"The Empire?"
Commander Jorah immediately focused on the key point.
In a cosmic sea where faith in the Astral Gods was so widespread, the number of civilizations that called themselves an "Empire" was not large.
Simply put, the existence of divine authority greatly weakened the control of monarchical power.
Among them, the most renowned civilizations were the Imperium of Man, with its golden twin-headed eagle banner, and the Galactic Empire. Both of these were purely human (including augmented) civilizations. They lacked faith in the Astral Gods but possessed extremely advanced technology.
At the same time, to ensure they would not align with hostile factions, the Astral Gods did not obstruct their exploration of the relevant [Paths]. In other words, these two massive empires both enjoyed the power of the [Paths] while refusing to fulfill the duties of a [Pathstrider].
The former was located at the bottom of the cosmic sea's multidimensional space, perennially at war with the Abyss and the "Greenskin Tribes" tainted by it. The latter had already been annihilated by the [Antimatter Legion]. In the process of seizing the [Path of Destruction], the Emperor of the Galactic Empire, Darth Sidious, was defeated and killed by the [Lord of Annihilation] in a decisive battle, causing the entire empire to collapse. The technology and knowledge of the Galactic Empire were then spread throughout the cosmic sea with the flight of its refugees.
Now, Jorah was once again hearing the title of "Empire"... The Imperium of Man had almost no non-humanoid lifeforms, and their equipment was mostly wild and covered in various religious symbols, clearly very different from the visitor before him.
Most critically, the [Primarchs] and [High Lords of Terra] of the Imperium of Man did not possess beast-like forms, and having their own flagships, they would not perform warp jumps with their physical bodies.
For a moment, Jorah was completely unable to determine which "Empire" the other party was referring to. But one thing was certain: the newcomer was indeed from an advanced civilization. To perform a Level 9 Warp jump with her physical body alone demonstrated a terrifying mastery of space and physical resilience, a power level far beyond his own. In other words, no one in the entire M81 Galaxy could defeat her in single combat.
"Greetings, Your Excellency Apostle."
"Is there anything we can do for you?"
Though he didn't recognize her, being polite was always necessary.
The ability to directly penetrate the defenses of the "Cosmic Island" and enter the central control room meant the other party had the power to easily destroy the spaceport. There was no need to offend her over minor details.
"Do for me?"
"No."
Eden lightly tapped her lower lip with a gently curved index finger and spoke slowly.
"I was waiting for the 'Astral Express' to pull into the station and happened to notice the little trouble you all have encountered."
"A Destruction Stellaron is not something I can deal with, but saving people shouldn't be too difficult."
"The Astral Express?"
Jorah was momentarily stunned.
Then he immediately realized what the "Astral Express" was: The Astral God of Trailblaze connected the entire universe with their Path, leaving behind a "Star Rail" that only [The Nameless] could discover and travel along.
Although the M81 Galaxy had never witnessed the "Star Rail," it had been visited by many of [The Nameless], so they had some knowledge of the Astral God of Trailblaze. It wasn't impossible that the "Cosmic Island" just happened to be a stop on the "Astral Express's" route.
"Are you a member of 'The Nameless'?"
Although there were many unconventional individuals among [The Nameless], they generally belonged to the faction of order and had a decent reputation.
"No."
"I'm just trying to hitch a ride."
Eden shook her head and continued.
"Sir."
"Shall we pause the idle chat for now?"
As she turned, Eden shifted her gaze upward to the optical image of Planet V projected in the center of the control room.
"If you don't act soon,"
"The gravitational field extending from within the Stellaron will completely devour your subordinates... That's tens of thousands of lives, after all."
"..."
Jorah wasn't actually concerned about those lives.
While the population of the M81 Galaxy was astronomical, races like his in the upper echelons of the ruling class were not numerous. To be forced, in a semi-demonstrative manner, to rescue colonial species that weren't even his own kind...
Jorah felt his daughter's scorching gaze.
"Your Excellency, I'll have to trouble you."
"..."
Eden's smile didn't change in the slightest.
Displaying power, winning hearts and minds, planting a seed—these were all within Eden's considerations, of course, but her primary motivation was simply to save people.
Among all the Empire's Apostles, no one would object to calling Eden the kindest.
"It's a small matter."
The distorted field generated by the [Destruction Stellaron] would alter the spatial constants within its range, causing devices like transport ships without specialized teleportation equipment to fail. The "Cosmic Island" was not close to Planet V, so its large-scale teleportation device was out of range.
However, in Eden's hands—
Ding.
A red and black sphere, interacting and swimming like a yin-yang fish, was gently lifted by Eden.
"Mr. Jorah."
"Please provide me with a set of coordinates."
Jorah hadn't introduced himself, but at this moment, he didn't notice this peculiar detail.
"Dispatch room!"
"23.11.79! We have fourteen cubic bay spaces available!"
"That will do."
Before Jorah could reply, Eden had already responded to the dispatch room.
"Let the music play."
The intertwined red and black fused in Eden's hand.
In the next instant, the sphere vanished from her palm and reappeared on the projection of Planet V as a "bubble" of exaggerated size!
"Stellar Harmony!"
Diiing—
DOOOM!!!
Accompanied by a long, clear ringing sound and a faint tremor that could be felt throughout the entire spaceport.
"Commander."
The dispatcher turned his head, an expression of disbelief on his face, as he transmitted the image from the cubic bay to the front of the control room.
The massive space elevator had been neatly cut out and stuffed into the spaceport, with not a single life sign missing from within.
"...They've arrived."
---o---
"Once again, thank you for your assistance."
Jorah, without a single guard, personally led the way through a long, narrow gravity corridor toward the lounge reserved for esteemed guests.
It wasn't that he was being trusting; it was simply unnecessary.
The direct distance between the "Cosmic Island" and Planet V exceeded twenty thousand astronomical units. To teleport a space elevator weighing over 300,000 tons to a specified coordinate in the blink of an eye, all while under the influence of strong interference...
If she truly wanted to destroy this spaceport, she would only need to casually toss the four core reactors outside the shields, and not a single one of the "Cosmic Island's" current defense mechanisms would be effective!
"You're welcome."
"But Mr. Jorah, how do you plan to deal with this 'Destruction Stellaron'?"
"This is only the first stage of the Stellaron's development. If its contents are sufficient to evolve into a planet-destroying weapon... our current location is not safe."
"..."
Jorah hesitated for a moment.
"As you said, we don't have any effective countermeasures."
"Our greatest hope is that it only produces Void Tainted Minerals."
A Stellaron didn't always produce a war weapon like a Doomsday Beast.
If the "properties" of the devoured planet were not right, it would most likely create what the various civilizations called [Void Tainted Minerals], which currently had no use or method of conversion.
"I have already sent a request for support to the motherworld."
"To be frank, the star system where Planet V is located was specifically reserved by us as a source of 'internal mineral' resources."
"Internal mineral" was not a rare term. It was a management designation for resources within a territory, much like leaving the second mining base to exploit the third first in an RTS game.
"Two fleets are on their way. If any warped organisms emerge from it, we must protect the other planets, even if it means sacrificing the fleets..."
Jorah added with a bit of unconfident hesitation:
"At the very least, we must drive them out."
"But you don't have much time."
"Correct."
The Stellaron's devouring phase isn't long, but with the end of this "invincibility period," the disaster for the star system, and even the civilization, has only just begun. The terrifying part is that no one knows what kind of disaster will emerge.
"So, before that..."
"The Nameless roam the cosmic sea. Since you wish to hitch a ride on the 'Astral Express', you must agree with their way of doing things."
Click!
The door slid open.
The beam guiding the floating platform beneath their feet had stopped. Jorah stood straight at the fork leading to the lounge and the starship port.
"The M81 Galaxy is willing to offer sufficient compensation. I wonder if it would be enough to secure your help?"
"...Mr. Jorah."
"You overestimate me. While I would very much like to help, my abilities are not sufficient to resolve the Stellaron issue."
Eden still rejected his offer with a smile.
"No."
Jorah shook his head.
"The compensation I just mentioned is not for dealing with the Stellaron on Planet V, but for assisting us in protecting the 'Cosmic Island'."
"To be more precise..."
"I'm asking you to protect my daughter. With your mastery of space, this shouldn't be too difficult."
"..."
"You mean to say?"
Eden, after a moment of silence, asked with a hint of surprise.
"I will lead all remaining garrison fleets to the star system where Planet V is located."
"It would be best if no warped organisms appear."
"But if those things really do show up... we should be able to buy more time for the evacuation... and for the support fleet to arrive."
"..."
"Your decision is worthy of admiration."
"As one who enjoys power, this is an obligation that must be fulfilled."
Jorah said with great solemnity... For the good of the entire civilization, his "cold-bloodedness" applied equally to himself.
"However, there is no need to do so."
"?"
Jorah couldn't understand Eden's meaning.
"Mr. Jorah."
Eden slowly raised her head, looking out at the distant starry sky through the enormous transparent dome.
"You mentioned compensation and The Nameless just now."
"Just a moment ago..."
Eden finally answered Jorah's unasked question.
"The train has arrived."
Toot—
The silent space began to swirl like a vortex.
A train whistle echoed in the minds of everyone on the "Cosmic Island," accompanied by tracks, shimmering like starlight, that rapidly unfurled from the void!
"Hey hey!"
A vibrant, girlish voice resounded in every corner of the spaceport.
"This is the Astral Express crew! Requesting the station ahead to clear the tracks and prepare for the train's arrival! Thank you for your cooperation!"
Platinum and ink-blue.
A luxurious and colossal creation of an Astral God appeared from beyond the stars.
The front of the train, the "Cosmic Island," and Planet V—all three were connected in a straight line along the leading edge of the unfolding tracks.
---o---
Click!
The doors of the docking bay opened swiftly, and the "Astral Express" came to a smooth and steady stop at the edge of the "Cosmic Island."
Not many people were there to greet them.
Even with the disappearance of Akivili, the Astral God of Trailblaze, [The Nameless] were still a top-tier major faction in the cosmic sea. Although their organization was relatively loose, the strength of their individual members had to be respected... Not to mention the "Astral Express" was the mobile base of [The Nameless], requiring them to be treated with the utmost caution.
All of the above were Jorah's true thoughts.
However...
"Yo!"
The first to step out from the opened train door was a girl with light pink hair that gave off a youthful feel, eyes that had the same blue-pink gradient as an Intertwined Fate, and a white shirt and pleated skirt that prominently accentuated her "beautiful curves."
Hanging from her left hip was a rather classic model of a camera.
On her other side, a mechanical bow, larger than she was tall, was neatly stored in its case.
"'Warrior of the Astral Express,' March 7th."
"Nice to meet you all!"
Half a step behind March 7th, a man with a languid expression, holding his long spear, [Cloud-Piercer], also nodded to the waiting crowd.
"'Guard of the Astral Express,' Dan Heng."
As soon as Dan Heng finished speaking, March 7th immediately picked up the conversation.
"The Conductor is busy with something and can't make it."
"So, the two of us will be handling communications this time... Hmm, if you count our accompanying passenger, that makes three of us."
"Aside from resupplying, we actually need to request a visit to a planet."
"Let me see—"
"'Keya V'."
Just as March 7th was about to check a paper memo as old-fashioned as her camera, Dan Heng calmly interjected from the side.
"Ah, right, right! 'Keya V'."
"..."
Just as a sudden silence fell over the people inside the "Cosmic Island."
"What a coincidence."
This time, it was Eden who accompanied Jorah, arriving directly at the docking point via a teleporter.
"Mr. Jorah, it seems two problems have become one."
"..."
While March 7th's face was filled with a "???" expression of confusion, and Dan Heng slightly narrowed his eyes at Eden—
"I am Jorah, the person in charge of the 'Cosmic Island'."
"And this is..."
Jorah introduced Eden, who stood beside him.
"Eden."
"I just arrived not long ago, hoping to catch a ride with you."
Eden proactively extended her right hand to the vibrant March 7th.
"...It's a pleasure to meet you."