Chapter 166: A New Beginning
The turmoil subsided, and Belobog was spared. The once-uncontrolled automatons returned to normal the moment Asat Pramad vanished, and the eternal winter's cold wave continued to recede. Sunlight poured down, bringing warmth and vitality back to the land frozen for 700 years. The entire planet of Jarilo-VI was thriving.
Qliphoth Fort.
A solemn award ceremony was being held. Cocolia stood before the Supreme Guardian's seat, personally draping a white, gold-trimmed cloak over Orion. "To commend Orion's outstanding contributions in the 'Asat Pramad War,' I, in the name of the Supreme Guardian, hereby confer upon him the title of—'Spear of Belobog'!"
This title represented a status on par with the Supreme Guardian herself. Bronya, Seele, Gepard, and others were also awarded new medals and positions. Subsequently, Cocolia turned her gaze to the Astral Express crew. "Our most esteemed friends. I will bestow upon you the title of 'Eternal Guests.' All of Belobog's resources will be open to you."
However, Himeko stepped forward, smiling elegantly. "Thank you for your generosity, Supreme Guardian. But for us Nameless, pioneering itself is our mission. Making a few more friends like you on this journey is already the best compensation."
Cocolia looked at her with respect. The celebration banquet that followed lasted an entire night. Orion and Stelle, as if in a competition, drank glass after glass of fruit wine, eventually falling asleep arm in arm on a sofa, only to be woken by Bronya the next day.
…
A few days later, the Astral Express was quietly parked at Belobog's station. Today was the day the crew was leaving. On the platform, Stelle took one last look behind her, an inexplicable emptiness in her heart. He... hadn't come to see me off.
"Let's go, Stelle... what's wrong?" March 7th's voice sounded beside her. "Oh~ don't want to leave? Do you want me to call Orion over for you?"
"No! You're overthinking it..." Stelle immediately turned her head, denying it with a fluster.
"Really?" March 7th leaned closer, smiling like a little fox. "Actually, if you want to stay, you can. We'll come back on your wedding day to be your bridesmaids!"
"But Orion also has Bronya and Seele... No! When did I say I wanted to stay?! Don't just marry me off!" Stelle's cheeks flushed crimson as she retorted incoherently.
"Hahahaha!" March 7th burst into laughter.
Just as Stelle was both shy and annoyed, the corner of her eye caught sight of a familiar figure. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat. It was... Orion. He was walking unhurriedly towards them.
"Oh dear," March 7th saw him too. She tactfully patted Stelle's shoulder, then waved at Orion. "Bye-bye, little brother Orion, see you later~" With that, she hummed a little tune and scurried back into the Astral Express.
On the platform, only Orion and Stelle remained. The air was silent.
"You..."
"I..."
Both spoke almost simultaneously, then stopped. Orion looked at her flustered appearance and couldn't help but smile. "You first."
Stelle clutched the corner of her clothes, her head down, her voice tinged with a sadness she didn't even notice. "Orion... I'm leaving..."
Having said it, she didn't know what else to say. The distance between this planet and the star sea was vast. When would they meet again?
"Yes, I know." Orion's calm reply made her feel even worse.
"Before leaving..." Stelle took a deep breath, as if making a decision. She suddenly looked up, rushed forward, and gave Orion a strong hug. This time, there was no excitement, only an intense reluctance that she herself couldn't understand. She even felt like crying. Why? We were just comrades for a few days... but why did it feel like we've known each other for a lifetime?
As Stelle was feeling sentimental, Orion gently patted her back. "What are you doing?"
"Saying goodbye..." Stelle replied dully.
Orion, however, smiled. "Saying goodbye to what?"
She released him in confusion and met his smiling eyes. She heard him say in a matter-of-fact tone, "Stelle, I'm here to go with you all."
"...Huh???"
[Inorin Note:
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