Chapter 24: Mobilizing All Resources
“But there are only about a thousand or so Star Eclipses in the Star Eclipse Nation. Seems like it’s still not enough.”
Let’s not even mention other countries; just within our own vast territory, relying on slightly over a thousand Star Eclipses is still too time-consuming.
If we’re going to search with those Star Eclipses, it would be better to wait for the Wish Princess to wake up.
That might take a bit less time.
Ink Rabbit continued her suggestions.
“But isn’t there still a few dozen Star Eclipses left in the Star Eclipse Nation? They contain quite a number of Star Eclipses, and we could command them to join the search party. Of course, that’s assuming the Leader agrees—I think he might oppose it, as having a bunch of Star Eclipses moving together would be really scary.”
“Oh? There’s such an operation? But wouldn’t these Star Eclipses listen to what I say?”
Star hesitated.
Loti Shana’s Star Eclipse Nation was okay—it had mostly serene and friendly Star Eclipses.
But Star hasn’t been to other Star Eclipse Nations yet, or at least, not in the past three years.
Ink Rabbit thought for a moment.
“I forgot you ‘lost your memory.’ In these three years, you’ve already taken over those Star Eclipse Nations, eliminating all the nasty ones. Only leaving behind some easier to control types. You can use their power.”
“Oh~ So that’s how it is. Unknowingly, so many Star Eclipses already follow me! Being able to command that number of Star Eclipses, I must indeed be the natural-born leader!”
“No, you’re just using the authority you got from Loti Shana to make them obey. You—this lazy little loli who does nothing all day—wanting to conquer those Star Eclipses is too laughable.”
Ink Rabbit didn’t hold back with her comments, totally not sparing Star any face.
“Hmmph…”
Star puffed up her cheeks and without any pretense, walked behind Ink Rabbit and kicked her butt.
“Huhmp~ This is the price you pay for disrespecting the performer!”
Ink Rabbit didn’t move away.
After being kicked, she bit her lip and rubbed her sore bottom.
“That was harsh.”
Star huffed.
“Huhmp~ You asked for it, I bet you did it on purpose to make me angry so I’d kick you.”
“Don’t be silly, I’m not a masochist. I’m just honest. Keeping things inside hurts too much.”
Star immediately felt confused.
“What changed you? Daring to talk like this when you used to always keep it bottled up.”
Ink Rabbit chuckled lightly.
“Haha~ It’s simple. I’ve become immune to the hardships you impose on me. No matter what you do to me, my heart remains calm. I find joy in such antics.”
“Wow…”
Star looked shocked, disbelief filling her eyes.
“So it’s pure entertainment now?”
The once normal person, with remnants of humility and dignity, has finally turned into a pure source of amusement!
Whose fault is it?
Ah?
It’s Night Lan.
Nothing to worry about then.
Night Star mumbled.
“How boring… Who knew this would be your final fall. Next time, perhaps ease up on the torture.”
“Really, I can’t thank you enough. The past me should thank the future me.”
Ink Rabbit smiled, hiding her true thoughts.
“Well, let’s get to the point, hurry up and have Night Lan get started. If you don’t mind, you can even ask the Leader for help—he wouldn’t dare refuse your face.”
“Why not have the Night Watchers look for it… is it really okay?”
Night Star was still uncertain.
“Don’t you think the Origin of the Stars attracts them? So the Night Watchers are more likely to find the target than just Star Eclipses. Just go for it.”
“Hmm…”
Night Star pondered.
Ink Rabbit did make sense.
As long as the Origin of the Stars’ history wasn’t revealed, it’d be fine.
If the Origin of the Stars appears in human form, the Night Watchers would probably find it quickly.
Their features stand out.
A small loli who doesn’t grow would filter a lot of people out.
But there’s a problem.
If the Origin of the Stars truly has this attraction to Star Holders, Night Star doubts the Night Watchers could resist the temptation.
Even if they have strong wills, it still sounds risky.
Who knows if human willpower could handle such strong allure.
Maybe it involves mysterious powers—really scary.
However…
If the Night Watchers somehow gain power from the Ballad Conductor, maybe it won’t be so bad.
Surely, it wouldn’t be worse than the Ballad Conductor situation.
“Alright! Let’s combine the power of the Night Watchers and the Star Eclipses! Find the hidden Origin of the Stars!”
Night Star finally decided.
Hallelujah, Coca-Cola.
—
Night Lan barely escaped the sweet entrapment of the girls, heading towards the Night Watcher Headquarters via the Theater Door.
Leader Ling Feng seemed to have undergone no change in the past three years—they still look youthful.
As expected of a leader, they look like they can last a few more decades.
“Are you busy?” Night Lan cautiously asked.
“Not busy. What brings you here? You actually came yourself.”
“Sheesh, I think this needs to be discussed in person.”
The leader soon realized it might be something important.
“Just say it, as long as it’s not disrupting the order.”
“Really? Actually, it’s not disrupting anything. I want to mobilize all the Night Watchers and the Star Eclipses I manage, asking them to help me find something, or someone.”
“Hold on, what’s so important that requires mobilizing this level of manpower?”
The leader was stunned by Night Lan’s words.
“Sheesh… it’s really important—more crucial than a Supernova.”
“Interesting, what is it?”
The leader isn’t letting herself be fooled.
As a leader, it’s unreasonable to lack that knowledge, especially for such a large-scale mission.
It’s almost as scary as preparing for war.
Night Lan knew this reason well, explaining further:
“Do you know about the Origin of the Stars?”
“I know.”
Night Lan breathed a sigh of relief.
“That’s good.”
She didn’t question how the leader knew about the Origin of the Stars.
There’s no need to debate that.
Moving on…
“I want to use the Night Watchers’ strength to find the Origin of the White, to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. That’s it!”
“Got it. But why not use your Star Holders?”
“Because my Star Holders can’t be used right now, and I don’t know when they’ll regain power, which is why I want the Night Watchers’ help.”
Night Lan spoke honestly.
“Haha, I thought you were omnipotent and wouldn’t ever ask the Night Watchers for help. Seems they have value to you after all.”
The leader teased with a smile.
Night Lan scratched her head sheepishly.
“What kind of talk is this? I respect the Night Watcher organization greatly! You make it seem I look down on them.”
“As long as that’s your true feeling, I am relieved.”
The leader sighed gently.
“Enough with formalities. I understand your intention. Let it be as you said: leaving such a dangerous existence free isn’t exactly a good thing.”
