"This is… the Jade Abacus of Alliance?"
Looking at the dragon-shaped Jade Abacus lying quietly in the box, Welt asked with both doubt and certainty.
"Indeed, this is the Jade Abacus of Alliance of the Xianzhou Alliance, and it is also the official recognition bestowed upon the Astral Express by the Xianzhou Alliance."
"If you have any needs, you can use the Jade Abacus of Alliance to send us a message."
"At that time, no matter how vast the galaxy or how arduous the journey, the Luofu Cloud Knights will arrive as promised to fulfill your requests."
— — — —
"I didn't expect that two Lords of Extinction would appear on the Xianzhou at the same time, and what's even more surprising is that both of them fell on the Hunt's territory."
"Elio's script has essentially been reduced to nothing more than a name."
In a civilian residence on the Xianzhou Luofu, our Mother Kafka looked at Blade, who had returned safely, and sighed helplessly.
Since several Amber Eras ago, when the Rangers launched their crusade against the Lord of Extinction 'Zulo,' there had been no news of an Emanator's fall. Yet, unexpectedly, on the Xianzhou Luofu today, two Lords of Extinction had fallen in a single day. Even the Aeon of Destruction's personal intervention couldn't stop it, and the Lord of Samsara, who came from who-knows-where, gave Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction, a thorough beating, leaving him severely injured.
"So, should we continue with the next part of the script?"
After a brief silence, Blade raised his head, his gaze sharp.
Hearing Blade's words, our Lady Kafka also fell silent. The beautiful woman lowered her head, a trace of confusion flickering in her deep, amethyst-like eyes.
For Elio's script, Kafka had been preparing for years. Now, the script had become nothing more than a piece of scrap paper, no longer holding any particular value. Yet, even so, she didn't want to give up. Or rather, without the script, she didn't know what she should do or why she should live.
"Hoo—!"
Kafka took a deep breath, picked up the purple long blade on the table, and walked toward the door of the house without looking back.
"Let's continue setting up at the next destination. Sam has already gone ahead."
— — — —
The next day…
Penacony, the Star of Festivities, the Oak Family's residence—Reverie Manor.
Sunday sat in the seat of the family head, reviewing documents submitted by his subordinates. With the Harmony Festival approaching, the family's affairs had naturally become busier, especially for Sunday, the head of the family, who barely had any time to rest.
'Coo, coo, coo…!'
A bird's call reached Sunday's ears. In response, the head of the Oak Family paused his actions and waved to a subordinate standing nearby. Understanding Sunday's gesture, the subordinate bowed and left, closing the door to the manor's office behind them.
After the subordinate departed, a purple-black Night Thrush flapped its wings and landed on Sunday's desk. The Night Thrush's eyes glinted, and it spoke in a human voice, "We need to find a way to drive him out of the family's residence. With his presence, our ideals will be difficult to achieve. Or rather, they're practically impossible to achieve."
Hearing the Night Thrush's words, Sunday fell silent for a moment. "Do we have a way to drive him out? Since the Aeon of Causality's emergence, this should be the first Emanator of Causality. I believe that even if we successfully seize the incarnation of [Harmony], we might not be a match for him."
"Hahaha, child, have some confidence in yourself, or rather, have confidence in [Order]. The power of Order will help us defeat anything."
The Night Thrush laughed heartily, as if comforting Sunday.
"Teacher Gopher Wood, I understand what you're saying. I do have sufficient confidence in [Order]."
"But even so, we must take precautions. Acting rashly without absolute certainty would be utterly foolish."
Sunday stood up from the family head's seat, one hand behind his back, and paced to the window. Looking out at the 'Moment of Reverie,' our family head revealed an enigmatic smile, but in an unseen corner, a glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes and vanished.
"Hahaha, you're as clever as you were when you were young. As for that Emanator of Causality, I've already devised a plan to deal with him."
The Night Thrush laughed again, then flapped its wings and landed on Sunday's shoulder.
"The Moment of Reverie, what a beautiful name. But this world is not the paradise we envision. The despicable Harmony can only lead humanity to ruin."
Hearing the heartfelt words of the Dream Master Gopher Wood, Sunday's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Lord Dream Master, so your plan is?"
"The plan… We need to make some sacrifices. Only then can we get that Emanator of Causality to stand on our side, or at the very least, remain neutral."
The Dream Master Gopher Wood's voice reached Sunday's ears, and the latter merely smiled faintly. "To create the paradise we envision, what's wrong with making some sacrifices? This price, we can bear."
"But what if I said the price is your sister, Robin?"
Hearing his sister's name, the confident smile on Sunday's face vanished completely, replaced by a cold expression.
"What do you mean?" Sunday asked coldly.
In response to Sunday's question, the Dream Master Gopher Wood spoke nonchalantly, "You were born as the twins of [Order]. To become the Tuner and seize the incarnation of [Harmony], you can achieve it as well."
"It's just that, compared to the true 'Chosen One,' you'd have to pay a slightly higher price."
At this point, Sunday understood the Dream Master Gopher Wood's meaning. Based on recent observations and surveillance, that Emanator of Causality definitely had some improper intentions toward his sister.
Gopher Wood's plan was to sacrifice Robin to bind the Emanator of Causality to [Order]'s war chariot in their vengeance against [Harmony]. If that couldn't be achieved, at the very least, they couldn't let the Emanator of Causality become an enemy.
This way, it would indeed greatly advance [Order]'s counterattack.
Even if they successfully seized the incarnation of [Harmony]—Dominicus—they would still not be a match for the coalition of crusaders.
The power of the [Harmonic Choir] Dominicus was equivalent to that of an Emanator, but if the forces of the universe truly aimed to crusade against Penacony, they could mobilize more than just one Emanator.
If they could bind that unfathomable Emanator of Causality to [Order]'s war chariot, they would at least have some leverage when facing the 'Company,' the 'Alliance,' or other followers of [Harmony].
But… this price required his sister to make a sacrifice. How could he, as her brother, bear to allow that?