Ramsey ordered the transport ship to depart again for Siren's Dust extraction.
He and the five Librarians each led their teams into the void.
A Librarian wielding an Osiris staff led two squads leaping from the transport ship.
The "Mystery Pryer" opens his "Eyes of Mystery Prying" and curiously observes the drifting grey substance in the void.
In his vision, the dust rapidly floated up like willow tree, instantly coalescing into an intangible, majestic figure.
The sight of this majestic figure made the his body tremble slightly. He immediately closed his "Eyes of Mystery Prying".
The Librarian then elevated to the third layer of the Thelema mindstate, expelling the terrifying majestic figure from his mind.
He opened the Librarium comms channel, saying: "I saw a majestic figure."
Seconds later, another Librarian's voice sounded: "I saw a starship being torn apart."
"…"
Ramsey consolidated all information, further refining his understanding of the unknown power.
The "Listener" activated his "Listening" ability, heeding his surroundings.
"You will release me…"
"You will receive my gifts, gain unparalleled power…"
"Now, I shall give you a small benefit. Even a little will grant you powerful strength. You will understand."
The "Listener's" "Listening" grew clearer. He felt a dissolving sensation within.
The unknown mysterious entity seemed aware that he could hear, offering bait.
The "Listener" trembled as he heeded the mysterious entity's whispers. Muscles on his back gathered toward his shoulder blades, chest, and other areas.
"This ability is like the Siren's Dust before you. The ravings you utter will plunge your enemies into dreams."
"What's stronger than Siren's Dust is that those hearing your ravings will become addicted to what they most desire, never awakening."
"After their consciousness falls into dreams, their bodies will fall into silence, unable to move. Until you kill them, they won't awaken."
The "Listener's" spirituality rapidly depleted. His "Listening" abruptly ceased.
Biomantic energy surged within Ramsey, instantly soothing the numbed temples. The gathered muscles also settled.
…..
Orsellio Moon V, the House Orsellio's domain.
"Patriarch," Nareth smiled at the exceptionally handsome man before him, wearing a crown, showing no signs of malignant mutation. "Through the banquet and today's communication, we have reached a consensus."
"Next, my aide, Arsena Dunn, will fully represent me in negotiating the specific details of the alliance with House Orsellio. I believe we will engage in extensive cooperation within the Segmentum Obscurus."
In Nareth's memory, House Orsellio's future known routes connected thousands of worlds.
Within regions like the Calixis Sector and Kronos Expanse, they formed extensive commercial agreements with houses like Von Valancius, Gibrahan, Drotus, etc. Among the Navigator Houses inviting him, they were the most powerful and would become the most influential in the future.
"Lord Nareth, may we advance together through future collaboration."
Nareth walked towards the landing pad. He saw over twenty elegant aircraft parked there.
Their wing shapes were unique, similar to the Imperial Aquila.
The Aquila Landers exported from Elysia had become the favored aircraft of Imperial nobility.
Many members of Navigator Houses were no exception.
Nareth boarded the black aircraft sized for his frame. It was twice the size of surrounding models.
The black Aquila Lander ascended. Within over ten seconds, it reached maximum speed, far outpacing a yellow Aquila Lander that took off afterward.
Ordinary Aquila Landers flew at 1,900 kilometers per hour. Perturabo's design improved performance by fifty-four percent, increasing speed to 2,926 kilometers per hour.
Rosicky replaced the power core of the Black Emperor's craft with a scaled-down version of the Punishment-class reactor, the Scourge-class. The ample energy provided by the Scourge-class further enhanced the Aquila Lander's performance. Minimum flight speed exceeded 3,000 kilometers per hour.
Range improvement was even greater. Ordinary Aquila Landers had a maximum atmospheric range of 2,400 kilometers.
Perturabo's design, though more energy-efficient, consumed more energy due to performance gains. Maximum range decreased to 2,300 kilometers.
The Scourge-class reactor increased the Aquila Lander's maximum range to 5,200 kilometers.
The Aquila Lander swiftly headed toward the Shadow's Sovereignty in orbit. Prayers echoed in Nareth's ears.
'Ramsey?'
Nareth drew the Dionysian Spear from his back. Approaching the hatch, he opened it and "slipped," letting the spear fall into the void.
A newly promoted Honour Guard member from the Fifth Chapter exclaimed.
"Father…"
"I shall retrieve it for you."
Nareth shook his head slightly. "Unnecessary. It shall return to my hand tomorrow."
Returning to his personal office aboard the Shadow's Sovereignty, a thought carried Nareth to the Kingdom of Disorder.
He went to the fourth layered space, extending spirituality toward the dark crimson orb.
After receiving one hundred and thirty bottles of Siren's Dust, he listened to Ramsey's report.
'Majestic figure. C'tan's temptation.'
With a thought, he instructed:
"The ability you 'listened' to is his prepaid reward, also to make you serve him, showcasing his might in advance. This is their common method."
Nareth knew that in the future, on Pharos, the shard of the Potentate, Zahulash, would make a deal with Belisarius Cawl in exchange for the removal of the shackles of necrodermis.
Cawl seemingly agreed, gaining benefits, and finally betraying the Potentate.
"Continue 'listening.' Listen carefully."
Nareth then extended spirituality, touching the "Swindler's" orb. Finding him alone in his office, frowning deeply, he directly pulled him into the "Kingdom of Disorder."
Tierney, swallowed by black mist, quickly snapped out of contemplation. He knelt on one knee.
"My Lord."
"How fares the Treasure Hunting group recently?" Nareth asked.
"My Lord, after the Cormag house and Duchess Dracus discovered they were deceived, they rallied numerous house for pursuit. Their influence is vast. The Treasure Hunting group's several activities on Terra were discovered, forcing abandonment of operations."
"No matter. Conclude activities on Terra. Return to the Shadow's Sovereignty. I have new tasks for you later." In Nareth's plan, the Treasure Hunting group would play a role on Gardinaal.
"As you command, my Lord." Tierney acknowledged, then was returned to the real world by Nareth.
…....
Ramsey followed the Black Emperor's command, leading his team to continue collecting Siren's Dust, heeding the unknown entity's whispers.
Fifteen days later, the "Listener," through "Listening," acquired the complete ability described by the C'tan.
On the sixteenth day, the C'tan's voice echoed in Ramsey's ears.
"I am…"
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu