Under Gallagher's guidance.
A group of over a dozen people moved together toward the place where Mikhail had met his end.
It was a quiet balcony, where a kind-looking old man lay peacefully in a rocking chair.
His expression was gentle and serene, making him look as though he were still alive.
"This is where the old man spent his final moments." Gallagher stood by the edge of the balcony, both hands braced against the railing, his expression unreadable. "What he left for the Nameless of the Astral Express is also here."
"Is that the Memoria Bubble?"
Stelle noticed the basketball-sized Bubble resting in the old man's arms.
"That's right." Gallagher nodded slightly and said wistfully. "That Memoria Bubble looks completely blank to me, but perhaps it uses a form of encryption unique to the Astral Express."
"Since the old man left it here, he must have had his reasons."
He didn't know exactly what Mikhail had left behind.
He only knew that this old man—who had fought his entire life—held an exceptionally deep, almost faith-like trust in the Astral Express.
And it was precisely because of that fervent trust that Gallagher himself couldn't help but place great hope in the Astral Express.
"Since it's something meant for the Nameless, we won't interfere."
Sol stepped back slightly, quietly observing the old man.
Another legend—someone who had fought his entire life without ever stopping. Fighting the Interastral Peace Corporation, fighting the corrupted families, fighting traitors from within—a truly respectable warrior.
In spirit, he stood as a monument.
Aventurine, the three Stellaron Hunters, Sparkle, and Black Swan all moved closer to Sol, leaving space for the Astral Express Crew.
Watching as they took turns sinking their consciousness into the Memoria Bubble, Sol's thoughts drifted away, his hand idly toying with Silver Wolf's lifeless-looking white hair.
"Mysterious fellow."
Aventurine leaned against a thick Roman-style pillar, his gaze flicking toward Sol.
This man didn't have the prominent reputation of the Astral Express, the Stellaron Hunters, the Masked Fools, the Memokeepers of the Garden of Recollection, or Emanators of Nihility—those who were either famous or unmistakably extraordinary at a glance.
Aside from being a bit better-looking, he was practically a nobody in interstellar society.
And yet Sol was surrounded by stars, with every troublesome individual present treating him with courtesy. That alone was highly unusual.
Aventurine didn't know Sol's origins, nor what kind of power he wielded.
But these abnormalities stirred a sense of danger born purely from instinct.
And that laughable line about being a "partner of justice" only made him scoff. That playboy-like aura didn't match those words in the slightest.
Perhaps this man would be his greatest rival in harvesting the fruits of victory in Penacony.
Aventurine rubbed a green gemstone riddled with cracks between his fingers, silently calculating whether one-tenth of this damaged Emanator-level power would be enough for him to take everything.
If the power of The Family and the Astral Express neutralized each other, he would need to use Emanator power to clean up the rest.
Ideally, they would be evenly matched—otherwise, he would have to ask Topaz and Jade for assistance.
When he had been detained by The Family and the Golden Hour encountered complications, his two colleagues had already rushed over.
And their gemstones were already deep within The Family's territory, playing a crucial role.
At critical moments, they could step in to secure the greatest asset for the Interastral Peace Corporation.
That said, his goal was merely to take control of Penacony, not to destroy it, so resistance shouldn't be too fierce.
Presumably, that Emanator of Nihility wouldn't meddle either.
As for other unstable variables, they would mostly be the Stellaron Hunters.
Counting the power of Topaz and Jade, two of the Ten Stonehearts, his side possessed roughly three-tenths of an Emanator.
Looking at the overall situation—
The advantage is mine.
"What are you thinking about?"
Silver Wolf finally couldn't stand the hand messing with her head and questioned the absent-minded Sol.
She could already feel the strange looks from Kafka and Firefly, as well as Sparkle's merciless mockery.
Messing with her like this in public—did she, Silver Wolf, have no dignity at all?!
"My little bird seems to have gotten lost."
Sol's gaze pierced through several buildings, as if seeing Robin asking for directions.
He had only told the little bird to come to Dreamflux Reef to meet allies, without specifying an exact address. Robin didn't know where they were.
If she kept searching on her own, she'd probably pass right by them.
"Your little bird… got lost?"
Silver Wolf lowered her head, no longer caring about her hair being played with, staring with intense curiosity.
That thing could get lost? This was a first for her.
Did it have auto-targeting and just press [E] to burrow underground?
Or did it gain self-awareness and go off flirting on its own?
Flick!
Sol brought two fingers together and flicked Silver Wolf on the forehead.
He didn't know what this gremlin was thinking, but her line of sight was definitely suspicious.
You're so small—do you really have to be this dirty-minded?!
"Ugh!"
Silver Wolf clutched her forehead, tears welling up at the corners of her eyes. "If you've got something to say, just say it—don't hit me!"
She was going to report Sol for employee abuse—Universal Labor Law, Employee Protection Act, someone come save her!
"Hehe."
Firefly's eyes curved as she couldn't help laughing out loud.
Her threshold for laughter was high, but today she really couldn't hold it in.
To think that the always-strong Silver Wolf would look this pitiful.
Kafka crossed her arms, watching Silver Wolf with amusement, a smile playing at her lips.
So, this was what a "good working environment" looked like? The Stellaron Hunters had never let Silver Wolf enjoy anything like this.
Sol ignored them and instead looked at Gallagher. "Mr. Gallagher, one of my allies—Robin—wants to come meet us. Would that be convenient?"
"She's an important figure within The Family, someone who awakened to The Family's conspiracy and turned against them. Her coming shouldn't be a problem."
Politeness mattered. New standards, better conduct.
This was their territory, after all—respect was due.
"No problem. I'll have someone go pick her up."
Gallagher paused briefly, his look toward Sol turning strange.
He was the one who had initially brought Robin over, hoping that this pure follower of Harmony would lend a hand.
He brought her to Dreamflux Reef, and in the blink of an eye, she vanished.
He thought someone else had snatched her away—never expected Sol to cut in like this. And without a shred of professional ethics, no less?
"No need to trouble you."
Sol shook his head slightly and looked toward Black Swan beside him. "You're more suited for this. Please bring her here."
"As you wish. She'll be here shortly."
Black Swan revealed a gentle smile, then instantly dissolved into Memoria.
===BREAK===
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