"Well..."
Takagi rubbed his chin, seemingly hesitant.
"Moreover, I also have to prevent you from using your invisibility to do anything unfavorable to Cocolia."
"After all, Cocolia is the Supreme Guardian of Belobog."
"As a Belobogian, I feel I have an obligation to supervise you and your friends," Serval said solemnly.
Takagi: "According to you, shouldn't you be stopping us from going to the Supreme Guardian?"
Serval: "..."
Indeed, as Takagi said, she should be stopping them. However, after witnessing the shield Takagi used—suspected to be from the first Supreme Guardian—and after seeing the Fragmentum transforming Silvermane Guards into monsters and learning that a former Supreme Guardian could turn into a Decaying Shadow, it was difficult to decide to stop him. After all, Cocolia's performance had been strange over the years.
"Okay, it's just bringing one more person anyway," Takagi finally nodded.
Just right; Serval is from the Overworld. Takagi can learn more about the area through her and have her act as a guide. This is the real Belobog, after all, not the one in the game. The real world is very large. With a local as a guide, he can take fewer detours.
"Thank you, Takagi," Serval breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "In return, even if you have the idea of stealing Cocolia's black stockings, I won't stop you."
Takagi: "...You truly are Cocolia's good best friend."
"She and I are no longer best friends," Serval sighed deeply. Fortunately, she had already accepted being kicked out of the research team. Not long after, she quickly pulled herself together and led the way while researching the Light Cone in her hand.
It was a pity that with her technical ability, the Light Cone was simply too profound. In her helplessness, she chose to ask Takagi. Being bored, Takagi took the opportunity to briefly explain some knowledge about the universe and the Garden of Recollection. Since Serval had guessed they weren't from this world, there was nothing to hide.
"The universe, huh... Historical records do mention visitors from beyond the heavens. I really didn't expect to encounter them now," Serval sighed, then picked up the Light Cone. "The Garden of Recollection, which can create such magical things, is truly amazing. Since they can give the technology for making Light Cones to the IPC, this 'Company' should also be quite powerful, right?"
[Venti: Indeed. If the IPC didn't have enough strength, it's unlikely that the Garden of Recollection would hand over such powerful technology.]
[Nahida: What kind of strength is needed to make the Garden of Recollection make such a decision?]
[Zhongli: The Garden of Recollection is related to the Aeon of Remembrance. If the IPC is unrelated to Remembrance, it should be related to other Aeons.]
[Neuvillette: Besides Remembrance, the Aeons we know are Destruction, Preservation, and Abundance. Could it be one of these three?]
Facing the questions, Takagi smiled and nodded: "The IPC is indeed very powerful. After all, it is the largest interstellar corporation in the universe. Almost all known worlds join the IPC's trade system and use the currency 'Credit' issued by them."
Barbara: "It seems somewhat similar to Liyue in Teyvat."
Jean: "However, Liyue's currency system only involves the Seven Nations, but the IPC's currency involves thousands of worlds in the universe!"
[Tartaglia: So, the IPC is just an organization that does business on a very large scale? That doesn't seem like much, just making money.]
[Pantalone: If you can do business across thousands of worlds, what you gain is definitely not just wealth. Power and strength will follow.]
[Ningguang: Sometimes, wealth can change many things. Just like you, Tartaglia—if you didn't have the Snezhnayan bank behind you, your treatment in Liyue wouldn't be like this.]
[Tartaglia: Oh, uh... that seems to be the case.]
[Chef Mao: Exactly! Don't underestimate business. Liyue developed to its current state thanks to trade.]
[Venti: Considering the connection between Liyue's Geo Archon and business, I think there should also be a god behind the IPC. Liyue's Archon is indestructible; perhaps the Aeon of Preservation is behind the Company.]
[Zhongli: ...]
"Speaking of which, I know there's a Miss Ningguang in Liyue who is very good at business. The wealth she possesses is far beyond what ordinary people can imagine. There's also an Executive in Snezhnaya codenamed 'Pantalone' who seems quite wealthy," Takagi said, stroking his chin.
[Ningguang: It's truly a pleasure that Lord Takagi knows of my existence.]
[Pantalone: It is my honor to be remembered by Lord Takagi.]
Takagi glanced at the forum with a meaningful smile: "However, no matter how rich Liyue's Ningguang and Snezhnaya's Pantalone are, they are far less wealthy than Takumi Fleming of the IPC. This founder of the Interstellar Peace Corporation and lifelong director is known as the most powerful person in the universe below the Aeons. As a shareholder, the wealth he has accumulated cannot be estimated. Because of the immense wealth he controls, some people even jokingly refer to him as an Aeon who governs the 'Wealth' Path."
Barbara: "No way! He can be compared to an Aeon just based on wealth?!"
Klee: "Wow! So amazing! Aeons are so great; this person must also be very amazing."
[Pantalone: Although it's a joke, this Takumi Fleming must be an extraordinary figure.]
[Ningguang: Both Barbara and Klee have seen Aeons, and they are showing such shocked expressions. It shows that Takumi Fleming must have accumulated unimaginable wealth.]
[Kaeya: Could it be that there actually is an Aeon who governs a 'Wealth' Path?]
[Venti: If there were, I think Liyue's Geo Archon should easily step onto that Path after going to the universe, since he is very good at business.]
[Venti: Of course, Miss Ningguang and Pantalone also have a considerable possibility.]
[Zhongli: ...Objectively speaking, there shouldn't be an Aeon of Wealth.]
[Venti: Ehe!]
"Of course, the Aeon of Wealth is just a joke. Although Takumi Fleming is remarkable, the true Aeon behind the IPC is Qlipoth the Preservation," Takagi said.
"As expected, the IPC has the support of an Aeon. I didn't expect it would actually be the Aeon of Preservation that Lord Venti mentioned," Jean said in surprise.
Takagi smiled: "To be precise, Qlipoth the Preservation does not 'stand behind' the IPC. The IPC simply worships the Aeon and continuously collects wall-building materials to send to Him. The reason the IPC does business is to fund the collection of these materials. Of course, the Aeon has never demanded it. Qlipoth may not even use the materials brought by mortals. The IPC's actions are, to some extent, like the behavior of devoted fans."
Saying this, Takagi turned to look at Barbara. "For example, just like Barbara doesn't expect fans to do this or that for her, but those fans still enthusiastically organize events, and some even choose to follow her."
Takagi smiled. Hearing this, Lumine and Paimon immediately looked over. Barbara lowered her head in embarrassment.
[Albert: Who is following Miss Barbara?! Don't let me find out, or I'll teach him a lesson!]
[Rosaria: Isn't it you?]
[Ningguang: The IPC is just a worshipper of the Aeon of Preservation? That's truly unexpected.]
[Pantalone: In this situation, the Aeon probably won't take action for the IPC.]
[Tartaglia: Then are there any brave and skilled fighters in this Company?]
"Of course. Although the Aeon of Preservation won't necessarily help them fight, there are people within the IPC who have received direct blessings from the Aeon. People blessed by Qlipoth are very strong."
Takagi paused, then continued: "Moreover, the IPC has gathered countless powerful individuals—whether they are worshippers or those gathered for profit. If an enemy intends to attack the IPC, these people would become that enemy's nightmare. Speaking of which, when I first arrived in the universe outside this planet, I received a recruitment advertisement on my phone. If you are interested, you can take a look."
Takagi shook the phone in his hand.
"The IPC's recruitment advertisement? Let me see!" Paimon instantly flashed to Takagi's side. The others from Teyvat and Belobog followed.
Under everyone's gaze, Takagi found the advertisement: "Interstellar Peace Guide: Selection, Planning, and Opportunities."
"Since you want to see it, go ahead. While it won't let you truly understand their strength, it should give you a better impression," Takagi smiled and began playing the projection from his phone.
"Hey! You, yes, you! We are waiting for you—the Primordial Stone with infinite possibilities."
"Under the IPC's Talent Motivation System, every bit of your potential will become the foundation for universal peace."
"Perhaps you possess extraordinary courage and an adventurous spirit; then the Market Development Department extends its embrace to you."
"Under the leadership of the former Nameless Oswaldo Schneider, thousands of new worlds will be incorporated into the Credit system's territory."
As an enthusiastic voice spoke, an image of the Star Rail emerged on the projection, traversing countless planets.
"Charlotte: Wow! Is this a Kamera? No, this is a continuous image formed by countless photos!"
"Alice: It has a bit of a recruitment feel. I didn't expect to see such a video here."
"Zhongli: 'The Market Development Department'... is that one of the IPC's divisions?"
"Bennett: Extraordinary courage and adventurous spirit! If I could join this department and open up new worlds, such an adventure would be incredibly exciting!"
"If you are steady in your thinking and value rules and logic... the Business Consolidation Department will be your stage. Business as vast as the stars circulates within the IPC's largest department, weaving a magnificent trade network measured in light-years."
"Pantalone: The Business Consolidation Department? Interesting."
"Ningguang: The largest department, huh? That makes sense, since the IPC is involved in business across myriad worlds. I'm curious to see what kind of business they conduct."
"...If you have ambitions no less than a genius and know how to create value through innovation... you should join the Technology Research and Development Department and advance hand-in-hand with the Intelligentsia Guild."
"Dottore: Interesting. There's even a department related to research?"
"Alhaitham: If I were to join this department, would I be able to access the most advanced knowledge in the universe?"
"Tighnari: The 'Intelligentsia Guild'? Is it also an organization that possesses advanced technology?"
"Lisa: That's right; the Intelligentsia Guild holds some of the most advanced technology in the universe."
"Signora: How do you know? Did you get information from Takagi that we don't have?"
"Lisa: Who knows."
"Yae Miko: It seems being Takagi's tour guide provides more information about the universe. Noted."
"Neuvillette: Noted."
"Furina: Hey! Neuvillette, why are you noting that down? Do you really want to be Takagi's Fontaine tour guide?"
"Neuvillette: If there are no judicial cases, I think I would be very willing. If Takagi arrives in Fontaine and I happen to be busy, I would ask you, Furina, to act as his guide."
"Furina: Me... a guide?!"
"Arlecchino: If Takagi arrives in Fontaine and I happen to be there, I would be very happy to be his guide."
"Furina: ..."
"Nilou: If Takagi comes to Sumeru, I would be willing to introduce Sumeru to him."
"Grand Sage Azar: No need. If Takagi comes to Sumeru, I would be very happy to personally introduce it to him."
"Dottore: As expected, the Grand Sage also wants to gain knowledge from Takagi."
"Grand Sage Azar: Of course! Besides that, I am very interested in this department that only geniuses can join. If I were to truly enter the IPC, I should choose this Technology Research and Development Department. In this department, I imagine I could gain sufficient knowledge."
"Paimon: Aren't you worried the department won't want you?"
"Grand Sage Azar: Who do you think you're talking to? I am the Grand Sage of Sumeru! Since it is a place where geniuses gather, there should naturally be a place for me."
After Azar's message, a group of Sumeru scholars expressed their desire to join the Technology Research and Development Department. Seeing these messages, Takagi burst out laughing. Those Sumeru scholars wanted to join the IPC's Technology Department? This was a cosmic-level joke.
Takagi's laughter did not make the Sumeru scholars feel humble. They continued to display their confidence in the forum. Fortunately, at this moment, Lisa stepped forward.
"Lisa: It's better to be a bit more humble, everyone. You should know that what we are facing now is not Teyvat, but the Star Rail Universe."
"Lisa: A genius in Teyvat may not necessarily be a genius in the universe."
Even the genius Lisa dared not call herself a genius in front of the IPC. She even felt that the God of Wisdom would find it difficult to join the IPC's Technology Research and Development Department. The sages of Sumeru, even less so.