Searching for Galacta

Richard had guessed correctly. The Shi'ar did indeed have some relevant intelligence.

Gladiator, who was unusually still at headquarters in person, personally helped him investigate. Before long, they received a response from the person in charge of a certain district. They reported that someone had indeed witnessed a god-level battle not long ago. Gods had clashed violently, throwing the surrounding space into chaos. Powerful divine energy had triggered a chain of explosions, and people on several nearby planets had observed the anomaly. For a time, it had even been mistaken for unusual weather.

Gladiator specifically dispatched an envoy to make further inquiries and soon obtained more clues. A Shi'ar space station on a nearby planet had recorded the battle from afar. Although the distance was immense, the footage still vaguely showed a massive explosion occurring near the end of the battle.

That was when Galactus's heralds had been separated. The footage barely showed a purple silhouette breaking away, then accelerating out of frame and quickly leaving the battlefield.

The Shi'ar then used machines to analyze the complex energy composition at the battlefield. Through its energy frequency, they further confirmed that the purple silhouette was Galacta.

"Less than a hundred light-years in that direction lies Planet VOLDI," Gladiator said. "Even if she isn't there, she should at least have passed through it. Go there, and you should be able to find clues about her."

"Got it." Richard nodded. "Thanks."

"Wait." Seeing that he was about to leave, Gladiator reached out to stop him. "I know what you're about to do may be dangerous. I thought you might need some help. I may not be able to go myself, but I can at least send a fleet..."

Richard shook his head, declining the goodwill.

"Thanks, but I can handle it," Richard said.