CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 49: CAT-EARED MAID!

The series of dark metal rings linked together, forming a complete sphere that enveloped the entire vast star. All light was swallowed, plunging the star and its surroundings into boundless darkness.

But soon, brilliant and crystalline, exceedingly pure Magic Power began to flow from the dark metallic sphere. This Magic Power converged into bright beams of light, spanning the vastness of space. Starlight wove into a network, connecting to and illuminating distant, silver space stations. In an instant, the once-dim, black celestial canopy transformed into a gleaming and resplendent Sea of Stars.

"These dark rings, I call them the Dyson Sphere. It’s a type of super-massive magictech equipment, still in the hypothetical stage of construction," Shiayar said, gazing at the dazzling Sea of Stars before him, his voice calm as ever.

"It is an interconnected whole. Ideally, it could capture more than seventy percent of a star’s energy output, efficiently converting it into Magic Power and storing it.

"Of course, a Dyson Sphere capable of a full seventy percent energy conversion is somewhat impractical, or rather, not very cost-effective. After all, if a civilization could construct such a large-scale magictech structure, it must have already reached a very high level of development. Such a civilization would no longer be awed by the energy of a single star. The structure would merely serve as a symbol of the civilization’s advancement, a wonder to showcase its monumental achievements.

"However, in reality, there’s no need to pursue a one hundred percent conversion rate..."

The image quivered slightly. The colossal construct known as the Dyson Sphere gradually faded; the dark metal rings disappeared, leaving only a single ring behind. The next moment, that single metal ring also began to disintegrate. From its original solid state, the metal turned into a dark fluid. The metallic fluid then thinned, becoming incredibly fine, transforming into a metallic film. Like a dark and ethereal cloud, it hovered silently beside the bright star. The star’s radiance shone through the mist-like film, slightly diminished.

"Such magictech equipment, or a ’Dyson Membrane,’ might only have one-thousandth, or even one-ten-thousandth, the absorption efficiency of the original Dyson Sphere. But even so, the energy it absorbs would far surpass the total energy our planet has produced since its very existence."

As Shiayar finished speaking, the scene fell into a brief silence. Dyres watched the spectacle in the Sea of Stars, momentarily at a loss for words. She, too, had heard of so-called colossal magictech constructions, such as the Empire’s giant war airships or the Steam Camp’s trump card: the Gustav Cannon. It was said to have been used only once during the Calamity Land era to slay an Emperor Rank mountain-melting dragon with a single shot. Yet, these marvels, capable of awing even Legendary experts and representing the pinnacle of the Western Continent’s civilization, seemed rather insignificant before what Shiayar had revealed.

To directly capture a sun’s energy within the Sea of Stars... What a grand concept! But the details manifested in this dreamscape also indicated its tangible feasibility.

...

The scenes within the dreamscape continued to change like fleeting glimmers of light.

There were formations of battleships, resembling the airships of the Western Continent, yet they effortlessly navigated the Sea of Stars. The fiery tails of their thrusters illuminated the blackness of deep space.

There were Mechas, similar to the gnomes’ magictech vehicles but many times larger. Ordinary people, seemingly possessing no great strength, could enter these Mechas and effortlessly control them to shatter mountains and rocks, or even traverse space.

Massive ships traveled between stars, devouring planets in their path and converting them into the purest raw materials.

Although these were just brief glimpses, like fleeting light and shadows, their implications were still enough to astonish everyone.

Dyres remained stunned for a long time before her heart-shaped Succubus tail swayed slightly. She was, after all, the creator of this dreamscape; theoretically, within the dream, she was omnipotent, the supreme creator. Yet, at this moment, Dyres felt a trace of fear. She was terrified that if she continued to watch, Shiayar would conjure another spectacle that might shatter her worldview. Such an unexpected dream... His Highness should be satisfied by now.

Just as Dyres harbored these thoughts, gently flapping her dark wings and preparing to end the dreamscape, the rapidly shifting dream scene suddenly paused.

Immediately after, a streak of pink light flashed by.

"What is this?" Dyres’s thoughts stirred, and the glittering, kaleidoscopic scene froze. Following that, the pink hue enlarged, details filled in, and it began to clarify.

"Actually," Shiayar suddenly interjected, "I think my little day trip in this dream should probably come to an end now. If I don’t wake up soon, Ennie might just come knocking."

"Daydreaming is pleasant, but eventually, one must return to reality." With a calm expression, Shiayar closed the door to the room, and the vast, majestic, yet desolate Sea of Stars vanished behind it.

"We must take things one step at a time, eat one bite at a time," he continued. "You can’t rush good things."

Dyres was taken aback. Just as she was about to voice her agreement with Shiayar’s profound statements, a cold and dignified voice came through her Astral Realm communication channel:

"Continue with the inspiration and clues from just now. Weave the dream further."

"As you command, Your Highness," Dyres replied, her expression turning serious again. She instantly exerted the full force of her Succubus Royal Family bloodline abilities. Spirituality from the depths of the Astral Realm, originating from the Dreamscape Dragon, surged into her, capturing those fleeting dream inspirations. Then, she solidified and fleshed them out...

The next moment, the simple room layout around Shiayar slowly faded away, replaced by a pink palace. At the center of the palace was an enormous, heart-shaped red bed, strewn with falling rose petals, creating a lavish, pink ambiance. A blonde-haired girl in a pristine white maid uniform knelt on the vividly colored bed. She held a silver-white Knight Commander’s lance, her light golden hair cascading across the bedding. She wore a cat-ear headband, her delicate face fair and smooth. She looked up at Shiayar with beautiful, sky-blue eyes, her black cat ears twitching a few times.

"Welcome home, Master Shiayar," a cool voice resounded.

"You must be tired from your outing," she continued, her voice still cool. "Would you like to eat first? Or bathe first?

"Or...

"would you prefer to eat me first?"