Screwllum projected a holographic image, displaying the simulation results: stars frozen, all things stagnant, everything sealed within a brilliant yet deathly still golden amber.
"This sealing is not simple freezing," Screwllum explained. "It is closer to a conceptual level of 'absolute stillness' and 'fixation'."
"According to our calculations, unless the 'Preservation' equation itself is destroyed from the outside, the difficulty of breaking the confinement for anything sealed by its amber is extremely high. It can even be asserted—without utilizing power at the level of an Emanator, it is nearly impossible."
"At that point," Herta summarized, her voice carrying a chill, "Amphoreus will meet an end more thorough than 'Destruction'—a gigantic, ornate cosmic specimen, eternally frozen in the instant of 'Preservation.'"
"And, this is only the best-case scenario in our projections." Herta continued, her words solidifying the already heavy atmosphere.
"Considering the unique nature of the 'the scepter' itself, the 'Preservation' equation born from it likely won't lose the functions of 'expansion' and 'assimilation' from its core logic. In fact, after it devours the 'Destruction' equation, it might even spread more rapidly."
Her virtual finger traced a vast arc representing a galaxy in the air.
"At that time, it won't just be Amphoreus that gets sealed. Several, or even a dozen or so galaxies around it will probably be in for serious trouble, gradually devoured by that spreading amber nebula, eventually becoming part of that eternally frozen canvas."
"Phew…"
Welt let out a long, heavy breath, as if trying to expel the oppression in his chest along with a sense of absurd familiarity.
*Project Stigma…* As he silently uttered the name in his heart, he even felt a trace of bitter self-mockery.
From the moment he saw Phaethon, who resembled Kevin so closely, and felt that unyielding resolve to preserve at any cost, he should have thought of it.
Different worlds, similar predicaments, and the strikingly similar "final solutions" born when pushed to extremes.
He forced himself to calm down, adjusting the black-rimmed glasses on his nose. The gaze behind the lenses sharpened, becoming focused once more:
"Then, Madam Herta, Mr. Screwllum, with the intel and power we currently possess, is there any method to prevent the final hatching of that 'Preservation' equation?"
Screwllum's mechanical head turned slightly towards The Herta. They exchanged a silent look.
Then, Screwllum began to explain in his uniquely steady voice, his tone carrying a hint of rational helplessness:
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Welt. This matter actually involves the Aeons. And the manifestation of an Aeon's blessing can generally be divided into two types."
He extended a mechanical finger, projecting a holographic diagram.
"First, there are the 'miracles' bestowed by an Aeon, which possess physical form or serve specific purposes."
"For example, the Abundance miracle in the history of the Xianzhou Alliance—the Arbor. Another example is where we stand now, the supercomputer that hosts and evolves Amphoreus—the 'Scepter.' These are themselves the physical manifestations of an Aeon's great power."
"Second, there are the instances where an Aeon, through direct 'gaze' and blessing, grants an individual power and status beyond the mortal. This is what we commonly refer to as—an Emanator."
Screwllum's electronic eye focused on Welt.
"Considering the current situation in Amphoreus, neither Nanook's Destruction, Fuli's Remembrance, nor Nous's Erudition have directly elevated any individual here to the status of Emanator."
"Their influence here is manifested and intervened solely through the 'miracles' previously bestowed."
"Therefore, based on the current situation, we have reason to suspect," Herta took over, her tone decisive,
"that the 'Preservation' equation about to hatch, and the eternal amber it will unleash capable of sealing galaxies, is very likely the 'miracle' that the Aeon of Preservation—Qlipoth—is about to leave on Amphoreus."
"Furthermore," Screwllum added, "that suspected Amphoreus system administrator, 'Lygus,' also revealed a key piece of information to us before the battle:"
"'From the moment the path of Preservation appeared and began to influence Amphoreus's calculations, the hatching of the 'Preservation' equation became an irreversible 'fact.' It is not a 'process' that can be stopped, but a 'result' destined to arrive.'"
"So, do you understand now? Everyone from the Express crew." Herta spread her hands, making the final summary, her tone brooking no dissent.
"Your most rational and safe choice right now is to immediately return to the Astral Express and steer away from this star sector without looking back."
"No matter your reasons for wanting to stay—unfinished Trailblaze, locals you can't abandon, or any sense of responsibility—in twenty-six system hours, when the amber light envelops everything, they will all lose any meaning."
Her advice was cold and cruel, yet based on irrefutable facts.
But just then—
"Perhaps…" an elegant and clear voice rang out, like a pebble dropped into a silent lake, "someone left you another choice?"
Everyone's eyes instantly snapped onto Evernight, who had spoken.
"What do you mean?" Welt was the first to press. "Miss Evernight, do you know of a way to change the situation in Amphoreus?"
"I can't really say… whether it counts as a 'way' to change Amphoreus's outcome. You'll have to see for yourselves." Evernight gently shook her head. In her hand, a peculiar memory crystal fragment had somehow appeared.
This crystal was completely different from the regular octahedral purple Memoria crystals Stelle had commonly seen in Amphoreus.
It was noticeably larger, and its form was extremely unusual—only the bottom part of the lower half was relatively intact, maintaining a relatively smooth facet.
Apart from that, the rest of the crystal was covered in countless, cobweb-like cracks, barely forming the outline of a shattered octahedron.
Moreover, this shattering showed a disturbing gradient: the higher you looked, the denser the cracks, and the severe the shattering.
By the time her gaze reached the very top of the crystal, Stelle felt that part could barely even be called a "crystal" anymore. It was already reduced to extremely fine crystalline powder on the verge of drifting away, barely held in its final form by some invisible force.
Holding this crystal bearing the unknown and a shattered past, complex emotions flickered in Evernight's dark crimson pupils. Her tone became unprecedentedly solemn:
"That man named Khaslana once found me and made a deal. He wanted me to tell you—"
"'Preservation' is not the enemy of 'Trailblaze'…"