[Short Chapter]
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After the planar expansion ordeal, Edward had little to do before his voyage. He went to check on the research on the Quantum Realm while also visiting the Savant Race. The people both loved and hated him.
The knowledge they acquired in the past few years made me sleep with a grin. Unfortunately, the tedious negotiation often ruined their happiness.
Afterward, Edward checked on the Bones Council. Things were proceeding smoothly, with relatively no problem. His methods allowed his variants to work together while keeping their deepest secrets. Over the past years, the Empire has benefitted immensely by using the council's resources.
Meanwhile, Edward had one problem he had to deal with, which was to prevent his variants from accessing other planes. He did not know whether there would be an issue with variants from the multiverse entering the Astral Plane. So far, the gods are all right.
Regardless, he was unprepared to deal with this issue–at least not now. As such, his main issue with the council was dealing with these variants that were closed to mastering Planar Travel Technology. Luckily, time was still short–relatively speaking–so there were not too many.
Edward's biggest worry was the variants not part of the council that had mastered this technology. After all, the multiverse was vast, full of endless variables and opportunities.
"Last thing to check," muttered Edward as he closed his eyes. A few minutes later, he opened them with a smile. "Everything is proceeding smoothly."
Not long ago, he finally received news from the spy he sent to infiltrate Daoist Purple Robe's home world. Now, everyone is fine and was not detected, so the first step in the infiltration is completed.
The next step is to create a believable identity and get Purple Robe's attention. Then, he can infiltrate the latter's Samsara Hall and take it down from the inside.
"I can't believe they've contacted us after so long," commented Morgana. "The time difference between Universes is fascinating."
"Indeed, it's something we should study one day. Anyway, all that matters is everything is going smoothly. Now, all I have to worry about is how fast he will take to completely control the artifact."
"Worrying about this won't help, so let's focus on the task at hand."
"Yes, so, are you ready?" asked Edward.
"Yes, I've prepared everything we need, including updating my database to contain all the Empire's progress in the last 20 years."
"In that case, let's not waste time."
He first saw Olivier and had a passionate night before she left. She would travel to many worlds like him, but her purpose was to become a better commander. Afterward, Edward met with his aunt before entering [Netheril] and left.
He promised Albion he would bring him on the next voyage, so he kept his promise. However, he still locked the dragon in his room and did not let him see anything to prevent problems.
"Is everything ready?" asked Edward.
"Yes, we have the coordinate."
"Then, let's go."
Edward heard a sound before everything began to shake like it was an earthquake of 10 magnitude. Luckily, the process lasted only a few seconds before stopping.
"What happened?" he asked, and Morgana did not immediately respond as she gazed at a small screen before her.
"We hit something in the midst of our travel."
"How can we be so unlucky? Or, is the Void not what it used to be?"
"I don't know, but luckily, everything is fine. We did not meet any creatures, nor were there any damages."
"That's good. Are we at our location?"
"Yes."
"Then, let's go."
The floating city entered this world while still in invisible mode. In an instant, Edward was outside a blue planet–Earth. Morgana immediately sent the Sorcerer Eyes to scan the planet, which appeared only to be an ordinary modern-day Earth.
Unless you look at its history.
Edward had a screen before showing the history of this planet. He read all the alien invasions this small planet experienced and the weird history of the past.
"It's hard to determine which one we are dealing with," said Morgana. "The worst part is he's not here, and we do not know where in time he is. It will be a pain to track him down–unless you blatantly used your Time Rule."
"It's unwise to use such a method on a being of that caliber," Edward shook his head. "How is the city adapting to the rules of this universe?"
"Barely," replied Morgana. "There is a powerful force that is rejecting all mana or magic. I have isolated its effect with the Void Shield and turned our system to a pure technology base."
"Will that be a problem?"
"Our technology is not on par with our magic, so it can only function at 80% capacity."
"That's better than I anticipated."
"We have made great strides with the Technomancer Inheritance, knowledge from the council, and Savant Race and our efforts."
Edward nodded. "So, what's our next move?" asked Morgana.
"Let ourselves adapt first. Then, send a signal that only he would understand and come running. Don't stay on Earth."
The floating city flew away to a faraway galaxy. A few days later, it sent a signal that scattered across the space-time continuum and waited. Not even a week later, a blue police box appeared outside.
"Are you sure this is the place this time?" asked a female voice.
"Isn't it obvious?" asked a playful man's voice. "Look outside."
"Is that a city floating in empty space? Why is it like that? What happened to it, and why is it sending a distress signal?"
"That's why we are here," said the man, not hiding his excitement. "Let's go."
The blue box flew to the destroyed city, finding an open area to land. A few seconds later, two people walked out: a woman dressed in a black dress and a young man wearing a bow tie.
The two only walked a few steps before the surrounding trembled lightly. Then, the decrypt city reverted to a vibrant one full of life.
"What's going on?" asked the woman.
"I don't know," said the young man as he pointed a metal stick, waving it a round.
"I'll have this," said a sudden voice. Then, the metal rod in the young man's flew over to someone else–Edward.
"Sonic Screwdriver–what an interesting piece of technology," he muttered before focusing on the two. "Doctor, I've meaning to meet you for a long time."