The war... began just like that, catching everyone completely by surprise.
Originally, the Corporation, the Xianzhou Alliance, and even Wende's group had assumed their only enemies were the Antimatter Legion under the banner of [Destruction] and the Lord Ravagers. The worst-case scenario they'd envisioned was the Annihilation Gang trying to fish in troubled waters.
But now, the state of the war had escalated beyond anyone's predictions. The Swarm, which had vanished for countless Amber Eras, had made a comeback. The Anti-Organic Equation, which had once struck terror into the hearts of innumerable organic lifeforms, had reappeared in the cosmos! Although under the control of Screwllum—the monarch of Planet Screwllum and a member of the Genius Society—the vast majority of sentient inorganic lifeforms had not been swayed by the Anti-Organic Equation, some AIs that operated purely on programming were swiftly brought under its control and began launching attacks on all organic beings within their range!
This triple disaster plunged all factions into a state of confusion. Even the Lord Ravagers themselves had no idea what was happening.
But if that was the case, why not let [Destruction] arrive a little faster?
Currently, the Swarm and the rogue machines were still confined to the most remote star systems, posing no immediate major threat to the central systems near the Corporation's headquarters. The Antimatter Legion's advance also seemed to have slowed. For the past System Day, they had made no moves, and no planets had suddenly detached from the star-rail network. Perhaps they were waiting for the other two factions to make progress, or perhaps they had other intentions. But none of that mattered now. What mattered was how to resist the impending assault from these three forces.
As the most influential collective in the cosmos, the Interastral Peace Corporation took the lead in establishing a resistance front. All factions under the Corporation's banner or on friendly terms with it joined, including the Astral Express and the Xianzhou Alliance.
The primary objective of this front was to protect all planets from harm and to quickly assess this great cataclysm that was poised to sweep across the entire universe.
It could be said that this disaster was the largest in scale and most complex in recorded history. No one knew why these three forces had suddenly appeared and launched an indiscriminate attack on the cosmos.
In the Corporation's records, there had been many wars that involved the entire universe, but this one was exceptionally peculiar... because among the new enemies, many "old" faces had appeared.
---o---
"Rupert? Wasn't he taken out by Polka Kakamond? How could he reappear? And wasn't the Anti-Organic Equation already cracked? Why has it shown up again?"
Herta frowned, looking at Screwllum beside her in utter confusion.
"The Anti-Organic Equation was indeed cracked, but its termination was fundamentally due to the death of Emperor Rupert. It cannot be considered completely solved."
Screwllum shook his head grimly. He had always been dedicated to breaking down the barriers between organic and inorganic life. But now, a new "Rupert III" had likely been born. Although he had not yet received any intelligence about sentient inorganic life attacking organic life, simple machines were sometimes also considered inorganic life...
In reality, a being without self-awareness that merely follows instructions could hardly be called "life," but this turn of events threatened to undo all his previous efforts. Of course, that wasn't the most important thing right now.
"The Anti-Organic Equation should not have a major impact on existing inorganic lifeforms. If Rupert III has truly appeared... Conclusion: We must eliminate him immediately."
"But, the current problem is not as simple as the appearance of Rupert III. There are even more troublesome things..."
Ruan Mei shook her head. Though only a projection, her gaze drifted past the viewports of the Herta Space Station.
"That Swarm... how did they make a comeback? After losing their god, they should have vanished from the universe long ago..."
"Forget it, let's stop thinking about it. For now, let's perfect the follow-up matters for the Simulated Universe. We might be able to simulate the current situation directly through it and make real-time adjustments. Let's see if we can reverse-engineer a prediction. Although the previous data was strange, it seems to be the closest thing we have to reality. Let's proceed with that."
---o---
"Boss, the Corporation sent over another batch of new equipment. Our setup is now more than ten times better than old Punklorde's ever was! They're really willing to spare no expense!"
Jack stared at the newly arrived batch of interstellar communication equipment, looking as if he was about to dive headfirst into a pile of money.
"Stop acting like a fool. Don't you understand the Corporation's intention? It seems they want to use Punklorde as a relay station for the entire universe..."
Veyl, who had already seen through the Corporation's plans, quietly shook her head. But this was also for the best. After all, in the past... the Corporation had also used this place as a relay station.
"Have the hackers strengthen network surveillance and build up the firewall. The people from the Intelligentsia Guild will work with us to guard this network defense line. After all, the enemy might be the legendary Emperor Rupert... If he attacks through the network, every planet under the Corporation's credit system will be in danger..."
Watching Jack run off to get to work, Veyl shook her head with a sense of resignation. The guy was practically Punklorde's Minister of War now, so why was he still so unreliable?
Returning her attention to the screen before her, Veyl's golden eyes once again turned crimson. Simultaneously, under her control, dozens of large satellites and signal transmission devices in Punklorde's low orbit began to interface with the Corporation's network.
---o---
"Tsk tsk tsk, things are starting to get lively, aren't they? But I'd still advise you not to act rashly. Last time you dealt with those small fry, you immediately attracted the attention of a certain mechanical brain. If you attract the notice of Xipe of the Harmony next, be careful she doesn't come and absorb you."
Dragon looked at the restless Wende and advised him half-jokingly.
"Why are you so afraid of me being discovered? And I'll be absorbed by Xipe? Wasn't that just Taichi pretending before?"
Wende rubbed his throbbing temples and asked Dragon.
"Those are two different questions. Which one do you want me to answer? Fine, I'll just tell you both."
"If you're discovered, a certain fellow who likes to play with scales might do something for the sake of His Equilibrium. I'd also be exposed in the process, and if I'm exposed... you know the weight that [Permanence] carries. This is also for your protection."
"Second question: you won't be absorbed by Xipe. But while Aeons may not have genders, it probably wouldn't be a big problem if the two of you tried to make a little baby Aeon."
When Dragon said the second point, Wende could practically see the lecherous expression on the person... no, the god, behind the light screen.
Wende felt more and more certain that the Dragon behind the screen was definitely not a respectable entity!
"Why are you making that face? Let me tell you, don't underestimate the life in this universe. These disasters are nothing more than the most ordinary trials for them. You should focus your sights on the one behind this whole catastrophe. If you can absorb the philosophy of [Destruction], then you won't have to be so sneaky anymore."
"..."
"Do you ever feel like you sound like a devil from some trashy story, luring someone step by step into the abyss?"
Wende silently retorted after hearing Dragon's words.
"Do I? I think it sounds perfectly normal. How do you hear emotions in a string of text? Whatever. In any case, don't underestimate the beings who survive in this starry sky. They are much tougher than you imagine."
"..."
Is that really true?
The thought bubbled up in Wende's mind without reason, but he quickly shook it away.
Have I... always been such a bleeding heart? Why did he feel this urge to step forward? Was this the legendary "with great power comes great responsibility"?
"...Have I not seen them for too long? Why are my thoughts so wild lately... Could it be because I've been too busy since starting the company?"
Calming his chaotic thoughts, Wende decided to just take a look at what Wendy and the others were up to...
Wende directly used his "eyes" to travel to Belobog and peek at the movements of the four little ones. He found them having a party in Qlipoth Fort. Listening closely, he learned that Wendy had successfully used the power of the Herrscher of Wind to clear a snow-free territory large enough for Belobog to expand tenfold. She had also weakened the planet-wide cold wave by more than forty percent. Although he could see many Fragmentum monsters from the Antimatter Legion exposed on the ice outside Belobog, he figured that after being frozen for so long, the strength of the Silvermane Guards alone should be enough to handle them.
Wende then turned his gaze to the Astral Express. He remembered Stelle had posted on her social media that she was returning to the Express from Herta's today. He might as well see how she and March were doing.
And so, the moment Wende shifted his perspective back to the Astral Express, he was greeted by a particular scene.
Stelle was holding Kafka's hand, acting like a perfectly well-behaved girl as she gently recounted her [Trailblazing] experiences. The look on her face...
Let's just say, Wende had never seen Stelle... well, not since the Xianzhou incident had he seen Stelle look like this. For some reason, his mouth felt a little sour.
He then looked for March. Good heavens... March looked as if she hadn't slept in days. She was already back in her room, fast asleep. Wende chose to retract his gaze and sighed helplessly.
Wendy and the three little ones were enjoying a victory banquet in Belobog. Stelle was chatting happily with her mother Kafka, though it seemed Himeko was still trying to figure out how to pour her coffee down Kafka's throat. March probably wouldn't wake up for at least a day... Suddenly, he felt so bored... Should he go find Tingyun? No, Tingyun was very busy right now. Then Jingliu... better not. He shouldn't go looking for Jingliu alone. For the two of them right now, they were both "dangerous" to each other.
"Sigh, everyone's busy... Busy... Being busy is good..."
Recalling an old advertising slogan from Earth, Wende clasped his hands behind his back and lamented.
"I say, you don't look that old. What are you doing, acting like an old man here? Or is this just how you people are after you start a company?"
Silver Wolf appeared behind Wende at some point. Seeing his wistful expression, she raised a delicate eyebrow, still blowing a bubble with her gum, looking completely nonchalant.
"Huh? What are you doing here?"
Hearing Silver Wolf's voice behind him, Wende turned around, slightly surprised.
"Hello? It's lunch break. Besides, the network security stuff has been handed over to the people from Punklorde. What am I going to do there? Be their teacher? I don't have the time for that."
"Most importantly, I have no idea where you've hidden your game's base station and development team. Is there anything on this planet that's worth protecting with a professional network security force?"
"Not right now, but they can't be absent from here."
Wende shrugged with a smile, then took out his phone to check the time. It was indeed noon.
"Since it's noon, want to grab a bite together?"
Wende invited Silver Wolf.
"Has anyone ever told you that you give off the vibe of a creepy old uncle trying to lure away a child?"
Quietly closing the game she had just lost, Silver Wolf looked speechlessly at the foolish-looking Wende before her. Is this guy really the key Elio spoke of?
"But... are you the one cooking lunch?"
"Of course."
Wende nodded with a smile.
"Oh! Then what are you waiting for? Let's go! And don't let that Kafka woman find out!"
At the mention of food, the ahoge on top of Silver Wolf's head instantly stood erect, like a radar that had just locked onto a signal.
Having eaten Wende's cooking twice before, once at the Herta Space Station and once on the Xianzhou, her favorability towards him was quite high. Of course, it would be even better if he could cook for her often!
"Alright, let's go. I'll show you what I can do in the cafeteria."
Looking at the inexplicably excited Silver Wolf, Wende thought he saw a glimpse of the former Stelle and March... okay, it wasn't that long ago, it's just that those two couldn't eat his food right now.
Left behind on the Astral Express, Kafka was enjoying a pleasant conversation with her "daughter," completely oblivious to the fact that she had just been the victim of a tactical house swap. Just then, Stelle proposed that she show off her skills for Kafka, adding the note that she had received Wende's direct teachings!
And so, under Kafka's gentle smile and Himeko's sympathetic gaze, Stelle walked alone into the Astral Express's kitchen...
"Hmm..."
Himeko's slender fingers tapped gently on the coffee table beside her. Should she, or should she not, warn the lovely Miss Kafka... about her dearest daughter's habit of cooking with mung bean soda?