Lucian was taken aback: "Me?"
KU-Water's expression looked pained: "Hmm… you seem familiar, but I can't remember…"
Lucian frowned, lost in thought. He recalled the earlier situation when he consulted the Mirror of Inquiry and the contents described in the Chronicles of the Ages…
Changli, standing beside him, also glanced at Lucian. She was clearly intrigued, as she had been the one to first discover the contents of that ancient text.
"Request… request…"
"The Tethys System seems to be reacting to your faces…"
KU-Plant suddenly exclaimed: "Wah! This is…!"
The two small robots exchanged glances, and then KU-Water said nervously: "I… we have to go. KU-Money still needs our help…"
KU-Plant quickly agreed: "Y-yes… See, see you next time…"
The two robots hurriedly left the greenhouse, leaving everyone behind in confusion.
Lucian scratched his head: "Hey—you still haven't helped us plant the flowers."
Rover picked up the flower seeds on the planter: "There are Blake Bloom seeds here."
Lucian and Rover stepped forward, took the seeds, and planted them.
Behind them, Changli seemed deep in thought: "It seems the Tethys System is hiding something…"
Rover patted the soil off her hands and then looked at Lucian in puzzlement: "Have you been to the Black Shores before?"
"Or have we met a long time ago?"
Lucian's brow furrowed. He was equally baffled. Ever since the system had rewarded him with that "Secret," he had been picking up hints that he might have visited this planet long ago…
But Lucian couldn't make sense of it. His memories of his past life were crystal clear—he remembered every detail of his upbringing and experiences.
Yet, he had no recollection of Solaris at all, and the system remained tight-lipped…
Changli stepped forward and took Lucian's hand, speaking softly: "If you can't figure it out, don't dwell on it. You still have many places to explore, and along the way, you'll find your answers."
"Besides, the answer might already be within reach. The Tethys System is clearly hiding a lot. Perhaps you can uncover some truths here on the Black Shores."
Camellya chuckled: "KU-Money, Monica, and even Aalto—none of us have the highest authority over the Tethys System. We can only use parts of it."
"Maybe with higher access, you'll find what you're looking for…"
Lucian and Rover exchanged glances and nodded: "In that case, let's go check out that modulator first…"
Rover glanced at Lucian and Changli's intertwined hands: "…How long are you planning to hold on?"
Changli smiled nonchalantly: "Even if it weren't me, there'd be a Duanli, Yuanli, or Fangli. Rover should get used to it sooner rather than later."
Rover: "?"
Camellya giggled: "My, my, Rover is so jealous. I doubt things will last between you and Lucian. Better to cut your losses early."
Rover snorted coldly: "You have no right to speak here!"
Camellya looked hurt: "As your guide and colleague, I'm just offering well-meaning advice. If that's how you feel, what would it take for you to listen?"
Lucian pondered for a moment: "Otherwise… why don't you join in too?"
Camellya: "?"
Rover: "?"
...
In front of the piano, everyone was surprised to see it playing on its own.
Lucian wondered aloud: "It seems perfectly fine—even has time to entertain itself?"
The piano, as if understanding his words, paused briefly before resuming its melody.
Abby exclaimed in amazement: "The Black Shores are truly unique—even the pianos play themselves!"
Lucian shook his head slightly: "That's nothing. My Crimson Vanguard can fight Tacet Discords on their own."
Abby: "Uh… fair point…"
Changli nudged Lucian's arm: "The Crimson Vanguard has been a great help to the Midnight Rangers."
"Their combat abilities and durability are exceptional."
"The only downside might be their inability to formulate battle plans independently. But now, working alongside the Midnight Rangers, they've made things much easier than before."
Lucian turned his head and lightly kissed Changli's smooth forehead, then pressed a finger onto the piano keys.
"So we can play it too…" Lucian declared loudly: "Alright! Let me play Castle in the Sky!"
As Lucian sat down, Rover, standing behind him, suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity with the scene.
Abby floated over curiously: "Lucian, you can play the piano?"
Lucian smirked, but as soon as he pressed the keys, the ground shook violently again.
Abby yelped: "Another earthquake?! Everyone, run! Don't stay inside!"
Before Abby could finish, Lucian spoke up: "Abby, haven't you heard the saying, 'Small quakes, no escape; big quakes, no need to run'?"
Just as Abby was about to ask, a gust of wind rushed past him.
"???"
"You said we didn't need to run! Why are you faster than me?!"
Lucian, holding Rover and Changli in each arm, dashed out of the greenhouse.
Camellya conjured a red whip, wrapped it around Lucian's waist, and let him pull her along.
Abby: "Wait for me, you guys!!"
Once outside, the tremors weakened significantly.
Lucian sighed: "Even the Black Shores get earthquakes? This Tacetite foundation doesn't seem very reliable."
Changli mused: "Could the Tethys System be malfunctioning again?"
Rover frowned: "The Tethys System has this much influence over the Black Shores?"
Camellya smiled: "The Black Shores rely on its judgments for almost everything. Without the Tethys System, the Black Shores would be no different from a bare slab of Tacetite."
"The truth you're seeking probably depends entirely on the Tethys System."
Lucian asked in confusion: "Where's the Shorekeeper? She should know more, right?"
Camellya glanced at the towering stabilizer anchors in the distance, glowing an eerie red: "The Shorekeeper comes and goes like a shadow. How would I know where she is?"
"If she personally came to greet you, that means you're far more important than I thought. Maybe if you shout, she'll appear… hehe…"
Changli walked up to her and asked: "What are those red pillars over there?"
Camellya chuckled: "Oh, those? They weren't originally red… The anomaly data must have corrupted them…"
Lucian's frown deepened: "Anomaly data? From the earlier data about the Port City of Guixu?"
Just then, Aalto's communication came through.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Money Tree?"
Aalto: "?"
…
…