Only the fortunate one chosen by the Aeon of Finality could understand the murmured words.
To everyone else, they sounded like fragmented whispers describing an unknown future—or perhaps the past.
Meanwhile, the Omniscient Lens continued sounding alarms as it detected massive energy spikes.
The Finality Aeon made no attempt to hide its presence.
Lin Yi tried to memorize the whispers.
He planned to analyze them afterward.
But he quickly discovered something strange.
He could remember the words only at the exact moment he heard them.
The instant that moment passed—
All memory of the whispers vanished completely.
Even recording devices captured nothing but blank noise.
"**■■■■■■■■****"
"■**■*"
Then—
Dikala disappeared.
And the Aeon of Finality disappeared as well.
Just like the Path it represented—
Its departure was silent, shapeless, and invisible.
Elio had briefly spoken with the Aeon.
But most of the exchange had been Elio speaking alone.
It was impossible to know whether the Aeon had even listened.
Even Elio's own words seemed to have been erased from perception.
Lin Yi sighed.
"This is exactly why I hate people who speak in riddles."
But he soon realized something.
"So that's how it works."
"The power of Finality manipulates time."
"Using it to ensure a predetermined meeting in the future."
"That actually makes sense."
He paused.
"But what's the point?"
Elio collapsed onto the ground.
It looked like all his strength had been drained.
Kafka gently picked him up.
Lin Yi quickly asked,
"Elio—what did the Finality Aeon say?"
Elio didn't respond.
He hung limply in Kafka's arms, eyes closed.
It looked like he had exhausted himself and lost consciousness.
Kafka spoke calmly.
"Elio isn't in a state to answer right now."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Seeing this, Lin Yi gave up for the moment.
There would be plenty of time later to ask.
Kafka carried Elio away.
Lin Yi called out to her.
"So… has Elio's script ended here?"
"Is everything here finished?"
Kafka shook her head.
"Not yet."
"But the remaining script belongs to the Stellaron Hunters."
She paused, then added:
"Elio also said something for you."
"You will obtain a Stellaron soon."
"That Stellaron will become indispensable in the future."
"To a certain degree, it will determine the direction of the script."
"But why?"
"Elio didn't say."
A quiet voice followed.
"You can open your eyes now."
"He knows you're pretending."
"I know."
"Why didn't you ask him for Coordination III for Firefly?"
"Didn't you say that could cure entropy syndrome?"
"It's not the right time yet."
"It won't work now."
"Only at a specific moment will Coordination III be able to cure her."
"Where are we going next?"
"Yepera."
Lin Yi watched them leave.
Elio… the slave of fate.
The future is going to be interesting.
He stood silently, as if sending the Stellaron Hunters off with his gaze.
Then he turned to Zhili.
"What a messy ending."
"Fate really is unpredictable."
"If Elio says we'll meet again in Penacony, then we'll meet again in Penacony."
He grinned.
"Or you could try not following what he said."
"Make him tear up another script."
"Just imagining that is pretty amusing."
Zhili smiled faintly.
"Elio—the slave of fate."
"If he says it, then it's probably the predetermined future."
"Besides…"
"There's a precious memory waiting for me there."
"So—until next time."
She followed the threads of memory and vanished.
Wherever memories existed, a follower of Remembrance could travel freely.
Well—
Most of the time.
As long as they didn't provoke certain people.
Lin Yi turned back.
"Now that leaves the three of us."
"Miss Robin?"
Robin nodded.
"I plan to return to Penacony as soon as possible."
"I want to check on my brother."
"The Order resonance from earlier worries me."
She smiled bitterly.
"I have a feeling that favor you promised me will be used very soon."
"I still need to make some preparations."
"And say farewell to a few people."
"So—goodbye for now, Mr. Lin Yi."
Lin Yi stopped her.
"Miss Robin, wait a moment."
"Would you mind if I collected a blood sample for research?"
He spoke with sincere enthusiasm.
"You just completed the miracle of summoning a Harmony manifestation."
"Right now, you're undoubtedly a special case."
"A blood sample like yours would have extremely high research value."
Robin laughed softly.
"Of course."
"It would be my honor to contribute to the universe's most advanced research."
Lin Yi immediately pulled out a syringe as thick as a thigh.
Robin stepped back two steps instantly.
Her smile vanished.
"Wrong one."
"Not this."
Lin Yi switched to normal medical equipment.
Robin visibly relaxed.
The blood sample was bright red with a faint golden tint.
Lin Yi sealed it carefully with multiple layers of containment.
Robin stared at it.
"…Why does my blood look like that?"
Lin Yi replied calmly.
"That's exactly why it's valuable for research."
He paused.
"Since we're already here…"
"Would you mind if I also took a feather sample?"
Robin quickly plucked two feathers herself.
Buy one get one free.
She clearly didn't want Lin Yi pulling out another terrifying tool.
Then she hurried off while Lin Yi reluctantly waved goodbye.
Lin Yi turned to Dongfang Qiqing.
"Well."
"The play is over."
"The audience has left."
"Time for us to go as well."
He paused.
"Unless you have something unfinished here?"
"I can give you some time."
Dongfang Qiqing waved her hand.
"No need, Mr. Lin Yi."
"I already got Robin's autograph and photo earlier."
"I also bought some supplies to distribute on this planet."
"But…"
She looked up at the massive halo encircling the sky.
"…I guess they're not needed anymore."
She sighed in awe.
"The miracles created by an Aeon's power really are unreasonable."
Lin Yi nodded.
"The high concentration of memetic matter seems to have been captured by that halo."
"Combined with the earlier manifestation of Harmony…"
"And this ready-made blessing…"
He looked across the world.
"I'm afraid this place will become the next Penacony."
"But that has nothing to do with us anymore."
"Let's go, Qiqing."
"Yes, Mr. Lin Yi."
Inside the Amber-colored Radiant Ship, Lin Yi touched the bridge console gently.
"It hasn't been long…"
"Why does it feel like it's been ages?"
The Radiant Ship glowed softly.
Lin Yi sighed.
They had departed from Celestial Sky City thinking it would be a simple trip.
Just a quick visit to the Herta Space Station.
To discuss some recent research.
But somehow—
Things had become far more complicated than expected.