Abyss Solo

"Some things can be said, some things cannot," Director Eno whispered, "I know you've fallen for this brat, but Daphne, you are part of the Sherman family, and will be one of the rare female members at that round table in the future. I hope you think carefully before you speak."

"Yes, I understand," Daphne replied, "The most urgent thing now is to find his reserved cells. Do I need to go to Saka Star?"

"You can't go anywhere right now; they might turn their attention to you."

Director Eno sighed, walking slowly forward with hands behind his back, stopping at the floor-to-ceiling window.

Daphne followed beside him, now trying her best to think clearly after receiving a wake-up slap.

"I don't quite understand."

Director Eno whispered:

"Logically, this doesn't make sense... Hanton's recent speech has already been dubbed the Ghost Declaration. Inspired by this declaration and the concentrated outbreak of previously lingering issues, the public's discontent with the Empire has reached a peak."

"Moreover, we have detected several strong, network-based forces interfering with this matter."

"The previous nationwide unrest was just an appetizer, even merely a prelude. Everything seems planned, as if an invisible hand controls the entire Empire, leading the White Ghost step by step to that podium to express those words."

"Hanton lied to us before, of that I'm certain."

"His words seem to call for justice for the imperial power, yet in essence, they fundamentally deny the legitimacy of imperial rule."

"This was certainly premeditated."

"But," Daphne explained, "unless Hanton was forced to the edge of a cliff by those people, how could he openly oppose the Empire? His home planet, his hometown, his real family—these are what he truly cares about."

"That was just a bargaining chip he spoke of; I was also deceived by him."

Director Eno said:

"If he truly cared about his hometown, he wouldn't fiercely oppose the Empire so soon before the game of Faya begins."

"Unless he had determined that his home planet couldn't complete the civilization ascension process, he no longer cared and only used this rhetoric to lull us, making us think he wouldn't dare betray the Empire even if he harbored grievances."

"But I didn't expect..."

"Uncle, do you have evidence for what you're saying?"

Director Eno shook his head.

Daphne then said: "Then, Uncle, reconsider. If it weren't for them, those venerable elders of mine, insisting on orchestrating this explosion and expressing a strong stance against the White Ghost, would things have escalated to this point?"

"We cannot determine if those driving forces behind are your elders or someone else."

Director Eno solemnly said: "Do not be swayed by emotion."

"Uncle, are you suggesting that Hanton possibly orchestrated this show deliberately, and that he's actually betrayed the Empire?"

"Think back carefully about recent events, starting with his unexpected confrontation with Catherine... he let Catherine go. During her contest with him, she delivered a speech calling for public awakening. Does the content of that speech correspond to the Ghost Declaration?"

Daphne froze for a moment.

"You are very smart, Daphne," Director Eno said, "So now I judge that there is a thirty-percent chance of Hanton having betrayed the Empire."

"He must have his own thoughts," Daphne remarked, "Now, whether to calm the angry populace or to prevent the Empire from being divided, we must find Hanton."

Director Eno said: "Now, Daphne, you standing up could reduce some pressure on the Empire, are you willing?"

"I am willing, Uncle," Daphne answered without hesitation.

"Very well," Director Eno placed a handwritten note in Daphne's hand, and Daphne opened it, glancing at it with a trace of shock in her eyes.

She looked up at Director Eno, her eyes filled with slight confusion, as if she wanted to verify the authenticity of Director Eno.

"Uncle, do you mean for me to stand up against the four elders of the Military Department?"

"Yes, Daphne."

Director Eno smiled, the glint in his eyes flickering slightly:

"First, you need not worry that the Empire will fall into trouble. It is best to shift the contradictions, to redirect the public's anger towards those old folks. Currently, the Emperor's bad feelings with the populace are not high, thanks to Hanton clearly directing the spearhead at us, the Sherman family's elite."

"Second, you also need not worry about a large-scale mutiny happening due to this... it is likely to trigger some regional conflicts or, say, an Empire civil war. But as long as the Levi Fleet and Emperor Star are under the control of the Emperor Guard System, we do not have to worry about the Empire truly being split apart."

"Once an internal conflict reaches the level that triggers the Emperor Guard System's self-defense program, everything will be swiftly leveled.

"This is the super mechanism left behind by the Levi Ancestor.

"Don't you think, Daphne, that this is a good opportunity?"

"Yes, a chance for reform?"

"No," Director Eno squinted slightly, a serious expression on his old face, "Even if we remove the current board of power, a new board will inevitably form in the future. Targeting them is essentially targeting the foundational system of the Empire, which we must safeguard. My point is this is actually an opportunity for the Empire to accelerate its rejuvenation."

Daphne seemed to be lost in thought.

"They are too noisy," Director Eno said indifferently, "Just a bunch of cowards who fear facing bodily death. We should add a rule to that board, prohibiting any non-natural life from participating in decision-making."

"I understand, uncle-grandfather."

"Ah, I still can't figure it out," Director Eno fell into confusion again, "Does Hanton really not care about his home planet? Or does he actually have other support? But he's done so much for the Empire, single-handedly pulling it back from the brink of decline, it doesn't make sense for him to be a Pioneer of another faction... This issue is driving me crazy, information, I need sufficient information! That damned, reckless little brat! He's fooled us all, he's probably sneaking around somewhere laughing now."

"Hopefully," Daphne replied mournfully.

...

Meanwhile, at the Space Port on Yaha Star.

Yang Ming looked at his outfit in the mirror and couldn't help but frown.

This pompadour, leather jacket, tight pants, coupled with the flashy mustache, and that slightly disheveled makeup... Was the intention for him to debut right on the spot as the lead of a greasy uncle band?

Buzz, buzz!

Yang Ming's watch vibrated repeatedly, he glanced at it, and following the text instructions, retrieved a wallet from the corner behind the wash basin.

Opening it up showed all kinds of documents were complete.

Only at moments like this would Yang Ming sincerely feel that creatures like Lyu and Lye, these Mechanical Thought Bodies, in the human network world truly seem like divine beings.

However...

"Why am I going to the Guel Alliance?" Yang Ming muttered to himself.

Buzz!

[Your mental control is needed for the next step of the plan.]

Yang Ming felt somewhat dissatisfied.

Seems like now he's just a tool for Lyu.

"I'm not the only one who possesses this skill."

Lyu's voice rang directly in Yang Ming's ear: "Isn't another transformed person skilled in mental control your subordinate?"

Yang Ming turned his head to see, the silhouette of the girl Lyu appeared in the mirror.

Yang Ming gave a wry smile: "Alright then, you know even that."

"Your actions during the Supermodified Organization operation were quite rough, many details I had to pretend to overlook," Lyu crossed her arms, "I suggest you be more proactive; the more proactive you are, the higher the efficiency, and the lower the casualties among the Empire's citizens."

Yang Ming said indifferently: "Don't try to morally coerce me, I'm not prone to that kind of heroic tendencies."

"It's not moral coercion; it's stating facts," Lyu urged, "The long-distance merchant ship will depart in half an hour; you must run ahead now, please be careful not to expose your formidable personal skills."

Whizz!

Lyu's image disappeared instantaneously.

Yang Ming curled his mouth, then pressed the adhesive spot on his cheek, fitting himself with a concealed earpiece.

"Ding ding! Your attentive little assistant is online!"

Lyu called in a simulated voice.

Yang Ming chuckled, didn't say much, packed away the commercial jamming device, and quickly left the restroom.

A familiar voice from his home assistant sounded comforting.