"No, that's alright."
Faced with Ruan Mei's invitation, Stelle swallowed hard and then shook her head vigorously. She had seen with her own eyes what her buddy had been subjected to, and she knew she wasn't nearly as durable. If she really went with Ruan Mei on her ship… the next time she saw March 7th and the others, she'd probably have eight arms, nine tails, and three heads.
"Very well." Seeing that Stelle didn't want to go, Ruan Mei didn't insist.
She released Stelle and gestured for Derick's second clone to follow. Derick's clone fell in step with Ruan Mei. After patting her chest to calm her nerves from Ruan Mei's pressure, Stelle also hurried to catch up with them.
The two women and one clone returned to Belobog. Upon arriving, Derick discovered that Himeko was also there.
Himeko glanced at Ruan Mei and Derick's second clone, then raised a hand to beckon Stelle over.
"Stelle, let's go. Dan Heng and March are ready. We're leaving this planet now to begin a new journey."
"Okay."
Stelle nodded repeatedly. She quickly went over to say goodbye to Seele, Bronya, and the others. Ruan Mei and Himeko stood together, watching silently, while Derick's second clone stood behind Ruan Mei. They had arrived at the last moment, so naturally, they hadn't forged any camaraderie with Bronya. However, Cocolia, who was present behind Bronya, glanced at Derick's second clone and Ruan Mei, her eyes revealing a deep-seated fear.
This thing… it's absolutely terrifying.
After the farewells were complete, Stelle, Dan Heng, and March 7th gathered by Himeko's side.
"Let's go, we're off," Stelle said to Himeko.
"Mhm."
Himeko nodded and led them away. Derick's second clone followed at the very end of the group, taking one last look at Jarilo-VI before leaving. He hadn't had a chance to properly see the scenery here. He would have to wait until his main body could leave the cosmos, then come back for a proper tour. But for now, as his second clone, it was best to forget it.
Cocolia, however, was startled by the clone's gaze.
What does that monster's look mean? Did it not eat its fill on Jarilo-VI? Is it planning to find a way back for another big meal?
Cocolia's heart was filled with apprehension.
But Derick paid no mind to her thoughts, simply following Ruan Mei towards the Astral Express.
Upon boarding the Astral Express, Welt Yang and the conductor, Pom-Pom, were waiting for them.
Ruan Mei and the second clone stood to one side. They were not Nameless, merely waiting for the Express to clear the blocked path from Jarilo-VI before they departed.
Pom-Pom looked at the Nameless and said, "Everyone, you've worked hard on this trip. Through your efforts, the Stellaron crisis has been resolved, the Fragmentum's expansion has been curbed, and everything has reached a perfect conclusion. Especially you, Stelle, this was your first Trailblaze mission, and you performed exceptionally well."
Stelle placed her hands on her hips, a proud expression on her face.
After the brief commendation, Pom-Pom gestured for everyone to rest.
Himeko, holding a cup of coffee, walked over to Ruan Mei and Derick's second clone and offered it.
"Lady Ruan Mei, the path is now clear. Where do you plan to go next?" Himeko asked.
"I plan to take my little darling to a few planets that either have traces of ancient beasts or other peculiar creatures," Ruan Mei answered softly. At the same time, she glanced at the coffee Himeko was holding and silently pushed it aside. Derick, however, was curious about the potency of Himeko's coffee and had his second clone drink it.
Hmm, it's probably just terrible, not poisonous.
Derick sensed no adverse reactions after his second clone drank the coffee and thought to himself. As he did, he noticed everyone else looking at his second clone with expressions of admiration.
"Dude, you're amazing!" Stelle gave Derick's second clone a thumbs-up.
Himeko smiled at them, and Stelle and March 7th immediately fell silent like cicadas in winter. She then crossed her legs, the elegant curve of her snow-white thighs on display, and asked Pom-Pom, "Conductor, where are we heading next?"
Hearing that it was about their important journey, Pom-Pom's tone immediately turned serious. It began, "Next, our destination is…"
Before it could finish, an image appeared.
A mature beauty with purple hair.
It was Kafka.
She's here. I wonder if she still remembers me, Derick thought to himself upon seeing her.
"Everyone, the weather is nice today. Congratulations on completing this leg of your Trailblaze journey," she said, her gaze also sweeping over to Ruan Mei and the second clone.
Hmm? Lady Ruan Mei of the Genius Society? When did she get on the Astral Express? Elio's script never mentioned Ruan Mei would be here. Also, that dark fellow next to Ruan Mei looks so familiar. Where have I seen him before?
Kafka narrowed her eyes in thought.
Then she remembered where she had seen Derick's second clone. When she had visited the Herta Space Station, she had run into this dark monster leading the Antimatter Legion. After casually dealing with it, she had even lamented that its unique appearance was a shame to lose upon its death.
But now, it turned out the monster hadn't died back then. And it had even teamed up with Ruan Mei.
None of this was in Elio's script.
Kafka felt she needed to go back to the Stellaron Hunters and ask Elio about this.
With Ruan Mei's protection, Derick wasn't worried that Kafka would do anything to him. So, looking at her virtual image, Derick simply did nothing. Kafka wasn't a biologist; after a couple of glances at the second clone, she withdrew her gaze.
"Who are you?" March 7th asked Kafka.
"She is Kafka, a member of the Stellaron Hunters," Welt Yang recognized Kafka from the side and informed March.
"Those wanted criminals? What is she doing here?" March 7th knew of the Stellaron Hunters. She looked at Kafka, her eyes filled with a hint of nervousness.
"Relax, I don't have the ability to attack the Express," Kafka said as she walked towards Stelle, Himeko, and the others.
She continued, "I have a suggestion for the Astral Express's next journey. Within the train's jump range, the Xianzhou Luofu of the Xianzhou Alliance is currently facing a crisis caused by a Stellaron. If you were to go and help, you could reap considerable rewards."
At the mention of the Xianzhou Luofu, Derick noticed Dan Heng's expression change.
"The Stellaron Hunters wouldn't give us this information for no reason. What are you planning?" Himeko asked Kafka, her eyes narrowed.
Kafka projected another image.
"Here, this is one of our Stellaron Hunters—Blade. With the Stellaron outbreak, he was captured by the Cloud Knights as a suspect. I hope you will resolve the Stellaron crisis and uncover the truth. By the way, if you don't go, about half of the Xianzhou Luofu's population will perish."
"To go or not to go, the choice is yours."
She left the choice to Himeko and the others.
Derick clearly noticed that as Kafka said this, Dan Heng's expression became even more unnatural.
Kafka's image vanished, leaving the crew to deliberate.
However, due to the Stellaron Hunters' reputation, the discussion didn't immediately yield a result. Finally, Himeko said, "Since everyone is undecided, let's take a democratic vote later."
After saying this, she let everyone go discuss it amongst themselves. Himeko walked over to Ruan Mei and asked, "Lady Ruan Mei, do you have any advice on this matter?"
Ruan Mei shook her head. "This is not my area of expertise. The advice I could give would be no better than what you could come up with yourself, Lady Himeko. I will be leaving with it shortly and won't affect your Trailblaze journey."
Regardless of whether Himeko and the others went to the Xianzhou Luofu, Ruan Mei had no intention of going.
The Ambrosial Arbor on the Luofu was indeed a fine thing, possessing a strong power of the Abundance. Letting her little darling devour some of it might yield good results. However, Ruan Mei knew the temperament of the Xianzhou Alliance. Their vengeful nature made most factions in the universe unwilling to oppose them. If she were to have her little darling devour the body of the Ambrosial Arbor, it would certainly invite endless trouble. Even for her, facing the ceaseless revenge of the Xianzhou Alliance… she might not necessarily die, but her research would definitely be greatly affected.
The Ambrosial Arbor on the Luofu was not valuable enough for Ruan Mei to pay such a price. If she wanted her little darling to find the power of the Abundance, it would be better to have it devour the Denizens of Abundance directly.
"I understand," Himeko nodded.
A short while later, after a brief rest, Ruan Mei left the Astral Express with Derick's second clone. As for whether the Astral Express's next stop was the Xianzhou Luofu, she didn't care.
Derick also left with Ruan Mei. Even if he was interested in the Luofu, for now, he had to follow her.
He'd wait for his main body to handle it in the future.
Amphoreus.
Hyacine had finished treating Polyxia.
Looking at the bandaged arm, she said to Polyxia, "Just be a little careful for the next few days, and it will be fine."
"Mhm." Polyxia nodded.
Aglaea walked back at this time and said to Derick and the others, "Are you all finished with the treatment here?"
"Yes," Derick nodded. He curiously asked Aglaea, "By the way, Lady Aglaea, where did you arrange for Oronyx to stay?"
Aglaea replied, "I have settled him in the Vortex of Genesis. Right now, Teacher Tribbie is there communicating with him."
"Oh, I see." Derick nodded in understanding. "Indeed, the Vortex of Genesis is a very good place for him. Lady Aglaea, can we go see him now?"
Now that Oronyx was settled, he wanted to go check on his condition.
"Of course, you can."
Aglaea naturally wouldn't refuse Derick's proposal.
She then led Derick and the others towards the Vortex of Genesis.
_____
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