Interastral Peace Corporation Headquarters, Pier Point.
Topaz strode briskly through the polished corridors of the corporate tower, a bright smile on her face.
"Oh, I didn't expect to be plunged back into work the moment I returned. At this hour, Diamond wants to see me?"
She glanced at her wrist chrono, the corners of her eyes curving into a pleased arc.
She reasoned that, barring any surprises, this summons was undoubtedly about her recent mission to the Luofu Xianzhou—more specifically, about the comprehensive agreement she had just finalized on the Corporation's behalf.
Having secured such a significant deal, Diamond would surely have some form of recognition for her, right? And most likely, she would be assigned to oversee its ongoing implementation, which meant… more opportunities to liaise with Yu Xian.
Mhm.
With that pleasant thought, Topaz came to a stop and pushed open the heavy door to a notably spacious office, one of the suites designated for Diamond within the corporate complex. And then—
"Miss Topaz, I have reviewed your debriefing report. It is excellent, particularly the sections detailing your observations on the Luofu Xianzhou. I found them most insightful."
A voice came from across the room. Following the sound, Topaz's eyes fell upon the occupant.
Her smile vanished instantly.
"Oswaldo Schneider? What are you doing here? Where is Diamond?"
Her heart gave a sudden, hard thump.
Seeing Oswaldo lounging casually in Diamond's leather chair, legs crossed, Topaz's eyes widened in disbelief.
You have got to be kidding me.
"Hehehe, time is of the essence, Miss Topaz. I merely borrowed Diamond's authority and this venue to ensure your prompt attendance. Please, have a seat… Here, I took the liberty of preparing a cup of coffee for you—a rare, premium blend. Do have a sip—"
"—to settle your nerves."
Gulp.
Despite her utter confusion and a deep-seated personal aversion to individuals like Oswaldo, he was, after all, the Head of the Market Development Department—a peer to her own superior, Diamond. At this moment, she couldn't simply turn on her heel and leave. Since he had summoned her, a minimal degree of courtesy was required…
Better to hear him out.
Topaz's expression hardened, but she still pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down firmly.
"May I inquire as to why the Head of the Market Development Department saw fit to summon me with such urgency?"
The moment she was seated, Topaz pressed the question, her tone edged with impatience. To be frank, the highly irregular scene before her had ignited a flicker of deep unease, as if some cataclysmic shift was poised to occur right before her eyes…
"Oh, allow me to share some news with you first, Topaz—"
"Miss." Oswaldo slid the porcelain coffee cup closer to Topaz, then withdrew his hand, interlacing his fingers with a practiced smile.
Topaz could see that Oswaldo's face was flushed with a peculiar excitement, his eyes gleaming with an almost manic intensity. He looked thoroughly invigorated. "Your direct superior, Mr. Diamond, Head of the Strategic Investment Department, has been dispatched by the Corporation's Board of Directors on a critical mission to the Epsilon system."
"According to field reports, the Antimatter Legion is active in that sector, and there are indications an Emanator of Destruction may be involved… The Corporation requires Diamond's formidable power as an Emanator to safeguard the Amber King's assets in the region."
"Oh, is that so? And your point is?" Topaz raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"My point is—" Oswaldo suddenly slammed a palm on the polished desk and rose to his feet, his expression turning theatrically animated, "Department Head Diamond must devote his full attention to the impending conflict. Consequently, I have been appointed by the Board to assume temporary leadership of the [Ten Stonehearts]."
"So, you summoned me here in such haste merely to inform me that you are now my acting superior? Hehe… you truly possess a… remarkably youthful spirit, Head."
Topaz frowned, but her words seemed to delight Oswaldo immensely. He threw his head back and laughed heartily, as if injected with a potent stimulant.
"Hahaha! Miss Topaz is quite perceptive! As a former Nameless, I have indeed always maintained a youthful perspective—much like during my days of wandering the cosmos, hmm." Oswaldo took several large gulps of his coffee, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and continued with fervor, "A youthful mindset is a virtue! It drives progress, it fosters change, it shatters stagnation—"
"The same principle applies to our Corporation. This galactic titan's foundations are deeply entrenched across the star-strewn void. Its influence permeates countless civilizations, and its economic dominance is unquestioned! And yet…" His tone shifted, taking on a zealous edge, "This colossal entity has not yet evolved into the Amber King's ultimate bastion, his most unassailable hammer. Instead, it has grown ponderous, sluggish, difficult to maneuver… This is unacceptable, wholly unacceptable…"
Hearing this rhetorical flourish, Topaz finally reached her limit. She slammed down the coffee cup she had been gripping tightly, pushed her chair back with a scrape, and stood, leveling her gaze with the man before her.
"Head Schneider, would you kindly come to the point!"
Enough with the preamble. Did he truly believe anyone wished to endure his rambling? A man whose reputation had long since eroded—did he think his positional authority granted him license to pontificate endlessly? It was utterly insufferable—
"Miss Topaz!" Oswaldo's voice abruptly sharpened, rising in volume. "The point is this: after meticulous deliberation and a formal vote by the Corporation's Board of Directors—"
"We have resolved to declare war upon the Xianzhou Alliance. Or, to be precise, we have resolved to execute a surprise military strike against the Luofu Xianzhou, a constituent member of said Alliance."
"…What?!!!!"
"Have you lost your mind?" Topaz stared at him, her face a mask of pure incredulity. Oswaldo, meanwhile, looked as exhilarated as if he had just quenched a desperate thirst with an entire bottle of ice-cold Soda on a sweltering day—he laughed with unchecked glee.
"I am perfectly sane, as are every member of the Board. Compose yourself, Miss Topaz!"
Oswaldo thrust a formal document before Topaz's eyes. On it, clearly printed, was the Board of Directors' official resolution to declare war on the Luofu Xianzhou, complete with the authentic signatures—Scar-Eyed Madame, Taravan Keane, Yanshiluo…
Topaz's breath hitched in her throat.
It's genuine?!!!! Have they all gone completely mad?!
"We arrived at this decision through rigorous strategic analysis and risk assessment, Miss Topaz! Consider the assets the Xianzhou Alliance possesses—assets we covet most intensely—" Oswaldo hastily stuffed the document back into his inner pocket, then spread his arms wide in a grandiose gesture.
"Its immense accumulated wealth, its unique and sophisticated technological ecosystem, its vast reservoir of highly skilled personnel, its incomprehensible reserves of Path energy, its expanses of territory ripe for development, and—"
He paused dramatically. Topaz could sense this was the crux of his fervor—the point that excited him so profoundly he seemed to momentarily forget to breathe.
"The secret to longevity. True, enduring life."
"Look beyond our own corridors—peer across the cosmos! How many beings of power and influence do not hunger for immortality? That reclusive genius from the Genius Society remains elusive, beyond reach. But the Xianzhou… the Xianzhou holds a more accessible, more perfected answer!!! The magnates and luminaries of this star-faring age have salivated over it for eons! Why should we not claim it for ourselves?!"
Oswaldo laughed triumphantly, but not a trace of amusement touched Topaz's features. She felt only a profound, dizzying sense of absurdity, as if the solid ground of reality had dissolved beneath her feet, plunging her into a surreal nightmare
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A/n: Hey over on my patreon there are currently two for the time being exclusive books which are
Zenless Zone Zero: Loving Daily Life Starting in New Eridu
Honkai Impact 3rd, I Can Transform into a Valkyrie!
patreon.com/deadlygoober