Rover continued: "It means that to maintain its operations and stability, the Tethys System will seek a substitute core."
Lucian mused briefly. Currently, the Tethys System's core is the Death Star, which contains the emotions and memories of those who perished in the Lament.
And since the Tethys System relies on the "Lament frequency," it doesn't understand human emotions.
Lucian turned to the two: "Let me and Rover's Speaker go in alone."
Rover: "?"
She crossed her arms, somewhat displeased: "I know you're thinking of our safety, but how could I let you do this alone? Besides, I'm worried about your safety too."
Shorekeeper chimed in: "Both of your safety is the most important. And as an administrator of the Tethys System, I should take responsibility for this."
Rover reached out and patted Lucian's head: "Alright, no need to say more."
"No matter what happens, I won't let you face it alone."
Lucian wanted to say something more, but seeing their resolute expressions, he could only nod helplessly.
Rover patted Lucian's shoulder reassuringly: "Relax, it'll be fine."
Lucian shook his head slightly: "Don't jinx it at a time like this."
Then he took both of their hands, and they walked in together.
What met their eyes was a flood of corrupted frequencies. Scarlet corrupted data filled their vision, and the air seemed to carry an ominous aura.
The group pressed deeper, using portals to cross one space after another until they reached their final destination.
The blood-red Death Star hovered in midair, with numerous Tacet Discords appearing nearby.
Below the Death Star was a piano, somewhat similar to the one in the greenhouse, but this one was tinged with scarlet, unlike the pure white piano in the greenhouse.
"The Death Star is just ahead."
"That piano is the interface for modulation."
"Be extremely careful. This place is filled with… hatred."
Lucian frowned slightly, observing the surroundings.
Rover asked curiously: "What's wrong?"
Lucian rubbed his chin, recalling: "This scene feels very familiar…"
"The time Phrolova took me away, I entered a similar space…"
"Scarlet filled the space, exuding an eerie and ominous aura… and these Tacet Discords…"
Rover mused: "The Death Star is filled with the Lament. Does this mean Phrolova has an inseparable connection to the Lament?"
Shorekeeper, hearing this, said: "Phrolova? I know her."
"She's a very dangerous person, with the ability to summon and control Echoes."
Lucian nodded slightly: "I've already witnessed that, but unfortunately, I couldn't keep her last time."
Shorekeeper pondered briefly: "Phrolova is more like a 'conductor,' preferring to hide in the shadows and quietly observe everything."
"Unlike Scar, the Fractsidus Overseer you captured, who's a complete lunatic."
"But speaking of which, Fractsidus members are all a bit mad… though some hide it better."
Rover shook her head: "Let's discuss Fractsidus later. For now, we need to correct the Tethys System."
The group worked together, defeating the corrupted Tacet Discords that spawned around them one by one.
Lucian asked: "How's the analysis progress?"
Rover's Speaker: "Analysis progress—35%."
Lucian clicked his tongue: "Too slow."
Rover's Speaker paused: "Please continue deeper."
Before Lucian could say more, a voice from the Tethys System suddenly echoed from above.
"Program replication complete."
"Target: Supreme Administrator."
Before the group could react, a powerful suction force grabbed Lucian, lifting his feet off the ground and pulling him toward the Death Star.
Lucian: "?"
Shorekeeper reacted quickly, rushing forward and grabbing Lucian's hand.
But it was futile—Lucian's body was still uncontrollably drawn toward the Death Star.
Meanwhile, the Tethys System continued muttering: "Initiating execution of supreme authority protocol."
A surge of blood-red data erupted beneath the Death Star, and several scarlet vines shot out, tightly binding Lucian's limbs and pulling him toward the Death Star.
"You damn Tethys System, are you like Yinlin, fond of bondage?"
Tethys System: "…"
Rover, on the ground, rushed forward and grabbed Lucian's other hand.
"At a time like this, you're still thinking about Yinlin?" Rover scolded angrily.
Lucian gritted his teeth: "Rover's Speaker! Damn it, so unreliable!"
Rover's Speaker paused: "Current analysis progress—53%. Please continue deeper."
Lucian: "Deeper, my foot!"
Rover's Speaker: "…Based on the complex familial relationships of humans, my 'father' is you, and my 'mother' should be Rover."
The intense suction pulled at the three. Rover's hands trembled as she held onto Lucian's: "Is this really the time to talk about this?"
The suction grew stronger, and their hands began to slip apart. The distance between Lucian and the two widened, and in the blink of an eye, his vision was consumed by scarlet.
But the next second, the red vista was torn open, and a white giant hand reached in, grabbing Lucian's hand.
In an instant, the surrounding space shattered. Butterfly wings materialized behind Shorekeeper, sparkling and translucent.
As Shorekeeper held Lucian, time seemed to freeze for a moment. Lucian felt something in his palm.
A trace of sadness appeared between Shorekeeper's delicate brows: "This story… please tell it to me later… Farewell."
With that, the wings behind Shorekeeper vanished instantly, and the powerful suction pulled her in.
Lucian reached out to grab her but caught only emptiness. The next second, the Death Star exploded, and blinding white light enveloped him.
…
"Are you leaving?"
Lucian frowned slightly, slowly standing up and looking around in confusion: "Where… is this?"
Lucian found himself in a building, with a bustling city visible through large floor-to-ceiling windows.
It resembled the Port City of Guixu that Shorekeeper had once manifested, before its destruction.
Lucian found it strange and turned to see Shorekeeper standing beside him.
"…Shorekeeper? Where is this?"
But the Shorekeeper before him seemed different from the one he knew, appearing somewhat stiff.
Lucian looked down and opened his hand, revealing a deep blue crystal. Even under the fluorescent lights, its luster could not be dimmed.