"Cocolia clearly knows about the Stellaron's existence, yet she chose to hide it even from you, her daughter."
"When we were in the interrogation room up top, do you remember the video I showed you?"
Bronya nodded. "I remember."
"You saw it too—we were reciting lines from a script, but your mother was different. She could only hear voices."
"When the words 'Stellaron' and 'lower district' came up together, she obviously panicked, flipped out without thinking, and sent you to arrest us."
At this, Leon let out a nasal chuckle, a smile spreading across his face.
"Why did she panic? Because the lower district, in all likelihood, holds a secret she's desperate to guard—"
"Namely: the Stellaron."
Bronya furrowed her brow. "You mean the Stellaron is hidden in the lower district?"
"No, quite the opposite."
Leon wagged his finger in a gesture of denial.
"The Stellaron can't be hidden in the lower district—that would mean it's out of her control.
What I mean is, there's likely a clue related to the Stellaron here, maybe a record of some history."
"We know far more about Stellarons than you do. That thing is a deadly virus spawned by Destruction. If it exists for too long, it might develop self-awareness."
"Think carefully—has Cocolia ever done anything that seemed like talking to herself but felt like a conversation with someone else?"
Bronya's brows knitted tighter, sifting through her memories.
Certain moments she'd once found baffling but quickly dismissed became clear again.
"There were… more than a few times…"
By the end, Bronya's voice trembled slightly.
Seeing her expression, Leon flicked his coat.
"It's only a possibility for self-awareness—not a high chance. No need to take it to heart."
"…I want to be alone for a bit, to sort out my thoughts. Is that okay?"
Bronya said softly.
"Of course."
Leon gave his companions a look and quickly descended the stairs.
Gazing from afar at Bronya, who was staring blankly at a massive building in the distance, March 7th couldn't help but ask.
"Leon, why lie to her?"
The Astral Express had encountered Stellarons not ten times, but at least eight.
Self-aware Stellarons were indeed rare.
But that was without human interference.
Once a Stellaron's been around for over fifty years, every decade increases the chance of it gaining self-awareness.
Gepard had mentioned on the way to Belobog—
The Fragmentum appeared centuries ago.
That meant Jarilo-VI's Stellaron had existed for at least that long.
It was 100% self-aware.
"Everyone deserves a shred of dignity."
"Losing all dignity is like losing all pride, never able to hold your head up again."
"At best, you sink into despair; at worst, you doubt the world, doubt your own existence's meaning."
Leon glanced at Bronya from a distance, sighing softly.
"A mother is a harbor in everyone's heart, an irreplaceable harbor.
That means absolute trust, someone you'd give everything for without hesitation.
When a seed of doubt sprouts in that harbor, when a subtle crack appears,
a heart becomes fragile and sensitive in no time.
Whether outsiders try to tear that crack open or patch it up, it usually backfires.
People are creatures who won't turn back until they hit a wall.
No amount of tedious talk beats taking action, letting her see the truth for herself."
"An adult's collapse often happens in an instant. I'm not lying to her—I'm just preserving her dignity."
"When she sets out to mend that crack, she's already accepting its existence.
Whatever the outcome, the journey will prepare her mentally.
By then, no one will need to add anything."
March 7th nodded, half-understanding.
Stelle, deep in thought, felt enlightened.
"Leon, were you a psychologist before?"
"Nope. What if I said I was a gynecologist?"
"That'd be even better."
Stelle blinked.
The Express crew had three women, including her.
On a Trailblazing journey, if any gynecological issues popped up, they could go straight to Leon—how convenient.
"I was joking, and you actually believed me?"
"It's not that?" Stelle looked genuinely disappointed.
Seeing Stelle's earnest regret, March 7th's eyes nearly rolled to the heavens.
What's with that expression, huh?
"You haven't been on the Express long, so it's normal not to know. Leon treating us is actually simple."
Stelle: "Silver needles? I saw that not long ago."
"No, no! Sometimes when you're feeling off, like a small cold or headache, just let Leon blow on you."
Stelle paused.
"Blow?"
"Yeah, with wind."
March 7th didn't catch the odd tone in Stelle's voice, explaining with nostalgia.
"When Leon's wind wraps around you, it's like an exhausted person soaking in a bath—relaxing, comfortable, warm…
You feel light as a feather, sometimes falling asleep. When the wind fades, you're full of energy again."
Stelle's curiosity was piqued.
"That magical?"
"Totally magical."
Stelle turned to Leon, her eyelashes fluttering.
The meaning was clear.
She wanted to feel that wind.
Leon was speechless.
"The healing wind takes a lot out of me and only eases physical ailments. For mental issues, I'm helpless."
"That's enough. I'll take point in battles—you're the doctor, just handle strategy and support."
Stelle patted her chest boldly.
"Good idea. I'll buff you up."
Leon said seriously.
As the two bantered, March 7th's forehead sprouted a few black lines.
But soon, her gaze at Stelle carried a hint of… smugness.
This jerk, always quietly calling her a dummy on this Trailblazing trip.
Now the boomerang's back, huh?
You're a dummy too.
Leon's a doctor, sure, but who said he can't fight?
Only you, you silly goof, think he's just a plain doctor.
For some reason, she felt Leon had a hidden power in him.
Similar to the vibe Dan Heng gave off.
At most, it was harder to sense than Dan Heng's.
She loved a line from a novel's protagonist she'd read.
When you think a distinguished person's skills are low, it's usually your own skills that are lower.
A classic case of failing to recognize a master.
"Gurgle gurgle~~"
An abrupt sound broke the moment.
March 7th looked at Stelle's stomach, teasing: "Whose tummy's protesting?"
"Gurgle gurgle…"
Stelle glanced at March 7th's stomach, stifling a laugh: "Looks like it's you and me."
March 7th's face flushed red, instinctively covering her belly.
Damn, that boomerang's ruthless.
"Baby's tummy is thundering—time to find something to fill it."
Stelle started thinking about what food the lower district might have.
March 7th's eyes widened, her mouth twitching. "Where'd you pick up that weird phrase?"
"Stumbled on it while browsing on the Express. Pretty funny, right?"
"I'm done with you. Good thing I packed plenty of snacks."
March 7th smirked smugly, but the next second, her smile froze.