[Then I wish you success in your endeavors, though the likelihood of you getting your wish is not great.]
Hearing her arrogant words, Elio had no reaction.
It was as if he had already seen the ending where she failed.
The Swarm Disaster. Its greatest danger lies in the "Swarm Emperor."
Or to use a more accurate phrasing, it is a Swarm that possesses a "Swarm Emperor," a True Sting.
If it were merely a swarm of insects without a commanding "Swarm Emperor," it would not actually be difficult for an "Emanator" to solve.
One could simply unleash planet-busting power or even higher maximum output, wiping out the entire insect swarm in a single second without leaving a single one alive, giving them no time to develop.
If that were the case, the matter would actually be easily quelled and resolved.
The strength of the Path of "The Propagation" lies precisely in its name.
Apart from the True Sting that acts as an "Emanator," the individual combat strength of the swarm is actually not that powerful. They are merely at the level of ordinary Pathstriders.
The terror of the insect swarm has always lain in the word "Swarm."
They not only possess super-strong vitality like cockroaches but also have a terrifyingly rapid reproduction rate. Ceaseless reproduction, without the slightest restriction.
Just as you kill one, the swarm has already birthed a hundred or even a thousand new self-destructing soldiers. Unless the core of "The Propagation" is removed directly, your killing speed will absolutely never catch up to their breeding speed.
And during the time of the Swarm Disaster, the existence acting as the core of "The Propagation" was the Aeon of "The Propagation," the Swarm Emperor Tayzzyronth.
How can a mortal offset the torrent of fate brought about by an "Aeon"?
No one can hurt an "Aeon," so naturally, no one could stop the devastation of the universe.
It was precisely because of this that the Swarm Disaster ultimately endangered nearly half the galaxy. If not for the start of the War of the Gods, where the "Aeons" took action one by one and directly suppressed the "Swarm Emperor," I fear no one in the entire galaxy could have survived the plague of locusts.
"This answer is truly hurtful."
Constance hummed lightly. Although she spoke words that carried a tone of defiance, she knew clearly in her heart that Elio was telling the truth.
Fundamentally, the reason the Swarm Disaster was so severe back then was simply that it was backed by a newly ascended "Aeon."
Without the most critical "Swarm Emperor" as support, so what if Dahlia reproduces the Swarm Disaster?
With Leon's strength, wanting to solve a few insect swarms would be effortless.
The reproduced Swarm Disaster is merely an empty shell; strictly speaking, it poses no threat.
Penacony, with Leon present, is indeed safer than anywhere else.
"But it doesn't matter."
Constance raised the corners of her lips, a faint ghostly blue fire emerging in her eyes.
"The Swarm Disaster was never the main point."
The exquisite main course must always appear as the finale, and before it appears, some mediocre dishes are needed as foreshadowing. By using contrast to raise expectations little by little, the final detonation will bring absolute shock.
"It is nothing more than an auxiliary existence meant to embellish my ascension."
Constance revealed a smile.
Her visit to Penacony this time was to complete the final step she lacked on the Path of "The Destruction," to fulfill Duke Inferno's dying wish.
[Become the smoldering fire beneath the sweet dream, embracing everything people covet into your bosom.]
In other words, to bring "The Destruction" to Penacony.
Only in this way is it worthy of the debut of "Ephemera."
According to Constance's original plan, she would utilize the terrain of Asdana, which is filled with "Memoria," and use the abilities of "Remembrance" to silently plant the seeds of "The Destruction" in Penacony.
Then, detonate them when the fuse is lit in the future.
Over a long period, the "The Destruction" that had accumulated thick and fast in people's hearts would directly destroy Penacony.
Just waiting; Constance never minded waiting.
Just as she would wait after becoming a Lord Ravager.
She would cause everyone in the galaxy to forget her ascension, as if the Eighth Lord Ravager had never appeared. Only when time marched toward its end would she take action.
The event in Penacony should originally have been like this as well.
Of course, plans never keep up with changes.
Before coming to Penacony, Constance made a trip to "The Family" first, joining the faction of "The Harmony" in advance to prepare for any eventuality.
For her, defection was as simple as eating and drinking.
And after "The Family" heard she was going to Penacony, they immediately gifted her a "Stellaron." Although they didn't explicitly say they were recruiting her back, their words implied she should test Leon.
There is a high probability that "The Family" saw through Constance's true colors, but they still accepted her and gifted her a "Stellaron."
The reason for doing so was simple: both sides wanted to use each other as a knife.
No matter what Constance wanted to do, as long as she was going to Penacony, to that place of trouble, then "The Family" would definitely give a secret push, then happily extricate themselves and wait for her to fight Leon.
After all, Leon seized Penacony.
And he seized it blatantly, without even saying hello.
He is more or less a guy who works against "The Family"; the grudge between the two was forged at that moment.
However, "The Family" definitely dares not provoke Leon openly; he is now a celebrity in the universe.
Even the always tough Corporation backed down for him, choosing to avoid his edge. Let alone "The Family."
Of course, although "The Family" dares not be his enemy, they are still very happy to secretly cause Leon some trouble.
Constance initially intended to use this "Stellaron" to deepen her own plan.
That is, to let it become the seed of "The Destruction."
But when Elio appeared and suggested the proposal of bringing the matter of the Swarm in Penacony out into the open, Constance had a new plan.
Reproduce the Swarm Disaster to accelerate the ascension process.
Then, after her own ascension, rely on her own mechanics to extract herself and leave.
Turtle until the time of "Terminus" to come out of the mountains.
"However, would you really allow the option of 'The Propagation' to appear?"
Constance looked at Elio.
To be honest, she hadn't expected the other party to actively place "The Propagation" on the bright side. One must know, not a single normal person in the galaxy wants "The Propagation" to reappear even slightly.
Yet Elio not only didn't hide it but directly and actively proposed cooperation to reproduce the Swarm Disaster.
Constance hadn't expected him to be so extreme.
It was simply as if Elio had some goal that required the resurrection of the Swarm Disaster to achieve.
[Since there is sufficient insurance, why not give it a go?]
Elio answered thus, seemingly having no intention of telling her his plan.
The Swarm Disaster—the reason he proposed this thing to Constance was more to help Firefly solve some problems.
If this goes smoothly, Firefly will not only no longer have to suffer the pain of "Entropy Loss Syndrome," but her combat power will also improve by a large margin.
Normally, Elio would definitely make a decision after careful consideration.
But with Leon as a safety net, Elio felt that whether it was the method of action or the direction of thought, he could be bolder and more radical.
Also, he needed a Stellaron Hunter to connect with Leon for future use. This person could be his friend, subordinate, or even lover.
Anyway, there must be a relationship that allows Leon to take action justifiably.
Only in this way can Elio pave a few more roads for the future savior.
"Get ready."
After leaving this sentence with Constance, Elio's figure disappeared in the blink of an eye the next second.
He left this place directly.
...
Penacony, Primal Memory Zone.
Elio, this damn cat engaging in double-dealing, came to find Leon after finishing his chat with Constance.
[Do you like innocent high school girls?]
Elio, suddenly appearing in front of Leon, spoke words of unclear meaning.
"I like high stats, brother."
Leon exclaimed, asking what he meant and telling him to get lost and play on the side.
"If you have business with me, hurry up and say it."
He conversed seriously with Elio.
"If there's nothing, then what riddle are you speaking all day? Need some correction, huh?"
"Hah!"
Hearing the words "Need some correction," Elio directly triggered his underlying code!
"What, you not convinced?"
Leon reached out, grabbed the nape of his destiny's neck, lifted him up, and asked.
[Actually, it's nothing major.]
Elio, being held by him, sighed and looked him in the eye with a drooping head.
[A member of the Stellaron Hunters has also followed me to Penacony. She shares a common goal with you; I believe you will run into each other in a while.]
[If possible, I hope you can help me take care of this child a bit more.]
Elio no longer hid it, stating his purpose for coming to find him.
"Common goal?"
Leon wondered what Elio was referring to. "Could you be talking about the insect swarm?"
There was actually no real insect swarm in Penacony.
At least, judging from Leon's current perception, that was the case.
But it was undeniable that the aura of "The Propagation" indeed existed here.
Though he didn't know exactly what the deal was.
[Yes.] Elio nodded.
"Does this Penacony really have an insect swarm?"
At least from Leon's perception, he hadn't found it.
[It does, but not the kind of insect swarm you are thinking of.]
Does Penacony have an insect swarm? Strictly speaking, actually no.
There isn't the kind of insect swarm in the broad definition.
Not long ago, Penacony was indeed attacked by a Swarm Disaster once. But that matter had already been successfully resolved.
In the end, not a single Propagation insect survived. The only thing forever left in Penacony was that Glamoth Iron Cavalry who was plotted against by the Dreammaster.
The aura of "The Propagation" filling Penacony now all originated from this Iron Cavalry, and her memories stirring up a riot of "The Propagation" in the Memory Zone.
[Have you heard of the Glamoth Iron Cavalry?]
The Glamoth Iron Cavalry and the insect swarm originate from the same source; they can be considered an alternative insect swarm.
"No."
Leon let go of the hand grabbing Elio's scruff, letting him free-fall.
"Also, I hate people hiding things from me."
"If you want me to help you, you know the rules. Show your sincerity."
He looked at Elio coldly as he spoke, making him reveal the plan in its entirety.
[Alright, the matter is like this.]
Seeing this, Elio understood that if he didn't make nice now, there would definitely be no hope of asking him for help in the future.
Next, Elio briefly explained to Leon the plan he was preparing to carry out.
Including but not limited to Constance's coronation plan, the reappearance of the Swarm Disaster, why he organized all this, and what he sought.
"Are you that confident?"
After listening to everything, Leon made an evaluation.
Elio had busied himself with so much; to summarize simply what he wanted:
Through the Swarm Disaster, let Firefly become the recognized "Swarm Emperor."
According to his words, this could solve the "Entropy Loss Syndrome."
Leon didn't understand, so he asked for details again.
"Entropy Loss Syndrome" is not a disease, nor is it a genetic defect.
It is the underlying logic of the Path of "The Propagation."
Like the Meme Body of "Remembrance," it belongs to a special buff.
But such buffs are all double-edged swords; where there is strengthening, there is a corresponding cost.
Just as the cost of the Meme Body is losing the physical body, the cost of Propagation is this ending named "Entropy Loss Syndrome."
Every Pathstrider of "The Propagation" cannot avoid it.
The special ability of "The Propagation" is that it can tightly connect every Pathstrider of "The Propagation" together, just like a single individual, and they are clearly divided into top-tier, upper-tier, and lower-tier.
The top tier, needless to say, is the "Swarm Emperor."
The upper tier is the existence named "True Sting."
And in Glamoth, the "True Sting" corresponds to the "Empress."
The lower tier is, of course, those ordinary insect swarms, which are the mass-produced Glamoth Iron Cavalry like Firefly.
"Entropy Loss Syndrome."
What exactly is this thing, and how did this mechanism come about?
I fear we have to trace it back to the ascension of the "Swarm Emperor."
Why did the Aeon of "The Propagation," Tayzzyronth, ascend?
Because He feared loneliness.
Craving love, lacking love; craving kin, lacking kin.
Therefore, He began to seek the birth and breeding of life, began to seek the continuation of self.
And in the end, Tayzzyronth succeeded.
He had countless kin, but these kin would also die together after His death.
And all of this was reflected completely on the Pathstriders of "The Propagation."
As stated above, after the death of the True Sting to which they belong, the insect swarm will completely lose vitality and fall into silence.
From the moment of "separation from the swarm," the fate of death is already destined.
For the Glamoth Iron Cavalry, Glamoth was definitely that cluster they absolutely could not leave.
And only by staying within that cluster could they maintain their lives.
But now that Glamoth has fallen, there is no one who can stop the outbreak of "Entropy Loss Syndrome."
According to Elio, the reason Firefly has been able to live until now relies entirely on a moment of enlightenment she had before.
She became the sole survivor after the destruction of Glamoth, wrapped in extreme despair and loneliness.
Finally, like the Swarm Emperor, she ascended her self once under such extreme circumstances.
She ended the final battle as a Glamoth Iron Cavalry and also contacted that power named "The Propagation" within her body.
But this degree of ascension, if it's just a King, is still far from enough for her to escape her fate; it is only enough for her to drag out an ignoble existence for a period of time.
For this, Firefly must become the Emperor of "The Propagation"!
Take over the position of the "Swarm Emperor" and make herself the new cluster of "The Propagation"!
Only in this way can the Entropy Loss Syndrome be completely and thoroughly solved!
____
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