The unchanging scenery at the edge of IX's domain has a way of blurring one's perception of time.
Coupled with Acheron and 'Hysilens' falling into silence, it felt as if the world here had ground to a complete halt.
However, after some time, 'Hysilens,' who had been deeply immersed in her analysis, was forced to stop.
It wasn't because she had hit a wall. In fact, after receiving the talent rewarded by the system earlier, her progress on the Nihility Equation—though not fast—had been advancing steadily.
The only issue was that she had absorbed too much intel and information regarding Nihility in too short a window.
'Hysilens' felt her mental fortitude starting to buckle.
She couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness about it. It was only at times like this that she truly realized the biggest difference between herself and a legitimate Aeon: a lack of spiritual depth.
Pathstriders carry out their will, and Aeons, at the moment of their ascension, open a Path through extreme emotion and willpower.
In that regard, 'Hysilens'—who relied on equations to master a Path—simply couldn't compare, no matter what.
Even when she obtained power in the past, it wasn't her own will that attracted the Aeons, but rather the singularity of her existence that drew their gaze.
Although 'Hysilens' had developed a will that wasn't inferior to most Pathstriders after all she had been through, she was still clearly lagging behind a true Aeon.
If any other Aeon were here doing what 'Hysilens' was doing, they certainly wouldn't be held back by this. But 'Hysilens' couldn't manage it; compared to those who ascended through traditional means, her spirit and will were still lacking.
Yet, she didn't dwell on this fact too much.
She had reached this level through a "speed-run" approach, after all. She couldn't expect to be perfect in every category like some kind of "hexagon warrior." She wasn't that greedy.
In short, while her "play-acting" duration was still active, 'Hysilens' decided to take a break and continue later due to her agreement with Acheron. She didn't push herself.
Once the session ended, she could just recharge and use it again later. She wasn't in that much of a rush.
'Hysilens' opened her eyes and gave Acheron's palm a little tug. Seeing the other look toward her, she spoke with a smile:
"I've hit my limit for now. I'm going to take a break, digest all this, and then keep going."
"Are you sure it's just for now?"
"You don't believe me?"
Facing 'Hysilens' pouting interrogation, Acheron felt that if she insisted, the other might actually get angry. She helplessly raised her hands in surrender.
"Alright, I take it back."
"That's more like it. We have a promise, so how could I lie to you?"
'Hysilens' nodded with satisfaction, then gave a long, hard stretch before standing up from the reef. "I'm planning to head out for a bit. Want to come?"
"Where to?"
"The Astral Express. We were talking about Hysilens and Nihility earlier, weren't we? Might as well head over during my break to check things out and clear my head before coming back."
And to earn some Emotion Points while she was at it. Staying at the edge of Nihility during this session meant there were zero points coming in. It was better to go take a stroll around the real person.
Acheron thought about it for a moment before shaking her head. "I'll pass. I'm not familiar with them. I'll wait until your issue is resolved, then I'll follow you to make friends."
"...Fine."
'Hysilens' knew Acheron was worried that the Nihility within her might risk infecting others, which made her reluctant to wander around. She didn't force the issue and left the boundary alone.
Returning to the material world, 'Hysilens' sent a message to Himeko, asking where the Express was currently located.
[Himeko: The Express is currently refitting at Penacony. We're also visiting two seniors. Is something the matter?]
[Nameless: I'm looking for Hysilens and Cerydra. Are they still on the train?]
[Himeko: They are. The Express has been busy putting out fires everywhere lately and we're short-handed. The two of them decided to postpone their departure until this busy period is over.]
[Nameless: Oh? You're not trying to ask the seniors to come out of retirement, are you?]
[Himeko: We do have that in mind, but it'll depend on what they say.]
[Nameless: That works out. I'll head over there.]
[Himeko: We'll be waiting.]
--+--
Penacony.
Himeko looked at the message on her screen, wondering what exactly "worked out." Perhaps the other person had business to attend to in Penacony.
After Himeko notified everyone, Hysilens and Cerydra decided they might as well go out to meet the guest themselves.
Of course, part of the reason was that Cerydra was fed up with Mikhail's "great ambition but poor execution" style. The guy had zero management skills yet was forced into a high position.
If it weren't for Tiernan and Gopher Wood helping him out, he would have been scammed into oblivion by now. Cerydra got annoyed just looking at him, so she grabbed Hysilens and left first.
Watching the two ladies leave Dreamflux Reef, Mikhail let out an awkward laugh.
"I'm really being looked down on by my juniors, haha..."
Tiernan nodded seriously, ruthlessly mocking his old friend.
"If you had even half of Miss Cerydra's methods back then, I wouldn't have had to come in and save your skin. Now I wouldn't have to worry about what would happen to a guy like you if I left."
Himeko, standing nearby, could only offer an awkward but polite smile. What could she even say? When two legendary seniors were teasing each other, it was best to keep her mouth shut.
In the lobby of the Reverie Hotel in the real world of Penacony, 'Hysilens' had just arrived. Gopher Wood was nowhere to be seen, but she did spot those two kids, Robin and Sunday, wandering about.
She didn't go over to tease the children; she was still feeling a bit "gloomy" and didn't want to dampen their spirits. After waiting in the lobby for a while, she saw Cerydra and the real Hysilens walking toward her in a hurry.
At first, the two were searching for a white-haired figure. But soon, Cerydra spotted the traces of the "other" Hysilens.
The little Imperator's eyes widened momentarily before she regained her composure, pulling Hysilens along with her as she walked over.
"Madam Bai Ming?"
"Oh? You actually recognized me. Not bad, not bad at all."
Hysilens looked at her other self, noting the rich expressions on her face, her thoughts unreadable.
"It has been a long time, Madam Bai Ming. It is an honor to be one of the subjects of your play-acting. Though personally, I feel there is nothing about me worth mimicking. I would recommend you choose the Imperator instead; she is clearly more excellent and far greater."
"...I've told you already, all of that is in the past. Now, I am just Cerydra. Nothing more." The small Imperator helplessly corrected the hierarchical tone in the knight's voice.
Their daily interactions had improved so much; why was she reverting now? Who reset her save file!
However, while Cerydra felt helpless, in the eyes of 'Hysilens,' she felt that this "Amphoreus Girl-Lover" Hysilens probably just wanted two Cerydras to appear so she could have double the joy.
"Well, Cerydra, try to be understanding. I think Hysilens just simply wants two Imperators."
"Huh?"
Confusion flitted across Cerydra's face, while a mischievous, wicked grin appeared on 'Hysilens' face. Hysilens suddenly had a very bad feeling. But how could the taciturn woman ever predict what the woman in front of her was about to do?
'Hysilens' suddenly placed one hand over her heart and raised the other, pointing toward Cerydra.
Her expression turned abruptly sorrowful yet calm, like the silent, pitch-black depths of the sea.
"Oh, Imperator... my light, my sun, my law, my King—"
"Wait, Excellency—?!"
Hysilens completely lost her composure. Usually as cold as freezing seawater, she couldn't keep her straight face anymore.
Those were the words in her heart from the past—the words she had never spoken aloud!!
How did she know... No, if she were a god, it would be normal to know, but don't say them in front of the Imperator!! Hysilens felt as if her entire world was collapsing.
Meanwhile, 'Hysilens' was struggling to hold back her laughter.
In the span of that single sentence, the Emotion Point bar on her panel had shot up significantly. It was clear that Hysilens was profoundly shaken.
But...
'Hysilens' looked at their reactions and realized something.
They had already inherited the recorded data of thirty million cycles. Why hadn't these two broken through that "paper-thin" barrier yet? How could they bear not being in a relationship after all that...
'Hysilens' had assumed they were already in that blatant "ambiguous phase," which is why she had come to earn some quick Emotion Points.
Looking at their reactions, that wasn't the case at all. It was ridiculous.
By now, Hysilens was spiraling into a state of anxiety. She felt that if Cerydra knew about these petty thoughts of hers, she would surely be loathed as some "heavy-hearted, obsessive woman."
The mere thought of Cerydra looking at her with such an expression made Hysilens feel like she might faint.
As for Cerydra, she tilted her head, looking at the 'Hysilens' in front of her and then at the clearly flustered Hysilens beside her. She wore a contemplative expression but didn't stop anyone.
To 'Hysilens,' Hysilens' feeble attempts to stop her were useless—not to mention her voice couldn't even drown out her own.
Besides, these two had been "star-crossed lovers" for thirty million lifetimes, and they were still being this wishy-washy? It was frustrating to watch.
Even the Lady Goldweaver over there knew how to catch the little "thief cat" and handle her. How was there no progress on this side? 'Hysilens' felt anxious just looking at them.
And she hadn't expected that the Ocean Titan could actually make such a face. In the old game plot, she always had that frigid, stoic look.
Seeing her like this while earning Emotion Points on the side?
Talk about a win-win!
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL