Him and their stars.

Chapter 2182 Ordered to Be a Snake
This seemingly ordinary old man is none other than Mr. Terend, the most outstanding mechanic in the galaxy (the inner world), the founder of the Engineers' Guild, the current chairman of the Brotherhood of Omnics, and an old friend of the people of Earth.

He was also the last butler of the Salvin Earl family, and one of the most powerful cybernetic beings in the galaxy.

Despite being just a "mortal," through constantly renewing and mending his body for three years, he lived like a nine-ring "true god," surviving two hundred years into the present and enduring the entire Elithel era.

His existence wasn't an absolute secret. Yu Lian guessed that the core intelligence agencies of the Empire and the Alliance, and even the mystical Serpent of the World, should all know of his existence. Yet, they all allowed him to live through these long two hundred years.

He was, of course, an old friend of the people of Earth, an old friend of the Pioneer Party, and an old friend of Yu Lian. Under his leadership and guidance, the cooperation between the Brotherhood of Machines and the Pioneer Party was virtually limitless. They even...

But he shouldn't be here.

Yu Lian stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at the other person. A thousand emotions flashed through his eyes in an instant, but in the end, he only slightly twitched the corner of his mouth and then gave a self-deprecating smile: "I want a large ice cream parfait, the super supreme extra-topping version. Also, a large iced cola, with three scoops. Oh, and some cake, one Black Forest caramel cheesecake and one tiramisu."

"Enough for three or five little girls to eat," the High Priest of Norddos muttered in a whisper that could barely be heard by himself, but then, realizing he was holding a large wad of cotton candy, he embarrassedly hid it behind his back.

“Alright! Sweetness makes people happy. Although I am a cyborg, I can’t be deprived of the function of using sugar to stimulate dopamine. There aren’t many ways to experience happiness in life, so I must leave myself some bottom line.” Trend slowly looked up at Yu Lian, but he had already started working very efficiently.

"In addition, twenty large skewers of the park's special grilled meats, each skewer containing ten different kinds of meat. Five skewers each of spicy and secret-recipe flavors," Yu Lian added.

“This is a dessert shop!” High Priest Norddos added.

“Alright, the robots at the barbecue restaurant never go off duty. But if you insist on having it handmade, you’ll have to wait a while,” said old man Trend.

"It's just an amusement park, not a royal banquet at the Palace of Elysium. What do you really expect from handmade food? Besides, it's just fast food and grilled skewers. How are humans any better than machines?"

Mr. Trend smiled warmly, with a hint of admiration: "You always see through appearances to the essence, and you have no prejudice against conventional bad habits. If anyone can truly drive this universe forward, it can only be you."

"I can only accept half of your praise at this moment. However, thank you anyway." Yu Lian accepted the praise frankly, and his gaze swept over the bench closest to him.

Norddos, with an awkward smile, shrank back on the side armrest of the chair, trying to make room for her. She seemed to be a very perceptive swallow.

However, Yu Lian didn't appreciate it. He waved his hand, and a fluffy, dog-headed mechanical cartoon character that had just passed by came running over and sprawled out behind him, instantly forming a warm, fluffy sofa.

Yu Lian curled up completely in the warm, plush texture, staring at the old cyborg making desserts. This old man had appeared before her at an interesting time, in an interesting place, in a natural and interesting way.

He felt he should have thought of this long ago, but surprisingly, he had never doubted it before.

"So..." Yu Lian asked with interest, "The future Duke?"

Old man Trend's hand trembled slightly, and he looked up with an awkward smile: "You overestimate me. I am at most an agent."

"Isn't an agent a lawbreaker? He's not only an agent, but he also has to play the role of a cleaner in many situations. Speaking of which, didn't you snakes agree that coming and going were voluntary? Why do you need a cleaner? Isn't that a bit undignified?" Yu Lian laughed.

"The cleaners are just a safety net. As long as they don't threaten the organization's survival, they can come and go as they please."

Surprisingly, it wasn't Terend who answered, but High Priest Norddos, who was carefully tearing apart a cotton candy. Yu Lian glanced at him, not at all surprised.

As the Empire's most powerful astrologer, he keenly sensed Yu Lian's gaze, revealing a slightly hurt expression, and said with a wry smile, "Let me let you know, Your Excellency, that I am merely an agent. Of course, I pose no threat to the survival of the Serpent of the Ring."

"...The relationship between you bunch of anti-civilization, evil ruling class and transnational cult terrorists is indeed an abstract duality of opposition and unity. This is probably a kind of struggle without breaking apart. The greatest tragedy of civilized society is that the oppressed will always be opposed to each other, hostile to each other, and even kill each other, but the oppressors can always unite." Yu Lian sneered.

“You’ve wronged me. I’ve read your ‘Original’ and Mr. Tan’s recent ‘Original Color Interstellar Declaration,’ which don’t fit your oppressor’s context. In a sense, they’re even outsiders. If we’re being honest, Mr. Norddos is indeed one; he has over 50,000 slaves in his private collection.”

Yu Lian looked at the High Priest and was surprised to find that this man with thick eyebrows and big eyes was such a typical street lamp ornament.

"Half of these were liberated by you, and the other half went with the various original color rebels... The rebel army has left. I am now destitute." The high priest quickly raised his hands, as if all he had left was this handful of cotton candy.

The old man first brought out the freshly made ice cream parfait. Ice cream, fruit, cookies, and waffle cones were piled high in an exquisite crystal tray, sprinkled with chocolate shavings and cream—it looked like a tempting blood sugar and calorie bomb.

Yu Lian thanked them and accepted the gift, beginning to nourish his weary body and mind with the sugar and dopamine. As the delicious sugar-oil mixture melted in his mouth and throat, he felt his spirituality and physical strength rapidly returning.

Indeed, nothing—no spiritual vein circulation, no cycle of life, no ethereal body—can compare to dopamine. This is the true meaning of following the natural way!
Yu Lian selectively ignored the question of whether psychics with eight rings still had dopamine.

"I am indeed merely an agent of the 'future,' and the 'Lawbreaker' can be considered as one in the light and one in the dark."

The Spellbreaker was already shrouded in mystery. Even the white fox couldn't completely pinpoint the creature's age, gender, race, or past.

"However, most of the time, I am actually in a dormant state, and I can't even be considered a formal member of the organization." Old man Trend rubbed his hands together and revealed a sweet smile just like an ice cream parfait.

At this moment, this cyborg, who had also lived for over two hundred years, didn't resemble an engineer at all; he was more like a well-trained and excellent butler. Just standing there, he could provide emotional support to his master.

However, he was indeed Count Salvin's butler.

"Does Mr. Latis know your real ID number?" Yu Lian asked with a smile.

“Of course. I am indeed the master’s loyal servant. Lord Ladis is not only my master, but also my mentor and guide.” The old man showed a nostalgic expression: “Later, after my master passed away, I received the teachings of ‘the future’, which led to where I am today.”

You're actually accepting a transformation of the "future," aren't you? Yu Lian thought, but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

"So, the existence of the Omnic Brotherhood and its opposition to the Thirteen Workshops under Serpent and the Cybernetics Legion are actually a charade."

"The conflict is certainly real. We do have different views on intelligent machines and the future of prosthetics. This has nothing to do with the organization, but everything to do with the future of cyborgs," Trend replied matter-of-factly.

Yu Lian wiped his face, suddenly feeling that the Thirteen Workshops and the Cybernetic Legion were actually quite pitiful. Their leader, the "craftsman" of the first thirteen levels, probably never knew that he was merely a pawn in the game played by the higher-ups in the organization.

Well, speaking of which, isn't that guy working for Yani now? Even with the methods of the Rainbow Rose family, he can still live a healthy and lively life before being completely exploited, so it can be considered an acceptable ending.

……perhaps.

Seeing the mocking smile on Yu Lian's face, the old man Terend still explained very sincerely, "Whether you believe it or not, sir, putting aside my other identity, the Brotherhood of Machines has been committed to contributing to the progress and prosperity of the world since its founding, and the Engineers' Guild has indeed sincerely allied with you. In fact, although you are not a cyborg, many of my colleagues already regard you as their leader."

As things stand, Yu Lian hasn't noticed any signs of lying.

"And what about you now?"

"Let me explain, Your Excellency. I did indeed officially rejoin the organization two years ago. My current codename is 'Zigong,' one of the Thirteen Faces. My main task is to help the organization reorganize its industries, rebuild its influence in the underworld and international trade, and prepare for the great era to come."

"...Why is it called that?"

“This is my idol. If Lord Latis is truly a sage from the classical era of Earth, I hope to always listen to his teachings and do everything I can to help him.”

Well, the titles of the Thirteenth Face and the Executive Officers are indeed as casual as ever! However, it's also certain that this guy has been on Earth for too long and has indeed taken on the form of half an Earthling.

"As for the Brotherhood and the Guild, their leadership has been relinquished. My colleagues and disciples all believe that I am retiring." The old man continued, "I assure the spirit of the universe that I am who I am, and the Brotherhood is the Brotherhood. My cyborg comrades truly have nothing to do with the organization."

Well, in a sense, he has indeed retired.

He then mentioned his granddaughter: "Nell knows nothing of my past. The child is involved in a great cause, and her eyes are shining now."

“I am a progressive revolutionary… uh, a progressive commander-in-chief, and I never practice collective punishment,” Yu Lian said. “Also, my cakes, kebabs, and iced cola.”

"Alright, I'll get it done for you right away." Old man Trend strode back to the counter and busied himself again. It was clear that he was not only a well-trained butler, but also a seasoned veteran.

Looking at the old man busily working behind the counter, Yu Lian inexplicably felt a sense of déjà vu, as if he were trampling on the heads of the working people and lording it over them.

Meanwhile, on the other half, the High Priest of Norddos, sitting on the bench, had finished his gaudy lollipop and seemed to have finally gained courage from the sugar: "Your Excellency Yulian, what were His Majesty's... final moments like?"

His voice no longer carried the profound meaning of a behind-the-scenes schemer; it was now filled with the weariness of routine tasks, and an undisguised sorrow and pain.

He genuinely mourned the emperor's fall, appearing utterly loyal. Considering this guy's battle at the Gate of Glory three months ago—he was practically inviting me to the Heavenly Realm, practically an open traitor—his current sorrow seemed rather abstract.

So, is the abstraction referring to high-ranking psionicists or the rulers of the empire?
"Proud and composed, perhaps. Like a stock market speculator who, after realizing his gamble has failed, climbs onto a rooftop and resolutely faces death. Or like a director who, knowing he's made an epic flop, calmly accepts all the criticism and insults. Considering they've lost their own money, I even feel a bit of respect for them," Yu Lian said calmly, his gaze drifting from Norddos to the old man Terend behind the counter. "However, this flop wasn't directed by just one person!"

Old man Trend picked up a soft cloth, quickly wiped a crystal plate, and carefully plated the sliced ​​cake: "Please don't look at me like that. I'm not a director. Just a collaborator for half a century."

"Ha, cooperation? Your Lord Latis, who went to heaven, had a grudge against the emperor. That's why he chose the snake, isn't it?" Yu Lian said.

"Is he?" The old man brought over the cake, his smile as sweet and warm as the dessert itself. "Sir, is the one who has a grudge against my old master really the emperor?"

Yu Lian hesitated for a moment, then readily admitted his mistake: "I misspoke. You are right, the one with whom I have a grudge is not the emperor."

He looked up at the Void Crown, suspended at least two hundred meters above his head and hidden within artificial clouds. Interestingly, apart from himself, neither Norddos nor Terend seemed to have noticed the existence of that Noble Phantasm.

Yu Lian put down the ice cream parfait he had finished eating and began to let the sweetness of the cake fuel his dopamine levels, prompting him to think: "Now that I think about it carefully, His Majesty the Emperor wanted to save himself, to get rid of the three-thousand-year-old curse on his own. And Brother Latis actually wanted to save him, didn't he?"

Of course, making one's daughter the Overlord of the Swarm and achieving immortality in another sense is another matter entirely. Perhaps the two influence each other, or perhaps they are simply coincidental.

The old man, Trend, replied somewhat awkwardly, "My master has been gone for three cycles of sixty years. I really dare not say what he was thinking back then."

Yu Lian then said, "If I'm not mistaken, that indescribable fellow just now, that Void Lord zombie with a mechanical appearance, was actually your doing, wasn't it? Looking beyond the surface, wasn't that just a Void Lord equipped with a prosthetic body?"

He then looked at High Priest Norddos: "Since you are here, does that mean you are also one of the creators?"

High Priest Norddos paused slightly, then humbly admitted, "Yes, it's just a tiny, insignificant contribution. It was I who inscribed the runes inside the armor to stabilize the Dimensional Abomination's physical support. Also, those one hundred and twenty spirit anchors were made using my formula. But ultimately, it's all thanks to Mr. Trend's technical skills and His Majesty the Emperor's extraordinary imagination."

This guy acted like he was completely devoted to Emperor Elithel. He only became so incredibly loyal after someone had already fallen; his life was certainly full of drama.

In short, during the Seventh Galactic War fifty years ago, after the Emperor finally slayed the "Dimensional Abomination" after overcoming numerous hardships, he discovered that the behemoth's remains had undergone unusual changes because it was located in the material universe.

Its outer shell fell onto the planet, forming massive mountain ranges. The flesh and blood within, bound by unstable physical laws, did not immediately return to the ethereal realm, but instead formed an indescribable mass of chaotic energy in the starry sky.

The emperor then had a bold idea. Before the chaotic flesh and blood were rejected and driven back to the void by the prime material world, he temporarily stabilized it with his power and then sought outside help.

"It was from that time that I began to cooperate with His Majesty Elisher," the old cyborg said.

"As for me, I'm just an intermediary," the official said.

"This is something I didn't expect either." Yu Lian seemed to be meeting the Empire's Chief Astrologer for the first time. Although this guy looked like a handsome middle-aged man, he was actually a hundred-year-old monster. One could imagine that the past experiences of such a person must have been very complicated.

"Are you a snake too?" Yu Lian asked.

"That was all in my youthful arrogance," he said, looking embarrassed. "In a sense, I was actually acting as a snake under orders."