"Whoa—"
The Astral Express and the power of Trailblaze caused a stir throughout the Starsea Empire.
Many people had already begun imagining themselves riding the Astral Express and expanding the Starsea Empire's territory across the countless universes.
The ability to explore multiple universes simultaneously made the gains from this expedition more than worthwhile all on its own.
"I can share the Imaginary energy of Trailblaze with you. Each time you arrive in a new world, the Path and power of Trailblaze will spread into that universe as well.
"If anyone performs exceptionally well, I'll consider elevating her to become my Emanator."
Setsuna tapped lightly.
Whoosh—
Imaginary energy spread throughout the Starsea Empire.
"Whoa!"
Ordinary girls like Kanae and Akame grew even more eager to try.
At present, Himeko was the only Emanator of Trailblaze. Being personally granted power by the Commander would be the highest possible honor.
"Wait, Commander. After leaving that universe, you weren't affected at all?!"
The Herta suddenly remembered something and stared at Setsuna in shock.
"You still possess control over the Path of Trailblaze? And you can even spread it to other worlds?"
"How... did you do that?"
Previously, after Aha was thrown into the Warhammer universe, the Path of Elation had immediately become masterless.
According to Herta and Ruan Mei's calculations, although Aha still possessed tremendous power in another universe, They would certainly be somewhat weaker than They had been in the Star Rail universe.
By the same reasoning, the other Aeons would be in similar circumstances.
Suppose Setsuna had nothing better to do and stuffed Equilibrium, Destruction, The Hunt, Nihility, and all the other Aeons into the Astral Express, then threw Them into other universes just as he had done with Aha. Their connections to Their Paths would also be severed.
The Star Rail universe would instantly gain a whole collection of masterless Paths.
The barriers between different universes were extraordinarily sturdy. Without relying on the Starsea Empire's technology, even Aeons could not freely travel through them.
Yet Setsuna himself had not been affected. Both Herta and Himeko could still sense the power of the Path of Trailblaze within the Starsea Empire.
"I told you before that I control the Path of Trailblaze, but strictly speaking, I am not an Aeon. More precisely, the Path of Trailblaze has become part of me."
Setsuna smiled.
"Wherever I am, Trailblaze is there. As the Astral Express travels through the myriad worlds, the power of Trailblaze will extend from me into the countless universes."
"Oh, the Path of Elation is actually with me too, though I don't use it much."
Gasp—
The girls found the explanation rather difficult to follow. The Herta was dazed at first, then became utterly overwhelmed with shock.
"Wherever you are, Trailblaze is there?..."
"...No wonder you insisted on devouring and dominating the power of the Paths. I understand now."
She realized that Setsuna had become an existence even greater and more wondrous than an Aeon.
"Commander, I have many experiments I'd like to conduct. I hope you will assist me..."
"We'll talk when I have time."
Setsuna waved his hand. Seeing that it was already getting late, he summoned the royal maid.
"All right, then. Belfast, arrange accommodations for our new guests, then show them around the Starsea Empire."
"As for the younger ones, send them to school for now."
"Understood."
Belfast nodded.
She gracefully beckoned to the newly arrived girls.
"Everyone, please follow me."
"Commander, there's still one more thing~"
Taihou gently swirled her wineglass, gazing at him with seductive eyes.
"Whether it's sending squads to explore other worlds or conducting research, those are all tasks for the future."
"You spent so long on this expedition. To celebrate your triumphant return, shouldn't we do something else?"
"...After all, I and all the sisters stationed here in the capital have been waiting for you for a very long time~"
"Holy shit."
Setsuna marveled that Taihou truly was Taihou. She had already taken the initiative to invite him to an orgy.
A true Commander feared no challenge! Besides, this was a traditional event after every expedition.
Even if she hadn't mentioned it, he would certainly have arranged one.
"Sure. Everyone can take a vacation together. We'll hold it in Pocket Universe No. 12. Anyone who wants to come is welcome."
"Mm."
The shipgirls, Spirits, and the other girls immediately understood.
Some of the girls stationed in the capital who had not seen Setsuna much lately grew slightly excited and bashful, faint blushes coloring their cheeks.
"???"
"What are they planning to do?!"
Newcomers from the Star Rail world like Fu Xuan and Topaz had no idea what was happening.
They assumed it was merely a routine vacation and chance to relax after the expedition, but why was the atmosphere so strange?
And why did they need to go to a pocket universe?!
They had read some information about them. It was a spatial construction technology similar to the Xianzhou's Delves, only far larger, with most reaching the scale of entire star systems.
The time curvature between a pocket universe and the greater universe could also be adjusted at will, altering the passage of time within it.
"This is a special tradition of the Starsea Empire."
Gudako answered with a perfectly serious expression.
"You can think of it as everyone gathering with the Commander and engaging in deeply intimate exchanges through time-distortion technology, thereby strengthening our bonds with one another."
As she spoke, she also waved to Tingyun, Firefly, and Sparkle.
"You absolutely have to come!"
"Huh?"
Gudako's explanation left Topaz completely confused. She pondered it seriously for a moment.
"Deeply intimate exchanges? Strengthening our bonds?..."
"Mm, is it some kind of team-building activity meant to help everyone understand one another? If everyone gathers together, it would certainly make it easier and more efficient for us to become acquainted..."
"Can I participate?"
She assumed it was probably a small gathering like a symposium or salon. It sounded rather nice.
She had only just arrived and urgently needed to become better acquainted with the other members of the Starsea Empire and fit in with them.
"I intend to study everything the Commander does and remain by his side at all times."
The Herta declared her determination, and Ruan Mei nodded.
"The memories gathered in the Starsea Empire are extremely important. I won't overlook a single detail involving the Commander."
Black Swan also indicated that she wished to join them.
"???"
"I don't think the Commander would agree to you uploading those memories to Fuli..."
[0 Flowers Requested 0]
Gudako gave the newcomers a strange look.
Everyone is coming to an orgy. What are you people planning to do? Conduct research? Give work reports? Learn from experience?!
"Commander, what do you think?"
"Come along. Everyone is welcome."
...
...
Hum—
As they passed into the pocket universe, everyone experienced the faint illusion of spacetime distortion.
Then they found themselves in a new world.
This was a pocket universe designed specifically for vacations. It was not particularly large, only planetary in scale, but its internal environment had been crafted with exquisite care.
Not a single cloud marred the crystal-clear sky, and sunlight fell evenly across the beach.
Looking into the distance, they saw an endless ocean and a beautiful coastal city.
The scent of the sea breeze filled the air. Simply standing there was enough to leave them feeling refreshed and carefree.
"Ah, if a resort were built here, it might become a tourist city even more prosperous than Penacony."
Topaz nearly slipped back into her professional habits.
This was merely the Commander's private garden, yet it was already far superior to any world she had ever seen before.
Swish—
Setsuna tapped the holographic interface several times, altering the passage of time within the pocket universe.
"Everyone, you're free to do as you please!"
"Woooooo—"
Those who had come included members of his harem, as well as several little girls and young shipgirls.
They usually studied and trained in the capital, and their greatest hope was always that the Commander would grant them a long vacation upon returning triumphantly from an expedition.
They immediately scattered in every direction in search of entertainment.
A group of shipgirls, Heroic Spirits, and Spirits gathered around him, openly issuing invitations.
"Commander, Commander, spend time with me first..."
"Umu! Master, come tell me about what you encountered in that universe. I have been terribly bored lately..."
"Would you like to sit with Illustrious for a while? Formidable and Victorious have missed the Commander very much as well..."
Setsuna was surrounded once again, drowning amid a sea of snowy-white peaks.
"Huh?!"
The innocent Firefly had never witnessed such a scene before and could only stare in stunned disbelief.
"I-I remember asking the Commander how many girlfriends he had. He said there were too many to count, but I thought he was joking..."
"He really can't count them all?!"
She began counting on her fingers.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven... Ah!—"
The shipgirls who had come along were already beyond counting. Setsuna had long since maxed out their affection, and a single walk through the port district could earn him at least a three-digit number of date invitations.
Ordinary humans, Spirits, Heroic Spirits, horse girls, and members of every other race had gathered together. The air itself seemed filled with pink hearts.
"Ugh..."
Firefly watched Setsuna disappear beneath the crowd of girls, completely at a loss.
"Silver Wolf, Kafka, save me! They're going to steal the Commander away!"
"...Uh, have you ever heard the saying that if you can't beat them, join them?"
...
Entering a pocket universe for the first time, the newcomers from the Star Rail world were utterly bewildered.
They had barely even toured the Starsea Empire's capital before inexplicably stumbling into the Commander's party domain.
"So what are we supposed to do now?"
March 7th gazed at Setsuna in the distance, surrounded by girls attending to his every need, then looked at Himeko in confusion.
"Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?!"
"Every time we return from an expedition, we use time-manipulation technology to take a vacation."
Grey earnestly explained the Starsea Empire's fine traditions to the newcomers.
"At first, we did it aboard the Eternal Party—no, the Eternal Snowfall. Later, after the Commander obtained a Herrscher's authority, we upgraded to the Theater of Domination."
"Now we've upgraded to a pocket universe. Mm, I suppose this counts as the ultimate form?..."
"Huh?"
The Astral Express crew, the natives of Belobog, Herta, Topaz, and the others were left dumbfounded.
From interstellar gossip, they knew that some dignitaries enjoyed keeping lovers. Buying several mansions or reserving an entire district was nothing unusual.
But using an entire universe for pleasure was still rather outrageous. As expected of the Commander of the Starsea Empire—he certainly did things on a grand scale.
"So this is the Commander's harem entertainment district?"
The Herta summarized succinctly.
"That's an extremely accurate summary. Excellent logical reasoning."
Grey gave her a thumbs-up.
"Because so many people follow the Commander, it's difficult for him to attend to everyone while in the capital, so he came up with this ingenious solution."
"Even inside the pocket universe, he can use spacetime-distortion abilities again to create enough time to accompany everyone."
"You're free to do whatever you want here. This place was built to the standards of a resort planet, so any recreational activity you can imagine can be found here."
"Oh, but if you want to go on a date with the Commander, you'll need to make a reservation and wait in line. The shipgirls have already filled his schedule through the twentieth of next month."
As she spoke, Grey transmitted a map to them through the holographic interface.
Even here, Setsuna's daily itinerary was packed to the brim, with every small group scrambling to invite him.
"..."
Herta discovered that Setsuna's accomplishments in certain fields far surpassed those of the Genius Society. She could only admit defeat.
"Uh... go on a date with the Sacrosanct?"
Bronya, Seele, Topaz, and the other newcomers found the whole thing rather inconceivable.
Fu Xuan felt it most strongly. In the eyes of the Xianzhou people, Setsuna was the supreme Sacrosanct. Even speaking to him required them to look up and carefully weigh every word.
Now she was being told that Setsuna had brought a huge group of girls into this world to indulge in pleasure. The Master Diviner felt as though her worldview had shattered into pieces with a loud crack.
"No one ever said gods must stand aloof above everyone else, devoid of all emotions and desires, right?"
"Look, Nyarko spends every day holed up at home playing games. Don't be so serious, Master Diviner. How about I take you to experience it?"
As she spoke, Grey patted Fu Xuan on the shoulder.
"Experience it? This seat, with the Sacrosanct?!..."
Fu Xuan was too shocked to speak properly.
After pondering briefly, Ruan Mei responded without hesitation.
"Is this a form of collective interaction and reproductive behavior between the Commander and other species?"
"I... would like to observe."
...
Meanwhile.
Inside a luxurious suite.
A movie imported by the Starsea Empire from another world was playing on the screen. Its holographic effects were incredibly lifelike, and the sound was even more breathtaking.
In front of the screen, Setsuna had a girl in each arm, holding Firefly with one hand and Jeanne Alter with the other, while plenty of other girls crowded against him nearby.
An orgy did not necessarily have to proceed straight to the main event. Companionship was also an important part of it.
After accompanying them shopping, watching a movie, and having a meal, the things they enjoyed could naturally follow.
"Mm, the capital is still the best."
Setsuna opened his mouth and accepted the grape Firefly fed him. At the same time, he slipped his hand farther inside, feeling something smooth and soft.
"Commander! I'm watching the movie!"
Firefly pretended to be angry and scolded him coquettishly.
"My, the Commander only knows how to bully innocent new girls~"
Elysia pinched Setsuna's cheeks from behind, only for him to pull her into his arms.
"Then should I bully you too?"
"No!~ You shameless flirt~"
Ely struggled playfully in his embrace.
"I'll take special care of you later. You too, Sparkle."
Setsuna snorted. One was a brat, while the other always loved teasing him. Both were priority targets during the orgy.
"Eek—"
Sparkle trembled, while despite her blushing face, Ely felt a trace of anticipation.
Does this mean I still hold a somewhat special place in Setsuna's heart? Although that place seems a little strange.
"Um? Commander, aren't there a little too many people here?..."
Firefly asked softly.
"Too many? Do you have some misunderstanding about Aeons and the One True God?"
"In the past, even Origami, Tohka, and Mayuri working together could only end up sprawled out and apologize for failing to satisfy the Commander, you know?"
Gudako snorted.
"I was planning to call even more people over."
"Huh? But before?..."
"Your first time? The Commander was taking care of you."
"Ugh..."
Firefly instantly turned red from head to toe. It turned out she had been under beginner protection all along.
"Then, Commander, I'll do my best..."
"Pfft—"
Finding her adorable, Setsuna could not resist bullying Firefly a little more.
Seeing that the time was about right and the mood had been properly set, he was preparing to move elsewhere and get to the main event.
Suddenly.
Knock, knock, knock—
"Commander, someone requests an audience."
An Angeloid's voice came from outside.
A beautiful woman with long black hair, dressed in a close-fitting cyan qipao, appeared before them...
"Commander."
Ruan Mei greeted Setsuna.
"?"
"You want to join too?"
Setsuna was somewhat confused. Tingyun and Firefly also looked at her in surprise.
This research fanatic was exceptionally indifferent toward human emotions. It would not have been strange for her to remain inside the Starsea Empire's Research Department or laboratory for months without stepping outside.
It was difficult to imagine Ruan Mei approaching Setsuna of her own accord, especially under these circumstances.
"Yes. Everyone's emotions are highly stimulated, and their dopamine secretion exceeds the average level observed under normal conditions."
"This positive emotion appears to be something that can be called love, though it may also be a physiological response based on instinctive impulses."
Ruan Mei swept her gaze across the girls beside Setsuna.
"You are all extremely healthy and currently experiencing reproductive urges. However, I lack sufficient data on the relevant species and cannot predict the results of reproduction between you and the Commander."
"???"
Her academic discourse left everyone dizzy with confusion.
"Did you come here to lecture us on a research paper?"
Jeanne Alter stared at her with question marks practically floating over her head.
"No."
Ruan Mei stepped forward and observed Setsuna.
"Commander, your characteristics as a research subject are unique. I hope to understand an otherworldly life-form such as you, whose existence closely resembles that of an Aeon."
"Your interactions and reproductive behavior with other species are particularly valuable research material. I hope to remain by your side and collect data."
"Huh?"
"Are you here to pick a fight?"
Jeanne Alter frowned. No matter how she looked at it, Ruan Mei's chosen subject was something of a mood killer.
She intends to study the relationship between the Commander and us? Is that something she should be researching?!
Setsuna sighed and looked at Ruan Mei.
"You've made some progress, but not much."
When they first met, Ruan Mei had wanted to use him as an experimental specimen and immediately started touching him without permission.
She had improved somewhat. At least she now knew to submit an application before conducting an experiment, and she had not casually treated the other members of the Starsea Empire as test subjects.
However, she still cared only about her experiments. Her emotional intelligence and humanity remained effectively nonexistent.
"Is that so? You reminded me that I must obey the Starsea Empire's rules, so I simply complied."
Ruan Mei remained noncommittal.
Setsuna had told her she could not capture people for experiments at random. To avoid inviting trouble, Ruan Mei obeyed, but she still tirelessly attempted to study Setsuna.
Setsuna was an Aeon, the ultimate life-form she had always dreamed of, containing endless mysteries concerning the nature of life.
"Tsk..."
Setsuna had originally planned to simply send Ruan Mei off to the Research Department, but then he suddenly remembered someone's earlier theory.
Since Ruan Mei was mentally impervious to reason, the only way to make her somewhat more normal was to physically inject her with humanity.
"Fine. Come with me."