Chapter 108 – The Past

Chapter 108 - The Past

The mass extinction of the star beasts made Rong Mi, who adored fluffy creatures, feel a pang of sorrow when he thought about it.

However, he quickly pushed those thoughts aside and piloted his mecha towards the human settlement ahead.

As the main battleship's mecha pilot, he had arrived on this planet for its second exploration. During the previous mission, the reconnaissance team had disguised their mechas as ones that had crash-landed due to a spaceship accident, making initial contact with the planet's inhabitants. They stayed for fifteen days and found an amiable elder who was willing to communicate with the fleet.

The dark mecha advanced steadily, approaching the lights of the human territory.

Above the water surface, metal structures began to emerge, resembling isolated islands scattered sparsely above the water. Some were complete circles, while others were halves, with the damaged sections submerged in the water, teetering on the verge of sinking.

The human settlement stretched out into the distance, all the way to the farthest point of the sea. At the edge of Rong Mi's mental perception, towering buildings formed a massive circular archipelago.

That was where the ice butterflies of the planet resided. Vibrant red energy of the ice butterflies swirled between the structures, extending like the slow vibrations of butterfly wings.

Rong Mi retracted his gaze. His mecha came to a steady halt at the edge of a damaged island on the outskirts, and he then lowered his head to look down.

As he proceeded, the silvery energy flow in the depths of the ocean grew denser, forming silver rings around the water beneath his mecha, akin to footprints left behind.

Yet Rong Mi could not recall any scout reporting such an anomaly.

The young man furrowed his brow, not reacting since he didn't sense any danger.

A metallic canopy sheltered the small island. Rong Mi maneuvered the mecha forward, locating the entrance to the shield and knocked politely on it.

The grand gates swiftly ascended open.

A middle-aged man with disheveled hair peered outside, his expression transforming abruptly.

"Your kind is not welcome here!" The middle-aged man, evidently fearful yet mustering courage, shouted loudly, "My father only offered to entertain you because of his old age and confusion! He gained nothing but lost his own life!"

"I have already reported this incident to Lord Sethman... Today..."

As he spoke, he fiercely slammed his hand on the wall-mounted alarm button.

Before he could finish his sentence, the small island trembled violently.

The initial source of the tremor seemed to originate from beneath the sea surface.

Ripples spread outwards from the distant Ice Butterfly City like enormous waves rising from the depths.

The dark-brown waters churned, as if a colossal beast was stirring from the ocean floor.

Tens of thousands of crimson energy threads shot out from the depths, piercing the sea surface and soaring towards the sky.

"The Patrol Day—it's Lord Sethman's Patrol Day!" the middle-aged man shrieked hysterically, his voice laced with fear and submission. "All who oppose Lord Sethman will be eradicated!"

"I am not like my father! I have not betrayed our lord! I am a loyal citizen of Sethman...!"

Amid the intricate web of energy lines, Rong Mi furrowed her brow.

Not because of that icy butterfly named Saiseman, but due to the middle-aged man's mention of his father's demise.

On this planet ruled by the butterflies, human lives seemed even more fragile than those of the uncertain travelers adrift in the cosmos.

As Rong Mi paused, several vibrant red energy lines locked onto their target and lashed out at the mecha with great force.

Rong Mi snapped back into focus, propelling the mecha upward. The energy lines coiled together, then swiftly charged towards the cockpit at high speed.

The mech leaped upward, somersaulting sideways in mid-air. Its arm rose effortlessly, gently grasping the icy butterfly energy thread in its palm.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"

One after another, low-level ice butterflies emerged from the distant Ice Butterfly City, crossing the sea with high speed, heading straight for Rong Mi.

The young man glanced at them with the corner of his eye and tilted his head slightly.

"A swarm of low-level ice butterflies… and a high-level, third-grade one?" He chuckled. "They're not here to capture me, are they?"

The spirit energy indicator on the mech's arm lit up. The mechanical hand, encircled by purple spirit energy, clenched, crushing the icy butterfly energy thread to pieces.

With his other free arm, he reached back, drawing a long blade from the mech's back.

The blade, shimmering with a bright purple hue, sliced through the air, severing large bundles of ice butterfly spirit energy threads with its sharp arc and fiery glow.

Thunderous roars echoed as the thrusters beneath the mech ignited, propelling the body skyward towards the planet. A surge of energy erupted, stirring up waves across the water's surface.

The dark-brown water boiled, its waves soaring high, like ever-rising mountain peaks, stirred by the combined forces of the ice butterfly spirit energy and the mech's power.

The crimson Ice Butterflies of spirit energy, the butterflies encircling from afar, and the towering waves, all pursued the mech under Rong Mi's control.

They were then sliced apart by the blade in the mech's hand, falling and scattering.

Rong Mi knew that there were certainly more Ice Butterflies on this planet than what he had seen so far. The situation would only worsen if he stayed any longer.

Despite being at an advantage, he didn't linger. He pushed the mech's engine to its maximum and swiftly departed the planet.

Just as he was about to reach the inner orbit above the planet, he activated the most powerful main cannon in the chest compartment.

Charging... Fire!

A surge of energy erupted, sweeping up a vast number of butterflies. As it grazed the outer shell of the human-inhabited islands in the sea, it collided with the Ice Butterflies' energy and dissipated.

Rong Mi sighed and pressed the communicator.

"Calling the flagship," he said quickly. "Please immediately set sail and leave the planet's inner orbit, preparing for battle."

"I'll rejoin once I shake off the pursuing Ice Butterflies..." —

"Zhi—Rong Mi!" As the mecha ascended, the chaotic communication channel cleared up.

The synthetic voice of the Starship's AI, Goddess, immediately sounded, "What are you doing!"

Rong Mi replied, "Killing some Ice Butterflies!"

There was a momentary pause in the comm before an aged male voice took over.

"The fleet's energy supplies are running low! Avoid battles as much as possible! Have you forgotten what I said?! We're only here to scout the planet!" The Supreme Commander of the Goddess flagship was furious, "Why did you provoke so many Ice Butterflies? Right now, only these are chasing you, but there'll definitely be more soon!"

"I'm not going to fire the main starship cannons to assist you! That shot will shave off another ten days from our remaining travel time!..."

"I know!" Rong Mi said helplessly, "We've been reported to the Ice Butterfly in charge of this planet! Can't I defend myself after being attacked? ! ... Please stop lecturing! I can handle it myself! Preparing the flagship for battle is just a precaution!"

"The silver-white energy layer outside the planet is so thick that it's hard for the Ice Butterflies' energy to pass through. I'll shake them off there!"

"I hope it's as you say!" The Supreme Commander was still seething with anger as he scolded and maneuvered the starship to leave first.

Rong Mi's mecha, engulfed in flames, darted into the silver-white energy layer above the planet, with a swarm of Ice Butterflies trailing behind its fiery tail.

"If only we had ample energy... or a powerful partner, a capable assistant..." Despite understanding the rationale behind the Starship Commander's decision, Rong Mi couldn't help but grumble to herself as she manipulated the mecha.

"Playing it safe won't do... We need to find a way and seize the opportunity to strike decisively!"

One must be willing to part with something valuable to catch a wolf.

Though the cost would be significant, if they emerged victorious...

This fleet would finally have a place abundant in energy, a true sanctuary to call home.

Not by steadily eroding the fleet's strength through an ever-more-precarious drain on resources as they wandered without purpose.

The high-speed armor's intense friction with the energy layer caused the cockpit's temperature to soar rapidly, while the armor's velocity decreased abruptly.

The Ice Butterflies pursuing from below received the same treatment, slowing down as they penetrated the energy layer... and even recoiling slightly.

As if pulled by some unseen force, reluctantly and bothered, it ultimately abandoned its pursuit of the mecha ahead, instead turning downward, diving back into the planet's seas.

Rong Mi gazed around, vaguely discerning the same milky energy currents he had seen within the planet's aqueous depths.

However, before he could discern them clearly, the energy currents retreated into the depths of the planet, dragging the swarm of butterflies along with them.

Rong Mi's mecha continued ascending, enveloped by the unchanging silver-white energy. In this unfamiliar stellar region, he momentarily lost his bearings.

Yet, soon after, he spotted the position lights flashing from the main warship in the distance.

The commander of the starship was tough on the outside but soft on the inside.

Although they suspected that Rong Mi might not have shaken off the pursuit of the Frost Butterflies and would bring a host of troublesome enemies to the main ship, fearing that the young man might get lost in space and exhaust his energy, the commander frequently flashed their location lights.

As Rong Mi stepped onto the command ship, the mecha preparation room was bustling with people, all ready to depart in support of him.

"Where's Ice Butterfly?" The lead mech pilot in the room, seeing Rong Mi, was filled with surprise. As he slapped hands with him, he exclaimed, "You really shook off Ice Butterfly that quickly?! As expected of you!"

Rong Mi glanced at the silvery-white energy mist outside the cabin.

"No. For some reason, Ice Butterfly stopped pursuing."

"Well, if it doesn't work out this time, we'll find another opportunity to check it out." The mech pilot who had high-fived Rong Mi also looked out the cabin window. "Although you said we've been reported, this is truly the most suitable planet for 'occupation' that we've discovered so far."

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi blinked.

His vision, after a brief blur, returned to clarity.

Outside the window of his resting pod, a silver expanse greeted him, overlapping with the scene etched in his memory, causing a momentary daze in Rong Mi.

He didn't know if the main ship had ever attempted to further explore that planet afterward.

For his genetic illness progressed swiftly, soon becoming a problem that could no longer be simply alleviated by painkillers.

Rong Mi was forced to reside on a medical starship, losing his mobility, and drifted towards death in a coma.

But today, quite abruptly, he encountered this planet once more.

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi took a deep breath.

"Oooh?" A warm sensation brushed against his cheek.

It was the Silver Wolf, who had been guarding nearby, sensing Rong Mi's movement. It nudged his cheek with its furry head and let out a worried growl.

Rong Mi: "…Ayin."

Rong Mi turned his head to meet the wolf's gaze.

His almost-uncontrolled Spirit Domain seemed to have returned to normal before he lost consciousness, though his spiritual energy remained highly active.

Rong Mi could sense the vibrant energy pulsating within his mental sea.

His spiritual energy was abundant, yet he felt a sort of emptiness, as if it yearned to absorb more energy.

Moreover, he had become incredibly sensitive; even the slightest disturbance could trigger a strong reaction in his Spirit Domain.

This was a sign that the second awakening was truly about to begin.

And the surrounding energy field was perfectly conducive for him to undergo this second awakening.

This planet's energy field was much stronger and more tranquil than any Rong Mi had seen during the Interstellar Nomad Era.

Calm, embracing, and brimming with energy...

Without even thinking, Rong Mi knew this must be the "Sea of Slumber" that Chen Mo and Lu Yi had mentioned, a planet suitable for a second awakening.

As the starship sailed through the silvery-white energy layer surrounding the "Sea of Slumber," Rong Mi saw a pod of playful white dolphins leap outside the cabin windows.

Or perhaps it was the dolphins that were guiding the starship forward as they swam around it.

This wasn't the military assessment grounds nor the AE sector of the Third War Zone. It was the "Sea of Slumber," located within the jurisdiction of the First Legion, as Chen Mo had mentioned.

Evidently, while Rong Mi was unconscious, he had been loaded onto this starship.

Given the average speed of a regular starship, it would take at least four or five days to reach the Third War Zone from here.

Rong Mi: ... I slept for that long?!

In disbelief, he immediately sat up, left his resting chamber, and began searching for someone to ask while also activating his communicator.

With a heavy sense of unease, he pressed the communication button for Lu Yi.

Lu Yi.

He was the kind of battle partner that Rong Mi had occasionally hoped for when he fought alone in the past.

...But Rong Mi had already come to realize that Lu Yi meant much more to him than just that.

Otherwise, the anxiety he felt at this moment wouldn't be so intense.

Surprisingly, the call was answered only seconds later.

The light screen flickered on, revealing the Admiral's holographic image before Rong Mi.

"Everything's fine," Lu Yi looked at Rong Mi, speaking first, aware of the young man's worry. His voice remained as calm as ever, his words concise and straightforward.

"Don't worry about me."