Chapter 1386: Chapter 1385: The Call Among the Stars

The work of making rubbings and archiving text materials in the sanctuary lasted the whole day.

Faced with such extremely important research materials which, once lost, would be difficult to reproduce, both Typhon and Cecil experts demonstrated extreme attention and caution. They recorded not only the characters and symbols inscribed on the floor, but also the patterns on the central platform, the cracks on nearby floating debris, and the details on the clothes of two ancient scholars. Throughout the day, these top scholars in their respective fields meticulously copied the entire sanctuary space from the "information" level. If someday they wanted to replicate this sanctuary, these detailed materials could allow them to make a replica indistinguishable from the original.

Achieving such a level of detail might seem excessive, but it is necessary—no one can predict which field the information recorded in the sanctuary might be used in the future. The legacy left by Sir Scott might merely be a deciphered manuscript of extraterrestrial text, but the sanctuary space itself is also an astonishing "inheritance".

Before the scholars completed this work, everyone followed Gawain’s orders to avoid touching any devices within the space, especially the "crystal cube" on the central platform.

The crystal is clearly crucial to sustaining this space, and touching it recklessly is likely to cause the early closure of this space. Therefore, it should not be tampered with until all materials are recorded. However, once the recording work is completed, Gawain and his team will still have to take it away.

Although there is an option to "preserve the crystal block in place and establish research facilities for fixed studies," no one knows the operational principles of the sanctuary nor how long this externally manifested Otherworld can persist. Placing research work in such an uncontrollable temporal rift is evidently unsafe, and considering that the research process is likely to "stimulate" the crystal block, it may lead to the closure of the sanctuary. Thus, it is better to remove it from this location and analyze it slowly in a safer place.

As for whether the process of removing the crystal block carries risks... Gawain is not too worried. After all, in Sir Scott’s message, he specifically mentioned giving the sanctuary’s "extraterrestrial object" to Diana, and noted that he and Grand Scholar Alphonse had no use for it anymore, implying that she could take it away. It seems that, at least in the short time after it’s removed, the space will not immediately collapse—there will be time for evacuation.

Of course, out of safety concerns, it’s best for Diana herself to complete the removal of the crystal block, in case Sir Scott set up any identification "anti-theft mechanism" around it—for here in the crisis-ridden wasteland, Sir Scott and Grand Scholar Alphonse surely set many safety measures to prevent wandering monsters from destroying their research results by breaking into the sanctuary.

In the evening on the second day after the star observation platform’s door was opened, all recording work was completed, and all research materials and expert scholars subsequently evacuated, escorted by elite soldiers personally led by Philip to the currently safe Cecil Forward Base.

Now, only three figures remained on the star observation platform: Gawain, Amber, and Diana, who held the "inheritance rights" to this place.

They returned to the central platform of the star observation platform, gazing one last time at the recessed "mirror" reflecting the starry sky. The crystal lattice in a crystal stack state quietly rested at the mirror’s center, emitting a faint blue light, surrounded and illuminated by the stars on the mirror surface.

The area around the platform was empty. The remains and ashes of Sir Scott and Grand Scholar Alphonse had been transferred away and were currently being escorted to the forward base—even the six stone-carved chairs around the platform were dismantled and taken away.

"It’s time to evacuate," Gawain reminded Diana, who seemed somewhat dazed, "Lady Diana, recover the crystal block."

Diana finally blinked her eyes at this moment, awakening from her seemingly frozen stance. She nodded slightly, and Gawain and Amber stepped back two paces—they stood two steps away, watching Diana calmly and resolutely reach out to the faintly blue-glowing crystal, grasp and slowly lift it.

A faint spark erupted from the contact point between the crystal block and the platform, thin electric arcs jumped and surged between them, seemingly maintaining an energy transmission like severed lotus roots. But as Diana fully lifted the crystal block, this energy transmission was quickly severed. A soft buzzing sound emerged from the depths of the platform, and in the next second, the flowing white light on the star observation platform’s floor began to extinguish one by one, while the floating "building debris" around the platform rumbled and fell into the faraway endless void space. Amidst the increasingly loud rumbling, the star-glowing rift directly above the space started to close slowly, and the entire star observation platform began to shake!

The sanctuary space is closing," Gawain nodded, and led Amber towards the door, "Lady Diana, let’s go."

Diana did not hesitate at all. She swiftly stored the now much dimmed crystal block in her bosom, turned, and followed Gawain and Amber’s footsteps. Moments later, the three of them nearly sprinted away from the star observation platform. They passed through the door transformed into a spatial pathway, and looked back at the chaotic darkness on the other side; the dark fog seemed to be twisted into disorder by a frenzied whirlpool, with large shadows occasionally appearing within the chaotic whirlpool depths.

Immediately, the force of destruction from the sanctuary space transmitted to the outside—the Wepland Observatory in the real world also began to shake violently!

"Evacuate!" Gawain made a swift decision. He showed no attachment to the place, picked Amber up under his arm, and rushed towards the staircase leading outside amidst the cries and protests of the Shadow Assault Goose. The three figures dashed out of the continuously collapsing Wepland Observatory and stopped only after they reached outside the observatory’s perimeter.

The collapsing force clearly didn’t extend here. Gawain and his group stopped here, turned back, and watched the gigantic structure continuously shaking and disintegrating in the sunset glow. They saw its surface rapidly covered with shocking cracks; the bloody setting sun shone through them, resembling the burst vessels of a dying giant’s final moment. With one last thunderous roar, the ancient Wepland Observatory was finally reduced to a ruin.

Not long after, Gawain and his three companions returned with the last group of soldiers retreating from the perimeter to the Cecil Forward Base at the frontline, where they met General Philip, who had already settled the technicians and materials and samples.

In the command center of the forward base, Diana took out the light blue "crystal block" and placed it in front of Gawain.

"Before departure, His Majesty Rosetta permitted me to handle everything discovered at the Wepland Observatory with full authority. His sole command to me was to bring back ’good news,’" the ancient mech lady maintained her consistently calm demeanor as she spoke expressionlessly, "This ’crystal’ will be temporarily entrusted to your side for safekeeping. I believe with Cecil’s technical support, the research on this object will commence shortly."

Gawain took over the crystal block handed over by Diana. This palm-sized, intricate crystalline body emitted a gentle warmth in his hands, and a "connection feeling" that only he could perceive was established at this moment. He slowly spun this sparkling small device, remaining silent for several seconds as if deeply contemplating something, then suddenly laughed and casually returned the crystal block to Diana.

"This is the legacy left to you by Sir Scott, Lady Diana, please take it away— as I mentioned before, the truly important thing is the ’knowledge’ behind this legacy. The most precious inheritance Sir Scott left to this world is knowledge that can benefit all mortals," Gawain smiled as he spoke to the somewhat surprised Diana, "Please convey to Emperor Rosetta Augustus that I hope we can quickly start joint research on this ’crystal block’ and come up with a response plan for the ’extraterrestrial signal’... please reply as soon as possible."

The war with the wastelands continues, and this world is far from safe, but even as the war persists, the pace of development should not be halted.

The hint of surprise on Diana’s face gradually faded. She did not make any pretentious refusals but accepted the "crystal block" with composure, then solemnly bowed to Gawain: "Your fairness and generosity are touching. I will convey your wishes to His Majesty. Personally, I will do my utmost to facilitate our upcoming technical cooperation."

From the tone of this ancient mechanical lady, Gawain sensed a seriousness that was different from before.

Diana departed, taking with her the Typhon technical experts she brought, the relics of Sir Scott and others, the legacy left by the knight, and the copied and replicated research materials.

When there was no one else around, Amber couldn’t help but approach Gawain: "You really let her take that ’crystal’? Though I did say before ’the ownership of the crystal is negotiable, only knowledge must be shared’, I didn’t expect you’d be so generous... I remember you weren’t such a generous person."

This girl’s mumbling made Gawain’s expression turn a little strange: "...Just what kind of image do I have in your mind?"

"Calculating, cunning, insidious, always maximizing benefits, nine traps in one sentence, and one is a bottomless pit. Half of those who collaborate with you end up selling themselves, and the other half help count the money while selling," Amber counted with her fingers, "Let me put it this way, the moment you put away that sword, I can talk an entire afternoon without repeating myself... but you’ve got your hand on the hilt, I dare not go on now."

"...Not sure if you have self-awareness or just forget what hurts," Gawain shrugged in resignation, pulling his hand away from the sword hilt, "Is that really the impression I leave on you?"

"I do want to find some nicer words, but I’m not good at it," Amber spread her hands, "And honestly, aren’t the things I’ve said true? You’ve admitted them in front of me..."

"...Indeed, many have been calculated by me, and quite a few even to their demise, but there’s a premise— they were all enemies," Gawain collected the smile on his face, looking at Amber with a bit more seriousness, "And now Typhon... well, I still need to treat them carefully, but they are no longer our enemies... at least until the new order I’ve forged faces a fatal collapse, Typhon is no longer our enemy."

Amber eyed Gawain up and down with suspicion, then pursed her lips: "This isn’t one hundred percent truthful, is it?"

Gawain felt a bit resigned; at this moment, he realized that this overly perceptive Shadow Assault Goose wasn’t necessarily a good thing. He couldn’t just tell her that he’d completed the inspection of the crystal as soon as he touched it, read all the retrievable data, and now it was useless to him personally, right?

He felt that saying it like this might significantly impact his own magnificent image— though Gawain also wondered how much of that glorious image could remain in the mind of this Shadow Assault Goose...

After all, the crystal block was nothing more than a damaged fragment from the energy device that fell from the Firmament Station. Although it had research value, its greater value lay in public disclosure, serving as an "interface" for alliance member states to understand and study the Voyager’s legacy. Compared to the small crystal block itself, Gawain was more concerned about when he would be able to repair the Firmament Station...

Amber watched Gawain’s expression change, not sure what she comprehended, but suddenly she seemed to lose interest in her previous question. With an indifferent wave, she said, "Forget it, forget it, it’s probably just a bunch of grand principles again, and I wouldn’t understand even if you explained it— I’m out, I’m out. After spending the whole day with you running about, I need to go find a place to rest; I guess I’ll have to hurry back to the imperial capital tomorrow."

Leaving these few words behind, her silhouette began to quickly fade in the air, and by the time the final word landed, she had completely vanished from Gawain’s sight.

Watching the spot where Amber disappeared and feeling the presence indeed leave, Gawain was speechless for a few moments, then couldn’t help but smile and shake his head.

Afterwards, he tilted his head back, gazing at the sky above the Forward Base.

Located deep in the wastelands, even though the purification devices nearby have begun operation and the dark clouds that have shrouded the sky for hundreds of years are gradually being dispersed, the remaining pollution power in the wasteland is still affecting the surroundings of the Forward Base. The sky remains covered by a thin layer of abnormal-colored clouds, and behind these clouds, countless stars remain hidden from view. Only the brightest points of starlight struggle to penetrate that curtain, their faint and pale illumination falling into Gawain’s vision.

He thought of the greetings that traversed the vast Star Sea to reach this planet, reminded of Enya’s mention of those deep space calls that ripple like waves among the stars, symbolizing the light of civilizations.

Among these deep space calls, there’s a signal that has been ongoing for at least seven hundred years, stretching back from the Gondor era to today, still incessantly transmitting through the Star Sea.

Is this signal transmitted faster than light? Does the civilization behind this signal still exist? None of this is known yet.

But at least there is one thing Gawain is sure of, regardless of how harsh the environment in this universe may be, regardless of how deep the malice faced by all species, under the same Star Sea, there will always be civilization after civilization raising their heads, gazing at the endless vastness of this starry sky— calling, and awaiting a response.

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