An Emanator that shouldn't exist. If you just looked at observational records, there were certainly many Aeons who hadn't appointed Emanators, leaving many possibilities.
But an Emanator that was theoretically impossible? Among the recorded Aeons, only one Path fit that description.
Nihility.
Negative, decadent, meaningless... The Aeon of Nihility, whose core concept was to dissolve the very foundation of all existence, was bound by Their Path to be an Aeon of inaction.
To proactively appoint an Emanator would be a complete contradiction to Their negative Path.
Before this, Black Swan had never imagined that an Emanator of Nihility could actually exist.
It was only after she encountered that purple-haired woman and shared a dance with her that she finally felt a bone-deep tremor of fear.
In the face of a black hole of that magnitude, even Sparkle's mischievous, trouble-making nature seemed remarkably friendly. It had to be said, Elation was indeed a good remedy for Nihility, at least partially.
Now, hearing Su Mo bring it up, Black Swan immediately took the task upon herself.
"Oh? Who's so interesting that even you are intrigued? I want to go too!" Seeing Black Swan's expression, Sparkle immediately raised her hand, eager to join the fun.
"Be mindful of how you communicate. Do not use force." Seeing their expressions, Su Mo nodded in agreement. "Of course, if a conflict does arise, just call my name."
"Got it! My dear is so reliable!" Hearing this instruction, Sparkle was overjoyed. She rushed over and, right in front of Robin, planted a peck on Su Mo's cheek. She was genuinely moved. In this cold universe, only when she was working for Su Mo could she feel this solid sense of security.
Black Swan also felt a great sense of relief at this promise.
Although that Emanator of Nihility hadn't shown any aggression—in fact, her overall demeanor was quite harmless—having been scared by her before, Black Swan knew that if she were to truly make a move, she had the power to annihilate all of Penacony.
"You..." Watching Sparkle take liberties with Su Mo, Robin momentarily forgot her earlier confusion, so angry she was rendered speechless.
Unfortunately, Sparkle paid no mind to her glare. With a wave, she bid farewell to Su Mo and skipped away with Black Swan.
After the two left, Robin finally looked at Su Mo. After a moment's hesitation, she spoke with a worried tone.
"Lord Su Mo, as you said, the Star's continued silence may not be a good thing for you." She placed a fist over her heart, steeling herself. "While I'd like to ask you to continue saving Penacony, if it puts you in danger, it would be putting the cart before the horse."
"So, I ask one thing of you. If you sense danger, please leave at once. You have no obligation to save a place that could harm you."
Robin knew that the Harmony's assimilation was, in a sense, no different from annexation or invasion.
Although Su Mo's status and power far exceeded her expectations, a direct confrontation with an Aeon was still far too dangerous. In that case, she would rather Su Mo not get involved in this mess.
"Even if Penacony faces the danger of annihilation, you would be okay with that?" Su Mo asked curiously upon hearing her words.
"Yes!" Robin nodded firmly. "Penacony's crisis should be resolved by the people of Penacony. If The Family would harm Lord Su Mo for extending a helping hand, then I would rather you not do so... A person like you shouldn't have to face such a danger for a place like this."
The young woman let out a long breath, stating her conviction. Although Penacony was very important to her, in her eyes, Su Mo's safety was even more so. A hero shouldn't be backstabbed after helping someone.
"That way of thinking isn't very 'Harmonious' of you," Su Mo teased with a small smile.
Seeing Robin's anxiety, as if she wanted to say more, he added, "Do not worry. I am already aware of the Harmony Aeon's thoughts. But there is no need for any special countermeasures." He paused slightly, then added, "After all, it's just an Aeon."
Hearing this, Robin froze on the spot. "Huh?"
For a moment, she had a hard time accepting Su Mo's explosive statement. However, she also knew that a powerhouse of his level was not easily persuaded, so she didn't say more. After leaving the hotel, she continued to guide Su Mo through the dreamscape.
It wasn't until the next morning, when the tour concluded, that Robin took her leave.
Not long after, Su Mo received a text from March 7th.
How was your tour, Lord Su Mo? I heard Miss Robin has gone back. If you need a guide, I can show you around! Stelle and I went to a lot of places yesterday, and I'm just dying to share them with someone! [March 7th Starry Eyes.JPG]
After having her "love" stolen by Robin, March 7th had decided to go on the offensive. She had perfectly timed her invitation.
To this, Su Mo naturally wouldn't refuse. With Sparkle and Black Swan looking for Acheron, all he had to do now was wait.
"Yay!" Seeing Su Mo agree to her request, March 7th rolled around on her bed in delight. Then she immediately opened a chat window with her best friend.
"Stelle, you don't have to go sightseeing with me later. Let's explore separately!"
"Huh? Didn't we say we were going to find the best spot for a date with Dad? Why are we stopping before we've even found it?" The little gray-haired girl scratched her head, a bit confused.
"I'm tired from walking around yesterday, I want to rest a bit!" March 7th said with an apologetic expression, telling a little lie. She couldn't let the little gray-haired girl disturb this precious opportunity to be alone with Lord Su Mo. She felt a bit bad, but she'd make it up to her later!
"Tired? Why would you get tired in a dream?" Stelle was still confused. "Not to brag, but even outside of Penacony, I can sleep for twenty-four hours straight!"
"That's not exactly something to be proud of!" March 7th retorted, speechless.
"Oh!" The little gray-haired girl obediently typed back.
Just as March 7th was feeling a pang of guilt, Stelle's next message came through.
"Little March, you didn't happen to have already asked Dad out and are trying to sneak away, did you?"
The Stellaron Human's intuition was also quite sharp. She already suspected something was off with her best friend.
"No! Of course not!" March 7th immediately shook her head, a reflex. "I swear on my IQ, I didn't do that!"
"Hiss, what a vicious curse!" Stelle's suspicion was finally put to rest. "Alright, I believe you then. Get some rest."
"Mhm, mhm!" March 7th immediately nodded.
Just then, she suddenly remembered a potential loophole and quickly added, "Oh, right, Lord Su Mo must be tired too after a whole day of sightseeing. Stelle, you shouldn't bother Lord Su Mo today either!" If Stelle, having been stood up by her, went straight to Su Mo, wouldn't she be exposed?
"Hmm? Mhm, mhm!" Stelle hadn't thought of that. Hearing March 7th's suggestion, the little gray-haired girl's eyes lit up. "Don't worry, I won't disturb Dad's rest!" she promised solemnly.
For a moment, both of them breathed a sigh of relief.
"This is foolproof!" x2.
Ten minutes later. At the entrance to the Golden Hour.
Before Su Mo stood a gray-haired girl and a pink-haired girl, staring at each other. The atmosphere was incredibly awkward.
"Little March, didn't you say you were going to rest?" Stelle asked, taking the preemptive strike.
"I! I suddenly felt full of energy, not very tired, so I didn't rest," March 7th explained, a little guiltily, then immediately retorted, "Wait, didn't you also say you wouldn't look for Lord Su Mo? Why are you here too?"
"I... I heard Dad was tired, so as his caring little daughter, I came to ease his fatigue! What's wrong with that?!" The little gray-haired girl righteously turned the tables.
The two glared at each other for several seconds, neither willing to back down. Just as the onlookers thought a dramatic showdown was about to begin, Stelle spoke first. "Shall we shelve our dispute for now and develop jointly?"
"What does that mean?" March 7th didn't quite understand.
"It means, since neither of us is willing to back out, why don't we both accompany Dad?" Stelle sighed and explained.
"Fine! I guess that's the only way!" March 7th had to compromise. Although she didn't get her one-on-one date, exploring Penacony together was still nice.
Su Mo naturally had no objections.
While Stelle and March 7th were noisy and didn't know Penacony as well as Robin, they were certainly more entertaining. The only lamentable thing was Stelle's habit of rummaging through trash cans.
"Awooo!"
While strolling near the Studio City, the little gray-haired girl suddenly let out a wolf howl, picked up her baseball bat, and charged into an alley.
"Stelle! Slow down, wait!" Watching her agile figure, March 7th pressed a hand to her forehead. "Don't tell me she found another trash can with rare attributes?" Heaven only knew why trash cans were so appealing to Stelle, and why there were so many different kinds.
"No, not this time at least," Su Mo shook his head.
March 7th was surprised. Besides trash cans, what else could possibly attract the Stellaron Human so much?
Just as she was about to hurry over and see, she suddenly heard Stelle's powerful voice.
The first sentence was: "Protecting the beautiful girl is my duty!"
The second sentence was: "Dad, save me!"
"?"
A large question mark immediately appeared over March 7th's head. Beautiful girl? Where did a beautiful girl come from?
Together with Su Mo, she quickly reached the corner of the alley.
Only then did she see the Hound Family staff in front of Stelle, and behind her, a girl with long silver hair, wearing a green dress that shimmered like a firefly, being protected.
For some unknown reason, a strange sense of crisis rose in Little March's heart.