Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'

"So."

Glina sat in the conference room of the Underwater Abyss Bureau, looking across the long table at Qinlan Jiuge, who seemed on the verge of tears, and asked:

"Are you saying that, to appease the Empire citizens, I must pretend to be expelled from the Layer Abyss along with that kid?"

"Well... considering the Empire's situation, please try to understand."

Qinlan Jiuge scratched his chin, helplessly said:

"I don't want to go down either. I just dealt with the curse, haven't even drunk a few tons, and I'm being sent back to the Border Abyss. Just pretend you didn't hear anything, the cameras won't show you."

"It's really strange. The Empire invited me to perform in the first place to promote economic development and cultural exchange."

Glina crossed her long legs, tilted her head, and said in a seemingly perplexed manner:

"In the end, at the time of parting, why are they personally sending me away? Am I, Glina, just a disposable item to the Empire?"

"We will do things covertly. You don't really need to worry about anything. We are just arranging for you to go down to the Lower Starry Abyss along with those foreigners... at most, just travel companions."

As a dignified Kappa (10) tier official of real power in the Empire, Qinlan Jiuge had no dignity at this moment.

"We will also compensate you afterwards. We will reimburse all your expenses in the Empire..."

His demeanor was humble, like a newly employed insurance agent eager to coax a client into paying quickly.

However, he was facing Glina, not some fool.

Glina Swirl was no naive girl. At her level, she wouldn't agree to damage her reputation for mere material compensation.

She glanced at Land Loyd and others in the next detention room.

—Only now did she finally understand what was happening.

'Ha, the Empire is using me as a tool.'

She gently shook her fan, her long, thick eyelashes slightly lowered, making a thoughtful expression.

At the same time, her figure was projected in front of Leoz and others, leisurely walking forward, and calmly asked:

"Among you, who has the power to decide?"

Then, she glanced at Leoz:

"Though you're a bit ugly, you're the strongest. Are you the one in charge of the team?"

"True General?" Caramel Snail was puzzled: "Isn't he a host? How is he the strongest?"

"Mr. Caramel, you probably haven't watched his streams much." Lanan said: "True General holds the record for consecutive wins in the Fiery Summer District server arena of Starry Abyss, he's entertaining because he often tells jokes and cold humor."

"I'm bashful and inarticulate." Leoz solemnly took a step back, pushing Caramel Snail forward: "This is our official team leader."

"Ah? Me?"

Caramel Snail was bewildered, then glanced at the team list.

"It really is, I am indeed the leader."

Xia Yubing's command was so good, he even forgot he was the leader of this temporary team and the group chat owner.

"Hmm, looks like a silly happy bull."

Glina suspiciously looked at Caramel Snail, but compared to True General's stern face, and the clear murderous aura, the handsomely crafted character of Caramel Snail was more likable.

Clap!

She snapped her fan, sighed:

"Alright. Though mediocre, at least you resemble a human."

Saying this, she raised her hand to display a projection screen showing the outside scenery, and said:

"Foreword omitted. We are being handled by the Underwater Abyss Bureau, and we are forced to dive down to the Submergence Starry Abyss with these three idiots."

"Why?" Caramel Snail frowned: "These people were just causing trouble in the Empire, and you are a distinguished guest of the Empire, why are you being sent away together with them? Isn't the Empire worried about losing your face?"

"Silly bull." Glina unfolded her folding fan, covering half her delicate face, her pair of platinum eyebrows showing sympathy and disdain: "Do you think this order is from the Underwater Abyss Bureau?"

"Eh? Didn't you just say we are being handled by the Underwater Abyss Bureau—ouch!"

Caramel Snail got whacked on the head, then was scolded by Glina:

"Are you an idiot? What a girl says ≠ what she is thinking, can't you gauge a girl's mind?"

"How would I know—what kind of inequality is this?"

Caramel Snail said aggrievedly.

"Firstly, the Underwater Abyss Bureau is typically a direct agency of the Narrative Civilization, directly governed by the Narrator—in other words, by the Head of State. The director of this position usually acts as the scapegoat of the Head of State."

Leoz said:

"Secondly, according to the Empire's legal regulations: the Underwater Abyss Bureau only possesses limited enforcement power, exiling someone to the Starry Abyss must be decided by the Empire's court or a resolution by the Safety Committee."

"Wait, I remember, there's no delay in information transmission within the Inherent Time Domain." Lanan recalled something.

"Exactly so, so although our plan seems flawless, it's merely based on the premise that the threat of the Society's invasion diverts attention. Actually, if the Empire wanted to investigate, it would be easy for them to find out."

Severston explained:

"The Empire is not a ragtag band, the Narrative Civilization is not to be trifled with. If our plan were being discussed within the Inherent Time Domain, by the time Teacher Xia said 'here's the plan,' the Empire would already know we are targeting Glina."

"Disgusting." Long Yuqiong couldn't help but comment: "With such powerful abilities, how could they still manage to create a silent communication crisis?"

"...Could it be that precisely because communication is delay-free, rumor-spreading, and spy transmissions also lack delay?"

Severston joked:

"Primitives have their reports of false military information, modern people have electronic scams. The more technology there is, the more crime there is. As long as there are people, crime won't stop. There will always be individuals who, for various reasons, either mimic or act impulsively, making all sorts of incomprehensible actions."

"So clearly." Yutianxiao understood: "This is a decision made by the Empire's leadership."

"Philosopher King." Glina said: "It must have been approved by the Philosopher King, only he would have that kind of authority."

"However, I have a few questions."

Caramel Snail still couldn't make sense of it all:

"The Descender made a mistake, why are you being expelled along with him? Did you make a mistake too?"

"It's not about committing a crime, it's to align with their narrative."

Glina said lightly:

"You people, not being citizens of the Narrative Civilization, can't understand: For the Narrative Civilization, when enjoying limitless power, one must also bear infinite responsibility, from small household matters, price fluctuations, to the faith of a nation, the dignity of a civilization."

"For example, the 'Union Group' I belong to, relies on 'Capitalist Narrative' to unite people's hearts. The higher-ups have to use every means possible to ensure that the public believes only capitalism is the only legitimate and healthy belief: contracts, integrity, profit-seeking, money... Any slight stir can affect the entire narrative. Hence, the group must constantly deal with cases that could potentially endanger capitalism, to protect the cohesiveness of the narrative."

"Maleficent cases, especially ones endangering narrative cohesion, however small, can easily cause echo cycles within the Inherent Time Domain, further increasing people's fear, and due to the zero-delay in transmission within the Inherent Time Domain, this escalation of fear is completely exponential... In the end, even if a mutiny occurs, it would be nothing unusual."