Though they'd boarded the ship, Celenova wasn't about to continue sitting through a slow, leisurely warp jump this time.
Instead, she had the Phase Flame engulf the entire vessel at once, sending them straight to the Asdana star system.
And Penacony in this era was not yet the luxurious Planet of Festivities it would become.
The Family's power had only recently entered Penacony, with very few systems unified under it.
Though in physical reality, bolstered by Xipe's power and harmonized by The Family, people's minds were linked together, forming a great tree that shielded against the perilous zones and constructing an impregnable defense.
But while the external threats had receded, internal troubles still plagued Penacony.
In Celenova's recollection, the turmoil lasted a long, long time, only ending when reality itself grew too dark.
The exact details were unclear to her.
In any case, the Penacony of now was far from that future vacation hotspot everyone would flock to.
Only those chasing danger and opportunity would ever come here.
Add to that the disputes between Penacony's natives and The Family, plus the Corporation watching greedily from the sidelines…
Calling it dangerous was no exaggeration.
"Honestly… I actually think you and your old trailblazing companions stepping away wouldn't be a bad choice."
Before reaching Penacony, Celenova spoke with Tiernan about it.
And from him, she learned much of Penacony's past, and the Astral Express's as well.
"I know many of those natives can't exactly be called good people, and the Family likely has their own schemes. But regardless, there are still many innocent souls who yearn for salvation—they need to be saved. Not through violence, but through ideology."
Penacony was originally a prison for criminals.
Given the ways of Xipe, many born here were likely innocent.
But that didn't mean the prison held only the innocent.
After joining the Astral Express and journeying through so many worlds, Tiernan finally realized what Penacony truly lacked.
Prisoners could break their physical cages, yet still not find true freedom. Because what imprisoned them were their own hearts.
Back then, they drove out the Corporation, but freedom never came.
They didn't know what to do after the Corporation was gone.
Tiernan hadn't known either, back in those days. But now, after consulting so many seniors in the Astral Express, he understood.
And this time, Tiernan went with that very purpose.
Only by unlocking the cages within their hearts could these freedom-seekers find true liberty.
"It seems you've truly made your resolve."
"Of course. All these years, shut out and wandering, I kept thinking, and thinking—if I could go back, what could I do besides relying on this martial strength of mine?"
He gazed into the vast starry sea, feeling the familiar, indescribable depths of the primordial cosmos.
His eyes held unwavering determination: "I've been making futile preparations for that elusive dream all along. I thought I'd die in some forgotten corner of the universe, carrying these pointless results with me. But now… I've truly returned."
Tiernan looked at Celenova and offered a faint smile.
"My efforts no longer seem in vain. That intangible dream seems to be becoming reality. It appears I can truly lead Penacony to chase freedom once more."
As Tiernan spoke these words, the woman who had come with him watched him, her eyes filled with yearning.
Celenova wasn't sure if his eyes held any startled desire, but he certainly found this version of Tiernan utterly compelling, the future he spoke of dazzlingly bright.
That was why she had willingly followed him into this dangerous world.
"Then I wish you success."
Back when she played the game, Celenova hadn't pondered it deeply, skimming over much of the text.
But seeing it now, with villains mixed in, these natives might not be so pure-hearted either.
Plus, there was that later Pioneering Era, drawing hordes of outsiders to Penacony.
The sympathy for Ena's absorption was also a major factor, later twisted into a faith of Order.
One could only imagine the chaos that unfolded over these centuries.
It was hard to say anyone was completely innocent.
Celenova watched Tiernan.
She was somewhat curious herself—what form would this "companion" born from the Hunt's path ultimately take?
"Consider this a final reminder. No matter how sweet the Family's words, the Stellaron's danger can't be erased. Penacony can't survive without it now, but you must be careful not to be deceived by it."
"Thank you, Lady Celenova."
Celenova rose from her chair.
The silver ring on her left hand began to seep with traces of flame.
That explosion back when Zulo set his plan off had nearly obliterated her little snake.
Fortunately, Celenova had diverted power specifically to protect it.
Otherwise, her marvelous little trinket would have been lost forever.
"No need for thanks. I will send you and the ship to Penacony, but how you infiltrate the Dreamscape and reunite with your companions is your own affair."
Celenova had no intention of waltzing in with them openly.
She hadn't forgotten she was, after all, a Lord Ravager.
Her last cooperation with a Hunt-aligned vagrant could be written off as mutual benefit. But maintaining close ties with Tiernan in private?
The Family would surely seize the chance to make trouble.
With that, the Phase Flame Celenova released swallowed everything and everyone except herself.
In the blink of an eye, she stood unprotected in the void of space.
The dense Primordial essence felt somewhat peculiar to her. But alas, she possessed no means of fragrance.
She had chosen Tiernan and Kamu.
Now, she moved towards Penacony at a steady, uniform velocity, aiming precisely to let present-day Penacony detect her.
As the target planet drew nearer, Celenova caught a whiff of something familiar.
Mixed within the Family's harmony was a very subtle, hidden power of Destruction.
Logically, a Stellaron's presence should be hard to perceive. But who let Celenova be a Lord Ravager now?
A single Stellaron couldn't escape the notice of a Lord Ravager's gaze.
Then again, the Stellaron was indeed a blight, but current Penacony truly needed it to survive.
Celenova had no plans to simply snatch it away, anyway.
Just as she was thinking this, a warning voice suddenly projected from Penacony:
"Halt there, arrival. Penacony does not welcome emissaries of Destruction."
"Oh?"
Celenova smiled.
She raised a hand, a silent Symphony smoothing away the hostility rushing towards her:
"Then, does Penacony welcome an emissary of the Family?"
"…"
--+--