Last Update for today and First for the New Volume! Next Update, Monday!
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Chapter 196: The Interastral Peace Corporation goes live! Launching the punitive expedition against Duke Inferno!
Penacony.
Hotel Lobby.
Aventurine put on his sunglasses.
He prepared to head to the front desk to check in.
Not long ago, he had reached a cooperation agreement with Ratio. Ratio promised to follow as soon as he finished handling matters at the university.
Aventurine happened to need to arrive a step ahead to complete a part of his "scheme."
"Wait here," Aventurine said to the security personnel.
He headed into the lobby alone.
The lobby was vast and bright. People were coming and going in large numbers. Some small groups were even gathered together, holding some kind of activity.
Aventurine didn't pay much attention at first.
Suddenly, two people in front of him excitedly held up signs in their hands.
They said to him, "Friend, please stay a moment!"
"May I ask if you acknowledge that Professor Veritas Ratio's wisdom is unparalleled in the world?"
Aventurine: "?"
He took off his sunglasses. Only then did he see the other party holding a life-size cardboard cutout of Ratio's game character art.
"Fine, fine, fine…"
"Ratio, this move of yours has earned you countless die-hard fans across the entire galaxy."
Seeing the expectant look on the other's face, Aventurine nodded cooperatively.
"I acknowledge it."
"Great, thank you!"
The man showed a look of satisfaction. He gave Aventurine a Dr. Ratio version sticker and very politely helped him stick it onto his suitcase.
"This is the blessing of [ Dr. Ratio ]. I wish you a wonderful day."
Aventurine nodded. These players were actually quite cute.
At that moment, two security guards from the Family suddenly walked over.
With cold faces, they said, "Who allowed you to form small groups here privately and interfere with guest check-ins?"
"The Family has a total ban on content related to Honkai: Star Rail!"
The man immediately became unhappy. "What does your Family's ban have to do with us players!"
A nearby player also said indignantly, "We came here to enter the dream. Who are you to care what game we play!"
"Is this the extent of the Family's inclusivity?"
"Exactly, exactly!"
"Who isn't a Star Rail player nowadays? Your Family has some nerve. You think you can ban Honkai: Star Rail just like that?"
The two sides looked like they were about to start a fight. Other passersby joined in to assist the players.
The lobby manager hurried over to mediate. However, the instructions received by both sides seemed different. The Family security and the lobby manager actually started arguing with each other.
The situation became increasingly chaotic.
Although Aventurine appeared indifferent, he didn't miss a single word of the key information revealed during the argument.
"The Family has a total ban on content related to Honkai: Star Rail?"
"Strange behavior…"
"In other words, the leaders of the Family believe that the future plot will be unfavorable to them."
"In short, they have a guilty conscience."
A chip appeared in Aventurine's hand. He flipped it gently. He felt this chip of his had become a bit heavier.
The hall became somewhat noisy. Just as more and more people were joining the condemnation of the Family, a large screen above the hotel lobby suddenly lit up.
The music of the Interastral Peace News sounded!
At the same time, the surrounding advertising machines, display screens, and so on were all switched to the same image!
For a moment, the entire hotel lobby was surrounded by the sound of the Interastral Peace News music.
"What's happening?"
"What's going on?"
The players in Penacony, the passing Dreamseekers, the Family security, the hotel lobby staff… everyone stopped at the same time. They stared at the content on the big screen.
The reporter was seen inside a spacecraft cabin, introducing to the camera: "Good evening, viewers."
"I am currently in the region of the Ever-Flame Mansion!"
"As you can see through the viewing window behind me, the Interastral Peace Corporation's warships have surrounded the perimeter of the Ever-Flame Mansion."
"The crusade against Duke Inferno of the Annihilation Gang and his cronies has reached its final closing stage!"
"I believe this notorious fire demon will surely receive his due punishment! The Interastral Peace Corporation will continue to ensure the safety and peace of the citizens of the universe…"
"This is the live broadcast site of Interastral Peace!"
"Our reporter will continue to report the latest battle situation for you!"
In an instant, the hands grabbing each other's collars were released.
Compared to the major events happening in the universe, their small bickering seemed a bit insignificant.
The lobby manager breathed a sigh of relief. It had to be said that this news broadcast came very timely. It successfully diverted everyone's attention.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have known how to end the situation here.
He also didn't know what kind of illness the Family's leaders had contracted to actually want to oppose Honkai: Star Rail.
One must know that the entire universe was full of Honkai: Star Rail players now. Wasn't this clearly going against all the guests?
At this moment, the players watching the news broadcast couldn't help but exclaim.
"The Corporation moves fast!"
"Duke Inferno should have been crusaded long ago!"
"This time, Duke Inferno is doomed!"
Suddenly, in the news broadcast, the camera jerked around. Something unexpected seemed to have happened!
Aside from the Corporation's fleet, another fleet arrived in the starry sea!
The reporter immediately became nervous: "A fleet has actually broken through the Corporation's blockade and arrived at the scene!"
"It looks like they are equipped with some kind of new weapon!"
"Could they be a force coming to aid the Ever-Flame Mansion?"
"Are they friend or foe?"
The Corporation's surrounding defensive fleet immediately entered a combat-ready posture, aiming at this suddenly appearing fleet.
However, this fleet also seemed to have anticipated this situation. They immediately presented their identification.
A huge logo lit up above them.
Seeing this logo, the players on the scene boiled over!
"That's… the Herta Space Station logo!"
"I was wondering why this felt so familiar! It's our friends from the Space Station!"
"I heard on the forums before that the Space Station was also going to crusade against Duke Inferno. I didn't expect these guys to be for real!"
"Good, good, good. This time that fire duke is dead for sure!"
Aventurine had already finished his check-in. But he wasn't in a hurry to go to his room. Instead, he stayed with the crowd, watching this scene with interest.
Although he knew in advance that the Corporation had launched a crusade against Duke Inferno, would that Duke Inferno, who had so much screentime in the game, really be captured so easily?
Perhaps there were still variables ahead?
…
Herta Space Station.
Seeing this scene on the news broadcast, many staff members cheered!
"It's our fleet!"
"It actually worked!"
"My warp technology is as reliable as ever!"
"Let the Annihilation Gang know! Our Space Station is not to be trifled with!"
"Those who offend my Space Station shall be punished, no matter how far away they are!"
A small portion of the Space Station staff had gone, while more remained at the station for remote control. This battle could be said to be well-prepared.
Asta spoke up: "Alright, next is the battle with the Ever-Flame Mansion."
"Everyone, stay sharp. All departments, ready!"
"I wish us a victorious start!"
She felt a slight nervousness in her heart, but it was mostly excitement and anticipation. After fighting in the game for so long, this time, a great battle was finally going to take place in reality.
With the technology of the Space Station and the armed forces of the Corporation, this time, it would definitely be enough to give Duke Inferno a run for his money.