The hyperion sailed smoothly through the silent space, like a banished, shimmering silver star. Inside the ship, the only "sounds" in this dead silence were the hum of the System running at low power, the rhythmic ticking of the life support pods, and the peaceful, clear distress signal playing on a loop.
Artoria did not stay on the bridge; instead, she sat cross-legged next to the entrance of the Serenitea Pot, which was disguised as a "Meditation Quiet Room." The tranquil aura of the World within the pot seeped out through a special connection, barely soothing her taut nerves. However, the vast majority of her consciousness was immersed in the broad-spectrum perception network constructed by the System for the surrounding space, monitoring every trace of abnormal energy ripples and every potential probe wave from advanced civilizations.
Time passed in silence. Six hours... eight hours... the time to arrive at the edge of the "Lookout Star Field" drew closer. Outside, there was still only Eternity's darkness and the blurred glow of distant Nebulas. No interceptions, no communication responses, not even a conventional automatic signal for warning or guidance was captured.
Was the signal not received? Or was it ignored? Or... was the Angel's scrutiny stricter and longer than expected?
An imperceptible trace of anxiety, like cold vines, quietly crept into her heart. She was not afraid of battle, but she feared this unresolved waiting, not knowing when judgment would fall. Minerva's life support pod was not far away; behind those stable data curves was the cruel reality of the approaching closure of the repair window. If the path of the Angels did not work out...
She forced down her stray thoughts and communicated with the System again in her consciousness: "System, how long can the hyperion's energy reserves support conventional navigation and signal broadcasting? If we change the plan and attempt to infiltrate a peripheral civilization, what is the success rate assessment?"
[Conventional navigation and signal broadcasting can last for approximately thirty standard days. Energy is not the primary limiting factor.] The System's voice was slightly clearer than before, seemingly recovering from low power mode. [The success rate of infiltrating peripheral civilizations (such as the Yiren Civilization, Taro Star, etc.) is preliminary assessed to be between 40%-60% based on current intelligence. However, the probability of obtaining the required high-level medical technology is less than 5%. Furthermore, there is a risk of being detected by the god-level civilizations behind them (Angels or Lieyang) after exposure.]
The probability was too low. Artoria's heart sank. Did she really have to risk contacting the Demons or the Styx? Or... go directly to Earth and gamble on the kindness and opportunities of the story's "protagonists"?
Just as her thoughts were in turmoil, the System's alarm suddenly sounded in her consciousness—not piercing, but with a highly alert rhythm:
[Alert! High-precision, high-energy-level spatial positioning scan detected! Source direction: Angel Nebula, azimuth α-7. Scan mode: non-aggressive, deep analysis, with obvious sacred coding characteristics. Preliminary determined to be a detection unit belonging to the Angel Civilization.]
[Alert! Multiple high-intensity, high-mobility units detected dropping out of faster-than-light cruise status and entering this ship's perception range! Quantity: 5. Energy signature match: Angel Civilization third-generation guard-level combat celestial body, model suspected to be a 'Sky Blade Series' derivative patrol ship. Estimated contact time: 120 seconds.]
They were here!
Artoria stood up instantly, all anxiety and stray thoughts forcibly cleared, leaving only ice-cold calmness. She walked quickly toward the bridge while issuing commands to the System: "Respond according to the predetermined plan. Maintain signal broadcasting, keep the ship's posture unchanged, raise the defensive field to standard alert level, and keep the weapon systems silent. Prepare to receive and translate the other party's communication."
"Understood. The entire ship is entering Level 1 Contact Protocol status."
When she stepped onto the bridge, the scene outside the observation window had already changed. Against the pitch-black background, five elegant and powerful silver small warships, shaped like swans with spread wings and emitting a soft white light, were silently semi-surrounding the hyperion in a perfect tactical formation. They did not come too close, maintaining a "polite" distance of several thousand kilometers, but the faint flow of energy on the hulls and those directional probe beams all showcased their owner's power and control.
Immediately afterward, a clear, stable communication request with a unique rhythm that acted directly on the information level penetrated the hyperion's conventional communication barrier. A simple verification interface composed of golden runes popped up on the bridge's main screen.
[Encrypted communication request detected from 'Merlot Heavenly Court Seventh Patrol Fleet, Commander Yunxi Squad'. Communication protocol: Angel Civilization standard diplomatic/military contact protocol. Accept?]
"Accept. Enable translation protocol and record simultaneously," Artoria ordered calmly.
The golden runes on the screen flowed and transformed into clear audiovisual signals. A holographic image of a female Angel with silver armor and a red skirt, cascading blonde hair, an exquisite yet serious face, and white wings on her back appeared in the center of the screen. Her eyes were sharp as a hawk's, filled with scrutiny and inquiry, but showed no obvious hostility. The background of the image appeared to be the command cabin of one of the patrol ships—simple, bright, and full of technological sophistication.
"Unidentified vessel, this is High-level Guard Angel Commander Yunxi, Commander of the Seventh Patrol Fleet belonging to the Merlot Heavenly Court." The Angel's voice was like her appearance—clear and pleasant, yet carrying an unquestionable authority and sense of distance. "Your broadcasted signal has been received. Repeat your identity and purpose, and open partial non-core data interfaces for our basic security scanning and information verification. Warning: any resistance or deception will be regarded as a provocation to the order of the Merlot Heavenly Court."
Straightforward, with clear procedures—it fit the Angels' style of doing things. No redundant pleasantries or probing.
"Commander Commander Yunxi, it is a pleasure to meet you." Artoria nodded slightly, her expression calm and her tone neither humble nor arrogant. "I am Artoria, the Captain of the 'hyperion' and the representative for this journey. As stated in our signal, our ship comes from a distant 'World Bubble' with rules that differ from your Universe, and we entered this Universe by mistake during an exploration accident. We have no military or hostile intentions. Our sole purpose for this trip is to seek your high-level medical technology support to treat one of my seriously injured companions. In exchange, we are willing to provide some technical information and special material samples from our World."
As she spoke, she followed the other party's request and authorized the opening of partial non-core data regarding the hyperion's basic structure, energy reactions, life support systems, and some harmless basic physical constants of the other World. Simultaneously, she bundled the "bargaining chips" prepared earlier—an overview of the arc reactor energy principles, an introduction to the Jarvis AI logic framework, and introductory concepts of Asgardian Runic Energy Studies—into a highly encrypted data package that allowed basic verification by the Angels and transmitted it.
"This is some basic information to prove our sincerity and value. We hope to discuss specific exchange details and treatment plans in depth with your higher-level departments that possess the corresponding authority and technical capabilities," Artoria added with a composed posture.
Commander Yunxi seemed slightly surprised by Artoria's cooperation and frankness, but her expression did not change. Only in her sharp eyes did the light of data streams flicker slightly, obviously processing the received information at high speed. After a moment, she spoke again:
"Information reception confirmed. Preliminary scanning has found no obvious malicious programs or high-risk energy structures. The 'otherworldly rule' characteristics you provided have been recorded. However, please note that any unknown entity entering the jurisdiction of the Angel Nebula must undergo stricter security assessments and background checks." Her tone softened slightly, but the procedure remained unchanged. "I need to report the situation to the Sky Blade Royal Court. During this period, your ship must remain in its current position, shut down all active probes and weapon systems, and accept our continuous monitoring. Do you agree?"
"Agreed."
"Very well. Await instructions." Commander Yunxi's image nodded slightly, and then the communication temporarily turned into one-way silence, retaining only the basic monitoring data link.
Silence returned to the hyperion, but the atmosphere was more tense than before. The five Angel patrol ships hovered quietly around like the most loyal guardians, their invisible force fields and probe beams locking onto the silver warship like an inescapable net.
The wait began again. But this time, it was the wait for judgment from the core of the order of justice.
Artoria returned to the side of the "meditation room," leaning against the cold wall, and slowly slid to the floor.
The previous response had appeared calm, but it had actually cost her a tremendous amount of mental effort.
Facing a completely unknown, advanced civilization, every word and every action could influence the final outcome.
She could not show weakness, nor could she appear too aggressive and invite suspicion.
This feeling of walking a tightrope was not pleasant.
More importantly, this was just the beginning.
Even if the Angels agreed to contact, the subsequent technical assessments, value measurements, and negotiation games... every step was full of variables.
And their greatest weakness—time—was slipping away ruthlessly.
A deep exhaustion and... a faint uneasiness assailed her heart once more.
Could she really take Minerva and safely pass this hurdle?
If... if the situation really developed in the worst direction, if beneath the Angels' "order of justice" lay the ruthless elimination or tight control of "variables"...
"System," she asked in the depths of her consciousness, her voice almost imperceptible, "do we... have a way out? A real way out?"
This time, the System's silence was longer than ever before.
Just when Artoria thought the System would not answer, or that a "way out" did not exist at all, that familiar electronic voice sounded again, but the tone... carried an unprecedented, almost human-like... heartache, helplessness, mixed with a bit of "calculating" cunning.
[...Sigh, I knew you'd be nervous right now.]
The System's voice sounded like it had sighed, with a "knew it" implication, [Fine, I'll give you the bottom line, let you have some idea.]
[But let's agree first, this thing is expensive as hell; it's my coffin money saved up for who knows how long just to be eligible to 'pre-order.']
[Don't even mention it unless we're really at death's door!]
An image that looked... um, very ordinary, even a bit like a cheap amulet picture, with faint golden light on the edges, a simplified talisman projection, flickered in Artoria's consciousness.
It looked a bit better than the previous "beggar version," but it definitely couldn't be called Earth-shattering.
[Here, sample image.]
The System's tone was full of "this is high-end stuff" reservedness, but listening carefully, it was a bit guilty, ['Supreme VIP Exclusive · Stable Cross-Boundary One-Way Ticket Home (Sample for reference only).' I made up the name, but the meaning is about the same.]
Artoria: "...Sample?"
[Yeah! Sample! Picture!]
The System was righteous, [You think that kind of high-end stuff that can stably tear through World barriers, precisely anchor the home coordinates, and come with basic protection to reduce travel damage, can be casually carried in your pocket?]
[It has to be bought on the spot! Instant delivery! But the premise is—you have to be qualified, have 'money'!]
It paused, and continued in a tone that was "heartbroken" yet "showing off":
[I have been pestering the black market that specializes in high-end cross-Universe customization... cough cough, I mean the senior veteran of the third-party service platform, for a long time, and even bet all my future performance expectations for several cycles and all available reserve energy, just to get this 'purchase qualification' and sample parameters!]
[It's equivalent to... um, equivalent to paying a sky-high deposit, getting the product details page and the 'one-click purchase' button permission!]
[The real product has to be ordered instantly when needed, energy settled immediately, goods generated and used instantly!]
The gray, dusty talisman projection brightened, seeming to have a bit more "reliable" luster.
The System's tone became serious, [When it really comes to that step—Angels turn hostile, Devils blocking the door, that research freak Karl wanting to take us for dissection, in short, when we can't run, can't fight, and are about to be finished—just give me a signal.]
[I will immediately activate the emergency protocol, use my coffin money to instantly complete the 'purchase' and 'activation.']
[After activation,] the System's voice carried a "worth it" certainty, [it will generate a relatively stable, one-way, precisely anchored cross-boundary channel to our Long Island cabin coordinates.]
[It will pack you, your Serenitea Pot, and Minerva lying inside, and safely send you back.]
[There will be bumps on the way, but the impact on the soul and body is within an acceptable range.]
[After going back, I will definitely enter deep sleep due to energy depletion and protocol backlash, but at least, we can go back, safely go home.]
[But!] The System's tone became serious and heartbroken again, [It's expensive! Host! This one ticket almost emptied all my savings!]
[If we use it, this trip is for nothing, all previous investment, all preparations, including the favors exchanged, might all go down the drain.]
[I will also have to sleep until who knows when. So, this is really the last resort, an option for a 'dignified retreat' when there's really no other way.]
[Our goal is always to talk to the Angels properly, get things done, right?]
Artoria quietly "listened" to this long string of the System's calculations and hidden reliable arrangements, looking at the talisman picture called "sample" in her consciousness.
No excitement, no relief, only a strange, mixed feeling of warmth, helplessness, amusement, and deeper determination.
The System... this guy who was usually a bit stingy and loved to complain, had actually silently used its "coffin money" and future "performance" to get such a... "modern" escape plan at some "high-end black market"?
Still a "pre-sale" system? "Sample for reference only, real product arrives in seconds"?
It hadn't really carried that shabby "boundary-breaking talisman" on it, but reserved purchase qualifications and energy to ensure that at the most critical moment, it could instantly exchange for a more reliable "ticket home."
This fit its "calculating" style, and it really gave her a... sounds like a solid backing within its capabilities.
"Why arrange it like this?" she asked, her voice very light, with a hint of indescribable... tenderness?
[Why?] The System's electronic voice seemed to stutter, then said in a "do you even need to ask" tone, slightly awkward, [Of course it's because I want to pursue the optimal solution!]
[Materializing that kind of high-end stuff and carrying it around takes up space, consumes energy, and is easy to mess up.]
[This 'pre-sale + instant issue' mode is the most economical and efficient, okay!]
[As for the coffin money... cough cough, high-risk investment naturally requires high insurance, this is reasonable! Logic! Yes, it's logic!]
It seemed afraid Artoria wouldn't believe it, and muttered again:
[Besides, you are the Host I brought, and Minerva is also a part of the project I watched... um, an important part.]
[If we really fold here, where do I put my face? Do I still want my performance?]
The corners of Artoria's mouth, this time really curved into a clear and real, warm arc.
The frozen wasteland in her heart seemed to be slowly flowed over by a solid and warm stream.
This "sample" talisman didn't represent a crude "possibility," but a carefully calculated, "coffin money" guaranteed, high-spec "guarantee."
It let her know that in the deepest desperation, she didn't just have a narrow and dangerous "dog hole" to crawl through, but had an "emergency portal" that, although costly, was stable and reliable enough to start.
This made her stand before the unknown and powerful "order of justice" of the Angels, the deep-seated uneasiness replaced by a calmer, more grounded focus.
"Got it." She said in a low voice, her tone steady and clear, "Won't use up your 'coffin money' easily. We will... strive to do things beautifully with minimal cost. Then, bring good news and go home together."
[...That's more like it.] The System's voice seemed to "hmm," with satisfaction and a bit of relief, then returned to that lazy calmness, [Focus on the present, Host.]
[The Angels' judgment should be coming soon. Don't give me a chance to use the coffin money, it's very expensive!]
Artoria didn't say anything more, just took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.
She closed her eyes again, adjusted her breathing, and concentrated all her attention, courage, and confidence on the outside of the hyperion, those few silently guarding Angel warships, and... the upcoming "judgment" that would decide their fate in the depths of the distant Nebula.
In her hand, she seemed to be holding an invisible, "guarantee" that was called a "sample" but weighed more than a thousand catties.
The road ahead was still full of fog, the abyss still at her side.
But at least for this moment, she could more calmly, more focused, and with more quiet confidence, go to meet that Angel starlight that was about to illuminate the path ahead, or... bring a turning point.
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