Chapter 81: Candy House? I Want Some!
[The Sky People's Forward Base
Welt and Void Archives successfully infiltrated by disguising themselves as Sky People mechs. Void Archives in particular even morphed into a majestic golden octopus.
Once they reached a safe spot, Void Archives proudly placed hands on hips:
"Infiltration successful! We should be safe here now. Finally can drop the disguises."
"That was so much fun just now. I always thought the Sky People didn't care about individual appearances, never expected them to question your glasses."
"Good thing I still remembered how to simulate high-grade neural implants—"
"—The Sky People's neural implants control natives' nervous systems to manipulate their every move."
"Since the colonial slaves come in all shapes, they have to rely on implants for identification."
"Oh right, I remember your special ops team nicknamed them 'Lovers'."
"What terrible naming taste~~~"
After patiently listening to Void Archives' performance, the mature and steady adult Welt had more important matters: "That ahead is the Sky People's forward base. Let's do what we came for."]
[March 7th]: "Void Archives is so lively! That proud, self-satisfied look kinda reminds me of Promey..."
[Prometheus-17]: "No resemblance. I deny any relation."
[Ruan Mei]: "Using such methods to control colonies? How crude."
[Fu Xuan]: "Their biotech is pathetic. What era are they living in, still using neural implants to control others?"
[Aventurine]: "What century is this? Still practicing outdated slavery?"
[Oswaldo Schneider]: "The Sky People hold no value."
[Boothill]: "Look who finally decided to speak in the group chat! Well I'll be a damn Woobaboo, I'm gonna love you to death with my gun one day!!!"
[In a world seemingly made of candy, the alien accompanying Ryosuke was voraciously devouring lollipops. "Peppermint Candy, why are you still lounging around here?
You should be at Anti-Entropy's launch base by now."
Peppermint Candy explained between bites: "The launch got postponed. The Sky People's implants reached Earth, controlling natives and trying to destroy weapons threatening their meteor."
The elder (crossed out) sphere leaning on a cane sighed: "Never thought the Sky People would evolve this quickly..."
"Hmph, more like we've been too slow. No—we haven't progressed at all, sealed in this... candy jar for centuries."
Peppermint Candy angrily poked the elder's face with her finished lollipop stick. Originally it should've been Brown Sugar infiltrating human society, but he went radio silent for five years! Now Peppermint got stuck with cleanup duty—of course she'd complain! The bold young Peppermint volunteered to contact humans and jointly resist the Sky People! The elder initially wanted to flee, but decided to let Peppermint try—worst case scenario, they could always run away later.]
[Nicholas Brown Sugar]: "Sorry, sorry... some accidents happened during the Second Eruption."
[Peppermint Candy]: "Hmph!"
[Hook]: "So much candy!"
[Siri]: "Ta-da~ Behold the Candy House, base of the Shoggoth clan!"
[March 7th]: 'So dreamy... so beautiful... I wanna eat it all.'
[Stelle]: "Can't hold a candle to Trashcan Kingdom!"
Though long past, the images of Trashcan Kingdom from the video remained vivid—perhaps unforgettable for life.
[Kiana]: "That's your ambition?"
[Stelle]: "Just like you wanting to be the strongest Valkyrie, becoming the Trash King is my life's dream!"
[Firefly]: "W-well... good luck then!"
[Returning to reality, Ryosuke was driving home—couldn't break his promise to his daughter. Arriving at his doorstep, a note on the lock read: "Dad, I have class today.
Key's under the doormat. Wait inside—I'm cooking tonight so look forward to it!"
Ryosuke smiled as he entered. Peppermint informed him the Sky People's strength exceeded expectations—current plans couldn't guarantee his safety. "You're right... After resolving this, I'll atone for my mistakes."
"Wait—someone's coming! This presence... Why would he be here?!"
Peppermint was baffled. Welt's mind raced—too many mysteries lately. He wanted to catch Ryosuke alone and extract the truth. As precaution, Honkai energy surged around Welt. The two inside grew tense, deciding to ambush Welt at the door with everything they had! Just as he reached for the knob, Himeko popped up behind him: "Professor Welt? What brings you to my place?"
Assuming he came to discuss the telescope matter, Himeko cheerfully ushered Welt inside. After pulling him in, Himeko introduced: "This is Professor Welt—you met yesterday."
With that, both men stood down, Ryosuke's tentacles retracting. Himeko happily headed to the kitchen to cook for her father and teacher. The two troubled men sat awkwardly at the table, exchanging stiff greetings before lapsing into silence as uncomfortable as...]
[March 7th]: "So Shoggoth-human fusion just means growing tentacles? No other forms?"
[Nicholas Brown Sugar]: "Tentacles are adorable!! Right Siri~?"
[Siri]: "Mhmm (totally indifferent)~"
[Kiana]: "Teacher Himeko's cooking? Doubt it beats Mei's!"
[Stelle]: "Why not have your Himeko brew coffee instead? It's amazing, seriously!"
Who knows—maybe alternate Himeko's coffee shared the same... qualities?
[March 7th]: "Yeah yeah!! Super delicious!"
[Raiden Mei]: "Really now?"
[Himeko (HSR)]: "Since you all love my coffee so much, I'll brew everyone a cup later~"
[Pom-Pom]: "No need for me, Pom..."
[Himeko (HSR)]: "Little Pom-Pom gets one too~"