Soul of Searing Steel

Panda Novel

The Mycroft civilization’s placement of one massive Dimensional Hub after another in every corner of the Multiverse while studying each signal of intelligent life over the stars, coupled with Starfall’s intensive external diplomacy, had actually allowed them to surpass the Glorious Era.

After all, the Glorious Era had been too conservative, since the support of the Sage, gods, and diverse Legends had made them self-sufficient, exempting the need for external trade or diplomacy. Naturally, they had not intended to simply stay in their own world, but most of them were obsessed in their massive and wondrous buildings, as well as new developing new paths in Extraordinary powers. That had been why they had no need to seek out otherworldly races, and it was the aliens who were keen on linking up with the Glorious Era instead.

The Starfall Era however differed—present-day Mycroft was radically open, partly due to the urgency echoing from the imminent Evil Gods invasion, and partly because of the lack of population. Still, the most vital factor was that the Starfall Era was no longer a massive collective Extraordinary federation, but was instead a relaxed and widely distributed union of Extraordinary factions. The former could provide for and refine themselves, and were stable and powerful, while the latter had many internal problems and more conflicts or personal agendas. This was precisely why their momentum in developing the latter far triumphed over the former.

In fact, save for the traditional sense of ‘human, elf, and dwarf’ mid-sized humanoid lifeform combination, the other minorities of Starfall had requested for more chances to speak out in the present Starfall Union through the Multiverse Sacrificial Grounds. Their goals were clear and their actions firm, just as they would never have let any chance slip them by.

Any chance.

***

“…We are to adhere to our ancient traditions in not making excessive contact with any otherworldly creatures.”

It was unique medium-sized world, an unknown planetary system. Unlike usual continental worlds or planetary worlds, there was no air or atmosphere in the general sense, for it was a cavernous world composed completely of stone, underground karsts, and the searing planetary core. No civilizations formed near the world’s core despite primitive fire and earth elementals flourishing nearby, although one was established by a highly intelligent species in the massive caverns at the planet’s crust and mantle.

In the caves filled with luminous moss, energy crystals, and stalactites, a three-meter tall Tuft was slowly spreading its spores. It was a special element compound which contained massive constructs —scent, energy signatures, and a mix of attributes that shaped a unique elemental language.

Seemingly fearing that the little ones before it did not understand, the Tuft Elder animated and spread its spores again, the equivalent of repeating themselves for the species. “We dislike war and conflict just as we dislike foreigners. Our ancient ancestors warned us to not communicate with otherworldly life for it necessitates war. Please turn back, envoy of Mycroft—we appreciate your value, but we cherish serenity, and hence cannot accept your passionate lifestyle.”

As their name suggested, the Tufts were a massive moving tuft of grass that resembled the eight-legged fungi known as the Starherders, both being bacteria that developed into a civilization after gaining intelligence. However, unlike the Starherders that were essentially a parasitic species similar to caterpillar fungus, the Tuft were more a plant that broke down subterranean organic substances and acted as an important member of the world’s cycles.

It was precisely why the Tufts were as silent and mild as plants. They were never keen for intense conflict, just as they were not keen for excitement, and only ever pursued a peaceful and quiet life as it had been their nature. They refused to establish foreign exchange with non-plant lifeforms, enjoying the darkness and dampness of subterranean reaches—therefore, compared to external exploration, they were happier to stay in their home soil and remain undisturbed.

And yet, reason appeared not to work on the little creature in front of the Tuft Elder.

“I’m fine with that!” A little wind-element fairy proudly puffed her chest, ‘speaking’ loudly with the same element-spread method. “It’s fine if you don’t want to be friends with us, since we want to befriend you!”

…No, it was not a question of ‘fine’.

And did friendship not work both ways, or did the Mycroft civilization hold a different definition of it from that of the Multiverse? As expected of the descendants form the ancient civilization of the Lost Galaxy, they were truly remarkable…

Quite unable to keep up with what the fairy ambassador was thinking, the Tuft Elder who was chosen and delegated with full authority of their race was left silent for a long time, before saying slowly, “I mean to say that we have no intention of establishing diplomatic relations. We are used to living in peace and quiet, and abhor conversations…”

“It’s alright!” The fairy tapped her flat chest warmly and exclaimed, “We usually speak vocally or spiritually and usually wouldn’t use elemental spores, so we’re mute—but before you decline, you should hear out our plans. It’s definitely a beneficial~super~mutual win~project!”

No, it was not a matter of muteness.

With that being said, what was with this fellow? Was the Mycroft civilization not rumored to be violent and callous? Why was their ambassador such a creature…could it be a trap?

Silent for a while again, the Tuft Elder shook its fungal cap to shrug off a sheet of spores again, then asked tentatively, “Ambassador, may I know how your leaders would react if we insist on declining?”

“Don’t know!”

Another simple, loud reply—the impassioned Wind Fairy blinked and showed her little teeth, and proudly gave a thumbs-up. “I’ve never thought about that!”

That was nothing to be proud of.

Nonetheless, the Wind Fairy’s reaction left the Tuft Elder in shock, a rising, terrible fear stirring within him. The Mycroft civilization was actually that arrogant—they had not even thought that the Tufts would decline their request! How tyrannical!

And now, the Wind Fairy was spreading an elemental presence of ‘exhilaration’, which proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt that the fairy ambassador was not at all unhappy at the chance that her mission may have failed. Instead, she was becoming unreasonably happy, which could well be the thrill for possible conflict and war! Though dainty, the raging elemental forces made clear their living form! What a terrible race born with such ability and desire—they were very much the essence of war given form!

With the Tuft Elder saying nothing for a long time, the Wind Fairy tilted her head puzzledly and flew one round around him, but her attention soon shifted, and she began to chase a huge moth by the luminous underground moss cheerfully.

Meanwhile, the Tuft Elder was rapidly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

…There was only one answer if that was the case, and it was that Mycroft had a set of procedures in response those who refused—should the Tufts really turn them down, the bloodthirsty Mycroftians would definitely not hesitate to make an example of the Tufts by completely destroying them, given the attitude of the fearsome fairy ambassador before himself… They do have that power, since their champions had killed and created suns, not to mention had possessed the power to easily destroy a Class 3 civilization.

They definitely could do it!

“Then, ambassador, could you tell me a thing or two about the project?” The Tuft Elder’s tone softened at the thought of a possible massacre, while the Wind Fairy who had been making silly faces at the moth quickly remembered the purpose of her visit. She darted towards the Tuft Elder, cheering as she delivered a complete partnership program through spirit.

The fairy’s plan had been simple. Being a creature that were born to secrete and cultivate an oven of elements, the Tufts’ very existence was a great complement to the Fairyland. The fairies had actually established a complete method for World Creation, but as long as their race could not train at least two Legends, the day their world would have taken shape was still far away.

Furthermore, grooming two Fairy Legends depended entirely on luck. Before that, they hoped for more elemental species to aid then by enriching the number of species, element balance, and ecosystem complexity of Fairyland. With that, apart from gaining complexity through elements other than the four major ones, the fairies could achieve the feat of completing their world, which was much better than having to train Legends or maintain element stability by force.

Being a Class 3 Void civilization, the Tufts commanded formidable elemental application in surrounding quadrants, with the only negative image being their strict isolation that made them no different from rocks. Despite that, it was nothing new for a fairy to befriend a rock, since there had indeed been a fairy that had shared a friendship with a rock for over two hundred years, eventually turning it into an earth elemental as the creature spread its elements! Therefore, it was simply not a problem for their ‘friends’ not to talk to them or befriend them, for they had all the time and patience—although with the condition that they would not have forgotten about it halfway through. As long as the Tufts were willing to join, they would be important contributors and nobles of world creation, should it have come into fruition!

The conditions were rewarding and the clauses relaxed, with the fairies wanting nothing other than having some Tufts migrating to Fairyland. On the other hand, the Fairyland would have sent several Supreme-tier fairies for a collaboration, including comprehensive technological exchange and improvement of the Tuft world’s elemental cycles, along with many other clauses that one would think of unquestionably and was undoubtedly overwhelming with sincerity.

The Tuft Elder’s fungal cap shook after reading through every clause.The people of Mycroft were horrific! They would have bathed the Tuft world in blood if the Tufts did not agree to it, but were willing to buy their caps with great capital if they did! Such tyranny… as expected of the terrible civilization which had came from stars beyond, and yet capable of standing toe-to-toe against three other civilizations of Calamity!

“If that is the case, we have no reason to refuse…” Now aware of what had been and what was to come, the Tuft Elder breathed out a long stream of elements and sighed, “Then, I hope you would give us more time to discuss it internally…” The Tuft Elder then explained their general plans and their complex seniority rulings which complicate matters. However, being too preoccupied with his own explanation, he did not notice the blank look on the Wind Fairy.

“…That’s about it. Do you have any questions, Madam Ambassador?”

“Hmm~hmm? Hmm!”

The Wind Fairy, who gave no indication that she was listening, flashed a look resembling prompt realization. “I see, I understand now! (Actually understanding nothing) So you’re saying that you agree?”

“Naturally.” The Tuft Elder replied, but as soon as his element spores stirred, a great tremor rumbled.

“What?!”

Crack!

The Tuft Elder took a step back from the sudden pressure, and then saw four doors that appeared to have opened over the dainty fairy. Though formless and concealed, unimaginably thick elements were pouring out from within, answering the call of earth, water, wind and flame.

Illusory images of the four Fairy Queens hovered behind the confident Wind Fairy, billowing like flame, dancing like a tempest, flowing like water, and as thick as the land. The Wind Fairy seemed to notice nothing unusual, however, and simply chippered cheerfully, “Well let’s sign the agreement now!”

“…Naturally.”

***

“Oh, by the way!”

Having signed the first stage of agreement, the Wind Fairy who appeared intent on leaving, abruptly turned and called out seriously, “Mister Big Mushroom!”

“What’s the matter, honored ambassador?” Although he did not understand what ‘Mister Big Mushroom’ meant, the Tuft Elder knew that the fairy was addressing himself, just as he could not help feeling a little nervous, aside from curios, after seeing her serious face.

Could there be some additional clause?!

However, the Wind Fairy had simply remembered a further task arranged by a certain expedition commander. “Have you heard about the Redemption System?”

***

The Tufts did not find the Redemption System bad, especially after realizing that the high-density element crystals they naturally secreted were particularly valuable, allowing them a better opinion of the transgalactic trade system.

Whether in exchange for the Nature-class Legendary champions’ localized geological enhancement or teachings such as ‘Druid’s Way’, ‘Elementalists’ Legacy’, or ‘Refining Elemental Forms’, those were things that could only be achieved over a long time with their isolated power and docile attitudes. There was hence nothing better than having that labor simply omitted through the Redemption System.

That was precisely the reason, along with the military might and the honorable assurances of the Mycroft civilization, that the Redemption System spread quickly—even exponentially, to the surprise of even Joshua.

And yet, not all civilizations and species could happily accept the integrated promotions of the Redemption System and the Restoration Beam. For example, Abussen the World Circler, a continental-sized champion from the race of sea serpents who were contacted by the murlocs, could tell at once that the Restoration Beam was basically the semi-sentient clone of a Legendary champion. Though the conditions of exchanges were ‘equivalent’, who could tell if there were some trick or hidden threats lurking behind?

Though they did not know that it was a beacon where Joshua’s true form could be summoned to, they certainly did not like it and declined. Of course, it could not be helped that there were species that simply did not like it, and the peopel of Mycroft had to respect their choice. However, the Starfall Era was not so accommodating when it came to certain special races—what awaited them was hence advanced ‘interaction’ and ‘conviction’.