Ryan is Ryan—that was his most fundamental identity.
Flame-Chaser was an honor, an expectation from others, but Elysia valued his essence as a 'person' more. As she said, in creating that gift, she gained a deeper understanding of Ryan the 'person.'
He had many secrets, even seeming like he had traveled back from the future, but he lacked the arrogance of a time-traveler or the sense of mission of a Herrscher. He was more like an ordinary person of this era who had gone through many psychological shifts.
"From initial coldness and calculation to slowly taking responsibility, Ryan, you live very genuinely. And you're not perfect; you have many bad habits," Elysia wrinkled her nose, smiling even more brightly. "So, I love your grand ambition, and I love your gentleness and consideration. Being a perverted boy is cute, too. You're nothing like those old men who disguise themselves."
"You think I live genuinely?"
"Of course. I'm the Flame-Chaser of 'True Ego.' It's no wonder I was so interested in you the first time I saw you."
Fine. That flattery makes me feel good. Although I have deep thoughts and don't want to be fully seen, I can never achieve true coldness and ruthlessness.
Ryan scanned the faces before him. In a sense, he had truly suffered a social death. His entire being had been revealed by Elysia. Before this, he might have felt uneasy, but standing before End, it felt perfectly timed.
Yes, no one had forced him. He had walked this path step by step voluntarily. As Mei said, these footprints were the evidence that a transmigrator once named Wang Kai, now named Ryan, had lived. And this evidence was preserved in the hearts of everyone in this era.
At least on this branch of the Imaginary Tree, even if I fall to End and am annihilated, 'She' can never erase these footprints.
"Thank you. This is the best gift before deployment. It seems I truly have nothing left to fear."
"Hey, smack your own mouth! How can you say the most forbidden thing!" Mobius jumped out, shooting a glare at Elysia.
It's all that fatty's fault for making that gift! Now everyone's tearfully moved, and Ryan is tempting fate!
Huh? Oh, I think I did say something very taboo.
Ryan realized it but had no intention of correcting himself. Instead, he smiled: "This is the final battle. After it's over, I'll go back home and get married."
"Hey!"
"It's fine. It's called negative times negative equals positive." Ryan smiled, showing his white teeth, and pointed to the flashing alarm. "Come on, let's go. Let's meet End. I'm a bit tired. Let's finish 'Her' quickly so I, the Commander, can retire."
"You're going crazy with the death flags! I'll smack you myself!"
"Senior Brother, what do you mean by getting married? I haven't even been to your hometown."
"He just did."
"Boring. Women only slow down his draw speed. Please stop."
The group walked out chaotically. Kevin, who was at the back, wiped his eyes. In truth, this gift was for everyone. For example, he saw his awkward student self. Looking back now felt like a dream.
With Ryan as the main thread, everyone had left footprints of growth in each other's hearts. He had seen many things. Hearing the noisy conversation, he muttered under his breath.
"Too noisy. I was actually quite touched."
"Ryan probably prefers a noisy atmosphere before battle. He's never been a sentimental person," Mei stood beside him, gently holding Kevin's hand. "But Ryan is right. I'm a bit tired, too. It's time to look forward to a new life, Kevin..."
"Hmm?"
"Let's get married when we come back alive."
The white-haired youth was stunned, his eyes exploding with surprise, then fear. He quickly said: "Mei, you can't say things like that at a time like this."
"Why panic? Ryan set up three death flags just for us. He likes to shoulder the most dangerous and troublesome things. This is a kind of gentleness."
Even metaphysics must be considered. Is he taking on that risk for us?
Kevin somewhat understood. He looked up, his gaze passing over the crowd to the figure at the very front.
"Alright. I'll be waiting for you when I return."
[Deployment Alert! Deployment Alert!]
Prometheus's voice echoed repeatedly in the underground space. As the automatic doors opened, the blue light shone brightly on Ryan.
The hall was no longer empty. Thousands of personnel awaiting evacuation filled the space, looking at him with complex expressions. Seeing the group emerge arguing and laughing, they looked surprised.
They had expected the atmosphere to be tragic, or at least for everyone to look solemn. What was with all the laughing and joking? Someone uninformed might think they were going on a field trip.
As Ryan approached, the crowd parted. He looked at the familiar faces, finally stopping.
Klein, Blanca, Nuwa, Fuxi, and others were staring at him, their cheeks trembling, unsure which expression to wear.
"Alright, don't look so mournful. See? We're all very relaxed."
Relaxed?The Doctor and Miss Hua are about to start fighting, and Dystopia is still pinching Kosma, who is clearly in pain.
Klein sighed, lowering her head: "Although it's the most rational arrangement, I still feel like a deserter."
Her words represented the sentiment of the last group to evacuate—a mix of fear of death, shame, and a tiny bit of unwillingness.
Ryan didn't have time to counsel them. Just as he was about to say a few comforting words, Mobius hurried up to him.
"Klein, you think the Sea of Quanta is boring, don't you? I've already arranged a new experiment group. You'll need to assist with the observation of the Second Divine Key as well. The detailed task list is on my computer desktop. Don't worry, based on your team's work efficiency, you'll finish it in about three hundred years. Remember to work hard!"
Klein and the others were instantly petrified. Everyone else glanced over. This Dr. Mobius is a demon! She's going to challenge End and still leaves behind this much work.
Perhaps out of instinct, Klein was momentarily stunned, then subconsciously nodded: "Yes, Doctor."
"That's right! You must work hard no matter where you are. And the rest of you are the same. Do you really think going to the Sea of Quanta is a vacation?" Mobius narrowed her snake eyes, forcing back all the gazes and instantly clearing the funeral-like solemnity.
Mobius really has to be the villain. The Sea of Quanta was dangerous enough. Setting aside the dangers of the Su, humanity had lost all its factories and production capacity. They were practically starting civilization over, which was a considerable challenge.
If not for the all-in gamble needed to survive End, he truly would have left a few people behind to rebuild civilization.
While Mobius was lecturing, Mei quietly approached Ryan, handing him a blue-green feather. She had just collected it from the blue matrix.
"It responded. Is it too late?"
Mei had waited for a long time, only to get a response moments before deployment.
"Not late. I wasn't really counting on her anyway." Ryan rubbed the feather, letting the faint blue Quantum energy swallow it. "This is an extra surprise. It's not a saving grace, more like a nice finishing touch."
"Is she not afraid? And what's the benefit of doing this?"
"Mending a regret, perhaps. If I had to say a practical meaning, it's that if she truly helps, we can deal with the 'Su' with her. But there's no guarantee." Ryan lowered his hand subtly, muttering: "Just as she gave me no guarantee, it depends on how well we fight. Otherwise, she wouldn't need to get involved."
Mei nodded, understanding the implication. She nodded forward: "Time to go?"
"Yes, time to go!"
Ryan stepped forward. Mobius also stopped her work assignment. The hall returned to silence. Only the sound of leather boots echoed. Led by Ryan, the group quickly walked out.
Without an organization, the onlookers didn't know how to bid farewell. Sweet words seemed fake, and cheering might increase pressure. After much thought, they chose the way soldiers knew best.
Clang—
Heels clicked together. Everyone raised their right hands, watching the warriors leave. Not a word was spoken. Their eyes conveyed all their emotions.
What hope, what longing.
Ryan felt the weight of those gazes. In a trance, his spine became even straighter.
Passing through Sea Abyss City to the harbor, the busy scenes were gone. Only red lights flashed and alarms whined. In the distance, two battleships lay silently docked. Andavich and hundreds of MANTIS stood on the pier.
"Commander, are you well-rested?"
"Yes. I feel refreshed and ready for the big test. You all look good too." Ryan scanned the area. Those twenty hours seemed short but played a crucial role.
It was too late to increase strength, but adjusting the mindset was vital.
Andavich curiously looked at Mobius and the others, then nodded slightly: "More or less. I took out my old photo albums and looked through them carefully."
"A true old-timer. A simple way to spend the time," Ryan patted his shoulder.
His gaze swept over Coleman, who looked utterly depleted—how many times did that guy relieve himself?—then over Father Joshua, who was still praying, over Jian, who was looking at his daughter's photo repeatedly, over Owl, who had specially put on makeup, and over Ludicyna, who was waving to Kalpas.
Their states were good. They all had their ways of adjusting. He didn't need to ask for details. He simply waved his hand.
"Then, let's go. Let's go witness End."
"Yes, all hands—embark!"
Uniform footsteps sounded. 668 MANTIS, organized by their detachments, boarded the two battleships. The number wasn't large, but it was the entire force human civilization could muster.
Ryan walked directly to the bridge of the Hyperion, watching the protective shield open and the dark seawater rush in.
He sat in the Commander's chair with a sense of ceremony. Mei would stay behind at Sea Abyss City. Finally, no one was competing for his throne.
He touched the armrest, looking at Hua and Sakura standing straight behind him. The two were like his personal guards, each with a blade, which instantly shattered Ryan's rising science fiction fantasy.
If he added a layer of tiger skin, the command chair of a starship would transform into the throne of a mountain bandit king from a wuxia novel.
At that moment, Edwin, who was seated in front of him, turned back, his expression deeply solemn:
"Commander, please give the order!"
I really want to say, 'Southward, ah.'
Ryan felt Elysia had influenced him. He slowly raised his right hand.
"'Star Epoch' operation begins. Hyperion, engines ignited! Target—"
"The Moon!"