Straton III—a planet lying not far from the medical world Zieltworth.
Though close to that famous star of the galaxy, civilization here was far from prosperous.
To be precise, this planet had only just begun to brush against galactic civilization.
Normally, contact with the galaxy should trigger an immense leap forward in science and culture.
Even scraps of technology left behind by advanced civilizations were enough to spark countless revolutions among the backward.
But this planet had no such fortune.
In the Interastral Peace Company's evaluations, Straton III was classed as a world with no development potential.
Its entire planetary output, if converted to currency, was worth no more than three hundred thousand credits.
In other words: though vast in surface, it produced almost nothing of worth.
And so, even the IPC's investment division ignored it.
Over time, the planet all but slipped into obscurity, half-forgotten in the galaxy.
But now, Straton III was very different.
Most striking of all were the countless silver-white medallions floating in orbit, sealing the planet.
Each medallion brimmed with Path power, protecting and enclosing the world.
The one who created this sight was a man with crimson hair, spear in hand, standing upon the highest peak.
He guarded this world—fulfilling a promise once made.
At that moment, footsteps approached the summit. Someone came to stand beside Argenti.
"Argenti, did you feel it? That tremor across the Paths just now?"
"I felt it."
The newcomer was a Doctor of Chaos, one who walked the Path of Nihility.
He had come to ask Argenti for an answer.
Just moments ago, every Path in existence had quivered.
A shudder, exactly like when a larva of Propagation was born.
And so, unease bloomed in their hearts.
"Do you think... it means the Aeon of Propagation has truly succeeded?"
The doctor's voice was heavy with dread.
In all the cosmos, none were strangers to that name.
An Aeon that once plunged the galaxy into plague and horror.
If a second Propagation were about to awaken, would the galaxy not again fall into chaos?
"No." Argenti's reply was firm.
"Why not?" The doctor frowned. "You can't mean those guards, tainted by Nihility, could win that fight?"
Argenti nodded. "They said they would bring back their companion. I will trust them."
He paused, then added: "Besides—there is also another there. One who shines with the beauty of Justice."
In his mind arose the image of Sora, the radiance on his body unforgettable.
The doctor understood at once who he meant.
But unlike Argenti's confidence, he felt no such hope.
Forget Aeons—even their creations were nearly impossible to face.
The swarms of the last Propagation still ravaged the galaxy.
And that man's condition was no secret.
A broken body, gravely wounded. A handful of guards with shallow strength.
Was that really enough to defeat Propagation?
"Such a tale belongs only in novels." The doctor sighed.
More believable was that they might cull the galaxy's scattered bugs.
But face an Aeon? He could not imagine it.
Just then, Argenti's eyes snapped open, gazing into the heavens.
"They've come."
"What has?"
A smile spread across Argenti's face. "The knights who fulfilled their vow have returned."
Huh?
The doctor raised his eyes.
And there—descending slowly through the sky—was a great ship gleaming silver-white.
When it landed, figures emerged who left him utterly stunned.
Was that not Sora and his companions?
"I'm not dreaming, am I?"
The doctor rubbed his forehead. No fever. No illusion.
Then how could this be?
"To meet again the hero who shines with the beauty of the galaxy—without a doubt, Idrila's blessing has graced you!"
Argenti held out a rose to Sora. "This rose is the greatest praise I can offer to a victor."
Sora couldn't help but wonder where Argenti had conjured the rose from.
He hadn't seen him make any sleight of hand... so where had it been hidden?
But such questions didn't matter. What Sora most wanted was to thank him.
"Mitsutake already told me what you did. Thank you, for helping them."
"The heart that thinks for companions is one of the most beautiful sights in the galaxy." Argenti's voice was solemn.
"So—even if I must stake Idrila's name, I will defend that beauty to the very end."
"Whatever the case, I owe you thanks."
If not for Argenti, Mitsutake and the rest would never have flown back.
Had that happened, Titania might truly have turned the battle.
The [Firefly Sword] was a weapon born of bonds. The more people stood with Sora, the greater its strength.
In that final war, none were useless.
Everyone contributed their share.
That was why Sora owed thanks.
Without Argenti, the end might have been very different.
Afterward, they spoke briefly. Sora sketched out the results of the battle.
On matters of Aeons, he remained silent.
Argenti knew it had been perilous, but he had not imagined it had been that dire.
The sudden appearance of the Stellaron Hunters surprised him even more.
Still—what mattered was that Sora and the rest had returned alive.
Then Sora turned the talk to the planet itself.
"Here, with energy exhausted, most people could only remain.
We've contacted the IPC. But they said there are too many here—procedures will take time."
At that, Sora's mouth twitched.
"Procedures? Did they say how long?"
Argenti shook his head. "I don't know their regulations. But as things stand, we can only wait."
"But can these people afford to wait?"
Sora sighed. These lives had only been barely preserved. It wasn't true salvation.
"There's no choice. Unless we transfer the most urgent cases elsewhere for treatment."
Transfer?
Sora's eyes fell on his ship.
"Sora... don't tell me you mean—"
"If it's needed, then it's needed."
The words left everyone around him startled.
Ships were the most vital tools of the galaxy. For many, their status was beyond measure.
And this was Sora's brand-new vessel, his first time aboard.
And already, he was offering it up.
"Sora, isn't that a bit..." Unkyō spoke up at once.
In the galaxy, even glimpsing such a ship was enough to astonish.
But now he wanted to turn it into a medical transport.
Sora cut her off. "You only reached the final battle because you used their energy."
"Without them, none of us would have lived."
"They were the silent ones who supported us."
"Now it's our turn to help them. Besides—what is a ship for, if not to carry people?"
He smiled at them. "Carrying one person or another—what difference does it make?"
The Iron Cavalry froze, unsure what to say.
"Don't worry. Think of it as me resting here a while."
Robin, watching him, could only shake her head. She stepped forward first.
"Then I'll go tally the sick. We'll rank them by severity and arrange transport."
She went ahead. The Cavalry, after a pause, moved to follow, each preparing to work.
"Such radiant beauty... I wonder if Pure Beauty Idrila herself has descended."
Argenti whispered as he watched the scene.
It was as if the goddess he worshiped had cast her light here.
"It's nothing divine. Just helping those who once helped us. There are no Aeons here—only people."
Sora started walking after them.
"Come on. The more hands, the better."