"There are five people, and the cost is three...!"
Dan Heng suddenly opened his eyes, his back soaked in cold sweat.
He hadn't had this nightmare for two or three months... Ever since joining Caelus's "Cosmic Junk Company," Dan Heng had been sleeping exceptionally soundly.
The comfortable life had almost completely eroded Dan Heng's sense of crisis.
Thinking of Lu Shi going to the Luofu... Dan Heng paused.
He... truly regarded her as his own daughter.
"..."
Dan Heng sat on the edge of the bed. In the silent room, only his slightly hurried breathing could be heard. The eyes burning with hatred and madness in his dream... were so close. The words carved into his bones were still terrifyingly clear.
There are five people, and the cost is three... He subconsciously raised his hand and touched his chest. There was no wound there, but a phantom pain seemed never to have faded.
Lu Shi... Thinking of the child with Dragon Horns and a small Tail who always sweetly called him "Dad," Dan Heng's cold hands and feet seemed to regain a hint of warmth.
But what followed was that face... If that person saw Lu Shi, who looked remarkably similar to himself.
Dan Heng's hair stood on end. Caelus and the others hadn't returned from the Xianzhou yet. He could almost imagine the sheer, insane hatred that would erupt from Blade's scarlet eyes upon seeing Lu Shi.
The Terra Base was quiet in the early morning, with only the faint humming of Cleaning Robots.
"This is Dan Heng, omni-messiah, please connect me to Caelus's video call."
Dan Heng raised his head and spoke to the omni-messiah.
"—Connecting now—"
A translucent Holographic Screen appeared before Dan Heng.
"Dan Heng? Contacting me this early, did something happen on Terra?"
A few seconds later, Caelus's face appeared on the screen. The background seemed to be some kind of Reception Room, and the distant sound of Lu Shi and Bailu laughing could be faintly heard.
"I'm fine." Dan Heng took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Are things going smoothly for you on the Luofu...?"
"Smoothly, very smoothly." Caelus looked at Dan Heng. "Didn't sleep well? Had a nightmare?"
"..."
Dan Heng didn't speak, just looked at Caelus, and after a moment, nodded heavily.
Caelus, how did he know?
"Don't worry. With me here, Lu Shi won't have any problems."
Caelus reassured him.
"Oh right, a little girl will be coming to stay with us in a while."
"...You arrange it."
"Mhm. Bailu, how about you come say hello to Lu Shi's Dad?"
Dan Heng:?
Who?
The screen shook. Two small Dragon Horns were the first to enter the frame, followed by Bailu's slightly nervous yet curious face. She clung to Caelus's arm and quietly greeted Dan Heng on the other side of the screen.
"If nothing else, I'll take them to play now. Is there anything you want me to buy?"
"...Nothing much. Be careful on the way."
...Exciting!
Sitting on Caelus's Spaceship, 'exciting' was Bailu's first thought.
It was like the feeling of running away from home for the first time—free, unrestrained, and worry-free—that first feeling of freedom lasted until the Maidservant dragged her back inside.
But this time, this time... was a truly unprecedented experience. She was away from the Dragon Masters's supervision. Although there was an attendant Dragon Sovereign Retainer accompanying her, they couldn't control Bailu too much, as the Dragon Masters and the Elders only required that "Bailu not suffer any accidents."
"Terra... Is that your planet?"
A look of longing appeared on Bailu's face. Her small face was pressed against the viewport, her eyes wide and round: "Wow! It's completely different from the Xianzhou!"
"Preparing to land."
Dan Heng had been waiting early. He only completely relaxed when he saw Caelus, March 7th, Lu Shi, Guinevere... and everyone else descend from the Spaceship completely unharmed.
Seeing Dan Heng, Lu Shi let go of Caelus's hand and ran over with her short legs, making a "deng deng deng" sound.
"Dad!"
Dan Heng squatted down and caught the small figure that rushed into his arms. The heart that had been suspended since he woke from the nightmare finally slowly settled back down. He gently patted his daughter's back.
"Did you have fun?"
"Yes! Big Sister Bailu came too!"
Dan Heng looked up and saw Bailu, his expression stiffening slightly.
That feeling... Bailu narrowed her eyes.
There it is again!
That feeling again!
"You recognize me, just like him."
Bailu's cheeks puffed out like steamed buns.
Dan Heng naturally responded to Bailu with silence.
On one hand, he couldn't say anything, and on the other, he didn't know how to start.
Caelus cleared his throat, picked up the Portable Megaphone he carried, and pressed the switch.
"Hey! Can everyone hear me? The Business Trip Team has safely returned! Everyone who participated in this mission gets one day of paid leave! Everyone else, stop what you're doing for a moment and prepare for a short meeting!"
Hearing the words "paid leave," March 7th and Guinevere immediately cheered. The other working employees stopped what they were doing, but their faces showed no particular expression, seemingly accustomed to this sudden "benefit."
"The good news is, we have reached a preliminary Strategic Cooperation Agreement with the Xianzhou Alliance! Starting today, the ores and recycled materials produced by our company will gain a fairly priced acquisition channel! At the same time, we have also procured a batch of security equipment and Starskiffs from the Luofu, to strengthen our defense and transportation! If you want to learn how to pilot a Starskiff, hurry up and come learn!"
Caelus waved his hand, and the area in front of several Master Craftsmen was instantly crowded with people.
"Kai , go maintain Order. Dan Heng, I have something I need to discuss with you."
Caelus led Dan Heng to the Conference Room.
"I also got wind of the Interstellar Peace Corporation's new movements this time. One is that the Interstellar Peace Corporation's Recycling Stations refuse to recycle our company's processed materials, but we won't have to worry about that after visiting the Luofu."
Caelus continued.
"Another thing is that the Interstellar Peace Corporation's Market Development Department is coming to the Talia Star System."
Dan Heng's expression instantly became serious.
The news about the Vidyadhara had not yet been relayed, and the Corporation was already preparing to start [Developing] the planets in Talia that Caelus had not yet Developed.
As for what kind of Development it is, and what kind of Expansion the Market Development Department carries out... naturally, it involves blood and fire.
"In their eyes, our actions—recycling junk, building cities, and even connecting planets to establish Order—are like unauthorized tree planting in their garden, yielding fruit they covet. Next, they will accuse us of destroying the Galactic Ecosystem, illegal armament... and then, they can issue a notice and bomb us."
"Do they dare to do this on a planet that has already established a cooperative relationship with the Xianzhou?"
"The Interstellar Peace Corporation's Spaceships are already approaching. News from the Xianzhou probably hasn't been relayed yet. omni-messiah's detection shows their Spaceships are loaded with heavy weaponry." Caelus chuckled. "I've already figured out their excuse—'Striking down Pirates and illegal armed forces within the star system to maintain Interstellar Peace.' They certainly won't move against us openly, especially since they know we have dealings with Screw Star and Herta Space Station, but they will definitely target other planets first."
Dan Heng clenched his fists, his knuckles turning slightly white. The shadows of the past overlapped with the immediate crisis, making him feel a suffocating pressure. "How much time do we have?"
"Hmm? Actually, that doesn't matter. I have a major solution to this problem, one that will force the Interstellar Peace Corporation to talk to us properly, on equal terms."
Caelus's words eased Dan Heng's worry, but then he frowned, trying to guess Caelus's "solution."
"You're going to use zydone?"
zydone.
Celestial Suppression Final Weapon · zydone.
The purpose of this weapon is to completely annihilate all matter within 200 light-years, centered on zydone.
If it were dropped onto Pier Point, unless an Aeon arrived, even a diamond would struggle to survive zydone's one-trillion-degree fireball.
Use zydone against the Interstellar Peace Corporation.
"No, not zydone."
"You're too impatient, Dan Heng."
Caelus clapped Dan Heng on the shoulder.
Nightmares had Dan Heng's nerves stretched to the breaking point; how could he make calm decisions like this?
The moment he heard the Interstellar Peace Corporation was about to invade, he instantly linked his zydone to his brain and let fireballs do the thinking.
Where's the old, cool-headed you, Dan Heng!
You can't just haul zydone out for a stroll—what if Nanook or some other screw-up pokes the thing and activates it… "I…" Dan Heng opened his mouth but found no argument. In that instant, all he'd seen was the fastest, most thorough solution, and activating zydone was clearly the most direct.
Consequences?
At that moment, he hadn't considered them at all.
"You're just too tense." Caelus's voice softened.
"…Sorry, I overreacted."
Caelus helped Dan Heng back into his chair.
"First, we have to let them know we're people they can talk to as equals, not some company they can buy out."
Caelus said.
"Even if we fight a war of attrition, they can't outlast us. From start to finish, our development of Talia's other planets was never about profit, so they can never beat us on cost."
"I'll draw Preservation's gaze, then let Qlipoth raise an Emanator from among us."
"You can attract Preservation's attention?"
It sounded suspiciously like nominating a lucky winner to become an Emanator… "Of course. The person with the strongest will of Preservation… isn't that you? You're practically extreme about it."
Dan Heng: …"Please stop mocking me."
"Not mocking you."
Caelus smiled. "Ready, Dan Heng?"
Caelus and Dan Heng stood in the square; two kids sneaked over.
"I'm ready."
Dan Heng said in a low voice.
"Who's ready?"
"…I'm ready!"
"Who! Is! Ready!"
"I'm ready!" Dan Heng shouted helplessly.
Caelus said this was a vital step to attract Qlipoth, so Dan Heng could only comply.
Still, Dan Heng suspected it was just Caelus's twisted sense of fun; but even with that hunch, he could only go along.
"Good. Then let Preservation's gaze turn this way."
A Star God's glance carries immense energy, but Caelus had long set up protective measures; everyone could do as they pleased, unaffected.
Just as the hammer was about to fall, declaring another Amber Era ended, the boundless form of the Preservation Star God seemed to pause. And the god's silent gaze swept toward Talia.
The Interstellar Peace Corporation instantly sensed Preservation looking somewhere.
"Predict!"
If the intended target wasn't visible, they'd follow the "since we're here" principle and see if any suitable candidate appeared.
Perfect—Dan Heng looked very… "Huh?"
Lu Shi smacked her lollipop when she suddenly lifted her head and saw a huge, silent divine body.
After a daze, Lu Shi looked up to find Dan Heng, Caelus, and Bai Lu staring in shock and worry.
"Our daughter became an Emanator too—this is a bit beyond expectations."
Technically, only half an Emanator.
Dan Heng accepted half, Lu Shi took the other half… so in reality we still have two Emanators.
Lu Shi blinked; deep within her golden eyes an amber flash glimmered.
"Daddy, Mommy… just now a really big stone man looked at me…"
Stone man… Caelus couldn't hold it in.
"That 'Malphite' isn't a bad guy." Caelus coughed. "He gave you a gift—can you feel it?"
Honestly, Caelus wanted to pry the Preservation power off Lu Shi and stuff it into Dan Heng, but after thinking it over he didn't.
"Hmm… nothing feels different, just… like I got stronger."
"Then let me teach you how to control that power."
..."We're almost at that god-forsaken place; first scan those planets for minerals before we blast them."
"Heard there's some crappy company over there now."
The remark drew loud laughter.
"All right, pipe down. After we assess the value of the nearby planets, we'll decide what caliber planet-cracking cannon to use."
They'd seen plenty of such under-developed backwater systems; so-called "local powers" usually collapsed in one hit.
Suddenly, every fleet entering the Talia Star System halted; power cut out for an instant. Then Omikron's huge face appeared on every comm screen.
[We're almost at that god-forsaken place; first scan those planets for minerals before we blast them.], [After we assess the value of the nearby planets, we'll decide what caliber planet-cracking cannon to use.]… Omikron's electronic voice sounded utterly flat.
What do you intend to do to my Hachi people?
"—beep—What do you intend to do to my Hachi people?—beep—"
"Wh-what the hell?!"
"It's an intrusion! The firewalls didn't react at all!"
"Propulsion's down! Weapons offline!"
"We're locked in place!"
Panic spread like a virus through the fleet. The Interstellar Peace Corporation fleet, originally here to "clean up," now looked like flies stuck in invisible spider silk—struggling was pointless.
Omikron's "gaze", its omnipresent surveillance, swept every ship, cataloguing their structures, armaments, even the terrified faces of the crew.
"—Assessment: threat level, medium.—Action: initiate expulsion protocol.—"
"Wait! We—" The fleet commander tried to transmit, only to find every external channel severed.
The next instant, Omikron seized every ship's engines. The huge hulls turned against their will; thrusters spewed blue fire, accelerating them toward the outer reaches of the Talia Star System—not along their original route, but along a forced detour through vast barren starfields.
"Hope you enjoy the new route. Also, those 'frank' conversations your Market Development Department had aboard ship? I'll compile them and send the package to every major public platform on the interstellar net. Interstellar Peace Corporation, Market Development Department candid talk: how to turn a junk-filled system into a lifeless wasteland, efficiently."
Caelus's processed voice echoed through the dead fleet channel.
"No! Wait! We can negotiate!"
"No negotiation."
Caelus chuckled.
"Enjoy your month-long trip without outside contact. Hope your vacation is paid."
Wisdom of the ancients
"—beep—Maybe he's just faking pity to fool me—beep—"
"It was a temporary worker, we weren't aware, it was an individual action, please don't escalate, the employee involved has been fired."
Faced with the video and audio released by Caelus, the Interstellar Peace Corporation directly employed a classic tactic, stating that they actually maintain an attitude of cooperative coexistence and friendly exchange with the Cosmic Junk Company, and absolutely never used any forceful means.
To be honest, no one expected this move.
The Market Development Department had originally intended to start a team fight and 'develop' Talia using the most economical and rapid means.
But who would have thought the Chairman would look over here?
Of course, it's just a nominal title; whether the Aeon of Preservation acknowledges being the Chairman is another matter.
After all, the Interstellar Peace Corporation's slogan is [All for the Amber Lord]. Now that the Amber Lord has personally gone to the Cosmic Junk Company to promote an Emanator, what else is there to say?
The temporary worker takes full responsibility!
Even if you aren't a temporary worker, you have to be one.
The Market Development Department was careless in its hiring; those below must undergo stricter assessments. To think such a morally corrupt person managed to sneak in. They fired all personnel involved and offered a sincere apology to the Cosmic Junk Company.
Furthermore, the Interstellar Peace Corporation claimed that the actions of the Cosmic Junk Company were also practicing Preservation, unilaterally declaring that the Cosmic Junk Company and the Interstellar Peace Corporation share the same origin.
(What are you trying to say! What are you implying!)
This statement came quickly and officially, with the spirit of 'it's all a misunderstanding' between the lines, and a forced 'we are actually one family' attitude.
At the same time, it was a bit like the left brain fighting the right brain—on one hand saying it was a temporary worker, and on the other saying they had been fired.
Respect, cooperation, apology, learning.
The Interstellar Peace Corporation also launched an 'Employee Care Program,' with luxuriously decorated rest areas... they even filmed a video that seemed to overflow with true emotion.
It wasn't true emotion.
Although these facilities weren't for the employees at all. In reality, the Interstellar Peace Corporation had already begun preparing strategies for headhunting and acquisitions behind the scenes.
"Do they think we're fools?"
"Of course, they treat everyone like fools. Because this rhetoric is enough to fool most of the public who don't know the truth, and it also buys them time to prepare for the next move."
Caelus yawned, seemingly uninterested in the company's performance: "Standard procedure—courtesy before force. If courtesy doesn't work, then they'll resort to underhanded tricks."
"—Beep— Master, the Interstellar Peace Corporation has sent a formal letter of apology. It's mostly empty content, but the important part is that the Interstellar Peace Corporation will, with a sincere attitude, have a Director come and apologize to you—Beep—"
"Director?" Dan Heng frowned slightly.
"After all, if the hard way doesn't work, try the soft way." Caelus stretched and stood up from his chair. "That's fine, it saves us the trouble of acting. Let's see what new tricks they can play."
"Do we need to make any preparations?" Dan Heng asked, looking at Caelus's pocket; his hand using the zydone was already itching for action.
"Preparations? No need, just carry on as usual."
A few days later, a luxurious business ship painted with a gorgeous livery and the Interstellar Peace Corporation's logo flew toward Talia.
The person in charge of this matter was Aventurine, a P45-rank member of the 'Strategic Investment Department' and one of the 'Ten Stonehearts.'
Of course, he also brought many employees and mechs.
"—Beep— Unidentified foreign spacecraft detected, please state your identity—Beep—"
Omikron's electronic voice rang out in Aventurine's ship's communication channel. Meanwhile, an invisible force field quietly enveloped the entire ship, and the engine power was forced down by seventy percent.
The man, as flamboyant as a peacock, straightened his ornate collar and gave an impeccable smile to the communicator: "This is Aventurine, Director of the Strategic Investment Department of the Interstellar Peace Corporation. I have come to visit the head of the 'Cosmic Junk Company' and offer my sincerest apologies for the previous reckless behavior of the Market Development Department."
"—Request received. Please follow the guidance beam and land in the designated area. Warning: Any unauthorized activation of weapon systems or scanning behavior will be considered a hostile act and will result in a devastating strike.—Beep—"
The ship followed a soft blue beam and slowly landed on a piece of leveled ground on planet Terra. The hatch opened, and Aventurine stepped down alone. His heavily armed employees and mechs were strictly ordered to stay on the ship—this was Omikron's requirement.
He looked around, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Unlike the dilapidated trash planet he had imagined, although the architectural style here was rugged and utilized a large amount of recycled materials, it was orderly and full of vitality.
Soon, the person to receive Aventurine arrived.
"Are you from the company?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Alright, then follow me."
Aventurine raised an eyebrow.
Quite the ego.
They're just sending a worker to lead him?
No.
Aventurine narrowed his eyes and recognized the dust-covered face.
"I didn't expect the Chairman of the Cosmic Junk Company to personally come and receive me. I'm truly overwhelmed."
"After all, the Interstellar Peace Corporation's Market Development Department has caused quite a panic for us; everyone's lost their appetite."
Lost their appetite?
Aventurine glanced at several workers at the cafeteria entrance who were devouring their food.
The ones who should have lost their appetite are the Market Development Department.
"You know, in reality, I'm protecting your people by not letting them down. It's hard to guarantee we don't have some hot-headed folks here who might charge at you with engineering machinery, right?"
If it were a zaku, the only ones getting hurt would be Caelus's side.
But Caelus's side has now upgraded everyone's equipment using Screw Star's technology.
So, who would win or lose in a fight... "Do you have any monitors or anything on you?"
"You're asking quite directly."
"Put them away for a bit, how about it?"
Caelus shrugged, then checked Aventurine, removing all cameras and listening devices.
"Now, we can talk about something substantial." Caelus clapped his hands as if just dusting them off. "Follow me, this isn't the place to talk."
"Of course."
"I don't want to hear apologies."
Caelus spread his hands.
This was outside of Aventurine's expectations.
"Oh? Then what would you like to hear?" Aventurine nodded.
"I don't want to hear anything; just follow me and watch." Caelus clasped his hands behind his back and signaled for him to follow. "If you think this place is dirty and aren't willing to come with me, you can go back immediately."
"How could I?" Aventurine smiled.
They passed through the dusty industrial area and arrived at a school.
"There's even a school here?"
"...I built it, a month ago."
To have such a place in a location the company labeled as a trash system... "Literacy, arithmetic, basic scientific knowledge, and necessary survival skills." Caelus didn't look back, his voice calm. "We can't have them only knowing how to scavenge trash for the rest of their lives."
"A month?" Aventurine asked softly.
"The materials were already there; what was missing were people and ideas."
The children's clothes weren't flashy, but they were clean, and their faces didn't have the sallow look of malnutrition, but rather a healthy flush.
However, on planets "evaluated" as worthless by the company, the residents there should all be struggling in despair and numbness.
"This is a place where development has just begun, so the new teaching buildings haven't been finished yet. We can only use these not-so-good-looking ones for now." Caelus glanced at him. "If you don't believe me, you can take a flight and tour all the planets where my company is stationed."
"I've seen it," Aventurine finally spoke, his tone no longer purely polite, carrying a hint of sincere emotion. "It is indeed... impressive. I must admit, there was a serious deviation in our evaluation of this place."
"Deviation?" Caelus smiled. "No, it's that they don't care at all what the people here truly need. What they care about is the ore underground, the shipping lanes in the sky, and how to obtain the maximum profit at the lowest cost."
Aventurine did not object, because this was originally the truth.
"Then, may I ask a question?"
"In what capacity?"
Aventurine looked at Caelus and fell silent for a moment; then, his throat felt a bit dry.
"In my personal capacity."
"Is that so? Then ask."
Caelus nodded, his attitude as if he were treating an old friend, which made Aventurine feel puzzled.
"All this you're doing... what is it for?"
"To ensure the entire universe can have enough to eat."
These words fell on Aventurine's ears with more impact than any grand rhetoric. He carefully examined Caelus's expression, trying to find even a trace of hypocrisy or arrogance from that seemingly casual posture. But he only saw a sense of composure.
"That sounds... like a fairy tale," Aventurine finally said. "Want to make a little bet?"
"A little bet? What kind of bet?"
"I have a gold coin here. If it's Heads up, it means you're lying; if it's tails up, then I've misjudged."
Aventurine said.
"Sure, go ahead and bet."
"Really? When it comes to gambling, I've never lost."
Aventurine gave Caelus a deep look and said no more. He tossed the gold coin gently; it traced a dazzling golden arc in the air, spinning at high speed and emitting a faint hum.
Ding.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to play games; I just wanted to get some insurance."
Aventurine's attitude changed slightly.
If it's truly so... "Sir, I offer you my respect."
He took off his hat and sunglasses.
"Just speak to me with a normal attitude."
Standing on the hillside, Aventurine clenched his palm, looking at the brightly lit buildings, feeling a sense of bitterness.
Why did you come so late... Why wasn't it you who came to Cignus back then?
"I will submit the formal apology and letter of intent for cooperation according to the process. This time it's the attitude of the Strategic Investment Department—at least from my side, it's sincere." Aventurine put his hat and sunglasses back on. That shrewd and capable company Director seemed to have returned, but his tone was completely different from before. "As for the Market Development Department... they won't easily give up the profits of Talia, especially now that the Amber Lord's gaze has fallen here."
"I know." Caelus also stood up. "Thank you for being able to speak 'normally'."
Aventurine smiled, this time with a touch of genuine meaning: "I'm the one who should say thank you."
"Right now, I really want to deal with someone."
Caelus said, rubbing his chin.
"Who?"
Aventurine raised an eyebrow.
"Someone from your Interstellar Peace Corporation."
"Oh? Which one... is so worthy of your attention?"
"It's not exactly attention; I'll just find a time to deal with him later."
Caelus shook his Head and replied.
"Perhaps I can help?"
"Your level isn't quite high enough. The person I want to deal with is Oswald Schneider."
P47, Head of the Interstellar Peace Corporation's Market Development Department, Oswald Schneider.
"I'm not at all surprised that you've set your sights on him. But I must remind you that he is a truly powerful figure, a candidate for the Board of Directors."
"I said I'm going to deal with him, and I mean kill him. Isn't that clear enough? Or rather, do you dare to bet that I can make Oswald Schneider, on some future day... be killed cleanly and senselessly from behind by a stray bullet fired by the very kind of person he despises most?"
Aventurine did not refuse, but smiled instead.
What a coincidence.
He just happened to have... a blood feud with Oswald Schneider.
"What's the wager?" Aventurine finally spoke, his voice a bit raspy.
"A wager? This isn't a gamble; it's a prophecy." Caelus replied flatly. "What I say is the future."
Aventurine looked at Caelus.
A prophecy?
"Of course, as long as I am as good as my word, then it is a prophecy."
"...So that's how it is."
He had thought this man was a follower of Terminus.
"However, wouldn't calling it a... 'declaration' be more appropriate?"
Aventurine's voice was very soft, carrying a deliberately suppressed calmness, as if discussing a trivial matter unrelated to himself. But Caelus could feel that the temperature of the surrounding air seemed to drop a few degrees because of these words.
"Call it whatever you like." Caelus shrugged indifferently. "'Prophecy', 'declaration'... or simply call it 'a plan that will eventually be realized'. The important thing is, the result won't change."
"Can I ask... why him?" He finally spoke again, his voice returning to its usual tone, but upon closer listening, there was still a trace of undetectable tension. "As far as I know, he and you, and this place, don't seem to have a direct conflict of interest to the point where you need to personally 'declare' his end."
"Because I love humanity. Therefore, he must disappear in the future."
"Do you really like humanity that much? Or rather, the humanity you love... who exactly does it include?"
"The ugly, the beautiful, the cunning, the honest... all of them together, even those hard to describe in words, are humanity." Caelus looked into Aventurine's very beautiful eyes. "If they consider themselves human, are willing to integrate into the human collective, and identify with the concepts of unity and peaceful coexistence, they are humanity."
"Conversely, they are the enemy." Aventurine nodded slowly. "Your ambition is even greater than I thought; you want to sever the roots of the Interstellar Peace Corporation."
"No, I just want to plant a new tree." Caelus looked toward the school being built in the distance; the lights looked exceptionally warm in the night.
Aventurine fell silent.
He thought of the yellow sands of Cignus, and the way his kin struggled to survive.
If there had been such a "tree" back then... He sighed softly and spoke.
"You... came too late."
"No, if we start from now, it's never too late."