『 [ …Not surprised at all. ]
Hearing Jade's words, Hotaru went silent for a moment, appearing very calm.
[ You're much calmer than I imagined. ]
[ Entropy Loss Syndrome… truly an unprovoked disaster, isn't it? ]
[ To prevent the Republic's most powerful weapon from falling into the hands of others, the Glamoth people set this failsafe in the warriors' genetic code. ]
[ And the cost… since these Iron Cavalry were never regarded as independent people, there was naturally no cost to speak of. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Ugh, I feel so bad for the warriors who sold their lives for Glamoth!"
March 7th: "These warriors were clearly using their own lives to protect Glamoth."
March 7th: "And yet, they didn't even have the most basic human rights."
Silver Wolf: "Because the people of Glamoth never considered the Iron Cavalry to be human. They were just weapons that had been manufactured."
Silver Wolf: "So, their ultimate destruction was well-deserved."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Although the Glamoth Iron Cavalry were born from genetic modification."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "From the perspective of life, they were living, breathing human beings!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "They should have enjoyed all basic human rights."
Welt Yang: "Indeed, I agree with Professor Ratio's assessment!"
Welt Yang: "Regardless of the circumstances, we must not let the warriors who protect their homeland feel disheartened!"
....
『 [ However, you are different. You're now a Stellaron Hunter, a living being named Hotaru.]
[ Of course, you want to live, but the Firmament Front of the past has been destroyed, and the people who knew this secret and could cure it no longer exist. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Crazy, Jade's intelligence network is ridiculously detailed."
Stelle: "I'm really curious, how could she know such details?"
Furina de Fontaine: "I don't know, I just feel like Madam Jade is very mysterious."
Furina de Fontaine: "Much more mysterious than Ms. Topaz and Mr. Aventurine."
Furina de Fontaine: "Maybe… this is what a senior veteran is like."
Hu Tao: "Speaking of which, with Madam Jade saying so much, what exactly is she trying to do?"
Hu Tao: "I can't quite understand Madam Jade's intentions."
Asta: "The Stellaron Hunters are all wanted criminals of the IPC."
Asta: "Could Madam Jade be trying to use Ms. Hotaru's hands to round up the Stellaron Hunters in one fell swoop?"
Jade: "Hehe, if that's what you think."
Jade: "Then I can only say you're overthinking it."
Jade: "The Stellaron Hunters are no mere rabble; it wouldn't be easy to round them up in one fell swoop."
Jade: "Besides, as far as I'm concerned, I have no reason to do so."
Jade: "Perhaps, to some extent, we even share the same goal."
Hotaru: "Is that so?"
Hotaru: "I see…"
....
『 [ You mean to say, the IPC has a way to do it? ]
Hotaru asked.
[ It's not without hope; that is all I can say. ]
Jade did not go into too much detail.
[ I see. ]
[ No wonder you said I couldn't produce an equivalent collateral—because everything about me is meaningless… ]
[ What you want is for me to personally put shackles on my companions in order to survive. ]
Hotaru looked at Jade, frowning.
[ Unfortunately, that is not the case either. ]
[ Companions—a very nice way of putting it. It makes me even more curious about the Stellaron Hunters. ]
[ You each have unique identities, and the connections between you are quite interesting—so close and firm, yet you each maintain your own independence. ]
[ Just like the Ten Stonehearts follow Diamond, you must also have a leader. ]
[ I am curious what kind of person he is, and curious if every Stellaron Hunter is just like you… ]
[ Walking the Path of Finality, yet struggling to move in the opposite direction of fate? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "No way!"
Stelle: "So the Stellaron Hunters believe in Finality?!"
Stelle: "Could it be that Elio is an Emanator of Finality?"
Welt Yang: "Finality… that would actually explain things."
March 7th: "Walking the Path of Finality, yet struggling to move in the opposite direction of fate…"
March 7th: "How come I feel… like the Stellaron Hunters are just like Mr. Gallagher, simply borrowing the power of a Path?"
March 7th: "Oh!"
March 7th: "It's also a bit like Ms. Acheron!"
Furina de Fontaine: "So that means, the Stellaron Hunters' true goal is to stop the end of the universe?"
Furina de Fontaine: "That makes them a proper justice organization!"
Silver Wolf: "Oh my, our notorious Stellaron Hunters are being called a justice organization."
Silver Wolf: "That's actually quite interesting."
Hu Tao: "In a way, the Stellaron Hunters are a group similar to the Astral Express!"
Stelle: "So, why not just merge into our Astral Express?"
Stelle: "There's strength in numbers!"
Lumine: "But the Stellaron Hunters act according to a script."
Lumine: "It should be for guidance."
Lumine: "So they can't join the Express crew at all."
Paimon: "The problem is… now that this live stream has appeared, is the script still useful?"
Silver Wolf: "Who knows? I'll leave that headache for Elio to worry about."
....
『 Hotaru listened to Jade's words, falling silent.
[ If there is a chance, I hope you can all come to my pawnshop for a visit. ]
[ And for the arrival of that day, I am willing to wait patiently. ]
Jade spoke what sounded like an invitation.
[ Can I interpret this as Diamond bypassing the IPC to extend an invitation to the Stellaron Hunters? ]
Hotaru asked in return.
[ If possible, I would prefer you treat it as my personal action, representing neither the IPC nor the Strategic Investment Department. ]
Jade shook her head.
[ The Stellaron Hunters have dealt with the IPC many times, but the Ten Stonehearts… we have had no intersection. ]
[ I can pass on your proposal, but before that, I have a question… ]
[ You know my identity, so you must also be able to imagine that my companions are likely monitoring this room. ]
[ If she wanted to, she could let the entirety of Pier Point know about it within a few mere seconds.]
[ What makes you willing to risk becoming a discarded pawn to accomplish all this for Diamond? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Amber: "Oh, right. Since the Stellaron Hunters are wanted criminals of the IPC, it's one thing that Madam Jade isn't trying to catch them."
Amber: "But she's doing it so blatantly."
Amber: "Why is that?"
Diluc Ragnvindr: "Perhaps… this is the strategy of that man, Diamond."
Himeko: "This seems to show that within the IPC, people's hearts are all different."
Himeko: "Perhaps if it were another department of the IPC, they would be desperate to catch the Stellaron Hunters."
Himeko: "But for Diamond… he seems to want to reach a cooperative relationship with the Stellaron Hunters."
Dan Heng: "This suggests they have the same goal."
March 7th: "The same goal?"
March 7th: "Hmm… Diamond is an Emanator of Preservation."
March 7th: "Could his goal be…"
Stelle: "Protecting the safety of the universe!"
Stelle: "Yeah, that must be it!"
Stelle: "After all, that's what the Aeon of Preservation has always been doing!"
....
『 [ Because, all in all… we are the same kind of people. ]
[ But unlike the Stellaron Hunters and the Astral Express, we gather together… to get what we each need. ]
[ The Ten have their own origins and their own destinations. ]
[ And for a segment of this road, we were invited by Diamond to walk with him. ]
[ This segment of the road can be very short or very long. ]
[ Because each of us has a void(ambition) in our hearts, only constantly rely on external things to fill it. ]
[ And Diamond, he made a promise—to divide the power of the Emanator of Preservation into ten, to add a cornerstone to that void. ]
[ The flesh is weak, and my heart is firm as stone. ]
[ If it were not so, the Path of Preservation could not stand. ]
[ So, do you understand? ]
[ This is not just an oath, but the collateral that we ten have handed over. In exchange, we gain opportunity, wealth, continuation, tomorrow… ]
[ And whatever we gain from it will fortify the Stonehearts in return, allowing us to achieve the great cause of the Preservation(Diamond) when the war among the Aeons eventually comes. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Qingque: "Got it, got it!"
Qingque: "The so-called Stellaron Hunters and the Ten Stonehearts are just alternative versions of the Astral Express!"
Qingque: "They are all using their own plans to make the future of this universe a better place!"
March 7th: "Wait… the coming War among the Aeons???"
March 7th: "Oh my god, a War among the Aeons will definitely happen in the future?"
March 7th: "Isn't that the end of everything?"
Furina de Fontaine: "The War among the Aeons means… a war between Aeons, right?"
Hu Tao: "As the saying goes, when gods fight, mortals suffer!"
Hu Tao: "If this War among the Aeons really happens, wouldn't the universe be a mess?"
Paimon: "So… everything the Stellaron Hunters and the Ten Stonehearts are doing is in preparation to stop the War among the Aeons?"
Paimon: "Then what role do you all on the Astral Express play in this?"
Stelle: "We on the Express don't really know about any War among the Aeons."
Stelle: "But if nothing goes wrong, perhaps our final journey of Trailblazing on the Astral Express will definitely collide with this so-called War among the Aeons."
Stelle: "To use the words of Xianzhou novels… are we on the Astral Express meant to face this calamity?"
Silver Wolf: "Face the calamity?"
Silver Wolf: "Hmm, that term is indeed very fitting."
Silver Wolf: "In short, the future points toward darkness."
Silver Wolf: "But whether this darkness can be broken, honestly, no one knows."
Acheron: "But you have been trying, haven't you?"
Acheron: "Even if there is only a glimmer of hope, or no hope at all, there are still some things that must be done."
Stelle: "Tsk tsk, interesting. I didn't expect such a great calamity to happen in the future of the universe."
Stelle: "I suddenly feel that in the near future, our entire Express crew might be finished!"
March 7th: "???"
March 7th: "Stelle, can you say something auspicious?"
March 7th: "Listen to what you're saying, is that lucky?"
Lumine: "Everyone, don't worry. You, on the Express crew, have so many like-minded friends helping you silently."
Lumine: "No matter what difficulties and obstacles you encounter, you will definitely be able to overcome them!"
Paimon: "Mm-hmm, Traveler is right!"
Stelle: "Haha, good!"
Stelle: "Whatever, War among the Aeons, if it pushes me too far, I'll just go blow up an Aeon!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Admirable courage, but a foolish approach."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "I suggest you use your brain properly."
....
『 [ … ]
[ …I understand. ]
Hotaru nodded after a moment of silence, understanding Jade's meaning.
[ Go, child. You don't have to give me an answer immediately. ]
[ As I said, the thing I am best at is waiting. ]
Jade smiled, her tone gentle.
[ If fate really turns that page, we will naturally meet again. ]
[ But I am sorry, this pawnshop cannot give me what I want. ]
[ My last attempt on Penacony… can only end in hope. ]
Hotaru sighed softly, then turned and left.
And as she walked out, she happened to see a mechanical lifeform walking into the room.
Hotaru recognized this machine at a glance; it was that of Detective Walker.
[ Lady Bonajade, I have come to deliver the collateral as promised. ]
Detective Walker handed the item to Jade. Hotaru glanced at it a few times, then continued on her way. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "What a pity… Hotaru didn't find a way to cure her illness in the end."
Hotaru: "It's okay, I had expected it long ago."
Hotaru: "Although I didn't find a way to cure the illness, it can be considered as having some hope."
Silver Wolf: "Does the IPC really have the ability to cure Entropy Loss Syndrome?"
Jade: "Hehe, that was the private technology of the Glamoth Republic, after all."
Jade: "Now that the Glamoth Republic has fallen, the IPC can only say it's possible to do it."
Madam Herta: "The IPC might not be able to do it, but I think there is someone who might be able to."
Ruan Mei: "I guess… You are talking about me?"
Madam Herta: "Of course."
Madam Herta: "You are the life science expert of the Genius Society."
Madam Herta: "Curing a tiny genetic defect isn't that simple? It's something you could do with your eyes closed, right?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Really?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Ms. Ruan Mei is that amazing?"
Stelle: "Ms. Ruan Mei is indeed amazing, but the things she tinkers with are all weird."
Stelle: "I don't doubt she can cure Hotaru, but I'm afraid she'll turn Hotaru into a bug or a pastry."
Stelle: "That would be too scary!! (Scared.jpg)"
Hu Tao: "Eh?!"
Hu Tao: "A bug… a pastry?"
Hu Tao: "What kind of weird things are these?"
Ruan Mei: "Hehe, it seems I have left some fixed impressions in your mind."
Ruan Mei: "Although… your impression isn't exactly wrong."
Ruan Mei: "Repairing Ms. Hotaru's genetic defect is indeed not difficult for me."
Ruan Mei: "But I think, perhaps she doesn't necessarily need my help."
Stelle: "Hmm, acting with caution, I think we should wait until Hotaru really can't find a way to cure her illness before asking Ms. Ruan Mei to intervene!"
Stelle: "Otherwise, I'm really afraid Hotaru will be turned into a bug."
Silver Wolf: "What kind of bug, a firefly?"
Stelle: "That would naturally be the terrifying… Star-Crushing Swarm King!"
Hotaru: "Uh…"
Hotaru: "That's a bit beyond one's expectations."
Hotaru: "It seems Ms. Ruan Mei has done some incredible experiments."
Hotaru: "She really is worthy of being a member of the Genius Society."
Feixiao: "Speaking of which…"
Feixiao: "I want to ask Ms. Ruan Mei about someone."
Feixiao: "Do you know… Tingyun?"
Yukong: "!!"
Yukong: "What does General Feixiao mean?!"
March 7th: "What?!"
March 7th: "Ting… Ms. Tingyun?!"
March 7th: "General Feixiao, has the Xianzhou Alliance found Ms. Tingyun?!"
March 7th: "Is she still… alive?"
....
(Remember, this was even before V3.8 was released (Currently V2.5 to be precise), so all the ideas about Hotaru being close to Propagation were just theories that later became canon after V3.8)