A world-renowned power actually went to seek guidance from an organization following a different Path.
They even claimed they wanted to attempt to understand and pursue Harmony.
Naturally, the Family wouldn't refuse such a golden opportunity; they were quite keen on spreading the radiance of the Harmony among the Rangers.
They even harbored the ambition of having the Rangers join the Family outright.
But what the Rangers pursued was aiding the weak with strength and protecting life with death throughout the cosmos.
They didn't mind preaching their own philosophy, but they clearly weren't going to agree to being absorbed into the Family.
And yet, at that very moment...
Penacony had two powerful Rangers who had participated in the crusade against Zulo. Not only did they join a branch of the Family, but they even took the lead in establishing a Family to enlist.
Under different circumstances, Tiernan's actions might have been scrutinized by the main family.
However, at that specific point in time...
The fact that Tiernan and Kamu joined the Family and even became heads of a Family turned into a textbook success story for them. Gopher Wood was even lavishly praised by the main family for it.
As for the Galaxy Rangers...
Because they had the endorsement of the Ranger leader, everyone knew why Tiernan had returned to Penacony to do what he did. Thus, the Rangers maintained an attitude of approval.
Through this series of coincidences, the entire situation became rather bizarre.
With the main family personally stepping forward to offer praise, would the heads of the other branch families dare to voice any objections?
Add to that the fact that Tiernan and Kamu were originally Gopher Wood's saviors.
The final result was that the Lampmoth Family, led by Tiernan, managed to establish a firm foothold in Penacony in such a peculiar fashion, all in the name of a version of the Harmony that wasn't exactly pure.
"...So strictly speaking, it's actually thanks to your contribution, Bai Ming. If it weren't for that experience during the crusade against Zulo, I'm afraid it would have been difficult for me to stand on the front stage of Penacony like this."
Tiernan looked at Bai Ming with gratitude. If it weren't for her...
If he hadn't already touched upon the power of the Harmony back then, Tiernan could have certainly found a place in Penacony, but it would have been hard to pull together a unique, independent Family like this.
"...This really doesn't have much to do with me, does it?"
Bai Ming flashed a subtle smile.
She hadn't been the one to teach the Galaxy Rangers to go study under the Family.
And as for the timing Tiernan seized—if anyone claimed that was just a coincidence, who would believe them?
He had likely been brooding over it in the shadows for who knows how long.
"By the way, speaking of which, have you two met the Astral Express's new Navigator yet?"
Though they knew Bai Ming was changing the subject, Mikhail's eyes lit up the moment the Astral Express was mentioned.
"We've already made contact, but Miss Himeko claims she is currently Trailblazing another route and doesn't have time to come over for now. It might be a while before we can meet."
After hundreds of years of bitter waiting, a grand obsession that even led him to discard his physical body to survive—it had finally borne fruit recently.
The Astral Express had set sail once more, and a young person had become the new Navigator.
To Mikhail, there truly was nothing more worth being happy about than this.
If there was, it could only be boarding the Express again for one more Trailblaze.
"Then, are you two interested in returning to the Astral Express to go Trailblazing?"
The moment Bai Ming said this, Tiernan remained somewhat steady, but Mikhail nearly dropped to his knees to call her his benefactor.
This old man was never exactly the serious type to begin with; hearing that he actually had a chance to return to the Express, he really found it hard to restrain himself.
"To put it simply, I can help you progress from your state of being 'Memories' to becoming Memokeepers. Though, there is a chance you'll be treated with hostility by the Garden of Recollection."
"Allow me to consider that. As for Penacony... I always feel like there are still issues here."
Tiernan didn't agree immediately.
He had brought Bai Ming to Dreamflux Reef today specifically to discuss these matters.
Mikhail also settled down quite a bit after hearing this, giving a dry cough before adding:
"We've been trying to find a solution to replace the Stellaron. Right now, we really can't just wash our hands of it. Besides, Gopher Wood... it always feels like he's hiding something."
Tiernan nodded.
"Even though Synesthesia Dreamscapes are naturally surreal and bizarre, some things are indeed just too strange. We're worried Gopher Wood might go down a rabbit hole."
"...I thought you were worried he'd turn into a villain."
Hearing Bai Ming's quip, Mikhail was the first to burst out laughing.
"Hahaha~ Gopher Wood is a good person. He always has been, from the past until now. I believe in him."
"See, the old man says that every time. I can only count on you, Madam Bai Ming. His sudden decision to personally head out this time is very strange. I suspect there's another underlying reason."
Compared to Mikhail, Tiernan was more cautious. He surmised that Gopher Wood's secret might somehow be related to Madam Bai Ming.
Tiernan wasn't saying he thought Gopher Wood was a villain.
But the man definitely had some significant secret he had been keeping from the two of them.
"Gopher Wood rarely leaves Penacony. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this Dreamscape is his life's work. Dealing with something like the Swarm... logically, it should have been me or Kamu stepping up to handle it."
Tiernan spoke with total earnestness.
If the Bloodhounds were the Family responsible for internal security, then Tiernan's Lampmoths were the armed group meant to project power externally.
It wasn't that Penacony hadn't seen bugs before.
The Dreamscape Boundary alone contained memories related to the Swarm that would occasionally pop up to give people a fright.
The traces of the Swarm were scattered across the entire universe.
Even if they were being cautious, it should have been Tiernan leading the response while Gopher Wood stayed in Penacony to oversee the big picture.
Yet, this time, the man had rushed out personally.
The reason given was plausible, but Tiernan just instinctively felt something was off.
"His eagerness this time gives me the feeling that he's finally found the opportunity he's been waiting for."
Faced with Tiernan's baseless speculation, Mikhail was somewhat speechless.
There wasn't a shred of evidence—it was all just gut feelings and guesswork.
"...You're taking it a bit too far. What opportunity would Gopher Wood be waiting for? The Swarm? Or Madam Bai Ming, or perhaps the Iron Cavalry of Glamoth?"
"I know. That's why I'm only telling you and Madam Bai Ming. I haven't even told Kamu."
In Bai Ming's eyes, Tiernan's suspicion wasn't entirely unfounded.
After all, in the game, Gopher Wood had led Sunday through the event of the Order's resurrection.
Now, while Gopher Wood wasn't dead, he had basically lived through the same experiences.
He might very well be plotting how to revive the Order right now.
But rather than guessing...
She could actually just ask the memories of Penacony directly.
No matter how powerful the Harmony was, it was still the Harmony, not Remembrance.
The environment of Penacony was naturally the home turf for Memokeepers.
As long as one wanted to look, they could always dig up clues.
She didn't have much confidence in fishing out that third Trailblazer senior who had been lost in the depths of the Memory Zone for centuries.
But if it was just searching for the memories of Penacony, that was well within her reach.
However, just as Bai Ming was rolling up her sleeves, ready to dig deep into these secrets, Gopher Wood quite bluntly laid the answer right in front of her.
Right there, at the Dewlight Pavilion.
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL