Astral Express, Parlor Car.
After reading the message from Bronya, March 7th unconsciously pressed her fingertips against the cold window, as if wanting to penetrate that thin barrier and touch that unreachable brilliance.
"Dan Heng and Teacher Adrian, at least respond to Bronya..."
"Let's go, let's check their rooms."
March 7th and Stelle split up. The former went to the Data Bank first to ask about Dan Heng's intention:
"Dan Heng! Bronya just sent us a message, did you see it?"
"Mmh, I saw it."
"Then why didn't you reply? Bronya is our old friend!"
Dan Heng's voice was steady as he explained to her word by word: "Sorry, I'm just not in the mood for small talk. After the [Luofu], I've been reflecting and thinking... the process is very draining."
"Sorry, I spoke too rashly just now. Indeed, after experiencing so much on the Xianzhou, you definitely need some time to adjust properly... You should stay on the Express and rest."
After a trip to the Luofu, it felt like Dan Heng had become even more silent than before.
"Thanks for understanding. It's a great joyous event for Belobog to celebrate a festival. I wish you a worthwhile trip. Remember to say hello to our old friends for me."
"Okay! You rest well too, don't miss the next [Trailblaze]!"
"Mmh, definitely."
Meanwhile, in the Party Car.
Looking at Adrian trying to teach the [Shut Up] robot how to make milk tea, Stelle fell into thought.
"Welcome to the [Party Car], dear Nameless. Do you want something to drink, something to eat, or to start [Party Time]?"
"I choose to start [Eternity Time]!"
"What's that?!"
It was a term she had never heard of. The Galactic Baseballer's curiosity was ignited at this moment!
"Keeping an area in absolute [Eternity], want to learn?" Adrian drank his milk tea. HE hadn't used this move for a long time.
"Oh~ Honorable Guest Adrian, before you start [Eternity Time], I have a very ancient joke here, originating from a very terrible Nameless in the past. The joke goes like this..."
Without waiting for Stelle and Adrian to reply, [Shut Up] started telling it on its own:
"In an era older than the Aeons, people could use [Magic] to manipulate all things in nature. The less a person knew about nature, the more things they could manipulate."
"For example, if a person doesn't understand the movement of the atmosphere, they can manipulate the wind. If a person doesn't understand the rise and fall of tides, they can manipulate the sea."
"Damn it, it's its original [Cold Joke Time]!"
No choice. Since Shut Up had already started talking, Stelle and Adrian could only continue listening. It was like being forcibly pulled into a side quest while playing the main storyline of a game.
"Among humans at that time, there was the greatest magician. He could not only manipulate all things in nature... he could also manipulate all [Fate]."
"Because he was born lacking a complete brain, yet miraculously lived. He was ignorant and disordered about the whole world, yet could pull the strings of fate."
"Then... people who hear this story always ask: Since this person is ignorant and unaware, how can people use his power to manipulate [Fate]?"
"The answer is: Leave it to fate."
"Ah, I know this isn't a very funny joke. Because as I said, this joke is very ancient, but it's quite inspiring, isn't it?"
"Leaving it to fate was his method of mastering [Fate]. Not bad."
"Sigh~ The probability of letting it make a cup of milk tea is higher than not telling cold jokes."
Seeing [Shut Up] end the cold joke time, Stelle got straight to the point: "Onegai, come with us to Belobog to participate in the [Solwarm Festival]!"
"Mmh~ Usually I would definitely agree to you, but sorry... not today."
Adrian clearly refused Stelle. HE specifically asked Qingque for a divination today: today is suitable for slacking off, not suitable for traveling.
Moreover, intuition told HIM that returning to Jarilo-VI like this without any protective measures would definitely result in being schemed against by Aha.
Todd from the Release Guild incident, the bombing of the [Tavern] in the Interastral Peace Broadcast... [Eternity] had a hand in all of these. Based on HIS understanding of Aha, it would be unreasonable for that guy not to retaliate.
Better to be safe.
"Re... refused?!" Stelle felt very surprised. "Doesn't [Eternity] love joining in the fun!"
"The past is the past, now is now... Being an Aeon these days isn't easy, be considerate."
Adrian sent Stelle back to the Passenger Car, just in time to see March 7th walking out of the Data Bank.
"Can't persuade them... then it's just the two of us going? What a pity, finally a trip without baggage." March 7th lowered her head silently, her disappointed words falling lightly.
Stelle didn't understand. This Aeon was clearly very strong but overly cautious. The first time seeing such a slothful god.
"Don't jinx it..." Stelle recalled a bad experience.
"Jarilo-VI even survived the Stellaron; what big trouble could happen this time? Aiya, stop worrying unnecessarily."
How could something happen at a festival celebration? If it were just arriving at a strange planet, March 7th would admit to jinxing it.
"Mmh, if only Himeko could go with us..."
"Have you forgotten Mr. Welt?" Stelle complained.
"Mr. Yang? Mr. Yang made a big fuss with us on the Xianzhou. Recently, he's been coughing and wheezing when speaking. He looks more like an old man than Adrian. Didn't you notice?"
March 7th listed the reasons why Welt wouldn't go: "Besides, didn't he drink the new coffee developed by Himeko this morning? People of his age definitely don't like joining this kind of excitement..."
"Hey~ Why don't we go ask Himeko? Maybe she's willing to go with us! Speaking of which, you've been on the train for so long, but haven't partnered with Himeko for travel even once, right? This won't do... let's go chat with her!"
...
Passenger Car, Himeko's Room
"What's wrong, Little March? Seeing you smiling so much, is there something to be happy about?"
Himeko drank her coffee, beckoning March 7th and Stelle to sit down.
"Himeko! Listen to me, listen to me. The Supreme Guardian of Jarilo-VI is preparing a festival celebration, and she invited us to go and experience the atmosphere."
"Dan Heng is still in retreat and won't go anywhere. Teacher Adrian wants to slack off... So, do you want to join the two of us for the appointment?"
A smile flitted across Himeko's lips: "No wonder March is in such high spirits. As expected, you're looking forward to something fun."
"Thank you for your invitation, but I still have some matters at hand and can't get away for a while. You can say hello to that [Supreme Guardian] girl for me."
"The trail on Jarilo-VI was blazed by the four of you personally... You deserve to enjoy this gratitude from the locals properly."
"Next time, next time I will definitely make time to go with you."