They truly were allies!
Athena and the others let out a long breath of relief. It was like enduring the darkest moment before dawn and finally beholding the first ray of sunlight—an overwhelming sense of joy and encouragement.
Since they were allies, then they should fight side by side—destroy the greatest enemy before them first, and discuss the rest later!
With the six Colossi of the Ancient Gods aiding the fight, the pace of exterminating the bio-weapons instantly surged to its peak.
In less than three hours, just as the sky began to lighten, not a single bio-weapon capable of moving remained on the entire Oceanus Star.
Only then did Im finally release the Pacifista units, who began dismembering the carcasses of the bio-weapons.
Eighteen transport ships shuttled ceaselessly between the surface and the Hades. Load after load of bio-weapons was hauled into the rear hangars of the Hades.
There, a fully automated bio-material refining line was waiting. The bio-weapons, brimming with life-force, were fed into the conveyor systems, and what flowed out from the terminals was the same black ichor that once piled into pyramid-like mounds on Pirate Star.
When combined with seastone and similar world-origin energy crystals, the other refining line could then produce bio-metals of varying grades.
In short, every inch of a bio-weapon was a treasure trove—and naturally, Roya would not let any of it go to waste.
Of course, unlike the Necrons of the void, Roya would never deliberately seed worlds with bio-weapons for endless cycles of "harvest." He simply took them as he found them, along with any energy crystals, and collected them in one sweep.
By now, Nuwa and the other Colossus pilots had stepped out of their titanic machines.
Together, they stood upon the highest terrace of Pangeae City, gazing at the transport craft weaving back and forth. Their expressions were complicated—unsure whether to feel joy or unease.
For joy: these outsiders had clearly come for the black ichor, just like the legendary Harvesters.
For unease: the outsiders had indeed saved them from dire peril, pulling their civilization's flame back from the brink of extinction.
"Nuwa, what do you think?"
Zeus glanced at Athena, who remained silent with furrowed brows, before finally turning to ask Nuwa.
Nuwa gave a slight shake of her head and was about to answer—when suddenly the thick clouds overhead were pierced by a shaft of golden light.
Whether sunlight or something else, it felt as though it shone directly into the depths of the soul, dispersing the long-oppressive gloom and warming one's very bones.
Soon, the people of Pangeae City and of the other five cities all gathered spontaneously in plazas large and small. Together, they gazed up at that beam of golden radiance, basking in the rare and comforting moment.
Within that golden light, Roya descended step by step, alighting before Nuwa and the others.
Nuwa's heart wavered, as though she were beholding a true Ancient God incarnate. An impulse surged within her to kneel and worship him with utmost reverence.
In that instant, Nuwa realized with unwavering certainty: these outsiders could not possibly be kin to the legendary Harvesters.
On the contrary—this young man before her must be the gravedigger of the Harvesters!
Roya smiled faintly and said to her, "Greetings, I am Roya."
As he spoke, he also wove his words with psychic resonance, transmitting the same intent, enhancing mutual understanding.
To his surprise, this time communication flowed smoothly.
Nuwa not only understood him directly, but even responded in a language so close in pronunciation and grammar to his own:
"Honored one, greetings. I am Nuwa, commander of this refuge city."
Roya pondered briefly and quickly understood.
The Colossi must have possessed some dampening effect against foreign psychic energy. Combined with Nuwa's own comparatively weak psychic sensitivity, she had been unable to receive his transmissions before.
Now, standing before him without the Colossus' shielding, she naturally could.
Moreover, it was clear that the people of this star were artificial constructs seeded by the Necrons, designed as tools to siphon warp-energy—just like the people of Pirate Star. Sharing the same origin, their languages were bound to be similar. Civilization may have diverged, but the gap was slight, allowing for easy adjustment and nearly seamless communication.
Since that was the case, Roya dispensed with pleasantries. He asked directly:
"Where is your Sanctuary? Take me there."
Though phrased as a question, his tone and manner admitted no doubt.
After all, his psychic sense had already mapped out the channels leading from each refuge city down into the underground Sanctuary. Yet, a shielding field blocked his probing beyond the threshold.
If not for his respect toward Nuwa and the others—seeing them as equals to the Pirate Star people—he had no need to ask. He could have walked in unchallenged. No one here could have stopped him.
At the revelation that Roya had already discerned the existence of the Sanctuary, Zeus and Odin's expressions turned grim.
The moment the sword dangling above their heads was seized from them, ambition crept back into their hearts. They longed to hoard leverage and bargaining chips for themselves.
If they could preserve the Sanctuary's secret and continue developing the Colossi, perhaps they too could soon take their first steps into the sea of stars.
Then they would not need to bow to anyone. They could stand as equals to this "Roya."
Leaders all, after all—why should he alone stand above the rest?
Nuwa, however, only pursed her lips, casting a sidelong glance at Zeus and Odin, openly displaying her disdain for their shortsightedness.
Then she turned back to Roya with a smile and said:
"Honored one, please follow me."
With that, she gave Fuxi a meaningful look, and together they made a gesture of invitation.
Roya inclined his head slightly. Under their respectful guidance, he moved toward the hidden passage.
As for Zeus and Odin, he could not have cared less about such pretenders, borrowing the names of ancient gods.
Before absolute power, schemes and stratagems were worth nothing.
Seeing this, Zeus, Odin, Thor, Mars, and Athena had no choice but to follow Roya into the passage leading from Pangeae City to the Sanctuary.
Though each harbored private thoughts, none could sway Nuwa's will within her city.
The people of Pangeae City were far more united than those of the other refuge cities. With but a single command from Nuwa, even before they could reach their Colossi, the citizenry could tear Zeus and Odin limb from limb.
Less than a quarter hour later, Roya stepped out of the narrow passage.
Before him, the world opened wide.
At the end of the tunnel lay a vast plaza, as large as four football fields.
All around the square, more than a dozen passageways had been carved open.
In several of them, people of varied complexions and garb bustled to and fro, weaving through the busy, lively scene.
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