"Where is this place?"
Standing on unfamiliar, reddish earth, any living being would feel a sense of unease.
"The fourth planet of the solar system."
Ana, walking past Raiden Makoto, answered her question softly.
Under the shroud of an unknown "film," all intelligent life from the continent of Teyvat had been transported to this planet, only 55 million kilometers from Earth at its closest point.
"Until the new planet is constructed, this will be your temporary residence."
Mars, the Empire's logistical containment base—some of the few "aquatic" lifeforms rescued from the Quantum Sea were usually "boarded" here.
Of course, for a civilization numbering in the hundreds of millions, the space here was still somewhat cramped. After all, the vast majority of them could not survive on Imaginary energy alone like the residents of the Empire.
"To put it bluntly, it's just a cage to hold us."
As a member of the losing side, Asmoday lacked the courage to face the Monarch directly, but she could still offer a few sarcastic remarks.
"No."
"The Empire may keep some civilizational samples, but we are not in the habit of taking prisoners. Join or perish. It's a very simple choice."
Rin refuted Asmoday's statement.
---o---
"Seven days… Is the flow of time in the 'Empire' vastly different from that of Teyvat?"
Morax surveyed his surroundings before turning to Chen Tianwu, who was following beside him.
"The difference is not great. The planets' rotation periods are fundamentally the same. In fact, Teyvat and Earth are parallel worlds—counterparts only appear in parallel worlds. After being fished out of the Sea, the false sun and moon continued to maintain their 'original' cycles."
As mentioned before, Teyvat was located in a rather remote position. The star of its solar system couldn't even be used as a normal energy source. The "sky" was a complete fabrication, and the elemental power required for all life to grow came from the Ley Lines.
"Incredible."
Reddish sand and stone slowly gathered in Morax's hand.
"The concentration of 'Geo' elemental power here is quite astonishing."
"But, my Lord," said Menogias, one of the Five Yakshas beside Morax, who was also proficient in the Geo element. "This concentration is so high… that it is difficult for us to use."
Here, he couldn't control the sand beneath his feet at all. As one of the five strongest Yakshas, Menogias's strength was already considered top-tier among the adepti of Liyue.
"Not to worry," Chen Tianwu responded with a smile. As a logistics base, the fourth planet had an ultra-large supply station built specifically for the Star-Forging Legion. And though it appeared desolate, there were actually a number of city clusters on the far side of the planet. Chen Tianwu could very well be considered one of the hosts here.
"Regarding the conversion of 'lower-tier energy' like elemental power into Imaginary energy, the Ninety-Nine Chambers have a specialized agency responsible for this. The Empire has a wealth of experience in this area."
Just as Chen Tianwu was about to continue his introduction to the fourth planet—
"The idle chat ends here."
Rin's gaze shifted to the starry sky above.
Although the Monarch's order was for her to wake the other party, the "target" was one of the few Apostles who didn't require sleep.
A pale blue radiance intertwined into lines. The flowing threads rapidly constructed a behemoth that blotted out the night sky. If not for having previously witnessed the Monarch's descent, the ridiculously large giant robot now appearing above would have absolutely made a great many jaws drop.
This was—
The Ninth Apostle, Haxxor Bunny.
---o---
"His Majesty has returned."
Silently, the "diamond-gold sphere" appeared a short distance above Haxxor Bunny. However, compared to before, its size was much smaller this time.
Without a doubt, this was an avatar of the Monarch. Within the Empire's domain, His Majesty the Emperor maintained his mystique and would not easily reveal his true form.
Of course, there were other considerations as well.
"To make a long story short."
With absolute military power and authority, there was no need for the Monarch to beat around the bush.
"The 'Apostle' mission this time was influenced by a much older 'Secret Order'."
"All participants in this operation, regardless of identity or status, will be considered to have passed the first round of the assessment."
Ting.
As soon as the Monarch's voice fell, an irregular, slowly rotating polyhedron appeared before each of the sixteen people, including the St. Freya students, and also before the [Star-Whale].
"This is your ticket to the second round. You are currently the fastest group. The first round for all participants is limited to two weeks, so be patient."
"For those not interested in participating in the second round," the Monarch was clearly referring to the ten first-year students, "you may save it for later use."
"If you have no intention of pursuing the position of Apostle in the future, it can serve as a battery. The energy it contains is roughly equivalent to the entire Imaginary energy reserve of a [Higher Primordial Species]."
"Now for the second matter."
Snap!
Without any warning, with a single clear, crisp sound, the representative of Sky Island, a being with power on the level of an Apostle, feared by the Demon Gods, Asmoday—
Just like that, simply dissolved into particles of light and vanished completely.
"..."
The Monarch, who had just shown a "magnanimous" side, immediately revealed a terror that surpassed the understanding of any mortal creature.
"For shadows, the concept of 'death' should not exist. Whether out of reverence or fear, returning to the main body is their only true release."
"All entanglements are thus dispersed."
"..."
Gulp.
More than one Demon God made an audible swallowing sound.
Only a ghost would believe what he had just said. If he could kill a being on the level of the "Sustainer of Heavenly Principles" so casually, and with a mere flick of his wrist, then what about them, the Demon Gods…
"Beings of Teyvat."
"Since you have submitted to the Empire, you shall be loyal to the Empire."
"If you still hold some attachment to the past, I have left a symbol for your 'Heavenly Principles'—a brand-new symbol."
"..."
Raiden Makoto glanced at the "little white floater" she was holding.
Even as a "remnant" that had lost its power and had yet to gain consciousness, it was still a remnant that more befitted the identity of the "Heavenly Principles" than Asmoday ever did.
On a side note, the little fox on Raiden Ei's shoulder was now glaring with hostility at the small creature in Makoto's arms. Just moments before, "she" had been looking up at the "kin" with the big ears in the sky with a very human-like expression of adoration.