Moments later, Lucian picked up the Blake Bloom from under the tree. Beside it were several damaged photos.
"The frequency lingering on this Blake Bloom is indeed Lady Flora's."
"These frequencies are from twenty years ago, and there's been nothing new since."
"The Blake Bloom is proof of a Bloom Bearer's identity, so this basically confirms the last date Lady Flora was active at the Black Shores."
"It's very close to the time the Black Shores' leader stopped appearing…"
Camellya, holding onto Lucian's arm, examined the Blake Bloom as she spoke.
Lucian pondered her words. Based on the memories from Shorekeeper's crystal, he knew he had left the Black Shores five hundred years ago.
Rover disappeared twenty years ago, and Camellya, from that time, also left the Black Shores around then.
He wondered what connection there was.
But it was surprising that Rover's disappearance was relatively recent, while he had been gone for centuries.
"Speaking of which, my impression of Rover is much clearer."
"You're like a faint mark in my heart, hard to grasp, but when I saw you again, that vague impression came rushing back."
Lucian nodded slightly. This was further proof that Rover stayed at the Black Shores longer.
"With so many remnants, we should be able to locate the star chart now, right? Let's go find Beatrice."
"Ugh… I want to stay with you a bit longer," Camellya said, shaking his arm.
Lucian rubbed her head, "We have plenty of time. For now, let's focus on finding that escaped star chart."
…
Half an hour ago, at the greenhouse.
"You're saying Abby came to you last night?"
Shorekeeper nodded slightly, recalling the previous night, "Yes, Abby was very worried about you."
Rover furrowed her brow and asked, "What exactly happened?"
Shorekeeper didn't answer immediately, instead asking, "Have you noticed Abby's 'hunger' and 'sleepiness' increasing lately?"
Hunger and sleepiness?
As for hunger, Lucian had been feeding Abby food and satiety pills.
Since then, Abby rarely complained about being hungry.
But the sleepiness did seem to have increased.
Initially, she and Lucian thought it was because Abby was too hungry, causing the sleepiness.
Abby himself had said, 'I get sleepy when I'm hungry,' but recently, despite eating the same amount, he was still constantly asleep in the Tacet Mark.
Since arriving at the Black Shores, he'd only come out briefly…
"Abby hasn't complained about hunger, but he has been staying in the Tacet Mark a lot lately."
Shorekeeper nodded slightly, "I previously sensed an anomaly in your body's frequency, which indeed came from Abby. Now, that frequency's abnormal fluctuations have intensified, though it's a change so subtle it's almost imperceptible…"
"…But Abby's frequency is indeed decaying at a very slow rate."
"Abby himself has noticed this too. He's worried that his frequency decay might affect you, so he came to me for help."
"…The person he wants to protect might be facing danger because of him. I can feel Abby's urgency."
Rover was at a loss, "After all this time together, Abby's become our closest companion."
"…Is there any way to fix this?"
Shorekeeper nodded, "I've found the most feasible solution, but before I explain it, please take a look at this…"
…
Back to the present, at the Modulation Hall.
Lucian had informed Beatrice about the collected remnants, and she told him to come to the Modulation Hall, where she was already waiting.
"Honored Guest, just give me the remnants… Huh?"
Beatrice looked surprised as she noticed Camellya following Lucian.
Camellya, aside from occasionally going out to find strong candidates, showed little interest in other Black Shores matters.
Seeing her here today—was the sun rising in the west?
Or perhaps…
Beatrice's gaze darted between Camellya and Lucian, a knowing smile spreading across her face.
Camellya, seeing this, pouted unhappily, "Is it that shocking to see me…? And what's with that look?"
Beatrice laughed, "I'm genuinely surprised. I didn't expect you to show up here. Are you also joining the effort to retrieve this lost error star chart?"
Camellya huffed, "Why, is that not allowed?"
Beatrice smiled, "Of course it's fine. The more help, the better—I'm thrilled. But I'm curious, what brought you here?"
Camellya glanced at Lucian and hooked her arm around his, "Now do you get it?"
Beatrice's expression grew even more suggestive, "I get it, I get it…"
"But… wasn't Mr. Lucian quite close with Rover before…?"
Beatrice mumbled, unsure of the exact nature of Lucian's relationships with the two.
Lucian: "…"
The star chart was the priority now, so Beatrice didn't have time to dwell on it. She said, "Regardless, getting her to cooperate is impressive."
Lucian laughed, "Looks like Camellya's reputation among Black Shores colleagues is indeed that of a lone wolf."
Beatrice nodded with a smile, "Exactly. With your strength, Mr. Lucian, and Camellya's help, this mission's risks should be much lower."
"But I'll keep monitoring your situation, so don't worry."
Lucian handed the remnants to Beatrice, who recorded their information at the console before returning them.
"Wait a moment. I'll process the data, and then you can use the portal to dive in."
With that, Beatrice began working at the console.
Camellya chuckled, "Past, present, future… all the possibilities of the universe shift within this sea of stars."
"How fascinating. I'm starting to get curious—what kind of information about 'me' is hidden in there…?"
Beneath the Black Shores, endless star charts formed a vast subterranean galaxy, tirelessly computing day and night.
This artificial starry sky gave the underground Tethys the name 'City of Eternal Night.'
As she mused, Beatrice opened the portal.
"Let's go. I'm looking forward to the stories of the past. Maybe we'll even see the old you in the star chart's memories."
Camellya's face lit up with curiosity as she took Lucian's hand and stepped through the portal.