Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1032: Chapter 1031: Third Kind Encounter

Under Leander’s guidance, the Normandy dragged its battered body slowly through the asteroid belt.

During this process, Shepard completely overturned her previous assumptions.

This was definitely not a civilization within this galaxy!

Although Shepard was not a professional researcher, she was well aware that nearly all the civilizations, including humans, Serretian, Alisa, and Turui, had technology stemming from the ancient Procen civilization. This was also why humans could co-build the Normandy with the Turui. Strictly speaking, the technological gap between these civilizations could be seen as who could delve deeper into, understand more thoroughly, and obtain more Procen relics.

But although there were certain gaps between the civilizations, their basic principles and essence were still similar.

However, these warships were completely different. The engines, fuel, and everything else they used were completely unfamiliar to Shepard.

When the Normandy group passed through the asteroid belt and entered the nomadic galaxy’s interior, they were stunned to see the Memory of Neshin basking beside the sun.

In the Milky Way, the largest and most impressive structure is the gigantic deep-space station—the Citadel. It is the core of the galaxy, where countless races have come to explore and reside. However, even the Citadel is only 44 kilometers long, whereas the Memory of Neshin was 80 kilometers long.

It was the largest battleship Shepard and the others had ever seen!

”Look!”

But what was even more shocking came next. When everyone approached the Memory of Neshin, dozens of dragons flapped their wings and gathered around, curiously observing the warship. However, watching these creatures flying around their battleship, Shepard and the others were speechless—even leaving aside how much these creatures resembled the dragons in Earth’s legends, the more important question was... how could they survive in the vacuum?

As a Ghost agent of the Citadel, Shepard had experienced many battles and was unafraid of even the terrifying Reapers. But even so, she had never seen any life form capable of surviving in space unprotected!

Moreover, they were flapping their wings...but wait, how could they fly in space without air?

And yet their speed was comparable to the Normandy’s?

Granted, the Normandy wasn’t traveling at full speed, but still, you’re biological creatures!!!

Witnessing this scene, everyone aboard the Normandy instinctively wanted to make a snide comment, but they could only remain silent. In fact, they had nothing to criticize; everyone now realized that they were likely facing a civilization unlike any they had encountered before.

Soon, under Leander’s guidance, the Normandy entered the docking bay of the Memory of Neshin and came to a steady halt within one of its passages.

”...Tali, Liana, come with me.”

After a brief moment of thought, Shepard quickly made a decision.

”Everyone else, stay put... Joker, see if you and Gelas can find a way to repair our ship.”

”Understood, Commander.”

Upon hearing Shepard’s orders, the two she addressed stepped forward. They weren’t human; Tali was a Quillan, a race experiencing tragic circumstances. They created the galaxy’s most troublesome AI—the Geth—and after the Geth rebelled, the Quillan left their home, living a nomadic life in the galaxy using their fleet.

With a fragile immune system, the Quillan cannot take in unpurified air and food, so they wear protective suits. They are mechanical experts and quite talented.

Liana, on the other hand, was an Asari. Her appearance closely resembled humans, except she had no hair, her skin entirely blue. This race possesses a powerful ability to control special abilities, making them formidable. They met Shepard during her adventures and became her trusted companions and fighting partners.

This time, Shepard chose them because she needed to see this new civilization from different racial perspectives.

Wait, why only bring two people? Wouldn’t it be better to bring four or five?

Hmm... that seems like an interesting question.

”Pfft...”

The hatch slowly opened, Shepard led the way out, with her two companions following behind. They were fully prepared to make first contact with this civilization.

Shepard stepped out of the hatch.

And saw a group of kids surrounding them, curiously staring at them.

”..........”

Mew Mew Mew???

Seeing this scene unfold, Shepard and her two companions didn’t know what to say. They expected a responsible adult to meet them, but... what was up with these kids? They couldn’t be older than ten!

This scene completely caught Shepard off guard, making her completely forget her intent to ”demonstrate human dignity and pride”... You can’t exactly show off in front of a bunch of kids.

How embarrassing!

”Tap, tap, tap...”

At this moment, accompanied by footsteps, a young girl emerged from the crowd, approaching Shepard and her companions, and respectfully bowed.

”Hello, I’m Leander...”

”You’re the one from that battleship earlier...”

Hearing her voice, Shepard was momentarily taken aback, recalling that this seemed to be the voice guiding them into the ship. However, what really surprised Shepard was how young this girl was. Although older than the surrounding children, she seemed to be only in her teens. Furthermore...

Shepard took a closer look at the blonde girl before her; she was entirely different from what Shepard had imagined. She wasn’t wearing a space or protective suit, but dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt and a bright red skirt, with black silk stockings and little leather shoes...

What kind of attire was this?

If someone dared dress like this on Shepard’s ship, she would certainly make them question their life choices. After all, Normandy was a warship; even on civilian ships, few would dress this way, as it seemed totally unsuited for space travel.

But if that’s how she likes to dress, what can you do?

”Please follow me.”

Leander didn’t seem interested in small talk, simply gesturing for them to follow as she led them deeper into the ship.

As they walked, Shepard and her companions carefully observed the ship in hopes of gleaning some clues.

Hmm... There were very few people around; it seemed this civilization had high levels of automation.

Why were there mostly children? The occasional adolescent, but no middle-aged people—was this civilization’s average lifespan low? Also, only females, no males... not surprising, given the Serretian’s fifty-year lifespan or the Asari which had only females and no males... understandable, understandable.

They closely resembled humanity, but why did some children have ears and tails? And wings? There seemed to be no pattern—was this a class trait or some other significance?

No one carried weapons; did they not need them, or were they like the Asari, using special abilities to fight?

They walked along, pondering, however, when they reached the reception hall and saw the pitch-black giant dragon in front of them, even the well-traveled Shepard was at a loss.

What was going on? Was she now in a Dungeons & Dragons world?