Penacony.
Having found a new objective, Leon chose to wake from the dream immediately, adhering to the principle of respecting the old and cherishing the young. He set aside the matter of Mikhail for now, deciding to focus on this first.
He rose from the dreampool and immediately took out his jade abacus.
Before going to the front desk to ask for Chadwick's room and taking him away, Leon decided to first figure out his identity.
[Your Man God: Got a question.]
He found the contact he had just added a short while ago.
[Big Herta: Done already?]
When it came to scientific research, a brute like Leon, who only appreciated overwhelming force, was completely out of his depth. But fortunately, he had an expert friend.
If Chadwick's weapon was truly that powerful, then Herta, a genius with considerable achievements in this field, should have heard of it.
[Your Man God: Nah, something unexpected came up.]
[Big Herta: Whatever it is, spit it out. When you're done, come test the Simulated Universe.]
[Your Man God: Have you heard of the "Imaginary Collapse Pulse"?]
[Big Herta: ? Where did you hear that term?]
[Your Man God: Ran into the creator himself, ya know.]
[Big Herta: ?]
[Your Man God: ?]
[Big Herta: Are you serious? My time is very precious. I don't have time to joke around with you.]
[Your Man God: Your Man God is always serious.]
[Big Herta: Chadwick, you saw him?]
[Your Man God: If there isn't another person with the same name.]
[Big Herta: Where is he?]
[Your Man God: Penacony.]
[Big Herta: ? Penacony? How could he be in Penacony?]
[Your Man God: No idea, heh.]
[Big Herta: Where are you now?]
[Your Man God: I'm planning to bring him back to the space station. I asked The Family, and they said they have no objections.]
[Big Herta: Wait a moment. I'll contact someone. Don't leave Penacony for now. Wait for Screwllum to arrive and leave together to avoid any accidents.]
[Your Man God: What do you mean? What kind of accident could happen to me?]
This was a challenge to his stats, and Leon wasn't happy about it.
[Big Herta: You crude brute. You have no idea of the value of the knowledge inside Chadwick's head.]
[Big Herta: Don't go and give him a concussion with one of your sacred fist techniques. I need Screwllum to provide some support.]
As for the crash, Leon really had no comeback.
"Leon, is this a bother?"
March 7th, who had just risen from the dreampool, asked worriedly, as if afraid her request would cause him trouble.
"Don't worry about it."
Leon glanced at her in surprise, not expecting her to have developed so quickly. She had even managed to spontaneously develop the feeling of being afraid to trouble others. Not bad.
"Do you remember what I said?"
Although it had only been a few short days, March 7th's growth was clearly visible.
"While I'm with you, you can come to me with any problem. Don't be a stranger."
She was starting to understand the ways of the world without him having to teach her. That was good.
"As for being a bother, that's out of the question. For me, nothing is ever a bother."
Trouble? What trouble? Didn't matter where it came from, he'd just steamroll it with his stats!
"Thank you, Leon."
March 7th nodded, speaking from the heart.
"Kid, don't be so formal with me."
Leon liked this about her. She accepted things straightforwardly, without any of that damn pointless courtesy. It was good that she maintained such an innocent heart.
"Let's go. We'll ask the front desk where Chadwick's room is."
Leon beckoned her forward and turned the doorknob, about to leave.
Just then, a voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
[This Week's Superpower Has Been Refreshed]
["You're Using Typical XX Thinking"]
[Effect: Allows you to define "good" and "bad" words. "Bad" words must be completely subservient to "good" words.]
[Example: "You're using typical outsider thinking. We local masters have nothing to say to you. Stinking outsiders must kneel before local masters."]
[Refresh Countdown: 168 hours]
It's finally here, the weekly blind box opening time. Leon calculated that it was about time.
He examined it carefully. This week's superpower wasn't bad; it could be triggered without any preconditions, on the same level as the Freljord one.
[Superpower Saved]
["If You Come in Winter" (Superpower Integrity 20%)]
[Effect: After stating a phrase in the format of "xx must xx," there is a very small chance to pull anything that should be a certain way but isn't in reality back onto the correct path (Using the matching pen and paper increases the probability by one level)]
[Upgrade Path: Depends on the degree of deviation from reality. The more something deviates from reality, the more integrity is gained after it is corrected back to its original track.]
After getting the new ability, Leon really wanted to shout that he now lacked nothing! So what if they're Aeons? Your alien grandpa is the real master here!
Leon mused to himself and had just opened the door to leave.
When he saw a tall, elegantly dressed, gentlemanly robot standing before him, blocking the doorway.
"Are you Mr. Leon, with the screen name 'Your Man God'?"
The robot spoke in a gentle yet masculine male voice, with a slight electronic effect. Looked like he vaped RELX a lot.
"Holy doxx!"
"I am Screwllum. Lady Herta should have already introduced me to you."
Screwllum introduced himself.
"Damn, you're fast," Leon exclaimed.
"Although many of the silver rails laid by Akivili have been destroyed due to the 'Cancer of All Worlds,' a few still remain intact."
Screwllum indicated this was the divine power of "The Trailblaze."
"More importantly, do you vape RELX?"
A robot vaping? Not a single puff would stay in the lungs.
"Query: What is RELX?"
Screwllum asked himself, his two small green eyes glowing faintly as if searching his database for a corresponding entry.
"Analysis: RELX is a piece of internet slang. It represents the guardians of the new era's trends, corresponding to the 'Furong' who insist on clinging to the old ways."
"Extrapolation: 'Furong' is a metaphor for the inorganic lifeforms of the Emperor's faction, while 'RELX' refers to its opposite."
As a future ally, Screwllum answered his question seriously.
"Conclusion: I am of the RELX reformist faction."
Hearing this, Leon immediately gave him a thumbs-up.
He liked this robot.
"Screwllum, my man. Since Herta went out of her way to notify you, does that mean this Chadwick guy is your friend?"
To be honest, Herta had just rambled on, and Leon still hadn't figured out the old geezer's identity.
"Calderon Chadwick."
Screwllum didn't nod, but simply saw through his thoughts and began to explain.
"Genius Society, Member #79."
"He sent me a distress signal during the last Amber Era. After receiving the 'Selective Blocking Drug,' all contact was lost."
Screwllum retrieved information from the past out of his massive data storage.
"Analysis: Dr. Chadwick is not a long-life species. The probability of him surviving naturally into the next Amber Era is infinitely close to zero."
"To this day, no life-extension technology can extend a normal human's natural lifespan by a full Amber Era."
"However, The Family of Penacony has a deep understanding of 'Memoria' and related technologies."
"Even if they couldn't preserve Chadwick's physical body, they could still extract the material from the depths of his brain, allowing his consciousness to 'survive'."
"The Family did this?"
If so, Leon was about to make The Family fly.
"The Family was definitely involved, but it is not yet certain who the mastermind is," Screwllum analyzed.
"The mastermind is the Interastral Peace Corporation."
Leon answered the question. "He said so himself."
"The IPC? That is indeed a highly likely possibility."
Screwllum nodded. "Mr. Leon, besides that, what else did Dr. Chadwick say to you in the dream?"
"To sum it up in one sentence, he's seeking death, but is unable to die."
Leon's answer was concise. "He said someone wanted his knowledge, and he used all his strength to make himself forget everything."
Hearing this, Screwllum fell silent as he looked at the Memory Bubble.
"Dr. Chadwick..."
The "Selective Blocking Drug" only works on the physical body. But the current Chadwick was merely a wisp of remnant consciousness, meaning he was relying on an obsession engraved at the very root of his consciousness to prevent others from obtaining this knowledge.
"Mr. Leon, I wonder if you would allow me to grant Dr. Chadwick his release?"
Screwllum made his request.
"If you agree, Planet Screwllum will become your permanent ally. No matter what happens, I will advance and retreat alongside you."
He had heard a thing or two about this Arbiter-General's personality; he seemed to be an individual with an extremely distinct character.
Completely disregarding everything, doing whatever he wanted. The reason why he would intervene in Chadwick's matter was still unknown to Screwllum. Perhaps he was also after the "Imaginary Collapse Pulse."
Since that was the case, it was better for him to present his sincerity first.
"Of course, my friend."
Leon certainly didn't refuse. "But I don't need your sincerity."
He had always been one to respect the fate of others. The old geezer had wanted to die for so long, it had practically become his most cherished wish. He certainly wouldn't stand in the way.
Of course, he couldn't let Chadwick go on his way alone. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
This has always been the creed of the Galaxy Rangers. Just you wait, the vengeance of The Hunt is about to fall upon the IPC.
"The Galaxy Rangers act only according to their hearts."
"Not for any thing, not for any person."
If Leon accepted this sincerity, wouldn't that make him someone who did things only for a price?
"'Wanting to help him.' We gathered here because we share this same sentiment. You don't need to worry about my stance."
"You are a true Ranger. On behalf of Dr. Chadwick, I express my gratitude."
Upon hearing this, Screwllum immediately removed his hat, placed it over his chest, and gave a slight bow.
"Dr. Chadwick, it has been hard on you all these years."
Screwllum shifted his gaze back to the Memory Bubble and put his hat back on.
"You will be able to rest soon."
He said, holding the Memory Bubble in his palm.
...
...
Penacony, The Reverie Hotel.
Leon, accompanied by March 7th and Screwllum, arrived at Chadwick's guest room.
The room was deathly still, showing no signs of anyone having lived there.
"Where is he? Seriously, where is the guy?"
Leon looked at the empty room and let out a question from the soul.
"How dare they trick me?"
He was angry. Xikou Dï.
Screwllum stood before the dreampool, deep in thought.
"If my hypothesis is correct, then Chadwick should be right in front of us."
With that, Screwllum crouched down.
He slowly reached his right hand into the dreampool, ready to find the truth through practice.
A moment later, he scooped a crystalline bubble out of the liquid.
The moment it left the liquid's surface, the bubble began to float upwards slowly, finally stopping mid-air.
"It's been a long time, Dr. Chadwick."
Screwllum said to the round Memory Bubble before him.
"Deduction: As a member of a short-lived species, the probability of Calderon Chadwick surviving to this day in his physical body is infinitely close to zero."
"To this day, no life-extension technology can extend a normal human's natural lifespan by a full Amber Era."
"However, The Family of Penacony has a deep understanding of 'Memoria' and related technologies."
"Even if they couldn't preserve Chadwick's physical body, they could still extract the material from the depths of his brain, allowing his consciousness to 'survive'."
"The Family did this?"
If so, Leon was about to make The Family fly.
"The Family was definitely involved, but it is not yet certain who the mastermind is," Screwllum analyzed.
"The mastermind is the Interastral Peace Corporation."
Leon answered the question. "He said so himself."
"The IPC? That is indeed a highly likely possibility."
Screwllum nodded. "Mr. Leon, besides that, what else did Dr. Chadwick say to you in the dream?"
"To sum it up in one sentence, he's seeking death, but is unable to die."
Leon's answer was concise. "He said someone wanted his knowledge, and he used all his strength to make himself forget everything."
Hearing this, Screwllum fell silent as he looked at the Memory Bubble.
"Dr. Chadwick..."
The "Selective Blocking Drug" only works on the physical body. But the current Chadwick was merely a wisp of remnant consciousness, meaning he was relying on an obsession engraved at the very root of his consciousness to prevent others from obtaining this knowledge.
"Mr. Leon, I wonder if you would allow me to grant Dr. Chadwick his release?"
Screwllum made his request.
"If you agree, Planet Screwllum will become your permanent ally. No matter what happens, I will advance and retreat alongside you."
He had heard a thing or two about this Arbiter-General's personality; he seemed to be an individual with an extremely distinct character.
Completely disregarding everything, doing whatever he wanted. The reason why he would intervene in Chadwick's matter was still unknown to Screwllum. Perhaps he was also after the "Imaginary Collapse Pulse."
Since that was the case, it was better for him to present his sincerity first.
"Of course, my friend."
Leon certainly didn't refuse. "But I don't need your sincerity."
He had always been one to respect the fate of others. The old geezer had wanted to die for so long, it had practically become his most cherished wish. He certainly wouldn't stand in the way.
Of course, he couldn't let Chadwick go on his way alone. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
This has always been the creed of the Galaxy Rangers. Just you wait, the vengeance of The Hunt is about to fall upon the IPC.
"The Galaxy Rangers act only according to their hearts."
"Not for any thing, not for any person."
If Leon accepted this sincerity, wouldn't that make him someone who did things only for a price?
"'Wanting to help him.' We gathered here because we share this same sentiment. You don't need to worry about my stance."
"You are a true Ranger. On behalf of Dr. Chadwick, I express my gratitude."
Upon hearing this, Screwllum immediately removed his hat, placed it over his chest, and gave a slight bow.
"Dr. Chadwick, it has been hard on you all these years."
Screwllum shifted his gaze back to the Memory Bubble and put his hat back on.
"You will be able to rest soon."
He said, holding the Memory Bubble in his palm.
...
Herta Space Station, Seclusion Zone.
Two geniuses gathered together, two of the minds behind the Simulated Universe were present. With their cooperation, deactivating a Memory Bubble was naturally an easy task.
After some discussion, they decided to dissipate the Memory Bubble in three stages, with the three of them taking turns to bid farewell to the lonely old man.
"It's a miracle. Relying on just that tiny sliver of self remaining in the Memoria, he actually managed to fight the IPC until now... I really didn't misjudge him back then."
Herta looked at the Memory Bubble floating in the container nearby and couldn't help but sigh.
"I never thought I'd see you for the last time in this form, Chadwick."
"As much as I hate to admit it, you truly were a genuine genius."
Herta let out a light huff, her words tinged with obvious regret.
"In just a few short years, you solved problems that many long-lived old monsters couldn't solve in several lifetimes."
Herta sighed.
"Your talent in the field of the 'Imaginary' was something even I was a little envious of. I hope you can sleep well, Doctor."
As she finished speaking, she turned off the life support device.
"My understanding of you is not profound, Doctor."
Screwllum followed suit.
"We knew each other for a century, yet we met only a mere three times. But please, allow me to call you—'friend'."
"This may not be much of a comfort, but in my calculations, your research had the potential to save hundreds of millions of lives."
"Alas, that era is gone with the wind."
"Before the true disaster arrives, we can only pray—pray that the gaze of Nous will fall upon the next Calderon Chadwick."
The Memory Bubble preserved in the device shrank a little.
"Old geezer, I don't know you well, and I can't empathize, so I won't say anything sentimental."
Leon directly shut off the life support, without any hesitation.
"As a Galaxy Ranger, I can only promise you one thing: those who must pay the price will receive their due 'revenge'."
The Memory Bubble in the container completely dissipated.
"I never thought I'd personally send off a 'colleague' from the Society."
Herta was a bit emotional. "This feeling... it's quite strange."
"March 7th."
Leon showed no emotional fluctuation. He simply walked over to the girl who was recording the moment with her camera.
"I have some things to take care of. You probably can't come with me this time. Will you wait for me here?"
This time, Leon was going to the IPC headquarters. One wrong move and he could become a wanted criminal. It was better for her not to follow.
"Like last time?"
March 7th was referring to the time he suddenly disappeared in the Simulated Universe.
"Something like that, but I should be back sooner than last time."
Can the IPC produce an Aeon? Obviously not. Among Emanators of the same level, he was invincible!
"I'll wait for Leon."
Hearing this, March 7th nodded seriously and obediently replied.
"Good girl."
Leon patted her on the head.
"Don't worry. I'm the strongest stats-based character of the modern era. There's no problem in this world I can't solve."
He repeated the words he had spoken before.
"I'm off."
After giving all his instructions, Leon strode away, preparing to settle the debts owed to the deceased.
"Lady Herta... Ranger Leon..."
A faint, ethereal voice stopped him in his tracks.
Leon and Herta shifted their gazes to the container that had just held the Memory Bubble at almost the same instant.
"Inference: A faint remnant of Dr. Chadwick's self-awareness still lingers. It is urgently trying to communicate with us."
Screwllum immediately made a judgment on the situation.
"Come closer... please, come closer..."
Leon and Herta exchanged a look and stepped forward in unison.
"Lady Herta... Ranger Leon..."
"I'm listening, Doctor. If you have anything else to say, now's the time."
Herta responded.
"Old geezer, are you gonna drop some gold for me?"
Leon didn't want the atmosphere to be too serious.
"I have nothing to repay you with, Ranger Leon..."
"Only this hollow knowledge... please, accept it..."
"I believe... if it's you and Lady Herta... you will surely be able to put it to good use... to achieve... what I could not..."
_____
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