The War of the Gods. The will of the Amber Lord.
Either of these phrases, if leaked to the outside world, would cause a huge uproar across the entire universe. Yet, at this moment, Topaz spoke them with a serious face, without any hesitation.
Even March 7th and Stelle, who were originally uninterested in adult conversations, subconsciously moved closer, their faces full of curiosity. The two little ones had no intention of keeping their distance, but Himeko was different.
Hearing Topaz's words and confirming that she was serious, Himeko stood up, her expression stiff. "Is it really appropriate for us from the Astral Express to hear secrets of this level?"
"If you two have confidential matters to discuss, we can actually leave for a while."
This was the second time she had offered to leave the space to Su Mo and Topaz. The first time was when they entered, but both Topaz and Su Mo had said it was fine, so she had stayed.
But who would have thought that the topic would be so explosive as soon as it began. Was this really something that Nameless like them should be listening to?
Himeko had enough self-awareness about her own status. Even if March 7th and Stelle were favored by Su Mo, it wasn't a reason for her to get involved in an event of this magnitude.
The War of the Gods... it sounded like a war of Aeons, a cosmic-scale event.
Although she was indeed very curious, their Astral Express Crew was just a major branch of the Trailblaze faction. Now that the Aeon of Trailblaze had long since fallen, they didn't seem qualified to participate in the negotiations between Su Mo and the IPC.
One was backed by the Aeon of Life, the other by the Aeon of Preservation, both beings they couldn't hope to reach.
Welt Yang naturally agreed wholeheartedly with Himeko's caution. There was no need to get involved in such a dangerous matter.
However, the two little ones had no such sense of crisis.
"Himeko's actually scared!" the little gray-haired girl's eyes widened in surprise. The words she spoke made a vein pop on Himeko's forehead.
Just then, she saw March 7th nudge Stelle's waist with her elbow. "Keep it down!"
Himeko was instantly gratified. Although this brat Stelle was unreliable, Little March was still her caring little cotton jacket.
And just then, March 7th added, "Even if it's the truth, you can't just say it out loud! Wouldn't that make Sister Himeko so embarrassed?"
Congratulations, after the incident with Sunday, March 7th's emotional intelligence had improved. She knew what to say and what not to say.
Except...
Can't you speak a little softer? Didn't everyone hear that? Saying it like that makes it even more embarrassing!
Himeko struggled to maintain her stiff expression, finally experiencing what Sunday had felt before.
"Ahem!"
Even Topaz, a business elite, almost lost her composure upon hearing the two of them. Fortunately, she was experienced and had anticipated this possibility, so she quickly adjusted her emotions.
After clearing her throat, she immediately spoke. "Miss Himeko, don't worry. In fact, our side hopes that the Trailblaze faction can also participate in this event. According to Diamond's judgment, everyone in the Express Crew is qualified to know this secret, and we are willing to trust in your character. We will not pursue any accountability afterwards."
Saying this, she looked at Su Mo and said with utmost sincerity, "Of course, even if we were to keep it from you, given the relationship between the Express Crew and Lord Su Mo, if he wished it, this information couldn't be hidden. It's better to be open and honest from the beginning."
Hearing Topaz say this, Himeko felt a little more at ease. If it were just negotiating with the IPC alone, they would worry about being tricked, as the Interastral Peace Corporation had done such unscrupulous things before. But now, with Topaz making a promise in front of Su Mo, there was no need to worry. In that case, listening in seemed fine.
At this moment, Welt Yang also spoke up at the right time. "If it's an event involving Aeons, it will inevitably affect the entire universe, and it may also affect our journey. If there's a chance, it would be good to understand it before making plans."
Clearly, he was also in favor of staying.
"If that's the case, then we'll stay," Himeko made the decision and sat down again.
Then, she looked at Topaz and asked the biggest question on everyone's minds. "So, Miss Topaz, what exactly is the War of the Gods?"
It sounded very ominous.
"It's exactly as it sounds," Topaz explained simply. "In the near future, a great catastrophe will befall the entire universe, a disaster like the Swarm Disaster, or even more terrifying."
"The flames of war will spread throughout the universe, and eventually, they will even reach the highest divine thrones. Even the Aeons will eventually be drawn into the war, starting a conflict that will involve multiple Aeons. Even Qlipoth, the Aeon of Preservation, the Amber Lord we believe in, will not be able to stay out of it."
"Therefore, we have been preparing for this war, to support Lord Amber Lord at the most critical moment!"
Without any suspense, she directly revealed the secret the company had been preparing for years. This was news that could shake the entire universe. Even though Himeko was experienced and had been on many journeys, this was the first time she had participated in such a grand event.
"So, the Aeon of Preservation and his faction are already preparing for the upcoming war?" Himeko took a sharp breath, unable to imagine how wide the scope of the so-called War of the Gods would be.
The Interastral Peace Corporation alone was enough to start a war on an interstellar scale. If you added Aeons, and multiple Aeons at that, the scale would be enough to destroy the world.
Topaz's description was not an exaggeration at all. This was indeed a terrifying disaster comparable to, or even surpassing, the Swarm Disaster.
"Are you sure this information is true?" Welt Yang was also shocked by the information Topaz revealed. Out of caution, he asked for confirmation.
The reason he didn't ask about the IPC's source of information was, firstly, because it was inappropriate, and secondly, because in this universe, powers that could glimpse into the future were not uncommon, such as Elio of the Stellaron Hunters. Whether it was predicting the future based on calculations or reversing causality through time, it was possible to get a glimpse of the future; it was just a matter of accuracy.
"I'm sure," Topaz nodded seriously. "In fact, we are not the only ones who have seen the same outcome. Other factions are also preparing for this inevitable war."
Saying this, she took a deep look at Stelle and said, "For example, the Stellaron Hunters, with whom you have already dealt."
"..." Himeko fell silent. If the Stellaron Hunters' goal was related to the War of the Gods, it would explain their purpose in collecting Stellarons.
In addition, both the Stellaron Hunters and the IPC had a rather special attitude towards the Express Crew. It could be judged that they must have seen them in the prophesied future, which was why they had made such choices.
Seeing that she was finally convinced, Topaz looked at Su Mo again. "I believe that with Lord Su Mo's power and wisdom, you should also have some understanding of this inevitable war, right?"
She hadn't been mistaken. When she mentioned the War of the Gods, Su Mo's expression showed no surprise, and he even seemed a little bored. This showed that he had also known about this prophecy for a long time. In Topaz's view, Su Mo would surely acknowledge this prophecy, leaving the Express Crew with no further doubts.
However...
"Inevitable?" Su Mo shook his head, actually refuting her statement. "Don't so easily say 'inevitable.' For a true god, there is no such thing as 'inevitable,' whether in the past or the future."
Hearing this, Topaz was slightly taken aback, and Aventurine was also a little stunned. "You mean, the prophecy of the War of the Gods isn't true?" Their company had prepared for this war for who knows how long. Could it all have been for nothing?
"No, the prophecy is true," Su Mo shook his head, dispelling the doubts of Topaz, Himeko, and the others.
Then, he took a light sip of black tea and added, "Provided that there isn't a being of sufficient weight to change it."
For the current Su Mo, whether it was time or fate, as long as it didn't involve a complete cosmology, it would not be an obstacle to him. If he wished, the War of the Gods could be eliminated before it even happened.
Topaz and the others naturally didn't understand the actual meaning of this sentence and thought that the "being of sufficient weight" Su Mo was referring to was an Aeon.
So, after a sigh of relief, Topaz said sincerely, "You're right! That's why Lord Amber Lord is seeking a way to preserve civilization in the disaster and performed the second miracle on Belobog."
"So? What's its plan?" Su Mo asked in a relaxed tone. "It can't be that it wants to exchange a mere pittance of wealth for my help, can it?"
"Of course not," Topaz immediately shook her head. Regarding Su Mo's words "my help," she showed no surprise or astonishment, which was rare.
"The miracle on Belobog was just the Amber Lord's way of showing goodwill, a simple greeting."
"Its true intention has already been communicated to us through a unique method of communication."
Hearing their nonchalant conversation, the little gray-haired girl's eyes turned red. A fortune that could book the entire Penacony, you call that a "mere pittance"? Just a greeting?
If it weren't inappropriate, she really wanted to tell Su Mo that if you don't want it, I do!
However, at this moment, no one was paying attention to the trivial matter of money. Everyone was looking at Topaz, wanting to know what the instruction she mentioned was.
Topaz didn't keep them in suspense either. She took out the small briefcase she carried with her and placed it on the table in front of them.
When the briefcase was opened, as if a seal had been broken, a sacred power unique to the Path of Preservation suddenly gushed out, instantly filling the entire room. If it weren't for the shield Su Mo had set up in advance, the entire Penacony would probably have felt this supreme aura.
In the center of the opened case was a clear yellow gem.
"Is this...?" Himeko asked in confusion. "Miss Topaz's Cornerstone?"
It was said that each of the Ten Stonehearts possessed a Cornerstone. This Cornerstone was a material that had splashed off when the Amber Lord was building the walls. "Diamond" had sealed his authority of Preservation within it, allowing the Ten Stonehearts to borrow the power of the Emanator of Preservation.
For the Ten Stonehearts, this was an item more precious than their own lives.
"Yes, this is my Topaz of Repayment," Topaz nodded, admitting it.
Welt Yang's eyes widened in curiosity, observing the gem that few people had ever seen in person.
But to everyone's surprise, after taking out her Topaz of Repayment, she casually tossed it aside and added, "However, this is just a disguise, to cover up what is truly important. As long as the safety of the holy relic is ensured, it doesn't matter if the Topaz of Repayment is lost."
"What is truly important?" Himeko's eyes widened. The Cornerstone itself was an extraordinary treasure. After being sealed with the power of the Emanator of Preservation, it was a priceless treasure. A treasure of this level was actually just a disguise?
What in the world was worth using a Cornerstone as a decoy to protect?
"Yes," Topaz nodded and, with a respectful expression, took out a gem shining with an amber light from a hidden compartment in the upper center of the case.
The moment this gem appeared, everyone felt as if they were seeing the Amber Lord himself, an ancient, majestic, vast, and resilient aura. It was only then that they realized that the incredibly sacred aura from before was not from the Topaz of Repayment, but from the honey-like amber gem before them.
"This is...?" Himeko managed to say with difficulty. If Su Mo hadn't weakened the gem's power, she probably wouldn't have been able to speak at all.
"This is the Amber Lord's Divine Fragment! It is a fragment that the Amber Lord personally stripped from the core of his divine body, and it is the sincerity that Lord Amber Lord is willing to give."
Topaz held the gem with utmost reverence, then looked at Su Mo with a little trepidation. After taking a deep breath, she finally calmed down enough to accurately convey the Amber Lord's will.
"He is willing to offer his divine body to sign a contract with you, Lord Su Mo. He hopes to, like the Aeon of the Hunt, join the Alliance of Aeons you have created and become a member of your camp!"