The audience had already guessed before.
Penacony was The Family's branch, and it was entirely possible that within The Family's main branch in the Montor star system, there were also remnants of Order.
Sunday's words directly confirmed this guess.
But it didn't stop there!
"So, what you mean is…"
Welt pushed up his glasses.
Sunday gritted his teeth and said, "In the worst-case scenario, if Xipe turned a blind eye, how could "the strong defending the weak" hold up?"
It wasn't just the Family!
It maybe the Aeon of Harmony itself!
"Mr. Yang, I just want to tell you this: The Harmony has more than one side. THEY can be the most steadfast ally of the Astral Express or the most fearsome enemy."
As his words fell. Only then did the audience begin to absorb this shocking revelation.
....
: Holy crap, we've been guessing all along that the Family was the problem. Who would've thought maybe the Aeon itself is questionable?!
: Wait, wait, wait! I don't quite get it. Is Sunday telling Welt that the revival of Order is something Xipe is also happy to see?
: I don't think that's necessarily what he means, but one thing is certain!
: Xipe's definitely hide something!
: It's absolutely not as simple as what we've been shown!
: Maybe It has different, even mutually conflicting desires.
: I just thought of something, could it be that the Families each follow a different "face" of Xipe?
: And this hasn't caused internal conflict yet… damn, Harmony really isn't as simple as it looks.
....
Combining Sunday's words, it wasn't difficult for the audience to infer a highly plausible conclusion.
That was that Harmony itself was not a monolith.
It only appeared extremely united to outsiders, but in reality, if what Sunday said was even partially true, then within Harmony, there must exist at least different factions!
No one knows which "face" of Xipe the various families truly follow.
What remains unclear is which path the higher authority behind Penacony's Family follows.
As the audience continued speculating. Sunday, having finished delivering the information, made an unexpected request.
"Creating a paradise remains one of my lifelong ambitions. As I move forward, I realize I must build it brick by brick. Therefore, I have a request that I hope you'll consider ..."
Looking straight at Welt, Sunday said slowly, word by word,
"While I lack the will to Trailblaze, nor can I become a true Nameless..."
"I admire your convictions. Perhaps, what I need, more than asceticism, is knowledge. Therefore, after leaving Penacony, would you consider letting me..."
"Come aboard the Astral Express and travel with you for now?"
After saying this, Sunday waited somewhat nervously for Welt's answer.
After correcting his past mistaken beliefs, he realized that the Astral Express was one of the most ideal places for learning.
If there was any force in the universe that could continuously witness different worlds, it would undoubtedly be the Express.
And during his time with the Nameless, he increasingly felt that part of Trailblaze truly helped shape his own path.
The audience had already been engrossed in the revelations about Xipe.
Their excitement was already high. But when they heard Sunday requesting to board the Express, everything instantly exploded!
....
: !!!? Sunday is boarding the Express?!
: Never expected another train member to be Sunday of all people!
: That's Sunday! The final boss of the Penacony arc!
: And now he's becoming a teammate?!
: I can't wait for the next adventure!
: miHoYo really knows how to play this!
: The Astral Express just got another huge power boost!
: Hurry up and say yes, Welt!
....
It wasn't surprising that the audience reacted so strongly.
This was Sunday, after all. The fierce battle with Dominicus was still vivid in their memories.
Not to mention his inherently charismatic character design. No one had expected that he might actually board the Express!
Just like the earlier days of the Express crew. There were guards, navigators, and passengers along the way.
Under the excited gaze of the audience. Welt did not make a decision immediately. Instead, he told Sunday to stay with him for now.
Once the two returned to the Express, a meeting was convened at once.
When everyone heard that Sunday wished to board the Express voluntarily,
Their reactions varied. But unexpectedly, everyone was quite open-minded.
After Dan Heng and March 7th thought it over and voted in favor, Stelle spoke up,
"You're a perfectionist, always trying to control everything, even when it comes to yourself. Although, we're going to be traveling further into the unknown once we leave Penacony. I guess a change of pace could do everyone some good."
"Maybe you're too pessimistic about humanity, but the Trailblaze isn't like that. We had to learn to have faith before embarking on this path. You must do the same."
It was rare for Stelle to speak so seriously. Sunday nodded, showing his understanding.
After tallying the votes, Himeko smiled and said, "Then according to everyone's decision, Sunday, welcome aboard."
The tension in Sunday's eyes eased. He let out a breath and said, "Thank you. During this time, I will do everything I can to assist the Express."
When the audience saw Sunday board the Express, they were just as excited in front of their screens.
Another person joins the Express!
And at that moment with everyone gathered in the carriage, Himeko officially announced the next destination.
"Amphoreus."
"Our next Trailblaze destination will be this Eternal Land."
No one was surprised by Himeko's choice, and everyone remained silent, listening on.
"Although we can jump immediately."
"Before departure, I'd like to try to contact Miss Herta again."
"She helped us look into Amphoreus, even though nothing new came up... I should at least let her know we're leaving."
March 7th, "Try again?"
Hearing March 7th question, Himeko frowned slightly and said in confusion, "I tried contacting the space station several times, but I never got any response. Maybe there's a problem with the Interastral Network."
Feeling the atmosphere change Himeko tried to reassure everyone. "It shouldn't be anything to worry about. What could happen on the geniuses' home turf? Even the Antimatter Legion wouldn't stand a chance ..."
As everyone was confused. The comments began flooding in again.
....
: This is ending soon, and the bombshells just keep coming one after another!
: Yes! The next stop is officially confirmed, Amphoreus!
: Is Herta checking something, so she can't reply for now?!
: Hurry up! I want to see more about Amphoreus!
: It better be explosive!
...
The camera shifts. The viewpoint arrives inside the space station that the Express has been unable to contact.
Everything here is peaceful. There have been no sudden incidents.
But the entire station is shrouded in darkness, with only a few emergency lights still on.
Several researchers shut down their computers. Asta stood outside Herta's room gazing at the shut door and then turns and left.
On the other side of the closed door, stood a single puppet of Herta.
After confirming that everyone has left the space station, Little Herta turns around and slowly adjusts the box-like device.
"Indeed, this is only a minor ripple that no one will ever notice..."
"So, you must also understand, for a genius..."
"The importance of asking questions outweighs the importance of the answers themselves."
Herta talks to herself as she walks to the end of the room.
Beside her stand many Little Hertas in different poses, all gazing in the same direction.
The next moment! The screen briefly goes black.
Light, lively, bouncing music begins to play.
At the center of the frame, Herta gradually floats into the air, countless mirrors slowly rotating around her.
"So-called magic has its own set of principles"
"There are no mysteries in this universe that cannot be solved."
The music grows more mysterious.
And in that instant, the entire Herta Space Station experiences an energy overload, then falls into complete silence.
Back inside the station room,
All the Herta puppets have collapsed onto the floor.
Only one familiar, yet an older and mature figure remains, floating in midair, bathed in a dangerous red light.
She wears a pointed witch's hat. Holds a staff in her hand. Long hair flowing, tall and slender.
...
: !! Who is this?!
: Huh? Is this Herta's actual body?!
: Holy crap! A magical girl!
: So, so beautiful!
: First Tingyun, then Sunday, now Herta!
: This episode has way too many surprises!
...
While the audience is still thrilled by Herta's appearance, they have no idea that something even more explosive is coming.
Through the linkage of countless mirrors, Herta senses a gaze on her.
A dangerous red light shines on her.
In front of Them, Herta looks exceptionally small. Like facing a red star!
Yet upon closer inspection, one can see the body behind the red light!
Nous, the Aeon of Erudition!
Herta looking like a real witch sitting on a broom, extends her hand towards the Aeon.
"All-seeing presence-"
"I ask you this-"
"What is divinity?"
The camera shows Herta's face. Without any politeness, calm and direct, she questions Nous, the Aeon of Erudition.
The slender hands she extends almost seem to grasp Nous within her palms.
At this moment, the audience's minds are completely overloaded.
What does this mean? They thought this was just an ordinary episode ending.
But no one told them that they would see Herta audience with Nous here!
And why now? Just before setting out for Amphoreus, Herta goes to question Nous.
Did she discover something?
At this moment, the perspective returns to the Express.
The audience, already at the edge of agony, is abruptly cut off again.
The comments instantly fills with wails.
...
On the Express, after the jump destination was set, everyone went to Black Swan to get more information about their destination.
Looking at Black Swan standing by the window, Himeko spoke to her.
"Miss Herta cannot reply for the time being. Before the Express jumps, we still need more information from you."
"As expected." Black Swan smiled faintly and looked out the window.
If she wanted these Nameless to feel at ease travelling to Amphoreus, she must show its irreplaceable value.
So Black Swan started introducing the place they were travelling to: "Regarding Amphoreus, I know very little."
"One as I already said, it can only be seen through the Garden's mirror."
"Two, three paths fetter the Eternal Land."
"To be more specific… two of them are Erudition and Remembrance."
Himeko spoke up, "Then this isolated star system must have been home to at least three beings comparable to Emanators."
"I would even go as far as to say Aeons THEMSELVES." Black Swan continued.
Ignoring Black Swan's comment about the Aeon.
Everyone looked at each other thinking the same.
Three Emanators.
A world capable of producing three Emanators could never be obscure in the universe.
Yet… Such a thing had indeed happened.
If the Express can trailblaze the way Amphoreus, then this trailblazing journey will truly be one remembered by history!
"Then what about the third Path?" Himeko questioned again.
"Unfortunately, I don't know either. Under the radiance of Erudition and Remembrance, it is hidden too deep." Black Swan answered honestly.
Even though the third Path is unclear, this information alone, is enough for Himeko and the others to make their decision.
This trailblazing journey is something even they greatly look forward to.
"In that case, all that's left is to wait for the conductor's jump signal."
At this very moment, after experiencing a chain of events, the audience's anticipation had reached its absolute peak.
Near the end, each piece of information was more explosive than the last.
Herta meeting Nous.
Amphoreus having three Paths, and at least three Emanators!
Just as the audience stared at the screen, faces flushed with excitement, the episode ended.
The logo appeared without warning.
The excited viewers were struck like lightning.
For a brief moment, even the comments went silent. Then, it completely exploded!
...
: This is straight-up literary murder! Absolute skilled assassination!
: Holy shit, cutting it off here?! You might as well kill me!
: Why did Herta ask that?! What the hell is going on with Amphoreus?!
: Bro, I'm begging you, make this two more hours long!
: Amphoreus may have multiple Emanators?!
: Erudition and Remembrance? That's a bit different from what we guessed, but what's the third Path?!!!