"May I know why? By all logic, with The Family's strength, even if they lost ownership of Penacony, they shouldn't be so desperate to return to it."
After pondering for a moment, Himeko voiced another question.
"Sigh" Oti Alfalfa let out a breath. His round belly even seemed to deflate from stress. His tone was helpless.
"Pull one thread, and the whole body moves."
Everyone understood.
Simply put, in some people's eyes, The Family's loss of Penacony already signaled the beginning of their decline.
Especially the IPC's Market Expansion Department.
Those inhuman guys must have had their eyes on The Family for a long time.
They only held back because The Family had merely lost Penacony, it wasn't the kind of blow that would cripple them in a short time… though losing Penacony was practically the same as being crippled.
The difference was that the former was an instant loss of most of their combat strength, while the latter meant the combat strength remained but the finances were gone.
However, everyone had a clear suspicion in their hearts.
The Family's "Harmony"… already had problems.
Until now, the IPC didn't understand The Family's internal situation. In the past, they advanced and retreated together, perfectly unified, making it hard to strike.
But ever since Sunday began the whole mess and revealed the cracks within their "Harmony," the IPC was thrilled to discover that The Family, whose very name carried the banner of Harmony, no longer had the appearance of a unified faction.
One must know that aside from Penacony, a dreamlike star shining across the cosmos, The Family became this huge entity largely thanks to the title of Harmony.
Anyone who walked the Path of Harmony, once they learned of The Family's existence, could never refuse to come to this hall of Harmony and witness the Choir's performance.
Sunday revealed the hidden conflicts within The Family and proved to countless ambitious people that disharmony had truly taken root.
How could they not rush over to take a greedy bite?
"Besides that, there's another important reason." Seeing Oti Alfalfa's suddenly serious expression, Welt and Himeko were a bit surprised.
He hadn't looked this serious even when discussing The Family's decline earlier. What could make him look like this?
"You two should know something about Miss Herta's research on the Quantum Sea, right?"
"We know a bit. Don't tell me…!?" Himeko raised her brows.
They more than just understood it, if they wanted, they could even enter the Quantum Sea. Did The Family also make progress in studying it!?
"Oh-ho-ho, The Family doesn't have that kind of ability." Oti Alfalfa didn't mind revealing The Family's shortcomings and let out a soft sigh.
Taking advantage of the moment when it was just him, Himeko, and Welt, Oti Alfalfa slowly revealed everything he knew.
…
The Imaginary Tree and the Quantum Sea have been natural enemies since their birth.
They resist each other, erode each other. Neither side can obtain absolute advantage, and no one knows how long this standoff has lasted.
"So The Family made progress in the Imaginary Tree?"
Himeko raised a brow instinctively.
"Oh-ho-ho… even I, Oti Alfalfa, don't know the concrete details." After giving his trademark laugh, Oti Alfalfa admitted honestly.
"Because of the constant outflow of Memory Material from the Penacony's black hole, The Family is extremely sensitive to certain things. Some time ago, we discovered that a whirlpool overflowing with Imaginary Energy suddenly appeared in a world near The Family's territory."
"Just approaching it would crush you to death instantly. Even nearby craftsmen and collectors would be annihilated in a flash."
Oti Alfalfa's expression was heavy. "And worst of all, that place is located deep within The Family's domain. We can't seek help from outsiders."
By now, the two had essentially pieced the situation together, but Welt still asked: "The Astral Express shouldn't count as 'outsiders' to The Family, right?"
The Express is famous throughout the cosmos for its neutrality, aligned only toward order.
The Family… well, the Express prefers not to get overly involved.
Oti Alfalfa wasn't embarrassed and sincerely made his request.
"In this matter, The Family hopes to seek the Astral Express's assistance." Himeko and Welt exchanged glances, then answered.
"On this matter, the two of us cannot represent the Express. If you truly want the Express to intervene, please wait a while. We will hold a meeting to discuss it."
"That is enough. My gratitude to Miss Himeko and Mr. Welt. Please rest assured, The Family will forever remain a friend of the Express."
Watching Himeko and Welt depart, Oti Alfalfa's smile remained, though his eyes no longer held mirth.
The Family was indeed in trouble, trouble they could not solve on their own.
Imaginary Energy is one of the fundamental forces of the universe. Path power is also tied to Imaginary Energy.
When the vortex first appeared in The Family's territory, Oti Alfalfa originally planned to hide it, research it slowly, and stun the cosmos with their results.
But the result… Well, whether it would stun the cosmos was one thing, what was certain was that The Family had been tossed into chaos long enough.
Now the entire star system near the vortex had been sealed off by The Family. Luckily, this region was already deep within their domain, so sealing it occasionally wasn't unusual. Other factions wouldn't react immediately.
But as the patriarch of the Alfalfa Family, Oti Alfalfa had the duty to resolve this threat.
He could never turn to the IPC for help. The only reliable, unlikely-to-betray partner was the Astral Express.
As for whether the Express would see some unspeakable Family secrets, compared to the losses and consequences that mysterious vortex could bring, those things didn't matter.
As long as the Express didn't blow up their Family, everything would be fine.
…
At this moment, back on the Express.
"What do you think? How much of what Mr. Oti said is true?"
"At the very least, he wasn't lying about how troublesome the situation is."
Welt slowly sat down, resting both hands on his cane, recalling his conversation with Oti Alfalfa.
If it weren't troublesome, Mr. Oti would never have come to them.
Clearly, The Family had suffered too much already because of that vortex, forcing Mr. Oti to seek outside help.
And among the many possible allies in the universe, the only trustworthy one that would never betray them was the Express.
"So? Should we help is the question?"
Himeko gently shook her head and said softly,
"Rationally, I don't want to get involved. No matter how great the benefits, at the very beginning there will inevitably be unexpected dangers. The Express shouldn't rush into such risks."
Welt nodded slightly.
That was what he thought as well.
The train crew was helpful, but it depended on the situation.
If it was some internal Family trouble, or something involving danger to one's life, you'd have to be crazy to get involved.
On the path of Trailblaze, farewells were inevitable. But the kind of farewell Welt hoped to see was everyone finding their own stop, waving goodbye with reverence and hope for the future.
Not a farewell shrouded in gloom.
...
Several peaceful days passed in the universe.
The calm everyday life made it seem as though Dr. Primitive, had never appeared at all.
Although some people were still worried, life had to go on.
After all, before someone that terrifying, ordinary people like them were completely useless.
"Failed again." Glancing at the failed subject being dragged away, Dr. Primitive felt no waves in his heart.
Even though this was already his seventy-eighth failure in this period.
But the path of experimentation was always filled with setbacks. Back during the Atavism experiment on the first planet, the obstacles he faced made the future seem even more hopeless than it was now.
At least this experiment had been verified by Herta.
Betting on the name of "genius," Herta's workshop would definitely produce useful experimental data.
"To enter the Quantum Sea, one needs special power." Writing this down in his notebook, Dr. Primitive felt a bit like an idiot.
Sigh… looks like he still had to use the brute-force enumeration method. Long live the enumeration method!
...
On the Imaginary Tree,
Godzilla lazily yawned. His tail lifted comfortably, then fell back down.
Nice.
Just now, he had once again successfully located the Cocoon of Finality.
And smashed It from one end to the other.
If The Cocoon hadn't been prepared beforehand, Godzilla would've left it lying there on the spot.
His vertical pupils looked with satisfaction at the obedient Herrscher of Ice.
Very cooperative. Godzilla was pleased.
But… His tail curled up to his head, casually scratching it.
He was tired.
Recently, whenever he found that thing, he would go hammer it again, and even a spiritual body got exhausted.
Godzilla didn't want to move anymore.
Meal digested, time to sleep.
With a flick of his tail, Godzilla walked leisurely toward his personal mattress.
...
"So, given the powerful offensive and defensive capabilities of Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, if Valkyries lack stable output and all wounded personnel haven't been evacuated, you must choose to evade."
"A temporary retreat is not shameful, charging in blindly will only lead to pointless sacrifice."
On the podium, dressed as a teacher and wearing glasses, Himeko was explaining the key traits of high-rank Honkai beasts.
"Resources are extremely valuable. Saint Freya invests in you so that you may survive better in this cruel world."
"Therefore, when unnecessary, acting on impulse is absolutely forbidden!"
Speaking of impulsiveness, Himeko's expression grew unusually strict.
These were lessons carved from the blood and tears of countless predecessors.
Behind every rule lay uncountable brave souls who had fallen fighting Honkai. Especially the Kaslana family!
Those people were historically famous hotheads, they were always the first to risk their lives, even at times when sacrifice wasn't needed, yet they insisted on charging forward.
Though, Himeko felt that as long as even one person on the field could still survive, she wouldn't retreat either.
"Riiiing"
The class bell rang at the perfect time, and the students sighed in relief.
Teacher Himeko's oppressive aura was just too scary; Himeko during breaks was way gentler.
...
"Alright, next is the practical combat class. Don't keep Yae-sensei and Kallen-sensei waiting."
"Yes~~!"
At this age, aside from those naturally quiet, most were overflowing with energy.
Not to mention these were Valkyries, girls who were always preparing to fight Honkai beasts.
And especially when the instructors switched from Himeko to two cool, heroic women, their enthusiasm for the class soared even more.
It wasn't that Himeko was bad, everyone simply liked novelty, a common human trait.
Himeko was good, but why couldn't they have all three together?
But so far, there had only been three sessions where all three teachers were present at once.
...
Training room.
Watching the students rush in brimming with excitement, Yae Sakura couldn't help but smile quietly.
"So full of life, these kids."
Whenever she saw them, she couldn't help but think of her sister.
And thinking of her sister dimmed her gaze.
Noticing this, Kallen gently grasped her wrist, her eyes full of confidence.
"Don't worry, Sakura. I'll definitely bring her back!"
"Mm, I believe in you." Sakura nodded slightly, a smile blooming like cherry blossoms on her face.
"Look, look! I told you it was Kallen-sensei, only she can make Sakura-sensei smile that sweetly."
"Uuu… those soft-looking ears, they look so comfy, I really wanna touch them…"
"Same." Yae Sakura gave a helpless smile and lifted her head, looking at the students whispering a short distance away.
"Everyone, finish your warm-up. When the bell rings, training begins."
"Yes!"
The happier they had been earlier, the harsher the training would be now.
These were survival skills for the battlefield, there could be no carelessness.
At this moment, Kallen had set her sights on a student practicing dual pistols.
A one-on-one lesson from the Holy Maiden of Schicksal, you couldn't ask for better.
"Kallen-sensei, isn't this a little too intense…?" The girl with a single ponytail looked at her with teary eyes, begging for mercy.
For such pleas, Kallen naturally,
"No." She refused righteously.
"Every bit of hardship you endure now is for the sake of your future. Every drop of sweat now is you taking responsibility for the self you'll become!"
[Definitely not because you want to touch my Sakura's ears…]
"Yes! Kallen-sensei, I will… definitely meet your expectations!" Encouraged, she stood up immediately, took her stance, then fell over again.
Watching her collapse into a starfish shape in despair, Kallen secretly rejoiced. Asking Sakura to write her a motivational speech had really paid off.
As for whether using the name "Kallen" would draw attention, those without interest would never notice.
Those with interest would discover the truth no matter how deeply it was hidden.
Fortunately, Kallen hid her 'Kaslana' surname. "Kallen" was still quite a common name in today's world.