Chapter 730: Chapter 729: Change Is Happening

Freyia integrated into the community faster than Yu Sheng imagined—or rather, this Angel who often acted with a touch of stream of consciousness seemed to need no "integration process" at all.

When she saw children playing, she naturally joined in, when Luna was busy in the fields, she would suddenly float over to help out, sometimes she was helpful, sometimes she made things worse. When things went wrong, she might get chased away, but she didn’t seem to mind much.

Sun had a construction site next to the Black Forest, and Freyia also joined in the fun, with an Artificial Angel mingling in the site, throwing gray with the workers, and when they went for lunch, she joined them, putting the food in her stomach and burning it with Holy Light.

She even went to Yun Qingzi’s pill room to learn alchemy for two days, then burned a heap of glass balls with stones from the mountain, later hanging them at Snake Princess’s cave mansion entrance and threw glass balls at her head every day—because one day she sprayed water on Freyia’s wings.

Why did Snake Princess do that? She’s a mad snake, why else?

Occasionally, Freyia would sneak out from No. 66 Wutong Road to find her nephew on duty at the parcel station at the entrance, usually to steal his lunch, sometimes bringing him fruit or other things from the valley for exchange.

She lived freely like this every day, seeming very happy every day, quickly connecting with everyone in the valley in her own way, even Snake Princess, after days of playful fights, inexplicably became a marble-playing friend... where’s the sense in that?

No one could understand what she was thinking, not even Yu Sheng and Luna, who could only occasionally feel her mood or simple thoughts.

Luna said this was because Freyia’s Mind had been eroded over a long time and it would take a long time for full recovery, but Yu Sheng felt that Freyia’s usual stream of consciousness like actions were somewhat related to the hundreds or thousands of souls integrated into her body... might those deceased Artificial Saintesses’ memories and personalities have dissipated, but traces of their existence remained. Those "traces" collectively shaped Freyia’s current "form."

But he didn’t intend to interfere because through the vague connection established by blood, he could confirm that Freyia’s current state was quite stable while steadily improving. And even though she seemed carefree, this Angel had her ideas and thoughts, just... her character might be a bit "free," and given her experiences, this light, warm freedom wasn’t a bad thing.

As for her occasional exits from No. 66 Wutong Road, Yu Sheng was indeed initially worried, so he tried communicating with her, informing her of the usual safe activity areas; judging by the current results, Freyia seemed to have understood, having never ventured far during her outings.

Yu Sheng thought this state was quite good.

Boundary Land is a highly tolerant place, and the travel agency’s tolerance exceeds even that of Boundary Land.

As for Freyia’s residence... it seems of little significance to a Spiritual Creature with whimsical thoughts. She recognized No. 66 Wutong Road as her new home but spent nights in Soul Wilderness, mostly resting in the Crystal Tree’s canopy, occasionally sleeping in large campfires in the wild.

...Yu Sheng was also curious why a Spiritual Creature needed sleep, but given the travel agency members’ average cultural level, this question likely remained unstudied.

...

Boundary City, Council Tower top floor.

Baili Qing passed through floors guarded by those strange Time Relics and reached the council chamber via the elevator, where the Director, Kant, and "Malfunction" were already seated at the round table among the gray stone pillars and narrow, high windows.

"...That’s the current situation," Baili Qing reported the Hidden Monastery control zone situation to the Director opposite him at the round table, "In some marginal planets and space fortress groups, a few remaining Hidden Monastery troops are still resisting stubbornly, Red is still over there commanding the fight, the Holy Realm Planet no longer exists, replaced by a bizarre phenomenon celestial named ’Black Star’, we’ve set long-term observation stations near that celestial.

"As for the special planet known as Pasture Star... I’ve already sent the data back, Kant, what’s your take?"

Kant still had that tired look on his face, as if he’d fall asleep the second no one talked to him, but upon hearing Baili Qing’s voice, he immediately raised his head: "That planet... is now the base of the Artificial Saintess and the Knight Order, right?"

"You can say that," Baili Qing nodded, "They occupied the Hidden Monastery’s remaining churches, factories, and laboratories; strictly speaking, these facilities, including the Saintess and Knight Order occupying them, now belong to the travel agency’s forces."

Kant rubbed his temples: "And there’s a Star Gate."

"Yes, there’s a Star Gate, one that can teleport anywhere anytime."

"...Even in the outside world, this already constitutes a force to be reckoned with," Kant spoke slowly, "And as of now, this seems far from being ’Angel Hunter’s’ limit... Does he even have a limit?"

"That’s why we’re lucky he’s on good terms with us," Baili Qing said calmly, "And always has been."

Kant said nothing for a while, merely furrowing his brow, not knowing what he was thinking.

After a good while, he suddenly spoke: "Regarding Yu Sheng, what do you all think the probability is that he’s one of the Ancient Saints?"

The clocks inside Malfunction emitted a chaotic ticking sound, its head-like bulb flickered, and a crackling electric sound arose from its chest cavity, "Isn’t that topic shift a bit too abrupt?"

```

"Lady Agatha of the ’Gemini Stars’ has appeared – the last time we heard news of the Ancient Saints, when was that?" Kant glanced up at the "robot" opposite him, "It’s not that I’m jumping topics; it’s that the real world is undergoing significant changes."

"To be honest, I’ve had similar thoughts," Baili Qing spoke up, "Although I myself find this idea quite absurd... however, judging from various indications, Yu Sheng’s essence is far removed from humanity, exceeding the scope of Exotic Realm entities or other bizarre existences. From his ability to resist the Dark Angel and Lady Agatha’s appearance this time... we should indeed consider this possibility."

"The appearance of the Dark Angel is becoming increasingly frequent, unexpected intelligence from the long-isolated Ancient Saints has emerged, phenomena violating physical laws are continually appearing in the Material Universe, and recently, the Terra Archaeological Association reported that an exploration team detected an irregular signal while approaching the Deep Lake, as if the signal source does not reside in our universe..."

Kant spoke slowly, his weary voice tinged with a barely detectable sorrow.

"All signs indicate that some ’system-level event’ far beyond our understanding is occurring. This world itself might be becoming unstable... hopefully that ’Angel Hunter’ always remains on the side of order, and if he’s truly one of the Ancient Saints, or even just has some connection to them, all the better."

The assembly hall fell silent until the elder voice of the chairman broke the quiet after a long pause.

"In any case, let’s first carry out our duties – commence full-scale aid work on the Pasture Star, Kant, it’s best for you to personally handle this.

"If we want the ’Angel Hunter’ to stay with us long-term, the best way is by standing with him long-term as well. Since we now have mutual interests, let’s find a way to expand these interests, and ideally achieve an intertwining and binding of interests.

"Remember, on that planet there must be no violent conflict between United Army forces and local residents..."

...

Deep within Alice Puppets’ Garden Network, the Gathering Place "Plande."

This virtual city, modeled after a city-state from the Old World, remains bustling as ever. Alice Puppets visiting the place roam the streets, and various servile Mind Bodies accompanying Alice Puppets can be seen everywhere.

"It’s said that Erin has also built a ’Puppet City’ in the real world, claiming it’s identical to this Gathering Place," Marin casually remarked while walking down the street, "She even uploaded photos to the Garden Network, and everyone’s been discussing it quite fervently."

"To clarify, Miss Erin constructed the Puppet City in an Exotic Realm space under the travel agency’s ownership, not entirely within the real world," Spring Doll Maris walking beside Marin said methodically, "Secondly, the Puppet City Miss Erin built is not completely identical to the Gathering Place, but rather a scaled-down version, because Miss Erin is quite petite."

"...Maris."

"Yes, please."

"Try saying that in front of her next time."

"Damage caused to this machine body due to contact with dangerous factors under non-essential circumstances through instigation, inducement, or coercion is not covered within the warranty range. If you submit a machine replacement request to a dealership under these conditions despite knowing the above regulation, it may lead to a decline in your purchase credit, increasing next year’s insurance premiums."

"...Alright, alright, got it, why do I feel you’re becoming less cute?"

"Do you need a new personality expansion package? Currently, the options available..."

"Shut up."

"Oh."

Marin took a deep breath, suppressing the urge for the nth time to change her servile assistant.

Unbeknownst to them, they had arrived deep in the old town district of the Gathering Place.

A building stood at the street corner ahead, its doors and windows radiating warm light outward. The sign read "Alice and Duncan’s Antique Shop," its door tightly locked, a holographic Barrier blocking the entrance.

Marin often passed by here and was long used to the scene.

This is the core building of every "Plande-type Gathering Place," where the Puppet Progenitor’s Mind Body once lingered. Now that the Puppet Progenitor has gone out, the shop is naturally temporarily closed, becoming a landmark people often come to view.

As usual, Marin politely nodded towards the shop, then turned to leave.

Yet at that moment, she saw the holographic Barrier at the shop’s entrance flicker a few times.