"Miss Topaz, our journey ends here."
"Huh?" Topaz blinked, utterly bewildered.
Why did it suddenly sound like she was about to meet her end?
-------------------------------
"So lively, all six of the Luofu Charioteers are here, plus three generals. Looks like this is no small matter."
Topaz had just stepped into the Divination Commission when she sensed something was off.
Having all six Luofu Charioteers present was understandable, it was their turf, after all. And with negotiations between the IPC and the Xianzhou in a critical phase, it made sense that any major issues requiring her involvement were being addressed.
But the two standing nearby were a different story.
Were Yaoqing and Zhuming really this free? The two Arbiter-Generals wandering around like this...
Though she spoke casually, Topaz couldn't shake a creeping sense of unease.
Yukong gave a light cough and stepped up in front of Topaz.
"This is hard to explain in words. It's better if you see it for yourself, Miss Topaz."
...
"..."
"If I said I knew nothing about this, would you believe me?"
Topaz muttered weakly.
As for Numby... sensing the strange atmosphere, it had already shrunk behind Topaz's legs.
Surrounded by so many people, Topaz felt that if she didn't give a proper explanation today, she might not make it out of the Divination Commission.
"Those bastards, what kind of nonsense are they pulling again?" she cursed inwardly at the troublemakers constantly dragging her down, forcing a sheepish smile as she looked around.
"Of course we trust Miss Topaz," someone said.
"But this concerns the Abundance's spawns, enemies of our alliance like the Denizens of Abundance. We must ask Miss Topaz to investigate thoroughly…"
"Please rest assured. I'll get to the bottom of this!"
Jing Yuan's serious tone and that heavy "otherwise..." made Topaz feel as though hundreds of Numby's were pressing down on her shoulders.
After all, if there really were Denizens of Abundance in contact the IPC, the Alliance could make the IPC their target.
And if that Aeon, the one who traverses the stars solely to hunt Abundance, caught wind, they might well draw their bow and shoot a divine arrow, sending the entire IPC straight to the grave.
Without delay, Topaz straightened up and rushed out to start investigating through internal IPC channels.
...
Interastral Peace Corporation.
Jade frowned slightly.
"I've got the gist of it. I did hear that some departments have been working on new research recently. I didn't have time to check it out with everything going on in Penacony, but I didn't expect something this serious."
The IPC wasn't a monolith, factional conflicts were common. The Ten Stonehearts were one such faction, their leader Diamond an Emanator of Preservation. Their faction relied on their unique talents and the protection of the Preservation Edict to maintain their influence.
Unlike other factions that were internally divided, the Ten Stonehearts were a united front when it came to major issues.
Jade had seen plenty of shady tricks pulled by rival factions before.
But for something like this to happen during negotiations with the Alliance, and with the involvement of Abundance's spawn, no less, were their heads filled with SoulGlad?
This was bad...
"I'll investigate on my end. You keep looking over there."
Leaving only those words behind, Jade rushed off to begin her own inquiry.
...
"Everyone, that's the situation. You've heard it yourselves, this wasn't something we knew about. Most likely, someone from another department did it behind our backs."
Topaz wore a bright smile as she explained to the gathered group, all the while cursing those troublemakers in her mind.
"We believe in Miss Topaz and Miss Jade's integrity," Feixiao said. "But does Miss Topaz have any suspects in mind?"
Topaz paused in thought before replying.
"If anyone in the IPC were to do something like this, it'd have to be the Technology Department. They collaborate closely with the Intelligentsia Guild and are the most likely to pull something like this off."
While the Intelligentsia Guild couldn't compare with the Genius Society, it still housed numerous professors, doctors, and perhaps the largest pool of scholars in the galaxy outside the Genius Society itself.
It made sense for anything related to high-tech research to be connected to them.
"The Intelligentsia Guild," Jing Yuan murmured, arms crossed, nodding slightly.
When geniuses from the Genius Society cause trouble, it's never minor, it's galaxy-shaking. He knew that well.
If Ruan Mei were still aboard the Xianzhou, he'd have followed her closely, or at least tried to stop her from silently concocting yet another headache-inducing invention.
If that last thing hadn't been unstable and self-destructed after a time, the Alchemy Commission might have had to rebuild completely.
"Heh, even if the Intelligentsia Guild is involved, it's just speculation. And even if they are entangled in this, the real culprit is still the IPC. Miss Topaz, you owe us an explanation, don't you think?"
General Huaiyan grinned at Topaz.
His tone and expression were friendly, but in Topaz's eyes, this veteran general looked like a butcher eyeing a juicy slab of meat, wondering where best to make the first cut...
...
Back on the Luofu, setting that aside for now, Jade had rushed straight to the Technology Department after hearing from Topaz.
Just as Topaz had suspected, her first thought was to check that division.
After all, the Intelligentsia Guild had more than enough brains to handle most research projects.
"Well, if it isn't Director Jade. Still busy celebrating your success on Penacony? What brings you to my department today?"
Jade had barely stepped into the Technology building when the department head, Yabuli, hurried over with a smile to greet her.
"Director Yabuli, it's been a while. You look like you've been doing well for yourself," Jade replied with a smile.
"You make it sound easy, Director Jade. It's been a while since our division launched anything new. The board's breathing down our necks, treating us like the problem child."
Yabuli chuckled, but then asked with some confusion, "Weren't you focused on the Penacony project lately, Director? Did something go wrong there that you need our help with?"
That was all she could think of.
After all, the Penacony project is a major undertaking, and with such a big commotion stirred up, it's only natural that Jade would come to him for help if something really went wrong.
Jade gazed at Yabuli, seeing that she didn't show the slightest hint of nervousness. Instead, she looked back at her with confusion.
"Director Yabuli, do you intend to speak with me right here at the gate? I've walked quite a long way and am terribly thirsty."
"Haha, my apologies, Director Jade. Please, this way. I just happened to brew a pot of fine tea in my office, waiting for someone with taste like you to come by."
...
"What the hell are those people trying to do?!"
After listening to Jade's account, Yabuli became furious. Fortunately, Jade was present, which kept her from losing her composure.
"Apologies, Ms. Jade, I got a little carried away."
"Understandable. After all, such chaos among your subordinates is hard to tolerate. But this concerns the IPC's cooperation with the Alliance, and the True Sting they captured even originates from the planet where Godzilla is from. Director Yabuli, you must handle this properly."
"Yes, this must be handled properly!"
Jade rested her chin on one hand, watching Yabuli's deep expression, seemingly pondering how to resolve the issue, while countless thoughts swirled in her mind.
Someone who's risen to the rank of director wouldn't wear their emotions on their face. Of course, maybe Yabuli truly has no idea what's going on.
After all, there are factions and internal strife even in the Technology department. If someone suddenly did something reckless, it wouldn't be surprising.
...
"Ms. Jade has already spoken with Director Yabuli of the IPC's tech development department, but it will still take some time."
Upon hearing Topaz's words, Jing Yuan slightly nodded and then smiled.
"We believe the IPC will give us a satisfactory answer. But until then, since Ms. Topaz is here as well, let's continue the evaluation we paused earlier! Our team is ready to proceed."
"…Alright."
What else could Topaz say? She could only agree with a smile, but inside, she was full of rage at those who caused all this.
...
Meanwhile, in Penacony.
Those who had awakened from Ena's dream,
"Damn, I really love this little rascal." Boothill, dressed in cowboy gear, spun his gun and gave a friendly greeting to the Ena of Order.
"That chicken-wing-headed guy was really something, actually tricked us all!"
"Yeah! That was outrageous!" Stelle crossed her arms, furious.
March 7th chimed in from the side, nodding in agreement.
They had just awakened from the dream, learned everything from Black Swan, and in the struggle against Sunday, not a single member of the Express crew or anyone from Penacony survived.
All were trapped in the beautiful dream Sunday constructed.
"By the way, how did you escape from the dream?"
March 7th suddenly turned to Stelle, full of curiosity.
"Because he didn't understand me at all." Stelle held her head high, proud.
"Huh?" March 7th tilted her head, not understanding what this weirdo was on about again.
"Everyone, now that only we have escaped the dream, we should focus on how to counterattack."Dan Heng spoke.
"It's truly a problem. If we want to use numbers to shake the foundation of the dream, it's hard to gather enough strong-willed people in such a short time. Waking up those lost in the dream won't be easy either…" Himeko muttered to herself, feeling the difficulty of the situation more keenly.
"Perhaps, it's time to use the Alliance signal flare after all," Dan Heng said solemnly.
"Damn it, you've been going on about that thing since we were on the train, then again in the dream, and now you still want to use it. What, didn't get your fill before?"
Boothill couldn't even find the strength to complain. That alliance signal flare was clearly something gifted by the Xianzhou Alliance to their allies. Once fired, thousands of Cloud Knights would cross the stars to assist, its grandeur was undeniable.
Do you really not treat that thing as a treasure?
"Hehe, that's just how Dan Heng is, a practical guy," March 7th giggled.
"No need to trouble the Xianzhou Alliance. If we can use the force of the Galaxy Rangers, that's enough for now."
"Leave it to the Galaxy Rangers."
"You can rally the Galaxy Rangers?" Dan Heng asked in surprise.
"Ha! Outsiders think the Galaxy Rangers are elusive and disconnected from each other, and honestly, they are! But that's exactly why we have an unspoken rule…"
"Acheron, do you know what this is?"
"It's the relic I'm returning to you."
Boothill nodded. And grinned wildly: "Its owner must have told you that this thing is worthless to anyone outside the Galaxy Rangers. Only when returned to its original owner does it hold power."
"Because it's a burial item, only heroes who have earned great merit as Galaxy Rangers are worthy of owning it. When its light appears in the universe, it means a star has fallen. And the direction it falls…"
"…will be marked by countless shooting stars streaking across the sky. That's the fire of the Galaxy Rangers gathering. They come from every corner of the galaxy, asking no questions, bearing any cost, because we follow one shared principle, "
"The hunting star only falls on the longest night. And behind it, will be the coming of dawn!"
"We've been silent too long. It's time for all the cowards, parasites, and oppressors across the universe to remember the name of the Galaxy Rangers again. Let me fire the first shot!"
Boothill's voice carried powerful force, that was the will of countless Galaxy Rangers burning brightly.
Hold fast to the same bottom line, fight for inner justice, the Galaxy Rangers crosses the sea of stars, all to uphold the righteousness within!
"I finally understand why Jing Yuan wants to become a Seafaring Ranger so badly. This story is stirring my heart too."
"It's not too late for you to join now, and there just so happens to be a Galaxy Ranger to vouch for you."
"No, no, I'm just saying. I couldn't bear to leave Sister Himeko, Uncle Yang, Dan Heng, and Stelle." March 7th shook her head repeatedly.
"…" Stelle blinked and looked at March 7th with ill intent.
Are you mixing up the big joker and the small joker?
With Boothill firing the first shot, the others divided the tasks according to their abilities.
"Well then, everyone, this will be our final battle, the factory battle to secure Penacony's fate!"
Himeko exhaled lightly, her gaze firm, her tone relaxed. "Heh, it's been a while since I've felt this kind of passion."
...
Everyone was making preparations, because it was the final push.
"Hmm? Sleepyhead, do you need something from your big sister?" Black Swan leaned against the railing, glancing sideways and smiling at Stelle.
...
Xing nodded slightly and asked:
"The Asdana star system was able to create such a vast dreamscape because of the leakage of memory essence. Since you memokeepers can do so many things in dreams, can I do it too?
Like, imagine something into existence, like, maybe... a three-point pressure field to suppress an area?"
Stelle looked at Black Swan with hopeful, eager eyes.
"Is that important?" Black Swan was puzzled.
"Yeah! It could decide everything!" Stelle said solemnly.
This was the first time Black Swan had seen such an expression on this little gray-haired face.
After a moment of thought, she spoke: "Memokeepers can traverse dreams and gather memories, that's closely tied to our nature. But if you're talking about imagining something in a dream, as long as your will is strong enough, it might be possible."
Like how The Family arranged the Twelve Hours structure within the dreamscape.
Their current situation is the best example.
Awakening from the Dream of Ena.
Or changing dream rules like gravity, this has been forbidden by The Family. But this also proves dreams can be influenced, as long as one's will is strong enough to affect the dreamscape.
But leaving ordinary dreams aside, even for Memokeepers, can't easily shake this vast dream realm.
The Family's accumulation in Penacony is no joke.
Black Swan thought hard, but couldn't figure out how Stelle's question could improve their odds of success.
Having received the answer, Stelle's eyes lit up and she nodded firmly.
...
At the same time,
"That region… has changed."
Within the dreamscape, Godzilla lifted his eyes slightly, gazing at the sky.
From his perception, the region once shrouded by a certain will had shifted again. The dream realm had been connected by that will, forming a unified whole.
This state was better than the previous scattered condition, where he could sense different individuals in the same area but still feel separation.
After all, if it's just a big blob sitting there, not moving, it's still easier to grasp.
"That direction is the Asdana star system. The universe-renowned tourist destination, Penacony, is right there."
At some unknown point, the Messenger Lady had returned to the dream. She perched again on Godzilla's shoulder, her two sock-covered bare feet gently swaying as she explained.
"By my guess, this should be when the Charmony Festival is starting. The Garden of Recollection has stationed many Memokeepers there. They're probably busy collecting high-quality memories."
Her tone was still calm at first, but turned slightly resentful toward the end, as she cast a plaintive glance at the indifferent Godzilla.
Clearly, she hadn't forgotten her desire to collect Godzilla's memories.
But, helplessly, if Godzilla didn't want her to, there was nothing she could do.
If she pushed too far, Godzilla would throw her out.
Better to take it slow, like this.
Godzilla gazed in the direction of Penacony, falling into brief thought.
Penacony... he remembered it was under Xipe of the Harmony Path. There seemed to be a chicken wing up there or something...
Just then, he suddenly sensed someone calling him, more precisely, someone trying to summon him from within the dream.
...
"Have you awakened through the dream, "
Looking down slightly, he gazed at the people standing before him.
At this moment, he appeared to the others as a giant puppet figure, naturally exuding a majestic aura that made ordinary people afraid to look directly at him.
He looked up at the sky, where countless meteors streaked past, and countless firm wills flickered.
It seemed that this was the Galaxy Ranger's summoning moment...