Everwinter Hill.
Topaz flipped a coin, eyeing the administrative district below.
"Jarilo-VI, Belobog..."
"Hum-ny... Hum-ny!" Numby took a running leap to catch the coin.
"Debts must be paid... Seven centuries is none too late."
...
Minutes later, riding Adrian's [Gate of Many Paths], Stelle and March 7th touched down safely on Everwinter Hill.
"How did folks living amid blizzards celebrate holidays back then..."
Thanks to Blake's grace, Jarilo-VI's ice and snow had thawed, a far cry from the scene when the Astral Express crew first arrived.
When the hand of the spring god caressed the frozen planet, the entire world seemed to stretch and yawn with a colossal rumble. Vast glaciers groaned into motion, fissures spiderwebbing like silver lightning across thousands of miles.
The planet's spring surge thus crept forth in dazzling holy light, ice layers shattering and collapsing in the season's embrace. This awakening tableau encompassed not just heaven and earth but permeated the lives of the tiniest specks.
What the glacial meltwaters carried was never merely H2O, but the imprint of an ancient cycle:
Countless winters on a world would ultimately bow to that silent cosmic decree—dissolution and rebirth, like unstoppable tides sweeping through endless time and space, from antiquity onward, toward the future.
"No matter the world's festivals, they can't skimp on the grub!" March 7th perked up suddenly—she hadn't properly sampled Belobog's local eats yet.
"Please, Belobog... Don't let me down." March 7th clasped her hands, praying. If only Adrian were here, then she could do it with full legitimacy.
After a stretch of walking, March 7th suddenly blocked Stelle.
"Halt! See that person over there? That ain't Silvermane Guard uniform."
"That black getup—Interastral Peace Corporation? On this planet? Am I seeing things?" March 7th rubbed her eyes, drawing her weapon preemptively.
"Ugly uniform."
If we're talking uniforms, the one that caught Stelle's eye was the Church's Knights— that odd blend of high-tech and rustic charm, a weird beauty all its own.
Chest and abdomen clad in plates of some dull, near-frosted dark gray composite, edges cold and rigid.
Arm and leg guards more streamlined, seemingly lightweight yet tough alloy, gleaming with icy metallic sheen, borders razor-sharp.
The helmet a half-face design, rear and crown smooth-sealed steel, scored with deep gashes.
And smack in the armor's center, a massive [∞] symbol dominating the chest, seizing the gaze.
No mere paint or relief—this emblem was meticulously inlaid into the composite plating, distant views making it seem like an endless black hole, bottomless.
"Is it? I think it's kinda cool... Anyway, not the point! Key issue: What's the Corporation doing on Jarilo-VI all sudden-like?"
March 7th suggested: "No choice—let's go ask. Corporation folks in my book are pretty polite."
With that, March 7th strode up, greeting the employee.
"Hi~ Hello! You with the Interastral Peace Corporation? Or just cosplaying?"
The employee stayed silent. No response, so March 7th awkwardly ducked behind Stelle.
"Crap, nada... Either a bad communicator, or straight-up no-talks, prefers fists kinda guy."
Sure enough, the next instant after March 7th's words, the employee reported right in their faces:
"Boss, got two strangers here. Silence 'em?"
"Whoa whoa whoa? S-Silence?!"
"March, your [Grand Prophet] title's confirmed again! Own it already!"
"...Silence my ass—don't move! I'm coming right over." Topaz sounded flustered on the comms. Stelle and March 7th waited mere seconds before a white-and-red figure dropped from the sky.
"Whoa, what an entrance!"
"Hello, you two—first time meeting! I'm Topaz, Interastral Peace Corporation investment specialist. Here on Jarilo-VI for special business." Topaz explained to the pair.
"My colleague... Not great with words. Don't take it to heart, yeah?"
March 7th exhaled in relief: "Whew~ Gave me a scare. We're here all chill for the festival—no desire to get dragged into some weird scrap..."
"Oh yeah! Introductions... I'm March 7th, passenger on the Astral Express. You've heard of the Astral Express, right? This here's our crewmate Stelle."
"Ah, got it! I could tell you weren't locals at a glance—but never guessed I'd bump into two [Nameless]! What fateful coincidence~"
As the Corporation's envoy, Topaz held deep respect for the Astral Express.
After all, they were Akivili's [Trailblaze] legacy—that Nameless bunch's galactic contributions didn't need listing by her.
"I hear Jarilo-VI shook off the Stellaron Core's grip thanks to [Trailblaze] aid. So you two must be..."
Stelle propped a hand on her hip, humble: "Just pitched in a tiny bit—Church gets the real credit."
"Yep yep! Belobog's helpers ain't just us!"
"Oh~ Meeting legends here—lucky me! But... The Church you mean is..." Topaz's fingers stiffened slightly, a flicker of wariness crossing her face.
Lately, the Corporation had detected an [Emanator]-level energy spike on this planet—from the Eternity Church, no less.
Ah, debt collection's about to ramp up in difficulty.
"Anyway, Miss Topaz—you look so young, already a Corporation exec? Super enviable..."
...
"Man, this combat system's begging for a patch!"
In the Party Car, Silver Wolf eyed her latest loss—that was her promo match!
"Win some, lose some—soldier's life. You'll get used to it."
Adrian kindly offered a milk tea. Back on the Luofu, HIS milk tea shop gig—that so-called merchant mini-game... Silver Wolf had tired of it quick.
For her sake (opening shop one hour daily), the only downside was the early rises—but no biggie, just pull an all-nighter till shop time.
"But losing every time? Let me win once—just once." Silver Wolf grumbled, unconvinced.
"Keep at it—down this [Eternity] secret mini milk tea, and you're guaranteed a win streak!"
Silver Wolf's face fell. What if... The [Eternity] factor was why she kept tanking?
"By the way... Jarilo-VI's got that festival going on—why not head there?"
"After the Luofu mess, I'm all aches, pains, cramps—nope. Didn't I hand the milk tea shop to you?"
"Don't buy it."