Outside the Palace of Astrum, March 7th and Stelle stretched their waists in sync.
"Everything's over, can we go back to the Express now? Feels pretty relaxing."
"I have a hunch that this matter is definitely not as simple as we think." This was a conclusion drawn from Welt's years of survival.
Looking at Tingyun waiting for them not far away, Stelle thought about the other Tingyun she saw earlier.
March 7th said as she walked, "To be honest, just now when I saw that Yukong furrow her brow, I almost thought a squad of fully armed soldiers was going to rush out and throw us in jail, just like back on Jarilo-VI!"
"Dealing with big shots is even more tiring than fighting monsters..."
Noticing the slight frown on the nearby Phantylia's face, March 7th quickly corrected herself, "Ah, I-I'm not badmouthing Madam Yukong..."
"Rest assured, this little maiden is not one to gossip idly~"
She placed a hand on her hip. "However, as a subordinate, I must speak fairly for my superior: The Luofu is currently fraught with danger. Madam Yukong and the Sky-Faring Commission bear the burden of the Xianzhou's border security. Vigilance and caution are her duty."
"Old person? Is Helm Master Yukong... very old?"
"It is said that this Madam was once an outstanding ace among the Xianzhou Cloud Knights' pilots~ Fiery temper, top-notch skills, loved to laugh and make noise."
Listening to Tingyun's description, Stelle found it hard to connect that image to the current Yukong.
"It's just that, time takes its toll. In the end, the ace pilot reined in her temper and nature to become the head of a commission, handling all sorts of troubles flawlessly."
"See here, Madam Yukong personally instructed me... to book premium rooms for you at the [Petrichor Inn]. Once benefactors are done with matters here, please follow me to the inn for a cup of tea and a temporary rest."
"That's a good suggestion. What about you two?" Welt pushed up his glasses lightly. On an unfamiliar planet, a place to stay was what they needed most.
"I want to wander around a bit more; I'm not tired yet."
"Mmh... then I'll accompany you. Mr. Yang, why don't you go to the inn with Miss Tingyun first? Just send us the location when you get there," March 7th suggested.
"Stay safe."
After Welt gave his instructions, he left first with Phantylia.
Confirming they were gone, Stelle leaned close to March 7th's ear and told her about the scene she saw not long ago.
"Two Miss Tingyuns?! Is it possible you saw wrong?"
"I'm not sure, but my intuition tells me... there must be something fishy going on." Stelle put on sunglasses she pulled from who-knows-where. From this moment on, she was the number one detective in the universe.
A strong and powerful mystery-solving BGM played in her ears. "March, are you ready to explore the secrets with me?"
"Eh... eh?!"
Before March 7th could react, she was dragged by Stelle toward the milk tea shop.
...
Inside the milk tea shop, Adrian twirled agile threads around his fingertips. "Phantylia acts ruthlessly. How do you intend to deal with a genuine Emanator of [Destruction]?"
Tingyun fell silent. She understood she couldn't just pay lip service; she had to take actual action.
"The laws of commerce allow for gambling with people, but it is difficult to contend with gods."
"This wasn't a responsibility you should have borne; you are merely an innocent survivor of a war," Adrian said, following her train of thought.
Tingyun shook her head: "The moment the invasion of Destruction hit, [Eternity] protected me. And in that haze, a voice seemed to say to me: The name of a survivor is often [Misfortune], but..."
"The brilliant gods in the sky use humans as game pieces, gambling with the stars, leaving behind fields of wronged souls and piles of bones. How can dust motes like you... escape the chessboard where you become the price?"
Adrian took the opportunity to ask. Whatever happens in the future war of gods, happens. HE was too lazy to get involved; when the time comes, HE'd just sit on the sidelines eating melon and watching the show with Aha.
Hmm... helping to beat up Nanook is worth considering though.
"Hearing these words from your mouth gives me a very peculiar feeling."
Tingyun covered her face and chuckled lightly, then changed the subject: "Walking alone with a cane, an earthworm conquering a dragon... It is always the nameless pawns who leave generals and marshals helpless."
"Since that is the case, why shouldn't this little maiden become a cunning speck of dust and make that Lord Ravager... sneeze a good few times?"
Adrian revealed a satisfied smile. "Interesting. Do you want to use the light arrow of [The Hunt] to pierce the Lord Ravager's heart?" He suggested. He could go ask Lan for a Cloud-Piercing Arrow right now.
Just as he was refilling Tingyun's cup with fresh milk tea, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside the door:
"Tsk, this milk tea shop is so shabby..."
"I think so too... wait, that's no reason for you to just open someone else's shop door randomly!"
Before the words fell, the door to the milk tea shop was pushed open.
That's right, the Galactic Baseballer wearing sunglasses had arrived!
"March, this is an exploration of an ancient house! Aren't you looking forward to it?" Stelle wasn't afraid at all. "As the saying goes, the more dangerous the place, the better the treasures you can find." She looked up and met Adrian's gaze.
After hesitating for a few seconds, Stelle pointed at Adrian and turned to prove it to March 7th:
"See, I wasn't wrong. Found an Aeon."
"Cough... cough cough!" Hearing this, Tingyun successfully choked on the milk tea she had just drunk.
No way, recognized immediately?! Just what kind of existence is this gray-haired girl to see through Adrian's disguise at a glance?
"Eh... Teacher Adrian!" March 7th exclaimed in surprise. Stelle had actually stumbled into the right place by mistake!
"Not bad! This miss will take back what I said about you just now. I didn't expect this to be Teacher Adrian's milk tea shop; I thought it would be as grand as the [Sleepless Earl] teahouse opposite."
These words were like a sharp sword, successfully piercing Adrian's heart. That hurt, friend.
Realizing March 7th had said the wrong thing, Stelle chopped her head with a hand knife.
"You know what I'm going to say."
"I'm sorry, I am guilty, I repent." March 7th admitted her mistake promptly. She didn't want to be lectured by Stelle again, especially since not only Adrian was here, but also Miss Tingyun...
(⊙o⊙)?
March 7th rubbed her eyes. Didn't Miss Tingyun go to the inn with Mr. Yang? She figured they hadn't wasted much time... just went to the [Sleepless Earl] opposite to buy a cup of Immortal's Delight Tea.
In this short amount of time, did Miss Tingyun run here to drink milk tea? That's practically godspeed.
Stelle turned her head again and pointed at Tingyun as proof: "See, I wasn't wrong... wait, that's not right!" The Galactic Baseballer with the clever brain reacted immediately:
"Then who is the Miss Tingyun that left with Mr. Yang...?"
Because of Adrian's special status (Emanator of [Eternity]), Stelle had automatically determined that the Tingyun beside him was the real one.
"Why do I feel like the story is gradually turning into a horror genre..." March 7th shivered. Could the Miss Tingyun who was with us just now... be a ghost?
Tingyun was bewildered. She specifically took out her phone, opened the front camera, looked at her exquisite face which was indistinguishable from the Church's priestess, and then observed Stelle and March 7th.
Why can just anyone see through my disguise? Is this reasonable?
"Sigh~ Since it's come to this, let's have some milk tea first."