"YES!!!"
"Yes, absolutely!!!"
"I've always wanted to see Mom again!"
"So much, so much, so much!"
"YESSSSSS! MOMMY I LOVE YOU!!!"
"The whole world misses you!"
"..."
The audience erupted in passionate shouts, their voices ringing out fervently.
——
Back in the video, Caelus stared intently into Kafka's eyes, as if searching for answers.
Kafka didn't avert her gaze, meeting his look with equal seriousness.
After a few seconds of silence, Caelus spoke slowly. "I… want to see Kafka again."
Hearing this, Kafka lowered her head and smiled, her cheeks visibly reddening.
"Well, that's my question answered. Color me surprised, Caelus—I can't quite figure you out."
"Satisfied with the answer?"
"Partially. For me, the truth or lie doesn't matter… Now it's your turn. This is your last question—give me a surprise."
Caelus pondered carefully, and in the second round of the Truth Game, a brand-new option appeared.
Naturally, the audience chose the new question.
"Is fate predetermined?"
"..." Kafka thought for a long time before replying, "No."
At that moment, just as predicted, a young Cloud Knight swordsman approached.
Yanqing glanced at Blade, then turned his gaze to Kafka.
"Stellaron Hunters… The General showed mercy by sparing you, yet you show no gratitude."
Suddenly, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. His eyes widened when he realized it was none other than the Nameless of the Astral Express—Caelus. "What are you doing here?"
Before Caelus could come up with an excuse, Kafka answered first.
"Because he's under my 'Spirit Whisper.' My suggestions make people willingly obey commands, even without realizing it. Caelus, defeat this little brother, and your mission ends."
Caelus scratched his head, thinking no one would believe such a flimsy excuse.
Yanqing took an angry step forward. "You… vile heretic!"
Caelus internally facepalmed. "He actually bought it?!"
At that moment, Yanqing summoned his flying swords and lunged at Kafka. In a panic, Caelus pulled out his bat to block.
Fortunately, after just a couple of exchanges, Kafka seized the moment to cast Spirit Whisper on Yanqing, making him walk away. She finally let out a sigh of relief.
Kafka crossed her arms. "If you weren't here, Trailblazer, Blade and I would've been captured by that boy and thrown into the Shackling Prison. Sure, Sam and Silver Wolf would've broken us out, but Blade would've been badly hurt, and our relations with the Xianzhou would've soured… If possible, I'd rather avoid that future."
"Szzzt…"
Blade slowly emerged from the room. "Can I leave now?"
Kafka assessed him. "Hmm, your 'Mara-Struck' state is temporarily suppressed. Avoid major triggers and familiar faces, and you should be fine. Wait—you're not leaving?"
Blade exhaled deeply. "Sorry, Kafka. There's someone… someone I owe a great debt to. I need to see them."
"Do as you please. Elio never mentioned anything beyond this point." Kafka then turned to Caelus. "Thank you for helping me. I'm grateful… Until next time."
With that, she walked toward the exit, gradually disappearing into the darkness.
Just as Caelus was about to leave as well, Blade stepped in front of him.
"I remember you."
Caelus remained expressionless—after all, this guy had chased Dan Heng halfway across the galaxy. "I don't remember you."
Unfazed by his attitude, Blade continued. "You used to follow Kafka, didn't you? There was a time when she was on a mission, and you were by her side. I remember. You're the first one to stay alive after sticking with her for so long."
Caelus' eyebrows raised slightly at this revelation. "What exactly are you trying to say…?"
Blade scoffed. "Every member of the Stellaron Hunters made a 'deal' with Elio. I don't know the others' terms. But if Kafka, like me, agreed to serve Elio's will… what she wants must be extraordinary. Every move she makes comes at a great cost. She must've done a lot to keep you alive, kid."
With that, Blade turned and walked away.
Curious, Caelus called out—though he didn't expect an answer. "Where are you going?"
From the darkness came a faint reply. "To pay respects to someone… and attend a gathering."
Then, the word [END] appeared on the screen.
——
Reluctantly, everyone removed their VR devices.
"It's finally over! Guess the saying's true—nicknames are never wrong."
"Yeah, this video completely changed how I see Kafka."
"Exactly. She's usually so emotionless with everyone else, but with the Trailblazer, it's like she actually has feelings."
"Today, I officially became a Kafka fan. Can't wait to see more of the Stellaron Hunters' story."
"Speaking of which, isn't Sam the only Stellaron Hunter who hasn't appeared in the web series yet?"
"Sam's presence is actually pretty strong, especially in Simulated Universe's Swarm Disaster mode—you fight alongside them there."
"True. Just following Sam gives you a sense of security."
"Hey, random thought—if Kafka calls Blade 'A-Ren,' does she call Sam 'A-Sam'?"
"That's so lame! Anyway, what did Blade mean by 'attending a gathering'?"
"Remember the High-Cloud Quintet movie? They mentioned reuniting, but after the Dan Feng incident, some died, some got locked up… and it never happened."
"Ohhh, so they're teasing another plot thread?"
"Ugh, whatever. Time to log off. I'm heading to Herta's office for Simulated Universe."
"I'm going to Belobog to check out the mechs…"
However—
At that very moment, an unfamiliar man's voice echoed throughout the Interactive City.
"Pardon the interruption. I am Veritas Ratio."
The audience was stunned.
"Who's that?"
"Never heard of him! What the hell? Why isn't it Kafka?"
"Ratio? He wasn't in the web series! What's going on?"
"Seriously? Can just anyone use the Interactive City's broadcast system now?"
——
The broadcast continued, unfazed by the confusion.
"It has come to my attention that miHoYo will be releasing a new theatrical film."
Everyone froze.
"Huh???"
"Wait, another movie? So Ratio's a new character?"
"Another theatrical release? They really want our money, huh?"
"This is way too fast. First web films, now full theater runs? Seriously?"
"Theater tickets cost at least 39, and you can't even watch them anytime you want. Ugh! I already got burned by High-Cloud Quintet—thought it'd be great, but nope, just pain and suffering!"
"Same! If I watch this one, I'll be your son!"
"Agreed! Even if it's a new actor, same deal!"
A few seconds later, the broadcast resumed.
"Let me be frank—this theatrical arrangement is worth zero marks. Knowledge should circulate freely, and truth is no exception. On behalf of myself, I demand that all viewers be given the opportunity to receive this education.
All who have watched the High-Cloud Quintet film—since your ticket purchases are tied to your accounts—will receive a free cinema ticket for The Crown of the Mundane and Divine. Additionally, the web series app will simultaneously unlock the film for free.
The mediocre shall, in their own way, achieve the highest theater attendance in history. That is all. Farewell."
——
Silence.
Then—
"BOOM!"
Everyone dropped to one knee in unison, chanting fervently:
"TRUTH FATHER, WE BOW TO YOU!"