101: South Korea wants to steal the Water God? Director Chen specifically named me as his Master.

China, Kyoto, the Ninth Bureau's exclusive Highest Physics Laboratory.

Mirror One Jiang Ming, wearing a white lab coat, was looking down at a golden coin in his hand.

mora.

Beside him, several gray-haired old professors were excitedly discussing a set of freshly produced data, their conversation filled with terms ordinary people wouldn't understand, such as "high-dimensional projection," "conceptual anchor," and "non-standard model particles."

Ever since Sir Newton's speech at Cambridge, these scholars, who once stood at the pinnacle of the pyramid of human wisdom, had fallen into a strange state mixed with collapse and fanaticism.

"Consultant Jiang, our preliminary speculation is that the unknown elements contained within this mora have a decay cycle that might contradict our universe's law of increasing entropy! This... this is simply..."

One old professor's face was flushed with excitement as he waved the report in his hand, seemingly wanting to express something, yet unable to find the right words because it was too subversive.

Mirror One just listened with a smile, nodding from time to time and giving some ambiguous opinions.

He naturally knew the essence of these things.

Derivatives of emotion points.

Is the end of science theology?

No, for the main body, science and theology were just tools he used to harvest emotion points.

Just then, a Ninth Bureau field agent in a black uniform walked quickly to the explosion-proof glass and saluted Jiang Ming No. 1 inside.

"Consultant Jiang, Director Chen requests your presence at the command center."

The surrounding professors immediately fell silent; they knew very well that once such a scene occurred, it meant a major event they weren't allowed to touch had happened.

Mirror One took off his white coat, handed it to an assistant nearby, and smiled apologetically at the professors.

"Please carry on, professors. I'll be back soon."

Passing through several corridors requiring dual iris and fingerprint verification, he arrived at the heart of the Ninth Bureau... the command center.

On the giant circular screen, no military data or satellite images were displayed; instead, it was packed with global internet public opinion analysis.

Posts and comments in various languages refreshed like a waterfall.

The most eye-catching was a list pinned at the top in red—"Global Servant Combat Power Rankings (Unofficial Fan Version)."

And below the list was a highly upvoted comment from South Korea's Naver forum, translated into Chinese.

"Miss Caster Furina's temperament fits perfectly with our K-pop culture. I suggest inviting her to tour Seoul; she'll definitely fall in love with this place!"

Chen Jianguo stood before this waterfall of data, hands behind his back, his face as still as water.

"Take a look, this has been the hottest topic in the world for the past twenty-four hours."

Mirror One's gaze swept across the screen, lingering for a moment on that comment from the Korean netizen, and his mouth couldn't help but twitch.

Steal?

They even want to steal Servants?

It really fits their usual persona.

"Just a bunch of jumping clowns, Director Chen, no need to pay them any mind," Mirror One said calmly.

"I'm not concerned about them." Chen Jianguo turned around, his deep gaze locking onto Mirror One's face. "What I'm concerned about is this list and the public sentiment it represents."

He picked up a tablet on the table and handed it over.

On the screen was a detailed intelligence summary regarding Caster Furina.

From her first appearance at Global Harbor, to her world-shaking song at the comic convention, to that Q&A session about "Fontaine cream."

Every smile, every word, and every action of hers was recorded.

"We've conducted a comprehensive assessment of her." Chen Jianguo's voice was heavy. "She has a simple personality, no malice towards human society, one could even say... she's a bit naive. Her wish is to correct the tragedies of her own world—pure and selfless."

"But the most important point is that she is currently 'Masterless'."

Mirror One didn't speak; he knew the main point was coming.

Sure enough, Chen Jianguo took a deep breath and spoke in an unprecedentedly serious tone.

"Comrade Jiang Ming, the Ninth Bureau, and even higher levels, hope you can give it a try."

"Try... to become Caster Furina's Master."

The air seemed to freeze.

In Mirror One's mind, countless thoughts flashed by in an instant.

He naturally knew that all of this was the main body's script; the so-called Holy Grail War was just a carefully orchestrated global show.

Competing for the Holy Grail? Granting wishes?

As a created Mirror Puppet, what wishes could he have? His greatest wish was to play the role of "Jiang Ming" well and not mess up the main body's plan.

If he didn't know the inside story, it would be a lie to say he wasn't moved when facing a beautiful, powerful, and pure Servant like Furina.

But now... he had to respond according to "Jiang Ming's" persona.

An "ordinary" transcendent who remains wary of supernatural powers and only wants to be a consultant in peace.

"Let's not, Director Chen," Mirror One gave a bitter smile and spread his hands. "I have no interest in being some Master."

This reason was sufficient and fit the slightly unambitious personality he had always shown.

Chen Jianguo seemed to have expected him to say this.

He didn't argue but stepped forward and patted Mirror One's shoulder.

"I understand your concerns, but look at what the world has become."

He pointed to the screen showing Captain Evan Cross displaying his command spells at an American White House press conference.

"The Americans have already bound their 'protector of the nation' to the state machine. Over at John Bull's, although Newton hasn't selected a Master yet, the entire European academic world is going crazy for him. Finding an 'assistant' who can talk to him is only a matter of time."

"We in China have the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, which is good, but facing an increasingly complex situation, one card is not enough!"

"We've assessed Furina's power. What she showed at the comic convention was just the tip of the iceberg. That singing voice that resonated with the entire internet is itself an unparalleled power, not to mention she represents a real existing alternate world, 'Teyvat'."

Chen Jianguo's words were full of unquestionable weight.

"We cannot let her fall into the hands of those with ulterior motives, nor can we let her become a bargaining chip for other countries to pressure us. Keeping her in China and having her guided by our most trusted person is the optimal solution."

"And you, Jiang Ming, are our most trusted and the only suitable candidate."

Mirror OneSilence.

He knew that every word Chen Jianguo said stood on the highest point of national interest and was indisputable.

But he still had to "struggle" a bit.

"Director Chen, it's not a matter of trust. The contract between a Master and a Servant depends on 'fate'. It's not like she'll choose me just because I want to be her Master. What if she doesn't feel anything for me?"

"So that's why I said 'try'." Chen Jianguo looked at him with burning eyes. "We won't force you, and we won't force her, but we must strive for this opportunity."

Chen Jianguo stared at Jiang Ming, his voice suddenly softening.

"Jiang Ming, putting aside national interests for a moment."

"What about yourself?"

"Don't you have a wish you want to fulfill?"

"To make yourself stronger, to keep the people you care about safe forever, or even... to make this world the way you want it to be."

"The Holy Grail can do all of that."

"Go try. Even if not for yourself, do it for the land beneath our feet, for these billions of people."

"Give us one more insurance policy."

The command center was terrifyingly quiet.

Everyone held their breath, looking at Jiang Ming No. 1.

An imperceptible flicker appeared in Mirror One's eyes. This perfectly timed "wavering" was keenly caught by Chen Jianguo.

Publicly, it was for national interest and the future of the nation.

Privately, it was for personal desire and the deep cravings of the heart.

Any person of flesh and blood could not refuse such persuasion.

He knew his words had worked.

After a long time, Mirror One Jiang Ming let out a long sigh, as if he had made a difficult decision.

"Alright."

Jiang Ming No. 1 rubbed his brow, a hint of helplessness on his face.

"I'll give it a try."

"But let me say the ugly truth first: I can't guarantee whether it will work or not. After all, it depends on Miss Furina's intention. A forced melon isn't sweet."

A smile finally appeared on Chen Jianguo's serious face.

"Just do your best."