"Thank you."
Kiana quietly let out a sigh of relief. Although she knew that making this choice would cause worry, she still felt she had to try—only then would she truly be at ease.
She didn't want that feeling to follow her for the rest of her life.
"You know I've been working with Ruan Mei, Screwllum, and Stephen to research the Simulated Universe."
"...So?"
Seeing the confusion on her face, Herta sighed helplessly at how slow she was catching on. "I'm the developer of the Simulated Universe. Aren't you going to ask me for help?"
Was she volunteering herself?
"You want to help?"
"You're in luck. I'm very interested in this so-called Stigmata world you mentioned." Herta slightly lifted her chin.
When it came to things that interested her, she was never stingy with her time and energy.
She didn't need any compensation.
As long as it was interesting, that was enough.
"Let's build the terminal first."
To be honest, Kiana didn't know exactly how to realize her idea. She just had a strong feeling it would probably work.
So first, they would create the Stigmata terminal.
"Let's go to the space station. The equipment here isn't complete enough. The station has a more suitable facility."
Knowing that Kiana could travel freely between two worlds, Herta didn't bother being polite and directly set the location at the space station.
"The space station... Alright."
Kiana hesitated for a moment. There were advantages to staying here—after all, Jarilo-VI was in the midst of a Honkai Eruption—but what they were about to do could be accomplished elsewhere as well.
"I'll go talk to Ruan Mei. Come over when you're ready."
With that, Herta logged out on the spot, leaving her puppet behind.
Kiana poked Herta's puppet. It gave no reaction whatsoever—it wasn't even in standby mode.
"I should go talk to Mei."
If she was going to research the Stigmata terminal, she would likely remain at the space station long-term. And she had to inform Acheron about this matter as well.
Thinking that, she sent Acheron a message. Not long after, they met successfully. Upon receiving her message, Acheron had rushed back from elsewhere.
"What happened?"
Because Kiana had said she wanted to talk, Acheron's first words upon seeing her were to ask what was wrong.
Nothing had happened.
Kiana certainly wasn't going to say she just wanted to talk.
That would be a terrible opening.
"I've been working with Herta recently, trying to combine Stigmata with badges, right?"
Acheron nodded. So there had been progress, and that was why Kiana wanted to talk?
"After discussing it with Herta, we realized that if we want to connect all Stigmata, we really need a Stigmata terminal. Jyahnar isn't suitable, so I'm planning to go to the space station with Herta and figure out a way to develop one."
Acheron grew thoughtful and asked sharply, "That's not all, is it?"
If that were all, Kiana wouldn't have used the phrase "I want to talk" with that tone.
When was the last time she had spoken like that?
In any case, it hadn't been for anything good.
Kiana froze, then instinctively stepped forward and hugged Acheron's arm. "Mei's perception is really sharp."
Looking at the girl clinging to her, Acheron seemed to think of something, hesitating to speak. Out of Kiana's sight, her lips pressed downward, and something complicated flickered in her eyes.
Sharp perception?
Back then, Kiana had joined forces with Sirin, waited until she boarded the Ark and left Izumo—then returned to Izumo alone.
After losing Kiana, she had regretted her own slowness countless times.
If she had been more perceptive, if she had realized Kiana's thoughts sooner, perhaps they wouldn't have been separated for so many years.
"It's like this. For terminal research, the most important thing is a carrier. Herta and I have already tested it—the Stigmata terminal must have a carrier."
"After thinking it over, there doesn't seem to be anything more suitable than me. After all, the purpose of researching the Stigmata terminal is to distribute badges. If it can't achieve that, it won't meet my expectations."
Acheron's pupils tightened. Her expression changed drastically as she grabbed Kiana's hand. "What did you just say you want to do?"
"Use yourself as the Stigmata terminal?"
"No! I won't allow it!"
Just imagining that future darkened her face, the unease in her heart impossible to suppress. "At worst, I'll stay here and wipe out the Legion myself!"
"Mei, Mei! Calm down, calm down! I don't mean sacrificing myself! I mean my body might be suitable as a carrier, so I was thinking of using cloning technology—using my genes to cultivate a Stigmata terminal!"
Kiana blurted everything out in one breath, afraid that if she was even a moment too late, Acheron wouldn't listen to her explanation.
Acheron's expression eased slightly after hearing her words, but her grip remained tight, her emotions far from calm.
"It would only require drawing some blood." Kiana carefully observed Acheron's expression, barely daring to raise her voice, afraid of making her overthink. "I wouldn't have to do anything else."
Only some blood?
Acheron's gaze deepened further. Looking at Kiana's slightly cautious eyes, her voice turned hoarse. "Does it have to go this far?"
"Sooner or later, we'll need to do it anyway."
Only some blood?
Acheron's face remained tense, emotions surging within her. She took a deep breath. "Why are you always like this?"
"...Mei?"
"Always putting yourself in danger, to do things you don't even have to do!"
"That's not it, Mei!" Kiana shook her head. "It's not for Jarilo-VI. Unifying the Stigmata is something that has to be done sooner or later. Even if we don't do it now, we'll have to in the future."
"What did Ruan Mei say?"
"Ruan... she..." Kiana couldn't bring herself to say that Ruan respected her decision. After a moment of silence, she said, "She probably doesn't want me to take risks either."
In other words, even when both she and Ruan Mei didn't want this, Kiana had still made her decision.
Acheron lowered her head.
She knew that although Kiana appeared hesitant, she had already decided in her heart—and once she decided, it wasn't something she would casually change.
Even if she stopped her now,
Kiana would bring it up again later.
She might even do it behind her back.
"Is she overseeing the experiment?"
"Mm." Kiana nodded. "Ruan and Herta will both be involved, so there's nothing to worry about. No matter whether it's Ruan or Herta, they're both incredible geniuses."
With two geniuses backing it,
Acheron's unease lessened slightly.
She looked at the girl before her and gently cupped her cheek. Kiana blinked, then narrowed her eyes and rubbed against her palm like a cat.
"Come see me once every day. Alright?"
"No problem!" Kiana's eyes lit up. Knowing that meant she had agreed, she thumped her chest in promise. "No matter how busy I get, I'll make time every day to come see you, Mei!"
Acheron pulled her into an embrace and lowered her gaze. "You don't need to worry about this world's affairs anymore. I'll handle everything for you."
...
After finishing her conversation with Acheron and listening to her instructions, Kiana returned once more.
She wasn't in a hurry to find Herta.
Instead, she reappeared at Ruan Mei's side.
Ruan seemed to have anticipated her return. She was no longer in the previous laboratory, but in the resting area from before, as though waiting for her.
"Ruan..."
Seeing her again so soon, Kiana felt a trace of hesitation. They had just spoken not long ago, and Ruan had told her to go back and think carefully. She had likely hoped Kiana would consider things more prudently.
"Herta has already told me about your decision."
Ruan sat there, as beautiful as ever, her temperament gentle and elegant, her expression perfectly natural.
Hearing that Herta had spoken to her, Kiana felt both uneasy and nervous. Subconsciously, she sought affirmation from her. "You'll support me, right?"
"As long as you've made up your mind." Ruan neither nodded nor shook her head.
"I've already thought it through." Kiana recalled everything that had happened in the past. Her gaze gradually turned resolute. "I want to do this—even if the outcome might not be ideal."
Ruan had already understood her stance. She gave a soft acknowledgment and said, "I'll help you. Leave the cultivation of the carrier to me."
"I trust you."
...
The situation on Jarilo-VI wasn't simple, yet it wasn't impossibly complicated either. The main issue was the involvement of too many factions—and the Honkai, which concerned Welt the most.
Fortunately, events had developed in a relatively balanced manner.
After inviting Herta to help seal off the world and trap the Legion within it, there wasn't much more the Nameless could do.
After repeated inspections, Welt confirmed that the Honkai on this planet had not yet truly erupted, and that the Honkai energy was unlikely to spread outward. Only then did he ease his concerns slightly.
But he hadn't enjoyed that relief for even two days.
Because he had encountered an old acquaintance.
After losing track of that person, his mood became extremely grim. He grew increasingly troubled.
In order to find that old acquaintance,
he did not even appear on such an important day. In his view, with Himeko, the navigator, present, it was already sufficient.
The Interastral Peace Corporation and the Nameless had been on this world for some time. That period was enough for Topaz to reassess the value of this planet.
Because so many factions were involved, she had re-evaluated Jarilo-VI's worth and conveyed her conclusions to the others.
Her proposal had already been approved during the meeting.
Today was the day to sign a new agreement with Belobog.
Thanks to the presence of multiple Emanator-level figures, Topaz was able to present terms that could even be described as preferential.
The IPC's stance toward the debt had also shifted.
Under the witness of the Nameless, Cocolia, the Supreme Guardian, signed a new repayment and cooperation agreement with the IPC on behalf of Belobog.
"Then here's to a pleasant cooperation going forward."
Representing the IPC, Topaz shook Cocolia's hand and carefully put away the agreement. To the IPC, credit points were not the most important thing. Compared to currency, gaining goodwill and building connections held far greater value.
Whether it was the mysterious Acheron—suspected to be an Emanator of Nihility—or the Astral Express, both were entities worth forging bridges with.
Especially Acheron.
An Emanator who should not exist, yet possessed the power of one—and who seemed able to resist the influence of Nihility itself.
Acheron had also been invited to observe the ceremony.
The IPC's approach was expected. It was only a matter of time, so she paid it little mind. Instead, she found herself thinking about what Kiana had told her earlier.
She still couldn't fully set her heart at ease.
"Belobog's debt issue is finally settled. From now on, we can just focus on dealing with the Legion, right?"
Stelle and March 7th, who had disembarked together on this trip, also came to join the scene. Among the Astral Express crew, only Dan Heng, who remained aboard the train, and Welt, who had caught sight of his old acquaintance, were absent.
"Thanks to your help," Acheron said to March 7th. "The situation on this planet is now clear. What follows will be a long war of attrition."
Most of the powerful enemies had already fallen beneath her blade. The remaining insignificant troops could serve as training for Belobog's people.
"Let's just hope nothing unexpected happens again."
"Don't jinx it, March," Stelle said, the corner of her mouth twitching. After traveling alongside March 7th for a while—and who knew what experiences that had involved—she had developed a certain wariness. "Let's hope for something good instead."
"What do you mean? I already said it was a coincidence!" March 7th retorted, though her tone lacked conviction. She seemed to be doubting herself a little as well.
"By the way, what's the deal with Mr. Yang's old friend?" Stelle suddenly asked, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "March, do you know what's going on? Judging from his reaction, it seems pretty serious."
"I'm not too sure either." March 7th thought for a moment. "If you're curious, go ask Himeko. She probably knows something."
If nothing else happened, the Astral Express would likely depart for its next destination. After all, what followed on Jarilo-VI wasn't something that could be resolved quickly.
When trouble arose in the future, they could always return to help.
The train couldn't remain here forever—just like all the other worlds they had passed through.
"Then I'll go ask."
After a moment of thought, Stelle decided she was still too curious to ignore it. Once Himeko finished speaking with Topaz and Cocolia, she approached her.
"What's wrong?" Himeko smiled upon seeing her.
It had to be said—Stelle truly seemed like a born Nameless. This was her first Trailblazing journey. Despite the complexity of this world, she had still found her own path of Trailblaze.
There was just one thing Himeko couldn't quite understand.
Why did she love rummaging through trash cans so much?
That hobby... was rather niche.
"About Mr. Yang's friend..."
"Welt's friend, you mean." Himeko's smile faded slightly as she recalled the person. "It should be Void Archives. He traveled with us on the train for a while. That guy..."
For a moment, Himeko didn't know how to describe him.
"Leave it to Welt to handle."
To be honest, Himeko hadn't expected to hear that name again here of all places. Just thinking about him gave her a headache.
Meanwhile,
Welt was still searching for traces of Void Archives.
He was certain he hadn't been mistaken. That man had definitely come here.
As for his purpose?
Most likely, the Honkai phenomenon erupting on this world had drawn him over. Welt didn't know who had informed him about this place, but he was certain Void Archives had already been here.
Although they had once traveled together for a time,
Welt had never lowered his guard around Void Archives.
Especially not now, with Honkai erupting in this world.
He had no choice but to remain cautious.