"Why the expression? What's wrong, Serval, Clara?"
At the entrance of the Astral Express, Takagi looked at Serval in front of him somewhat strangely and asked.
"Nothing, I'm just feeling a bit defeated," Serval sighed deeply.
Clara sighed: "Clara too."
Serval shook her head, walked up to Takagi, and said: "The technology here is too advanced, far exceeding Belobog's. I originally wanted to learn a few things from the researchers here, but I found that I could barely understand what they were saying. If Miss Asta hadn't told them to explain in simple terms, I probably wouldn't have gained anything at all."
"After all, Belobog has been isolated from the world for seven hundred years. It's normal that you don't know a lot of the outside knowledge. Besides, haven't you also gained quite a bit?" Takagi smiled and looked at the notebook in Serval's hand.
"You're right, the knowledge in this notebook is useful for Belobog. With this knowledge, Belobog will definitely be able to get out of its predicament faster. That way, we can also repay you earlier, right?" Serval said with a smile.
"Then I'll have to look forward to it," Takagi said, then looked at the bags in Svarog and Hook's hands. "It seems Clara and Hook also got what they wanted. So, are you ready to go back to Belobog?"
"Yes, I'm ready. Thank you, Big Brother." Clara nodded heavily. She also learned a lot about machinery through Asta. She understood why Asta was willing to help—it was entirely because of Takagi. Therefore, Clara respected him even more.
"I'm ready too, Takagi. After returning to Belobog, I must promote the game 'Aetherium Wars' to everyone." Hook raised a golden coin with a smile. Takagi was also considered an Aetherium Wars player, so he naturally knew that the coin in Hook's hand was a container for Aether Spirits.
"I believe with Hook's promotion, everyone in Belobog will like this Aetherium Wars game. Maybe you can even win a championship or something." Takagi smiled.
"Mhm, Hook will work hard."
"Then let's go back to Belobog, everyone." Takagi picked up Hook and walked towards the train. Clara, Svarog, and Serval quickly followed. As Takagi activated the teleportation function, the Astral Express instantly disappeared before Herta, Asta, and the others.
"Huh?! It just disappeared? Himeko's train doesn't have this function either. Is this normal?" Asta asked doubtfully.
"It's clearly not normal. This Takagi is definitely not a simple Pathstrider of Trailblaze. Leaving directly without relying on the star rail, this way of appearing and disappearing is just like an Aeon. Could this man really be the Trailblaze Aeon?" Herta frowned tightly.
"What? Akivili?" Asta looked at Herta with extreme surprise.
"No one knows why the Trailblaze Aeon disappeared. Nor does anyone know if they will return. Looking at Takagi's performance in the Simulated Universe, he might indeed be the returning Aeon," Screwllum said.
"According to the conclusion of the cycle of life, Takagi could also be the Aeon who is gradually recovering," Ruan Mei added.
"If that's the case, then we might be able to witness the recovery of an Aeon with our own eyes. This is truly good news." Herta's mouth curved upwards. She picked up her phone and looked at the number belonging to Takagi on it. "Let's go, everyone. Let's go and debug the Simulated Universe. When Takagi comes next time, we'll have to ask him to test it properly."
Herta stepped towards her office, with Ruan Mei and Screwllum following closely behind. Asta stared blankly at their backs. It took her a while to snap back to reality. "Takagi might be the recovering Trailblaze Aeon? No, I must tell Himeko about this."
On an unknown planet.
Himeko, Dan Heng, March 7th, and the others were completing their own Trailblaze journey. The sudden message from Asta caused Himeko, who had originally looked calm, to freeze on the spot.
"Sister Himeko, what's wrong?" March 7th asked doubtfully.
Himeko: "Asta sent another message."
Welt Yang: "Could it be about that Pathstrider named Takagi again?"
Himeko nodded.
March 7th: "Did he do something special at Herta Space Station?"
Himeko: "Asta told me that Takagi's Astral Express possesses a power similar to teleportation."
Welt Yang: "Teleportation? Do other trains have such a special ability?"
Himeko: "As far as I know, no Astral Express should have such an ability."
Welt Yang: "Then what's the matter with Takagi's train?"
Himeko shook her head: "Regarding this point, I'm not very clear either. However, the last point Asta mentioned about Takagi might explain this ability. Asta said that Takagi participated in a project of Herta and other Genius Society members. This seems to have made Herta, Screwllum, Ruan Mei, and others think that Takagi might be the Trailblaze Aeon who is slowly recovering. And the teleportation ability Takagi displayed when he left Herta Space Station seems to have made Herta and the others agree with their view even more."
After she finished speaking, Dan Heng, March 7th, and the others immediately froze on the spot.
"That Takagi... is an Aeon?! Is such a thing possible, Himeko?" Welt Yang pushed up his glasses and asked solemnly.
"I don't know, but no matter what, Takagi is undoubtedly special. Perhaps the power that suddenly erupted from our train before also came from this Takagi. I think it's necessary for us to meet him," Himeko said.
Welt Yang: "If it is the recovery of Akivili, it is indeed quite possible that it caused the anomaly in our train. Himeko, do you know where he is?"
Himeko shook her phone: "According to Asta, Takagi will go to Herta Space Station again, we can wait for him there. Of course, we can also choose to go to a planet called Yarilo-VI. Takagi seems to plan to protect that planet."
Welt Yang looked at the distant town: "Since that's the case, let's quickly go and deal with the matters here. Whether Takagi is a Pathstrider or a recovering Aeon, it is quite worth our while to meet him."
March 7th: "As fellow Astral Express owners, we should be able to become friends, right?"
Himeko: "I think we can definitely become friends." She looked up at the sky. Although she hadn't met Takagi yet, her curiosity about him had reached its peak.
Takagi, who had just returned to Yarilo-VI, never expected that Himeko had already taken notice of him.
A few days later.
Belobog, outskirts.
"Takagi, are you really leaving?" Hook looked at Takagi standing in front of the train, saying with some reluctance.
"Yes, it's time to take Acting Grand Master Jean, Klee, and the others away. Don't worry, little Hook. I'll be back," Takagi smiled.
Then, he turned to Jean, Bronya, and the others standing in front of the train.
Takagi: "Jean, Bronya, the agreement regarding Mondstadt people traveling to Belobog has been signed, right?"
Jean: "It has been signed. Afterward, I will inform the Mondstadt people of the detailed regulations and will not allow anyone who does not comply to come to Belobog."
Bronya: "I will also be ready at any time to receive tourists from Mondstadt. Regarding safety issues, I have already discussed them with Natasha."
Natasha walked over with a smile: "The Silvermane Guards already have a lot to do. On the contrary, Wildfire has much less to do, so we have taken on the task of leading Mondstadt tourists on tours."
Seele nodded: "Just right, it can also be considered working for you to pay off debt."
"Seele as a tour guide... You won't get into fights with the tourists, will you?" Takagi put his arm on Seele's shoulder and teased.
"No, Mondstadt will not allow people with violent tendencies to come to Belobog. In addition, we will strictly warn tourists against causing conflicts," Jean quickly said.
Paimon: "I don't think there would be anyone in Mondstadt foolish enough to fight with Belobog people. They can't win at all."
Barbara nodded in agreement. Even a Vision wielder surrounded by guards would likely lose. If they face a Pathstrider like Seele, they have even less chance.
"Hmph, I won't just casually attack either," Seele coldly snorted.
"Besides Seele, other members of Wildfire like Luka will also help. Clara and Svarog also expressed their willingness. Besides that, there is also someone who expressed wanting to be a tour guide... It's just that his situation is a bit special, so I refused," Natasha said.
"Boss, doing this will hurt old Sampo's feelings." As the voice appeared, a tall man with blue hair ran over.
"You still followed, Sampo," Natasha frowned.
"After all, this will be the last chance to see Belobog's hero for a short time. I really didn't expect such a big event to happen while I was away. It's a pity I wasn't even there." Sampo came before Takagi and introduced himself respectfully: "Hello, Belobog's great hero Takagi, I am Sampo..."
Takagi: "Topaz."
Sampo: "?!"
Takagi: "Tavern."
Sampo: "!!!"
"Your expression is very interesting; it gives me a sense of amusement." Takagi's mouth curved upwards.
"Amusement?!" Sampo raised an eyebrow and moved closer. "Kindred spirit?"
"Sort of, but I like amusement, I just don't like becoming others' amusement. You know what I mean, right?" Takagi placed his hand on Sampo's shoulder, a faint aura of an Emanator slightly emanating. Sampo's eyes instantly widened.
"Understood, understood, don't worry! I'm just here specifically to apply for the tour guide job. Absolutely won't do anything unnecessary," Sampo patted his chest.
"Let's forget about being a tour guide. I'm worried you might inadvertently trick the tourists," Takagi shook his head. Just kidding, Sampo is someone connected to the 'tavern', a gathering place for those seeking amusement. For the safety of the tourists, Takagi would not let Sampo interact with them.
"How can you say that? I'm sincere, great hero," Sampo said mournfully.
Takagi looked at Jean: "Jean, when the Mondstadt people come to travel, be careful interacting with this old Sampo. This guy is quite good at tricking people."
Jean nodded heavily: "I'll remember that, Takagi."
Hearing this, Sampo's expression became even more dejected. Seeing that Bronya even intended to apprehend him, Sampo could only choose to slink away.
"Bronya, this card is for you. Inside are enough Credits to repay Yarilo-VI's debt. If the IPC comes, just give them this card," Takagi handed the black card to Bronya.
"Takagi, you... you really found enough Credits?!" Bronya looked up in surprise.
"Yes, Asta quite likes the Star Destroyer." Takagi nodded and tapped the card. The projection clearly displayed the deposit amount.
"This... so much!" Seele's eyes widened.
Pela: "Even more than what was calculated before!"
Serval: "Even if you sold me, it wouldn't be enough for a fraction of it."
"So terrifying." Natasha swallowed. Even with her personality, seeing such a number, she was unable to remain calm.
"Takagi, is this really for me?" Bronya wanted to take the card but was hesitant.
"This isn't for you; it's just temporarily repaying on behalf of Belobog. Remember to transfer a sum of Credits to my account every year from now on," Takagi said.
"But with such a large sum, how many years do we need to repay?" Bronya frowned.
"I've calculated... assuming things develop favorably, we might need to repay for about seven hundred years," Pela said with trembling lips.
Seven hundred years. Belobog doesn't even know how many generations that is. Although Takagi doesn't charge interest, having such a terrifying number hanging over their heads would put immense pressure on anyone.
"Worried about not being able to repay? I can offer you a solution." Lumine slid next to Pela, her eyes curved like crescent moons.
Pela: "A solution?"
Lumine nodded: "If you package and sell your black stockings to Takagi, he might even buy them at a high price."
Pela: "!"
Natasha: "..."
Bronya: "..."
Serval: "..."
"Ahhh! Anyway, my stockings have already been snatched once. If you, Takagi, can buy them at a high price, it's not like I can't sell them to you," Pela scratched her hair, blushing.
Serval: "Pe... Pela!"
Bronya: "Isn't this too much of a sacrifice?"
Pela: "An... anyway, this guy has already snatched them once. You agree, right, Takagi?"
Takagi: "Heh heh, I refuse."
Pela: "?"
Takagi crossed his arms, raised his chin, and said with an arrogant expression: "Please, am I that kind of scummy person? I'm not that blonde Traveler."
Lumine: "Blonde? Is he talking about me?"