Conan: Begins to collaborate with Miss Bayonetta and become famous

Chapter 915 Interrogation Before the Decisive Battle

"Are they the same idiots who chased you at the airport back then?" Vermouth gave her a disdainful glance. In her eyes, kava and vodka were of the same intelligence level.

"It won't be long before someone comes to see you." Baijiu's tone was calm. "Of course, we all know that person; they're an 'old friend' of ours."

"If I'm not mistaken, it's the Gin Bar?" Vermouth slowly crossed her arms over her chest, her tone certain. "It really was him."

Baijiu had no intention of continuing the pleasantries and went straight to the point: "In the past, he would have shot you without hesitation, and it wouldn't have been an exaggeration to turn you into a beehive."

“But…” He paused slightly, a barely perceptible hint of sadness flashing in his eyes, “Gin has lost too much now. Even the coldest person has a sliver of warmth in their heart.”

“Even if he never shows it.” Baijiu’s gaze was clear and firm. “As long as you’re human, you have emotions. Only… machines are completely devoid of emotion.”

"When you meet him, tell him that I sent you, and that we are willing to compromise and cooperate with the organization," Baijiu calmly explained the follow-up.

After hearing Gin's plan, Vermouth showed neither surprise nor dissatisfaction, but simply asked in return, "So, you believe Gin?"

"Trust this ruthless killer, whose heart is as cold as the Siberian permafrost?" She narrowed her eyes, her words revealing a deep-seated distrust of Gin.

Bai Jiu lowered his head slightly, avoiding her gaze, and said in a low voice, "I believe he will choose to believe you this time, because the situation is different now."

He admitted to himself that this was yet another desperate gamble—and the stakes were Vermouth's life.

But there is no other way to go now. The only way to break the deadlock is to break all conventions! To defeat the "intelligent body", we must embark on the dangerous path that was first rejected by reason.

"Gin will never let go of a bargaining chip like you who came to him willingly. He will make good use of you." Baijiu's voice was deep and certain.

"And then? What's the next step?" Vermouth asked calmly. "I have no complaints, but I expect you to be completely open with your opinions."

"Don't worry about my life or death. Perhaps, I am destined to die." Her eyes suddenly lowered, her tone carrying a sense of fatalistic indifference. "This mission has always been full of unknown variables."

"I'll tell you the remaining specific steps once we're on the train." Bai Jiu's eyes suddenly hardened, and he placed his hand on her shoulder, saying in a deep voice, "But I promise—"

"Your life will always be more important than mine."

"At a time like this, let's not say such sentimental things." Vermouth waved her hand gently, her slender fingertips softly brushing against Baijiu's cheek.

"I'm way past the age of liking sweet talk," she said, her hand unconsciously stroking her arm, a faint smile playing on her lips. "It gives me goosebumps."

"Then let me alleviate your symptoms." Old Hei picked up a black backpack from the corner and placed it steadily on the table. He patted the backpack with his rough hand. "Inside is your assisted landing parachute."

“And the hang glider.” His gaze remained fixed on the liquor, then he picked up a long, rectangular device from the side. “This communicator has also been modified.”

"They're using Skywave radio, aren't they?" Baijiu interjected.

“We’re always so in sync.” Old Hei smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out.

"You don't need to tell me that." Baijiu forced a smile and then asked, "What are its specific characteristics? I only know its name."

"How does it differ from traditional satellite communications?"

"It's not as stable as a satellite, but it's entirely an analog signal, so it's very resistant to interference." Old Hei answered fluently, and his level of expertise even surprised McCallum, who was standing next to him.

"Don't worry, it won't be tracked or interfered with by the 'intelligent entity'."

"Understood." Bai Jiu pursed his lips, his eyes becoming increasingly determined, as if he had made up his mind.

"This is all I can do for you." Old Hei raised his eyebrows, his words carrying a profound sense of emotion, as if there were unfinished business, or perhaps a simple request.

Baijiu looked at Lao Hei, about to speak.

Old Hei raised his hand at the right moment to stop him from speaking, and took out a black, square, card-like object from his pocket: "This is the hard drive I took off that computer last night."

He solemnly handed it to the liquor bottle.

As Baijiu's gaze quickly swept over the hard drive, Lao Hei patiently explained, "As long as there is even the slightest trace of 'Intelligent Body' code left on it, I can find it."

“But!” He deliberately raised his voice, his expression turning serious. “This requires my full effort. I must work in an environment completely isolated from the network, ensuring that the ‘intelligent entity’ cannot locate me. So… I have to leave for a while.”

"I understand." Baijiu nodded, finally fully comprehending the deeper meaning behind Lao Hei's words.

“Now,” Old Hei let out a long sigh, remained silent for nearly half a minute, several deep lines etched on his forehead, and spoke with great seriousness, “I have to ask you a question.”

“Not as partners,” he emphasized, “but as friends.”

"Go ahead," Baijiu said, his face expressionless, as calm as still water.

I don't know when it started, but the smile seems to have completely faded from Baijiu's face. The face that once brimmed with optimism and vitality has been replaced by vicissitudes and melancholy after experiencing one cruel baptism after another.

"What exactly is your goal?" Old Hei's tone was unusually serious, his gaze sharp as he looked directly into Baijiu's eyes.

"Remove the intelligence body." Baijiu's answer was without the slightest hesitation, as natural as answering that one plus one equals two, and it came out without any thought.

"Then will you kill Rum?" Old Black immediately followed up with his second question.

“No.” Baijiu’s answer was equally resolute, “because he knows the true purpose of the key. We need him alive—I will never forget that.”

"Then..." Old Hei continued, his voice low and serious, "when your eyes meet his..."

"Do you still remember this?" He stared into Baijiu's eyes. "Please think about it carefully."

"Everyone else is thinking about how to control the intelligent entity, but you are the only exception—you are the only one who wants to completely destroy it." Old Black's words were full of meaning, and there was clearly a hidden message in them.

“Let’s imagine this possibility,” he lowered his voice, as if revealing a startling secret, “that in some future outcome, the intelligent body has already foreseen—you will win, Baijiu.”

"In countless simulations, it had already foreseen its own demise!" Old Black narrowed his eyes, his tone growing increasingly solemn. "But it concealed this truth from Rum."

"Because it's scared! It's scared that you'll really head towards that ending!" Old Black's reasoning was sound. "It's afraid you'll capture Rum alive!"

"Then... we forced them to reveal the true purpose of that key."