Soon, in the living room of Himeko's home, the two sat facing each other.
Lucius spread a movie poster out on the table.
Himeko looked at the poster. It had a background of Earth and warships, with large characters printed prominently across it.
—Star Wars: Schicksal vs. the Sky People
One look and it was clearly a flop-in-waiting. Himeko had already made up her mind about this film.
But she didn't have low enough emotional intelligence to say it out loud. If this person really was coming to invite her to act in a film, considering the compensation he had offered, Himeko didn't plan to refuse.
The prerequisite being—this was actually a legitimate film.
After organizing her thoughts, Himeko said:
"I'm not opposed to becoming your actress. But before that, I need to read the script first before I can decide."
"Of course. As the female lead, you naturally need to know the direction of the script."
Lucius had anticipated Himeko's request and had prepared for it in advance.
He handed a stack of papers to Himeko and said with a smile:
"I can guarantee this is an absolutely wholesome, uplifting, and positive film."
"You'll be playing an astronomy enthusiast named Himeko Murata, who, with the help of a teacher of mysterious identity, step by step uncovers the truth of an alien arrival."
"And after experiencing betrayal from a loved one, discovers the truth about the world and ultimately walks down an entirely different path."
Himeko took the script Lucius handed her and flipped through it page by page.
The script wasn't particularly brilliant, but for some reason, looking at names like the so-called 'Himeko Murata,' 'Ryusuke Murata,' 'Welt Young' and similar names, she always felt a strong sense of déjà vu.
But after carefully reading through it, she found she truly hadn't encountered a similar story before. She could only discard the doubt in her heart.
In the end, she handed the script back, nodded, and said:
"This is a story that moves me. I'm willing to play your female lead."
This was a lie. After reading the script, Himeko felt even more certain this film would flop.
But whether the film flopped or not wasn't important. What she valued was only the compensation Lucius was offering.
Seeing Himeko agree, Lucius was also pleased.
"Very good. Now that Miss Himeko has chosen to join, we can proceed with training."
"Training?" Himeko was puzzled.
"Miss Himeko, you're a warrior. In your current state, there's no way you can become a qualified actress."
Himeko thought about it and realized she really knew nothing about acting. Since she was taking money to do a job, she did need to be professional about it.
So she nodded in agreement.
"So, you're arranging for me to learn acting?"
"Not exactly. We're planning to arrange for you to do some coursework at Caltech."
"Huh?"
Watching the bewilderment appearing on Himeko's face, Lucius said with a smile:
"The leader of the Land of Light once said something worth noting: cultural workers must be cultured."
"Rounded off, actors are also cultural workers, so naturally they also need to be cultured."
"What is the Land of Light?"
"That's not important." Lucius fixed his gaze on Himeko before him and said seriously: "You must first study academic coursework, and only then can you become a qualified actress."
"What you mean is, before filming, I also have to go study at a university for a while?"
Lucius nodded, and Himeko felt the absurdity of it.
Ever since her deadbeat old man had thrown her into Fire Moth's forces, she had been completely cut off from university life. She hadn't imagined that just to film a scene, she would end up going around in circles and returning to university.
She sensed something was off. Suspicion gradually rose on her face.
"You... are you really bringing me here just to film a movie?"
"Of course!"
Lucius's answer was decisive and firm.
"We've invested enormously in this. We absolutely must make a film that goes down in history. For this, no expense will be spared!"
"Therefore, whether it's location, props, or personnel, we're going to achieve the best!"
Then Lucius gave Himeko a look.
"If it were really that simple, why would we offer you such high compensation? To do charity?"
After hearing Lucius's answer, Himeko's doubts dissipated.
"I see. I completely understand now." Himeko nodded.
"Excellent. With your participation, Miss Himeko, this film of ours will surely go down in history!"
But I feel like this thing has all the signs of a sure-fire flop.
Himeko didn't say this out loud. After all, the other party was now her patron. If they pulled their funding, where would she find the compensation payments for her comrades?
Right now, the other party was the client. No matter what, just smile.
"I'll completely follow the production team's arrangements. Are you having me study film or performing arts? I'll study hard."
"No. The coursework you'll be studying is interstellar navigation dynamics."
"As a student of interstellar navigation dynamics, how could you not know interstellar navigation dynamics?"
"But isn't that the identity of Himeko Murata, the character I'm playing?"
Lucius looked at her, his expression profound. "Without having studied interstellar navigation dynamics, can you properly portray a student of interstellar navigation dynamics?"
Hearing Lucius say this, even the usually composed Himeko had an urge to retort.
But she couldn't. The other party was now her client. As long as the money was sufficient, even if the other party's thinking was questionable, they were always right.
So Himeko pulled a smile to the corner of her mouth and nodded.
"Mm. Everything you say is correct."
...
Just as Lucius and Himeko finalized their subsequent cooperation plan, the compensation payment problem that had been troubling Himeko was finally resolved.
But in another place, Himeko's deadbeat old man Ryusuke was not feeling nearly as wonderful.
Or rather, Ryusuke felt things had been absolutely terrible lately.
As a parliamentary member of both the United Government and Fire Moth, he was usually confident and composed. The first impression he gave people was that air of self-assurance radiating from within.
But now, sitting before his desk, staring at the people on the screen, Ryusuke's expression was extremely gloomy.
"Tell me—what do you mean the government no longer has sufficient funds to develop the faster-than-light engine?!"
"This money amounts to less than what you old fossils embezzle every year!"
The reason he had chosen to enter politics was to advance space exploration from the government level.
Previously, through his efforts, the United Government's space projects had been progressing smoothly. Even an engine that could achieve faster-than-light travel using imaginary tide had become a possibility.
But now, these people with just one directive were going to reduce all his years of effort to ashes?
Hearing Ryusuke's words, several people on the other side of the screen coughed lightly.
"Ryusuke, watch your language. This was confirmed by both the United Government parliament and the Fire Moth parliament. You were present at the time as well. We are merely informing you."
"If you have objections, raise a motion yourself at Wednesday's meeting for a vote. We are not your emotional dumping ground."
Hearing this, Ryusuke took a deep breath, composed himself, and said:
"My apologies. I got too agitated."
Watching the screen go dark, Ryusuke slammed his fist on the desk, his face mixed with anger and indignation.
He recalled the discussion at Fire Moth's recent meeting.
Fire Moth's review panel had determined that the birth of faster-than-light technology might give rise to planet-class Honkai Beasts.
Before completely resolving Earth's Honkai disaster, development of faster-than-light technology would be permanently terminated.
"You cowards... why can't you understand that staying trapped on Earth is the real dead end?!"
"Only by turning our eyes to the stars will we have the qualifications to contend with the Honkai!"
Ryusuke was furious in his heart, but unfortunately his personal power was utterly insufficient to sway the decisions made by the United Government and Fire Moth.
"I must seize more power. Only that way can I continue advancing the development of faster-than-light technology."
And thinking of this, Ryusuke's expression grew even gloomier.
He took a paper document out of his drawer. It was a list—more precisely, a list of the Fifth Squad's casualties.
Looking at the names one by one, Ryusuke's expression shifted between light and shadow.
In the end, he fed this list into the shredder and destroyed it completely.
All of Fire Moth's parliamentary members knew that the Fifth Squad had been personally assembled by him, Ryusuke. Even the squad captain was his own daughter.
In a sense, this squad could almost be considered his private army.
In the past, this squad had hunted down one powerful Honkai Beast after another and quelled one devastating Honkai disaster after another.
All of this prestige had accrued to Ryusuke, helping him climb step by step to the position of Fire Moth parliamentarian.
But what rises together can fall together.
The Fifth Squad's last disgraceful defeat absolutely could not get out. Otherwise, his standing within the United Government and Fire Moth would plummet dramatically.
Before he could replenish the roster, these deaths had to be concealed to prevent damage to his reputation.
"For the future of humanity, these are sacrifices that can be made."
After destroying the list in his hands, Ryusuke hunched over the desk muttering to himself.
After handling these trivial matters, Ryusuke prepared to begin his day's work.
But when he opened his schedule, he found a company called Tianming Entertainment had sent him a request.
"Inviting me to play a role in a film?"
Ryusuke only glanced at it before throwing it in the trash and paying it no further mind.
Although some politicians would also boost their public profile by making cameos in films, gaining more voter support this way.
But the persona he had always cultivated in the public eye was one of extreme gravitas. Acting in films might actually produce the opposite effect.
What Ryusuke didn't know was that the moment he chose to refuse, a cold gleam flashed in Lucius's eyes, back at Himeko's home.
Then he looked at Himeko and asked: "Miss Himeko, if there were an opportunity to completely ruin Ryusuke, what would you do?"
Hearing this, Himeko replied without even a moment's hesitation: "I'd be in."
...
And so, Ryusuke, who was handling official business, suddenly received a communication.
He glanced at it, found it was Himeko, and chose to connect.
"Old man, did you withhold the Fifth Squad's compensation payments?"
Hearing Himeko's words, Ryusuke frowned slightly.
"Of course not."
He naturally hadn't withheld those compensation payments. He had simply neglected to report the casualties to his superiors.
"Himeko, my dear daughter, don't listen to idle gossip."
"The compensation payment issue I'll figure out. Just do your own job well. Everything else, you don't need to concern yourself with."
After these words, Himeko on the other end was silent for a moment. Just as Ryusuke thought this conversation was coming to an end, he heard Himeko say:
"Turns out putting expectations on you people was always a mistake. Forget it—I've already thought of a way to solve the compensation payment issue."
Hearing this, curiosity rose in Ryusuke.
He had never known his daughter had any talent for making money. Where on earth would she find this large a sum?
"Himeko, confidence is a good thing, but you also need to consider your own capabilities."
"Your salary, though generous, is still negligible against that compensation sum. Just listen to your father..."
"No need." Himeko cut Ryusuke off. "I'll resolve the compensation payment issue soon."
Ryusuke gave a light laugh and asked: "Well then, my daughter, how are you going to resolve it?"
"Actually, I need to let you know—the Fifth Squad's roster is already empty anyway, and refilling the personnel will take considerable time. I'm going to take a long vacation during this period."
"Can't earn compensation payments as squad captain. I'm going to film a movie. Goodbye!"
"Beep!" The call ended.
"Film... a movie?"
Ryusuke first froze, then his expression changed drastically.
"Himeko, don't do anything rash!"
He was just about to call back to stop his daughter from doing something foolish, when he found Himeko had sent him a poster.
"Star Wars: Shicksal vs. the Sky People?"
"Oh, so that's the film work she meant!" Ryusuke wiped cold sweat from his forehead.
"Wait, isn't this the same film that Tianming Entertainment just sent me?"
He glanced at the poster, shook his head, and decided not to pay further attention.
Since Himeko was willing to go film a movie to earn the compensation payments, let her go. Consider it a vacation for her.
Besides... if the film became a hit, it would also increase his own name recognition.
Just as Ryusuke was thinking this, he found another communication request coming in on his device.
And this time, it was actually his own secretary calling.
Ryusuke chose to connect. The next moment, an urgent voice came through.
"This is bad, Mr. Ryusuke! Quick, look at the news—something major has happened!"
Ryusuke frowned, then reprimanded: "Panicking like this—have some composure."
But he did open the news casually, and then saw his own large headshot occupying half the screen.
[Don't Let Warriors Bleed and Weep Both—Severely Punish United Government Parliamentarian Ryusuke!!!]
Seeing the headline, Ryusuke's heart lurched, and as he opened the article, cold sweat poured out uncontrollably.
It was exactly the Fifth Squad casualty incident he had wanted to suppress.
Because Fire Moth's anti-Honkai squads were also on the United Government military roster, in the news it had become a story of him, Ryusuke, not only embezzling from the troops but also withholding compensation payments from fallen soldiers.
Ryusuke's face went pale. He then urgently instructed his secretary to implement information controls.
But unfortunately, far too many people had already seen this news.
Ryusuke slumped powerlessly in his chair.
He knew this single news article wasn't sufficient to destroy him completely, but without question, an absolutely enormous number of citizens had now remembered his name.
In other words, his, Ryusuke's, political career... was finished right now.
His dream of reaching the sky, the vast stellar sea, the future of humanity—it all seemed to be receding.
Ryusuke fell into despair.
At this moment, another communication came in.
Ryusuke answered in a daze, only to hear the other party say: "Mr. Ryusuke, we have a film role here that's very well-suited to you."
Hearing these words, Ryusuke partially came back to his senses, but then immediately felt confused.
"You... haven't seen the news yet?"
Choosing him, an official who had just had a scandal explode, to appear in a film—were they not afraid their film would die fast enough?
"You mean that article just now? We chose you precisely because we saw that article!"
"Any publicity is good publicity. With a big name like yourself playing our villain, the film's buzz is guaranteed to go through the roof!"
Listening to the infuriating words from the other end, Ryusuke felt veins beginning to throb at his temple, and was about to hang up on them.
But at this moment, he heard the other party say:
"We're making a major production with aliens as the theme. Not only will it inspire the public's yearning for the stars, but you as the lead actor will also gain enormous prestige."
"Mr. Ryusuke, won't you really consider it?"
"What do you mean?" Ryusuke frowned.
"If you come play our villain, if the film becomes a massive hit, you might be able to use the film's exposure to gain an enormous amount of fame."
"With sufficient fame, what does a little bit of negative news matter?"
The reasoning was sound, but Ryusuke didn't believe the film this party was making could have that kind of power.
"Who gives you people such confidence? Eden?"
"So Mr. Ryusuke already knew! That's right—Miss Eden has indeed chosen to appear in our film."
Ryusuke choked.
His face began to struggle between conflicting emotions, and in the end he said through gritted teeth: "I'll do it!"
For the dream of reaching the stars, for the future of humanity, for that vast expanse of sky.
Daughter, your dad's debuting right alongside you!
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