Invited by the two Nameless, Herta and Ruan Mei successfully warped their mental data into the Genesis Vortex of Amphoreus.
"This place has some research value, don't you think, Ruan Mei?"
Ruan Mei plucked her lute and nodded slightly. In her peripheral vision, a graceful pink figure flickered past, and the symbols of creation were all composing the very essence of this world.
"The power of three intertwined Paths is spreading here. There may be a race here centered on Remembrance. Their research value might be acceptable to me."
Herta looked around but found no trace of such a Remembrance race. Sigh. Ruan Mei always sees some strange symbols and then finds the answers she's looking for.
"Fine. I'll help you find them."
Just as they were talking, an untimely voice interrupted.
"Esteemed ones, this is but a forgotten land, a remote backwater beyond the jurisdiction of any Lord. Its own Path—or that race derived from Remembrance—has only negligible research value to a genius."
Herta and Ruan Mei turned to look. A humanoid figure—perhaps one ninth of a whole—slowly paced into view.
With just one glance, Ruan Mei sensed that this person had some connection to Zandar, the creator of Nous. The aura of biological self-division and replication—even if it were Zandar himself, it could not escape these azure eyes.
"Senior, how many clones have you created? What are you doing in this outer realm called Amphoreus? Or is Amphoreus itself a 'scepter'?"
Even Zandar's one-ninth clone, Lygus, was stunned for a few seconds. Then he applauded and laughed.
"Impressive. No wonder you are the one among the Genius Society closest to ■■. Only a few seconds, and using me as a medium, you retrieved the answer to Amphoreus."
Lygus chose not to hide anymore. One against two? What was there to fear?
"Correct. Amphoreus is the first of the Imperial Scepters. It is also a part of Nous. Through repeated evolutions of Amphoreus, the Lord Ravager Irontomb was born here, and will ultimately be destroyed by Him!"
Ruan Mei remained as calm as still water. But Herta's brow showed a trace of displeasure.
"To destroy Machine Head, you're using this scepter—this world—as bait to bring forth a Lord Ravager named Irontomb?"
Lygus nodded and sighed. "I once created a mechanical deity that even I could not restrain or surpass. Soon after, through endless calculations and absolute evolution, He defined the future of the entire world, leaving no room for any other possibility. After Nous emerged, no new laws appeared in the world. All people and living beings were imprisoned within the Aeons."
Herta listened thoughtfully. Lygus continued. "Only Destruction itself can bring new life to this world—to this universe—and atone for my past sins. So, will you still stop me? Stop me from swinging this blade of Destruction, Irontomb, at Him?"
Herta and Ruan Mei shook their heads simultaneously.
"Allow me to call you 'Senior' one last time. This wish of yours is utterly mad and futile. You wish to take revenge on Erudition through Destruction? Given the inherent inferiority and destructiveness of the Lord Ravagers, it will only bring indelible scars to the entire universe. Truly, you are now the First Seat of the Fool's Club!"
A cold smile curled Lygus's lips. "Those who follow different Paths cannot work together. You two, leave now. Otherwise, the consequences are on your own heads."