The sense of technology was overwhelming. Even though these were artifacts from eight hundred years ago, or perhaps even further back, at first glance, they truly looked like objects from the far future.
As Imu led Diarmuid to the entrance of the spacecraft, the light membrane automatically parted, creating a passage-sized opening. Then, the hatch of the vessel slid open automatically, extending a boarding ramp.
Imu said nothing, walking inside with an air of calm indifference. Diarmuid followed suit. The moment he stepped inside, the ramp retracted on its own, and the hatch sealed shut.
Standing outside, Gion watched the scene with a trembling heart. What if Imu went mad, forcibly activated Uranus, and kidnapped Diarmuid to make a run for it?
"Don't worry." Sengoku seemed to notice Gion's anxiety and smiled. "Imu is clearly a very proud person; she wouldn't stoop to such things."
Gion nodded, remaining silent.
Inside the hull were numerous rooms, all saturated with a high-tech aesthetic. It felt as if they had stepped into a sci-fi world, or perhaps a space station. Every facility was automated; doors slid open and closed as they approached.
"Does Uranus have a weapons system?" Diarmuid asked suddenly.
Imu walked ahead without turning back, but she responded, "Of course. It is immensely powerful, not inferior to Pluton in the slightest."
"What type is it? Energy beams?"
"No, it's something akin to a shockwave," Imu explained. After a brief pause, she added, "Uranus has only activated its weapons system twice. Once to destroy Joy Boy's kingdom, and once to eliminate a very troublesome idiot. But that was hundreds of years ago. Its weapons system is nearing its limit. In fact, the whole ship is. That's why I said it can only be used one last time."
For Imu to consider someone "troublesome," they must have been extraordinary. And yet, they were erased by Uranus... its power was clearly devastating.
But Uranus was falling apart? From the inside, it looked perfectly fine, advanced even. But Imu had no reason to lie.
"The ship is practically dead, and you still want to gamble?" Diarmuid commented helplessly.
Imu remained silent for a long time. She didn't speak, and Diarmuid didn't press further. They traversed the corridors of Uranus in silence, soon arriving at a large control room.
It was then that Imu spoke: "Immortality... where the soul and will rot in silence, fading into boredom alongside the world... that is not the end I desire. I would rather go out like a firework, dying in a moment of brilliant radiance."
Diarmuid looked at her with surprise. Before he could speak, Imu smiled again. "But as I said, it can be used once more. For me, once is enough. Everything can be wagered on this one shot."
"Honestly, I admire you," Diarmuid nodded.
"That is only natural. I was born to be King. All should kneel at my feet and call me 'Long Live.' As a King, it is only right to inspire admiration," Imu said matter-of-factly.
Her words were so "chuunibyou" that Diarmuid felt embarrassed on her behalf. He thought he was thick-skinned, but Imu was on another level. Yet, looking at her, she clearly believed it with every fiber of her being.
Ridiculous!
Unaware of Diarmuid's internal snark, Imu pointed to a glowing ring on the floor nearby. "Diarmuid, stand there."
Diarmuid nodded and complied, though he couldn't help asking, "There really isn't any danger, right?"
"Relax," Imu said calmly.
Diarmuid didn't know where this sudden sense of trust came from, but he truly felt she wouldn't harm him. Sometimes, trust just happens, abruptly and without origin.
As he stood within the ring, a hint of a smile and anticipation appeared in Imu's eyes. She began operating the console. Within the ship, a series of electronic sounds rang out.
"Wuligajia moji yira…"
Diarmuid couldn't understand the language at all; it was extremely tongue-twisting.
Imu, however, calmly responded while manipulating the controls: "Gakeladi li, xixiyi ra."
There was no doubt about it, Imu's claim that she had taught herself an alien language was actually true!
"Tun tun," the electronic voice responded.
Though he didn't understand it, Diarmuid guessed it probably meant "Understood" or "Yes, Ma'am."
Tun tun? Did he have a talent for foreign languages too?
While Diarmuid was lost in thought, a curtain of light rose from the ring beneath his feet, encircling him completely. Then, the light began to permeate his body. He tensed up, ready to react to any emergency.
Imu finished her operations and walked over to Diarmuid with a smile, reaching out to touch the beam of light. "Don't worry. I've stood where you are and tested myself countless times. There is no danger."
Seeing her touch the beam, Diarmuid relaxed slightly and nodded. "Tun tun."
Imu froze for a second, then a brilliant smile broke across her face. She shook her head and laughed. "You... honestly, I really want to start Uranus right now and take you away by force. Hahaha!"
"How was that? Do I have a gift for languages?" Diarmuid asked with a grin.
"You're far from it," she teased.
They chatted like this for three to five minutes until the light around Diarmuid gradually dissipated. Then, the electronic voice spoke again.
"Sarisami."
As the voice faded, Imu stood dazed for a moment before her face erupted in joy. She excitedly patted Diarmuid's shoulder. "It works! It actually works! The world coordinates in your body have been successfully replicated. It can truly be used!"
"Oh? Really?" Diarmuid nodded, not quite understanding. He felt no different. It seemed Imu hadn't tricked him.
"Then I'll be going..." Diarmuid thought that since the deal was done, he should leave Uranus. He was genuinely worried Imu might have a sudden impulse to drag him across worlds. That would be a disaster. It was clearly a one-way trip!
However, before he could finish his sentence, Imu suddenly threw her arms around him and bit down on his lips. Her mouth tasted fresh, like the scent of a thousand flowers. In that instant, Diarmuid finally understood why butterflies would rest on her fingertips.
"Hey! You..." Diarmuid snapped back to his senses, wanting to say something.
But Imu was no fragile maiden. She pinned him down, pushing him directly onto the control console. She must have hit a button, because Uranus emitted another electronic chime.
"Diliwujia?"
"Tun tun," Imu replied breathlessly.
As soon as she spoke, the lights in the control room cut out, plunging them into absolute darkness. Not a single spark of light remained; it was "cannot-see-the-fingers-on-your-hand" dark.
However, with Diarmuid's exceptional night vision, he could vaguely see something. For instance, a sports bra being tossed aside by Imu.
"Hey! Don't! I'm not that kind of man!" Diarmuid protested fiercely.
But his hands were busy unbuttoning his own shirt...
Imu was momentarily stunned by the man's shamelessness, then barked out in annoyance, "Shut up!"
…
Outside Uranus, Kuzan rubbed his chin and said curiously, "Have you guys noticed? Uranus seems to be... shaking?"
"No way. It's the size of a battleship. You can see it shaking?" Borsalino chirped.
Just as Borsalino finished speaking, Uranus actually shuddered, as if impacted by something, sinking slightly deeper into the soil.
Borsalino: "???"
Sakazuki spoke up with professional gravity: "In my view, they must be in the middle of the operation. Although the principles are unknown, that term 'World Coordinates' sounds impressive. It likely requires many of Uranus's functions and a lot of energy. Slight vibrations are normal."
"They wouldn't be fighting in there, would they?" Gion asked worriedly.
"Unlikely. If those two actually fought, Uranus wouldn't be able to take it," Sengoku shook his head.
Though it felt strange, no one thought of anything untoward. After all, who would have the strength to "shake" a battleship-sized vessel like Uranus? Even if they did, who could endure it?
Well, as it turned out, someone did. Diarmuid had that kind of strength. And Imulia could certainly endure it!
Half an hour, an hour, an hour and a half... every so often, Uranus would give a little shake. Sengoku was getting a bit bored from waiting. Sakazuki, being his straightforward self, said, "This kind of thing can't be rushed. Be patient and wait."
…
Meanwhile, inside Uranus, Diarmuid climbed to his feet, his legs feeling a bit weak. He wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling a slight ache in his lower back.
"Uh..." Looking at Imu lying on the floor, Diarmuid didn't know what to say.
How did it turn into this? He really hadn't been able to hold back!
After resting for a moment, Imu picked up her bra from the floor, put it on, and sat up. "Alright. I don't need you anymore, Diarmuid. You can go."
Diarmuid opened his mouth to say something, but felt it was all meaningless. What should he say? "I'll go with you"? That was impossible. They were both adults, especially Imu, who was over eight hundred years old. Although he could tell that this had been her first time, they were both mature enough to skip the hypocritical pleasantries.
He could give her nothing, and she lacked nothing, except for his presence on her journey. And that was the one thing he couldn't grant.
With a heavy, sentimental tone, Diarmuid looked at her silhouette in the darkness and said softly, "Safe travels, Imulia."
Imu did not speak or move. Diarmuid rubbed his nose sheepishly, dressed himself, and turned to leave the control room.
Just as he was about to disappear through the door, Imu suddenly spoke: "Three days. I will wait for you here for three days. Uranus needs that much time for route plotting and charging. If you change your mind, come find me at any time."
However, the response she received was Diarmuid's firm voice.
"Don't wait for me, Imulia."
Hearing this, Imulia froze for a moment. Then, a smile played on her lips as she shook her head. "Bastard..."