"Aunt Mobius?"
A childlike voice came from outside the door.
A familiar feeling surged up in her heart.
There was only one person who would address her like that.
Even though she had tried to correct the way she was addressed countless times, the girl refused to change it.
"Griseo?!" This time, Mobius was genuinely surprised.
She looked up and down at the beautiful girl before her, whose appearance was similar to the small, cute Griseo she remembered.
She had heard from Miss Messenger that Griseo was safe and had already returned to Earth.
As for Sakura, she should currently be staying with World Serpent and Rin.
Because of that, Mobius had felt relieved.
She simply assumed Griseo would still look like the little girl from before, never imagining that the passage of time had already made her grow up.
However… After looking over, Mobius let out a soft smile.
Whether little Griseo or grown Griseo, that innocence radiating from inside outward had never changed.
From beginning to end.
"I saw Mei's message and rushed over. Aunt Mobius, what exactly happened, why were you all here?"
If only she would finally change the way she addressed her, that would be perfect.
Griseo looked confused.
She had learned from Sister Hua many things about what happened after she left.
Many people never woke up again.
Aunt Mobius had vanished without a trace, and she even heard about the Dr Mei's condition.
Seeing Aunt Mobius again made Griseo incredibly happy. Her eyes sparkled brightly.
Watching the two talk so comfortably, Theresa let out a long breath of relief.
She finally lowered her guard.
Though she hadn't known Griseo for long, after dealing with that "Kevin" nightmare, this kind of closeness was hard-won.
If Mobius was someone Griseo trusted so easily, then she probably wasn't a bad person… right?
As her thoughts drifted, Mei explained the current situation to Griseo.
Griseo nodded from time to time.
After a short while, having pieced everything together, Griseo looked doubtfully toward Mobius, who was sitting calmly on the sofa.
"Aunt Mobius, why were you staring at them earlier?"
"Just a small misunderstanding. It's cleared up now," Mobius said casually.
Griseo nodded lightly. So it was intentional on Aunt Mobius's part.
In this area, Griseo had plenty of experience.
Hearing her words, Mei instinctively opened her mouth, but then forced herself to swallow back her explanation.
Thinking about it now, it was an accident.
But anyone who suddenly saw a stranger wandering around their home would be on alert.
Not to mention that Mobius didn't explain anything at first, so the fight was completely understandable.
Still, Mei didn't hold any grudges over that not-quite-a-battle earlier.
"Dr. Mobius, since you have returned, we won't trouble you further with what's currently happening."
"I already know all of that. As for what I don't know now but want to know later, I'll investigate it myself."
With a light laugh, Mobius raised her eyes, gazing at the bright blue sky outside the window, and murmured:
"Right now… I'm more interested in learning just how vast and magnificent the world of the stars truly is."
Seeing Mobius's serene expression, no one spoke for a moment.
Until…
"Little Theresa, won't you call me 'Auntie'~~?" Feeling the warm breath on her face, Theresa's expression darkened.
She had stayed silent all this time precisely so this woman would ignore her!
…
At the same time, at the very moment Mobius officially returned,
In World Serpent, Grey Serpent, who had been diligently sorting information from around the world, suddenly looked up, his mechanical eyes flashing red with shock.
"?!!"
Strictly speaking, the true founder of World Serpent was another MANTIS.
Grey Serpent was one of Mobius's creations.
And now, Mobius had returned. For some time after returning, Mobius hadn't bothered to hide her presence.
So, unsurprisingly, Grey Serpent saw the one who created him, a cornerstone of the previous civilization, the maker of the Stigmata prototypes, The Infinite Serpent.
Scenes of her strolling leisurely through crowded streets, parks, beaches, and wilderness filled the screens.
"Mobius has returned as well." Kevin wasn't surprised at the return of this colleague.
If one had to choose who in the previous era had the highest chance of surviving, the answer was undoubtedly Mobius.
In terms of sheer vitality, even Kevin had to admit her overwhelming advantage.
Even he wasn't confident he could completely eliminate Mobius within a short period of time.
She wasn't his match in combat, but when it came to survival? He couldn't compare at all.
"My lord, shall I go welcome her?" Grey Serpent asked respectfully.
"No need," Kevin said calmly. "Mobius will come back here on her own."
World Serpent's true founder was Grey Serpent, and as his creator, Mobius naturally knew this place as well as anyone.
If she wanted to come, she could do so anytime.
…
While different events and reactions unfolded across various places,
On the vast, boundless ocean, a lush and vibrant island suddenly echoed with laughter.
"Teacher, this place is so beautiful!" The pink-haired little girl's eyes sparkled like stars as she stood on tiptoe, smiling at everyone running freely along the beach.
"Sora, from now on this will be our home." Raven wasn't wearing her usual hood today, and her face carried a gentle, satisfied smile.
She raised a hand to shade her eyes and gazed over the island.
The island wasn't large, it was enough for hundreds of people to live comfortably.
And its biggest advantage was that it was quiet and… cheap.
Buying this island cost only half the price of the previous one!
Whenever she thought about it, Raven could never suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
After several storms, everyone in this world understood that it was no longer absolutely safe.
Small islands like this had become the preferred hideaways for the wealthy.
Prices were rising continuously.
Raven had been ready to grit her teeth and buy a different island earlier, but just then the Herrscher of Ice drew everyone away.
A sudden disaster turned the entire area into a frozen, barren land.
It was a rare opportunity, of course Raven wouldn't let it slip.
With some ruthless bargaining, she bought the island under their feet.
As for why the wealthy didn't request protection from Schicksal… Back when Otto was in charge, Schicksal would never assign elite Valkyries to protect those fools anyway.
The one now in power has become Void Archives.
This thing's heart holds only the thought of defeating Honkai, wealth and power?
The fact that he isn't eyeing the resources in those guys' hands is already a huge blessing.
"Sora, see over there?" Raven pointed to an open stretch of land not far away, traces of recent cleaning still visible.
"It won't be long before this becomes an amusement park. Later on, a school will be built. Everyone will be able to study inside."
Quietly listening to the teacher speak of the future, Sora's eyes shone brightly.
Every living being can seek the most beautiful life they can find in this world, that is the true meaning of life.
....
Godzilla's dreamscape.
A full-figured, elegant silhouette slowly appeared. She opened her eyes slightly, a smile at her lips.
After a moment, she lifted her head and gazed at the magnificent landscape before her.
"No matter how many times I see it, it's still so grand."
As an extension of memory, Black Swan had toured most scenes across the universe.
And the later-opened Penacony allowed Memokeepers like her to move freely, swimming through it like fish in water, utterly at ease.
But all of that was based on creations born from the greatness of the cosmos.
A being like Godzilla, who could use an overwhelmingly powerful dream to cover reality, was a being that the Garden could never ignore.
The mind is the most fragile place for any being.
Even those who specialize in mental domains across the universe are the same.
This means that unless one can completely crush the opponent in mental power, one might be defeated on another level.
After appreciating the sight for a moment, Black Swan stepped forward toward the purpose of her visit.
....
"Ha, the Dr Primitive has appeared?"
Returning to reality, Herta raised an eyebrow as she looked at the Screwllum on the screen.
"Yes. This is a message from Galaxy Ranger Mr. Boothill. According to him, a phenomenon has appeared in the Penacony, that is highly likely to be the work of the Dr Primitive."
"Heh, what other goal could that guy have? He just wants to see the results of his experiment." Herta scoffed.
There aren't many genuine 'good people' in the Genius Society.
Even she herself walks a path of black and white intermixed. She can't call herself a good person, but she's not completely evil either…
As for the Dr Primitive, that guy is devoted to dragging civilization backward.
He's the number one enemy… well, one of the top enemies… of the Galaxy Rangers.
In other aspects, you can doubt, question, or hesitate about the Rangers.
But in matters of justice, you can trust the Galaxy Rangers unconditionally, because they uphold a shared bottom line.
"Precisely because of that, the IPC sent me a message, hoping to ask me to locate the Dr Primitive."
"Having a genius hunt another genius… fair enough." Herta nodded, approving the IPC's plan.
Though,
"Those guys had better be prepared for a long war."
Dr Primitive surviving comfortably under the Galaxy Rangers' pursuit until now is not a matter of luck or coincidence.
The previously destroyed base had no trace of him, and the Rangers didn't find any leads.
Trying to locate a genius who has been running amok everywhere for so many years with absolutely nothing to go on, even from Herta's perspective, it was not going to be easy.
Screwllum nodded slightly and said:
"For that reason, I didn't accept the IPCs commission outright. I instead replied that if I see the Dr Primitive, I will inform the IPC, if circumstances permit."
"Dr Primitive…" Herta murmured the name, then sneered. "Who knows where that guy is now, fighting monkeys for bananas."
Her deepest impression of the Dr Primitive was that no matter where or when, he always had those yellow, glowing monkeys.
....
Meanwhile, at Penacony.
Inside a luxurious reception room,
"What a unique interior style." Welt adjusted the lens of his glasses reflecting the room's lights as he looked around at the décor.
"Hehe, if Mr. Welt likes it, the IPC can arrange for professionals to decorate the Astral Express in a similar style." Aventurine chuckled and offered.
"Better not. The Express is fine the way it is. Too many fancy decorations would make it look flashy but useless, not quite fitting for a trailblazing crew." Himeko smiled, gently declining.
In truth, if the Express suddenly had this many dazzling decorations that were exhausting to clean, Pom-Pom would probably get so angry its ears would shoot up, and it would kick out whoever approved the idea right off the train.
On the Express, the conductor's authority is absolute!
After a few pleasantries, Himeko spoke:
"Mr. Aventurine, Paperfold University's anniversary shouldn't require someone of your status, one of the Ten Stonehearts, to personally attend, right?"
Himeko and Welt both turned to him, awaiting his answer.
"Ms Himeko, you're straightforward as always. Yes, the university's anniversary isn't the only reason for inviting all of you."
Saying that, Aventurine looked toward another door in the room.
The heavy doors opened.
Two figures walked in slowly.
"Miss Robin, and… Mr. Oti Alfalfa?" Himeko parted her lips slightly, surprised.
"Long time no see, Miss Himeko, Mr. Welt."
Robin placed her right hand lightly on her chest and smiled at the two.
"Ohohoho, members of the Astral Express, it's truly been a while. Old Oti has been eagerly awaiting your arrival, oh yes indeed."
Seeing that Oti was the one who arrived, Himeko and Welt were surprised.
As the head of the Alfalfa family and one of the top-powers of Penacony, whose power has been absorbed into Godzilla's territory and under the IPC, being seen on the Planet of Festivities was extremely rare.
Only a small number of people or nostalgic Family members would visit Penacony.
Someone like Mr. Oti Alfalfa, who attracts attention the moment he appears, had not shown up before.
"Ohohoho, having the Astral Express worry about me is truly Old Oti's honor. I've heard some of your adventure stories lately, Penacony truly is a famous stop on the Trailblaze, isn't it?"
Lightly stroking his beard, Oti praised.
"Not at all, Mr. Oti. A remarkable figure like you, who leads a family into prosperity, is someone we should be learning from."
Himeko responded calmly to his friendly words.
A pretty carriage is carried by many hands.
But arriving and immediately greeting them with smiles and praise, well, such warmth is normal when dealing with distinguished people.
After all, the Express crew are now shareholders of Penacony…