"Hunt the 'Swarm Kings'."
Ruan Mei said it indifferently. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was the one doing the killing.
"Kill them all, right? No problem."
Leon signaled an 'OK'.
Why didn't she say so earlier? Rest assured, the after-sales service is comprehensive. He'd go slaughter the lot of them right now.
"No, try your best not to damage the 'Swarm Kings'' carapaces."
That wasn't what Ruan Mei meant.
"With the carapaces of the six great 'Swarm Kings', plus some auxiliary tools, I am highly confident that I can replicate 'Tayzzyronth' in general."
Leon understood what she meant. It was full of tech and ruthless efficiency, risking it all to create.
Sigh, a bunch of people always thinking about borrowing external forces.
The complete remains of six 'Emanators'—what luxurious experimental materials.
A creation piled up from these things... no matter how bad it is, how bad could it possibly be?
"Does Herta know about your 'subject'?"
Ruan Mei's 'subject', how to put it? On the surface, it was quite bluffing.
But in practical implementation, it was just so-so.
Because she was destined not to create the real thing.
After all, if Ruan Mei could figure out something like "Status," she wouldn't fail to be even an "Emanator." Even Leon couldn't explain clearly what "Status" was.
Unless you could open up a new Path in this era, in this era where "The Destruction" has already been born.
Otherwise, when talking about issues related to "Aeons," in Leon's view, one can never avoid "Status."
Whether you want to become an "Aeon" or replace one.
As long as it is an existing "Path," if you don't possess the recognized "Status," don't even think about replacing it. This applies even to "The Propagation," whose "Aeon" has already fallen.
In the current galaxy, the one recognized by "The Propagation" is Firefly.
Not Ruan Mei.
Although it is only false, the seat has already been taken.
Unless some badass can suddenly charge out and defeat Leon, it's impossible for the seat to change hands.
"I haven't mentioned it to her yet," Ruan Mei answered truthfully.
"Why?" Leon was quite curious.
Her experiment was boastful, yes, but if it was just for her own research... her moral standards were actually quite high.
After all, she didn't intend to harm anyone or force her thoughts on others.
Much better than that beast, Dr. Primitive.
Ultimately, Ruan Mei just wanted to understand what kind of existence an "Aeon" was.
She wanted to understand what she considered the "Essence of Life."
"The Propagation" was simply the purest Path in her view, and the one that yielded results fastest.
It didn't have to be "The Propagation."
"I don't think she would like this research."
Herta's excessively high conscience is both her strength and her weakness; that was Ruan Mei's personal opinion.
"Then it seems you haven't truly opened your heart to her."
Ruan Mei did not trust Herta.
Leon, however, felt that Herta wouldn't interfere with her "subject," let alone like or dislike it. After all, if one insisted, wasn't her Simulated Universe quite crazy too?
Both were related to "Aeons"; both vainly attempted to explore "Aeons."
Neither was much better than the other, so neither should judge the other.
It could only be said that the contact between the two was limited to the surface. This was due to Ruan Mei's nature, or perhaps it could be said that both of them knew each other's personalities inside and out.
But neither of them cared.
"Many people find Herta's personality unbearable. I agree, but I don't care. Of course, Herta knows this too, so I accepted her invitation."
To this, Ruan Mei only replied in such a way.
Seemingly hinting that their relationship was just like that. This sentence would hold true even if Herta swapped her name with Ruan Mei's.
"Then what's there to say, brother? I'll give it to you."
Leon meant he would give her a pass, meaning he was willing to help her with this favor.
After-sales service to the very end.
Anyway, no matter what, the "Swarm Kings" were going to be killed by him in the end.
The moment they prepared to make a move on his client and ruin his after-sales reputation, their fate was sealed.
Since Ruan Mei said she could solve Firefly's problem, Leon would just pay a bit more attention to leave the "Swarm Kings" with intact corpses.
It was just a matter of convenience.
The things to be done hadn't changed; there were just a few more restrictions.
"Do I kill them one by one and send them to you, or do you want another format?"
Leon asked how the transaction should be conducted.
"The 'Swarm's' tracks are hard to lock onto."
Ruan Mei asked him to take her along.
"If you are alone, finding the 'Swarm Kings' will definitely take some effort."
"If it is convenient, I will send you my location; it is best to take me along. I have the means to lock onto the 'Swarm Kings'' movements."
In the entire galaxy, surely no one dared to say they researched "The Propagation" more thoroughly than Ruan Mei, than a Genius.
Leon believed Ruan Mei had figured out the different tribal habits of the six great "Swarm Kings."
If she said she could lock onto the "Swarm Kings'" tracks, then she definitely had the corresponding means.
"You're going too?" This was something Leon hadn't expected.
There was actually an employer planning to personally work instead of enjoying the fruits of labor?
Like Dong Xuelian speaking about nationality—truly rare.
"If it's inconvenient, then forget it."
Ruan Mei didn't force it.
It was she asking him to do something, not him asking her.
Leon didn't need her help to solve everything; just pouring out damage would be enough.
She was the one who approached him; she had to be clear on who was primary and who was secondary.
The secondary naturally had to try their best to follow the primary's wishes.
"Sure, send the address. Wait for me."
Leon didn't refuse; this kind of thing didn't matter.
After giving a reply, he hung up the phone.
He definitely wouldn't bring the Golden Progeny, and the Astral Express would also be on standby. He always went alone for this kind of thing.
After settling things down, he could set off.
"Mimi!"
Demiurge seemed curious about what happened and flew directly to the top of his head to land.
She lay on top of Leon's head, calling out "Mimi, Mimi" in a coquettish tone.
"Who were you calling just now~?"
The second after Demiurge flew over, Cyrene also walked over from the aisle on the right.
The older sister and younger sister had always been inseparable.
"Let me guess, was it a cute girl?"
She walked forward with her hands behind her back, finally stopping in front of him, her words cheerful as always.
"A Large Cup girl."
Leon had nothing worth hiding.
Cute things like that could only be thrown into the warehouse to gather dust.
"Then it seems the attraction to our partner is quite strong."
There was a smile in Cyrene's voice. "Did something happen again?"
"Nothing, just some small matters. Just exterminating some bugs."
To be honest, it really was exterminating bugs.
Exterminating a bunch of pests who would stop at nothing for the sake of "The Propagation."
Cyrene glanced at him and didn't say anything, simply reaching out to hold his right wrist and lifting it.
She pressed his right palm against her warm cheek.
After doing all this, she released the wrist she was holding and shifted positions.
Her exquisite little hand was gently placed on the back of his hand.
"Be careful on the road."
Cyrene didn't ask him about anything; she simply offered her blessings after knowing he was leaving.
"Should I say something like 'We'll get married when I come back'?"
Leon pinched her face with gentle movements; the texture was as soft as a marshmallow.
"Okay."
Cyrene's eyes curved into slits, smiling back without minding at all.
"That's up to you."
If they really were to get married, were they going back right now after just leaving Penacony?
Although everything that should be done had been done.
But in terms of progress after just meeting the parents, this speed was indeed no different from a flash marriage.
"Mimi!"
As the two looked into each other's eyes, Mimi suddenly cried out in reaction, falling from his head and tumbling towards his embrace. The cry seemed to want to remind Leon to catch her.
"What are you doing, what are you doing? Why the sudden hissing?"
Leon moved his hand away from Cyrene's face, reacting quickly.
Finally, a curvaceous young girl landed steadily in his arms.
He held her in the crook of his arm.
"Because I also want to say goodbye to my partner~"
Demiurge, held in his arms, was very happy, immediately rubbing her face against his chest.
"I'm just going out for a while; you're making it seem like a life and death separation."
Leon was a bit speechless.
"What does it matter~"
Demiurge didn't care in the slightest. She wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting her snowy white neck.
Her exquisite face began to lean towards him.
She left a fleeting kiss on his lips.
"Safe travels~"
Demiurge moved away from his face, blinking at him, the corners of her mouth raised in an arc as she spoke.
"I don't need to be safe, because I don't eat beef."
Leon was used to it.
Unlike Cyrene, Demiurge's displays of affection towards him had always been blatant.
"Kissed and touched. Let's break it up, break it up."
He slowly set Demiurge down on the ground, preparing to notify the other Golden Progeny.
Leon actually considered whether to settle the Express down, like going back to Penacony or something.
But it seemed a bit superfluous.
He wouldn't be gone for long, so there was no major hindrance for the Express to anchor in this outer space temporarily.
After saying goodbye to Cyrene and Demiurge, Leon greeted the others one after another.
"Okay, I understand. I can't be of much help, so please pay more attention to your safety, Lord Leon."
"The Express won't have any problems. Go with peace of mind."
These were Castorice and Polyxia.
"Partner, your journey of salvation is not a flat plain; it cannot even accommodate two people walking side by side. But if there is anything I can help with, please definitely call me."
"I've always believed in you, so I won't say much. I'll treat you to a big meal when you get back."
"I'll strive to achieve some results on the 'Stellaron' so I don't embarrass you."
These were the responses of the three pretentious brothers, Phainon, Anaxagoras, and the enemy of ten thousand.
"Why is every single one of you so solemn? Holy cow."
Leon didn't understand.
"When you aren't here, who is the commander?"
Cerydra was still fiddling with her chess set.
"Who else could it be but you?"
Leon exclaimed, wondering what she meant. "Isn't this what you used to do?"
"Hmph, I'll try my best to manage things for you."
Cerydra lifted a chess piece, knocking off the opposing general, and replied confidently.
"Regrettably, I cannot become the banner and sword that clears the obstacles on the road ahead for you."
Hysilens's words held apology; she knew deeply that she couldn't be of help.
"No need for regret. You protected others for a lifetime; isn't it quite nice to be protected by someone for a change?"
Leon didn't mind. Rather, as a stats monster, why would he need a so-called banner and sword?
He'd have to laugh at himself.
"Mr. Leon is truly busy. When will we be able to do something for you?"
Tribios stood before him, reaching out to straighten his collar.
Like treating a wanderer about to travel far from home.
Aside from Cyrene and Demiurge, this was unsurprisingly the most intimate behavior towards Leon among the Golden Progeny.
Straightening a collar wasn't much, but it was indeed a bit ambiguous.
"Aren't you doing it all the time?"
Although he was the titular Navigator of this train, he hadn't really managed maintenance and hygiene work much.
The Golden Progeny were doing it with clear divisions of labor.
"That is true, if you put it that way."
Tribios didn't deny it; denying it would seem too affected.
"What, Eldest Son, are you going to do something big?"
Cipher asked.
"Striving to bring back a big one for you."
Hard to say. Actually, in Leon's view, this matter was quite small. It depended on whether he could turn the small matter into a big one.
"Your clothes are a bit old. I'll weave a new piece for you. Do you have any requirements for the style?"
Aglaea gave a hum, not showing concern for him.
Leon didn't need her concern yet; he wasn't someone who would easily fail.
"I'm fine with anything, up to you."
Leon didn't know why Aglaea suddenly mentioned weaving clothes, but he felt she had been plotting this for a long time and just happened to have a chance to ask this time.
"Baby Leon, lower yourself a bit."
Yaoqing was already trying very hard to stand on tiptoe, but she barely reached just above his waist.
This disparity meant that if she wanted to do something to him...
If Leon didn't offer some cooperation, it would really be too difficult for her.
Unless she let Ikka do it for her, since it could fly.
Leon obediently did as asked, bending halfway down.
Although there was still some distance between their heights, at least it wasn't so unattainable anymore.
Thus, Yaoqing tried to tip-toe again.
Because her calves were tensed too deeply, they would tremble from time to time. These movements caused the small bells tied to her ankles to emit slight, crisp sounds.
Like a sincere pilgrim, she began to offer incense to the god who lowered his head.
"May the morning light protect you."
The healer kissed him gently on the forehead. As her shoes, which had been suspended by tiptoeing, landed back on the ground, she pressed her palms together tightly against her forehead, closed her eyes, and prayed softly.
Leon looked at her, then straightened up.
Not bad. He originally thought Tribios was the fiercest general under Lu Bu.
He didn't expect it to be Yaoqing. As expected of one of the few all-purpose cards on the train who could compete with Tribios in intensity.
It just had to be pink hair. Pink hair is always right, let me tell you.
Next, he just needed to go say hello to his most precious pink hair, and he'd be done.
"Why do you have another matter just after finishing one?"
March 7th lamented that he was so busy.
"Can't be helped, that's how it is for people standing at the peak."
Leon felt it was very normal.
Even without Ruan Mei, the itinerary ahead was to go to where the "Stellaron" was.
It was impossible to be idle anyway.
It was just a difference between him being busy alone or everyone being busy together with a sense of participation.
"Is it dangerous?"
"Between a Medium Cup and a Large Cup."
"Then it looks like there's no need to worry."
"Of course."
Leon waved his hand, then strode away.
No Man's Land.
Leon didn't need transportation; he could cross space filled with "Imaginary" energy just as well.
An "Emanator" is just that badass.
Badass or not, speak up!
____
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