A Villain's Journey Begins in the Type-Moon World

Now, her spirit and physical strength have long been exhausted. The fact that she is only in a coma rather than completely collapsed is enough to show the resilience of this female pirate.

Wang Chong glanced at his "masterpiece" with satisfaction, and only after confirming that Mary had been "educated" thoroughly and tamed enough did he turn around with peace of mind and walk briskly toward the brightly lit deck.

"So much time has passed, I hope the banquet hasn't started yet, so they don't get impatient," he thought to himself.

The moment I stepped onto the deck, a wave of clamor and jubilation washed over me. The pirates were already seated in a circle, the long table in the center laden with sumptuous food and barrels of fine wine, the flickering campfire illuminating every excited face. Clearly, a grand feast was about to begin.

"Haha, boss, you've come at just the right time! I was just about to send someone to invite you!"

The one-eyed man, with his sharp eyes, immediately came forward, his face full of smiles, and eagerly led Wang Chong to the main seat.

Seeing this, Wang Chong burst into laughter, strode to the main table, and his loud voice drowned out the noise on the deck:

"Haha, it seems the banquet has only just begun. In that case, I won't keep you any longer!"

Wang Chong looked around, his gaze sweeping over every expectant face, and said loudly:

"Brothers! We did a great job today! We completely crushed Blackbeard's gang and seized all their treasure and supplies!"

"This is a victory for all of us! Tonight, let's drink our fill and have a good time! Eat well, drink well, and drink until we're completely drunk!"

He suddenly raised a huge wooden cup handed to him by a pirate beside him, filled with amber-colored liquid:

"Now, I declare—the banquet officially begins! Pick up your forks and raise your glasses! Cheers to victory!"

"Cheers to victory!!"

"Long live the boss!!"

A deafening cheer erupted instantly, and the pirates raised their wine cups and wooden bowls, clinking them together with crisp or dull sounds.

The deck was instantly engulfed in a sea of ​​revelry, with boisterous laughter, chewing sounds, clinking glasses, and drinking games all mingling together, brimming with primal energy and unrestrained joy.

Wang Chong smiled as he looked at the bustling scene before him, thinking to himself, "The timing is just right, not too late. Hopefully... no one will suspect anything."

A playful smile curved his lips as he thought, "But even if I am discovered... that would suit my purposes perfectly."

He followed the one-eyed dragon to the main table. This table had the best location, and almost everyone seated around it was the ship's core members—the Servants. Sajō Aika and Medea were positioned to the left and right, respectively, occupying the seats closest to Wang Chong.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone. I've been dealing with some minor cleanup matters, which has taken some time."

Wang Chong took his seat in the main position, his gaze sweeping over the attendants present, finally settling on the white-haired goddess with a cool and aloof demeanor.

He nodded slightly, gesturing to the new face, and spoke calmly:

"Perfect timing, let's make some new friends. I am Wang Chong, one of the Masters from the future, here to resolve this singularity. I presume Your Majesty is already aware of my existence?"

"Just call me Artemis."

The white-haired goddess, Artemis, the moon goddess of the hunt, returned a graceful smile, her clear eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny and curiosity:

"I've finally met you, Master from the future. You are indeed more extraordinary than I imagined. No wonder Romulus speaks so highly of you."

She paused, then added sincerely, "Also, thank you so much for saving Orion and for helping me."

"It's nothing, just a small favor."

Wang Chong waved his hand casually, seemingly unconcerned, then changed the subject, voicing his long-held question:

"However, what I'm curious about is, given the vast ocean and its many dangers, why didn't you wait on a relatively safe island instead of risking your lives to drift at sea and fall into Blackbeard's trap? Was it because you didn't have enough supplies, or were you initially summoned to a pirate ship?"

“That’s not the case.” Artemis shook her head gently and recalled, “Initially, my beloved and I arrived on a small island with decent resources. Although it was desolate, we were safe from the elements.”

As she spoke, with a look of helplessness mixed with doting affection, she lifted Orion, who was engrossed in battling a roasted chicken leg, up from beside her.

"As for the reason for leaving..." she pinched Orion's soft cheek, "naturally, this dear one felt that the island was too boring and insisted on crossing the sea to find other companions. As a result, instead of finding companions, she ran headlong into Blackbeard's carefully laid trap."

"So, my dear!" Artemis tightened her grip slightly, her tone carrying a "kind" reproach, "I told you to stay on the island obediently and wait for the Master or companions who might appear, but you wouldn't listen. Now you know the consequences of running around, don't you? Hmm?"

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! You super strong woman!" Orion's face was pinched out of shape, her mouth stuffed with food, and she protested incoherently, "It's mealtime! Can't I just enjoy my food in peace?! Waaaaaah!!!"

The phrase "super strong woman" accurately hit this goddess's "sore spot".

Artemis's smile remained unchanged, but her hands showed no mercy. She stretched and flattened Orion like dough, and finally, with a soft "smack," she threw him onto the table like a limp towel.

"I see, no wonder..."

Looking at this "tragic" yet vividly realistic scene, Wang Chong couldn't help but chuckle.

"However, Miss Artemis, you shouldn't be too harsh on Orion. Every cloud has a silver lining. If it weren't for his recklessness, how would you have ended up meeting us and becoming our companions?"

"That's not entirely wrong."

Artemis sighed, gently placing Orion, who had returned to his original state and was sulking as he continued gnawing on his chicken leg, back in his seat, her tone tinged with concern:

"However, if he doesn't change his reckless nature, I really can't trust him to act alone in this dangerous singularity."

She paused for a moment, then looked at Wang Chong again, a hint of inquiry in her clear eyes. As if she had thought it through carefully, she slowly spoke, asking the crucial question:

"Let's put my affairs aside for now. But you, the future Master, I'm very curious about your true intentions. You should know very well who the culprit behind this singularity is..."

Her gaze swept almost imperceptibly over Medea, whose body tensed instantly and whose expression changed slightly, and she continued, "But why, even now, do you seem to remain... inactive?"

"..." Medea's hand, hidden under the table, clenched quietly. Artemis's direct question made her feel embarrassed, but at the same time, it involuntarily drew her gaze to Wang Chong. She was equally eager to know what this powerful and mysterious man was planning.

"What you're saying..." Wang Chong didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned back leisurely, picked up the silver cup filled with fine wine in front of him, brought it to his nose to smell the aroma, and then slowly took a sip.

The rich liquid slid down his throat, as if he were savoring Artemis's question. Setting down his glass, he met the goddess's scrutinizing gaze, a meaningful smile playing on his lips:

“Miss Artemis, allow me to ask a question in return. Shouldn’t the gods, especially the kings of the gods, who sit high above the inner sea of ​​stars and overlook the human world, have a broader vision and a clearer understanding?”

Chapter 581 Wang Chong's Answer

"If that's the case... don't they know about everything happening on Earth earlier and more clearly than anyone else?"

After speaking, Wang Chong leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening:

"Then, with their immense power capable of changing the world, why didn't they intervene directly to stop all of this from happening? Instead, after the disaster had already taken shape, they sent you, or other demigod heroes, to provide so-called 'support,' like making moves in a game of chess?"

Artemis's gaze sharpened slightly, clearly not expecting Wang Chong to ask such a question. She paused for a moment before explaining in her usual calm tone:

"Now that the mystery has faded and the return to the Great Source is inevitable, we gods are bound by this and can no longer easily intervene directly in the mortal world. Sending servants to descend and provide assistance to the best of our ability is a compromise."

Her tone became serious: "Moreover, the one who tied the knot must untie it. This disaster, caused by human desires and obsessions, is rooted in the human community. Only humanity itself can truly solve it, learn from it, and grow from it."

"What we can do is guide and provide assistance, not overstep our bounds. Only in this way can humanity learn to be self-reliant, and truly stand tall in the face of countless disasters and challenges in the future, ultimately..."

Artemis looked up at the sky, her eyes seemingly reflecting the distant stars, and said, "One day, they too will be able to set foot on the sea of ​​stars and leave this cradle that once nurtured and protected them."

After listening to Artemis's clear and logical explanation, Wang Chong clapped his hands lightly, a smile of appreciation appearing on his face:

"Hmm... well said, very true. Human problems should ultimately be faced and solved by humanity itself... only by experiencing trials and tribulations can we hone our wings to soar through the stars. This is an essential part of growth."

He changed the subject, returning to the original question, his tone carrying a hint of self-deprecation and deeper meaning:

"So, returning to your initial question—why I didn't directly address the singularity—the answer is quite simple. Because my perspective is essentially consistent with the considerations of the gods and god-kings..."

Wang Chong looked directly at Artemis and posed a crucial question:

“Miss Artemis, before I explain my reasons, I would like to ask you: in your goddess’s eyes, can the current ‘me’ still be defined as a pure human being? Or rather… can I still be regarded as a member of the human race?”

Artemis was visibly taken aback, clearly not expecting Wang Chong to raise such a philosophical question about self-identity. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she scrutinized Wang Chong intently. In the ensuing silence, her eyes revealed obvious hesitation.

Indeed, the man before them possessed a level of power comparable to that of a god. More importantly, the aura emanating from him was incredibly complex and powerful:

The mark of the goddess's favor is clearly discernible, the aura of protection from several powerful deities is faintly visible, and one can even sense the gift from the planet itself—the bloodline trait known as the True Ancestor.

Even deeper within, a disturbing aura of "beast" lingers. Such a complex composition far surpasses the realm of ordinary humans.

If judged by human standards, they would probably be immediately categorized as "outcasts" and excluded...

Oh, wait a minute, it seems that Alaya has become his slave... Oh well, never mind.

"Personally, I still strongly identify with my human identity and stance..."

Wang Chong shrugged, his tone tinged with a helpless self-deprecation, and continued:

"But the reality is that, given my current status and the nature of my power, I am already an 'outlier' among humankind. This disaster that has swept across humanity, though its target is human history and humanity as a group, cannot affect or damage my foundation."

He stated the facts calmly: "Therefore, no matter what terrible consequences this disaster may ultimately bring, it is unlikely to really affect me, this 'outsider'. In other words, I could simply ignore it."

As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in Wang Chong's eyes:

"However, the reason I stand here so clearly, confronting the person behind the scenes, is that there is an old score between us that must be settled!"

“I swore an oath to make that guy pay. Therefore, we are destined to fight. So you don’t need to worry about my stance. In the ultimate goal, we have a common enemy to defeat.”

Then, his gaze deepened, carrying an almost mentor-like expectation:

"But I also deeply understand the importance of 'nurturing'... Every era has its own challenges, disasters, and responsibilities to protect our home. And this disaster also needs to be shouldered by 'humanity' who truly belongs to this era."

"I have high hopes for that girl named Fujimaru Ritsuka... Perhaps, without my excessive interference, and allowed to weather this storm on her own, she might just shine just as brightly."

"I hope she will handle this singularity as well. I've already left the adversary to her; all we need to do is offer a little help to make them understand who the enemy is."

Wang Chong gave his final answer.

“I see…” Artemis breathed a long sigh of relief after hearing this, her tense expression visibly relaxing as if she had unloaded an invisible burden. “Your thoughts and stance have finally been clearly confirmed by us… or rather, by certain eyes that have been paying attention to this matter.”

"Oh?" Wang Chong keenly caught the information in her words, chuckled, and tentatively asked in a half-joking tone, "Judging from what Miss Artemis is saying... could it be that some deity is worried that I'll 'mess around'?"

"After all, the methods and results you demonstrated at the Rome Singularity truly opened the eyes of all those capable of observation. It's hard not to have doubts about your style of doing things and your ultimate stance."

Artemis smiled helplessly and said bluntly, "If it's not necessary, everyone hopes that this land can have less turmoil and more peace."

"Hahahaha!" Wang Chong burst into laughter upon hearing this, his laughter filled with candor and unbridled joy. "Don't worry! I'm approaching this singularity with a relaxed, vacation-like mindset..."

He picked up his glass and took another sip, his tone relaxed: "Although there were some unexpected little incidents along the way that made this holiday a little 'fulfilling,' overall, I'm still in a very relaxed state of mind."

His gaze swept across the lively banquet, finally settling on Artemis:

"Here, this time, I will only target a very few Servants who need 'special attention.' As for grand actions that would shake up an entire era like in Rome... I'm too lazy to waste that effort this time."

"A...vacation?" A hint of surprise flashed in Artemis's beautiful eyes, which quickly turned into a wry smile. "Your mindset is truly... unusually open-minded and relaxed..."

She shook her head slightly, a hint of weariness and relief on her face as she finished her mission: "However, in this way, my mission is clear and relatively easy... Hmm, I can report back to my superiors properly when I get back."

"That's good. Now that we've covered most of the important business, let's all relax and enjoy the moment."

After Wang Chong finished speaking with a smile, his gaze swept over the now much more relaxed crowd, and he raised his wine glass, saying:

"For the next few days, nothing should bother us with this rare moment of peace. Come, everyone, let's drink to this victory and celebrate the leisure time to come!"

"Cheers!" The others smiled and raised their glasses in response. Artemis also put down Orion, whom she was holding, and gracefully raised her own glass with a relieved smile on her face.

With the crisp clinking of glasses, this toast not only symbolized the end of the formal business but also officially announced her integration into this temporary team.

……

After a few rounds of drinks, the noise in the cabin gradually subsided, each with its own distinct rhythm. Some pirates, preparing for their nightly shifts, left early to rest and recuperate.

Others responsible for night watch and navigation monitoring had already quietly taken their positions, vigilantly observing the sea and star charts to ensure that the ship would not deviate from its intended course.

Another group of people were drawn to a different atmosphere and enthusiastically began impromptu entertainment activities.

Having reaped a bountiful harvest in this adventure, they decided to try their luck in a few small gambles to further enhance their fortune.

An atmosphere of excitement and tension quickly filled a corner of the cabin. Among them, of course, was Orion, who was already quite fond of gambling.

Not long after Orion put down his wine cup, he couldn't resist the urge to join the fray. Taking advantage of Artemis' momentary lapse in attention, he nimbly slipped off her arm and excitedly squeezed into the midst of the shouting pirates, eager to join the battle.

Artemis soon discovered that Orion was missing, so she followed the noise and found him engrossed in the activity.

She gently scolded Orion with a hint of reproach, rebuking him for participating in such recreational activities.

However, from her subsequent conversation with Orion, Wang Chong keenly realized that Orion had always had this hobby before his death, and that he had not picked it up during this singularity.

This undoubtedly relieved Wang Chong. It seemed that Artemis would at least not easily suspect that he was intentionally guiding and scheming against Orion.

So, Wang Chong subtly gave the one-eyed man in charge of the operation a look, signaling him not to rush to take advantage of Orion and to continue with a conservative strategy.

One-Eyed Dragon immediately understood Wang Chong's intention and continued to play the game as usual.

Chapter 582 Annie's Strange Behavior

In the following rounds, One-Eyed Dragon basically controlled the situation, allowing Orion to occasionally taste a little success and win a few rounds.

Sometimes he loses some chips, but the wins and losses are all within a controllable range, maintaining a seemingly normal stalemate of "neither winning nor losing".

After all, Artemis had only just boarded the ship, and she needed to gradually get used to and accept the presence of Orion's "daily entertainment" in order to minimize any suspicion or arousal in her.

Seeing that One-Eyed Dragon had handled the situation flawlessly, Wang Chong felt relieved. He quietly got up, intending to return to his cell to continue dealing with and manipulating another female pirate.

"Tonight is a long night, and we have to deal with more than just these two prisoners," Wang Chong thought to himself, but his steps did not falter.

He certainly wouldn't forget the promise he made to Ayaka Sajou that afternoon.

He needs to reserve enough energy and "reserves" for the girl who has always silently accompanied him and given so much for him, so that he can properly respond to her deep feelings and fulfill that precious promise later.