The air grew thick with tension. Tingyun, unwilling to see conflict, stepped in to mediate.
"Dear saviors, there's no need for this. If you're worried about my safety on the return journey, rest assured. Though my martial skills are lacking, I'm no stranger to piloting a starskiff…"
She vividly recalled her childhood, when her parents invited Adrian to teach her starskiff navigation.
While not as skilled as Yukong, the master navigator, Tingyun's silver tongue was its own kind of helm.
"No need for modesty, Miss Tingyun… We of [Eternity] keep our word! Please step aside; we have private matters to settle." Blake glanced at the unyielding Freesna with a scoff.
"Hah, how wondrous this fracture! Let's wager billions of stars! If by dawn your cross pierces my [Eternal Sigil] in my palm… I'll etch the hymn of creation upon your soon-stilled heart!"
"Perfect—let the cathedral's glass bear witness to this war piercing the end!"
Blue flames ignited at the distant altar, stardust grazing Freesna's ear tips.
"Dear saviors, please don't fight. Harmony is best~" Tingyun fanned herself. Avoid conflict if possible—anger harms the heart.
But seeing Blake and Freesna's resolve, Tingyun knew she was powerless to stop them and quietly left the cathedral.
No persuading them—Adrian's charm was too dazzling.
"Sigh~ What would Lord Adrian do here…"
Probably offer two milk teas as a truce gift. Very much his style.
No… Tingyun had to stop their civil war! She couldn't let her presence cause her saviors to clash!
Determined, she took a deep breath and shoved open the cathedral's wooden doors.
"This humble lady… huh?"
"Listen: if the soap lands face-up, I go. Face-down, you go. Absolutely fair."
Blake and Freesna stood beneath the statue of the Aeon of [Eternity], letting THEM witness their grand showdown.
"Elf… ready to try your luck?"
"What's to fear?"
Freesna didn't hesitate. She trusted her luck—[Eternity]'s Aeon would favor her!
Tingyun: …
Alright, she'd overthought it.
Not just their speech but their actions were… unique.
Normally, people flip coins. The Church? They flip soap.
Wait, an [∞]-shaped soap—how do you even tell face-up from face-down?
"When the soap is tossed, the answer lies in your heart."
Adrian's voice echoed in Tingyun's ears. She frowned slightly.
Why did it sound different from her memory?
"Haha, don't mind the voice change. What do you think, miss… face-up or face-down?"
"Uh…"
The voice seemed to sense her hesitation and continued:
"An old friend once said: The causal chains mortals speak of are mere simplifications of the complex topologies behind events. All things follow [Equilibrium]'s law. Who says soap has no face? Even a Mask of Fools knows that."
Bishop Blake tossed the soap, its lingering warmth tracing a bright arc through the air. The soap's edge hummed faintly, like a tiny UFO hovering in the dawn light.
As it fell, it adjusted its stance. The moment its smooth edge touched the marble floor, it froze, as if held by invisible strings.
"Bitter medicine heals, sweet sugar harms. Face-up or face-down, the outcome is preordained…"
Tingyun realized—was this voice a follower of [Equilibrium]'s Aeon, HooH? An Arbiter?
"Don't rush, fox lady… I'm your familiar Adrian. I just quoted an old friend. Arbiters praise HooH's eternal focus and patience."
"You just… mentioned [Eternity], didn't you?"
The spinning soap turned into a top, wobbling at the corner of wall and floor, balancing precariously.
Sunlight pierced its spinning afterimage, casting dancing light spots on the wall. The air's dust held its breath, swirling around the gravity-defying soap.
"Face-up? Face-down? Just one person? Not much fun. I say… the more, the merrier! Aha!"
The voice revealed its true nature, its infectious laugh echoing through the cathedral, audible only to Tingyun.
Whoosh!
An invisible force flashed, and the soap miraculously stood upright on the floor!
"Hmm…"
Blake and Freesna exchanged a glance, no words needed—everything was understood.
"It must be Lord Ite noticing us! Oh, great Lord, forgive our ignorance… we shouldn't play meaningless games over such trifles!"
"A miracle—THEIR miracle!"
"Wahhh~ Aha's got no face! Why'd someone think of Aha?"
The voice grew sorrowful, fading until it was gone.
"Miss Tingyun, since fate has chosen… would you join us for a while?" Blake extended a team invite to Tingyun. "No worries, it's a short trip, won't delay your return home. Just one glimpse of HIM, and we'll be content."
His goal was simple: see Adrian again, while not forgetting the mission—support the Xianzhou Luofu against the Annihilation Lord and Legion scum.
"Hmph… Agent, you dare wield that forbidden talent now! These truth-seeing demon eyes have already seen through you! Fine, as Church co-founder, this grand task falls to you. Don't disappoint HIM!" Freesna spun, covering half her face.
"When did I say… only I go?"
Freesna: (◔◡◔)?
"Fate chose for us. After seeing HIM, you'll join me, as Church representatives, to escort Miss Tingyun back to the Xianzhou Luofu."
"Elves… honor promises, right?"
"You!" Freesna's face flushed red, stomping in frustration.
"Hahahaha! Foolish elf, think I didn't see your little scheme? After seeing HIM, you'd probably linger and never leave."
Blake smirked triumphantly. "Don't misunderstand—shared joy, shared hardship! The Book of Eternal Virtue—forgotten it already?"
…
Astral Express, Observation Car.
Himeko set freshly brewed coffee on the round table, joining Welt, who was assembling a model.
With a true Emanator along, Welt felt at ease, piecing together models and chatting with Pom-Pom and Himeko.
"Fragmentum activity's decreased. Something's shifting on Jarilo-VI. So far, their [Trailblaze] mission's gone smoothly," Welt noted.
"With Adrian around, their first [Trailblaze] mission's been stress-free…" Himeko said. Without thrilling adventures, how could it become a youthful memory?
"Bored?" she asked.
Welt, mid-model, nodded. It'd be a lie to say he wasn't.
"Hehe~ I get it… but we'll have plenty of chances later. Let's leave this adventure's memories to them."
"Yeah… the stage for the young…"
"Is Adrian young?"
Thud!
Something rolled onto the floor, catching Welt and Himeko's attention.
"Hm?"
"A… soap bar?"