"This is…" The fleet's second-in-command, Rani, couldn't hide her surprise when the World's Will opened the vault.
Although it's almost empty as though the great treasures were picked off hastily when the place was attacked, we found the golden statue that their fleet was looking for.
It looked like how they described it. Yet, I still failed to see or detect anything special about the statue. Furthermore, it was chopped into multiple pieces and shelved on one side. Chopped might be inaccurate, it was fragmented into multiple pieces but it could still be put together.
As for how it became like that, no one knows.
Like what I had guessed, the statue looked like a certain bald religious persona. For it to be able to send a signal to them, there must be a hidden mechanism that even my Energy Control couldn't detect.
"Looking at your expression, it's really the thing that you're looking for," I said to Rani as I stood next to her, scanning the pieces of the statue. Although it still looked like it was covered by dirt and moss, there exists a faint golden glow beneath it. Moreover, it might even glow brighter than the moonlight if it was restored to its original state.
The World's Will pulled it out from where it was shelved and laid it out in front of Rani to let her confirm it. Just to be sure, I had her pick it up and check.
Nonetheless, with her initial reaction, it's already 100% proven to be what they came to this world for.
Really, these guys went here searching for that signal. Accident or just prideful arrogance, they killed some denizens who were trying to drive them away. However, because they relied too much on a technology that failed to detect a hidden vault like this, they looked more like an amateur exploration fleet than a fleet organized by a Sage World.
While she was doing that, I had Reinys and Lunaria search the vault for something useful – with the World's Will's consent. However, they both returned empty-handed. Every treasure held within was only appropriate for Mortal Ranks than Transcendents like us. It's a Mortal World that was expected.
I also heard reports coming from my Companions scattered around the world. Those who made contact with the Tree Spirits and the Hero's Companions filled us more about how they were treated.
Although there were really transgressions, they're the ones who attacked first. They're thinking that another Invasive World has arrived. No one could blame them for that but… they should've noticed the disparity in their strength. And surely, the World's Will should've informed them about them but they paid no head. Perhaps, it's because there are Transcendents among them. Either way, upon hearing both sides, these people from the fleet were still the ones at fault.
A while later, Rani stood up, fixed her glasses and turned towards us or me, in particular.
There was a glimmer in her eyes that screamed 'Mission Successful' as her tone changed from a slightly gloomy one to an elated one.
"This is indeed what we are searching for, thank you for your assistance… As per our agreement, I will see to it to send down a part of our Source Energy crystals and condensed Chaotic Energy. We'll also be sending weapons and armors to arm the denizens in case another Invasive World arrives. Is this good enough?"
"Sure. And don't forget the token of apology towards her." I pointed at the World's Will who had her arms crossed and chin held high. She looked like a smug kid trying to intimidate an adult. She's clearly unsatisfied with what she heard.
"I understand… We'll help repair the damage our subordinates caused to this world's civilization." She nodded and bowed slightly towards the World's Will.
In any case, that's already a lot compared to the damage they caused. Although lives were lost, there's no way for them to be revived. So instead of also killing their Transcendents, getting resources to nurture the denizens of this world was the better choice.
Of course, we're going to have our cut from it. There's no such thing as charity work for me now that we're still pressed to progress quickly in our respective Pathways.
Moreover, I have some other conditions I attached through our negotiation.
Information and a map of their exploration progress which noted where the Source Energy and Chaotic Worlds are located. We're going blind even with our World Zone Navigator but with a map from them, we would be able to easily reach different Source Energy Worlds and World Zones without losing too much time.
That golden statue and what they're going to do about it took my interest. However, since it's probably something related to a secret from Samsara, prying over the details would feel like we're intruding on it. If that happened, this exploration fleet would be wary of us. Better to build friendly relations with them.
From what I gathered from our talk earlier, they also confirmed the existence of Invasive Transcendent Worlds and the Overlord Serpent roaming around different Density-1 World Zones.
Instead of making them enemies, they could be our likely allies in case our paths crossed again.
Naturally, I had fabricated a reason why I needed that map. But as people from different worlds who could be at odds with each other given the circumstances, they didn't also didn't pry too much over it.
Half an hour later, we left the floating tree's inner sanctum. Rani first contacted Zalim before soaring outside the world's atmosphere through her Space Vessel to deliver the resources down to the surface.
While waiting for her to return, using my own means, I went to the gigantic roots of the floating tree. To repair them.
And right as I started doing that, the familiar notification rang in my mind followed by the soothing feeling of new Source Energy flooding into my body.
[Level 1 World of Tree Spirits has been assimilated]
[Connection has been forged between you and the world]
[Energy Faucet has been generated to supply you with Source Energy]
[Received 30 Strength, 30 Endurance and 5 Intelligence]
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While Daisuke and his Companions were dealing with the Space Vessel Fleet, Alwyn who remained captive in the Transcendent World was still locked up in the underground dungeon.
Her physical strength had more or less returned to its peak state but her Source Energy was still restrained while bruised and battered on the surface. Although she managed to scare the Rank 2 Transcendent that was ordered to fabricate a confession out of her, that only delayed it.
And at the moment, with her senses as a Rank 3 Transcendent at their peak, she could now clearly make out what was happening around her.
"Still looking like a bundle of sticks. What a Heavenly Mistress… I can't stay locked up in here."
On the side, the Rank 2 Transcendent was once again being berated by the darling of the World's Will. She's still demanding results that he couldn't produce.
The man insisted on telling her what Alwyn instilled in his mind but all of that was met by an ear-deafening shriek from the woman.
"Useless! If you can't do it, then I will!"
As soon as she shouted that, the woman, wrapped around in a luxurious dress, stopped in front of Alwyn. Her eyes were narrowed into a slit as a sinister smirk stretched upon her face.
"Well, well. You might've fooled my useless Executioner but not me. Why don't you start confessing now? I can be lenient and let you pass on easily if you tell us that you're from that Invasive World."
The woman opened her palm and an alarming amount of Level 2 Source Energy gathered in it.
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