Hazy Star Field, Gothic Star Sector, Cyclops Star Cluster.

“……”

"Something is wrong."

"Honest and trustworthy Tarazin, you seem to have been caught up in a conspiracy."

"A great conspiracy that will irreparably tarnish your reputation for purity seems to be spreading quietly in places you don't know about, trying to devour the good reputation you have worked so hard to accumulate over the years."

“……”

"That's not good......"

"Your Excellency Morgan."

Looking at the starry sky outside the porthole, which was so quiet that it was more dead than night, Tarasin, the senior technical sergeant of the Dawnbreaker Legion, couldn't help but mumble to himself in the window.

The expeditionary fleet that suddenly broke away from the subspace was like a dry leaf slowly falling on the pool, without splashing even a single ripple, and the dazzling light that would have been caused by crossing the curtain of the subspace and the real universe had not appeared around the [Dawning Goddess] for too long.

Sergeant Tarasin even misses the meaningless rays of light, and in addition to this nostalgia, there is also another emotion brewing in the brain mod of the Lord of Solenamus, which mimics real emotions: a kind of anguish called anxiety.

The Master of the Second Legion, the technical sergeant's immediate superior, and the Lady Morgan, with whom she had some minor misunderstandings and minor collaborations, had not summoned her most honest and reliable Hon. Tarasin for too long: the genoplasm seemed to be brewing some little secrets.

As the fleet grew closer to certain locations, Sergeant Tarasin was able to determine what little secret Miss Morgan was planning: she longed for the power of the sleeping things of destruction, for the vastness of the darkest of times that she could not comprehend.

She was longing for something that shouldn't be awakened yet.

With this in mind, Sergeant Tarasin looked up again at the little star that was trembling in the shadows of the fleet, and he remembered very well that if he crossed this unknown galaxy one more time, he would arrive at a place where the treasure of a certain Blackstone fortress was kept.

In other words, it won't be long before the Techno-Sergeant is summoned: after all, where else can the Spider Empress go to find it, and the advisors and staff who know a lot about these ancient things?

Thinking of this, an inexplicable cheerfulness diluted the worries hidden in the necromantic overlord's operational logic, and made its [mood] a little better.

"Blackstone Fortress, ......"

"I've almost forgotten about them: after all, their mission is over, after all, the things that need to be killed by them have long since fallen at our feet, even though we have given everything we have and can never get it back."

Tarasin sighed in a low voice, a cog-like tone, more indifferent than the relentless engines of war around it, like a king on high judging the life and death of the ants beneath the throne.

In fact, as early as the dawnbreakers rummaged through the first destroyed alien world in the Gothic Sector, Taracin had already guessed the true purpose of Morgan's trip: after all, such iconic names as the Dark Hand and the Eye of Night were quite rare, even if they looked at the galaxy.

From then on, the Necrolord had guessed the purpose of the Progenogen: at first, it was a little uneasy, even trying to stop Morgan's movements, but soon, the Lord of Solenamus realized something that was somewhat embarrassing for him.

Perhaps because he has been bringing newcomers to the Explorer Order of the Legion, Sergeant Tarasin, who has never had a specific concept of time in reality, did not realize that his understanding of the Dawnbreaker Legion was actually a somewhat outdated version until all the veterans of the Dawnbreaker appeared:

The first explorers who were brought up by it more than a hundred years ago, that is, the Terra veterans of the Dawnbreaker Legion, have already gotten better at the study of the archaeological road, and they have even vaguely caught up with Tarasin himself.

When the veterans of these skills, but also gradually withdrawn from archaeology, came out of the nest again under the command of their genetic mother, the necromantic overlord realized that in front of his greedy and efficient students like locusts, it had no core competitiveness.

Although the individual Dawnbreaker veterans were far less familiar with archaeology than Tarasin himself, when they attacked collectively, cooperated in the division of labor, and cooperated tacitly, they could sweep a nest capital in one time, and Sergeant Tarasin, who was lacking in skills, had to stand in place quite pitifully, full of emotion.

Times have changed.

Its students have grown up.

After all his efforts, but still couldn't stop the sons of Morgan from raising the hand of darkness in a temple, the technical sergeant could only watch it all from afar, applauding silently, and casually giving up his efforts in his heart.

At that moment, in its chest, there was actually a little relief, and its figure involuntarily looked a little lonely.

After all, fundamentally, it was not worried that Morgan would be able to get the Blackstone Fortress, and the Lord of Solenamus had that confidence: the Spider Empress would not be able to exert the true power of these ancient creations, and letting her own the Blackstone Fortress was like letting an ignorant fat cat entrench next to a firearm, maybe she would trigger some power intentionally or unintentionally, but in the end, she was destined not to see the secret behind it.

It could even be argued that the Spider Empress was a safer candidate than those who were also watching these powers: for Tarasin and the race behind it, humanity was more secure than most of the galactic powers, because they were so young and immature that they knew nothing of true power and terror, and even their greatest fantasies of madness and ambition were not as good as the casual handicaps of Tarasin remembered.

Thinking of this, the last trace of anxiety in the Necromantic Overlord's heart vanished, and it slowly shook its head, and walked out of a brief period of serious thought, muttering to its bad luck: just because it was on this ship now, it would certainly be responsible in the future, when its kind began to discuss the issue of the Blackstone Fortress.

Even if it had actually done nothing, it would have taken on its good name and been subjected to a host of contemptible accusations of theft and betrayal for no apparent reason: it could even imagine the Orican guy jumping up and down.

"It's not a good deal......

Listening to the dull sound of the Glorious Queen-class battleship opening the subspace leap again, from the vocal organs of the Lord of Solenamus, I couldn't help but pour out these low lamentations, but soon, this lament turned into a kind of malicious self-talk.

"But ......"

"Since Heng and Zhu will be accused of participating in this theft, then I might as well ......"

After whispering a few words to himself, a few dull dry smiles of ill will pop out of the always cold and dry vocal components of the Lord of Solenamus, making its face hidden in the hood also reveal a few wisps of green.

"Now, I have another question to think about."

"Then, when will you summon me, Your Excellency Morgan?"

——————

【……】

"I seem to have forgotten something. 】

"If you forget: that shouldn't matter, Morgan."

【…… That's true. 】

Under the kind and cold reminder of Tuchucha's engine, the Spider Queen nodded, and continued to close her eyes, listening to the report of the Virgo next to her.

"According to the Empire's copywriting, as early as the beginning of the Great Expedition, the Cyclops Cluster was designated by the Emperor himself and became one of the main expeditions and exploration directions, and the Empire's advance exploration fleet discovered this place as early as thirty-three years ago and named it the Cyclops Cluster, and then, they got in touch with the nearby independent casting world [Gothic]: this is also the reason why this star sector was officially named [Gothic Star Sector]."

【……】

Morgan frowned.

[In other words, at the beginning of the Great Expedition, my Father of Genes deliberately explored and expanded here?] Does he want these Blackstone Fortresses too? 】

The Genogen's inquiry was both like asking about the Virgo and Tuchucha engines around her, and it was like talking to herself, and after hearing her question, the subspace artifact just kept some kind of silence and turned around to start the fleet's jump work, but Virgo continued to look at the information in her hand and quickly gave an answer.

"Probably not, Mother: according to the current information, the exploration fleet has discovered an inexhaustible amount of rare mineral deposits in the Cyclops Cluster, which is abundant enough to mine for dozens of millennia, and if nothing else, the Cyclops Cluster alone can become one of the most important industrial hubs in the galaxy."

[In other words, my genetic father deliberately marked the Cyclops star cluster because of this, not the Blackstone Fortress in the Gothic Star Sector?] 】

The Spider Queen's hands were crossed against her chin, she didn't look directly at her cheap daughter, but just the afterglow in her gaze was enough for Virgo to put away her confidence, calm thinking and denial.

"I can't guarantee that, Mother, after all, your Father of Genes doesn't seem to be a man who cares about these mundane things, and he is most likely aware of them."

"He does know, Morgan."

The Tuchucha engine, which had been silent for the entire expeditionary fleet, spoke abruptly in the brief moment when the Dawnbreaker's warship was leaping towards its final destination, affirming Virgo's words.

"But you have an advantage in this regard, Morgan: your genetic father is not omniscient, and he doesn't know a lot about ancient secrets, because he doesn't have time to explore every mysterious corner of the galaxy, he's always lazy, or busy."

"So, on the issue of Blackstone Fortress, you are ahead of your father."

Tuchucha's words made the genetic prototype look sideways.

[You know him well? 】

"I don't know much, but in my knowledge there is his name: such a figure is enough to leave his name in the shortest of galactic history books, and even occupy a page, as early as the most distant past, his figure has appeared in countless prophecies, and with it in my understanding and memory."

"Need I tell you more about him, Morgan?"

"I can tell you how he ended up in the battle he started with his own hands."

【……】

Tuchucha's words made the Spider Empress's eyes narrow, and she was like a real spider, quietly entrenched in her most trusted corner, patiently gauging whether her next prey had the qualifications to let her take the risk herself.

On the side, Virgo's eyes were wide open, apparently anticipating the secrets she would record next: at some point, recording all kinds of secrets, and then presenting them unreservedly to her mother, had gone from Virgo's natural duty to a hobby and paranoia for which she would take the initiative.

Morgan noticed it with a casual glance, but she didn't control it.

And when she withdrew her gaze, the Spider Empress suddenly realized that it seemed to be some instinct, or perhaps she already had an answer in her mind: she had already given a firm answer when the words of the Tuchucha engine had just reached her ears.

[Nope.] 】

She said.

[I'm not interested. 】

At that moment, even the thousand kinds of stunned in Virgo's pupils were not as good as one ten-thousandth of the Spider Queen's own heart.

But in the next second, when the calm air was accompanied by a deep breath and poured into the chest of the Lord of the Second Legion again, the turbulent waves in his heart stopped for a moment: Morgan smiled, slowly turned his head to look at the Tuchucha engine, and repeated what he had just said.

[Yes, I'm not interested.] 】

[I'm not interested in the end of my Father of Genes, Tuchucha, his victory won't make me better, and his defeat won't make me worse: from the moment I realized what I really was, I had certain expectations for my future, and what my Father of Genes did, although it would have an impact on my future, had not yet reached the status of a word. 】

[On the contrary, I can wait as a spectator, waiting for the big drama he starts, waiting for the ending he is destined to have, the victory or defeat. 】

[If he wins, it will be a good thing for me: such a great victory must be accompanied by a sea of corpses and blood, and it will be enough to maintain this victory alone to expend all his energy, and at that time, I will not mind letting go of all my possessions, leaving his kingdom with my possessions, and enjoying the good times he has won for us. 】

[The galaxy is so vast, so vast that if I want to hide, I can build another empire in the darkness beyond the star torch, and the prosperity of Avalon has no more meaning to me, how can everything be appropriate, I actually want my heirs, and even those excellent mortals, to take care of everything for me, so that I can have a real rest time for myself, and see the customs of different worlds as a traveler. 】

"It's a dream of mine. 】

And if he fails, then the situation will not get worse: a character like him is not destined to be completely defeated, or completely killed, and his worst end is to survive and hold up the last sky for his obsessive humanity. 】

[At that time, a weak and empty galaxy will naturally have a place for me, and his suffering will become the foundation of my separation: of course, if his successors will be so unbearable, I don't mind taking the opportunity to expand my property, usurp all his failures and injuries to me from the corpses of the empire, and make the power and people that originally belonged to him my private property. 】

[This future also sounds good, and it can also be regarded as another dream of mine.] 】

Morgan spoke these words calmly and slowly, stroking Virgo's hair to soothe her daughter, and not far from her, the Tuchucha engine fell silent at these feelings.

"I don't understand, Morgan: you can give up your power and greedily expand your power: why can you do both at the same time?"

Because power is not what I desire, if power is beneficial to the true purpose of my heart, I will pursue it, and if it is not so important, then I will not cherish it: Ruling over countless worlds and mortals is wonderful, but I also do not want to bear the weight that comes with it. 】

If my father succeeds, then I don't need power, because I will live in a better world, and if he fails, I need to hold on to the power in my hands and usurp more, so as to secure my power enough to survive in the future era of disorder. 】

[It's as simple as that.] 】

[Of course, if I could, I would like to remake the world in my own way, and then entrust it to those who bow down to me, while I myself can enjoy a moment of rest, sitting and watching the clouds roll around, surrounded by my sons and daughters. 】

Tuchucha was silent.

"You're a lot like a guy, Morgan."

[Who?] 】

"I don't think you'll want to know the answer, Morgan."

[Then forget it.] 】

The Spider Empress closed her eyes and did not delve into the words of the Tuchucha engine, but silently felt the unhindered pleasure of her flagship in subspace: she knew that such happiness was experienced less than once.

On her side, Virgo, after silently recording her mother's words, flipped through the memo in her hand and found that there was still a question that had not been answered.

"One thing, Mother."

[Say.] 】

"Why, you're worried that the Emperor will know about these Blackstone Fortresses?"

【…… First of all, I correct that he already knows, so it's not something I need to worry about: and if you want to ask, why am I worried, I can tell you. 】

[I know my father: if he can't find these things that are important, but not important enough, then he won't care, but if he finds out that I have found these creations......]

[It is very likely that he will come to me uninvited and share a few cups of soup.] 】

"You don't want to give him Blackstone Fortress?"

[I really don't want to: in fact, if I were to hand over one or two, I wouldn't resist this order, after all, my strength is far inferior to him, and now is not a good time to ask him for debts, what I really care about is ......]

Morgan opened her eyes, her pupils moved slightly, and two boxes of shimmering subspace energy appeared in her palms: inside they contained ancient artifacts capable of operating Blackstone Fortress.

[These two artifacts are capable of operating Blackstone Fortress and doing anything: including ordering them to self-destruct.] 】

[So, if the Blackstone Fortress is in the hands of me and the emperor, then what will follow is an unsolvable problem. 】

[Which of our hands should these two artifacts be placed: they will be ineffective if they are placed separately, but once they are concentrated in the hands of one person, the other person will never be at ease. 】

Now, do you understand, my daughter: this is a question of trust, an unsolvable one. 】

I don't trust him, I don't trust my genetic father. 】

“…… That, if ......"

"Does he trust you?"

The Spider Queen was stunned by Virgo's innocence, but then, she just touched the soft hair of her creation, and the corners of her mouth were drawn with a hint of indifferent color.

[Whether Thaksin trusts me or not, my Aniah. 】

[I don't care: I don't care about anything about him, and I don't believe in any kindness about him.] 】

"Really?"

【……】

[Of course.] 】

Morgan replied softly, and she blinked her eyes and looked away, not directly at her daughter, as usual.

(End of chapter)