"Perhaps… this humble girl should take her leave first; you two go ahead with your business?"
Tingyun's voice was sultry and mature, and for a moment it left Kiana blushing.
A vixen in this style was simply too tempting.
Emperor Xin of old spoke true!
"Eh… Steward Tingyun, you must have come for something important!"
Kiana hurriedly reached out to keep her.
A flash of mischief glimmered in Tingyun's alluring eyes; she folded her fan and traced a languid stroke with her long, soft finger.
A three-dimensional map of the planets inside a star system blossomed in the air before the three of them.
"The star system we are now in—Gresiavia—has been cut off from the outside world since the stellar year 8048, thirty-two years ago."
(Original star system)
Tingyun gazed at the planets twinkling on the chart and spoke in a gentle, unhurried tone.
"Back then, the civilization of this system sent the universe a message no one could understand: that they would sever all trade with the outside, put their house in order, forbid entry or exit, and enforce a policy of sealing the star."
"Though puzzled, everyone chose to respect the decision and asked no further questions; the Corporation, finding no debts here, did the same."
Kiana and Qingque exchanged glances; Tingyun's words carried an unusual undertone.
If the system had simply sealed itself, Tingyun could just order Warahip to detour—why consult her at all?
There had to be something fishy.
Tingyun's next words confirmed her suspicion.
"Yet when Warahip jumped here en route, we received no warning from the system's civilization; our hails vanished like stones dropped in the sea…"
"So Steward Tingyun suspects something happened during these years that grievously wounded the civilization?"
Qingque rubbed her chin, brows knit; trouble seemed to be coming.
Tingyun looked at her and inclined her head.
"Precisely. Yesterday I dispatched a scout squad, but by this morning they've gone silent."
Tingyun sighed softly and shook her head, vexed.
"Do we still have the last audio the scouts left?"
After a moment's thought Kiana jerked her gaze to Tingyun.
Scouts never departed without leaving something; before vanishing they must have left a clue.
Tingyun gave a slight nod and flicked her finger; a recording played.
"The clip is just crackling static; the clues are… thin."
"Wait… there's an odd sound in there…"
Kiana sensed something unusual mixed with the static.
She closed her eyes and listened carefully.
Soon she heard what seemed like… insect chirps?
Realization flashed; her eyes snapped open and she whirled to Qingque.
"Qingque, take this back and run a deep simulation—I suspect…"
All playfulness gone, Kiana's face turned grave; she paused.
"I suspect this system has already encountered the Swarm."
Both women froze.
Swarm incursions are vast; if they were rampaging here, even a sealed system couldn't hide it from the outside.
Yet Kiana's solemn look left no doubt.
They recovered quickly.
"Fine… I'll pull overtime again…"
Qingque pulled a long face, exasperated, but as Grand Diviner she couldn't slack off now.
She'd have to stand up her card buddies; she cut the holo-call and trudged toward Warahip's Matrix of Prescience with dead-fish eyes.
"Then this humble girl will also withdraw and prepare for what may come."
Tingyun cut the link as well, leaving Kiana alone and vexed.
"Ahhh… why does trouble come in waves…!!!"
Kiana flopped back beneath the imperial desk, kicking pale legs and flailing arms like a tantrumming child.
Barely half a month since Abyssal Star ended, another possible Swarm crisis.
Next would she have to face the Antimatter Legion too, completing the universe's three great calamities?
Trouble aside, she couldn't thrash forever.
Taiyin Mansion was spacious; the subordinates below had seen everything.
When she'd vented enough, Kiana sat up cross-legged, elbows on the desk, cheeks puffed, glaring at the stifled smiles below.
"What're you grinning at! Back to work, all of you!"
She bared little fangs and clenched a fist, trying to look fierce.
To them she looked no more threatening than a fluffed-up kitten—adorable.
At the yell they lowered their heads and resumed their tasks.
Bigwigs' worries weren't theirs.
Seeing her "threat" work, Kiana folded her arms and nodded, satisfied.
"Yushu, alert the Cloud Knights: full battle readiness. Dispatch a picket around Warahip—three warnings, then fire at will."
She addressed a Vidyadhara girl handling documents nearby.
(Original character)
The Vidyadhara served as her secretary and Chief Strategist.
A side braid lay over her shoulder; she wore a gentle smile and moved with poised grace, every inch a cultivated lady.
Yet beneath that exterior lay a keen, perceptive mind—else she'd never hold the post.
"Understood, General."
Yushu rose, bowed slightly, and glided out of Taiyin Mansion.
With orders given, Kiana's jade sign vibrated.
Aunt: All set here, Grandpa… HQ's also sent plenty of trainee Valkyries for enrollment. When can you fetch the first batch?
"So soon… and with Otto's sly old fox ways, is he scheming something again…"
Kiana sighed deeply, slumped over the desk, staring at the message.
She felt ancient and ready to retire—burdened beyond her years!
"And with possible danger now, let's wait a bit…"
Cheek to the desk, she murmured languidly.
Kiana: Let's wait; small hiccup here… Aunt: What is it? Need help? Just say the word! (worried)
Warmth flooded Kiana's heart.
Kiana: Nope, nothing big. I'll ping you once it's sorted (heart)
She set the sign aside and waited for word from Tingyun and Qingque.
Just as she relaxed, a group-chat window popped up.
[Kamen Rider: Ahhh! Save me, fam! Shocker is real in this world!]
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