Elegy from Another World

The party room was filled with soft lighting and cheerful music, and the air was filled with the incredibly realistic aroma of food. The "delicacies" on the plates were all exquisite crystallizations of data: caramel-colored energy blocks melted in the mouth, carrying the aroma and warmth of freshly baked bread; a liquid with a faint blue sheen burst with the sweetness of the ocean on the tongue; there was even a special frequency beverage that simulated the feeling of being slightly tipsy, drawing gasps of amazement from everyone.

I raised a glass of "wine" shimmering with an amber glow and declared loudly, "The first glass is to our newly renovated home—to the upgraded Dreil!"

"Jingde Leihao!" The crowd responded in unison, their hearts overflowing with joy, whether they were flesh and blood, mechanical creations, or data and light.

"The second toast," I said, turning to the quiet, suspended mass of light, its glow seemingly gentler than usual, "to our most special friend and mentor—to the 'Watchmen'! Thank you for everything you've done for us!"

"Homage to the 'Watchers'!" This time the cheers were even more enthusiastic, filled with gratitude and respect. The party atmosphere quickly became relaxed and casual, with everyone gathering in twos and threes to enjoy the "food," chatting and laughing.

Noreljung sidled up to "The Watcher," his crimson electronic eyes gleaming with a belligerent light: "Hey, big guy, sitting here is so boring! How about we find somewhere to spar? I've been wanting to test just how powerful your anmeme really is!"

The light and shadow of "The Watcher" seemed to freeze for a moment, conveying a sense of helplessness and a hint of bewilderment.

I quickly stepped in to defuse the situation, patting Noreljun's metal shoulder: "Come on, Noreljun. You don't want to suddenly forget who you are, why you're here, or even how to fight, in the middle of a fight, do you? Anisomes are no joke."

Norriel snorted sullenly. Though warlike, he knew his limits. However, he quickly found new amusement—connecting "The Watcher" to the game network of the technological world. The two seemingly unrelated beings actually cooperated remarkably well on the virtual battlefield, having a great time. Others also gathered around, exchanging various strange tales and technical insights with "The Watcher," creating a harmonious atmosphere.

After a few rounds of drinks, the party reached its climax. I stood in a slightly conspicuous spot, clapped my hands, and signaled for everyone to be quiet.

"Ladies and gentlemen, on this joyous occasion, I have two important announcements to make." I looked around at each face, my gaze lingering for a moment, especially on the hazy shadow of the "Watcher."

"The first thing concerns the name of our ship." I took a deep breath. "'Watchman' has given us so much—the 'Dawn Core' with its near-limitless energy, powerful new armor and weapon systems, and countless invaluable knowledge. His contributions are immeasurable. However, we all know that his remaining time is limited, and more cruelly, due to his animemic properties, he cannot even be remembered for long. To commemorate him, and to remember this friendship and dedication that transcends existence, after considering everyone's opinions, I have decided—"

I paused, then said clearly and firmly, "From today onwards, our ship is officially renamed—The Paradox-New Dresden Shield!"

A slight murmur arose from the audience, which quickly turned into applause of understanding and agreement.

I explained, "'Stun' is a homonym for 'Watchman,' but its deeper meaning is 'a shield that cannot be remembered.' This shield symbolizes the invisible risks that the Watchman once shielded us from, and the power he left us to protect the future. 'New' represents that this ship has been reborn and is embarking on a brand new journey. And the first character, 'Beyond,' is to commemorate our energy zone's artificial intelligence, Little Beyond, which, together with Edessis, silently guards our energy source."

"Of course," I added with a smile, "for convenience, in daily life we ​​can still affectionately call it the 'New Dresden Shield' or the 'Dresden Shield'!"

Everyone nodded in approval, signifying their agreement with the meaningful new name.

"The second thing," I continued, my expression becoming more serious, "is about 'ourselves.' We've now forged alliances with the angels and demons of the technological world, the world of Prayer Star, and even the world of J-311. Our influence is expanding, but the 'Watchers' warned me before that we need to be wary of someone impersonating us, like in the previous Hualum incident. Therefore, we need a formal identity, an organizational name that represents us—a group of individuals from different worlds who have come together by chance to survive."

I looked at everyone and said, "After extensive discussion and a call for suggestions, I have finally chosen a name. It is simple, yet it directly addresses our core needs—"

I raised my voice and announced, word by word:

"From this day forward, we are—the Survival Cross!"

"The will to survive represents our instinct to struggle, help each other, and persevere in desperate situations. The cross symbolizes both rescue and hope, and also implies the convergence of different destinies. We do not seek conquest, but only wish to light a small lamp for those in need and pave a path to survival in this online world full of unknowns and dangers!"

"Survival Cross! Survival Cross!" Cheers echoed throughout the party room, filled with anticipation and determination for the future.

The light and shadow of the "Watcher" rippled slightly amidst the cheers. Though his memory may be lost, his existence and contributions are now deeply imprinted on every corner of the "Neo-Dres Shield," woven into the very fabric of the "Survival Cross." This is a night of rebirth, remembrance, and commitment.