The upper echelons of the Xianzhou Alliance were startled by the topic of Aeons.
They wanted to ask more, but seeing that Setsuna had no intention of explaining further, they could only let it drop.
"Then, if the Sacrosanct does not mind, during your stay on the Xianzhou, this humble one will be responsible for receiving and accompanying you."
After the formal welcoming ceremony and banquet concluded.
Tingyun gave Setsuna a respectful bow.
Aside from this smooth and tactful foxian girl, most people felt their legs tremble slightly in his presence. Fu Xuan and Yukong held high positions, but when it came to dealing with people, neither could compare to Tingyun.
This important task naturally fell upon her once again.
"Oh?"
Setsuna felt that having a considerate fox girl accompany him was not a bad arrangement.
In theory, the highest-ranking figure here was the Luofu General. In practice, however, Tingyun was far easier on the eyes.
"Does the Sacrosanct have any further plans? If you wish to tour the Starskiff Haven, the Exalting Sanctum, or other Delves, this humble one may serve as your guide."
"The Marshal of the Xianzhou has already notified the Alliance's various flagships. Should the Sacrosanct wish to visit any of the other ships, this humble one can also make the necessary arrangements."
Tingyun asked.
"Mm... let's first go take a look at the garrison."
Setsuna thought for a moment. There were still proper matters to handle in this universe.
Of course, aside from dealing with the Aeons, there was another obvious reason:
The advance forces and vanguard fleet had recruited quite a number of girls in the name of the Starsea Empire, and he had yet to meet a single one of them.
"Tch, I knew it. Your purpose in coming here isn't pure at all."
Gudako smacked her lips behind him.
"No, it's very pure. Deal with the Aeons and bring people back. Just those two things."
Setsuna replied succinctly.
"Heh, Commander, your honesty moves me to tears."
With Cloud Knights clearing the way ahead and separating the bustling Xianzhou citizens and outsiders who had gathered to watch, the group boarded a Starskiff and descended into the Starsea Empire's Delve.
After a period of development, the place had already grown rather prosperous. Bulins and Angeloids could be seen coming and going everywhere.
Upon seeing Setsuna, they froze for a moment—then instantly erupted into commotion.
"The Commander came to see us, burin!!"
"Eh?!—"
The girls chattered excitedly as they crowded forward.
Kafka, Silver Wolf, and Herta had no idea what was happening. They only saw the crowd surging ahead and thought some major event had occurred, or that the Xianzhou's high officials had arrived.
"Oh, the Commander is more important!"
A Herta puppet casually tossed aside the little gray-haired girl she had been experimenting on and squeezed into the crowd in a flash.
"Stay here and don't move."
"Hey!! Experimental subjects have rights too!"
Stelle scrambled to her feet and hurried after them, standing on tiptoe within the crowd just to catch a glimpse of the rumored "Commander."
In only a few minutes, a large group had packed tightly in front of Setsuna.
He had the odd sensation of a national leader visiting an expeditionary force and receiving a rapturous welcome.
For the expeditionary team, nothing was more inspiring or exhilarating than the Commander arriving in person.
"Commander! Mom!"
Kiana was the first to pounce forward, rubbing herself against Setsuna and Cecilia.
"Commander~ did you also come here for a vacation~"
Another pink figure followed closely behind, flashing past his vision.
Elysia gave Setsuna a hug and poked his cheek for good measure.
"Ah, we only just confirmed our relationship not long ago, and you already exiled me to this universe and assigned me all sorts of strange tasks."
"Are you dating other girls in the capital behind my back~"
"No. I've always been open and aboveboard."
Setsuna answered truthfully.
"Hey!"
Elysia laughed in exasperation and pinched him.
Pfft—
After teasing the white-haired dumpling and Elysia for a bit, Setsuna turned toward Kafka, Silver Wolf, Asta, Herta, and the others.
This was their first meeting.
"Then, as you can see, I am the ruler of the Starsea Empire. You may address me as Commander."
"You should already know something about the Starsea Empire. I'm pleased to meet you here."
"Oh..."
Herta paused.
"You're even younger than I imagined. I thought the leader of a super-civilization would be older?"
"Your actual age probably isn't as young as your puppet looks either..."
Silver Wolf muttered at the side.
"..."
Herta narrowed her eyes and looked over, making Silver Wolf feel a chill.
"I'll be staying on the Xianzhou for a while to handle matters here."
"If any of you have questions, things you wish to know, or matters regarding the Starsea Empire, you may come to me."
Setsuna continued.
At present, a considerable number of people had coincidentally gathered near the Xianzhou. Eresh's Underworld was also located here.
While planning the Path and the matter of ascending to Aeonhood together with the little gray-haired girl, he could conveniently meet them as well.
"Oh..."
There was a brief moment of silence.
Then everyone stepped forward almost simultaneously.
"Commander, can you accompany me in research? Research you, please."
"Regarding the Herta Space Station, I have some questions I'd like to consult you about..."
"Can I take a photo with you?"
As expected, everyone had a long list of questions and matters they wanted his help with.
From Herta, eager to begin experiments, to Kafka standing not far away with a meaningful gaze, all of them wanted to learn more about this Commander of the Starsea Empire.
Even Phantylia, confined within her cell, drifted restlessly inside, gazing toward the distant commotion.
"One moment. No need to rush. One at a time."
Setsuna raised a hand. The noisy crowd immediately settled down.
They automatically parted to make way for him.
Within the garrison, the Bulins had already constructed a grand administrative center, which conveniently served as a temporary foothold here.
Whoosh—
Setsuna checked the personnel roster on the holographic interface.
For various reasons, those stranded here included two from the Herta Space Station, members of the Astral Express, and the Stellaron Hunters who had originally planned to cause trouble at the space station.
There was also Phantylia, who had failed to assassinate Tingyun, as well as the newly born Stellaron spirit.
It could be said that everyone connected to the Herta Space Station storyline had gathered here.
Topaz, Jade, and other IPC employees were still at Pier Point, receiving education from the Northern Parliament shipgirls.
"Quite a few spectators indeed. This makes things easier."
He beckoned.
First, he called over the two Astral Express crews.
"Commander."
Himeko and March 7th greeted him.
The Xianzhou was not on the Astral Express' original route. After the turmoil at the Herta Space Station, both Asta and Herta had come over, so they had no choice but to follow.
"I've heard about you from Kiana. Mm... to have met together at the space station, that's quite the fate."
Setsuna smiled.
Due to changes in the Honkai timeline, the members of the Astral Express had also changed.
As early as the First Honkai, the core of the Herrscher of Reason had been taken away. Naturally, Welt would most likely have lived as an ordinary person on Earth.
"I checked the Interastral Peace Corporation's employee roster. Dan Heng previously worked for the company and now seems to be operating in some star region?"
The little gray-haired girl transmitted the information.
"Perhaps with the crew changed, the journey changed as well?"
"In any case, that's not important."
Setsuna looked at Himeko and March 7th.
"Previously, Himeko—ah, Murata Himeko—invited you to join the Starsea Empire. What are your thoughts?"
The two Himekos shared similar interests and had grown quite close in a short time. She was not overly afraid of him.
After thinking for a moment.
"When I have the time, I would like to visit the Starsea Empire. It is a world even the Aeon of Trailblaze, Akivili, never reached."
"However... we still have unfinished journeys here. I'd like to see more of this side's worlds first."
"That's fine."
Setsuna nodded.
"In that case, your two Astral Express trains can travel together. If you encounter problems you can't solve, call for support."
"Thank you very much."
Himeko bowed slightly in gratitude, and March 7th hurriedly bowed as well.
One major issue the Astral Express currently faced was insufficient combat power and security.
Coincidentally, they had previously witnessed the combat strength of Kiana's train crew. Not only were there several powerful Valkyries, but also thousands of Angeloids.
More importantly, they could call reinforcements.
Traveling together would not only make the journey livelier but also provide a solid backing.
"Yay!"
The white-haired dumpling was delighted to have two new companions for the journey.
She could not stay put like Herta conducting research here. She still wanted to travel around and have fun.
"What are your next travel plans?"
Setsuna asked casually.
"Here."
Himeko marked a location on the star map.
Setsuna glanced at it. Mm. The standard answer—passing by Jarilo-VI.
"That works. Do your best. Bronya, you'll be meeting an old acquaintance again."
...
The two train crews were merged into a single team.
Under the leadership of the two Himekos, they immediately began intensively researching their upcoming itinerary.
They even launched a heated debate over which Astral Express they should ride.
"This Astral Express is the orthodox one of Trailblaze."
"Your train's technology is a bit outdated. Not only does it require energy resupply, its armaments are insufficient. We carry a large number of combat angels and even have a warp engine..."
"But the original train does have many interesting things onboard..."
The two Himekos circled the two Astral Express trains for quite some time, studying them carefully.
In the end, they felt it might be better either to refit the original train—or simply ride the one Vill-V had built.
When in doubt, Murata Himeko decisively called for backup.
"Bulins, come help!!!"
"burin!"
"See if you can modify this Astral Express. We've got too many people, and it doesn't look very safe."
She summoned a Bulin foreman.
"Mm, modifying an Astral Express is very difficult. It took me a long time just to repair it."
The Astral Express' Himeko reminded her.
"It's fine. If there's anything you want changed, just call the Bulins."
Murata Himeko had absolute confidence in them.
A group of Bulins boarded the Astral Express and began inspecting it everywhere.
"burin? This is something new? Let Bulin take a look, burin!"
"Huh?!"
A certain long-eared rabbit-like creature who had always stayed aboard the Astral Express, dressed in a uniform and wearing a tall hat, was utterly shocked.
They stared blankly as a swarm of identical-looking Bulins rushed in carrying wrenches and hammers.
"What is this?! Are you trying to dismantle the Astral Express, pa?!"
"Help, pa!!!"
...
After settling the train crew.
Setsuna received the two Stellaron Hunters.
Kafka still wore her white shirt paired with a black cloak-style shawl jacket, black tight pants, and pale violet stockings.
Ordinary people would find that color combination difficult to pull off, yet on her it appeared perfectly balanced, just right in highlighting her elegance and mystery.
"Commander, hello. I'm Kafka. This is Silver Wolf."
Kafka still carried a faint smile.
Under the effect of her cosmetic lenses, there was no highlight in her eyes. She studied Setsuna for a moment.
As always, she could not see through him. Most people of the Starsea Empire gave off a profound, unfathomable aura, impossible to measure by the standards of this universe.
"You were captured for inducing the Antimatter Legion to attack the Herta Space Station."
"Mm, I suppose I should thank you for your magnanimity?"
She had originally intended to test him.
The words "Listen to me" nearly reached her lips before she gave up.
It had not worked on the little gray-haired girl, and against someone capable of disturbing the future itself, it likely would not work either.
"You were acting according to the script. It's normal that you weren't aware of the new developments here."
"I simply want to remind you that from now on, you must abide by the Starsea Empire's rules. I know you and Silver Wolf aren't exactly rule-followers, but don't go too far."
Setsuna smiled.
"Elio said that the future of this universe can no longer be predicted. His script has lost its effect, and the reason is that you are here."
"Commander, can you tell me what the future will become? The future of the universe—and my future?"
Kafka asked directly.
"If you want to know, then witness it yourself."
Setsuna opened the holographic interface and glanced at it.
"I roughly know about you and Elio. He said that if things continued according to the possibilities he foresaw, you and Stelle would change each other's destinies."
"You want to change yourself, which is why you followed his instructions. In that case... why not try a different script?"
Kafka had grown up on a planet polluted by a Stellaron. The humans who matured there did not know fear.
And when a person cannot feel fear, they are ruled by desire and pleasure, eventually becoming demons. Kafka wanted to change herself, which was why she agreed to join the Stellaron Hunters.
"Oh?"
Kafka suddenly found herself genuinely interested in Setsuna.
She had never spoken of her past to anyone in the Starsea Empire, yet he seemed to know her thoroughly.
She stepped a little closer and tilted her head up to look at the man before her.
"You certainly know a lot. Do you also possess the ability to foresee the future, like Elio?"
"No, I don't."
Setsuna shook his head.
"But I can shape the future into what I want it to be."
"Follow my command, and I'll arrange a new script for you—one guaranteed to be far more interesting than the original. As for changing yourself... that isn't difficult."
"Oh... are you certain?"
"I have neither the intention nor the need to deceive you."
"...Interesting."
She drew out the word and pondered for a moment.
"Then what task do you intend to assign me?"
"For example, at 9:42 tomorrow morning, arrive at a certain space station in a certain star system and stand an aluminum can upright on a trash bin to alter the trajectory of someone—or something?"
Pfft—
Setsuna laughed.
"Please. I'm not a mystic charlatan, nor a slave to destiny. The Starsea Empire's objectives are usually very clear."
"Investigate something. Eliminate someone, a nation, a planet, or a civilization. As long as the objective is completed, the method doesn't matter."
Compared to Elio's meticulously crafted plans, Setsuna preferred to achieve goals directly through strength and capability.
"That does sound much simpler. Compared to Elio's script, I might like yours better."
Kafka smiled and agreed readily.
"Very well. I accept. Let me see the future written in your script."
"Huh?!"
Silver Wolf clearly had not expected Kafka to accept the invitation so quickly.
"Wait, Kafka. Isn't this a bit too fast?"
"Is it?"
Kafka seemed unconcerned.
"Elio's final words were for us to act according to our own free will."
"Since his script no longer functions, I thought... I'd take a look at another one."
"Or do you have something else you'd rather do?"
"Uh..."
Silver Wolf scratched her head.
After Elio lost his ability to foresee the future, the Stellaron Hunters' activities had essentially stalled. She truly had nothing left to do.
In the worlds and planets she had previously cleared—Mount Scrap, Neon City, Punklorde—they were all already beaten.
The Stellaron Hunters' game had been forcibly interrupted midway.
"Want to start a new dungeon?"
"Eh?!"
Setsuna stood up and ruffled Silver Wolf's hair. She let out a muffled protest while clutching her head.
"The Starsea Empire is far more interesting than this universe. A high-freedom open-world game."
"And it regularly updates with expansions from other universes. As long as I exist, the game will keep receiving updates."
"Huh?"
Silver Wolf froze, blinking as she processed his meaning.
The Starsea Empire's homeland was practically a utopian system. She had seen that in the data.
More importantly, it continuously expanded, exploring new worlds—essentially unlocking new instances.
The freshness of gameplay could be maintained indefinitely, and in different universes, entirely different experiences awaited.
"Is there a subscription fee?"
Silver Wolf asked.
"The Information Technology Department could use you. You might share common topics with Sophon, the little gray-haired girl, and Daedalus."
"Of course, if you just want to slack off and play games, that's fine too. Extremely high freedom."
Setsuna replied.
Pop—
The gray-haired girl pondered for a moment, then blew a bubble.
With a swift motion, she dismissed the holographic interface before her.
"A free open-world game, plus a cheat ability, regular updates, new maps..."
"The future looks bright! Fine, I'll switch servers."
She modified her profile, changing her affiliation from Punklorde—Stellaron Hunter to Starsea Empire.
In a sense, inter-universal migration was no different from switching servers.
"...Huh?"
Gudako stared, dumbfounded.
After just one meeting, the two Stellaron Hunters and members of the Astral Express had so decisively joined them. The efficiency was outrageous.
"Are you some kind of succubus?! How long has it even been? You've already lured four girls in!"
"That's called building momentum before striking."
Setsuna reviewed the roster. The number of girls here was astonishing, and there were still several he had yet to meet.
"Ah, good thing I arrived aboard the Eternal Snowfall. The Theater of Domination is also available."
"?"
"What do you take it for? A mobile silver party base? A party truck?!"
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