Polka Kakamond had come.
She watched you.
She was the Silent Lord, the most terrifying assassin among the geniuses.
And then—she left.
Just like that.
Honestly, the Genius Society's banquet was far too boring.
Though, thinking about it now, the old man had probably anticipated this outcome long ago.
As long as future geniuses had a chance to exchange ideas, that was enough.
As for the Silent Lord—
That gaze of hers, lingering on you for just a moment, was enough to send a chill straight down your spine.
Evan stayed within the banquet dimension for several system-hours.
But to the outside world?
Only a few minutes had passed.
Time flowed far more slowly in that space. If this were some cultivation-style fantasy novel, this place would have been a top-tier secret realm—
Ten days outside, ten years inside, that kind of nonsense.
Of course… it wasn't that exaggerated.
And so—
Once the banquet ended, factions across the universe received brand-new intelligence.
Under the Path of Erudition—
The Genius Society had welcomed a new member.
Seat #85.
Name unknown.
Yet everyone understood one thing clearly:
If any faction managed to gain the favor of a genius,
that faction would experience explosive growth in a very short period of time.
Every power in the universe needed to find this new genius.
Pier Point — The Erudition Guild
Not long after the news spread throughout the cosmos—
A man wearing a plaster mask stood with both hands braced against a research table.
His eyes were dull.
"Another new genius… born into the universe."
"But why… why isn't it me?"
"When will we mediocre ones ever earn Nous's gaze?"
"Hah…"
"Is the gap between mediocrity and genius really that vast?"
As the Strategic Investment Department's intelligence circulated—
The Ten Stonehearts all received the same report.
A genius.
After all, the Erudition Guild had reconstructed Synesthesia Beacons from a genius's posthumous research alone—
And that single technology had allowed the Corporation's influence to spread across the entire universe.
If they could gain the backing of another genius…
The Corporation had always maintained ties with geniuses.
Herta cooperated directly with the Corporation.
Asta—the Space Station's director—was the daughter of a high-ranking shareholder.
Buying a planet-destroying warship? Just swipe the card.
Ruan Mei had also received exceptionally high internal evaluations from the Corporation.
As for Screwllum—
It was precisely because he became a recognized genius that the mechanical lifeforms avoided total extermination.
When the Corporation moved—
The universe shook.
Somewhere Along the Silver Rail of the Cosmos
A starship leapt across multiple star regions toward its next destination.
"The Strategic Investment Department has issued a confidential request—
they're searching for Genius Society Seat #85."
"Tch."
A girl with a single ponytail leaned against the bridge railing.
She blew a bubble of gum while tapping a communication beacon with her finger.
"A new genius, huh?"
"Every member of the Genius Society is weird."
"But Seat #85 doesn't appear in Elio's script. No need to pay special attention."
She glanced sideways.
"By the way, Silver Wolf—have you recovered your seventy-something accounts yet?"
"Hmph! That damn short brat!"
Silver Wolf popped her bubble, spat it out, then stuffed another piece of gum into her mouth.
Hands on her hips, she puffed her cheeks and went silent.
Another voice came through the headset.
"A new genius…"
"I wonder… if this one could cure my body…"
"Hah. Don't even think about it, Sam," the ponytailed woman said coolly.
"Focus on the Watchmaker's legacy. Stay safe."
"The Genius Society has nothing to do with us."
"There isn't a single mention of them in Elio's script."
The man speaking folded his arms, expression cold—
Yet there was still a trace of concern in his tone.
"Heh. True."
"Those lunatics are too unpredictable. We'd never cross paths with them—
if not for her, we wouldn't even have dealings with Herta."
"Let's go. According to the script, once Belobog's Stellaron is dealt with, it'll be time to depart."
"Blade—be careful."
"I know."
Watching Blade's departing figure, Kafka fell silent.
Genius Society Seat #85…
Inside the starship, a black cat calmly licked its paw.
Not the least bit concerned about swallowing its own fur.
Though—if that gaze of its weren't so unnervingly intelligent, it would have been better.
What black cat?
That thing was none other than Elio, leader of the Stellaron Hunters.
Jarilo-VI — Belobog, Upper City, Outside Qlipoth Fort
Today—
The crimes of Supreme Guardian Cocolia would be publicly judged.
Today—
Bronya would inherit authority and ascend to the throne.
Under the witness of both the Upper City and the Underworld—
Belobog finally welcomed a new hope.
The Stellaron crisis had been resolved.
The God of Spring would come at last.
Of course—
Everything would have been perfect…
If not for Sparkle.
At this moment—
Less than twelve hours remained before Belobog's explosion.
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