Dreamlike Utopia

Golden silk curtains blocked out the light.

The room was made extremely dark, but this did not prevent Alvin from seeing the furnishings clearly.

A thin layer of dust covered the table, showing that Elsa had strictly enforced the ban on anyone entering the room during the time he left.

"I'm finally back after eighteen days." Alvin rubbed his temples, waiting for the dizziness to subside a bit before focusing on the present. "The room is intact, and there's no sound outside. It seems nothing major happened while I was gone."

This is based on an assessment of the current situation, and it's also the source of his confidence to leave for so long.

However, after more than half a month, Alvin needs to understand the current situation in the Celerus Hive as soon as possible in order to make the right judgment in a timely manner.

With that thought in mind, he casually took out his long-lost communicator from his Personal Space.

Beep beep beep.

Amidst the slight vibration, a dozen or so messages flashed by.

Upon closer inspection, all the messages were from Rosales. Judging from the anxious tone, they were probably unable to find him anywhere and had tried using a communicator. The most recent message was from yesterday.

The gist of the story is that a portion of the Dark Adeptus Mechanicus's Diet Guard have infiltrated Alert Star.

Meanwhile, new information also emerged: at the bottom of the steel continent in the Hongbei District, the Tech-Priest of Styx Eight had discovered what appeared to be "Necrons" remains, which could now be confirmed as "Blackstone Creation."

Rosales delayed for several days, and when he still couldn't get a reply, he contacted the Diet Guard, a high-ranking Tech-Priest, on his own.

Just yesterday, they quietly Underhive from Celerus and, along the mine shaft excavated by Styx Eight, infiltrated to the bottom layer, preparing to investigate.

Rosales would contact him promptly if there was any progress, and was also given a map of the hidden mine roads excavated by Styx Eight.

Looking at the intricate map of the mine's roads, Alvin pondered for a moment, "If we really can't find a way out, perhaps we can use this map as a last resort."

Of course, this is a solution that can only be chosen when the situation is irreversible.

The mine excavated by Styx Eight will only go deeper into the surface of the Alert Star. Going in is easy, but getting out may not be so simple.

Don't forget, beneath this steel continent, besides the Tech-Priest of Styx Eight, there are also unknown "Necron" ruins, and countless genetically infected thieves, entrenched in the spiderweb-like network of tunnels!

After reading Rosales's letters, Alvin contacted Elsa using a special code.

About four or five minutes later, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

Then, the door, which had been sealed for more than half a month, was finally pushed open, and a ray of sunlight seemed to take on a concrete shape in the rising dust.

The sunlight shone on that beautiful figure, and it was none other than Elsa they hadn't seen for half a month.

She was still wearing that familiar dress, her long, slightly wavy, light golden hair flowing like a waterfall, simply tied up and draped over her shoulders. Her beautiful eyes, like autumn water, perfectly reflected a person's figure.

"Welcome back, Master Alvin."

Elsa smiled, her eyes sparkling like a gentle spring breeze.

Her voice, though she tried her best to suppress, trembled, and her eyes welled up with tears, but these betrayed her true feelings.

Looking at Elsa, who was leaning against the door, seemingly relieved, with tears in her eyes but still trying to appear strong, Alvin felt a slight pang in his heart.

This scene is just like a husband going on a long journey, while his wife waits at home for his return. After many days apart, she finally sees her husband return safely and is relieved and at ease.

The phrase "Welcome back," in particular, resonated deeply with Alvin.

He always felt that he had no place to belong, and was more like a wanderer traveling between different worlds.

But just a second ago, Elsa's tearful yet tender "Welcome back" made him suddenly feel as if he had finally found a home and was no longer a wanderer.

"I'm back, Elsa."

Alvin spoke gently, stepping forward to wipe away a tear from the corner of her eye. "I'm sorry, I made you worry."

Soft sunlight streamed through the door frame and fell on Alvin's face.

Elsa was slightly shorter than him, so she tilted her head up slightly and looked at his face. Countless thoughts scattered in her mind, eventually merging with the surging longing in her heart. When emotions ran deep, she subconsciously hugged Alvin.

Alvin was caught off guard by her sudden "attack" and stood there stunned.

However, realizing her behavior was "inappropriate," Elsa didn't let go; instead, she hugged him even tighter, pressing her face against his chest as if listening to his heartbeat. "I'm sorry, Master Alvin, please forgive me. Just this once, just this once."

Upon hearing this, Alvin stopped talking, wrapped his arms around Elsa, and hugged her tightly.

He could hear Elsa's heartbeat, smell the delicate fragrance of her golden hair, and sense that Elsa in his arms seemed a little off. So he lowered his voice and asked in a gentle tone, "What happened, Elsa?"

The scene from that day flashed through Elsa's mind again.

The "nightmare" Penny spoke of, as a retainer of the Rogue Trader, was something she knew very well wasn't a "nightmare," but rather a glimpse into the future that Penny foresaw.

What is foresight?

It's a glimpse into the future, a fact that's bound to happen!

Ironically, everything you do, whether or not it's to change your destiny, will ultimately become an aid that pushes you toward that destiny.

Once upon a time, in the legends of the Imperium, there was a holy and pure angel with a perfect face that captivated the Four Gods. Yet, in the end, he could not escape the judgment of fate, even though he also possessed the ability to foresee the future.

Therefore, she knew very well that she could not change her fate, and the best choice was to let fate take its course.

Penny's prophecy foretold her death, but Alvin would live!

That's enough!

Elsa? Elsa? Elsa!

She was suddenly jolted awake by the calls, and when she looked up, she met Alvin's anxious and worried gaze.

"What happened?" Alvin stared intently at her, as if trying to find some clue on Elsa's face. "Tell me what's wrong, I'll definitely be able to handle it, trust me, okay?"

Unfortunately, Elsa was extremely skilled at managing her expressions and did not reveal a single flaw.

She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, seemingly transforming back into the seemingly cold but kind-hearted assistant. A smile played on her lips as she softly said, "It's nothing, Young Master Alvin. I was just a little worried because I haven't seen you in so long."

"Real?"

Alvin looked at her suspiciously, wanting to confirm again.

"Would I lie to you?" Elsa rolled her eyes at him and said coquettishly, "Don't forget, I swore to you that I would never lie to you."

Except this time, she murmured to herself.

"It's alright, don't worry too much," Alvin said gently. "Don't worry, the matter with Celerus will be resolved soon. I'll take you somewhere to relax."

Where?

Elsa blinked and asked curiously.

"A very beautiful place." Alvin's eyes softened as he spoke softly, "There, you can see seas of flowers, snowscapes, sunrises, and sunsets. The air is fresh and tranquil, a place far removed from strife and Chaos."

Elsa listened to his description of the beautiful scenery, her thoughts seemed to drift away, and she imagined those scenes in her mind.

She had been to "Garden of Nurgle World" and was deeply attracted by its scenery, but it was nothing compared to the place Alvin described, which was like a dreamlike Utopia.

"Does such a place really exist?" Elsa's eyes shone with longing, yet she couldn't quite believe it.

Have I ever lied to you?

Alvin chuckled and ruffled her hair, whispering, "I promise you, once things are over here, I'll take you to see all the beautiful scenery there, from sunrise to sunset, from the sea to Snow Mountain, from deserts to seas of flowers."

Elsa lowered her head and nodded slightly.

However, what Alvin didn't notice was that a crystal tear slid down her fair face.

Watching the figure leave the room, Elsa murmured in a voice only she could hear, "I'm sorry, Young Master Alvin, this time, perhaps I will have to break my promise."