Sunny walked out of the hotel first.
He squinted slightly, eyes adjusting, hands tucked into his pockets. The faint tightness in his chest from the night before had faded, leaving behind only a dull sense of continuity, like the echo of a thought he'd never fully had.
March followed a step behind, stretching her arms above her head.
"This place is way nicer in the daylight."
Welt exited last, adjusting his coat with habitual precision. His gaze swept the area in a measured arc, already alert despite the calm atmosphere.
Sunny took two steps forward.
Then stopped.
Someone was standing across the street from the hotel entrance.
Leaning casually against a decorative railing. Hands folded loosely behind his back. White hair catching the morning light like threads of silver.
Smiling.
Sunny stared.
The man stared back.
Several long seconds passed.
March tilted her head, looking between them.
"Okay… so who's this guy?"
The stranger chuckled softly and straightened, turning his attention fully toward them. There was nothing hostile in his posture. If anything, he looked pleased — like this was going exactly as expected.
"Good morning."
He inclined his head politely.
"My name is Jing Yuan."
Another pause.
"I am the General of the Luofu's Cloud Knights."
March froze.
"…Oh."
She blinked once.
Twice.
Then leaned slightly toward Sunny.
"Is he… like… important-important?"
Sunny didn't look away from Jing Yuan.
"Yeah."
His voice was calm. Unbothered.
"Pretty much figured."
Jing Yuan's smile widened just a fraction.
"I'm glad to see we're on the same page."
Sunny exhaled slowly.
He wasn't surprised.
Annoyed, maybe — but not surprised. A Saint wandering around the Luofu at night, speaking in riddles and casually referencing cosmic lunatics didn't exactly scream middle management.
What did surprise him was how normal Jing Yuan looked now.
No vast presence pressing down on his senses. No penetrating gaze.
Just a chill guy.
"I hope I didn't startle you by waiting here."
March crossed her arms.
"You kinda did."
Jing Yuan laughed lightly.
"My apologies. I wanted to speak with all three of you before the day became… complicated."
Sunny raised an eyebrow.
Jing Yuan turned and began walking, motioning for them to follow.
They did.
Starskiff Haven was alive now. Vendors setting up stalls. Couriers guiding floating cargo pallets along designated lanes. Citizens passed by, some pausing to glance at Jing Yuan before quickly looking away, expressions shifting into something respectful — wary, even.
Sunny noticed.
Jing Yuan spoke as they walked.
"As I'm sure you know, I cannot officially involve you in the Stellaron matter."
Jing Yuan's expression remained relaxed, but his eyes sharpened just a little.
"However, Kafka, our resident Stellaron Hunter, is… an exception. She is unpredictable, crawling across the Luofu like a spider. Spiders… must be removed before they can spread their webs…"
***
After the conversation, Jing Yuan stopped at a quiet overlook, where the hum of the city softened into background noise. With practiced ease, he withdrew a small device from within his sleeve and activated it.
A hologram shimmered into existence.
The image resolved into a petite woman, framed in soft violet light. Her posture was rigid, arms folded, head tilted slightly downward. Long, pastel-colored hair framed a face that could only be described as unfairly beautiful — delicate features sharpened by irritation rather than softness. Gold and amethyst accents adorned her attire, intricate and ceremonial, drawing the eye naturally toward her presence.
Her eyes were shut.
Tightly.
Jing Yuan smiled.
"You can open them, you know."
The woman scowled.
"I refuse."
Her voice was sharp, edged with genuine displeasure.
"I won't risk taking another glance at that pitiful plaything of Fate. Not again. I'd rather gouge out my own eyes."
Jing Yuan chuckled quietly.
"Still as dramatic as ever."
She bristled.
"Don't patronize me. This entire situation is a mess."
She leaned closer to the projection, expression fierce even with her eyes closed.
"You should retire and let me use my discretion full-time. This was all my idea, after all."
Jing Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"Was it?"
"Yes! Involving the Astral Express. Using them as a variable. You would've kept dancing around the Stellaron Hunter forever otherwise."
Jing Yuan considered that for a moment.
"Perhaps."
The woman continued to mumble in displeasure.
"And all of this could have been avoided if you gave me Blade before he escaped…"
"Hm? It seems the signal is getting disturbed on my end."
The woman glared visciously.
"These devices don't even use any signals you—!"
"Ah, my finger slipped."
It seemed that he accidentally ended the call. How unfortunate.
Jing Yuan stared at the empty space for a second longer than necessary, then let out a quiet sigh.
His gaze drifted toward the distant spires of the Luofu.
"…Candy."
He pondered it seriously.
Yanqing would probably scoff. Pretend he was above such childish indulgences. Too mature. Too disciplined.
Jing Yuan smiled to himself.
"…I'll get some anyway."
He turned and walked off, already making a mental note to buy extra.
Just in case.