Rescuing Stacean Lucius Star Map Draftsman II: Fate of the Galaxy

Dawn Lucius read the message from Sandra over and over again. Ailven claimed he had contacted “a sizable group” to rescue Stacean Lucius. From Ailven’s smug, conspiratorial smirk, Dawn could guess the group consisted of mercenaries funded by the Defenders’ Alliance—likely former loyalists of a deposed general from some civilization in the cosmos. Clinging fiercely to their revolutionary convictions, they scraped by on the strength of their self-proclaimed “principles of justice.” Their rigidity and utter lack of pragmatism had left them perpetually frustrated; every rare chance to earn a living was hamstrung by their unyielding moral code, which forbade them from taking even a single extra credit to sustain their fading ideals.

Minister Zhou Qing issued orders to his subordinates right in front of Dawn, urging the assembled scientists to help Dawn find his son. “This is just one father helping another,” were his exact words—simple, yet heavier than any official decree. The party guests scattered, spreading Stacean’s information through their networks. Zhou Qing sent out everyone he could spare, contacting every influential figure he knew, anxiously recounting how a friend’s child had been abducted and begging for their assistance. “Even a tiny lead would mean the world,” he implored. Finally, he dispatched his household servants as well. “Take your weapons,” he told them, as they rushed to leave without even changing into proper gear. Only when they reluctantly grabbed their guns did Zhou Qing give them a thumbs-up and wave them off.

Dawn was overwhelmed with gratitude toward Zhou Qing. He clutched the Star Source embedded in his arm tightly. With his son and beloved trapped in mortal peril, the Star Source was the only thing Dawn truly possessed. He had no connections, no power—nothing that could save the people he cared about. If he wanted to protect what was dear to him, he could only hope that the so-called “civilized” beings of the galaxy still retained a shred of decency. Yet here were these nameless, faceless thugs—worse than common gangsters or pirates—kidnapping and harming Stacean. It was as if every lowly insect in the Galaxy thought it could bully his son. Dawn clenched his fists, his thumb rubbing furiously at the knuckle of his index finger until it turned white. Only strength, only power, only influence can shield the ones you love, he thought. This is what I must do.

“Now, what’s your plan?” After everyone had been sent away, the once-lively dining room was empty save for Zhou Qing and Dawn. The minister walked over and asked.

“Thank you for your help, Minister Zhou Qing—truly. For now, I think I’ll wait for news,” Dawn replied.

“I see.” Zhou Qing raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by Dawn’s decision. If it were him, he would have grabbed a weapon and charged out with his servants hours ago.

Dawn nodded silently.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” Zhou Qing asked, his face breaking into a warm smile once more.

“You’ve already done so much to help find my son, Minister Zhou Qing. I can’t possibly ask for more,” Dawn said, forcing a faint smile. But the moment he turned his head, the cloud of worry settled back over his brow.

“Don’t say that. These are just small things I can do within my means. If you asked for something beyond my ability, I’d be powerless to help. I only did this because I couldn’t bear to see another father suffer—that’s all,” Zhou Qing chuckled. He moved to stand on the other side of Dawn, his tone growing earnest. “Even though you’re Ailven’s assistant, I’ve always felt there’s something different about you. A strong sense of purpose, or something like that—I can’t quite put it into words. Besides, if you ever run into trouble, you can come to me directly. I’ll always do my best to help.”

“You really think so?” This was the first time anyone had ever described him as having a “strong sense of purpose.”

Zhou Qing nodded firmly.

“Since you’ve been so kind, Minister Zhou Qing, I can’t keep hiding the truth from you any longer.” Dawn stepped closer, closing the distance between them. He clenched his right fist, tilted his head back, and shut his eyes, letting his thoughts drift through the memories of his life and the endless, swirling sea of dark matter that filled the universe. He felt like a toddler wandering into a desert-sized playground of sand—grabbing handfuls, letting it slip through his fingers, untethered. When he opened his eyes, his body was floating, wrapped in a shimmering purple aura. A blinding orb of energy pulsed in his right palm. He watched as Zhou Qing froze like a statue, then let the sand slip away. He released the dark matter energy coiled within his body, steadied himself, and stood tall again. On the outside, he was still the same man—but inside, he was no longer who he had been.

“What are you doing? Who are you?” After a long, stunned silence, Zhou Qing stammered, pointing at Dawn in disbelief.

“Allow me to reintroduce myself, Minister Zhou Qing.” Dawn took one final step forward, until they were only an arm’s length apart. “My name is Dawn Lucius. I am the Star Map Draftsman of the Orion Arm. I come from the Solar System—a Level Zero civilization. Hamilton kidnapped my son during the Battle of Visadio Planet to coerce me into cooperating with him. That is how we came to meet today.”

“Oh… oh! So you’re… I thought… I mean…” Zhou Qing spluttered, completely lost for words. Perhaps he had never imagined he would actually meet the Star Map Draftsman in the flesh. Before this moment, the Star Map Draftsman had been nothing more than a character in a children’s encyclopedia—like the big bad wolf in bedtime stories, a creature most people spent their entire lives hearing about but never seeing.

Dawn kept his composure, his face impassive, waiting for Zhou Qing to collect his thoughts.

“I always thought these were just stories,” Zhou Qing finally managed to say, waving a hand dismissively. Then, his signature smile reappeared. He clasped his hands together in front of his chest, squeezing them tightly, and continued. “If there’s anything I can do to help you, it would be my honor, young…” He paused, catching himself, and quickly corrected himself. “…Star Map Draftsman.”

“I’d like to ask you for a favor, Minister Zhou Qing.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Ten scientists, and one warship. Would this request be too much to ask?”

“That’s easy enough. If you don’t have high requirements for the warship, the Defenders’ Alliance has plenty to spare—dozens are orbiting the planet right now, all with brand-new weapons systems. But I’m curious—why do you want scientists instead of soldiers?”

“Minister Zhou Qing, the Solar System civilization is too backward. Only by strengthening ourselves through science and technology can we learn to protect ourselves. I hope these scientists can teach my people, help them join the ranks of interstellar travelers. Our civilization has barely ventured beyond our own star system—it’s as if we’re imprisoned there by the universe. I want them to be able to defend themselves, not to cultivate the ability to wage war. Most importantly, I want my son to be safe, so that I can continue to fulfill my duty as the Star Map Draftsman.”

“I see, I see. No problem at all! We have many young scientists eager to prove themselves—though they don’t have much practical experience…” Zhou Qing suddenly trailed off, realizing his mistake. Sending inexperienced scientists to the Star Map Draftsman might come across as a deliberate slight. He wrung his hands anxiously, his brow furrowing.

“Minister Zhou Qing…” Dawn stepped forward, placing a hand on Zhou Qing’s wrist to calm him. He looked Zhou Qing straight in the eyes and continued. “I understand exactly what you mean, and I appreciate it more than I can say. The knowledge these ‘inexperienced’ scientists possess would take the Solar System civilization hundreds of years to acquire—if we even survive that long. This is more than enough. Thank you for your kindness. I will be grateful to you for many years to come. And on behalf of my son—thank you.”

Hearing the Star Map Draftsman’s words, Zhou Qing was momentarily speechless. He thought for a moment, then swallowed hard, searching for the right thing to say.

“Minister Zhou Qing…” Dawn shook Zhou Qing’s wrist gently, waiting for him to respond before letting go.

“Oh! Oh, it’s my honor. I’ll arrange for the scientists to be sent to you right away. We also have some professional soldiers—not the federation’s kind. Would you like me to send some of them as well?”

“Just the scientists, please.”

“Of course, of course! As for the warship…” Zhou Qing pointed up at the ships floating in the sky, gesturing to the largest ones. “Those are all combat-grade vessels, with their own self-sustaining ecosystems. They can carry and repair fighter ships. Take your pick—any one you like.”

“Minister Zhou Qing, I’ll leave the choice to you,” Dawn said with a smile, bowing slightly in gratitude.

“Excellent! I’ll make the arrangements immediately. I expect they’ll arrive in the Solar System within the time it takes to finish a meal.”

“Thank you, Minister Zhou Qing. To avoid any misunderstandings, I’ll record a video message to send to you. Please pass it along to the scientists. When they arrive in the Solar System, showing this video will allow them to lead my people.”

“Of course, of course!” Zhou Qing pulled out his comm device, selected ten scientists from his contacts, and sent them their mission orders. He then processed the warship authorization code. When he saw the mission status change to “Authorized,” he let out a satisfied sigh of relief. Turning to Dawn, he said, “It’s done. Now, what are your plans next?”

“Thank you.” Dawn took a step back and bowed deeply to Zhou Qing. Zhou Qing hurried forward, intending to help him up—but the memory of the purple energy emanating from Dawn’s body made him hesitate, and he quickly pulled his hand back.

“Please, no need for such formalities!” Zhou Qing said quickly.

“You asked me about my next plan earlier. First, I need to return to Planet Gorov to retrieve my ship. Then, I’ll go after the ship distributing White Crystal. I’ve been tracking Sandra’s location—they should be in Moreth Federation territory right now. I intend to find out who is behind this White Crystal scheme. If someone is trying to provoke a war, I cannot stand idly by.”

“Could this be Jonathan Moreth Steader’s doing? I’ve heard that this young Moreth Steader is extremely power-hungry. It was he who instigated the Battle of Visadio Planet.”

“That’s true. But White Crystal doesn’t fit his style. He craves power sources like the Star Source—not immortality.”

“I see. Still, I think this White Crystal business is probably a hoax. Your top priority should be rescuing Sandra and your son, and getting them safely back to the Solar System. As for the White Crystal—it’s most likely just a ruse to rally people to their cause. It won’t amount to anything,” Zhou Qing said, his eyes carefully observing Dawn’s facial expression as he spoke.

“You’re absolutely right, Minister Zhou Qing. Protecting my son comes first. Everything else can wait until later,” Dawn agreed.

Hearing Dawn say this, Zhou Qing’s face lit up with even more pleasure. He relaxed his hands, which had been tightly clasped in front of his chest, and rested them on his round belly.

“By the way, Minister Zhou Qing—what happened to your child? Is there anything I can do to help?” Dawn asked.

“Not right now. Everything will be fine. You focus on taking care of your own affairs first. But if there ever comes a day when I need the help of the Star Map Draftsman… please don’t refuse me,” Zhou Qing replied.

“Minister Zhou Qing…” Dawn walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. In the future, please don’t stand on ceremony. Just call me Dawn.”

“That would be inappropriate, absolutely inappropriate!” Zhou Qing quickly waved his hands in refusal. “You are an emissary appointed by the Datheon. Every civilization, every person in the galaxy has a duty to assist you.”

Seeing that Zhou Qing was insistent, Dawn didn’t press the issue. He walked toward the door, calling over his shoulder, “If you ever need anything from me, don’t hesitate to ask.”

With Zhou Qing’s arrangements in place, Dawn set off for Planet Gorov.

On his way to visit Master Sakya, Jonathan let the ship’s autopilot take control. He felt utterly exhausted, as if he had just finished a death-defying sprint. His throat was parched with thirst. He stumbled to the galley and poured himself a cup of hot water—but as the water gradually cooled, he remained transfixed by the lines on his palm, never once taking a sip. He closed his eyes, searching every cell in his body for signs of change, for any damage that might have been done. Apart from the soreness in his muscles, he felt perfectly fine. Frustrated, he stripped off all his clothes, dragged his weary body to the bathroom, and stood in front of the mirror, examining every inch of his skin, every single pore. Exhaustion finally overtook him. He grabbed a towel at random, threw it on the floor, curled up on top of it, and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

When Jonathan woke up again, his ship had been hovering in orbit around Planet Navia for hours. He felt his strength returning; the exhaustion that had plagued him was like a winter chill that had just lifted, replaced by a warm, revitalizing sensation spreading through his body. But his tongue felt as dry and cracked as a high plateau ravaged by a bitter wind. Jonathan crawled to the faucet and drank greedily, ignoring the ship’s AI, which kept warning him that the water was not safe for consumption. He drank until his throat ached, then finally stopped. Clenching his fists, he held his breath, tensing every muscle in his body until he reached his limit. Then, he tilted his head back and screamed at the ceiling, pouring out all the anger and frustration of his life. The echo of his voice reverberated in his ears, so loud it made his eyes water. After a few minutes, he turned on the shower and washed himself thoroughly. He combed his hair carefully, shaved his face clean, and even trimmed the fine hairs on his ears. Only when his signature confident smile returned to his face did he feel satisfied. He got dressed, boarded a shuttle craft, and landed on the planet, making his way to Sakya’s laboratory.

“Back so soon? Did you find what you were looking for?” Sakya didn’t look up from his work as he greeted Jonathan. The old man was buried in piles of data, the same tedious numbers that had accompanied him for most of his life—numbers that had never once complained about his company.

“Thank you for your introduction, Master. It was quite fruitful,” Jonathan replied, pacing back and forth across the lab instead of sitting down. He had always looked down on Sakya’s research, but now everything had changed. Hamilton needed Sakya’s research results, and Jonathan needed the replica Star Source that Hamilton was developing. Or perhaps it was a real Star Source—either way, Jonathan now valued this data more than anything else in the galaxy.

“Oh?” Sakya continued to analyze the data, his attention still focused on his work. Jonathan launched into a long, elaborate account of his travels to Planet Gorov and Planet Vonia, sparing no details in his praise of Hamilton and his glowing description of the Defenders’ Alliance’s grandeur. But he carefully omitted any mention of Hamilton kidnapping the Star Map Draftsman’s son to research the Star Source, of the Super Star Bridge, and certainly of his own experience wearing the device Hamilton had created. Most of what he said was pure fabrication.

“All in all, it was a very successful trip,” Jonathan concluded with a satisfied smile.

“Why aren’t you back on Kunek Planet managing your federation? Instead, you’ve come back to me—surely you must want something,” Sakya said, finally pulling his hands away from the console. He rubbed his thighs gently, then turned to face Jonathan.

“It’s nothing important. Besides, Master, you know my situation better than anyone. The Moreth Federation doesn’t need me to manage it,” Jonathan replied coldly, his eyes fixed on the screen behind Sakya.

“But the Orion Arm only recognizes you as the Moreth Steader of the Moreth Federation. It is your federation,” Sakya insisted.

“Master, I’m nothing but a figurehead—a political symbol,” Jonathan scoffed.

“Then what is it that you truly want?”

“I don’t want to be a symbol. I want to be recognized—to have them acknowledge me as the Moreth Steader of the Moreth Federation from the bottom of their hearts.”

“But you are the Moreth Steader,” Sakya said, spreading his hands and gesturing at Jonathan.

“Am I?” Jonathan let out a bitter laugh and walked to the other side of the lab. He hung his head, his voice filled with resentment. “Master, do you know what happened the last time I came to visit you? I was hijacked in orbit by a group of soldiers wearing Moreth Federation uniforms…” He pointed up at the sky, his finger trembling with anger. “Only one person recognized me as the Moreth Steader. The others—those lowly soldiers—had no idea who I was. Me, the Moreth Steader of the Moreth Federation, robbed by my own soldiers! It’s absurd! That’s why I need this—to have everyone acknowledge me as their leader, truly and sincerely.”

“I suppose if I were your age, I would feel the same way,” Sakya conceded. “But you must understand—power and the recognition of others ultimately mean nothing in the grand scheme of things…”

“Master, please don’t try to lecture me,” Jonathan interrupted, holding up a hand to stop him.

“Very well, very well,” Sakya said, waving a hand dismissively. He changed the subject. “You said you were robbed? What did they take?”

“White Crystal!”

“White Crystal?” Sakya’s voice suddenly rose, and he sat up straight in his chair, his eyes widening in surprise. “But that was destroyed by Madam Winifred, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t know.”

“I haven’t left the surface of this planet in a long time, so I have no idea what’s happening out there in the galaxy. But when I go to the tavern to relax, I hear rumors. There’s a massive ship roaming the Orion Arm, distributing White Crystal to the rich, the powerful, and the influential—anyone with enough status. At first, I thought it was just a myth. But now that you’ve mentioned it… I think there’s more to this story than meets the eye,” Sakya said thoughtfully.

“Master, things are far more complicated out there than they are with your data,” Jonathan said, his tone laced with sarcasm.

“My data is not simple…” Sakya retorted, sounding annoyed.

“You’re absolutely right—I spoke out of turn. Master Sakya’s research is anything but simple,” Jonathan said quickly, forcing a smile. The tension between them eased slightly. He sat down opposite Sakya and continued. “Master, you just said someone is distributing White Crystal?”

“Yes.”

“It seems another Madam Winifred has emerged,” Jonathan muttered.

“Not necessarily.” Sakya shook his head, his gaze fixed on Jonathan. “The secret of refining White Crystal was known only to Madam Winifred. She chose to destroy it, so she would never allow it to resurface. This time… it seems someone is trying to gather power quickly for some other purpose. And what purpose requires such power? Only war.”

“Who would dare challenge the three great federations? Besides, the war between them has only just ended. I can’t imagine who would stand to gain from starting another one,” Jonathan mused aloud.

“Whatever it is, it can’t be good. Could it be Lord Winifred? Hasn’t he always coveted the power of the Ashton Federation?”

“No.” Jonathan shook his head. He thought back to what Hamilton had told him, and realized this was something he should share with Sakya. He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering. “Mr. Hamilton says Lord Winifred’s ship is no ordinary vessel. It’s more like the Star Map Draftsman’s ship—powered by dark matter. And he’s already flown to the edge of the Orion Arm by now.”

“A ship like the Star Map Draftsman’s?” Sakya’s voice rose again, even louder this time.

“Yes. It seems Madam Winifred wasn’t exiling Lord Winifred—she was helping him escape. Ah…” Jonathan suddenly stood up from his chair, a look of realization dawning on his face. His offhand comment had made him see the truth clearly. Madam Winifred must have known about the consequences of dark matter depletion. That’s why she had taken the opportunity to send Lord Winifred away first. Jonathan was so excited he began to pace back and forth, waving his hands wildly. “That’s it! That’s it! She must have known! She definitely knew!”

“Knew what?” Sakya stood up too, leaning forward eagerly.

“About the depletion of dark matter! About all of this…” Jonathan gestured wildly, encompassing the entire universe in his sweep.

“All of what?”

“About the depletion of dark matter, about how to use dark matter, about dark matter-powered ships and the Star Source! And most importantly—about what the depletion of dark matter will bring, what opportunities it will create! That’s why she sent Lord Winifred away…”

“What you’re saying is quite incredible,” Sakya said, sitting back down in his chair, a look of skepticism crossing his face.

“No, Master—listen to me! It’s not incredible at all! It’s just that we’re limited by our knowledge—by the things we don’t know yet,” Jonathan insisted passionately.

“What knowledge?”

“For example—the edge of the universe. You’ve spent your entire life researching it, and you’ve never found any clues. But what if someone already knows where it is?”

At the mention of the edge of the universe, Sakya’s interest was instantly piqued. He stood up again, staring at Jonathan intently. “Who has discovered it?”

“No—no one has discovered it yet. But what if you could find it by cooperating with others?”

“I see. So this is why you’ve come back to me,” Sakya said, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

“What?”

“You want to persuade me to cooperate with someone, don’t you? Don’t bother—I have no intention of working with anyone,” Sakya said, turning to glance at the door to his other laboratory.

“Master, why are you being so stubborn? I don’t have time to beat around the bush, so I’ll just come out and say it…”

“I have no desire to hear it,” Sakya cut him off sharply.

“Master—Mr. Hamilton has asked me to invite you to join his research team. He has a well-funded team of scientists, far more resources than you have working alone. Together, you could achieve far more than you ever could on your own…”

“That’s enough! Do you know how many times I’ve refused him?” Sakya snapped, his patience finally wearing thin.

“I don’t know. But Master—I think…” Jonathan was eager to get back to Hamilton, to see what opportunities lay hidden in his research results. Combined with Hamilton’s replica Star Source, this could be his ticket to ruling the Orion Arm—even the entire Galaxy. He had no time to waste on further arguments. He walked straight up to Sakya, rolled up his sleeve, and revealed the burn scar on his arm—the mark left by the replica Star Source. Sakya glanced at it quickly, then turned away, determined not to show any sympathy for the young man.

“Wait a minute—that’s…” Sakya recognized the pattern instantly. He spun around abruptly, pointing at Jonathan’s arm. “Could it be… you have it?”

“No.” Jonathan shook his head, pulling his sleeve back down. He stepped closer to Sakya, his voice filled with urgency. “Mr. Hamilton’s team has created it. They understand the universe far better than we do, and they share your belief that the universe has an edge. That’s why they want to invite you to Planet Gorov—to join them in their research.”

“I’m used to working alone, doing things my own way. I have no interest in teaming up with others,” Sakya said after a moment’s thought.

“Very well.” Jonathan walked over to Sakya and patted him on the shoulder. “Master, life is short. Sometimes we have to take a leap of faith, even if there are moral principles standing in our way. We shouldn’t let anything hold us back from achieving our dreams. I’ve always chased after what I want in life—even if you or others think I’m unscrupulous, I don’t care. If I want something, I fight for it. Neither of us has taken White Crystal, unlike those other people. We don’t have centuries to waste.”

“That’s enough—you may leave now. I will not go,” Sakya said, shaking his head firmly.

“Very well, Master. Until next time.” With that, Jonathan turned and walked toward the door.

“Wait a minute! You said Lord Winifred’s ship is what?” Sakya called out, stopping him in his tracks.

“It’s like the Star Map Draftsman’s ship—powered by dark matter,” Jonathan replied, pausing with one foot already out the door.

“So they’ve mastered the use of dark matter?” Sakya asked, his voice barely a whisper, his eyes wide with fascination.

“So it seems you are interested, Master?” Jonathan asked, turning back to look at Sakya with a triumphant smile.

“Get out of here,” Sakya said, waving a hand dismissively. Jonathan had already achieved his goal—there was no need to stay any longer. He returned to his ship and set off at full speed into the depths of the cosmos.

When Dawn finally reached the location marked by Sandra’s signal, he found himself in Strath Federation territory. He had always thought of the Strath Federation as a Level One civilization—nowhere near as advanced as the Level Two Ashton and Moreth Federations. But what he saw now shattered that perception completely. As he emerged from the gravitational depression point, he barely avoided colliding with a massive ship shaped like an octopus—or more precisely, with one of its many sucker-like docking bays. It was less of a ship and more of a colossal structure built around a dying star, which served as the octopus’s head. The main body was a massive rectangular prism, with a huge artillery cannon mounted on each face. The rest of the structure was covered in a dense array of ships of all shapes and sizes—some departing, others searching for a place to dock. At the tail end of the main body, seven massive tentacle-like corridors extended outward, lined with glowing lights that looked exactly like octopus suckers. Dawn had almost crashed into one of these corridors—it was the designated landing area for humans and other small creatures, and it looked more like a bustling marketplace for visitors to wander around in. Dawn flew toward Sandra’s signal, finally finding a suitable entrance near one of the tentacle corridors. He landed his ship and disembarked. There were no security checks at the entrance. After walking through a narrow passage, he found himself in what felt like a lively morning market.

People of all shapes and sizes bustled about, exchanging information. Some traveled in heavily armed groups, while others wandered alone. A few haggled loudly with vendors selling White Crystal at exorbitant prices, while others peddled “guides” claiming to reveal the secrets of obtaining White Crystal. In short—this place was obsessed with White Crystal, and nothing else. Dawn saw that Sandra’s signal was not far away, and it was moving toward the interior of the massive rectangular ship. He quickened his pace, rushing toward the signal. But when he reached the junction between the tentacle corridor and the main body, he found that entry required a special authorization pass. He tried repeatedly to explain to the guards that he was there to rescue someone, pointing out that he could see Sandra and Stacean’s backs—they were being escorted inside by a group of men. Dawn shouted their names at the top of his lungs, but it was no use. I’m not bound by some code of ethics, he thought. I’m here to protect the people I care about. Without hesitation, he unleashed the full power of the Star Map Draftsman. In an instant, the noisy marketplace fell completely silent, replaced only by the agonized groans of the mercenaries and guards. He grabbed Sandra and Stacean, and the three of them ran toward the exit as fast as they could. But when they reached the docking bay, they found it surrounded by a squadron of military ships.

“Dawn, don’t attack—we don’t need to make any more enemies,” Sandra said, placing a hand on Dawn’s shoulder. He had already used dark matter energy to create a protective shield around the three of them, and was about to destroy the circling ships when she stopped him.

“Alright,” Dawn said, lowering his hand—but he did not deactivate the shield.

The standoff lasted for several tense minutes. The once-crowded marketplace had emptied completely—no one wanted to get caught in the crossfire of a fight that didn’t concern them. The military ships kept their cannons aimed at the shield, but the lead ship retracted its weapons and slowly approached them. It landed gently on the ground, and a man stepped out, wearing a bright red uniform with no insignia or markings. He stood beside the ship, staring at the three of them, as the devices on his wrists continued to flash, scanning them. Only when the devices beeped, indicating they had found the information they were looking for, did they finally shut off.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Star Map Draftsman. What brings you to my humble abode?” The short-haired man looked like a walking torch as he stepped closer to the shield and stopped, his voice cold and calculating.

“I’m here to rescue my family,” Dawn replied, his eyes locked on the man.

“We captured your people? That can’t be right,” the man said with a mocking laugh, glancing back at the still-circling military ships.

“You’re distributing White Crystal, aren’t you?” Dawn countered, ignoring the man’s sarcasm.

“That’s hardly any of the Star Map Draftsman’s business, is it?” the man said, slinging a gun off his shoulder and holding it in both hands, his finger hovering near the trigger. “You storm into my territory, destroy my property, offer no explanation—and now you dare to question me?”

“What is your purpose?” Dawn demanded, raising his voice, his patience wearing thin. He raised his hand again, and purple energy began to rise from the surface of the circling military ships. The energy coalesced, squeezing the ships until their metal hulls creaked and groaned under the pressure. The man in red opened fire, spraying bullets at the shield—but the bullets vanished the moment they touched it, as if they had never existed at all. Dawn rotated his wrist, preparing to crush the ships completely. But he didn’t stop there—he turned his gaze toward the massive octopus-shaped ship and raised his hand again.

“Dad! Dad, stop!” Stacean shouted, shaking Dawn’s arm frantically. He even stepped in front of Dawn, looking him straight in the eyes, his voice filled with urgency. “It’s not worth it! It’s not worth it! You’re not this kind of person!”

Dawn finally stopped—but the anger burning inside him was like a roaring furnace in the depths of winter, showing no sign of abating.

“Stand down!” Just as more soldiers began to assemble, preparing to surround them, a command crackled over the ship’s intercom system. The soldiers froze in their tracks. The voice continued, calm and unemotional. “My apologies, Star Map Draftsman. We had no idea that someone had captured your family. Kukra City receives a great many visitors every day—it’s difficult for us to keep track of everyone’s actions.”

“Why are you distributing White Crystal?” Dawn demanded loudly, his voice echoing across the empty marketplace.

“You misunderstand. We do not manufacture White Crystal—we lack the technology to do so,” the voice replied.

“Then where did you get it?”

“That information is not for public disclosure. Now that you have found your family, please, Star Map Draftsman—leave Kukra City as soon as possible,” the voice said, its tone final, with no room for negotiation.

“What is your scheme? Are you trying to provoke another war? If you don’t tell me the truth, I’ll go up there and find out for myself,” Dawn said, raising his hand again and pointing toward the massive octopus-shaped ship.

“No—no. We are merely distributing White Crystal to capable individuals, in the hope that they will live long lives and continue to lead the Orion Arm toward prosperity. The war… has left scars that will take many wise minds and many years to heal,” the voice explained.

“It’s really that simple?” Sandra asked, her voice filled with doubt.

“Yes. It is really that simple,” the voice replied, sounding exactly like a robot—impossible to read, impossible to trust.

“Dawn, let’s go. We can investigate this later. They’ll never tell us the truth—and even if we fight, we might not win,” Sandra said, patting Dawn’s shoulder gently.

“Alright,” Dawn said, lowering his hand and deactivating the energy shield. Under the watchful eyes of the assembled soldiers, he led Sandra and Stacean away from the so-called Kukra City. Rescuing Stacean had lifted a huge weight from his shoulders—but the reappearance of White Crystal had plunged him back into a sea of worry.