Administrative District, Neverwinter Workshop.
Siluva ushered the two inside with seamless finesse, her movements natural, completely unnoticed by the patrolling Iron Guards.
"Alright, you're safe here. My machine shop's got decent soundproofing, and it's usually pretty quiet—no one comes around." Siluva let out a relieved sigh.
"Hey… now that I'm looking closely, you two are new faces? Didn't expect so many visitors from outside Belobog."
Siluva stepped closer, her attention fixed on Freesna. The elven girl had a smoky-gray cashmere scarf loosely draped around her neck, the cool-toned fabric half-covering her jaw. When she lowered her head, it revealed the delicate outline of a budding camellia.
The scarf's tassels swayed slightly with her breathing, like morning mist gently cradling flower branches.
Freesna's silver hair framed her lowered brows and lashes, casting faint shadows that made her eyes—partially veiled by the fabric—shine even brighter, like cold stars half-shrouded by clouds.
There was an indescribable beauty to her… more captivating than overt displays, as if a spring stream flowed beneath a biting chill, with an unstoppable tenderness rippling under the ice. Her appearance blended perfectly with Belobog's snowy landscape.
Based on Siluva's guess, these two were likely the companions Adrian mentioned, waiting for him off-world.
"What did you two do to get the whole city's Iron Guards hunting you? The upper district's in a panic." Siluva poured tea for them.
"My apologies, dear lady, but we're as clueless as you are about why we're being treated as fugitives," Blake said, playing along. In a sense, they could indeed be considered part of the Astral Express crew.
After sending a team-up invitation to Tingyun, she decided to wait at the Church for Blake and Freesna's return. In the meantime, she'd contact Yukong and the [Wildfire] Merchant Guild to update them on her situation, reassuring them not to worry.
The teleportation ability of [Eternity] Emanators made it convenient to return once their task was done.
"Oh, right. It's not you two who are wanted… it's your companions."
Blake's interest piqued. Though he hadn't met this planet's ruler, he already had a poor impression of her. The last group to dare put a bounty on the [Eternity] Aeon was the Annihilation Gang, and their fate…
"Miss, could you tell us more about… the specific details of the wanted notice?"
Siluva relayed the details from the bounty poster. When she mentioned the term "Eternity's Apostate," a shadow seemed to slice across their faces like a blade.
The ripples in the teacup froze over. In a suffocating silence, as if a clock's pendulum had lodged in one's throat, rust seeped from cracks in the machine shop's wallpaper. Flecks of debris hung suspended in midair, like sighs caught in some invisible pressure.
Siluva was startled by their reaction.
No way, that big of a response? Cocolia, what did you do?
If she didn't say something soon, the atmosphere might remain tense indefinitely. Siluva hurriedly added:
"Don't worry! Words alone don't prove anything. Unless the Architects have solid, public evidence proving your companions deserve it, I don't believe they'd do anything bad."
"And from what I know of the Architects, if they had evidence, they'd have released it already. I know how Cocolia operates—she stirs everyone up first and foremost."
"Once people are busy, few bother with the details."
"Cocolia… the one you call the [Supreme Guardian]?"
Blake noted the name. Not only did she issue a bounty on [Eternity], but she also dared to slander it, and this planet harbored a Stellaron Core.
As expected, another pitiful soul swayed by the Stellaron Core.
But… to defame [Eternity] so brazenly—she had already chosen her path to ruin!
Freesna turned to Siluva. "Are you in league with this planet's Guardian?"
"Oh, come on, relax! I don't exactly chat with Cocolia. She's the one who kicked me out of the Architects back then. I've got no reason to side with her," Siluva quickly clarified her stance.
She added, "What Cocolia and the Architects are up to doesn't concern me. My time's too precious to waste on that mess."
"As you can see, I'm just holed up in my machine shop, fixing junk, playing music, and living pretty carefree."
"Haha, got carried away there… Back to you two. Did you come to Belobog to find a companion you haven't contacted in a while?"
Freesna nodded. She was indeed here for Adrian.
"Then it's simple. The upper district's on high alert, hunting for them. That leaves only the Fragmentum or the lower district as places they could go."
"The lower district's been sealed off for years—no one's come up or gone down in ages. If your companions are in the lower district… that could be tricky."
"Hey, how about this? You two can work part-time at my shop. If the Iron Guards come sniffing around, I can cover for you."
A spark of inspiration hit Siluva. Since Adrian and the others disappeared, the upper district's vibe had shifted, and she was itching for some company to chat with.
"No worries, big sis has plenty of cash. I'll pay you fairly!"
"Money… mere dirt on the roadside in my eyes!" Freesna puffed out her chest proudly.
Blake rolled his eyes. "Of course you'd say that—you don't even have any credits!"
"Silence… you noisy fool!" Embarrassed by Blake's blunt exposure, Freesna agreed to Siluva's offer, officially joining Neverwinter Workshop.
"I'll pass. More important matters await me," Blake said, gazing into the distance as he murmured:
"This planet is heavily corroded by the Fragmentum and plagued by the Legion… As the universally acclaimed Pontiff of the Church, how could I, Blake, not lend a hand in such a dire, desperate situation?"
…
Rock Town, Goethe Hotel.
"Phew… the lower district business is finally settled. Time to hunt for the [Stellaron Core]."
The four members of the Express crew gathered to discuss their next steps.
"Thinking back, I feel a bit bad for Clara and Teacher Adrian… I left so much milk tea undrunk," March 7th said.
"Everyone has different drink preferences. No need to stick to milk tea," Dan Heng explained, admitting he wasn't a fan.
"I didn't drink the token bestowed by the Milk Tea Aeon. I repent!"
The galaxy's greatest storyteller, Stelle, had already woven a flawless tale for the Milk Tea Aeon!
"At least you're not calling me the Milk Tea Demon anymore," Adrian said with a helpless smile before continuing:
"So far, the plan's gone smoothly. Everyone knows the [Stellaron Core] is the culprit, and they're all willing to help us."
"Right, though we hit a few minor snags along the way… all expertly resolved by yours truly!"
"There's still a lot we don't understand. We haven't pinpointed the [Stellaron Core]'s exact location or coordinates, nor do we know why Cocolia's attitude changed."
"The clues we have don't yet form a complete picture…"
As Dan Heng pondered, Stelle revealed a secret she'd been holding: "Uh, not sure if I should say this, but… I've been having some dreams."