Lily stretches her body and so does the rest while Solaris said " That was a very nice rest " " You probably won't be able to sleep since you haven't done anything like that " Lily said " Then I'm counting on you to bring me to sleep " Solaris told Rate .
" I'll try " " Hnng ... hey can I keep this thing ? " Mother pointed at the soul crystal " Sure we will be using that place more often " Lily said and finished stretching while Woods brought some food to them .
" Ohh a new one " Mother ate the entire fruit , ignoring the core and the stem . Lily checks Wood's condition using the Blank grimoire , which quantifies Wood's food production output and consumption input .
' It's increasing steadily , but not fast enough ' she wonders how it's possible to boost it and decides she should call the spirits help soon .
" Lily when are we going to that place you promised ? " Mother asked while she gobbled the endless food that Woods was bringing with Doris's help " After you eat for a whole hour " " I'll come back after that " Rate said and Solaris left too .
' I've got an hour to get some work done ' Lily uses a door to take the staff while disabling the portal and uses it to open to the once-polluted world " Huh this world is quite nice " Lily senses some danger and quickly uses the debt chain , stopping the natural forces .
The air and land stood still as they were stunned to see that they were frozen ' Is this the way you should treat your benefactor ? " Lily told them through the debt chains and revealed the artificial pollution on her hand .
Lily releases them after sensing no killing intent ' How did you do it ? " a thought echoed through her mind as she answered ' I have my ways , but since I cleaned your world , I need some help to nurture something of mine "
' What could it possibly be ? " the planet's collective consciousness asked ' I have a living ecosystem that I've been nurturing to feed plenty of creatures , I've learned about your history and thought it might be a good thing for you to pay your debt . "
' May we see this living ecosystem ? " ' Sure " Lily opens the portal revealing Woods , the tree that Lily put their soul into ' That is a very strange tree , but still very young " ' Yeah , I need you to nurture them "
' Will you be able to keep this strange door open ? " ' Probably not , but I do need both exits ' Lily checks on how the staff was created ' I can keep it on " Lily said ' I'll have to lower the suppressor and have Doris learn this '
Lily leaves the portal and sends the necessary materials to Doris for her to learn how to open the exits to collect the souls crystals ' That should increase the food input and output of Woods , Doris will have to start preserving the exit , moreover I'm gonna need more like that unless Doris can do it by herself easily "
Meanwhile , a wisp of light shines towards Woods to teach them how to manage resources properly . Lily waits for the hour to end and later takes Mother . Doris appeared , opening the door to the trading center " Wow they look fascinating " Rate said , looking through the one-way mirror .
" Where is this ? " Solaris asked " It doesn't feel like what was beyond that door " " Cause it's a new world , it's an exit to Life and Death's old world " " But how did you get here ? "
Rate asked " Life carries the souls of many lives , with that came the soul of the practitioner that threw death to the Labyrinth . Life gave me the soul to make use of and I used it to find this place "
" But how are they bringing in so many soul crystals ? " " Let me tell you " Lily tells the three of them about how Death was created by using the part of the underworld to carry the deaths of the related lifeforms .
" But then after that Life removed herself which caused mass starvation and they eventually stayed in the underworld of only beast of myths " " So they're like us ? "
" I guess this world is similar to yours considering the mythical beast are similar to you in nature but you're still different in the end , while your world's mythical beasts are strong in body , theirs are strong in mind due to their stay in the underworld "
" So can't you give them bodies like ours ? " Rate asked " Why would you want that ? " " I thought it would be more useful to you " Lily sighed " It would be , but according to Death , souls who haven't possessed a body for a long time will have difficulty adjusting to a suitable one moreover it's hard to find suitable ones "
" So does that mean that it will take a while ? " Lily nodded " Yes and their evolution is way behind what you are capable of , so if I were to give them bodies like yours , they would go crazy just like how calamity beasts cause disasters "
Mother and Solaris were very confused by how that was possible " Uhm think of it like this , you were something very small and all of a sudden you were given a lot of power . the power basically consumes "
" So it's just bad ? " Mother asked " What she said " Solaris said " Yeah " ' I have a better comparison , but I'd rather not ' " We've seen quite a lot from this so how about we see other things now "
They were curious about what Lily meant and they moved to the star forger " So this is the place that makes my food " " Yeah it's the biggest working forger that Indus had , although I can't believe that they'd give me something like this for a Labyrinth piece "
" Oh I did hear that you acquired one " " I told you , didn't I , the Labyrinth owed me , it's how I got that sunbox for you , Solaris " " Then what did you give to get that ? " " A key to this exit " Rate was surprised to hear such a thing .
" But don't you know that the Labyrinth is a very dangerous being ? " Rate asked and Lily nodded " To be honest , there are a lot of dangerous beings around this world and I sympathize with them "
Rate decided to hold back his guard because it came from the descenders who always accuse the Labyrinth for something they had done and decided to forgive it to open his mind to new thoughts" How ? "
" The descenders or at least their ancestors , found the Labyrinth . They tried to study it , it's something my world would make stories out of . people or scholars find an ancient being and try to make a profit out of it and when it all goes wrong , it ends up something like this world "
" Can I listen to those stories ? " Rate asked meaning to understand Lily's perspective " Sounds very satisfying to know that " Solaris said while Mother couldn't relate " Wait am I in one of those stories ? "
" Sorta , but I won't mistreat you moreover , with how advanced my scholars are , we don't need to use the same study the people in those stories do . Birch does it all without hurting or even letting you notice he was in you " Rate looked at Lily and the rest , wondering how they could sympathize with it .
" Lily , did you actually go through the same thing ? " " Kinda , but we skipped the scholars studying part and got to "Something goes wrong" because my blood is very active . I did tell you that my body used to starve , didn't I ? "
" Something like that " Rate said " Although , do you want to see something else too ? " Lily asked and they nodded . They went back to the glass dome to see Woods and a light coming from the portal with a staff " What's that ? " Rate asked " It was there this morning " Mother said " After you two left "
Both Rate and Solaris were surprised to see the view " Come on , let me show you " they went through to see a recovering world " Wow it's so peaceful here " Rate said and Lily thought of how this could be related to art .
" I hope this would be what the future looks like " Lily said and the rest wondered what she meant " Uhm dear , I don't like it when you keep doing things like this " Mother said " I agree , it feels like there's some gap between us "
" Oh sorry , I forgot to tell you what this world was like . It was a very polluted world with Duarte constantly helping them . I took all the pollution and now the world's natural residents owe me . I'm having them teach Woods so that food production increases "
" Wait , how are you so sure it was Duarte ? " Rate asked and Lily showed the debt chain " Just with this , I also have some connected to a lot of people but other than using it information , I haven't used it for more physical use "
" So you can control people with that ? " " I could , but I'd rather not , it ruins trust plus , it's not like I use this to win you over . I'd rather make something more genuine too " Rate blushes thinking about their interactions while Solaris and Mother felt left out , unable to understand their conversation .
" So what do you mean when you say you wish our future were like this ? " Solaris asked " After dealing with this world , I hope we could enjoy some peace to rebuild what broke " Mother flew and landed on Lily's head .
" You already are , aren't you . So why are you saying you wish the future were like this ? " " Guess you're right ... what should we have for lunch then ? " " MEAT " Mother said
...
They all gathered together , eating food with Mother eating from a plate that was bigger than her , with Argus bringing her more of such plates while Solaris ate stars .
Only Rate and Lily had a normal set of food , but Lily had a side of pills " So mother , what kind of house do you want me to make ? " " Why are you making one ? " " You asked one yesterday , I already have a few models , but I'm not sure what you could be interested in "
Argus projected a screen for Mother showing her houses made of familiar material " Ohh these look good " " You can even explore it on the inside " the projection gained details inside , so Mother was able to go in to check around it .
" It's only light that's there " Solaris said " You can tell ? " " It is my nature as a star and I was thinking of creating constellations when I came across something like this " ' Solaris has been using the holograms very often '
" Hmm maybe you should stop using those light projections that tells stories " " Huh but why ? " Solaris asked " There's some effect that being endlessly entertained by such entertainment can make your life dull , you may slowly notice it once you're playing with our children "
Solaris thought of Lily's words " Then I will listen to you " " I'll tell Argus to get rid of it entirely it should be much easier to be around the kids if you can't use it " " Thanks for looking out for me " " I'm just making sure you don't stray somewhere bad and end up being hated "
Lily felt the red string grow stronger , recognizing their thanks " I will do that thanks for the meal " Solaris leaves and Rate wondered about what Lily said " By the way Rate , how is the training going on ? " " It's a bit suppressing that you could actually ignore your needs by being more inclined to do something else "
" So distraction ? " Rate nodded " That's great progress " Rate compares there meal to think about the life pills , wondering how much they cost to make . Lily leaves to check on the rebels .
' They are doing some crazy things up there , bringing in people who are affected by the Labyrinth's passive brainwashing looks like Indus was right about it , but speaking of him , how well is he doing with the research '
Lily looked at the research Indus was doing on the Labyrinth piece finding out what kind of things he was investigating ' It's a lot of things to do with stars , he might be interested if I bring Solaris to him but I'd rather not , moreover Brich and Scyan would feel betrayed , Death told me this before that if I don't treat my debtors right the debt chains will be reduced '
Lily sighed , hating that she had to do such a thing , but considered that the base of this kind of debt chain was the red string ' No choice , but it's not too bad it means they'll be more accepting of my kindness even more '
Lily thought of the request that the rebels had been asking of Argus and figured it's time she goes up ' First I'll have to prepare the things ' Lily gets a sudden call from the Labyrinth ' Right now ? " ... ' Alright , I'll head out , we'll do it the same way when we trade with valuable pieces like the keys and your body part "
...
Lily plunged her foot into the Labyrinth and entered , while the Labyrinth caused cataclysmic disasters around the world , this time even more drastically ' The Labyrinth views this transaction even more worthwhile , maybe it's because of how many greater will as purifying it . '
The purified land counter in the station rose and Ryson quickly sent Lily a message " THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED INCREASE " Ryson felt proud to take charge of Lily's station and be involved in most of her dealings .
" But there's the problem with the backup frontlines , the people who proposed this idea may try to do something about it , it would be better for her to go with Ethan tomorrow if she plans to do it that way at least with that I'll be able to prepare security for any possibilities " Lily rode a spacecraft that a few dispatched descenders use with her star tattoo disguised .
Nobody disturbed her because she said so ' This bus is going to drop me off at the residence of Emma , may as well give her some gifts for her trust ' Lily gave some get-well gifts to Emma , containing things like an elixir for rejuvenation , some flowers for appeal .
" Commander , you didn't have to do this " " I didn't do it out of obligation of duty , I'm just thankful after you told Rate that he should recover me from the effects of brainwashing . I can trust you because you dont like the corrupt ways of the other descenders " " I've heard that you spilled some names after blacklisting then from the evolutionary serum sale "
" I did do such a thing , according to the black text I read , it could have been bad if I had discovered it while I had fake feelings , it's a good thing you pushed Rate in that direction "
" I just wanted to make sure that you would be in prime condition to operate " " What a very straightforward way of thinking , but concerning these black text , it has been filtering out the incompetent and corrupt descenders , but I still have a few to trust "
Lily looked at Emma , wondering what she would say " Then you don't like the corrupt officials ? " Emma asked .
" Why should I like them ? They irritate me like how the world is forced to fight against one evil and yet they choose profit over the goal " Emma took a deep breath " so you'd you side with the rebels " ' finally she said it '
" Maybe , they'll get rid of the corrupt officials and remove profit out of the equation so the fight would be much easier to manage " ' but when I divined that obvious future , it showed that while the corrupt are like drug dealers boosting the economy , the rebels are the berserkers that intend to fight endlessly ' " I got an offer to be a rebel "
Lily paused and asked " Do your parents know ? " Emma shook her head " I'll take the elixir and run away tonight " " but the media will go after them as a family who made a rebel "
Emma nodded " Which is why Commander can you please help me keep them safe " " Seeing as you had dealt with that envoy , I can do it " " thanks ... You got that right ? "
A few rebels appeared " yes we did , we'll prepare your "kidnapping" . Commander , the bomb is going to be very strong , the magic you use won't be good enough " the rebels showed the bomb giving Lily an idea fo the power .
' I don't really have a shield that prevents me from revealing all of my strength and I'd like to keep it that way . What are they trying to do with that destructive bomb with little area of effect ? '
The stars on the corner of her mouth lit up from her disguise , forming a shield as the rebels were surprised to sense the familiar greater will they sensed when they passed through Lily's territory " This should be sufficient " the rebels said while Lily checked their intention .
' So that's it , it seems that's how they figured out what my real background is . ' she was annoyed by this plan that could disrupt hers " We will go ahead and explode this bomb " ' Since you still have some use I'll leave you be , but make sure to get this message right . I know you plans '
An explosion occurred and Solaris's barrier dissolved upon the loss of the threat " what happened ? " " An explosion , it seems like Emma was taken "
' Seems like this is what that kiss did , but how does it do that ? I'll have to ask Solaris about it , but it seems like I'll have to use it sparingly , it is their power after all '
She looked at the sky and thought about the distributor spell ' Maybe I can use this star instead ' " I'm sorry for not being able to do much , seems like the protection my spouse put on me only helped me and your daughter is not dead , she was kidnapped , I at least saw that much "
...
After helping the family up , Lily was hit by mass media " Commander , do you think the rebels are trying to kill you ? " " I believe so , it seems like they took Emma with them for more information . Probably to dig dirt or force her to lie that I did have some dirt on " " could this be related to you reading the black text ? "
Lily shook her head " no , that matter and the rebels are completely different while they're goal was to clean the corrupt mine is simply to destroy those who try something to me . I do not seek justice and whatever cleansing they plan to do just aligns with my intention . "
Lily looked at the camera ' I know your plan but I'll let this failed attempt for aside since you are still useful " she told to the rebels while she tells the media ' I have some reasons to attack the rebels now ' Lily thought of how they acquired the information .
' they still attributed the attack I created for the Labyrinth to the Labyrinth so I'm fine . They know I'm strong , but they aren't sure if I'm a greater will . But they have suspicions . It's a good thing I appeared between Mother and Solaris both being greater wills themselves '
" I'm waiting , don't you have any questions ? " " Yes how did you survive that attack ? We have heard that although you possess great military force , your personal power shouldn't be that great "
' looks like now is the right time ' " it's because of this " Lily pointed at the corner of her mouth removing the disguise of her star tattoo " it takes too long to explain so that will be all today " she left the tattoo on and left to head to the smart tower ' I wonder what Ryson is doing '
" COMMANDER !!! " Lily turned to see Ryson waving at her with his ride . He got out and asked quickly " Why did you suddenly come up here ? "
" Since you are here , bring me to the smart tower " Ryson was quiet while Lily thought of the request the rebels had made ' I'll have to rethink this request that Argus has been refusing now that they stopped me '
Lily turned to Ryson and thought of an excuse " I only came up here because I heard that the dispatched come up here to visit their relatives , so I visited the first dispatched but didn't think I'd be attacked "
" oh then would you like to make a banquet to celebrate ? " " For what ? " " The freed lands you own are great , free of the Labyrinth's influence " " Is that what happened ? " Ryson nodded " you seem pretty convinced it's a feat that needs to be celebrated "
" The payment of a purified land and the freed land is completely different , while it was possible to purify it , the Labyrinth can corrupt it if a greater will leaves . Which is why you'll get more points with the freed lands from taxes , it might force us to work harder though "
" So the banquet is something I should make to boost the economy ? " Ryson nodded " but the people you blacklisted could be a problem as well as the backup frontline and their associates , they're already mad that you are growing a lot . So , if you could , maybe we could arrange a few things with them ? "
" Why not ? I can do a few things to make sure the backup frontline and their associates are taken care of " " It would be really good that way , I already thought it might be possible that their associates were willing to do something underhanded already like sabotage "
" There has been a problem in your management when I received those elixirs , glad that Ethan is now taking care of it all " " Ahha , sorry about having you take care of that " " No problem , you can't manage every subordinate you have "
" But that makes you incredibly amazing doesn't it ? " " I guess " ' More like it was the debt chain that did everything ' " But I would like to count on someone to manage the banquet " " How about telling the stockholders to do it ? "
" Is that common ? " " Not really , but it seems like some are in dire need " ' Now that I think about it , most of the stockholders are distributors , although it's more like they are rich because they are distributors '
" But the others may have a hard time " " No maybe I should leave it to Argus , my AI has been very useful since I got it " " Then what about the invitation " " I'll be managing that , now as for how long it would take , I'll be staying here during the preparation time so I may as well get as much work done up here "
" What are you up here for ? " " I heard that the demand for the evolutionary potions are increasing the number of gifts some sponsors are gifting are also increasing , I'd also like it if Ethan can go down to strengthen his ability , you said that the rate of the freed lands is different from the purified lands so I'm going to need to strengthen his ability "
" But what about the elixirs ? " " We will be fine without it for a while " ' Plus Woods is still learning , so it should be good for them to understand how to properly circulate our resources properly without giving them even more '
" But then you'll rack up a lot of points " " Don't worry about it , Ethan will be done in a week and since you mentioned the difference between a freed land and a purified land , care to tell more at the tower ? "
They arrived and Ryson quickly put together the information ' now this is a problem ' Lily thought " You interested in selling some real estate ? " " Maybe not , but is it possible for the land carrier to be moved here "
" But you went through a lot to give the sages and the futures citizenship " " I'm aware , but they are helping me in the end , not much of a citizen if they have been fighting the Labyrinth for years now will probably take a while for them to get used to peace "
" Oh that's right , it's still a surprise that we can only invest on the frontline , even the previous frontline kept its efforts to themselves and weren't like you , exploring the Labyrinth " " So not all of the labyrinth has been explored ? "
Ryson nodded " There are more than just mazes out there , You probably had some of your subordinates encounter the puppets already " " I guess , they did at one point , but should I worry about them ? "
" Not sure they only stay where the Labyrinth's influence is and with the freed lands that you acquired , you won't see them often " " As long as they don't bother me , I'm fine " Ryson looked at the corner of Lily's lips .
" By the way , Commander what is that thing near your lips ? " Lily touched the corner " Oh this , I guess since I've got more power and sufficient authority now , I can just tell you " ' It's about time I tell them that could be useful to keep Solaris and Mother near me than far '
" It's like a wedding ring except it can do a lot , Follow me to the rooftop " Lily looks at the setting sun at a distance and uses the tattoo's power to bring the sunlight to create a glowing sword " Wow that looks amazing "
" Yeah one thing happened with another and I found myself wedded to that star " " Star ? " Ryson thought about the information he had learned that was related to .
" You mean that living star !? " " Yeah I should announce my engagement with them soon , maybe during the banquet , but that means it needs to be very grand "
Lily walks away , leaving Ryson stunned ' Wow she is engaged with two great wills '
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