Chapter 161: 「Guanzhe」

At the same moment, the Order Shadows of the Seventh Legion who had obtained Brain-Strong Cats also began to tame them in their own ways.

Szczesny and Jorginho adopted the same method; as "Fury of the People" who enjoy a seawater environment, their ships both featured small bathing pools filled with seawater from the Cradle of the Sea.

They threw the Brain-Strong Cats into the water at the same time, saying, "Let's go swimming and diving."

Afterwards, they jumped into the pools naked and dragged the Brain-Strong Cats into the water.

The "Fury of the People" enjoyed diving until the Brain-Strong Cats were paddling their four legs and struggling to breathe, at which point they each lifted them out of the water.

By comparison, Sanchez had a much more wicked sense of humor; after returning to the Void Hunter, he took the Brain-Strong Cat to the bottom deck alone.

The "Hunter" scrutinized the orange-furred Brain-Strong Cat before him, whose azure eyes were watching him vigilantly.

The "Hunter" curled the corners of his mouth, thinking playfully.

【The process of taming it should be quite interesting.】

The "Provocateur's" smile changed abruptly as he sneered and said provocatively.

"I know you want to run away; yes, I will give you a chance."

"No matter how you run, you will eventually realize that you will never escape the palm of my hand."

As the "Provocateur" spoke, he raised his hand and made a grasping motion in the air.

After advancing to Sequence 8, "Provocation" both granted Sanchez a permanent change in state and required active activation to produce the desired effect.

The former refers to a qualitative change in his insight, far exceeding that of an ordinary person, allowing him to effectively perceive which languages, behaviors, and matters a target is more sensitive to, and in which aspects they are more easily enraged, enabling him to provoke the other party through casual words and actions.

Once "Provocation" is actively used, it combines with abusive language and humiliating behavior to cause a target capable of communication to lose their reason.

The more targeted the abusive language and humiliating behavior, the better the effect of "Provocation."

Targeted abuse requires mastering intelligence on the target and having sufficient understanding of the object one wishes to provoke.

But even a simple "shit" can make someone angry to a certain extent.

For those with whom communication is impossible, "Provocation" instead causes him to radiate a feeling that they loathe.

The Brain-Strong Cat, affected by "Provocation," was immediately swallowed by rage, its azure "lake" engulfed by a raging fire of fury.

Its brown fur began to rise and burn as if it were on fire.

Several clusters of brownish-yellow flames smashed toward the "Provocateur."

The "Provocateur," whose reactions, speed, and agility had all slightly increased, easily dodged the clusters of flames.

The "Provocateur" said provocatively: "What? Is that all you've got?"

While the "Provocateur" stimulated the Brain-Strong Cat time and again, on the throne of the Vostonia Exemplar City, the Primarch met with the female captain.

He extended his consciousness toward the female captain, bypassing the void-like gates of her mind, and discovered that Diana's dark circles were very obvious, making her appear even more exhausted than after commanding space battles.

The Primarch cast his gaze toward the small Brain-Strong Cat and asked.

"The process of establishing a mental link with the Brain-Strong Cat is not going smoothly?"

"Yes, Lord Primarch."

"I have made many attempts, but I have not found what it is interested in, so I can only keep it by my side at all times."

Diana did not finish speaking; she kept the Brain-Strong Cat by her side, constantly guarding against it running away.

Compared to the energy expended, what made her even more exhausted was a sense of powerlessness; she was physically and mentally drained by her own helplessness.

As she spoke, she looked at the left armrest of the Black Throne, where a ginger, fluffy creature was lying.

It was a Brain-Strong Cat!

It was enjoying the Primarch's petting just like an ordinary pet.

【Did Lord Ninglu actually tame the Brain-Strong Cat within two work cycles?】

Diana withdrew her gaze in shock and subconsciously glanced at her feet, where the Brain-Strong Cat was trembling and bristling with fear due to the presence of the giant in black armor.

"I can grant you an ability, the ability to glimpse the thoughts of a Brain-Strong Cat."

"But I have one condition: you must swear your loyalty to me."

Ninglu had observed Diana during this time; her abilities were outstanding, and her loyalty to him met his standards.

Upon hearing this, the female captain did not hesitate and immediately knelt on one knee.

Only after being fortunate enough to be chosen, boarding the Shadow of Sovereignty, and following the Primarch did she understand how extraordinary Ninglu was.

The Primarch not only possessed god-like personal combat power, but in the field of space warfare where she excelled most, she was far inferior to Ninglu.

The female captain looked at the giant in black armor on the throne with a gaze of reverence.

"I, Diana Polin, swear my loyalty to Lord Ninglu; whatever you command, I shall fulfill!"

"I accept your loyalty," Ninglu nodded with satisfaction, "Wait for me in the waiting room."

Twenty-three minutes later, the "Guanzhe" mastered her own power under his telepathic guidance; she looked at Ninglu, attempting to examine the Primarch from the perspective of an onlooker.

A moment later, the "Guanzhe" detached herself from the attitude of an onlooker; as she examined the Primarch, she was immediately dazzled by his perfect physique, handsome features, and eyes like Ma'nao that she could not look away from.

The "Guanzhe's" cheeks flushed red, as if she had returned to her novice days when she first rose to fame and attended social balls.

The "Guanzhe" silently abandoned the idea of using the Primarch as an object of examination and cast her gaze toward the ginger ball of fur beside his black high-heeled boots.

"I am a 'Guanzhe'; by examining the Brain-Strong Cat, I can know its thoughts, which will allow me to establish a mental link with it faster."

"That is correct," Ninglu nodded, "Go, and do your job as a 'Guanzhe'."

After bowing, the "Guanzhe" picked up the small Brain-Strong Cat and left the palace.

The Lieutenant immediately stepped forward: "My Lady, the gunship is ready; shall we return to the flagship?"

Diana shook her head, "No, we will take it for a walk around Exemplar City."

Shangchao, commercial district.

Diana strolled through the commercial district; having gained outstanding spirit after advancing to "Guanzhe," she swept away her fatigue.

The "Guanzhe," possessing keen observation, walked beside the Brain-Strong Cat, examining it like an onlooker.

Suddenly, the "Guanzhe" saw the Brain-Strong Cat's azure eyes pause imperceptibly for a moment.

If it were before, Diana would not have noticed this minute change.

But now, that instant in the eyes of the "Guanzhe" was clearly perceptible, and she even discerned the little creature's obvious longing.

The "Guanzhe," whose memory had been slightly enhanced, followed that instant in their memory and looked in the direction of the Brain-Cat's gaze.

The "Guanzhe" saw a merchant in a black robe standing in front of the most prominent counter in a jewelry store, introducing it to a customer before him.

"This psionic earring is crafted from Psionic Crystal from the Cradle of the Sea, priced at 190,000 Monarch Coin."

Diana knew that Psionic Crystal from the Cradle of the Sea would be screened; those of lower quality would enter the civilian market and be used to make various psionic items.

And Monarch Coin was the currency issued by Lord Ninglu to replace Mars Currency after he unified Vostonia, and it had currently become the mainstream currency in Legion territories such as Vostonia.

At the same time, Imperial Eagle currency and Throne currency from the Imperium, as well as Mars Currency, were still circulating in the market, but their influence was smaller.

【The Brain-Cat possesses psionic power, so it is interested in Psionic Crystal.】

Diana immediately ordered the Lieutenant: "Buy that earring crafted from Psionic Crystal."

"As you command."

The Lieutenant walked toward the store, thinking to themselves at the same time.

【The Captain, who has never liked decorations, is actually buying jewelry. Is this because she was stimulated by being unable to tame the Brain-Cat and wants to please herself through shopping?

This is very unlike Diana, but very womanly.】

While the Lieutenant was lost in thought, they walked into the jewelry store and happened to hear the customer say.

"Too expensive."

"I'll take it."

The jewelry store owner looked up and, through the Lieutenant's upright posture and forceful speech, identified the person before them as an officer.

As Vostonia was a supply base for the expeditionary fleet, this was not uncommon, and they said cautiously.

"My lord, you have a great eye; this is the work of the top Vostonian artist and jewelry master, Bogeikanpu."

"It is indeed quite good."

【No wonder it was favored by Lady Diana.】

The Lieutenant saw the dazzling earring, its edges sharp after being cut, with light dancing within it and refracting rainbow-like iridescence.

A moment later, the Lieutenant was surprised to see the female Captain place the earring in her palm and crouch down in front of the Brain-Cat.

Amidst the exclamations of the people around, the "Guanzhe" watched the Brain-Cat reach out its claws, grab the earring, lower its head, and stick out its tongue to lick the earring.

The "Guanzhe" noticed that after the little creature with ginger fur swallowed the entire earring, there was a little less detachment and a little more closeness in the gaze it raised.

Just as Diana was playing the "Guanzhe" and finding a way to establish a mental link with the Brain-Cat, Ninglu received a report from an Astropath.

The astropathic message came from Huang Laohan, who had issued a summons to Ninglu for two main reasons.

One was that he wanted to reward Ninglu for actively conducting the expedition and reclaiming more human worlds, especially the Knight World of the Daxos Binary System.

The other was that Huang Laohan had learned from merchants traveling the galaxy that a formidable warrior had appeared on Fenris, suspected to be another Primarch.

Because Horus had been fighting hard recently, he wanted to summon Ninglu to accompany him.

【Fenris, Leman Russ.】

Ninglu had no interest in accompanying Huang Laohan to see other Primarchs; he was just about to decline by claiming he was busy with the crusade when he immediately thought of the numerous wild beasts on Fenris, among which there would almost certainly be Potion Material.

【Especially the Kraken, which should be Potion Material for the "Tyrant" Tier, and at least a mid-Tier material.】

Thinking of this, Ninglu immediately decided to take the "Hunter" Sanchez with him.

Five work cycles later, the Shadow of Sovereignty, retrofitted with Ether cannons, set sail.

Sanchez and other "Hunters" boarded the Legion Flagship, and the Void Hunter was left behind to have Ether cannons installed.

During the voyage to Fenris, Bukayo Arshavin received the Star Map to Modian sent by a transport ship, a Data Crystal including materials written by the Primarch, and his Brain-Cat.

(End of chapter)