Dan Shu couldn't fathom, even in her wildest dreams, how things had gone wrong. She could only bitterly blame the General of the Divine Foresight, seated high in his office.
And when Xueyi completed her mission and went to the Seat of Divine Foresight to report...
Jing Yuan appeared to be in a meeting with the other five leaders of the Luofu Charioteers (the Six Charioteers minus the General). Normally, one definitely shouldn't interrupt at such a time.
But due to the Ten-Lords Commission's unique status outside the Six Charioteers, the meeting paused briefly upon noticing Xueyi's arrival.
"Judge Xueyi, have you come at this time regarding an urgent matter?" Jing Yuan, seated at the head, spoke first, frowning.
Usually, personnel from the Ten-Lords Commission rarely visited the Seat of Divine Foresight; their duties didn't overlap much. But every visit invariably signified something major.
"I have come to report. The prime culprit, Dan Shu, has been apprehended. Her accomplices have also been brought to justice."
"Thank you for your efforts, Judge," Jing Yuan replied, nodding habitually. But the next moment, he froze, somewhat startled. "What did you just say?"
"Uh... I said, the prime culprit Dan Shu and all her accomplices have been apprehended," Xueyi repeated honestly, though slightly confused herself.
Jing Yuan was baffled. The other five Charioteer leaders were similarly stunned. Fu Xuan tentatively asked, "Judge Xueyi, could it be that the Elixir Master succumbed to mara?"
Hearing this, the other leaders instantly understood and breathed a sigh of relief. Phew, if she succumbed to mara, then there was nothing more to say. Even among the seated Six Charioteers, the Ten-Lords Commission had the authority to apprehend such cases.
While relieved, they also felt a tinge of regret. Although Dan Shu wasn't the head of the Alchemy Commission, with the top position currently vacant, she was effectively the acting head.
Jing Yuan, however, was puzzled. Wait, Dan Shu succumbed to mara, so why are you reporting to me*? We're not even part of the same organization.*
Logically, Judge Xueyi, after apprehending someone afflicted with mara, should report to the Ten Lords, not the Xianzhou General. Jing Yuan didn't recall having any connection to Dan Shu that required his consultation.
And 'all her accomplices'... Did the entire Alchemy Commission collectively succumb to mara?
"This is indeed a problem. The Alchemy Commission holds significant responsibility. Now that the acting head, Elixir Master Dan Shu, has encountered this issue..." Yukong, the Sky-Faring Commission Helm Master with her fluffy appearance, sounded troubled. With the war ongoing, the Alchemy Commission served as the medical backbone of the Xianzhou's logistics. A problem with medical support...
Fu Xuan spoke up, "It shouldn't be a major issue. We can temporarily request assistance from the Alchemy Commissions of the Yuque and Yaoqing."
Watching the Six Charioteers discuss amongst themselves, Xueyi felt awkward and confused. She interjected, "Wasn't it the General's order, directing the Ten-Lords Commission to apprehend the criminal Dan Shu and her accomplices?"
"..." Silence descended, so thick you could hear a pin drop... oh wait, that was just a loose part falling off Xueyi.
The gazes of the Six Charioteers slowly turned towards Jing Yuan, seated at the head. He looked completely lost.
"General, how could you act so arbitrarily on such a major matter without consulting us, the Six Charioteers?" Huixie, the Realm-Keeping Commission's Master of Strategy, demanded loudly, displeased.
True, the Xianzhou General had the authority to make internal arrests, but normally, internal security should fall under his Realm-Keeping Commission's purview.
This was a clear overstep of authority, involving the Ten-Lords Commission no less, and targeting the acting head of the Alchemy Commission, Dan Shu.
"This action was improper," Zhu Lun, the Artisanship Commission's Master of Ingenuity, agreed.
"We are currently at war. Stability should be prioritized. How could you act so rashly?" Yukong also expressed displeasure.
Clearly, the Six Charioteers strongly disapproved of this action. They immediately began criticizing Jing Yuan.
He, however, looked utterly bewildered, helplessly stating, "My Lords, I didn't do it."
All eyes turned to Xueyi. She too looked baffled, directly presenting the order. "I have the General's Edict from the Seat of Divine Foresight as proof."
Fu Xuan examined it. "Mm, through my insight, I can confirm this is indeed the General's seal and credentials, everything is in order."
Whether the handwriting, the specially made Xianzhou seal, or even the procedural details—it was undeniably from the Seat of Divine Foresight, personally issued by Jing Yuan. Even Jing Yuan himself couldn't claim it was fake.
A General's Edict wasn't something easily forged; the seemingly small seal was actually a pinnacle of Xianzhou technology, difficult even for the Corporation to replicate.
"General, what else do you have to say?"
"I..." Jing Yuan, usually as steady as Mount Tai, felt his composure crumble slightly. Seriously, I didn't do it! How could he not know if he issued an order or not?
Finding himself unable to argue, he looked at the edict in Xueyi's hand and could only try helplessly to prove it false. "My Lords, I truly did not issue this order... If you don't believe me, there should be a record as proof. Qingxuan, check the records."
Every edict issued by the Xianzhou General was meticulously recorded. Jing Yuan was certain this inexplicable arrest warrant, appearing out of nowhere, must be fake and wouldn't have a corresponding record.
A moment later, Jing Yuan stared blankly at the perfectly legitimate-looking 'record' Qingxuan retrieved. Huh? It actually exists?
At this moment, facing the questioning gazes of his colleagues, looking at the identical record, Jing Yuan felt completely lost looking at the edict in Xueyi's hand. Could it be... I really did issue this order?
After being unable to defend himself, naturally came the questioning phase. Issuing an order, especially using the Ten-Lords Commission to arrest a high-ranking Xianzhou official, without evidence? The Six Charioteers could drown Jing Yuan in spit.
However... just as they were about to unleash their verbal assault on Jing Yuan...
The clever mechanical girl... cough cough, Puppet Judge Xueyi, stepped forward. Although she felt confused—*Why doesn't the General recognize his own order?*—as the mission executor, Xueyi directly provided Jing Yuan with concrete evidence.
"Through my investigation, Elixir Master Dan Shu's collusion with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus is confirmed. All accomplices have been apprehended."
Only then did the Six Charioteers snap back to reality. What? You're serious? Though their minds were buzzing, they trusted that a Ten-Lords Judge wouldn't lie. So that meant... Dan Shu really was involved with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?
Thinking of this, Yukong instantly broke into a cold sweat.
The Alchemy Commission was the Cloud Knights' primary medical support. And the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, she'd heard of them—absolute poisoners and infiltrators. If these toxic healers infiltrated during battle, she couldn't even imagine the consequences.
The other Charioteer leaders exchanged glances. Especially Fu Xuan, who felt a pang of guilt. Such internal problems arising within the Xianzhou—as the Master Diviner of the Divination Commission, she bore unavoidable responsibility.
"Although the action was improper, for the General to identify this internal threat at such a critical juncture was indeed a necessary deed at a necessary time," one finally conceded.
"The General's insight is truly profound. Resolving such a major problem before the battle, he is truly worthy of the Alliance's trust," another added.
The Six Charioteers, who were ready to bombard Jing Yuan moments ago, instantly changed their tune, showering him with praise.
"..." Jing Yuan felt complicated.
While it was indeed a great thing—he knew about the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and was planning to deal with the minor players eventually—issuing an edict for the Ten-Lords Commission to wipe them out in one go... I really didn't do this!
---||---
While Jing Yuan proclaimed his innocence, unaware of the truth, the people in the Glamoth star system witnessed a scene rarely seen in the world.
The sky itself turned the color of amber. A low hum became distinctly audible. Opal, copper ore, countless minerals materialized from nowhere, culminating in a resonant 'CLANG' that echoed in everyone's heart.
Pearl, processing documents in the 'Hall of Progeny,' Diamond, handling business within the Corporation, Taravan, and all those formerly part of the Corporation looked up, utterly shocked.
"It's the Amber Lord!" They didn't see the colossal, imposing figure, but they knew Qlipoth, the Aeon of Preservation, had surely descended here.
But this was only the beginning.
The sound gradually receded. A strange feeling permeated the air, as if the world itself became less real, frozen at a particular moment. Memories of the past surfaced unbidden in people's minds.
"...Fuli, the Aeon of Remembrance?" On Planet Nottung, a man with a plaster head, holding a book, looked up at the sky, astonished. Simultaneously, within the crowds, or hidden in secret corners, indistinct figures showed expressions of reverence.
Another moment passed. People's moods lifted inexplicably, feeling joyful as if something wonderful had happened—this was unnatural.
"Aha! It's our God of Elation~" A bizarre figure danced strangely, accompanied by equally strange laughter. Aha, the Aeon of Elation.
Then, calming sacred chants, as if filled with endless life and sweetness—a precursor that would drive anyone recognizing the sign into a frenzy.
The silver-haired girl floating in the void looked helplessly at the figure with bowed head, seemingly gazing at her, neither male nor female. Yaoshi, the Aeon of Abundance.
Fierce stellar winds, an endless rushing sound, and that indomitable will. Lan, the Aeon of the Hunt.
And then, music-like singing, followed immediately by the dripping sound of infinite calculations, immersing one in an ocean of knowledge.
"Ooh~ Great Mother of Swarms, and that clever scrapheap, Aha welcomes you~" Like mad laughter, heartfelt joy, the unknown figure composed of many masks—Aha—grinned at the three-headed benevolent female figure that appeared, and the metal blockhead that followed.
Nous, the Aeon of Erudition, and Xipe, the Aeon of Harmony.
"Lookie here, what a rare sight~ The workaholic dullard who loves building walls, the great benefactor chased around for being too helpful, the unhappy one always cleaning up the benefactor's messes, and the ice cube who likes collecting interesting junk..."
"Oh my, didn't expect you all to be drawn here together by that boring bug's successor~ But then again, wasn't Aha drawn here by this big 'Elation' too? Hahahahaha!"
"Care to share your thoughts~ Young Empress of Glamoth~"
"That boring bug only liked making babies pointlessly. You're different, you like playing house~ Aha likes playing house too! Haha, this is much more fun than that boring bug~" The cluster of masks circled [Firefly], laughing wildly.
Looking at the Aeons appearing before her one by one, [Firefly], though indeed surprised, sighed helplessly at the Elation god's teasing and asked back, "Did you all come here just to tell me this?"
"Ooh~ Show a little more fun~ But it's okay, much better than the boring dullard and that lump of scrap that only knows how to hibernate~"
"But compared to my good friend Akivili, you're still far behind~"
"Fair point. I suggest you go find him. Akivili would surely appreciate the company."
"Waaah~ Aha feels slighted! But that's actually a good idea~"
"Enough. Getting involved with that restless one leads to endless trouble." The voice, neither male nor female, like countless voices overlapping, like enchanting singing, spoke—Xipe said softly, "Unknown one who has deviated from destiny, you should already know our purpose."
"You have caused a distortion of immense consequence." THEIR words held no hostility, merely stating a fact.
Aeons were extremely special beings. The moment they ascended, the power of their Path overwhelmed their entire being.
Thus, upon ascension, their existence had already achieved 'convergence.' Time became a less defined concept for them.
Just as Lan's arrows could shoot from the present into the past.
Time travel wasn't impossible in the Honkai: Star Rail timeline; conversely, many examples existed throughout the long Amber Era. The most classic was the Corporation's Border Star Trade Wars.
There was once a civilization in a fringe star system called Zaum.
They were fortunate to have a prophet from a different era. Using future technology taught by this prophet, they successfully defeated the Corporation and achieved victory.
However, that civilization's ultimate fate was destruction.
The Gray Tide submerged the altered past, causing the original timeline to vanish, transforming everything into chaos memetic, leaving only a world bubble filled with chaotic memories.
The appearance of the Glamoth Empire would be no exception.
A nation that should only exist in fiction reappearing in reality, defeating the Corporation—the impact on the world was extremely severe, given the Corporation's immense influence on the universe.
This was enough to cause all future world lines to collapse.
The Aeons detected this anomaly, leading to their current convergence. If not for this, why would beings like Qlipoth, who usually ignored worldly affairs, even appear?
"CLANG" A clear strike expressed Qlipoth's thoughts.
While THEY indeed had no feelings for the Corporation—otherwise THEY wouldn't have remained inactive when it was defeated—for the sake of Preservation, THEY had to resolve this major problem.
"So, what do you intend to do?" [Firefly] asked casually, showing no emotion.
Fuli emitted incomprehensible bytes.
But the meaning was clear: THEY were basically here to collect scrap. As the Aeon of Remembrance, Fuli collected the memories left behind by all perished civilizations, hoping to recreate them in the universe's future restart.
Of course, if needed, THEY could also help convert people into Memokeepers, allowing them to escape the Gray Tide's erosion, though they would then be confined to THEIR Eden of Blessed Insight.
Qlipoth's hammer hummed. THEY certainly wouldn't destroy Glamoth; that wasn't Preservation at all. As the Aeon of Preservation, THEY only protected. Thus, THEIR proposed solution was to build a wall, isolating Glamoth so it could survive.
However, the Corporation would have to be separated; otherwise, the scope of the Gray Tide would be too large for THEIR wall to cover.
"If you are willing, I can use the power of Harmony to make it part of me. Thus, the Gray Tide would be unable to submerge everything," Xipe offered THEIR own solution.
As for the other Aeons: Aha was purely here for the entertainment. Nous detected a paradox and [Firefly], who defied calculation, so came to observe. Yaoshi, believing death to be the greatest suffering, naturally couldn't allow Glamoth's destruction. Lan simply followed Yaoshi.
"Haha~ Empress of Glamoth, what choice will you make?" Aha chirped. "Will you go sing with the Great Mother of Swarms, live in the dullard's prison cell, or hang out with the ice cube and become its precious non-human collection~ Aha eagerly awaits your choice~"
"Of course, you could also choose none of the above~ Destruction, that lunatic, would probably be happy to see that. Aha would be happy too~ After all, living in the moment is also a great choice, isn't it~"
"But honestly, Aha hopes you and your little game of house can bring Aha more fun~"
"I choose none of the above."
"Hm?"
"CLANG"
"Beep beep." Nous's light dimmed for a moment, then flickered rapidly.
"One walks one's own path."
"Glamoth's future will also be created by itself."
"If you are worried about the future, then please return."
"I will handle this matter."
With that, [Firefly]'s figure vanished, leaving the assembly of Aeons.
On that day, the beings of the universe once again heard that universe-tearing, hearty laughter. The Masked Fools knew their god of Elation was pleased.
However, ER Elysia and the original Ms. Firefly, both currently incarcerated, were certainly not happy.