Sheltondine, a new city.
After forming an alliance with Chötons Corporation, the Rusty Star Nation frequently changed its capital.
This was because the King was a highly capricious individual.
Each colossal being possessed its own unique charm. Let alone the King, even Luna found herself genuinely conflicted when deciding which one to favor.
This city, existing within the cosmos, resembled a ballet dancer, gracefully twirling and leaping, its perimeter fanning out in an incredibly agile display.
Only by scrutinizing the sesame-sized flying objects moving across its surface could observers realize that this was a super-organism measuring 480,000 kilometers in length.
480,000 kilometers—even when positioned before a star, it would not appear diminutive.
Some red dwarf stars were not even as large as this entity.
Sheltondine.
This term, in the Lelera's language, translates to "miracle."
It was often referred to as the "Miraculous Beast" and also known as the "City of Miracles."
It emanated a subtle purple luminescence, lending it an even more mysterious and noble appearance.
The Blink's docking point was situated at an air vent located on the body of this colossal being.
At this moment, Luna heard several people nearby gasp in surprise.
Sheltondine could actually breathe. Standing at this air vent, one could distinctly feel a powerful gust of wind emanating outwards.
Luna had been entirely captivated by this novel spaceport upon her first arrival, but her second visit was considerably calmer.
After she disembarked, a team of robots immediately approached to escort her.
"Miss Luna, we are members of the KY3183 guard squad, commissioned by the King to escort you to the palace. The transport has been prepared for you. Please proceed with us."
Luna scanned the weaponry mounted on their frames.
These robots were not the fragile models; their chassis appeared extremely robust. Clear weapon apertures were visible on their fingers, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. The most conspicuous feature was a large backpack mounted on their rear, which contained not only a propulsion unit but also these robots' primary cannons.
If these robots intended hostile action, fighting back would prove quite challenging.
But it shouldn't come to open confrontation yet, should it?
"Very well, lead the way!"
Luna nodded slightly and followed these robots for over half an hour before exiting the spaceport area.
Outside the spaceport, a dozen specialized ceremonial hovercars were parked. They were box-shaped, lacking any sleek aesthetics, but were absolutely practical, offering ample interior capacity.
Most importantly, they prioritized safety.
Luna had endured hundreds of hostile encounters over these past few millennia, mostly assaults originating from other star nations and some scattered remnants of the former Three Nations.
The hovercar drove past the spaceport's disembarkation platform and officially entered Sheltondine.
The entire city structure was built upon the inner wall of this creature's oval-shaped head.
It was segregated into 5 distinct districts.
The rooftop of each district was visually distinguished by a specific color marker.
White, yellow, blue, green, purple.
Actually, these color codes held no profound meaning; they were implemented purely for aesthetic appeal.
There were countless skyscrapers here, exceeding 100,000 meters in height, with some even surpassing 10 million meters.
The spaces separating the towering structures were incredibly open, with hardly any aerial vehicles or shuttles in transit.
The city's vehicle transit points were located on the rooftops; the entire open area between the buildings was designated for sentient beings.
Luna rode the hovercar through the upper atmosphere.
The hovercar's interior featured a panoramic screen, creating the sensation of flying through the air rather than simply sitting inside a conveyance.
Looking out, Luna could clearly observe the designated pathways beneath her.
These pathways were not physical structures but holographic projections.
High-speed lanes were marked in white, regular routes in green, and slow-flight corridors in blue.
All vehicles adhered strictly to these virtual roads, moving like silken ribbons fluttering through the sky.
Surrounding these countless silk ribbons was the city proper, while the innermost layer housed the single largest structure in the entire Rusty Star Nation—the Rusty Palace.
It floated precisely in the center of Sheltondine, resembling an independent celestial body, immensely vast, exceeding 100,000 meters in height.
The entire Rusty Palace was designed with endless luxury; its exterior was clad in tiles made of hard Lithiang silver-white diamonds.
That substance was a super-strength material utilized in heavy industry; silver-white with a slight translucency.
Its market price was exorbitant; every 100 kg cost 3 Energy Credits. Some luxury starship hulls would incorporate it, yet this was an entire palace constructed from it.
The Rusty Palace somewhat mimicked Gothic architecture, appearing perfectly square when viewed directly from above.
The palace was not a singular edifice but an inverted mirror image of another palace structure beneath it.
The two square palaces looked identical, perfectly replicated.
However, the upper palace served as the actual residence for the royal family, while the lower palace was not a palace at all, but rather a maximum-security prison, containing all the most heinous offenders of the entire Star Nation.
This architectural concept was conceived by the Rusty King. He once stood before the palace complex and proclaimed: "This King shall suppress all wickedness with the totality of the Royal Family!"
This dramatic gesture won the populace's hearts, yet in reality, very few truly wicked individuals were ever confined there.
What purpose was there in imprisoning the truly irredeemable?
Should one concern themselves with the 'human rights' of utter villains?
The majority of wrongdoers were summarily executed on the spot.
"Madam, we have arrived."
The robot guard announced to Luna, simultaneously opening the door and inviting Luna to disembark from the hovercar.
Luna stepped out of the hovercar. This wasn't the main palace structure yet, but rather an extended platform jutting out from it, situated about 200,000 meters away and linked by a cylindrical, circular pipeline.
This pipeline served as a specialized high-speed train track.
On the platform itself sat a grand reception hall, lavishly stocked with delicacies and even certain expensive pharmaceutical products intended for waiting attendees.
These drugs were notably costly, offering effects that were quite difficult to adequately describe.
Numerous individuals were already gathered in the hall at this time.
After all, this was a major imperial wedding, and the Rusty Star Nation's intricate network of connections naturally spanned the entire realm.
This celebration had drawn tens of thousands of nobles, thousands of companies ranging from massive corporations to small enterprises, and numerous members of the extended royal family.
Based on Luna's prior intelligence and experience, the total number of wedding guests was expected to exceed 600,000.
The moment Luna entered, the entire hall fell into an immediate, profound silence.
Then, a dense crowd converged around Luna, initiating a torrent of greetings, introductions, and effusive pleasantries, only allowing the ambient bustle to gradually resume.
Luna effortlessly became the undisputed center of attention in the entire hall. Facing everyone's introductions and invitations for toasts and tea, Luna merely offered calm nods, responding placidly.
No one present registered any dissatisfaction.
This was because Luna's standing within the Rusty Star Nation could only be described as supremely esteemed.
In virtually every practical sense, Luna's directives carried more weight than those of the Rusty Star Nation's own King.
This implied authority held true across more than ninety percent of all conceivable scenarios.
Luna waited within this protective encirclement for half an hour until the train finally arrived. No one dared to move ahead of her.
They all fixed their attention upon Luna.
Only after Luna stood and headed toward the train did the others stir, conscientiously trailing behind her.
Once the train carriages were full—without even mentioning the visible regret on the faces of those who couldn't secure a spot—it departed. Passengers immediately began excitedly discussing Luna's achievements with those standing nearby.
The train traveled at incredible velocity, completing the journey in under a minute. One could fairly say that the moment one sat down, it was already time to disembark.
Upon exiting the transport,
A person swiftly approached her, smiling warmly as he addressed Luna: "Miss CEO, I received word of your arrival the very moment you reached the spaceport. I intended to personally welcome you, but recent pressing matters caused this slight delay for Miss CEO."
This individual was a prince of the Rusty Star Nation.
The last time Luna visited Sheltondine, she had exchanged more than just cursory words with him, and she hadn't anticipated that he would cling to her like an inescapable shadow ever since.
The same behavior was evident today.
"It is fine."
"Has Giotto arrived?"
Luna merely spared him a brief glance. Truthfully, she could not even clearly recall what this person looked like, as she had never truly focused on him.
This was a breach of common etiquette; normally, Luna would never be so dismissive, but her initial impression of this individual had been decidedly negative.
It wasn't solely due to his personality, or his past actions; the most crucial factor was actually his physical appearance.
Self-created species were common across the Star Nation.
Self-created species like Secti 1 were at least memorable.
But this particular prince—it wasn't that she couldn't recall him, but rather that his presentation proved exceedingly challenging to her senses.
His physique was a grotesque patchwork.
He possessed the body of a Gargleblast, the mouth apparatus of a Kate species, and a standard human head.
One could picture a massive insectoid creature, adorned with waving tentacles, its human face encircled entirely by those same tentacles—that was the esteemed visage of this prince.
One had to concede that the people of this era possessed very strong capacities for acceptance; at least, Luna hadn't witnessed anyone publicly criticize this prince. However, as a survivor hailing from the 21st century, accepting this combination of visual stimuli was a bit too much for Luna's aesthetic sensibilities.
"Director Giotto arrived several days ago. He is likely conversing with my father, the Monarch, at this very moment."
"Miss CEO, if you are not in a rush, you could rest in the garden room for a while. The official wedding ceremony isn't scheduled for another month."
"Oh, Director Toma is also in the garden room."
The prince gave Luna a deliberate wink, but unfortunately, Luna's focus was entirely elsewhere.
She looked toward a circular transparent dome situated atop the main palace structure.
That was the garden room the prince was awkwardly referencing.
It was essentially the location where the royal family hosted their most distinguished guests. Inside, the royal family ensured arrangements were made to present all sorts of beauties, irrespective of their species or any particular preference the guest might have.
Luna, however, reflected on the first time she encountered Toma K. In her estimation, Toma K ought to have possessed a slightly more even temperament than Giotto. How had he deteriorated to this current state?
One could only surmise that times evolve, and so too do human dispositions.
"No."
"The last time I visited, I didn't get a proper opportunity to tour the Monarch's palace. Why don't you guide me through it now?"
"Oh, what is your designation?"
Facing Luna's inquiry, the prince, whose face had previously been alight with welcoming smiles, instantly turned grim. Beyond Luna's sightline, his expression contorted further, becoming intensely malevolent.
This Supernova Technology CEO didn't even recall his name!
The last time they met, he had delivered an exhaustive self-introduction. Even prior to the reception, he had deliberately assumed a human visage, hoping to secure a positive impression from Luna.
Yet, unexpectedly, all of this proved to be mere wishful thinking on his part.
How utterly disheartening!
The prince recalled his conversation with his father, the king.
His father had asked him: "Do you believe the royal family holds true power now?"
He had replied: "Undoubtedly, we are powerful!"
"The last time I visited a neighboring realm, they afforded us the highest form of hospitality. Their king addressed me with extreme deference."
However, King Rusty sighed, speaking with a melancholic air.
"No, we are profoundly weak."
"They do not fear us; they fear the Supernova Technology Corporation."
"We are utterly inconsequential before Supernova Technology. If the Supernova Technology Corporation wished to supplant the royal family, they could do so at any moment. We would possess no means of resistance whatsoever."
The prince was astonished, finding the notion inconceivable. He managed a stiff smile.
"Impossible!"
"But we hold shares in Supernova Technology. Supernova Technology is also partly our asset."
King Rusty's mood darkened further.
"You all perceive it that way, my son, but you must not focus solely on the surface of things."
"Perhaps that was true previously, but after Luna assumed authority, everything shifted."
"Now, everyone within the Corporation gravitates solely toward her. Her word, within the Corporation—no, for every citizen of the entire Rusty Star Nation—is sacrosanct. Everyone trusts her unconditionally, supports her, and no one dares defy or oppose her."
"Under such circumstances, all we possess is a triviality; we merely receive nominal income from the hundred-year dividend payouts."
"But this monetary gain, when measured against a behemoth like the Supernova Technology Corporation, appears utterly meaningless."
The prince witnessed his father trembling as he spoke, both in voice and body.
Only at his father's rank could one truly grasp the extent of Luna's absolute control. Luna had long since established unchallenged dominion over the entire Rusty Star Nation.
Millennia of cultivation.
Luna had long been the sole deity of their entire Star Nation; everyone's endeavors and existence revolved around her. She occupied the absolute pinnacle of faith.
"I observe many people voicing grievances against her, Father. Are you perhaps overly anxious?" the prince ventured.
King Rusty nodded slightly.
"No, most of those who criticize her are commoners. Their resentment is not genuine malice; it is merely transient emotional release."
"As long as the Supernova Technology Corporation enacts a new policy, granting these common people some minor concessions, they will instantly turn their allegiance back toward us."
"This is a calculated strategy. The Supernova Technology Corporation has always meticulously maintained this equilibrium, constantly lowering the expectations of ordinary people, while redirecting the vested interests of these commoners toward the nobility and subsidiary corporations. This way, those nobles and companies remain deeply indebted to the actions."
"Luna, that person is truly formidable."
"We must reclaim our station, to once again become the masters of Rusty. She must perish!"
…
The prince had grown up hearing Luna's name invoked with reverence.
It was only after that solemn conversation that he truly comprehended the altitude of that snowy peak piercing the sky.
When he heard his father articulate the grand strategy, he joined the challenge without hesitation, becoming a dedicated member opposing this lofty peak.
Originally, for him, it was merely a thrilling challenge.
But when Luna posed that specific question,
a measure of arrogance within his heart shattered, and darkness erupted from the ensuing chasm, a darkness he could no longer mask.
Luna must die!
Moreover, he desired her demise to be in the most tragic and desperate manner imaginable.
Contemplating the imminent plan,
an irrepressible sneer etched itself onto his face.
Until Luna turned her head and stated coolly: "What is wrong? Is your designation inconvenient to reveal?"
That empty gaze, utterly devoid of discernible emotion, sent a sharp chill down the prince's spine, abruptly yanking him back to the present moment.
The prince's sneer vanished from his face, replaced instantly by an ingratiating smile as he responded: "How could such a thing be?"
"My name is Fingeno · Rusty. Miss CEO may simply refer to me as Fingeno."
"Alright, very well, Fingani, please lead the way. Where are we heading first?"
Luna tilted her head slightly.
This royal palace was indeed immense; walking slowly, it would likely consume a considerable amount of time.
Of course, she also registered the burning rage flaring up behind Fingeno.
She had intentionally mispronounced Fingeno's name.
This prince, albeit aesthetically unappealing, seemed rather amusing to engage with.
In truth, under normal circumstances, Luna would not have invested decades traveling here for such a meaningless wedding alliance.
It was due to Secti 1's counsel that Luna elected to undertake this journey.
One reason was the concern that Giotto and Toma K might indeed blunder and meet their end here.
The second reason was for personal diversion; whether it was the decades spent aboard the ship or the ensuing drama upon arriving at Sheltondine, it had all provided sufficient entertainment.
Fingeno quickly recovered his composure, making no attempt to correct Luna's error, and walked beside her, leading the procession.
"The finest location to visit in the palace is undoubtedly the museum."
"Last time I extended an invitation, you were occupied and missed the tour. This time, you absolutely must see it."
Fingeno offered a floating pedal device. Both of them stepped onto it and ascended toward the museum.
Along the aerial route, Luna observed people of all configurations and forms.
The occupants within this palace were fundamentally all retainers serving the Rusty royal family.
Retainers were considered the private chattel of the royals and could theoretically be terminated at will.
However, this was still categorized as a civilized society, so unless members of the royal lineage possessed exceedingly peculiar proclivities, these individuals generally enjoyed a relatively comfortable existence.
In less than half a minute.
The museum's grand portal materialized before Luna.
333 meters in height, 169 meters in width.
The colossal gate was constructed entirely of Mercury-44, presenting a fluid, solid-like morphology, adorned on its surface with an intricate solid sculpture: a purple Thorny Cypress Forest.
This was designated as the national bloom of the Rusty Star Nation.
However, every time Luna saw it, she would recall unpleasant memories associated with the Purple Thorns Civilization.
Reaching the main entrance.
A beam of light struck Fingeno, and the words [Verification Passed] appeared. The entire gate silently opened a small crack.
After the two entered, the internal illumination activated.
The lights inside were not standard spotlights or strip lighting; rather, the walls, ceiling, and even the floor itself glowed with a relatively soft blue-violet hue.
The entire museum space was quite vast, yet it contained only a single chamber.
All stored artifacts within the room were secured inside cubic display cases. Each case was meticulously arranged, spaced approximately 10 meters from its neighbors to the left, right, and below. The cases were not flush against the walls; instead, each exhibit could be viewed in a full 360-degree panorama, presenting a dazzling spectacle.
Luna noticed the nearest exhibit.
Fingeno introduced it to Luna, explaining: "This is a type of flora originating from the Sok Star Nation. It is currently juvenile. It is said that when mature, it can reach heights of up to 200 meters, covered in poisonous needles. When it blooms, its flowers resemble chrysanthemums with numerous fragmented small petals. The calyx underneath is similar to a spider lily, featuring slender, umbrella-like bracts. The pistil emits a penetrating fragrance. It can only produce a single flower, and this solitary blossom can boast a diameter of 50 to 60 meters."
Fingeno also pulled up supplementary data.
Luna viewed the plant's designation within the file:
— Enamored Azure Bloom
Its flower was indeed blue—not a dazzling, vibrant shade, but rather a celestial blue. The center of the pistil was slightly paler, closer to white, carrying nectar that looked like frozen ice crystals.
A Warbeast stood upon a petal, being photographed, which made the Warbeast appear somewhat delicate and small by comparison.
However, the final photograph was deeply unsettling.
Within the heart of this flower, a corpse was steeped in a decaying, bloody pool, appearing utterly gruesome.
This was a carnivorous flower.
Luna continued her survey.
All manner of creatures appeared before her eyes, sparking a fair amount of interest.
Most of the exhibits here were biological specimens.
Only a few consisted of minerals, or perhaps select machinery and historical signatures from previous eras.
There were a total of 18,329 exhibits housed here.
The most significant aspect was their sheer rarity; their monetary value, conversely, was quite low. In fact, most of these items were not even worth the cost of their specialized shipping.
"Not bad. This almost makes me want to build a museum myself," Luna remarked, rarely offering such praise.
Fingeno replied: "The museum also houses some preserved corpses. My father also collected several living specimens; those are kept in the exotic animal houses."
In this current age, the greatest mark of distinction lay precisely in these collected creatures.
Consequently, the majority of affluent individuals also took immense pride in acquiring rare and exotic beasts.
The most high-end collectors simply preserved the genetic material. To understand the creature's true form, they would edit the genes and input the data into a fabricator to manifest a living replica.
The Rusty King's collection, in Luna's assessment, was merely mediocre. Her praise was only extended because there were genuinely a few items Luna had never encountered before, but that was the extent of it.
Afterward, Fingeno led Luna onward to the exotic animal facility, which also displayed some exquisite architectural designs from the royal palace.
Luna used this tour as a means to pass the time.
While touring, she happened to cross paths with Giotto.
The fellow possessed a refreshed and invigorated look, an expression Luna had only seen on him when he had secured a significant personal advantage.
Needless to say, he must have derived some benefit from his recent discussion with King Rusty.
Yet, he likely remained unaware that, at this precise moment, King Rusty was actually in a position to grant any concession he desired.
"Oh, Luna!"
"I didn't expect you to attend."
Giotto was genuinely surprised to see Luna.
After all, having been together with Luna for such an extended period, he was intimately familiar with some of her core personality traits.
Normally, Luna would absolutely refuse to attend such a function as a wedding, so he had never anticipated her presence.
"It's Toma K's wedding, after all. If it were anyone else, I probably wouldn't have bothered to come."
"I'm curious to know who it is that has completely captivated Toma K."
Giotto's face shifted into a strange expression; this curiosity was uncharacteristic of Luna's usual demeanor.
However, he didn't press her too hard on it.
Instead, he said with a hint of vexation: "I actually met that princess already. I suppose she must be a truly remarkable beauty to Toma K."
After all, when dealing with different species, achieving consensus on aesthetic standards was inherently difficult.
At this moment, Fingeno, who had been momentarily overlooked, interjected: "Miss CEO, your personal quarters have been arranged. You can view them once you log into the local network. I have other duties requiring my attention. Director Giotto has arrived, so you two can converse. I must apologize for having to depart."
He needed to leave.
Presumably, he was heading off to finalize necessary arrangements.
Luna did not make things difficult for him and simply allowed him to depart.
After all, a spectacular performance required perfect preparation, and Fingeno was undoubtedly intended to be one of the principal figures in that act.
"Very well, Fingeno, proceed quickly then."
Fingeno turned and walked away.
Giotto, however, inquired with slight curiosity: "Isn't that gentleman named Fingeno? Does he possess two different designations?"
He had resided in Sheltondine for years and was quite familiar with everyone there.
Luna, on the other hand, was mildly surprised: "Does he?"
"It seems I misremembered. There is simply too much company administration; you few are all absentee executives."
"Following this wedding, you all need to assume greater responsibility for the company's affairs."
Luna's statement carried a subtle double meaning.
But Giotto seemed entirely oblivious to it.
"Understood. Toma K should be perfectly capable of managing things here in the meantime anyway."
Giotto readily concurred, which only confirmed to Luna that Giotto possessed no insight whatsoever into the unfolding situation.
...
As Luna and Giotto conversed, Fingeno had swiftly rejoined King Rusty's side.
He approached with a grim expression, which immediately displeased King Rusty.
"Fingeno, you haven't botched the mission, have you?"
Fingeno, hearing King Rusty's slightly stern tone, managed to restrain his intense emotions somewhat.
"Forgive me, Father; I couldn't help myself."
"I genuinely expected Luna to at least acknowledge me, but do you realize what she did? She doesn't even recall my name."
This was the root of Fingeno's escalating anger.
However, King Rusty remained utterly composed; it seemed he had anticipated this outcome long ago.
"Fingeno, you command 283 retainers. When I assigned them to you, every single one was given a code name. Do you know the designation of retainer number 133?" King Rusty probed.
Fingeno gave it a moment of thought, but drew a blank.
"Precisely."
"I myself do not even know the names of my own attendants. Attendants are with us almost every single day. Yet, to Luna, you are nothing more than an insignificant figure she has encountered only once. On what grounds do you expect her to remember you?"
This rationale failed to satisfy Fingeno.
Because he considered himself the most capable prince of the Rusty Star Nation, arguably second only to King Rusty himself.
His standing was noble.
Yet, in Luna's perception, he was merely a peripheral figure!
This realization fueled his fury even further.
King Rusty was quite pleased by his rising anger.
"That is the disparity that causes this feeling. Not to mention you, even I cannot capture Luna's notice. I highly doubt Luna even knows my name."
Their standing in her estimation was beyond imagination.
"Then why would Luna agree to attend the wedding?" Fingeno demanded.
"Because of Toma K. Only Toma K could compel Luna to appear." This was King Rusty's most plausible explanation.
This answer, however, made Fingeno sense that something was subtly incorrect.
Because Giotto had posed the exact same question earlier.
But upon closer reflection, he couldn't quite articulate what felt misplaced.
Soon, he ceased dwelling on it, and concurrently, he began to feel significant apprehension regarding this carefully laid plan.
"This operation commenced so very early. Could it possibly be detected?"
"Although I haven't uncovered anything concrete on Luna's side, I maintain a persistent sense of unease."
This operation had effectively started the moment he first established contact with Luna, not merely at the wedding event itself.
King Rusty, however, remained brimming with confidence.
"This timeline is also a measure of caution. The matter involving the Jiansi family might have generated some scrutiny. Never underestimate the capabilities of Supernova Technology Corporation and Luna."
"If they detect any irregularities, they will inevitably assume we will make our move during the wedding ceremony."
"Therefore, we must strike with absolute surprise."
"The Enamored Azure Bloom hunts in this very manner: not a sudden, sharp strike, but a gradual, almost imperceptible slaughter, allowing the prey to perish without the slightest inkling of danger."
The Enamored Azure Bloom was the inaugural exhibit in the museum, visible immediately upon entry.
It was also King Rusty's personal favorite botanical specimen.
His admiration was not for the Enamored Azure Bloom's beauty, but rather for its sophisticated hunting methodology.
The Enamored Azure Bloom earned its name because it induces an intoxicating trance in any creature that approaches it; its poison is colorless, odorless, undetectable, and imperceptible to the senses.
"In its nascent stages, it is not lethal. The more it accumulates, the more potent it becomes—the deadliest venom in the world."
"By the time of the wedding, they will find themselves utterly unable to escape, powerless to reverse any action they have taken. At that juncture, our people will simultaneously move directly on the Supernova Technology Corporation."
The thought of claiming Supernova Technology Corporation for himself brought a smile to King Rusty's face.
Meanwhile, Fingeno preferred to savor Luna's calm, cold demeanor, anticipating the despair she would inevitably display at the absolute final moment.
Laughter echoed within the palace, vanishing invisibly once it passed through a doorway, creating not a single ripple in the air.
…
On the other side.
Luna and Giotto merely exchanged polite greetings before taking their separate ways.
She elected not to inform Giotto of King Rusty's conspiracy.
This was because she also wished to observe Giotto's reaction when confronted with the immediate threat of death.
After departing, Luna found a secluded pavilion, offering a commanding view over the entirety of Sheltondine from the vantage point of the royal palace.
Looking closely, she discerned that amidst the numerous hovercars and shuttles navigating the airways, there were also some monstrous beasts. These colossal pets served as a different type of aerial mount.
A six-tailed golden giant dragon streaked across the sky; it was instantly recognizable.
There were also countless flying creatures whose names Luna didn't even know, each colossal and breathtakingly beautiful.
Though aesthetic tastes might vary drastically across different species, when it came to such magnificent spectacles, human civilization surprisingly shared a common appreciation: human aesthetics.
These monstrous beasts provided a touch of differentiation, a peculiar kind of enjoyment.
Luna watched for a considerable duration.
It was as if she were rooted to the spot.
Ten days drifted by. Luna finally left the pavilion and made her way toward her assigned quarters.
In reality, not every resident required sleep; rooms simply served as designated sanctuaries for tranquility.
The exterior architecture of the royal palace favored a Crystal Palace style, but the interior retained the strong metallic aesthetic of the technological era. The walls, ceiling, and even the floor were mirrored, creating a startling sensation of infinite spatial expansion.
The corridors here lacked numbering or any visual ornamentation, giving the impression of being one seamless, unbroken piece.
Only upon connecting to the local network could one perceive floating digital identifiers.
Walking up to a specific number, Luna would ascend as if in an elevator for about ten to twenty meters, then step off onto a platform leading into her room.
A small space, approximately 20 square meters.
No kitchen, no bathing facilities, no living area—only a dedicated sleeping chamber.
The interior décor, however, was exceptionally thoughtful. All the solid wood furniture was designed to mimic the warmth of a traditional home, and a faint, pleasant fragrance lingered in the air.
To guarantee privacy, no additional data interface devices were present here, only a physical port for network connection. If unused, it could be left disconnected, relying solely on her own internal processing capacity.
Luna sat directly onto the soft bed, settling cross-legged like a seasoned sage.
She had consciously done nothing these past few days, and she currently possessed no immediate agenda.
However, King Rusty's inner sanctum was experiencing immense activity, not just in visible actions, but also in unseen processes perceptible only to the initiated.
Luna's body!
In fact, the very moment Fingeno approached her, she became aware of it.
A subtle, abnormal change was manifesting within her physical form. This alteration was exceptionally minute. Had Luna's body not been different from ordinary life—where each metacellular could be considered an independent entity with its own consciousness—she would never have perceived this gradual shift.
Something was actively invading the quark robots within her system, attempting to corrupt the underlying logic governing her quark robots.
One could observe that this invasion was happening simultaneously across her internal structure.
And it was proceeding with extreme slowness and caution. The quark robots' intrinsic defense systems had failed to flag the intrusion. It was Luna herself, sensing the anomaly within her physical matrix through her metacellulars, who investigated and discovered the infiltration.
This invasive agent possessed the capability to neutralize anyone.
Even her, who commanded metacellulars. Naturally, this capability was limited to her singular physical form. But Luna had long been prepared; she had already left residual cells in various strategic locations throughout her journey, just in case of emergency.
King Rusty's chamber was certainly well-prepared for contingency. Luna suspected this mechanism could not have been developed solely by the royal family.
Yet, turning the thought over, if they lacked support from external powers, what resources would the royal family even possess to contend with Supernova Technology? They wouldn't possess the audacity.
"King Rusty, wouldn't it be better to remain a well-fed lapdog?"
"Biting the master ultimately leads to one's demise!"
Luna remained completely composed, her demeanor unshakeable.
The passage of time had long since forged her into an immutable entity.
This current threat was merely a minor interruption.
What truly preoccupied Luna was her own long-term strategy.
"Perhaps, this will serve as another auspicious beginning… Giotto, do not disappoint me."
Despite her current waiting position in Rusty's domain, Luna could acutely feel the mounting pressure on general human civilization during this era.
Her pace here was too languid.
This entire performance might also function as a catalyst to awaken the original key protagonists to their destined roles.