Stars See Me [Interstellar] | Chapter 122 | Legacy of the Stars | Novela.app

Lei Ting, the target of the gesture, felt a momentary sense of vertigo, almost as if he had stumbled into the wrong timeline. Splendid. To receive a death notice for two—or perhaps fifty thousand and one—important people in a single day; what a thrill. "Setting the 'eyeball' aside for a moment..." he said hoarsely, "is there any way to solve the problems facing Even and yourselves?" He shook his head as soon as the words left his mouth. If they knew a way, wouldn't they have handled it themselves? He was so worried he was losing his composure. Yet, despite his thoughts, the Recorder answered calmly, "There is half a way." Lei Ting: "...?!" "Regarding Even’s situation... it’s like this," the Recorder said, seemingly sifting through His memories. He remembered so much that His speech was slightly hesitant. "A long time ago, we excavated an ancient ruin. Much of the Human Union’s subsequent technology was inherited from it, but the focus isn't those technologies. It’s a... repair solution." Lei Ting watched Him, waiting for the rest. "That repair solution contains an unknown element we call 'Null.' It is colorless and odorless..." the Recorder explained. "But once it is dripped into the blood of a 'Carbon-Type 1' organism, it transforms into an all-encompassing bodily function maintenance and repair fluid tailored to the blood's owner. Furthermore, it can be recycled through a filtration system. You’ve actually seen it—my physical body, which undergoes new mutations every time my memory becomes chaotic, is soaked in this liquid. The main body that pieces together the souls of fifty thousand people has yet to collapse primarily because of it." "Then..." Lei Ting began. "There are no other finished products left, though there is a synthesis formula. However... aside from the basic elements, there are too many things in it that simply cannot be found." The Recorder shook His head. "And through testing other items within the ruins, we realized it was established approximately ten million years ago." For a fleeting moment, Lei Ting couldn't help but show a flicker of disappointment. Ten million years ago, high-level civilizations had already left their marks on the galaxy. Looking at the vast span of time in the universe, this wasn't surprising. After all, even the 'Ringworld' had existed for an unknown duration long before current historical records began. But a vast distance in time represented more than just the passage of years; it meant the extinction of species and the alteration of environments. Back then, the Orion Human Union could obtain resources through trade with the Galactic Empire—well, essentially through the Empire's support. If they couldn't find those substances then, there was a ninety percent chance Lei Ting wouldn't find them now. Still, he asked, "Can those substances be artificially synthesized?" If the answer was 'yes' and it only lacked a specific environment that conventional methods couldn't provide, he would do everything in his power to achieve it! "Perhaps," the Recorder said softly, not directly crushing Lei Ting's hope. "But the repair solution might not be applicable to Orions." "Why?!" After a brief spark of hope came a massive drop. Lei Ting’s eyes widened as he blurted out the question. "Because it belongs to a technology that combines gene editing with esper medicine, and its creators were likely the 'Carbon-Type 1' Progenitors. In a sense, they should be considered our ancestors or distant relatives of some unknown connection—I mean, the Progenitors'." The Recorder sighed. "I think you are very clear on the genetic sequence differences between Orions and Progenitors." ...Clear. Of course he was clear. After all, Lei Ting himself had once been a 'Progenitor' from another universe. But even so, as long as there was a shred of hope, Lei Ting would do his best to pursue it. In the deep void, the black-armored man wearing the golden crown closed his eyes. Then, he said solemnly, "Can I see that formula?" "It’s in the Federal Database," the Recorder said. "You only need to ask 'Tianhe'." "Fine." Lei Ting nodded, then asked casually, "The civilization that created it... what was it called?" "The translated name is 'Star,' but we call them 'The Myriad Stars'," the Recorder answered. "It seems to have been a civilization that extremely developed technology, wisdom, philosophy, and the arts. They armed themselves with technology, drove themselves with wisdom, understood themselves with philosophy, and satisfied themselves with the arts. They named themselves after the myriad stars that are visible upon looking up but forever out of reach... And in some distant past, they passed away. Naturally, they are not in my 'records,' nor can I query the universe's records of them. But I think they were perhaps not much different from 21st-century Earthlings." "I understand," Lei Ting said deeply. The 'Myriad Stars' civilization, was it? How many ruins do you have left? Starting today, let me dig! If there are no ruins, a grave will do! "Now then, regarding the 'eyeball'..." The Recorder shifted the topic. "You didn't mention yourself," the Gazer, who had been watching intensely from the sidelines, suddenly spoke. The Recorder: ... The Recorder: . The backstabbed Recorder slowly looked toward the massive living sculpture, who stiffly adjusted His facial expression into a 'smile.' When He smiled, He never opened His mouth, just as when He spoke. Because... He was a statue! How could a statue open its mouth? "That... there's no need to say too much about that," the Recorder muttered somewhat guiltily. "Anyway, even if we die, we just dissolve into the 'Paragon' like everyone else..." The 'Paragon'... Lei Ting cast a distant 'look' toward the end of the deep void. He could feel a golden five-pointed star shining alongside his sun over the Union's territory. It was the 'Glorious Paragon,' the first naturally formed guardian esper entity among the Orions. It represented the 'rules' and 'beliefs' of the entire vast race that had persisted to this day—the shield and sword used by the 'collective' to protect its individuals and ensure the collective's own continuation. Over the years, though unknown to the public, it had appeared on the Union's emblem. Commander Valianna wore such a badge on her person. Besides it, there was also a winged angel statue. No one knew if it should be called 'He' or 'She,' but those who knew of it always referred to it as 'The Lover.' However, its true name was actually 'Love All People.' It represented the irrational, religious side of the Orions. It was the most frequently appearing of the four guardians and the only Orion esper entity that would step in to rescue traitors. Among these four, the 'Glorious Paragon' possessed no consciousness or emotion, governing everything related to the Orions with absolute tolerance. When Orions died and their mental energy sank into the Ethereal Plane, most would automatically merge into that golden star. Below it were the 'Gazer' and 'The Lover.' The former was a creation based on the rational analysis and emotional support of some Orions, long engaged in combat with certain titled Abyssal Demons. The latter stemmed from the emotional side of all Orions, seemingly cherishing all Orions and related things unconditionally; thus, even for those who betrayed the collective, It would tolerantly protect them. Below them was the 'Recorder'—as an esper, He was powerful enough, but as an esper entity, the only area where He surpassed Lei Ting was that the latter could not yet directly expel Abyssal Demons and sever contamination. Generally, Lei Ting's method of expelling Abyssal Demons was to kill them. As long as the enemies were wiped out, his own people wouldn't be harmed. "To be honest, I've always felt 'The Lover' is a bit strange," the Recorder whispered. "Unconditional tolerance and protection... isn't that just doting? Doting isn't love; it's a form of self-satisfaction and an expression of hatred..." "Prohibited from changing the subject, Recorder," the Gazer said. "..." The Recorder let out a long sigh. "I am not changing the subject. I look forward to the day I merge into the 'Paragon'." "Why?" Lei Ting asked suddenly. How could someone look forward to death and returning? "Because that is the truly tolerant, sacred love," the Recorder smiled. "A person's love for themselves, and for others. In the future... you will know." Well, apparently, someone did. Lei Ting was momentarily stunned. He withdrew his gaze, thinking of that sun-like golden hair and those sea-like eyes under the sun. Was that person... also looking forward to the day he merged into the 'Paragon'? "Can we talk about the 'eye' now?" the Recorder complained weakly. "Three... well, two and a half guardian esper entities gathered here; this place is about to become as bright as some Void Lighthouse..." "It's mainly 'Solar Star' who is glowing," the Gazer interjected sincerely. "I possess partial memories of almost all participants in the 'Gazer Project.' In the records regarding 'Solar Star,' he really is that bright." Lei Ting: "..." Lei Ting fell silent for a moment, then slowly asked, "I am also considered... a 'Guardian'?" "Not now, but one day you will be. Regardless of whether 'Lei Ting' still exists on that day," the Recorder said softly. "And when that day comes, Orions will naturally feel an affinity for the imagery of a 'golden sun'... Just as the Gazer's existence makes it necessary for Orions to have two names, our existence makes Orions value learning and recording, the Paragon's existence makes Orions fond of the golden five-pointed star and the golden ratio, and The Lover's existence makes Orions spend their years searching for a love of their own..." "Then I wish them not to encounter too many solar eclipses," Lei Ting quipped. "..." Splendid. Even the Recorder was rendered speechless by him. After a moment of bewilderment, He finally managed to pull the topic back to the right track. "The concept of that eye isn't exactly a 'concept,' but rather a part of the power that composes the Gazer—or rather, a part of the souls that participated in the 'Gazer Project' back then..." "There was only one," the Gazer said. "But it has been stripped away, so I have forgotten its identity. I only remember one word related to it: 'The Messenger.' I found that in someone else's memory." "Fine," the Recorder sighed. "In short, the Gazer's power is closely linked to the Orions in the mortal world. That thing being stripped away has caused Him to lose the power He should have had to 'gaze into future developments,' and also the ability to suppress eye contamination among the Orions in the mortal world." And the 'eyes' are the windows to the soul. As long as contamination exists upon them, the afflicted will never recover. For example, Upton Onyer. "This part of the power can no longer be restored. Strictly speaking, the 'Gazer Project' cannot continue, but it has already fulfilled its mission," the Gazer explained calmly. "And that part which was gouged out... it seems to have awakened its own consciousness the moment it left me, back-devouring 'Vision' and consuming its consciousness..." "The whole thing was a trap. 'Vision' was the Abyssal Demon who struck; it is also known as the 'Eye Demon Lord'," the Recorder added. "To be honest, I think that name sounds a bit like a fantasy novel. There are no gods in this world, so how can there be an 'Eye Demon'? Though, I have considered... perhaps it shouldn't be called an 'Eye Demon,' but rather a 'monster mutated from a collection of chaotic mental energy and out-of-control perception.' But that name is too long. Although I've always suspected the existence of Abyssal Demons is also related to some ancient technological means..." "Setting technology aside, no one would want to call it that," the Gazer quipped. "Aesthetic creatures all judge by appearances." Or perhaps they judge monsters by appearances or give nicknames based on appearances. Lei Ting: "..." To be honest, the density of these quips was getting a bit hard to handle—is this how you esper entities usually chat?! Amidst this banter filled with far too many elements, Lei Ting didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He quickly organized his thoughts and said, "I see. I understa—" Before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly turned his head, looking toward the direction of the distant border. Almost simultaneously, the Gazer and the Recorder also abruptly fixed their stares on that same place.