"A great enemy is imminent."
Dongfang Qixing sat atop the Amber, muttering to himself.
"I only hope I can buy you a bit more time, youngster."
His words carried a hint of a smile. "I didn't choose to be your enemy back then, perhaps because I felt that compared to the Corporation, you are the purer 'Preservation'."
He who turns the tide of heaven shall be the 'Preservation'.
"The great enemy is not just 'The Propagation' alone..."
This colossal 'Amber' upon which Dongfang Qixing sat was no ordinary object. It was an artifact bestowed by an 'Aeon', famed alongside the 'Stellaron'.
This piece of 'Amber' was a cage forged by the Aeon of Preservation, Qlipoth, using a part of His own divine body of 'Preservation'.
It was specifically used to imprison the great enemy whose dreams were shattered by His three hammer strikes during the Swarm Disaster of the past.
This 'Amber' had a more formal name—
The Prison of the Swarm Emperor!
Dongfang Qixing sighed in his heart, feeling a headache coming on.
The Aeon of Propagation, the Swarm Emperor, Tayzzyronth.
He believed that in the current galaxy, aside from a few 'Geniuses' who intuitively sensed that things weren't that simple due to the many oddities in that Swarm Disaster, and who had their own speculations about that 'God War'...
Almost everyone thought this 'Aeon' had fallen.
But in reality, He hadn't. Or rather, He wasn't completely dead.
When speaking of the death of an 'Aeon', one must mention how an 'Aeon' can be killed.
In the intelligence of major factions, there are two clear methods to kill an 'Aeon'.
One: A God War where 'Aeons' fight each other.
Once a war breaks out, it is common knowledge that someone will die because of it. A God War, as the name suggests, is a war actively provoked by an 'Aeon'.
The stronger side will annihilate the weaker side.
Two: The broad engulfment of 'Paths'.
A 'Path' whose concept overlaps with an existing 'Path' comes from behind. A collision will subconsciously occur between the two, and the broader one will swallow the narrower one.
This achieves the goal of eliminating the other 'Aeon'.
But these two methods are actually just deductions made by various factions regarding the 'Aeons' that have fallen today; they don't truly know how to kill one.
Others might not know, but Dongfang Qixing, who is currently doing this very thing, knows.
He can explicitly tell everyone.
There have never been two methods to kill an 'Aeon'. From beginning to end, there has only been one method. These two methods should absolutely not be viewed separately.
Instead, they should be viewed together.
That is to say, using both is the true method of Deicide.
The Aeon of Order, the Martyr Ena.
Everyone thought He was swallowed to death by 'Xipe'.
But they all ignored one point: He actively initiated a God War before being swallowed.
'Ena' was swallowed in the midst of a God War.
And precisely because of this, He obtained the fall He desired, as well as the death of the path He walked.
The God War is used to kill the self, while the conceptual collision is used to kill the Path.
Since this martyrdom...
All Pathstriders of 'The Order' must first be Pathstriders of 'The Harmony'. Only by transcending 'The Harmony' can one arrive at 'The Order'.
If one wants to achieve true Deicide, then these two methods must be used together.
Neither can be missing.
This is also why 'Tayzzyronth' still exists in the world to this day.
Is 'Tayzzyronth' dead? Technically, yes.
His dreams were crushed by the 'Amber Lord's' three hammers, but His 'Path' remains. One must know that the characteristic of insects is evolution, and finally, breaking out of the cocoon to be reborn.
'Tayzzyronth' will eventually return; it is only a matter of time.
One can glimpse a thing or two from the fact that Swarms are still running rampant in the galaxy today.
These Swarms were not exchanged for by the 'Swarm Emperor' using the Authority of 'The Propagation'.
[ 'Preservation' is an act of contract. ]
[ The 'Amber Lord', using the death of the 'Swarm Emperor', allowed the remnant Swarm to drag out an ignoble existence in the world at the cost of losing their reproductive abilities, but survival of the fittest is an immutable law. ]
[ The transaction between the 'Amber Lord' and the 'Swarm Emperor' only ensured the Swarm would not die in the God War. The God War has ended. In the name of 'Preservation', the Corporation will eradicate the remaining Swarm in the galaxy as soon as possible! ]
This was merely the explanation the 'Corporation' used externally for stability.
But seeing the Swarm that showed no signs of receding, but was instead growing stronger day by day, one could see where the problem lay.
The facts were not at all what the Corporation stated on the surface.
It is true that these current 'Swarms' are survivors of the God War back then, but they are not the original batch. Instead, they are junior qualifications born from the senior qualifications.
The Corporation didn't expect it either—the 'Swarm' never lost the ability of 'The Propagation' at all!
And the reason for all this is very simple.
The 'Amber Lord' failed.
"You really are hard to kill, Emperor of 'Propagation'."
Dongfang Qixing lamented regarding the 'Prison of the Swarm Emperor' he was sitting upon.
The 'Amber Lord' obtained the Authority of 'The Propagation' and also let the Swarm go as agreed.
These are all true.
But there are secrets within that ordinary people do not know: What happened after the 'Amber Lord' obtained the Authority?
Dongfang Qixing can answer this question: Assimilation failed.
This is the most crucial point, and also the reason why the Swarm still tyrannizes the world today.
Just as 'Xipe' swallowed 'Ena', and 'The Harmony' turned 'The Order' into one of its three faces.
After obtaining the Authority of 'The Propagation', the 'Amber Lord' also attempted to follow suit, using this to complete the great cause of thoroughly conquering and putting an end to 'The Propagation'.
After all, the inclusivity of 'Preservation' is not low either.
What is 'Preservation'? In a certain sense...
The manifestation of 'Preservation' is called a contract.
That is, the object being 'Preserved' gives up part of their natural rights to the collective, in exchange for the collective's prosperity and subsequent protection of oneself.
Just as the Corporation only ever cares about the safety of planets within its own system, completely disregarding planets that haven't signed the Pan-Galactic Contract or joined the Credit system.
From the fact that the 'Amber Lord' could fully accept 'Ena's' gift without a shred of rejection...
One can see that 'Preservation' itself is also a form of order.
But in the end, the 'Amber Lord' failed.
He failed to refine the Authority of 'The Propagation', and could only suppress it using Himself as a vessel.
Waiting for hope to appear in the future.
The piece of Amber beneath Dongfang Qixing, known as the 'Prison of the Swarm Emperor', is the Authority of 'The Propagation' that 'Qlipoth' separated from Himself.
It is suppressed by him, acting as the Divine Envoy of the 'Amber Lord', the proxy of 'Preservation'.
As for why 'Qlipoth' had to deliberately split it off?
Of course, it is because He is also suppressing another mighty being, and His will exceeds His strength.
And 'The Propagation' no longer has an 'Aeon'.
The rebirth of 'Tayzzyronth', the return of the Swarm Emperor, requires time.
Before the black shadow within the Amber—that is, the New Emperor nourished by the Authority of 'The Propagation'—hatches...
It is an existence that Dongfang Qixing can barely suppress by borrowing the power of 'Preservation' existing within this Subspace, without needing 'Qlipoth' to make a move.
As for hatching...
Then perhaps 'Qlipoth' will have to act personally.
Fortunately, before that day arrives, they still have quite a lot of time.
Hopefully, everything can be thoroughly resolved before the hatching.
"Youngster, everything is left to you now."
Dongfang Qixing held great expectations for Leon, expecting him to achieve what he himself could not.
"After 'The Propagation', and before 'The Destruction'."
Muttered whispers echoed in this Subspace. Dongfang Qixing raised his eyes to look at that Amber Giant.
"But there are still perils waiting for you..."
The 'Corporation' has already somewhat deteriorated.
Different from the purity of the 'Amber Lord's' support group in the beginning.
Under the surface of the equivalent exchange contract of 'Preservation', the beastly nature of self-interest has already bred.
It has become inclined towards the mortal enemy of the 'Amber Lord'...
The future and the old days, symbolized by him as two distinct eras, incompatible like fire and water.
Before the Dusk Wars,
The galaxy of the old days was ruled by a creature named 'Ancient Beast'.
Not humans.
'Qlipoth' is a survivor of the Dusk Wars, and also a terminator.
Just like the ascension of 'Lan'.
The sudden emergence of 'Qlipoth' put a complete period to the Dusk Wars.
The 'Ancient Beasts' were all exterminated.
The galaxy moved from the Era of Beasts to the Era of Man.
But things must reverse when they reach an extreme; Equilibrium always casts a shadow within.
Just as 'The Propagation' ascended amidst hatred and loneliness during the extinction of species, Tayzzyronth rose.
The withering of the 'Ancient Beasts' naturally led to the ascension of an 'Aeon' from their midst.
'Qlipoth' is the 'Aeon' representing civilization.
And His mortal enemy is, of course, the only surviving Ancient Beast in the current galaxy, representing the wilderness!
"Only by passing through Them can one talk about the future."
Just as 'Xipe' has three faces.
Although 'Qlipoth' does not have as many as three within His body, He has two.
Two great disasters suppressed by His own body.
One,
Is 'The Propagation', currently suppressed by Dongfang Qixing on His behalf.
And the other...
Is also one of the existences that had a deep connection to that Swarm Disaster back then.
One...
'Aeon' who is missing and unaccounted for in the eyes of the galaxy!
*
Penacony.
After "Rise of the Black Flame Knight" became a massive hit, an interview session was naturally indispensable.
"Miss Robin, I'm your fan!"
Camille held back the urge to pounce on her, using this sentence as the opening of the interview.
"Thank you."
Robin smiled politely.
She sat on the chair prepared at the interview site.
Her sitting posture was dignified, hands clasped on her knees.
"Ahem."
Reminded by the backstage staff, Camille coughed lightly a few times and adopted a serious working attitude.
"Miss Robin, your fans have been looking forward to your new song for a long time, but many people never expected that you would release a new song after such a long time..."
"Unexpectedly, specifically to sing for a movie."
Camille spoke in a rather surprised tone.
"May I ask if you saw the potential for it to be a big hit at a glance, so you decided to add flowers to the brocade?"
One must know that for every song of Robin's, not to mention ownership rights, just the performance rights alone could sell for a sky-high price.
Her previous songs were all works of art completely unbound to any object. Locking this song specifically to a movie was truly somewhat of a pity.
"No, what this movie stages is the heavy past of Penacony."
Regarding this question, Robin shook her head.
"It is history that truly existed."
"I sang for it simply because I wanted to remind myself that the footsteps of history must never be forgotten."
"This is the road Penacony came from."
Robin looked at the camera and spoke seriously.
"If someone is touched because of the song I sang, or after watching this movie, and is willing to understand the prototype of this sealed history..."
As she spoke, a standard service smile appeared on her face.
"Then I will be very happy."
It is believed that many people who were originally uninterested would excitedly go to understand it because of this smile.
This is all conversational capital; you wouldn't understand.
"Oh my, Miss Robin is worthy of being the Ambassador of Rescue. I heard that you often go to dangerous areas for rescue operations; you are famous for being upright and brave."
"Seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved."
Camille made sobbing noises, speaking with considerable emotion.
Looking like she could perform another "Miss Robin, I'm your fan" pounce without any wind-up at any time.
"You flatter me. I just do what is within my power, within the scope of my ability."
Robin acted as if it were only natural, her bearing and tone handled perfectly.
Giving people a feeling of receiving praise without being affected.
"Miss Robin is too humble."
After speaking, Camille turned the topic to the next activity.
"I have many curious questions sent by the audience here. I wonder if you could take some time to answer a few?"
"I will say all that I know." Robin nodded.
"Okay, the first question is..."
Camille lowered her head to look at the question card already prepared in her hand.
"Who exactly is Director Furina? Why doesn't she show her face?"
"Director Furina is the person who brought back this historical record for Penacony. She dislikes fame, and in addition, she herself is not a professional in this industry."
"She didn't want to accept this baseless praise; it was just me personally adding her name to show respect."
Robin answered flawlessly.
"Miss Robin is really a good person."
Camille nodded, and then took the next question.
"Then the second one: are you familiar with the actor who played the Galaxy Ranger in the movie?"
"Mm, I am very familiar."
When answering this question, a smile involuntarily hung on Robin's face.
"Let me quietly tell you, the performer is actually a genuine Galaxy Ranger."
"That is truly unexpected."
Camille let out a 'wow'. "So he was playing himself!"
"Then the third question, may I ask what your relationship is with this performer?"
Camille originally thought this cosmic superstar would answer "friends" to wrap things up. This was the answer least likely to go wrong, and also the most unproblematic one.
But unexpectedly, she began to think seriously.
"Hmm... it's a bit hard to answer."
There was a smile in Robin's voice as she made up her mind.
"However, what can be confirmed is that he is someone I like very much."
She spoke bluntly, stating her feelings in public.
"Uh, this 'like' refers to?"
Camille was a bit dazed.
This, this, this... this is a bit too explosive.
"Mm, the like of romantic love."
Robin looked at the screen, as if gazing at her Ranger across the void.
The whole venue caused a sensation, and Camille herself was stunned in place.
"Wha... What???"
____
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