On how PhDs become human evil

In a guest room of the Bronze Black Cross, Bai Jie was having lunch by the window, while Brunhilde and Liliana were serving him.

To be honest, Liliana is still a bit at a loss. Half an hour ago, Bai Jie suddenly appeared in front of her and asked her to prepare food and a place to sleep. At that time, she was in the middle of self-training. When she saw Bai Jie suddenly appear, she almost slashed him with her knife.

Of course, Liliana was very glad that she had stopped herself in time. Otherwise, if she had actually struck, regardless of whether Bai Jie would have made a move, Brunhilde would definitely have. Liliana had absolutely no confidence in being able to fight this famous Valkyrie.

"Um... Liliana, right?"

"Yes, what are your orders, Your Majesty?"

As Bai Jie twirled a piece of spaghetti with his fork and put it in his mouth, he asked while chewing, "Have we already spoken to the Copper Black Cross we're going to tomorrow?"

“No, not yet. Since you said you would go early tomorrow morning, I thought I would inform you after dinner.” Liliana asked doubtfully. “If Your Majesty feels it is inappropriate, I will inform you now.”

Bai Jie stopped Liliana, who was about to leave, saying, "There's no need to go now, and there's no need to notify them today."

"Your Majesty, do you mean...?"

With a mischievous smile playing on his lips, Bai Jie said, "It seems like we Godslayers are quite revered here. Why don't you just talk to them when I get to their doorstep tomorrow?"

Liliana was stunned. She never expected the king to have such a wicked sense of humor. She was certain that if he really did that, the people of the Copper Black Cross would be terrified, to say the least. As her old rival, Liliana was more than happy to see that happen.

“But Your Majesty, as far as I know, there seems to be some unusual activity at the Copper Black Cross recently,” Liliana said. “They’ve started paying close attention to the situation in Sardinia and have even sent quite a few people there several times.”

"Hmm, you mean if we go there now, there might be no one to greet us?"

"While there isn't a complete absence, it certainly won't be possible to receive Your Majesty with the highest honors, which would inevitably damage your royal dignity..."

“That’s true. Even I have my pride…” Bai Jie rested his chin on his hand and looked out at the ocean from the balcony. “Then let’s go to Sardinia. Since that Copper Black Cross has started going to Sardinia frequently, it means that Sardinia has something that can make them take big action.”

At this point, Liliana understood Bai Jie's meaning and bowed, saying, "Understood. I will go and handle the formalities for going to Sardinia immediately. Please wait a moment, Your Majesty."

"Ah, there's no need to keep calling me King, it sounds kind of awkward. Let me think... just call me Fafnir."

At that moment, Brunhilde's expression on the other side became quite interesting.

P.S.: I really want to drink milk tea!!!

Section 190, Chapter 4: The World's Trajectory that Produced the Anomaly

To be honest, Bai Jie was no stranger to Sardinia. He had visited Sardinia more than once in the Honkai Impact world, but not for sightseeing, but for work.

Due to its geographical location, the Mediterranean Sea has many relics from the previous era submerged in its seabed. Bai Jie went to Sardinia to enter some of these relics in order to obtain the technology and knowledge of that era.

So this is the first time I've come to Sardinia with a serious, touristy mindset.

"However, I got lost..."

Sitting on the open-air balcony of a coffee shop, Bai Jie said with a wry smile, with a steaming cappuccino and three plates of cake in front of him.

"It was my carelessness. It's been almost five years since I last came to Sardinia. No wonder I forgot how to get around."

If we consider the timeline of the Honkai world, Bai Jie has indeed not been to Sardinia for five years. In addition, the human brain automatically processes unimportant information, so Bai Jie has long forgotten all the routes on Sardinia. Not to mention that Sardinia in this world is slightly different from Sardinia in the Honkai world, so it's no wonder that Bai Jie got lost.

"This is really getting me into trouble. Liliana is really something, getting separated from us by the crowds at the airport. She's really neglecting her duty as a guard."

Hearing Bai Jie say this, the Valkyrie Orrun, who was serving beside him, sighed helplessly: "Didn't you deliberately separate from her? You even deliberately used magic to attract crowds."

Logically, Brunhilde should be serving by Bai Jie's side, but perhaps she was somewhat disturbed by the pseudonym [Fafnir] that Bai Jie revealed, and she has been out of sorts lately. So Bai Jie sent her back and sent out another Valkyrie instead. The new Valkyrie to serve Bai Jie is Orluen.

"Oh dear, you were exposed after all. No wonder you're afraid of the [Valkyrie who knows runes]."

“Because the magic you used was rune magic,” Orrune said with a helpless expression. “Do you really want to see Miss Liliana's guilty expression because of her dereliction of duty?”

"Who wouldn't want to tease Liliana, who's always so serious and proper? Besides, wouldn't I lose a lot of fun if I had her with me?"

As Bai Jie spoke, he suddenly slapped Orluen's butt, startling the Valkyrie so much that her pretty face immediately turned red.

"Master! Please don't do such a rude thing!"

"Who told you to wear a maid outfit? I was a little itchy to touch you."

Yes, Orluen isn't currently wearing Valkyrie armor, but rather a black and white maid outfit made of ordinary cloth. After all, walking down the street in full armor would be far too conspicuous. At the suggestion of one of the apprentice maids within the Bronze Black Cross, Bai Jie had all the Valkyries agree to change into maid outfits. Besides, the armor was all temporarily woven with magic anyway, and wearing maid outfits would save some magic power.

With a weary sigh, Orluen blushed and said, "I really don't know what kind of hardships Brunhilde usually suffers from. Master, you really don't know the difference between men and women."

"This kind of thing happens every day between my wife and me."

"So we Valkyries are not your wives! Please don't do anything to betray your wife!"

Bai Jie chuckled heartlessly, picked up his coffee, and took a sip. The cappuccino with a little milk was very smooth, which reminded Bai Jie of his days working at Tianming.

During that period, he drank awful black coffee every day. He couldn't get used to it even after drinking it for more than half a month. In the end, he switched to energy drinks. Logically speaking, coffee must be sweetened or milked to be palatable. Are all those guys who drink black coffee suffering from taste disorders?

A gentle breeze blew across the street at midday. The street was quiet, with only a few scattered pedestrians passing by, and most of the surrounding shops were closed.

It's siesta time now—that is, nap time. Although this custom is not very common in cities like Rome and Milan, it doesn't seem to be the case here. Of course, not all shops have this custom, but at least the coffee shop that Bai Jie is in, which is run by the British, is still open as usual.

Suddenly, Bai Jie's hand holding the coffee trembled slightly, and an inexplicable feeling enveloped his heart. At the same time, Orluen, who was standing next to him, immediately put on her Valkyrie armor.

Orluen's vigilance was not without reason, because at some point, everything around her seemed to have fallen into the boundary between life and death, turning into a gray hue, and the coffee shops and people on the streets had all disappeared.

Gently setting down his coffee cup, Bai Jie said to the empty world, "Since you're here, why not come out and introduce yourself to this stranger?"

"Oh? You've sensed my presence, son of the fool."

The voice that rang out was somewhat mature for its age, and someone sat down in the seat opposite Bai Jie.

He was a boy, about fourteen or fifteen years old, with jet-black hair that reached his shoulders, ivory-colored skin, and most importantly, he was extremely handsome.

"?!"

Upon seeing the boy, Orluen immediately recognized his identity and wanted to materialize her divine spear.

But before that, Bai Jie interrupted her: "Stop, Orluen, he's harmless—for now."

"You saw through my current state, didn't you, son of the fool? It seems your insight is quite remarkable," the boy chuckled. "However, the fact that you haven't attacked me does puzzle me. Shouldn't we be mortal enemies, ready to fight to the death the moment we meet?"

“That makes sense. From an efficiency standpoint, it would be better to take you out when you’re not in top form, but that would mean we wouldn’t be able to maximize our profits.” Bai Jie chuckled and tapped the table. “So, I’ve decided to wait until you’re back to your best before dealing with you. Any objections, my lord?”

Yes, God, the boy who appeared before Bai Jie was none other than the walking calamity, the disaster that brought indelible wounds to this world—the God of Disobedience.

However, this disobedient god is not in his complete state now. According to Bai Jie's perception, his power is not even comparable to Tyr's. If he were a weak god, it would be fine, but Bai Jie could feel that the aura he exuded was extremely similar to Tyr's.

That's the aura of a military god.

In other words, this young man is a military genius, and no military genius is weak.

Upon hearing Bai Jie's explanation, the boy burst into laughter: "Hahaha! Well said, son of the fool! You are also a great warrior. I am now sincerely looking forward to fighting you. I wonder if you can make me taste defeat?"

"Oh, the taste of defeat?" Bai Jie's lips curled into a subtle smile. "In that case, would you like to try it out? The taste of defeat."

The azure glow gathered on the coffee table, eventually forming a chessboard and numerous chess pieces.

"I am better at using my intelligence than my strength."

"I see. You want me to experience my own ignorance? Not a bad suggestion." The boy laughed. "I have never experienced the defeat of wisdom. I hope you can make me understand what it is, son of a fool."

P.S.: I just can't seem to get three stars in Arknights EX4, I keep missing one, it's so frustrating! The Golden Team is such a costly DP drain!

Section 191.5. I don't care what you think, I care what I think.

As the sun set, its rays bathed Sardinia in a golden glow. A twilight curtain fell upon every building, creating a dreamlike atmosphere where the ethereal light and the elegant architecture intertwined, drawing the streets of Sardinia into a magical realm.

Within this dreamlike realm, there exists an even more dreamlike realm.

"Click".

A black crystal chess piece, radiating a dazzling light, landed on a deep blue chessboard of light, stirring up ripples of magical energy. The person who placed the piece was leisurely sipping coffee, his expression as relaxed and carefree as if he were strolling in a garden. Coupled with the beautiful silver-haired maid serving him, one couldn't help but wonder if this was a young nobleman from some noble family.

Sitting opposite him, holding a white chess piece, was a boy who looked no more than fourteen or fifteen years old. At this moment, he was like Michelangelo's sculpture, The Thinker, deep in thought. His tightly furrowed brows gave him an intellectual charm. Even though he looked like a child, it was clear that his mind was as mature as an adult's.

These three were none other than Bai Jie, Orluen, and an unknown god of disobedience.

Five minutes passed like a spring breeze, and finally, the boy who defied the gods raised his head: "I have lost this game."

Smiling, Bai Jie put down his coffee cup and said, "That was really tough. Seeing you think for so long, I thought I was going to be outmaneuvered."

"Haha, no need to be modest. Your chess skills are extremely high. Being able to defeat me is proof that your chess skills have entered the realm of gods. You can be proud of this." The young war god said.

The two began their game at noon. Initially, Bai Jie gained the upper hand and pressed forward step by step. Then, the boy, having become more familiar with the game, launched a strong counterattack. The game became evenly matched and heated, until the boy finally conceded defeat. The game lasted the entire afternoon.

Playing with the white king chess piece in his hand, the boy laughed and said, "I should have been an invincible war god, but today I understand for the first time what defeat is. Is this feeling that lingers in my chest, as if it is binding my heart, the feeling of defeat?"

"While it may not be the real defeat you're looking for, a defeat of wits isn't so bad either."

Seeing Bai Jie's enigmatic gaze, the young man put down his chess piece: "I have a question I don't understand. Why did you choose to play this game of chess with me?"

"Didn't I tell you? It's so you can understand what defeat tastes like."

Placing his queen in the position of the opposite king, Bai Jie looked up at the young war god.

"Defeat is something everyone wants to avoid, because defeat makes people feel bitter, resentful, and painful. Some people even become despondent after defeat."

"However, only a few people are discouraged and give up. Most people will choose to rise up after defeat and defeat the enemy who defeated them with a stronger attitude than before. You are the same, aren't you, God?"

Having said that, the boy understood Bai Jie's meaning, and a naive and carefree smile appeared on his face: "I see, I understand now, this is your purpose."

The young man is an invincible war god who longs for defeat. But if he is defeated, he will no longer be invincible, and his divine status will no longer be pure. In order to regain his invincible position, he will do everything in his power to defeat the person who made him lose.

"As you wish, I will make you pay for your defeat with all my might when we meet next time."

At this moment, the boy's eyes completely transformed into those of a warrior. Bai Jie had been added to his kill list for this world, and he was at the top of the list.

“State your name, son of the fool.”

"My real name cannot be revealed, but my name in this world is [Fafner]."

“Fafner… I will forever etch this name upon my divine status, the one who made me taste defeat.” The young war god spoke in a very light tone, words that would make anyone in the know change their expression drastically.

Bai Jie simply smiled at the boy's statement, and just as he was about to ask Orluen to pour him another cup of coffee, something suddenly entered his senses.

Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom!!

A very loud explosion rang out from the direction of the coast.

A giant wild boar, about 50 meters long, suddenly appeared in the sea and landed with tremendous force, smashing and destroying the surrounding buildings one by one.