Chapter 181: Duke Inferno is overjoyed! He is now one step closer to Him!
The Ever-Flame Mansion.
Simultaneous with the release of "A Night of Ever-Flame Scene 33," the Duke of Ever-Flame convened his four children here.
He outlined the plan to be executed next.
Upon his throne.
He was clad in a magnificent robe, the very picture of dignified elegance.
He concluded, "Very well, my children."
"This is the Path we shall tread henceforth."
"The Herta Space Station was recently assaulted by the Antimatter Legion. This is precisely where our will of [ Destruction ] points."
"I shall separate a wisp of Ember containing my own consciousness, causing the station's researchers to [ vanish ] one by one. This will sow suspicion and rebellion from within, causing the station to collapse without a fight."
"Of course."
"This is merely the appetizing [ hors d'oeuvre ]."
"The upcoming [ Coming-of-Age Ceremony ] is what you should focus your attention on."
"We shall unleash a storm of blood upon this star of revelry."
"And this…"
"Is but one stop on our journey to destroy the endless starry sea."
At that moment.
Dahlia Constance revealed a meaningful smile and spoke, "Congratulations, Father."
Upon hearing this.
The other three and the Duke of Ever-Flame all turned their gaze to her.
The Duke inquired, "We have yet to act. For what reason do you offer congratulations?"
Constance produced her phone.
Projecting the video "A Night of Ever-Flame Scene 33" before everyone.
"Our path of destruction has already been witnessed by Feathered Spirit. He even specially created this video for us."
"By now, I'm afraid half the universe has already watched this video."
The flames atop the Duke of Ever-Flame's head surged violently for a moment.
This signified a significant fluctuation in his emotions.
After a moment of contemplation.
He struggled to suppress the wild joy within his heart.
Affecting a casual tone, he said, "Then what are we waiting for? Let us watch it together."
"In Feathered Spirit's perspective, what style will our Ever-Flame Mansion be presented in?"
Five minutes later.
Having finished the video.
For a moment, the four were rooted to the spot.
Shackles Caterina was the first to exclaim, unable to contain herself, "As expected of Feathered Spirit! The style of this video is simply superb!"
"The eerie and formidable nature of our Ever-Flame Mansion is highlighted to perfection!"
"I approve!"
Scribe Dubra softly concurred, "I quite like this style as well."
"This is simply the perfect art of destruction! Seeing those images of ruin, I feel new inspiration stirring!" Tuner Akash said excitedly.
Upon the throne.
The Duke of Ever-Flame was evidently quite pleased as well.
"Heh. It seems Feathered Spirit is also one who understands the aesthetics of [ Destruction ]."
"We truly should celebrate this!"
The Duke of Ever-Flame rose from his throne.
Within the manor.
Excited flames instantly surged forth upon the walls.
As if echoing the Duke of Ever-Flame's mood!
"With this, we are one step closer to Him."
Suddenly.
A flicker of darkness passed through Dubra's eyes.
She spoke, "Father, it seems an uninvited guest has arrived outside."
"She calls herself a Galaxy Ranger."
"Her name is… Acheron?"
Note: ahem
The Duke of Ever-Flame reined in his excitement slightly.
Puzzled, he asked, "A Galaxy Ranger?"
"Our Ever-Flame Mansion seems to have no dealings with such people."
"No matter. Perhaps she is a player drawn here by the video's fame."
"My mood is good today. Invite her in."
"Understood, Father."
...
Penacony.
Within The Family.
Robin and Sunday watched "A Night of Ever-Flame Scene 33" together on the open-air balcony.
Sunday's gaze was somewhat profound.
While Robin wore a look of confusion.
She asked Sunday beside her, "Brother, why has someone like the Duke of Ever-Flame been invited to this year's Charmony Festival?"
"It's already quite clear from the video released by Feathered Spirit—"
"They have not come as guests to participate in the celebration, but to sow chaos and destruction!"
"I don't understand…"
Sunday smiled gently.
Speaking in a calm voice, "This is the decision of the [ Dreammaster ]."
"And…"
"You must believe, since [ The Family ] dares to invite the Duke of Ever-Flame, it means we certainly have the means to keep him in line."
Robin was still somewhat worried. "But… even if The Family has laid plans in advance to suppress him the moment he causes trouble, it will inevitably affect the other guests."
"Rest assured, little sister."
"The stage of the Charmony Festival belongs to you alone."
"This time, it will surely be a [ Perfect ] performance."
...
The First Truth University.
Inside a classroom.
Veritas Ratio, the Truth Doctor, was conducting his teaching assistant session.
Looking down at the podium.
The clear foolishness reflected in the eyes of the many students made him sigh involuntarily.
He tapped the blackboard forcefully with a piece of chalk.
"Let's take the simplest example. The Intelligentsia Guild is often seen as a seller of knowledge, but the right to set the price always lies with the buyer. If someone is willing to listen, knowledge can spread and circulate, and a price is generated."
"This is similar to the point I just elaborated on…"
Ding!
Ratio heard a notification sound.
He immediately interrupted his elaboration.
"Alright, time's up."
"This lecture is concluded."
Having said that.
He walked out of the classroom without a backward glance.
As if afraid of wasting even a single second more of his personal time.
The students below were already accustomed to this.
Some students remained lost in thought over the content Ratio had just expounded.
Others wore looks of disappointment as they packed up their things on their desks.
Clearly.
After an entire lecture, the only part they likely understood was the final sentence, "This lecture is concluded."
Outside the teaching building.
Ratio swiftly returned to his personal office.
Revealing his true visage.
He let out a soft sigh.
Picked up his phone.
And opened the latest video released by Feathered Spirit.
A few minutes later.
He sat on the sofa, picking up the plain boiled water on the table and savoring it as if it were a cocktail.
His other hand opened suddenly.
A wisp of cyan flame danced upon his palm.
"The Phase Spirit Flame that nurtured Ifrit, yet I obtained it by chance."
"With this spark, I might be able to use the Ifrit assault incident as an observation sample."
"But…"
Just then.
A knocking sound suddenly came from outside the door.
Ratio extinguished the spirit flame.
And pulled up the surveillance feed from outside the door.
The visitor was from the Interastral Peace Corporation.
A gambler named Aventurine.
Aventurine waved at the surveillance camera. "Professor Ratio. I went through considerable trouble to find your residence. At the very least, you should let me come in and sit down, no?"
The door opened.
Aventurine walked in.
Making himself quite at home as he sat on the adjacent sofa.
"Speak plainly, gambler."
"Our time is equally precious."
Aventurine accepted the water Ratio handed him.
With a slight smile, he said, "I wish to invite you to accompany me to Penacony."
Ratio's gaze darkened slightly.
He remarked with a sigh, "So that's how it is."
"You had already anticipated this, Professor?"
Ratio took out his phone and opened the game on it—Honkai: Star Rail.
"I have always believed this game is not merely a simple game. There exists a relationship akin to [ Quantum Entanglement ] between its storyline and reality."
"The game's plot influences reality, and events occurring in reality are reflected back into the game."
Aventurine tried his best to maintain his composure, saying calmly, "Professor, this is not your lecture hall. Perhaps you could be clearer."
Ratio shot Aventurine a glance.
Somewhat displeased.
But he continued, "At the very moment you sought me out to go to Penacony, I deduced one more thing."
"You and I… will both become playable characters in the game in the future."