"Hot damn! The Xianzhou Alliance actually gave you guys this thing. The 'Alliance Jade Abacus'… With just a light grip, you can summon thousands upon thousands of Cloud Knights. What a spectacular scene that must be!"
Boothill wanted to take the Jade Abacus from Dan Heng's hand, but the latter subconsciously dodged, moving the box containing the Jade Abacus to another direction.
Although Boothill felt some regret at not being able to touch the 'Alliance Jade Abacus' with his own hands, he did not continue to dwell on the issue.
"But I say, Brother Dan Heng, are you really going to use the 'Alliance Jade Abacus'? You should understand that this thing can only be used once in a lifetime. If you use it now, you won't be able to use it when you need it later."
Dan Heng: "…Mm, I know. But my companions—I can only have them once as well. Moreover…"
At this point, the corners of Dan Heng's mouth seemed to curve slightly. On the face of this 'cold-faced little azure dragon,' a rare trace of other emotions appeared.
"Besides, this 'Alliance Jade Abacus' is not something that can truly only be used once."
"Hm? This thing can be used many times?" Boothill looked somewhat dazed. Could it be that they Galaxy Rangers had been disconnected from the world for too long? Even the Alliance Jade Abacus had become a mass-produced consumable?
Just as Boothill was feeling confused, Black Swan, who had been listening to the conversation on the side, smiled gently. The jade hand that had been continuously flipping tarot cards paused, and she opened her mouth to explain.
"Haha~ Mr. Boothill, don't be misled by Mr. Dan Heng's words. As the treasured symbol of friendship with the Xianzhou Alliance, the 'Alliance Jade Abacus' can indeed only be used once. However…"
At this point, Black Swan paused. A captivating smile appeared on her fair cheeks — a meaningful smile.
"However, Mr. Dan Heng and the others are Nameless of the Astral Express. If they use the Alliance Jade Abacus a second time, I believe the Xianzhou Alliance will not mind selling them a favor."
Black Swan's meaning was already very clear. Upon hearing this, Boothill also reacted. He lightly patted his cowboy hat with one hand.
"Hah! How did I forget about that? That's true. You Nameless's favors are worth a lot these days!"
There was no exaggeration in Boothill's words. Nowadays, across the entire galaxy, the 'favors' of the Nameless were even more valuable than those of the Interastral Peace Corporation.
Of course, this did not mean that the Astral Express's influence was stronger than the Interastral Peace Corporation, that colossal entity spanning the entire galaxy. In terms of raw power alone, the Astral Express still could not compare to the Company.
However, the 'favors' of the Astral Express were the kind that would definitely be honored. After all, the Nameless had always been known throughout the universe for their sincerity.
It was no exaggeration to say that in this star region, the only ones who could rival the Nameless in sincerity and integrity were the 'Knights of Beauty' who followed the Aeon of Beauty, Idrila.
As for the people from the Interastral Peace Corporation… the pies they drew were best treated as just pictures. If you really waited for them to deliver, you might as well pray to that crazy Aeon of Elation.
"Alright, it really has to be you Nameless. But having said that, Brother Dan Heng, are you really going to drag the Xianzhou Alliance into this matter as well? With so many Emanators involved, this is likely going to be an unprecedented great war."
Involving many factions and multiple Emanator-level powerhouses — since the Twilight War all those years ago, no similar situation had appeared. This would undoubtedly be a grand conflict, a battle that would go down in history!
Dan Heng: "…I have already considered this. I trust the Alliance."
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"Eh? So Mr. Gallagher, you are actually a 'Fictioneer'? That's amazing!"
In the Exile's Dream Reef, Stelle looked at the somewhat slovenly middle-aged uncle before her with an envious expression. 'Fictioneer' — she had only heard this title in the Astral Express's archives, and now she was actually seeing a living person!
Using the knowledge of 52 'Family' members and the power of Enigmata to construct a false identity and role in the Dreamscape — how astonishing!
"Mr. Gallagher is a 'Fictioneer'? But… why did you take the initiative to reveal your identity?"
Himeko frowned deeply. She stopped stirring the coffee in her hand, her brows full of confusion, along with a trace of concern and worry.
'Fictioneers,' members of the organization following the Aeon of Enigmata. They possessed the power to fabricate and distort facts, turning falsehood into reality. To a certain extent, this power could even be compared to Causality.
However, compared to Pathstriders of the Path of Causality, 'Fictioneers' had a fatal weakness: once their 'fiction' was seen through, they would suffer severe backlash, even losing their own lives.
Facing Himeko's worried and puzzled words, our Mr. Gallagher crossed his arms, leaned back slightly, his eyes full of exhaustion and reminiscence, along with a trace of relief.
"It is time for me to leave. For so many years, I have followed Mikhail and fought alongside him. But now, my old friend is no longer here. What meaning is there for me to remain alone and desolate in this world?"
As Gallagher's words fell, everyone present fell into silence.
Himeko silently lowered her head. The coffee cup in her hand trembled slightly, as if expressing the unrest in the woman's heart at this moment.
Stelle also remained silent. Although she had only met Gallagher in front of her twice, she felt very reluctant to part with this 'companion' who also pursued the will of Trailblaze.
March 7th, the happy fruit of the Astral Express — even she, who was usually lively and cheerful, had no words this time. The sorrow on the girl's face was impossible to hide.
This atmosphere lasted for two or three minutes. Finally, as the navigator of the Astral Express, our Lady Himeko was the first to speak and break the heavy silence.
"Mr. Gallagher, actually, after the matter in Penacony is over, you can board the Astral Express with us."
"Board the Astral Express?"
Upon hearing this, a trace of yearning flashed in Gallagher's eyes, but he quickly shook his head gently.
"I am already an old dog. I no longer have the vigorous vitality of you young people. The road ahead should be blazed by you."
"But Mr. Gallagher, didn't you say you are only thirteen years old?" Listening to Gallagher's aged tone, even in the midst of sadness, our March 7th couldn't help but retort.
"Yeah, this body is indeed only thirteen years old. But for a hound, isn't thirteen years old already an old dog?"
"…Mikhail, I followed him for so many years. We were very good friends. But now, he is no longer here. Soon, I will follow him as well. This… can also be considered a kind of relief."
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