"This is the Interstellar Peace Broadcast. Good evening, dear viewers."
"Good evening."
"The great hammer of Preservation, Qlipoth, descends steadily, its strikes echoing across the cosmos, deafeningly loud."
"The Astroecology School of the Intelligentsia Guild announces: Amber Era 2157 has concluded, and Era 2158 has officially begun."
"In this new era, the Interastral Peace Corporation will, as always, dedicate itself to peaceful coexistence and prosperous trade across the galaxy. The Corporation shall remain true to its founding mission, remembering the sole principle established at its inception: to devote all to the 'Amber Lord.'"
"Now, let us review the major events of Amber Era 2157:"
"A nefarious organization, the 'Stellaron Hunters,' has captured the attention of the entire universe. They burn, kill, pillage, and commit every imaginable atrocity. There is nothing they dare not do, nothing they will not do."
"Their leader, Clara, has been designated by the Corporation as the most dangerous individual in the universe this century, suspected to be an Emanator of Remembrance. The Corporation sent inquiries to the Garden of Recollection but received no relevant information."
"In response, the Corporation has issued a bounty for the capture of the Stellaron Hunters across the universe. With the exception of Clara and Elio, all other members are to be apprehended—dead or alive!"
"At the end of Amber Era 2157, Stellaron Hunter Clara targeted the Interastral Peace Corporation's headquarters in the xxxx star system. Regrettably, the headquarters fell victim to her assault, and all corporate structures were utterly destroyed."
"Yet, by the grace of the Amber Lord, in this tragedy, not a single corporate employee was killed or injured. Let us give thanks once more to the Amber Lord!"
"All to the Amber Lord!"
Click!
'Devote nothing! I never intended to hurt anyone in the first place!' Fuming at the words streaming from the broadcast, Clara angrily switched it off.
'Worshipping an Amber Lord who completely ignores them—they'd be better off worshipping me. At least I'd give them the time of day.'
"Alright now, little Clara, don't sulk." Kafka, beside her, curled her crimson lips into a smile and reached out to stroke Clara's head.
"Mmm…" Clara melted into Kafka's touch. It was gentle, comforting, just like a mother's.
Hmm… maybe that wasn't so far off?
"..." On the table, a small black cat with emerald green eyes watched quietly as Clara basked in Kafka's attention. Only after Kafka's petting ceased did it slowly speak, its voice that of a young man:
"Clara, explain."
"Explain?" Clara first feigned confusion, then immediately played along, 'Oh! I'm not the leader of the Stellaron Hunters at all! Elio, you are our most respected leader!'
Elio: …
"About the Corporation matter."
"Oh, that! Well, as a very good person, of course I wouldn't harm a single innocent soul~"
"You know that's not what I'm referring to."
'Then what are you referring to?' Clara continued playing dumb.
"You… ah, forget it. It doesn't make much difference in the grand scheme." Seeing Clara's act, Elio let out a resigned sigh.
Back when Clara had first sought him out to join the Stellaron Hunters, he had intended to refuse. The mysteries surrounding her were too many; her influence would muddy the script beyond recognition.
But… that 'muddying' only applied to the process. With Clara's inclusion, while the journey would become profoundly obscure, the destination would become exceptionally clear.
Thus, Elio had agreed to Clara's request. Yet, due to her peculiar nature, he rarely assigned her specific missions. Even when he did, the instructions were merely for her to 'handle it as she saw fit.'
While the outcomes aligned, the processes were too vague. Elio dared not let her undertake too much, hence this arrangement.
After all, Clara… she simply did not exist within the script. Elio… was utterly incapable of observing her…
"Ah…" Thinking of this, Elio sighed again. Was agreeing to let Clara join the right choice or a mistake?
But having made the choice, there was no point in regret. Setting the thought aside, Elio turned a serious expression towards Kafka and Silver Wolf:
"Now, the most critical step is entrusted to you both."
"Place the Stellaron housed within Herta Space Station into the vessel."
"And after that? Will he… or she… require guidance?"
In response, Elio shook his head:
"We need not interfere excessively. Everything shall be left to the judgment of fate."
Kafka and Silver Wolf nodded, offering no comment. If Elio said it wasn't needed, they had no objections.
'Me! What about me? I'm right here!' Seeing that Elio seemed to have finished outlining the tasks,
Clara quickly spoke up.
"You…" Elio hesitated for a moment, then said:
"Hmm… I'll buy you some dolls. You can play with them for a while."
Clara: ?
'Are you out of your mind, or am I?'
"Oh, right!" Clara seemed to remember something, patting her head before speaking with a grin.
"I met Sister Herta while at the Interastral Peace Corporation. She even invited me to Herta Space Station for some experiments."
"Elio, what do you think? Should I accept?"
Elio: …
Elio remained silent for a time, finally uttering a single sentence:
"Do as you see fit."
Clara: 'Wow. Just… wow.'
…
Clara: Regarding Elio
Pluck his fur! Pluck it all out!
…
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