"Back to [The Hunt]. This is why I had to lure you here. I need you to have direct contact with the Luofu General, help them solve the Stellaron crisis, and make the Alliance owe you a favor."
"This way... in the future of the future, at the most critical moment, the Xianzhou will lend you a hand."
"What do you think? Surprised? The notorious Stellaron Hunters did all this just to make you a hero of the Xianzhou. No one would have expected such a script, right?"
When Kafka first encountered this script, even she was quite surprised.
"What is that future?"
"I said it: Elio didn't tell me the key information. The possibilities of the future are endless. Learning the right thing at the wrong time could also reduce our long efforts to nothing."
"Regarding the future, I can only tell you one thing: In the best and worst of those futures, you will eventually face [Destruction] Nanook. At that time, you will need all the help you can get, because that will be a cruel battle at the level of Aeons."
Kafka looked at Adrian. Just exploring with the Astral Express is enough to influence Elio's prophecy...
Moreover, Kafka had a feeling that not only Adrian but possibly also [Elation] Aha was involved; otherwise, the appearance of people from the Tavern on Jarilo-VI wouldn't make sense.
"That is a level that you, I, and the Astral Express cannot reach. In the vast majority of futures, destiny ends at that moment. But if we follow Elio's [Script], there will eventually be a glimmer of hope."
"Did you know... even [Aeons] can be killed."
...
On the other side of the Luofu, ever since arriving at Cloudford yesterday and happening to save the blond traveling merchant and the Cloud Knight girl, Freesna had unwittingly joined their group.
The journey was too smooth. After Sushang asked the guarding Cloud Knights, she learned that the Abundance Abominations and Fragmentum creations wandering nearby had already been wiped out by the Knights of Eternity and the Cloud Knights together.
"The Knights of [Eternity]... is it an organization similar to the Knights of Beauty?" Luocha looked at Freesna, who had the closest relationship with [Eternity] among those present.
"No, it's a guard force spontaneously organized by the Church of Eternity to ensure the safety of the Church's residents."
Luocha pondered. Hearing her say that... it feels like the Knights' combat power isn't very high.
Seemingly seeing through Luocha's thoughts, Freesna conjured a small black hole: "It's this."
"What is that?" Sushang leaned in.
"An [Eternity] device capable of absorbing a certain number of attacks. Applied to every knight's armor, it is sufficient to protect their own safety."
"Ah, doesn't that mean they won't get hurt no matter how much they get hit?" Sushang understood.
"Is that so..." Luocha continued to ponder. He seemed to understand how the Church's Knights fought.
Take all the damage, but with maxed-out armor, just fight the enemy head-on! A bit overpowered.
Later, Sushang led them to the last starskiff: "Great, there's still one starskiff left."
"Where does this ship go?"
"Looking at the dock's route, the destination is Starskiff Haven Central. Mmh, we'll be safe once we get there."
"By the way, I haven't asked where you two originally planned to go." Sushang looked at Freesna first; she couldn't have appeared in Cloudford for no reason.
"To find a teahouse."
"The Sleepless Earl? The tea there is indeed delicious, and you can also listen to Mr. Xiyan's storytelling. What about you, Luocha?"
"I still have a few business orders from other Xianzhou ships on hand, but... to be honest, I originally had an appointment with Miss Tingyun of the [Whistling Flames] merchant guild to discuss a deal. It seems that won't happen now."
"Existing orders don't have much profit; they all have to go through the IPC, getting deducted here and there. Only one deal goes directly to the [Fanghu], which might have some value..."
"Miss Tingyun?" Sushang seemed thoughtful; she knew of the Whistling Flames merchant guild.
"Miss Sushang, pardon my intrusion... does it matter if the route is changed?" Noticing the change in Freesna's expression, Luocha changed the subject.
"I don't know... I think it should be fine. Anyway, let's get out first. Once we reach a safe place, everything will be easier to discuss. When we arrive at Starskiff Haven, there should be a specialized evacuation unit to meet us, and then you just follow them."
Upon arriving at Starskiff Haven Central, Freesna bid farewell to Luocha and Sushang, rushing to Adrian's milk tea shop.
The result...
Freesna and Tingyun stared at each other. She suspected she had gone to the wrong place for a moment and even double-checked.
This architectural style with a strong sense of age, and a shop name that basically doesn't exist... it's definitely HIS milk tea shop.
"Uh... Ms. Freesna, if you are looking for Mr. Adrian, he should be with the members of the Astral Express in Exalting Sanctum."
"Darn it, a step too late..." Hearing this, a trace of unwillingness appeared in her eyes.
Learning that Adrian had left, Freesna wasn't in a hurry to go to Exalting Sanctum. She planned to buy a cup of Immortal's Delight Tea at the [Sleepless Earl] teahouse opposite to taste first.
Then...
Freesna stared at Blake, who was disguised as Mr. Xiyan and had just finished dealing with Phantylia. It was obvious that both sides were surprised.
Also confused was Mengming. "Mr. Xiyan, is this big sister an acquaintance of yours?"
"Sort... sort of." Blake forced a smile. Seeing their reaction, Mengming tactfully made some space.
"You guy... do you not care about the Church at all?"
"Hmph hmph hmph~ Foolish Blake, how could I leave HIS Church unattended?"
After having a "pleasant and friendly" exchange with Blake, and receiving a complimentary cup of Immortal's Delight Tea from Mengming before leaving, Freesna set off for Exalting Sanctum.
Hmm...
In front of a certain snack stall, Screwlloyd, disguised as Blake, stared in speechless shock at Freesna, who had come to buy lotus root cakes.
Having experienced the previous two rounds of surprises, Freesna wasn't surprised at all.
Heh, all acquaintances from the Church.
"Fre-Fre-Fre-Fre... Lady Freesna?!" It took a long time for Screwlloyd to stutter out this sentence.
Having just finished dealing with the [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] with Stelle, Screwlloyd successfully lost his resting place.
He thought he'd check out the snack stalls, only to run into his direct superior.
Seeing Screwlloyd penniless, Freesna pursed her lips and kindly reminded him:
"If you are looking for a place to go, you can go to the [Sleepless Earl] teahouse. The boss lady is kind and will definitely help you."
"Lady Freesna, you..." Unfortunately, Screwlloyd was an inorganic life form and couldn't shed tears; otherwise, he would definitely be tearing up right now.
"No need to thank me. All of this is a blessing bestowed upon us by the noble Lord Ite."
"May you keep this faith. Let us part ways here."
Freesna had only walked a few steps when she was called back by the stall owner: "Customer, you haven't paid yet..."
"Mmh..."
Watching Freesna run to the back kitchen to wash dishes, Screwlloyd smiled with relief.
"Ah, Lord Ite... I beg you to take me away from this sea of bitterness..."