Honkai Star Rail: I am Godzilla, domineering and rampant.

"How could that be? Master Diviner's strength lies elsewhere. The Xianzhou cannot do without your divinations."

"Hmph. When the day comes, I shall let you personally witness the sharpness of my sword!"

---------------------------------------

The Antimatter Legion's large scale movements naturally attracted the attention of many powers.

Although there have been no direct sightings of Lord Ravager Irontomb meeting with Celenova, that massive mechanical legion could not be faked.

Among the cosmic powers, the only one able to field such a vast mechanical army, aside from the king of Screwllum, was Lord Ravager Irontomb himself, who roamed the universe to carry out the will of Destruction.

...

Interastral Peace Corporation.

"The Antimatter Legion's movements are getting bigger and bigger. Who do you think their target is?" Jade leaned against the window frame, gazing sideways at the mysterious starry sky.

She was currently in her office in Pier Point, from where she worked when not travelling the universe.

"The Legion's movements aren't that easy to predict. How about… we make a bet?" Aventurine, just having sat down, removed his hat and chuckled.

"Even Diamond has taken notice of the Antimatter Legion's actions. Such a large-scale mobilization hasn't happened in a long time."

Hearing Jade's words, Aventurine nodded slightly: "Indeed. The Emanators of Destruction strive to spread annihilation throughout the galaxy, and in fact, they've succeeded. With their power, wiping out a star system wouldn't even need to be this complicated. For them to make such a show of force, it must be aimed at some power of equal level."

"Including… the IPC." Jade's eyes narrowed slightly, her tone flat as she voiced a possibility, that they themselves could be the target.

"How are those guys planning to respond? Even if the Legion isn't coming straight for Pier Point, with the IPC's presence spread across every corner of the cosmos, it's bound to be affected. Do you think the directors would really be willing to go head-to-head with those lunatics of Destruction?"

As one of the Ten Stonehearts, Aventurine considered himself familiar with some of the IPC's true strength. If the battlefield were set in Pier Point, no matter the outcome, the IPC would surely suffer devastating losses.

Of course, the true upper echelons would certainly slip away before anything started.

In reality, only a small portion of the IPC's higher-ups were physically stationed in Pier Point, most of them figures like the Ten Stonehearts, who had enough ability to protect themselves.

The rest, unless for matters of great importance, conducted even major meetings through holographic projections.

"But if they want me to investigate, they're probably going to be disappointed. I've already got plenty on my plate." Aventurine sighed.

The Ten Stonehearts were all extremely busy.

Especially since taking on Boothill's commission, it wasn't easy to track down Osvaldo's whereabouts.

"There are dedicated people handling this matter. The Ten Stonehearts aren't meant for gathering intelligence, even if you are indeed very skilled at it." Jade laughed softly, then added:

"I've heard that Lady Ruan Mei has developed a device capable of improving ecological environments. The IPC still oversees many worlds troubled by various issues. If we could secure a partnership with Lady Ruan Mei, it could mean a turning point in destiny for those worlds."

"Improving the ecological environment, huh." Aventurine mused. "That sounds like something Topaz would be suited for."

After all, Topaz's home planet was no secret. Before joining the IPC, her past was well known among the Ten Stonehearts.

With such a device, Topaz would no doubt be thrilled. It could even help expand her business, killing two birds with one stone.

The problem was, the device was in Lady Ruan Mei's hands. And this genius, even harder to deal with than Herta, was not someone easily persuaded…

···

Herta Space Station.

"After these supplies are checked, send them to the warehouse."

"These instruments, have the scholars test them. If there's no issue, deliver them to the laboratories."

"These are medical materials. Inform the Medical Department, it's good for training, strengthening their force, no problem…"

Asta skillfully distributed the various tasks.

As the Station Manager of Herta Space Station, Asta looked more like its true master than Herta herself.

In fact, the construction of this space station was funded by others; Herta was here more for reputation and stability.

If not for the fact that the station's creation slightly benefited her research, Herta would still be playing doll battles with herself.

Once Asta finished distributing the recently procured supplies,

"Miss Asta, you should rest." Seeing her finally pause, Arlan reminded her.

"I'm not tired yet. The station's responsibilities are growing, I have to make sure nothing slips through the cracks." Asta rejected his suggestion with a reason that left no room for argument.

Arlan could only smile wryly.

This young lady was good in every way, except that, just to defy her family, she insisted on doing everything herself. If she could stay at Herta Space Station watching the stars, she'd never go home.

But Arlan thought maybe that was for the best.

After all, back with her family, inexplicable people always seemed to show up. Here at the Space Station, with Asta holding the economic lifeline, hundreds of scholars gathered around her, with Herta's name as a shield.

No one dared provoke Miss Asta here.

Unless they wanted their research project to be shut down.

Asta stood still for a while to rest, then her eyes fell on the little Herta dolls scattered all around the station.

"Sigh, Lady Herta hasn't returned to the station in some time." Asta sighed.

She hadn't been like this before. Whenever some new topic piqued her interest, Herta would often bring it to the station to handle, taking care of things along the way.

Most of the time, matters that could lure Herta back were related to the Simulated Universe.

But now, it had already been thirteen days, seven hours, fifty-three minutes, and twenty-nine seconds since her last return… and now thirty-eight seconds.

"Miss Asta, your family has sent a communication. The situation in the universe has grown rather unstable lately. They are asking you to return home for a while."

Arlan said.

"What happened again?" Asta asked curiously.

Wasn't the universe fairly peaceful lately? Other than the Antimatter Legion still burning, killing, and looting, and the Disaster Swarm continuing to wreak havoc, there hadn't been any major issues.

Even the Antimatter Legion had quieted down for a while; during this time she hadn't heard any news about them.

Arlan shook his head: "Not sure, I only heard the Antimatter Legion is making some big moves. I advise you to go home and lay low for now."

Hearing this, Asta paused, then fell into thought.

"Come to think of it, I seem to recall Madam Herta mentioning that the Mechanical Wing of the Antimatter Legion near the Balanzar Furnace had made some new moves. Could it be related?"

At that thought, Asta's heart tightened.

As everyone knows, Irontomb, the Lord Ravager who conquered the Balanzar Furnace, was most skilled at controlling the Mechanical Legion and turning them against the civilizations that created them.

The Herta Space Station gathered top geniuses from many planets. Though not on the same level as the members of the Genius Society, they were still at the very peak among ordinary people.

If Irontomb's mechanical army passed by their space station, there was no doubt they would target the station!

Thinking of this, Asta's nerves instantly reached a breaking point.

As everyone knows, only an Emanator can deal with another Emanator.

So… Madam Herta, save us!

…

"What are you nervous about? The station's research is trivial to them, they won't even give it a glance."

Herta went online, her tone flat.

Not to boast, but with the space station's situation, if anything could draw Irontomb's attention, it would only be her name, Herta.

Though the scholars' research might look decent in the eyes of ordinary people, for Irontomb, who commanded a massive mechanical army, stopping even one step for it would be a waste of fuel.

Besides…

"The Mechanical Legion's route doesn't intersect with the space station at all. You don't need to worry about this."

"Is that so? Then I'm relieved." Getting Herta's reply, Asta let out a sigh of relief.

Lord Ravagers, just their name was enough to make the scholars of the station abandon any thought of resistance.

They were not like the Nameless Denizens of Abundance who couldn't even catch a glance from an Aeon.

Each Lord Ravager was a decisive force capable of swaying a galactic battlefield. Among the Emanators, the Emanators of Destruction were recognized as the most devastating.

…Until the Emanator of Nihility in Penacony made a move.

Thinking of that Emanator of Nihility called Acheron, Herta frowned slightly.

Acheron's strike in Penacony had stunned the world.

That scarlet blade, no one could ignore it. And most importantly… the path she was walking on was none other than Nihility!

Before that, who had ever heard of Nihility having an Emanator?

With Nihility's nature, to think it even had an Emanator?

Herta couldn't imagine the indolent, slumbering Inexistence slowly creeping, granting the Path's power at a pace even slower than squeezing toothpaste.

But the Nihility Emanator was indeed different from ordinary Emanators. Without a comparison, Herta couldn't make sense of the connection.

'What a pity, if only I could find her.'

Thinking that, Herta suddenly heard Asta calling her.

"Madam Herta, recently you've been working with Ruan Mei, right?"

"Mm, what about it." Snapping back, Herta nodded.

"I heard Madam Ruan Mei recently developed a new environmental reconstruction device. I wanted to ask if I could purchase some."

Asta said a bit embarrassedly.

"Hmm? You're interested in that thing?" Herta raised her eyebrows, surprised.

In her impression, Asta was not someone who would care about such things.

After all, as a bona fide young lady, environmental reconstruction? Was she trying to build an eco-ship!!

"Mm, on the way back I came across a few destroyed worlds. Though the civilizations were wiped out, many species still remained. But those planets' environments were worsening, so I wanted to try if this device could restore them."

"A few planets' ecosystems?"

"Mm. If spending some credits can help them, I'll be happy."

Looking at Asta, who didn't even treat credits like money, Herta fell silent for a moment.

"… Tsk, fine, I'll ask for you." After recalling if there was anything else unresolved, Herta asked: "Any clues on the Leviathans?"

Hearing this, Asta shook her head slightly, apologetically: "Sorry Madam Herta, the Leviathan's trail is hard to find. It'll take more time."

Actually, finding the Leviathan wasn't that hard, it just took a huge amount of time.

The problem was, finding it without being discovered and escaping smoothly, that was troublesome.

Being cautious could make it possible, but that inevitably slowed things down. A problem of spear and shield.

"No rush."

Dropping those words, Herta immediately logged off.

Anyway, it wasn't her who needed the Leviathan for research.

Though she was curious about what Ruan Mei could achieve, her own research was equally important!

…

"You heard it, right? This thing is in very high demand now, I can't just sell it to you casually."

Herta said arrogantly to Topaz.

"Well, since the environmental reconstruction device is Madam Ruan Mei's invention, shouldn't we first ask for her approval?"

After a long silence, Topaz finally got back to work. Her very first task was to liaise with two geniuses.

Quite the challenge.

"My only condition is this: help me capture at least one living Leviathan."

Hearing Ruan Mei's condition, Topaz's eyelid twitched.

That thing… Forget it. Anyway, those people had given her the right to negotiate freely, so she agreed.

"No problem!"

Herta gave Ruan Mei a look that said as expected of the IPC and the rest is up to you.

Herta only promised to help Ruan Mei find the Leviathan, the rest she had to handle herself.

Unexpectedly, just as she was dozing off, someone came along and delivered a pillow.

Letting the IPC's people search was undoubtedly much faster than fighting alone.

Topaz didn't linger much; once the mission was complete, she should properly enjoy her vacation.

Those people weren't going to promote her just for this one thing anyway.

"You plan to give them the first generation?" Herta asked curiously.

Ruan Mei had already developed the second generation of the ecological reconstruction device.

Clearly, there was no way she could fatten up the IPC by trading with the first generation.

"No, I'm preparing to hand over the test version to the IPC," Ruan Mei said with an expression that suggested it was only natural.

"…The test version?" Herta blinked and looked at Ruan Mei with a strange expression.

A test version? Where did that come from? What weird stuff have you been secretly working on behind my back?

"The test version only has basic environmental improvement functions, no other effects."

Herta understood.

A failure is a failure, just dressing it up nicely.

She almost believed there really was a test version.

"Fine then, but you also heard just now, Asta wants a few as well." Herta reached out her hand toward Ruan Mei.

"…I'll take out the first-generation ecological device, adjust the output lower, and then there won't be any major problems."

It wasn't that it couldn't work faster, but after all, it was the first-generation product. If the power was even slightly higher, who knows how the lifeforms on that planet would end up evolving in strange directions.

Even Ruan Mei herself didn't have much confidence there. The field of life was just like that, full of unknown.

If everything could be known from the beginning, this field wouldn't attract so many talented people to come, only to leave disheartened.

Herta nodded. That way, everything was settled, and things could proceed smoothly.

"What does the IPC want this thing for?"

Improving the ecology of planets under their governance was one thing, but the universe hadn't exactly been peaceful lately. Who knows what those capitalists wanted to use this thing for.

Surely they wouldn't use it as back up for Pier Point, right?

…

The Xianzhou Luofu.

Jing Yuan's holographic projection stood before Boothill, chatting with this contestant who had recently participated in the Luminary Wardance.

"Those damned legs, haven't the Legion's disgusting little cuties had enough of a beating yet? Want to fight again, huh!?"

Boothill's shark-like teeth ground together, his narrowed eyes brimming with danger.

That battle where the Galaxy Rangers fought against Zulo was still famous in the universe.

Countless Galaxy Rangers perished in that fight, and in exchange, they used the Disaster Swarm and hunted down Zulo.

After that, Celenova replaced Zulo's position.

There were still seven Lord Ravagers.

Well… now only five and a half.

And that half, who knew whether Phantylia was alive or dead.

"I wonder what Boothill thinks? On this shared path, the Xianzhou Alliance won't shortchange allies. Likewise, our most hated enemies are the very ones you've long sought to face."

Jing Yuan smiled. Becoming a Galaxy Ranger had always been his ideal. Unfortunately, some are simply born to not walk their dreams, instead do what life dictates.

If this time he could fight alongside the Galaxy Rangers, it would be a great honor.

"No problem for me. The others probably won't have a problem either. But you know, the Galaxy Rangers are a bunch of weirdos, loners, it won't be easy to find them. Dammit, you'll cover the travel expenses, right?"

…

In Godzilla's dream.

In the dream, Godzilla was nothing like his usual lazy self, Godzilla also had a new aspiration now!

Measuring the edges of the universe with his own two feet!

"…If you can let it rest for a while, I'll believe you."

The Memokeeper (messenger from the Garden of Recollection) looked at the enormous Giant Sting beneath Godzilla's feet, hesitating with words unspoken.

Not wanting to walk, Godzilla manifested the Giant Sting in the dream as a means of transportation, even a Memokeeper wouldn't go this far!

But…

"What a dreamy sight." The Messenger Lady gazed at the meteor shower streaking across the sky, awestruck.

Such a massive meteor shower, even she rarely saw such a dreamy scene.

After all, she too was just a worker. It's just that being a worker was her own choice.

Normally, they wouldn't go out to such remote regions, unless it was to deal with some corrupted memory-matter problem.

Unlike Godzilla.

Not to mention, planet Jarilo-VI had already been erased from the cosmic records. Even if it reappeared later, it wouldn't attract Garden of Recollection's attention.

After all, too many worlds had been destroyed by Stellarons, and those that survived often ended up perishing anyway, either from the side effects of the Stellaron or the Antimatter Legion.

Everyone thought Jarilo-VI would be the same, but who could have known…