#### Volume 8: Space Station Starts!
After completing the separation of the Sovereign Dragon Authority, Nolan sent Ruan Mei back to the space station.
Returning once more to the Void Star Sea, Nolan helped up Focalors, who had already recovered a little:
"I'll take you to my portable space to recuperate. Tomorrow, once Ruan Mei finishes formulating the soul-recovery potion, I'll go get it for you.
"With that, you won't need more than a few days to fully recover. After you're better, we can go talk to Neuvillette about solving the issue of Fontainians dissolving in the Primordial Sea Water."
Nolan recalled that Neuvillette had been brought in by Focalors to serve as the Chief Justice, precisely so that he would live among the people of Fontaine and develop emotional ties to them.
That way, when she eventually sacrificed herself to separate the Sovereign Dragon Authority and return it to him, he wouldn't simply walk away.
Born of her, and ending with her.
It was better to let Focalors speak to Neuvillette personally.
Besides, if Nolan went to Neuvillette now, he would most likely agree without hesitation.
But if that happened, Nolan would feel awkward continuing to hold onto the portion of the Sovereign Dragon Authority that had been separated from Focalors.
"Since I promised Egeria, I can't retreat at such a critical moment!"
Focalors's soul was still quite weak. She had to cling to Nolan's shoulder just to stand steady.
Resting her fair, delicate chin against his shoulder, she looked into his eyes with a tired yet relieved and happy expression:
"Thank you—for finding Miss Ruan Mei to help me. Otherwise, I would have had no choice but to sever the divine throne and sacrifice myself to save Fontaine.
"Though death is nothing more than the soul returning to the world, not being able to witness my people freed from the 'Original Sin' would still leave me unwilling, after all."
[Focalors Has Developed Good Feelings Toward You. Obtained 750 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.8 (100/800)]
Her affection had jumped by over seven hundred points, and her affection level had already reached eight—not far from the maximum. As Nolan thought this, he gently reassured her:
"Don't worry. In the future, you'll not only see the 'Original Sin' lifted from the people of Fontaine—you'll also witness Fontaine grow and flourish."
Ever since Focalors agreed to help expand the coverage of the Akasha system using Jurisprudence-Compensated Hybrid Energy—
The entire nation of Fontaine was now fully covered by the Akasha system. With encouragement from all sides, the people of Fontaine were also willing to purchase Akasha terminals and log into the Akasha Interconnected Network.
In this way, Fontaine had finally caught up with the rapid pace of development seen in nations like Liyue and Sumeru.
Next, the Akasha system would expand toward Mondstadt. At its current growth rate, full coverage wouldn't take many days.
"Mm."
Focalors responded softly, then completely leaned against Nolan, closing her eyes as if she could no longer hold on and needed rest.
Seeing this, Nolan simply picked her up and returned to the Wonderland Space.
Since he hadn't yet prepared a new room for Focalors, he placed her in his own room to rest for the time being.
Now that she was already in the Wonderland Space, Nolan couldn't help but want to find an excuse to have Focalors stay here long-term.
Over the next few days, he could steadily build up her affection.
Of course, she had just finished separating her Authority and needed proper rest. There was no need to rush—building affection could be done slowly.
At this moment, Nolan took out the Sovereign Dragon Authority and examined it. The moment he focused on it, an endless stream of insights into the water element surged forth.
It truly was a treasure.
For Nolan, comprehending this Sovereign Dragon Authority would continuously enhance his control over the water element.
In the end, he could reach the upper limit of this Sovereign Dragon Authority—roughly equivalent to half of a Hydro Dragon.
However, he already possessed many abilities, so the boost to him was limited.
Moreover, he would only be holding onto the Sovereign Dragon Authority for a few days. It wasn't enough time to fully comprehend it—he might as well let the other girls study it instead.
Especially Barbara, Mona, Kokomi, Yelan, Nilou, Candace—those who already wielded the hydro element.
As for their current strength—aside from Candace, who had only recently moved into the Wonderland Space and hadn't had enough time to train—
The other girls had all surpassed level one hundred, comparable to ordinary gods.
However, all of them had cultivated through close contact with Nolan, their strength forcibly pushed upward. As a result, only their soul strength and physical strength had reached a level comparable to that of gods.
Their practical use of the water element was still roughly at the same level as before—only the amount of elemental energy within their bodies had increased significantly.
When using elemental power, they simply no longer needed to worry about consumption.
Having the opportunity to comprehend the Hydro Dragon's Sovereign Dragon Authority would undoubtedly bring tremendous improvements to their application of the water element, or even to their understanding of elemental authority itself.
Of course, those who did not wield the water element could also gain insight from it—after all, this was a world authority.
No matter which element's authority it was, comprehending it would bring substantial benefits.
Nolan contacted the girls through the Waymark, telling them that anyone interested could go to the library over the next few days to comprehend this Sovereign Dragon Authority.
He placed the Sovereign Dragon Authority in the library, making it convenient for everyone to study it whenever they had time.
Surprisingly, those most interested were not Barbara, Nilou, and the other water-element Vision holders, but scholars like Lisa and Mona.
Lisa, for instance—despite working at the Knights of Favonius library—quietly slipped back as soon as she heard Nolan's words, eager to study this world authority.
Mona, on the other hand, was already at home. She could see the Sovereign Dragon Authority simply by walking from her laboratory to the library.
Her field of study was astrology, and the medium she used was the hydromantic scrying disc.
Deepening her research into the water element would also enhance her astrological abilities, so she naturally rushed over at the first opportunity to study this authority.
Even Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, Raiden Ei, and Guizhong—these gods—joined in to take a look.
Come to think of it, Ei was the modern Electro Archon. She should also possess a portion of the Electro Dragon's Sovereign Authority. Perhaps Ruan Mei could be asked to separate it as well.
But for now, there didn't seem to be any real need. If everyone wanted to gain insight, Ei could simply summarize her understanding and give lectures to everyone directly.
After all, she had fused with the Sovereign Dragon Authority and become one with it—she understood all of its mysteries inside and out.
Moreover, asking Ruan Mei to help separate Focalors's Sovereign Dragon Authority had only been possible because Nolan had traded the All-Devouring Narwhal for her assistance.
If he asked her to intervene again, Nolan had nothing left that Ruan Mei would find valuable.
If he truly wanted to ask for her help in the future, it would have to wait until her affection reached max level. By then, they would be family—naturally willing to help one another with any difficulties.
Before long, several days passed. The Simulated Universe on Herta Space Station was finally ready and could be tested at any time.
Herta was already urging him to start testing as soon as possible.
Over these past few days, Focalors had basically slept from morning till night. She would only wake briefly when Nolan brought her the soul-recovery potion he'd obtained from Ruan Mei.
This left Nolan with no chance at all to work on building affection.
Still, thanks to that rest, her soul had recovered considerably. In another day or two, she should be fully back to normal.
With nothing pressing to attend to for the moment, Nolan decided to head to Herta Space Station first to test the Simulated Universe.
(End of Chapter)
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