After parting ways with Tiernan and the others, Bai Ming headed straight here to pay Gopher Wood a visit.
She hadn't run into Gopher Wood yet, but she did encounter Robin.
"Sister! …Eh? Is it... is it really you?"
Robin had clearly never seen her in this form before, yet she had sensed Bai Ming's presence just around the corner.
Unfortunately, after rushing out and seeing someone with a completely different face, a look of pure confusion washed over her.
After spending some time studying under the Family—perhaps due to natural talent or some other reason—Robin found her senses to be incredibly sharp within Penacony.
She had picked up on Bai Ming's aura and thought she'd stumbled upon a familiar face, only to find a total stranger standing there.
"It's little Robin. It's me; you didn't get it wrong."
The young Robin looked soft and sweet, the kind of child who had been adorable since the day she was born.
"It really is you! But why do you look so different, Sister?"
"It's a special ability of mine. Are you studying here at the Dewlight Pavilion?"
"Mhm! Mr. Gopher Wood said that my brother and I have great talent, so he let us stay here to learn." Robin had a brilliant smile on her face, looking very optimistic.
As they spoke, Bai Ming took AR-214's hand and gave Robin a brief introduction.
When it came to names, Robin was mature enough not to pry. Instead, she just grinned and said the codename sounded very cool, adding that her brother would probably like it.
Just then, Gopher Wood approached from behind.
"Robin and Sunday are the most talented Harmonious Twins I have ever seen. The next Head of the Oak Family and the next Dreammaster may very well be these two siblings."
"Mr. Gopher Wood!"
"Little Robin, why don't you go explore elsewhere? I have official business to discuss with this lady."
"Okay~ Bye-bye, Big Sisters!" Robin gave Bai Ming a polite wave before turning to run down the opposite corridor.
Gopher Wood turned to Bai Ming with a smile. "My apologies for the wait. I also appreciate your trust; this appearance is the true Bai Ming, isn't it?"
"You flatter me." Bai Ming smiled back, though she found it awkward to explain that this look was actually an accident. Explaining it would only make things weirder.
Gopher Wood stepped aside and made a polite gesture. "Shall we move elsewhere to talk in detail? I have a few matters I would like to ask you about, Madam Bai Ming."
Seeing this, AR-214 was about to say she'd wait outside, but Bai Ming grabbed her wrist and pulled her along.
"Eh?" AR-214 looked over in confusion, but Bai Ming simply smiled at Gopher Wood. "Please forgive me, but while in Penacony, I need to ensure she stays by my side at all times."
"Of course, that is no problem. The contents of our upcoming conversation were related to this Iron Cavalry lady to begin with."
"..." AR-214 was baffled. What could Penacony possibly have to do with her?
But soon, her smile vanished. Because—
"Tiernan has probably already spoken to you, hasn't he? He thinks something has gone wrong with me."
Gopher Wood's bluntness caught Bai Ming off guard.
Seriously, dude? If you're going to play it like this, what am I supposed to do with all the investigation procedures and intense mental chess I had prepared?
"..."
Seeing Bai Ming's silence, Gopher Wood chuckled.
"Years ago, you reminded me that Harmony's assimilation of Order meant that Order could not be entirely discarded from within Harmony."
"Because of that, I accepted Tiernan and Kamu, and secretly supported their founding of the Lampmoth Family. I originally thought The Hunt could become the new Order."
Bai Ming was confused by this. "What, did they not do a good job?"
"No, quite the opposite. Mikhail is somewhat indecisive, while Kamu is rather radical. With Tiernan there to mediate, the three of them have done exceptionally well." Gopher Wood praised their contributions from the bottom of his heart.
"Then what are you talking about..."
"That is exactly the problem. Although the main Family has made few moves over the years, they are watching Penacony. Tiernan and the others have done too well. Plus, not long ago, the Galaxy Rangers actually managed to summon an avatar of Xipe."
Gopher Wood's tone turned serious.
Years ago, the Lampmoth Family were able to be revived because the Galaxy Rangers intended to contact Harmony, and the main Family gave their tacit consent.
But now, the Galaxy Rangers—without joining the Family or being willing to advance and retreat with them—have proven to the entire universe that they have truly become a power of Harmony.
But here lies the problem. In the eyes of the Family, are the Galaxy Rangers truly 'Harmonious'?
To the Family, criminals are not killed; they are integrated into the Movement, using Harmony to influence and educate them in hopes they will reform.
Of course, the practical result is that it often fails.
Too many criminals cannot accept Harmony, becoming noise in the Movement before being erased. This, in turn, interferes with the perfect melody.
Yet the Family never tires of this, believing that suffering is simply a necessary path toward Harmony.
And the Galaxy Rangers?
They follow Harmony's creed of the strong aiding the weak and protecting life with death, yet they are not the least bit stingy when it comes to passing judgment or upholding justice to maintain order.
All crimes must pay a price; otherwise, how can justice be highlighted?
What does that look like?
Unquestionably, it looks like the Philosophy of Order.
So, when the Galaxy Rangers were truly recognized by Xipe, a conflict between these two factions was born.
Because of Harmony, the Family accepted the Rangers' desire to seek Harmony.
But also because of Harmony, they want to 'correct' the Rangers' version of it, pulling them into the Movement to be educated and rectified.
While nothing has truly happened yet, the contradiction is visible to the naked eye. One day, it will explode. And when it does, the Moths of Penacony will undoubtedly be the Family's first target.
"...What the Rangers displayed recently is a path of Harmony that is fundamentally different from—and contrary to—that of the Family. A victor must eventually be decided."
Under Gopher Wood's explanation, the Galaxy Rangers' show of strength had evolved directly into a war of ideologies.
Without a doubt, the Family leaned toward Harmony Above All, while the Rangers, mixed with the meaning of The Hunt, drifted toward Order.
This conflict of faith was truly unavoidable. And for Bai Ming... this whole thing started because of her.
It was one of those situations where she had good intentions, yet they somehow spiraled into a series of unpredictable messes.
She could almost empathize with the Arbitrators who used to come after her now.
However, Bai Ming still had one question for Gopher Wood.
"I understand the situation. But what does this have to do with you keeping secrets from them? Normally, shouldn't you be standing united against a common enemy?"
"The contradiction regarding Order cannot be resolved. My honesty would achieve nothing—unless someone completely defects from Harmony to give the Family a greater enemy. And that person will be me."
Gopher Wood paused for a moment before continuing.
"Years ago, you reminded me of the Order within Harmony. Because of that, I became curious: what is the third face of Xipe? I began my research. Unfortunately, I guessed wrong. Propagation does not belong there, but I did not come away empty-handed."
At this, Gopher Wood looked at AR-214.
"I discovered that Propagation can actually evoke a longing for Order through the fear created by the Swarm Disaster."
"When the Swarm ravaged the cosmos, Order was at its absolute peak. Therefore, I kept everyone in the dark and researched the Swarm within the Dreamscape."
"...You're researching the Swarm in Penacony?! Do you even know what the Swarm is?!"
Unsurprisingly, AR-214 was both shocked and furious.
She never dreamed that Penacony would be linked to her for a reason like this.
At the same time, she thought of Bai Ming's words—could it be that the 'terrible ending' awaiting her in Penacony was because of this?
"I know." Gopher Wood accepted AR-214's accusation readily. He knew exactly what he was doing, so he never bothered to defend himself.
"But I also know one thing. Ena the Order was unwilling to let Order step upon the divine path of lies, and so actively instigated the divine war to bring about their own fall. But to me, if we do not walk this path, how can the Lord return? Even if it is a hypocritical deity."
"I wish for Order to reappear in this world and enact justice. For my sins, I will repent to the Lord; I will give everything I have to atone. As for the future of Penacony, I have faith in its people."
Gopher Wood was perfectly composed.
He had turned his back on the Family long ago anyway; he might as well use his remaining time to make an impact.
Compared to the Family, he now felt that while the Galaxy Rangers were radical, they had more merit.
The 'noise' of the Family had already become a disease.
He was going to make the Rangers the true orthodox melody!
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL