dare to hang around in front of her.

Who knows if that crazy woman might regain her memory because of some trigger?

As for why Van is so afraid of Mobius?

Don't ask. If you ask, it's PTSD flaring up.

So, when Himeko said those words, Van immediately sensed something was wrong.

Because if he refused this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that ordinary people would kill for, it clearly wouldn't make sense.

Unless he actually knew something.

'Teacher Himeko, this open conspiracy move of yours is really ruthless! Worthy of being Hyperion's commander. You tactical people, your hearts are truly dirty!'

Ding dong~

A familiar push notification sound rang out in time, saving Van from a dilemma.

After a simple adjustment, the three of them began watching the video on the curtain in the living room.

And the seating order of the three was, Fu Hua, Van, Himeko.

Looking at the two women beside him who were watching the video attentively, Van's mood was extremely complicated.

He didn't know how things had developed into this situation. But he knew, if the revelations continued at this pace, in the near future, more and more people would be crowding his living room to watch the videos.

As Van was watching the video while also thinking how to deal with Himeko next, the video began to play.

———

[With the awakening of the Herrscher of the Void, the world fell into great collapse. In just four months, the survivors were fleeing everywhere, seeking refuge.

Sky City, the pinnacle of mankind's technology established in Shenzhou, became their sanctuary.

Two weeks ago, someone spotted the Herrscher of the Void appearing here. To find her whereabouts, both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy began their operations.]

With the familiar narration voice, the video officially began.

In the footage, Rita, dressed in a maid outfit, was communicating with someone.

"Your Excellency Bishop, I've arrived at Sky City. Please give further instructions."

And when it turned out that the person communicating with Rita was Otto, the one responsible for Van going offline, netizens in the real world once again sent Otto their most enthusiastic greetings.

From Rita and Otto's exchange, people learned that Schicksal's purpose in coming to Sky City this time was to search for the missing Kiana.

———

And the appearance of a new character, "Gray Serpent", sparked heated discussion among netizens.

[This Gray Serpent doesn't sound like a good person at all.]

[Yeah, what kind of decent person uses a snake as their codename?]

[???]

[Deliberately leaking Kiana's whereabouts, clearly setting a trap, right?]

[I have a bold guess, could this Gray Serpent be connected to the giant snake that swallowed Van?]

[Holy crap?]

[Bro, that's a bold guess, but thinking about it carefully, it might just be true.]

———

After hanging up the call, Rita began searching for Gray Serpent's trail in Sky City.

After some investigation, Rita found traces of Gray Serpent at a hidden mechanical factory.

After dealing with the guards outside the mechanical factory, Rita was just about to sneak in, when Gray Serpent discovered her.

"Come out, young lady…"

Seeing that her presence had been exposed, Rita no longer hid, stepping out from the shadows.

"Mr. Gray Serpent, good evening. Were you expecting someone?"

Facing Rita's question, Gray Serpent didn't respond, instead, he asked with a strange tone, "My bodyguards… were all taken care of by you alone?"

"Just a small habit of mine. It makes the negotiation environment a bit cleaner and tidier."

Sensing the other party's displeasure, Rita feigned apology and said, "Ah… it seems I did something unnecessary… To show my apology, I've decided to offer you a deal, as compensation."

Though the content of her words sounded like a question, Rita's tone left no room for refusal.

Naturally, Gray Serpent understood that too. "Looks like… I have no choice but to accept, right?"

Seeing Gray Serpent agree, Rita got straight to the point and asked him about Kiana's whereabouts.

After learning Rita's purpose, Gray Serpent fell silent for a while, then continued, "Then, what benefit do I get?"

Facing his questioning, Rita still wore a calm and confident smile.

"Of course there's benefit, Mr. Gray Serpent. Not only will you gain a powerful ally, but you'll also leave this place safely."

"An ally? Though no one hates having more friends, starting a deal by threatening someone's life really makes me doubt Schicksal's sincerity."

Seeing that the other party had easily seen through her background, Rita smiled even wider.

This indicated that the other party's intelligence network might really know where the Herrscher of the Void is.

"Since you know who I am, then there's even less reason for you to refuse."

However, the other party's answer was beyond Rita's expectations.

"Of course I know. But, I refuse." Gray Serpent said without emotion. "Exchanging my intel for my life goes against business principles."

"Looks like… you don't understand the value of life."

"Please don't insult my intelligence. Do you think I'll live just by handing over intel? It's not my first day in business. Besides, to me, death is just the start of another transaction. A snake is not a creature that will yield to death. Got it?"

Seeing the other party's firm attitude, Rita decided not to waste any more time.

Whoosh~

A slicing sound cut through the air, Gray Serpent, the information broker, fell into a pool of blood.

Rita pulled out a silk cloth, wiped the blood off her blade, and just as she was about to leave, Gray Serpent suddenly spoke.

"You made a mistake… Now, you're also inside the 'Eye of the Serpent'…"

Then, the scene changed to St. Freya Academy's side.

After a round of searching, they also arrived at the mechanical factory where Gray Serpent was hiding. What surprised them was, someone had already arrived before them, found Gray Serpent, and killed him.

This made their plan to use Gray Serpent to find Kiana fall through.

But fortunately, there's always a way. Under Bronya's scan, she discovered a biological chip on Gray Serpent's wrist.

"This biological chip is specially used for permission identification. With this chip, Bronya can access Gray Serpent's territory and find backup intel."

Raiden Mei also exclaimed in delight, "What a lucky break! The killer must not have realized they left behind something so important."

Watching the video where the situation turned for the better again, viewers in the real world couldn't hold it in anymore.

From Rita and Otto's conversation earlier, they knew this chip was deliberately left behind by Schicksal for them.

———

[I'm speechless, Ducky! You were already controlled before, and you still haven't learned your lesson?]

[Mei and Theresa too. Haven't they thought this whole thing could be a trap from the enemy?]

[Omniscient viewer, get out. Even if they know it's a trap, if it's to save Kiana, they have to go.]

[Feels like without Van, it really doesn't work. Mei and the others are still too naive.]

[Van, I miss you!]

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