Fu Zhu stepped out from backstage just in time to see Bronya on stage, addressing the crowd and making her promises to Belobog.
When she saw Fu Zhu emerge, Bronya's gaze naturally fell upon him. She paused for a moment, her expression turning solemn as she performed a Silvermane Guard salute to the people below.
"I, Bronya Rand, swear on this day to revitalize Belobog, to revitalize this planet known to the cosmos as Jarilo-VI!"
The moment Bronya's last word fell, Fu Zhu was the first to start clapping, and the entire plaza erupted into thunderous applause.
Xing and March 7th, standing in the crowd, were genuinely happy for Bronya as she assumed the role of Great Guardian, clapping until their hands were red.
Bronya, standing on stage, announced the official start of the Sun-Soaring Festival. Only then did the crowd begin to disperse in an orderly fashion under the guidance of the Silvermane Guards.
The first thing Bronya did was rush off the stage to Fu Zhu's group, a brilliant smile on her face as she extended her right hand to him.
"Let's go. Let's enjoy the Sun-Soaring Festival!"
Fu Zhu gave a soft "mm-hm" and reached out to take Bronya's hand. Seemingly sensing a strange vibe from the two girls beside him, he then extended his left hand to March 7th.
"Together?"
March 7th glanced at Fu Zhu and Bronya's intertwined hands. Her heart tightened for no reason, and she almost subconsciously took his left hand.
By the time she realized what she had done, it was too late.
Fu Zhu didn't give her a chance to pull back, leading both her and Bronya forward.
Left behind, Xing pointed at her own nose with a bewildered expression and muttered, "What about me?"
Pouting, the indignant Xing took a running leap and launched herself onto Fu Zhu's back, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and securing herself there.
Fu Zhu was nearly choked. "Little sis???"
"You're not allowed to leave me behind for your lovey-dovey time!"
"???"
---o---
Half a day later, after lunch, Fu Zhu was leisurely sitting by a fountain in the plaza, resting. Across the street, he could see a restaurant where Xing and the others were still enjoying their desserts.
Through the restaurant's transparent glass window, Fu Zhu watched the three of them laughing and chatting, and he was suddenly reminded of something.
He opened the system's MOD shop and purchased a [Teleportation Stone MOD]. The effect of this mod was identical to a Nameless's Space Anchor, allowing for travel between two fixed devices.
While Fu Zhu had his own little selfish reasons for buying this Teleportation Stone MOD, he was also preparing for potential contingencies.
No one knew if a Nameless's Space Anchor might fail under certain circumstances. Since he would definitely be participating in every trailblazing journey, it would be difficult to rush back and provide aid if something unexpected happened to the Express while they were separated.
Therefore, Fu Zhu planned to place a teleportation stone in every location he deemed important, just in case a Space Anchor failed.
Jarilo-VI and the Astral Express were naturally on the list. As for the Herta Space Station, he planned to place one there when he got the chance. And as for the Luofu... Fu Zhu didn't think the Luofu would ever need his assistance. If it did, it would probably be a catastrophe of epic proportions.
Just as Fu Zhu finished placing the teleportation stone, March 7th and the others, having finished their desserts, came out of the restaurant and waved at him.
"Fu Zhu, Miss Himeko called to rush us back~"
The three of them stood before Fu Zhu, and March 7th repeated what Himeko had told her on the phone. Fu Zhu nodded to show he understood.
Bronya, standing to the side, was a bit reluctant.
"Are you leaving so soon? It's only been half a day..."
Fu Zhu explained apologetically to Bronya, "The Astral Express is heading to Penacony for an appointment next. The invitation from [The Family] was sent a long time ago, and we can't be late. Plus, the time difference between star systems varies, so we have to leave as soon as possible."
Bronya was not an unreasonable person. She understood that they had more important things to do than enjoy the Sun-Soaring Festival.
"Alright then. I wish you a safe journey."
Although she said that, the three of them could still see the reluctance on her face.
Seeing her expression, Fu Zhu couldn't help but chuckle.
"This isn't a final farewell. I can come back anytime. If you need anything, just call. Oh, right, this is for you."
Fu Zhu took several Totems of Undying from his inventory and pressed them into Bronya's hands.
Bronya looked at the oddly shaped totems in her hand and couldn't help but ask, "What is this?"
"A Totem of Undying. It's a new thing I made. It can block one fatal blow for you. No matter how powerful the enemy is, with a Totem of Undying, they'll need to attack you at least twice to kill you."
Hearing how precious it was, Bronya wanted to refuse, but Fu Zhu cut her off.
"Don't refuse. Your safety is more important than these things. Besides, I have ways to get more, so just keep them."
Hearing how much Fu Zhu cared about her, a warmth spread through Bronya's heart, and she obediently put the Totems of Undying away.
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Xing and March 7th looked on with a hint of envy at the totems in Bronya's hands. It was the first time they had seen this new item of Fu Zhu's.
"Well, we're off then. See you next time, Bronya."
Fu Zhu said his final goodbyes to Bronya, then led Xing and March 7th towards the nearest Space Anchor.
Bronya took a deep breath and stood where she was, not following to see them off. She was afraid that if she went with them, she wouldn't be able to bear letting Fu Zhu leave. She could only stand there, waving at their departing backs and bidding them a silent farewell.
Just as they left, a message suddenly popped up on Bronya's phone. It was from Fu Zhu.
[I placed a special teleportation stone on Jarilo-VI. I can come back anytime. Text me if you miss me.]
Seeing the message, Bronya couldn't help but break into a smile.
"Couldn't it be that you miss me?"
---o---
"We're back!"
Fu Zhu stood in the Parlor Car, stretching dramatically. He felt like it had been months since he was last on the train. This place always gave him a sense of peace that he couldn't find anywhere else.
"Welcome back."
Just then, Himeko, Welt, and Dan Heng walked out from another car. Seeing the three of them had returned, they greeted them with a smile.
Fu Zhu grinned and walked over to them. "Miss Himeko, it's been so long since I had your coffee!"
Hearing this, Himeko's eyes lit up, and she reached out a gentle hand to ruffle Fu Zhu's hair.
"Alright, if you want some, I can make it for you anytime. I'll go brew a pot right now."
With that, Himeko turned and walked into the kitchen. Welt and Dan Heng, however, were frowning. Dan Heng even stepped forward, grabbed Fu Zhu's wrist, and carefully took his pulse.
"To think you'd miss Himeko's coffee this much. Could it be you got cursed by some evil spirit out there?"
Fu Zhu: ?