"So, in order to take revenge on the people of 'Kasbeliat-VIII', you orchestrated a retaliation?"
Himeko's brows furrowed deeply. She had originally thought the destruction of that planet was merely an accident, but now it seemed that was not the case.
"Precisely so."
Sunday generously admitted his actions once again. At the same time, the giant screen in front of everyone changed once more.
What first entered the Nameless guests' eyes was a huge ochre-colored planet. At night, without sunlight, countless lights illuminated every corner of the planet, like countless stars.
This planet was exactly Kasbeliat-VIII. It was a desert planet, with over 70% of its surface covered by desert.
From a space perspective, under the embellishment of lights, this planet looked so beautiful and moving. It was hard to imagine that such a beautiful planet would, in just a few system hours, turn into a dead star with no life remaining.
The footage continued. The harmonious atmosphere on the planet did not last long. Suddenly, waves of pitch-black "dark clouds" surged toward the planet from all directions.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the "dark clouds" had already covered the vast majority of the planet's surface.
The image zoomed in, allowing everyone to see clearly. Those pitch-black "dark clouds" were not true clouds at all.
They were the Swarm—a swarm composed of countless "insects," densely packed like tidal waves in the sea.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch…
The Swarm's mouthparts collided, producing resounding crunching sounds. These remnants of the Propagation had long been starving and thirsty.
The people sleeping on the planet knew nothing of what was happening outside. They remained immersed in their sweet, beautiful dreams.
The next moment, disaster struck.
Accompanied by an insect cry that shook the nine heavens, the giant True Stinger at the forefront of the Swarm issued the order to attack. In an instant, countless insects swooped down toward the planet with unstoppable force.
The moment the Swarm's attack was detected, the planet's rulers immediately issued orders for defense and interception. In an instant, countless cannons and missiles soared into the sky, blanketing the dense Swarm.
Rumbling and firelight intertwined. Brilliant fireworks bloomed in the skies above Kasbeliat.
Unfortunately, not long ago this planet had just recovered from war. Its people were still in the stage of recuperation, so the planet's defensive and offensive facilities were severely lacking.
In just a few minutes, the Swarm broke through Kasbeliat's defenses. Countless True Stingers acted like ruthless harvesting machines, wantonly reaping the lives on this planet.
Ruined walls, severed limbs, blood…
In the following few hours, this planet had truly turned into a living hell.
The footage played to this point and then paused slightly. Sunday's voice, seemingly devoid of any emotion, echoed in everyone's ears once more.
"It was this incident that made me truly feel the importance of power. For those barbarians, it was obvious that so-called Harmony could not redeem them. It has serious limitations and difficulties."
"So-called 'aiding the weak with strength'—no matter how great this aspiration is, most of the time it is nothing more than the aider's own wishful thinking…"
The footage continued. A few system hours later, the "full and satisfied" True Stinger Swarm reluctantly left Kasbeliat. After they departed, the planet had already become a lifeless dead star.
The power of Propagation was not only reflected in its splitting and reproduction. Similarly, "devouring" was also a concept within Propagation. On this point, the Path of Propagation seemed to have a slight conceptual collision with the Path of Voracity.
In truth, it was not so. Voracity's devouring was more manifested in endless consumption and using the characteristics of devoured matter to nourish itself and complete its concept.
Propagation's devouring, however, was merely to replenish energy—for the sake of "splitting and reproduction"—or rather, using the term "absorption" would be more precise.
"I used the power of the Order to temporarily dominate the consciousness of that 'giant True Stinger.' Thanks to 'Ena,' or perhaps because True Stingers are creatures with little intelligence, my control was exceptionally smooth."
"As you all know, True Stingers are colonial creatures. Once I controlled their leader, the rest of the insects naturally followed the giant True Stinger's actions."
Sunday described this terrifying fact in the most indifferent tone. It was he who used the power of the Order to control the Swarm and let it destroy and devour that planet completely.
"You really are a madman…"
March 7th drew in a sharp breath. To avenge his own sister, this Oak Family head had directly destroyed an entire planet.
That was a planet! Conservatively estimated, there should have been billions of people on it. Oh my god… this… this was too insane!
Himeko remained silent, but her face had already turned so gloomy that it seemed water could drip from it. She had no reason to block or question revenge. After all, debts have debtors and grievances have sources—blood debts must be paid in blood. This was an eternal truth.
However, Sunday's revenge inevitably made Himeko feel rage. For the sake of personal desire and revenge, implicating billions of innocent people—this was something she could not accept!
"Oak Family Head, do you know what consequences your actions have truly brought?!"
Himeko stepped forward, her tone filled with anger. At the same time, the Path power within her body fluctuated violently with her master's emotions, as if it would overflow from her body in the next moment.
"I naturally know what I am doing. Regarding my actions, I can only say—I do not regret it."
Himeko: "…In that case, there is no need for us to continue talking. Oak Family Head Sunday, on behalf of the Astral Express, I declare war on you and the remnants of the Order!"
Himeko's gaze was sharp. As her words fell, the next moment, the Navigator's blood-red hair seemed to be ignited by flames, blooming with dazzling fiery light.
Whoosh—!
With a whoosh, Himeko forcefully threw the weapon case in her hand. During flight, the weapon case split and reassembled in the air. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a golden drone.
Rip—!
The drone extended its saw blades. In an instant, it sliced and shattered the giant screen formed by Sunday's consciousness.