Collapse Iron: Cosplaying the Near-Death Star, but with a full destiny.

The bubbles expanded slowly under the control of the sound of the sea. The temperature of the seawater was adjusted to a just-right warmth, neither scorching nor too cold to dispel the chill of the deep sea.

The two were immersed in the water.

Heather's body underwent a subtle change the moment it came into contact with the seawater.

The area in her abdominal cavity composed of fluid in the form of seawater began to blend with the surrounding water, emitting a faint fluorescent glow.

The fish scales hidden below the left eye were now fully visible, shimmering with a soft, pearly luster in the water.

She returned to the ocean.

She has returned to her most authentic self.

"Caesar".

The siren's voice becomes softer in the water, with an almost hypnotic rhythm. The siren's natural voice is amplified many times over in the water.

"thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

Krydella leaned against the wall of the bubble, her short blue hair floating slightly in the water.

"Thank you for giving me an ocean."

Hathaway took a step closer to her.

"Thank you for giving me a flag when I lost everything."

One step closer.

"Thank you for making me understand—"

"—Those who sink to the bottom of the sea can also rise to the surface again."

Her face was almost touching.

Her purple pupils reflected Crydella's blue eyes.

Then, Heather leaned forward.

His lips gently landed on Krystra's lips.

At that moment, the underwater bioluminescence suddenly burst forth, and the glowing corals seemed to sense some signal, releasing an even brighter light.

Schools of fish swirled around the bubbles, their silver scales slicing through the air.

Krydella's eyes widened for a moment.

Surprise, confusion, and a deep-seated, unspoken stirring within her blue pupils... flashed across her eyes.

She didn't push him away.

The blue flame in the crown flickered in the water.

Just once.

at the same time.

The Star Train. Observation Pod.

Hoshi sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, holding a cup of coffee made by Himeko.

This stuff tastes really good.

Everyone: ......

Her gaze swept over everyone in the cabin.

Xing wore his ever-present black and gold short jacket, March 7th wore his blue and white combat uniform, and Dan Heng still wore his cyan long robe in the style of the Cloud Cavalry.

Even Pam only has that furry outer skin.

"Don't you have any other clothes to wear?"

Hoshi couldn't help but make a comment.

Xing looked down at herself.

"...Is there a problem?"

"We've lived in Luofu for so long, and it's a bit..."

She paused for a moment, then chose a more euphemistic word.

"monotonous."

"Don't you love buying clothes the most on March 7th?"

March 7th scratched his head.

"I did want to buy it... but the clothing stores in Luofu are too expensive. A fairy boat style dress costs tens of thousands of credits."

"That's perfect."

Hoshi put down his coffee cup.

"Aglaia's shop is doing incredibly well right now; the Onpharos style is very popular here. How about we order a few sets from her? It'll be a friend's price, definitely cheaper than elsewhere."

March 7th's eyes lit up instantly.

"May I?!"

"certainly."

Hoshi stood up.

"Let's go, call everyone. Oh, right."

She looked around.

"Where is the cricket's messenger?"

The insect envoy on the train, the insectoid diplomat from a distant planet, has recently been traveling with the train crew.

He usually sat properly in the corner of the observation cabin, curiously observing everything around him with his compound eyes.

But at this moment, that corner was empty.

"It seems to be in the communications room?"

Xing pointed in the direction of the corridor.

He walked over and pushed open the door to the communications room.

The cricket envoy sat in front of the communication terminal, all its compound eyes focused on the holographic screen in front of it.

A news report from interstellar space was playing on the screen.

In the image, a verdant planet is rotating. The planet's surface is covered with vast expanses of lush green vegetation and dense, honeycomb-like clusters of buildings.

The news anchor's voice came through clearly:

"--The ecological transformation project of the Mother Planet, led by Genius Club member Nguyen Mai, has recently been declared a complete success. After two Amber Periods of genetic optimization and social structure reconstruction, the Mother Planet has completed a fundamental transformation from an 'erosive reproductive species' to a 'cooperative civilized race'."

Screen switch.

A group of stag beetles, much larger than envoys and covered in emerald green carapaces, were busily loading and unloading cargo at an interstellar port.

Their movements were synchronized and orderly, and each individual carried an astonishing enthusiasm.

"Currently, the Segmenter Clan has established rescue stations and supply transfer points in multiple star systems. They actively participate in public welfare activities such as global disaster relief, interstellar route maintenance, and anti-piracy patrols, practicing their creed of pioneering a new path, and have won widespread praise in multiple civilizations."

"It is worth mentioning that the conflict between the Segmented Insect Clan and the Universal Pirates continues to escalate. Due to the Segmented Insect Rescue Station's repeated thwarting of the pirates' plundering operations, the two sides have formed a de facto hostile relationship. The Segmented Insect Clan's combat power and organizational capabilities are remarkable, and they have gained some fame."

"As for Dr. Nguyen Mai herself—"

The scene shifts again, revealing the back view of a woman with a cool and aloof demeanor.

She was wearing a white research robe, her long hair flowing like a waterfall, and she was walking into the entrance passage of the Black Tower space station.

"—After completing the core research on the destiny of reproduction, this genius has left the mother planet of the insect and returned to the Black Tower Space Station. It is said that he is currently engaged in some kind of cutting-edge research related to the essence of destiny. Specific details have not yet been disclosed."

This concludes the news broadcast.

The worm envoy turned off the screen and turned around.

Its compound eyes glowed faintly in the dimly lit communications room, and looked... somewhat moist.

Of course, Hoshino isn't entirely sure whether the eyes of a cricket can actually shed tears. But that emotion, transcending racial barriers, is clearly discernible.

"You saw it?"

Hoshi leaned against the door frame.

"Um."

The worm messenger's voice has a buzzing quality unique to the insect race.

"The changes on our home planet far exceeded my expectations."

"Dr. Nguyen Mai's genetic modification program... has fundamentally changed the cognitive structure and social patterns of our ethnic group."

Its antennae twitched gently.

"In the past, we only knew how to devour and reproduce."

"Now, we have learned to build, protect, and give."

"Every insect is practicing the creed of pioneering, hoping that one day..."

Its compound eyes gazed at the starry sky outside the window.

"To be watched by the God of Pioneers."

Hoshino's lips curled up slightly. She was thinking of Hoshino-neechan.

"This feels good."

She said it from the bottom of her heart.

"The revival of a race is more significant than the victory of any war."

The cricket nodded.

"But ultimately, the revival of the race cannot be separated from the help of the train crew."

Its antennae gently bent towards the direction of the star, a gesture of respect unique to the cricket.

"If the Star Train hadn't accepted me, if the train crew hadn't helped me establish contact with outside civilizations..."

"Dr. Nguyen Mai would not have noticed the potential of the schizothorax family."

"It all started on this train."

Looking at the young Zerg diplomat, a warm feeling welled up in Xing's heart.

"Let's go."

She patted the carapace of the arthropod messenger.

"Want to go out with us? Let's go to Aglaia's shop to get clothes made."

"...Do insects wear clothes?"

"Then let's go see what the fuss is about."

Changletian Central Street Area.

The "Golden Thread Weaving" tailor shop is located in a two-story wooden building, with a signboard embroidered with gold thread hanging at the entrance, the lettering of which is smooth and beautiful.

The shop window displays several gowns in the Onpharos style, with white and gold as the main colors. The skirts and cuffs are adorned with exquisite gold thread embroidery, and every stitch carries a classical and mysterious exotic charm.

Hoshi pushed open the door.

jingle.

The wind chimes on the door made a crisp sound.

The store is brightly lit and warm, filled with the unique scent of cotton and linen fabrics, mixed with a faint metallic smell—the scent of gold threads woven into the cloth.

Aglaia sat on a low stool at the very back of the shop.

She wore a simple white apron, her long golden hair was loosely tied back, and her blue-green eyes were focused and gentle.

Saifei'er was perched on her lap.

To be precise, Sephiroth's cat ears were down, her face buried in Aglaia's knees, her long silver hair cascading down her sides. Aglaia's right hand held a delicate little comb, gently stroking Sephiroth's hair.

No, it's not just hair.

Her left hand was simultaneously touching Sai Fei'er's cat ears.

The pressure was even from the base of the ear to the tip, demonstrating skillful technique.

Saifei's cat tail swayed slowly behind her, the tip of which curled slightly, a signature gesture of felines when they feel extremely comfortable.

She even emitted a very faint buzzing sound from her throat, almost like a cat purring.

"..."

Hoshi stood at the door, his lips twitching.

March 7th peeked out from behind her, his eyes instantly widening three times.

"Oh my god, she's so cute!"

She instinctively raised her camera.

Click.

Saifei's cat ears suddenly stood up.

She sprang from Aglaia's knees with the speed of a silver lightning bolt.

By the time she regained her footing, she had already darted to the other end of the shop, leaning against a row of fabric racks, her hood pulled tightly down below her eyebrows, revealing only the tips of her two bright red ears.

"When did you get in?!"

Her voice was shrill and urgent.

Aglaia put down the comb in her hand and stood up slowly.

She glanced at the row of people at the door: Hoshino, Hoshino, Danheng, March 7, Pam, and the envoy of the ceremonial insect, and then slightly curved the corners of her mouth.

"Welcome to 'Golden Thread Weaving'."

She patted the loose threads off her apron.

"What kind of items would you like to order?"

Saifei huddled in the corner, her hood pulled down even lower.

The silver cat tail puffed up into a ball of fur behind it.

"Let's have our clothes custom-made."

"Custom-made clothes?"

Aglaia placed the comb back on the counter, her blue-green eyes sweeping over the group of people at the doorway.

"sure."

She nodded slightly, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

"Onfaros weaving emphasizes 'tailor-made clothing'. Each garment needs to be custom-made according to the wearer's body shape, temperament, and even destiny."

She took out a roll of gold measuring tape from under the counter.

"Who wants to go first?"

March 7th was the first day I raised my hand.

"Me! Me! Me!"

She skipped and hopped over to Aglaia, her short pink hair swaying with her movements.

Aglaia had her stand in front of a full-length mirror in the center of the store.

"Open your arms and relax."

The golden measuring tape moved like a serpent in her hand, tracing the shoulder line, waistline, bust, and hips of March 7th. Aglaia's movements were extremely professional, with each measurement accurate to the millimeter.

"Shoulder width 36cm. Chest circumference... um."

Aglaia's gaze lingered on March 7's chest for a second.

"It's developing very well."

March 7th's face instantly turned red.

"Ah, Aglaia!"

"State the facts."

Aglaia continued taking measurements without changing her expression.

"Waist 58cm, hips 85cm, height 163cm. Overall proportions are well-balanced, typical of a young girl's figure."

She put away the measuring tape and quickly made notes on a piece of parchment.

"It's suitable for light and airy styles. I would use Onfaros' 'Starry Yarn' fabric, paired with an ice-blue gradient dye."

"To complement your defensive attributes, add a ring of tiny ice crystal patterns to the hem of your skirt. This will create an ice mist effect when you move."

March 7th's eyes lit up.

"Really?! I can't wait!"

Next up is the star.

Xing stood in front of the mirror, her short, silver-gray hair slightly disheveled, and her expression a little awkward.

"I usually just wear my combat suit, so I don't really need it—"

"Stand still."

Aglaia shut her up with just one sentence.

The golden measuring tape moved once more.

"Shoulder width 34 cm. Height 1.72 meters. Low body fat percentage, well-defined muscles."

Aglaia nodded.

"Suitable for a clean and sharp cut. Short jacket, fitted inner layer, long trousers and high boots."

"The material is 'Shadow Steel Wire,' a unique metal fiber of Onfaro. It looks like ordinary cloth, but its strength is comparable to light armor."

"Suitable for someone like you—who might start a fight at any moment."

Xing opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Nihoshi stepped forward.

"I'll have one measured too."

Aglaia glanced at her.

That glance carried a subtle scrutiny—the professional assessment of the "material" unique to a weaver.

"172 cm tall. Long gray hair, golden eyes. A cool demeanor, but a passionate heart."

She walked around the planet.

"Eighteen destinies converge in one body... Ordinary fabrics cannot withstand the radiation of this density of destiny factors."

She pondered for a moment.

"I need the 'Corona Weave,' the finest fabric of Onphalus, which only Caesar and the demigods were entitled to wear back then."

"It can automatically absorb and neutralize the overflow of destiny factors, while converting excess energy into visual effects—once you wear it, your clothes will change color according to the currently activated destiny."

Hoshino raised an eyebrow.

"That sounds pretty cool."

"Of course."

Aglaia's lips curled up slightly.

"Please come back in a week to pick it up."

At the same time.

Dan Ding Si (丹鼎司).

....................................