After the [Releasers Inc.] incident, Astral Express, Parlor Car
"These adorable little lives, now bearing their merits, head toward broader new worlds. Listening to the farewell messages... It's a pity there's no [Eternity] in it."
"What's the connection between releasing and [Eternity]?"
"Good question—Miss March will find out soon enough." Adrian sipped his milk tea, sharing the tale of this escapade with the Express crew.
Dan Heng shook his head. He never imagined the Xianzhou harbored such an abstract gang. In his eyes... Their danger level nearly rivaled the [Drug Lord's Secret Teachings], though their sheer lunacy still fell short of the [Eternity Church].
"So... Priestess Freesna and Miss March resolved the Aurum Alley's commercial crisis together?" Adrian asked in return.
"Yep yep! Thanks to Priestess sis, we vented big time for Aurum Alley's elders and locals! Cleared the debt mess, chased off the company's sleazy goons."
"But... After it wrapped up, Priestess sis went and got that guy's contact info. Totally baffling." March 7th couldn't wrap her head around an [Eternity] Emanator's thought process.
No denying it—Scott was a man of his word. The instant he got crushed at lightspeed, he belted out dog barks at full volume, with his staff even rigging a megaphone for him.
Yeah, maybe that's what caught Freesna's eye—his spirit.
...
Meanwhile, in the Party Car's second-floor storage room
Stelle picked up the plush pillow meticulously placed at the bed's center—a Boba Milk Tea design.
"Hiss... Is the Milk Tea Aeon this generous?" Stelle's first thought went to Adrian. Clearly an [Eternity] Aeon, yet HE always felt like HE'd morphed into milk tea shape...
Suddenly, the milk tea pillow vibrated, activating its built-in speaker and auto-playing a recording.
"I'm afraid I've let you down—it's actually an alternative letter from me. The Church's styles vary; please forgive us."
Screwlloyd's mechanical voice emanated from the pillow—this was a recording HE'd left behind.
"After the [Releasers Inc.] affair, you're surely curious about their fates?"
"Madam, I assure you... This will be a happy ending for all. My business on the Xianzhou draws to a close; next, it's time for a wanderer like me to embark on the following adventure."
"If my projections hold, by the time you hear this recording, I should be drifting freely through the cosmos, seeking lost comms gear, awaiting the Church's rescue."
"Pfft~"
Stelle couldn't help bursting into laughter. She'd nearly forgotten Screwlloyd's phone was missing—never guessed HE'd opt for aimless space drifting as the fix.
"I must admit, today's experiences were quite entertaining, so I've left you a small gift... The milk tea pillow before you. My cognitive limits led me to infer from your most frequent contact item."
"Hope you like it—this is a personal token from me."
Stelle paused the recording. So Screwlloyd's first impression of her was milk tea too?!
The recording resumed: "You might wonder about [Releasers Inc.] members' follow-ups. Publicly [releasing] without restraint, they've earned their due comeuppance."
"Namely: [Eternity]'s [release]. Rest easy—they're all thriving."
"The three merit masters, excluding Nannan, pondered long and each chose to release the other two... They'd clashed like dragons and tigers for half a lifetime, yet finally aligned on something. I'm genuinely delighted for them."
"[Eternity] answers every call. In place of that [Tavern] friend, I fulfilled each one's wish. Let's wish the three masters smooth sailing in their new homes."
"Conclusion: This is a tremendous boon."
"These lords of all creatures, ever gazing down from on high upon the myriad forms, bestowing what they deem lofty mercies—now the tables turn, and these three can finally taste others' mercies, basking in well-earned leisure."
"And Nannan? His Scale Abyss mineral water drops earned a verbal dressing-down from Ten-Lords Commission staff. In Miss Zhongshan's words: This world needs more than just jokes—it needs joke-tellers too."
"As for Miss Zhongshan... Truth be told, I planned to fold her into the original [release] crew and send her back to the [Tavern], complete with a cup of our Pontiff's milk tea."
"Thanks to your aid, I pulled off the scheme ahead of schedule. Gratitude once more for your brilliant mind. Of course, I sent Miss Zhongshan a token of amends too—the Church has no desire to sever ties with the [Tavern]. That would sadden Pontiff Blake."
"You joined me in stirring [Releasers Inc.] to chaos—must've been a riot for you, no?"
"Mm... I don't know if you'll fancy this [Eternity] and [Elation] co-authored... Joking tale of releasing. But I hope you do. Hope you'll raise that milk tea in hand and let a genuine laugh bubble up from your throat."
Aha!
As Stelle heard that parting note, a manic cackle echoed unbidden in her mind.
"Perhaps one day, we'll reunite at the Church's [Tavern]. Then, allow me to treat you to a Debut Machine Oil with pearl cream and signature milk tea powder—my favorite brew."
"Mm... With utmost reverence for you, Screwlloyd."
Stelle drew in a sharp breath. Was Screwlloyd really an [Eternity] Pathstrider?
That come-and-go-as-you-please power was straight-up broken! HE could've zipped right back to the Church, yet chose to buddy up with the stars.
Good lord, HE'd picked the low-commentary route! Straight into Intelligencer drift mode.
...
"Oh~ Sister Zhongshan, how was that [release] game on the Luofu—fun?"
At the universe's edge, in the [Tavern], Zhongshan rubbed her bruised cheek, drowning her woes in drink alone.
The white-haired, masked man slid onto the stool beside her—a rare sight, him so listless.
"Don't get me started. If I'd known a Church [Eternity] Pathstrider had infiltrated [Releasers Inc.], I wouldn't have poked the hornet's nest—got thrashed by the Astral Express crew to boot."
Had she not slipped up, Zhongshan figured she and Stelle could've been thick as thieves—love-hate rivals, at least.
"Hard to picture what they went through on that planet recently reintegrated into company trade... Name was... Ya... Yarolly?"
"Jarilo-VI. I'll swing by there myself soon—catch up with Brother Sampo."
"Sampo says the planet went dark after a grand calamity, cut off from all comms. Never thought the Astral Express crew would revive it. [Trailblaze] power's terrifying—how's it any different from [Abundance]?!"
"Mm... Hearing that, you've got me even more intrigued by the Astral Express."
"Feels like I'm missing something. That Church deacon tossed in a compensatory gift too." Zhongshan hauled out a custom gift box.
"See? Told you the [Eternity Church] would make amends."
"When'd you say that?"
Zhongshan untied the box's silk ribbon, a flicker of excitement stirring inside.
"As long as it's not useless Credit Points! Giovanni, this heavy lifting's on you."
"Heh~ Giovanni di Giorgio da Epsilon, at your service—won't let you down."
Giovanni took the securely wrapped box, gingerly lifting the lid.
"Hm? A... bar of soap?"