After explaining the full context to Stelle's trio, March 7th covered her mouth in shock.
"Wha—Teacher Adrian, you were up to all that last night behind our backs?"
Dan Heng wasn't surprised at all. After all, Adrian didn't need sleep. One night wouldn't just be spent upgrading his Cloud-Piercer.
Stelle seemed reluctant to talk about last night. That wicked Milk Tea… Aeon!
"Wow! Boss Adrian, you're so kind!" Sampo chimed in with flattery, though no one paid him any mind.
"But that same night, Mother summoned me and ordered me to arrest you. What happened? I don't understand…" Bronya said.
"Hey~ Getting misunderstood is common. We're definitely here to help!" March 7th declared confidently. The Nameless were well-regarded across the cosmos, a trusted brand.
"The Silvermane Guards have been ordered to withdraw to the surface. Down here, I can't act as a guard."
"Until we return to the surface, let's call a truce and work together." Bronya extended an invitation to the four.
"To prove my sincerity, you can ask me anything, and I'll answer truthfully."
In the lower district, Bronya's only acquaintances were Adrian's group of five—she even counted Sampo.
"Miss Bronya, could you repeat in detail… the charges the Great Guardian leveled against us?" Adrian was particularly curious about this.
Bronya nodded, recounting the previous night's events in full.
"The Great Guardian said you're followers of the Aeon of [Eternity]… with forces spread across the galaxy, resorting to any means to spread THEIR name, committing heinous acts throughout the cosmos. Including forcibly invading a planet and igniting its sun to scorch its surface with massive radiation…"
As Bronya vividly relayed the conversation, Sampo, eavesdropping, twitched his lips. The Stellaron Core was clever, sure… but this was a bit too slanderous!
Sampo shivered. It sounded like something the [Elation] Aeon would say.
"Hey, hey, hey! Isn't that something the Anti-Matter Legion or an Annihilation Lord would do? And they're pinning it on us?!"
March 7th griped. Could this Stellaron Core really be tied to Nanook? Slandering the Aeon of [Eternity] like that.
"Interesting. Second question: Why work with us?"
Adrian was certain now. Only Aha could've tricked Cocolia into saying this—the Stellaron Core wasn't that smart.
He knew that guy wouldn't just spectate. Gotta stir up some trouble.
This planet offered Aha plenty of fun: dispel the cold wave, bring spring to Jarilo-VI, usher in a new era—a happy ending!
But was it really? As the cold wave faded, it wouldn't just be spring reviving—there'd be the Anti-Matter Legion too.
Without the Astral Express's help, it'd be another brutal war, stuck in an endless loop.
"All along, I've felt something important was being hidden. Whether it's the Architects, Mother, or the Silvermane Guards' actions, something feels off…"
"Meeting you all brought surprises and accidents, even landing me in the sealed underground."
"I have a hunch—sticking with you, I'll find the missing clues to unravel my doubts."
"You're pretty alright~" Stelle gave Bronya a thumbs-up after her answer.
Didn't expect her to be another poor soul kept in the dark by the Great Guardian. Stelle could relate.
Dan Heng looked at Bronya. "Our questions are done. Miss Bronya, anything you want to ask us?"
"I have plenty… but now's not the time. Let's go meet [Wildfire]."
…
After a series of adventures in the Great Mine, resolving the conflict between wanderers and [Wildfire], the group successfully met Oleg and learned their next objective.
Seeing Clara happily wave at Adrian, March 7th and Seele froze.
"Teacher Adrian, is everyone in the lower district your friend?"
Adrian shook his head. "Coincidentally, just these two."
With Adrian around, Svarog was uncharacteristically friendly, leaving [Wildfire] baffled.
Was this the Svarog they knew? They'd tried contacting Svarog multiple times, only to be shut out. Svarog only trusted cold, calculated logic.
Now, things were different. Adrian's group brought an unexpected variable, changing the situation. They didn't clash with Svarog's robotic soldiers along the way.
Both sides had a friendly exchange, agreeing to head to the Mechanical Settlement early the next morning.
The Stellaron Core's history was long, and no one in the lower district was a better source than Svarog.
After Svarog left with Clara, Oleg sighed. "Things rarely go this smoothly underground. Thanks to your help. It's getting late—you must be exhausted. Head back to town and rest. I'll arrange everything."
Adrian stretched lazily. Idle moments were always so pleasant. For the next few days, time to slack off.
Speaking of slacking… he wondered if Qingque was properly managing his shop.
His expectations weren't high—just open the shop for half an hour a day. If it stayed closed too long, it'd become one of the Xianzhou's urban legends.
"Rest again? I'm getting trauma from this world's 'rest'…" March 7th recalled some bad memories. So much had happened today.
"Ugh, slightly fatigued."
Adrian pulled out a milk tea… perfect for relaxing a tired body and mind.
After a busy day, he was too drained to keep going. Time to head to the inn and contemplate [Eternity].
"That tired?"
Seele blinked. She hadn't seen Adrian do much—he trailed the group, rarely spoke, and only fixed broken mining carts.
Occasionally, he'd chat with Dan Heng about stuff Seele couldn't follow.
As for Bronya, the Silvermane Guard, Seele's view of her had shifted. She heard Bronya was a leader with strong combat skills.
Seele had thought all Silvermane Guards were cold and heartless, blindly following the Great Guardian's orders, abandoning the lower district to fend for itself.
But Bronya felt… different.
…
Goethe Hotel, Bronya was called away by Oleg for a talk. Adrian led the trio here.
"So, we're just done for today? Or should we poke around more?" March 7th asked for everyone's input.
Adrian's workday was over. Sure, he hadn't done much, but it was time to clock out.
"Youth is great—so full of energy."
"Don't be so down, Teacher Adrian… you're plenty young!"
"Ha, even the mighty Milk Tea Aeon… gets worn down by time!" Stelle stood with hands on hips, brimming with energy, scoring a point back!
"Milk Tea Aeon… pfft~ Only you'd come up with that nickname, Stelle."
"Tonight… let's set up a watch," Dan Heng suggested. He hadn't sensed danger from Oleg or the others, but it was wise to stay cautious. You never knew if tomorrow or an accident would come first.
He looked at Adrian. "You take watch… or me?"
Judging by Adrian's act, he was probably faking it… With his no-sleep-needed condition, fatigue was unlikely—just pure laziness.
"Either works. How about we both keep watch?"
"You two teachers are so noble! This humble lady will retreat first!" Stelle clasped her fists, suddenly going all ancient-style.
Hearing this, Adrian's mind flashed to a fox-eared girl.
"Ha… yawn, suddenly feeling sleepy…" March 7th rubbed her eyes, pretending to be drowsy.
"You look plenty lively to me, Miss March."
"No, no way! I've never pulled an all-nighter… you know how bad staying up is for your skin?" March 7th looked aggrieved, and Stelle was totally sold on the act.
"Protecting a beautiful girl's complexion? I'm on it! I'll take watch!"