Modulation Hall.
The arrowhead chains were severed from their source. The blue light faded from the broken chains, and the controlled personnel of the Black Shores were finally freed one after another.
Some people with slightly stronger physiques gradually regained consciousness. As soon as they woke up, some fainted again due to hunger, thirst, and malnutrition.
In the end, only a handful of people were able to stand in the hall and move with difficulty.
"I feel like... I had a dream filled with pain, despair, unwillingness, and terror."
Monica held her head, feeling pain everywhere in her body. Her two hands couldn't cover it all. Looking at the others, they were in the same state.
Compared to the others, she was already in relatively good condition, because the rest didn't even have the strength to speak.
"Everyone—"
The door to the Modulation Hall was opened. All the Black Shores personnel who had managed to stand turned their gazes toward it, only to see a figure in white casual clothing step into the hall.
On the chest of that figure was pinned a Blake Bloom.
Is he from the Black Shores? Monica was somewhat puzzled.
If the Black Shores had such a young and handsome member, it was impossible for her not to have any impression of him.
While she was still puzzled, the person quickly walked over and distributed an intermediate nutrient block to each of the standing individuals.
Monica didn't have time to think too much. She wolfed down the nutrient block, and finally, some faint strength returned to her frail body.
"Perhaps you don't know my identity. Allow me to introduce myself first."
The figure hesitated for a moment before speaking loudly:
"I am the Astral Modulator, the founder of the Black Shores. Just now... I resolved the Lament in the Black Shores."
The words exploded like a bomb among the crowd, instantly causing an uproar.
"What? He's the Rover that the Shorekeeper asked us to find."
"He finally appeared."
"He says he also resolved the Lament."
"What time is it now?"
"Has three months already passed? It felt like just a very long nightmare."
"We can't just believe him because he says he is, right? At the very least, there should be some proof."
Some believed, some were shocked, some doubted—this was all within Noah's expectations.
Relying on his memory, he calmly walked to a console and activated the response from the Tethys System.
The steady, monotonous mechanical voice unique to Tethys automatically sounded:
"Welcome, highest administrator, Rover."
Hearing this voice, Noah couldn't help but smile faintly.
As expected, this Tethys System didn't recognize him either, just like how the Sentinels across Solaris had forgotten Rover.
Then, he could prepare for the next step of the plan!
Turning around, whether they had believed or doubted before, all the Black Shores members now raised their hands in a salute to him.
"I'm truly sorry, everyone. I arrived a step too late and made you all suffer."
Assuming the identity of Rover meant bearing the debt Rover owed to all the victims of the Black Shores—of course, this was only temporary.
Gathering all the standing people, Noah spoke solemnly:
"I know that my belated apology is very weak, but I have no time to deliberate over my wording because there is a matter of utmost importance that requires everyone's help."
"But this matter is closely related to the safety of your friends, your parents, and every single person in Solaris."
"I implore everyone to temporarily set aside the unhappiness caused by the Lament in the Black Shores and join hands to overcome this difficult time together."
Seeing the gradually solemn gazes of the crowd, Noah paused for a moment before slowly continuing:
"Please—open a passage within the Tethys System. I need to enter the interior of Tethys."
As soon as these words fell, everyone gasped in shock.
Monica stepped forward in disbelief:
"Highest administrator, do you know what you're saying? Even if we could really open a passage inside Tethys, where you would go—we don't even know."
"It doesn't matter."
Noah slowly shook his head, his gaze meeting Monica's:
"My request may be very presumptuous, but—please believe me. Thank you."
A male researcher looked troubled:
"This isn't a matter of believing or not..."
Before he could finish his words, Monica waved her hand to interrupt him. She turned around to face all the remaining people, her words resounding firmly:
"Do as the highest administrator says! All researchers who can still move, get to work immediately! Guest personnel other than researchers, rescue the other unconscious members!"
"Yes!"
The hall immediately echoed with responses.
Noah: ...
The scene before him suddenly reminded him of a joke:
On a scorching summer day, the emperor visited the general's tent. Seeing the soldiers under the general wearing heavy, stifling armor, he told them to remove it and cool off.
The soldiers all looked toward the general upon hearing this. The general said, "Since the emperor has told you to remove your armor, then do so."
Only with the general's permission did the soldiers remove their armor. The next day, the general was executed by the emperor.
He naturally wasn't the emperor in this story. No matter what, his goal had been achieved.
"Highest administrator, we have too few people available. Achieving your request will take some time. Please wait a little while."
Monica reported the situation to Noah very politely.
"Alright, thank you for your trouble. When it's done, please call me. I'll go outside and be quiet for a bit."
Noah nodded, not intending to disturb Monica further. He turned and walked toward the door.
He needed to organize his thoughts to deal with entering the interior of the Tethys System next.
Regarding the current situation in the Black Shores, he only had a vague guess.
But for the specifics, it was best to meet the Tethys System in person—and while at it, rescue the Shorekeeper.
Harboring layers of thoughts, he absentmindedly walked out the door and was startled by a figure that suddenly came into view.
[Limited Banner "Wandering at the End of the Labyrinth" and "Red Spring" are now open.]
"Fate—Determined—Seed—I finally found you!"
Vines swirled in the air around the pretty girl in front of him. She smiled playfully, the fervor in her eyes almost turning substantial.
Camellya placed one hand behind her back, a vine wrapping around her other arm, blooming a gorgeous camellia flower in her upheld palm.
"I didn't expect that for our first meeting, you would save the Black Shores and defeat the Lament—you're so strong, so manly. I really... really want to fight you!"
She approached Noah with coquettish laughter, her heart leaping with unprecedented joy. Her hot breath nearly brushed against Noah's neck.
Noah was forced back against the wall, inwardly crying out that this was bad.
Oh no, mistaken by a yandere. How to explain—no, walls have ears; at least for now, he couldn't explain.
He had to reject her!
"I'm sorry, I don't hit women."
"Ahahahaha—" Camellya laughed unrestrainedly, as if hearing something extremely amusing. She laughed until she trembled like a flower branch, nearly unable to hold the camellia in her hand steady:
"I'm not a woman, I'm a girl!"
"...I don't hit girls either!" Noah frowned, pretending to be displeased, his tone growing heavier:
"Don't come closer. Stay away from me."
"Aaah, you're so fierce!"
Camellya excitedly clutched her chest, feeling as if a little deer was rampaging inside, making it hard for her to maintain composure. An excited blush rose on her face:
"I love it! Angering you is extra fun! Hit me, I really—really want to be hit by you, hahaha!"
Holy crap, he's encountered a female pervert!
Cold sweat was already pouring down Noah's back.
He wasn't afraid when fighting two Calamity-class at the same time in the Statue of the Crownless (name of Sonoro sphere), wasn't afraid when solo challenging the Sentinel Jue on Mt. Firmament, wasn't afraid when entering the Black Shores alone with a world-class Lament present.
But facing the big idiot Camellya, he was genuinely scared.
Can't provoke her, can't provoke her. He sidestepped, turning to leave, but his ankle was firmly grasped by a vine. Camellya tightly held his arm from behind:
"Where are you going?"
"Where I'm going is none of your business."
Noah turned around, swinging his sword to cut the vine, staring seriously at Camellya:
"Listen, I'm not the Seed of Fate you're looking for. Now, stand there properly—don't extend vines randomly, cover your mouth, don't speak, and definitely don't come closer."
Ignoring Camellya's reaction, he shook off her arm and strode away.
Camellya remained in place, obediently covering her mouth. Only after a while did she slowly move her hands from her red lips to the sides of her flushed cheeks, her expression filled with intoxication:
"Aaah... being scolded feels so good—"
Before she could step forward again to chase after Noah, she saw Noah already turning back and walking toward her.
"Seed of Fate..."
Camellya blinked, her gaze full of anticipation. She couldn't help but laugh coquettishly again, teasing the man with the serious expression:
"You came back... did you miss me?"
"No."
The man shook his head:
"I forgot to pull you."