On Planet Promia, Anna didn't even glance at the screen beside her.
"Dad, Mom, stop trying to talk me out of this. I'm just going out for a short trip, alright?"
She packed her things carelessly, replying absentmindedly.
Indeed, despite being royalty of Planet Promia, she was planning to travel. And as for her destination—was there even a need to ask?
Only one place could attract her attention right now: the recently famous Federation of Hope.
The Federation had gained wide recognition throughout the galaxy after its recent fallout with the IPC.
But Anna wasn't interested in its newfound fame; her real reason was the presence of someone she cared deeply about—Sora!
That's right; Anna was certain that Sora was currently there.
It wasn't the Federation's name itself, but a gut feeling she had deep inside.
The Federation had appeared so abruptly, so inexplicably out of nowhere, that its creation felt as astonishing as a rabbit leaping from a stone.
Even more surprising was the scale of this new Federation—not just a small alliance of a few planets. Contrary to everyone's expectations, it immediately emerged as a power spanning hundreds of light-years.
Although in the vast cosmos, a few hundred light-years might seem insignificant, a force of this scale could already influence the galactic stage.
If that were all, Anna might not have linked it to Sora. But the Federation's declared founding location was something she simply couldn't overlook.
Tartaro, the Soul Springs—previously known as a place capable of soothing mental ailments—was precisely the last known location of Sora.
Sora had gone to that planet for vacation just before the Swarm Disaster dominated everyone's attention, and since then, Anna had completely lost contact with him.
Even now, his whereabouts remained unknown.
Anna, proactive by nature, couldn't sit idle any longer. She had to personally visit the Federation and discover what had happened!
Naturally, Anna's parents opposed her traveling so far away, but after years of independent decisions, their advice had become, at best, a suggestion for Anna.
Could their suggestions shake Anna's determination to find Sora? The answer was obvious; Anna's current actions made everything clear.
"Anna, your mother and I aren't here to stop you this time. Since Ouja intends to accompany you, we're reassured."
From the screen came the voices of her parents, rulers of Planet Promia. "The reason we called is that we've just received a Galaxy Ranger."
"She said she missed the previous rendezvous because she was dealing with an outbreak. She's here to make up for it now."
Hearing this, Anna's hands paused their packing.
If anything could distract Anna right now, besides Sora, it would be this group alone:
The Galaxy Rangers—a group of vigilantes following the Path of the HUNT, who spontaneously formed to protect the weak.
Back then, they had been drawn to Promia by a bullet fired by Sora, ultimately helping the planet through its darkest hours.
Anna herself had received great care from the Galaxy Rangers during that time, and she carried immense gratitude toward them.
Sadly, those Galaxy Rangers had quietly vanished once the danger had passed.
Just as they arrived like shooting stars illuminating despair, their departure was equally swift, fading as if they'd never appeared.
Ever since then, Anna had remembered their kindness.
Knowing direct assistance would never be accepted by such Rangers, Anna had arranged through their Guardian Deity to leave a message in the cosmos, using the power of the HUNT:
"Planet Promia offers free, unconditional supplies to all Galaxy Rangers."
This message could only be perceived by those wielding the power of the HUNT—Promia's quiet tribute to these heroes.
If Galaxy Rangers disliked obvious gestures of gratitude, Promia would simply become their silent supporter, always ready whenever they passed through.
The results had been noticeable. Occasionally, Galaxy Rangers made emergency landings on Promia, restocked quickly, and quietly departed.
Just as Anna was preparing to leave, another Galaxy Ranger had arrived.
Quite a coincidence, indeed…
"Please ask our guest to wait a moment; I'll head over immediately."
Anna stopped packing, tidied herself quickly, and hurried to meet this Ranger.
When she arrived, she saw only a woman dressed in ancient-style white robes with long, flowing hair.
Noticing Anna's arrival, the woman instinctively raised her head, looking in her direction.
The power of the HUNT resonated instantly between them, confirming their identities at once.
The Ranger smiled softly, small dimples appearing at the corners of her lips. "You must be Princess Anna, right? I've long heard of your fame. It's an honor to finally meet you."
"Not at all! I've received so much kindness from the Galaxy Rangers. The title 'Princess' isn't necessary at all—please just call me Anna."
Anna humbly replied, moving to sit opposite her guest.
The two exchanged small talk for a while.
"I never expected Miss Anna to be so humble. Thinking back to myself at your age, I truly pale in comparison."
The Ranger laughed warmly, sincere admiration filling her tone. "Allow me to introduce myself—I'm Yu Yi, a Galaxy Ranger."
"It was only because circumstances forced me," Anna replied modestly. "Back then, everywhere I turned, all I saw was despair. I had no choice but to push forward."
Thinking back to those days, Anna felt a pang. Many times, she'd nearly given up. Thankfully, she didn't…
Otherwise, she wouldn't have met the man who'd completely changed her life.
"Circumstances, huh..." Yu Yi echoed softly.
Speaking of difficult situations, hadn't she herself also been trapped in despair back then?
Yet she'd never possessed Anna's awareness at that time…
Yu Yi sighed unconsciously, shaking her head. Even after so long, those memories still felt vivid and sharp.
Anna, perceptive as always, caught Yu Yi's fleeting emotions and felt slightly surprised.
None of the Galaxy Rangers she'd previously met had ever shown such complex emotions.
This sparked her curiosity. Perhaps this Ranger faced some hidden troubles?
"Miss Yu Yi, I don't know what difficulties you're facing, but if possible, could you tell me about them?" Anna asked earnestly. "We'll do our utmost to help you."
Anna's sincere offer stunned Yu Yi into momentary silence. She didn't know what to say.
Anna had only offered her help because of the kindness she'd received from other Galaxy Rangers.
Yet… Yu Yi clearly knew she'd never participated in those events at all.
Still, despite that, Anna treated her warmly, even saying such kind words.
Comparing their two reactions, Yu Yi couldn't help but feel deeply ashamed of her own behavior back then.
Yu Yi's fingers tightened briefly, then slowly relaxed.
Just this once, I'll let myself be selfish.
"Miss Anna, could you help me confirm if any of my acquaintances were among the Galaxy Rangers who came to Promia's aid back then?"
"That's easily done. I still have the names of everyone who arrived back then. Could you please tell me their name?"
Anna quickly summoned a long list—the communication logs she'd copied from the Galaxy Rangers' ships that had protected her planet.
These names belonged to heroes who had supported Sora and Planet Promia in their darkest hour.
Yu Yi bit her lip, memories surfacing vividly in her mind.
"Hahaha! If you want to find me, just ask among the Galaxy Rangers! Anyone who hears my title immediately senses misfortune!"
"And your title is...?"
Following the memory, Yu Yi spoke out that unforgettable name, clearly and slowly:
"…Covered-in-Golden-Fur."
Anna's fingers, steadily scrolling through the list, suddenly froze mid-air.
"Eh?!"
Wait…what did she just say?!
Was this seriously someone's chosen title?
Facing Anna's astonished gaze, Yu Yi simply nodded seriously. "I couldn't possibly forget it—even after hundreds of years..."
Indeed, no matter how many centuries passed, those memories remained unfaded, vivid as ever.
She would never forget.
...
Atop the Jiulan Mountains, concealed within a cave undetectable by any equipment—
Outside, towering peaks howled relentlessly with fierce winds.
Such violent gusts rendered the area uninhabitable, forbidden to ordinary lifeforms.
Yet, at this very moment, a silhouette pierced through the storm, steadily entering the cave.
"Hey, old friend—I brought good liquor to visit you again."
The wind tore apart as an elderly figure, white-haired and wrinkled, strode onto the mountaintop.
He appeared exceptionally aged, his deeply lined face carved like weathered granite.
Yet his smile remained as bright as ever.
Entering the cave, he approached the figure standing quietly within.
In the faint illumination, the silhouette's outline was barely visible.
One head, two arms, two legs—clearly, a stick figure.
Indeed, the statue was literally a textbook stick figure.
Two crooked characters were inscribed upon its torso: "Futian."
The old man casually approached the stick figure, uncorked the flask in his hand, and poured out its contents.
A rich, fragrant aroma filled the mountaintop—unmistakably the scent of top-grade liquor.
Yet this exquisite liquor was respectfully offered before the crude stick figure labeled "Futian."
Meanwhile, the old man himself took a swig from a bottle of clear, water-like alcohol, saluting the figure.
After completing the ritual, the old man finally spoke:
"Ah, old friend, you wouldn't believe it, but something huge just happened."
"I remember clearly—you once swore to me that the Heliobus inheriting your power would become someone even I'd struggle to deal with. That's why you had me nurture my sword as a deterrent."
From within the cave, the old man drew out a long sword seemingly fused with its sheath.
Although its exterior appeared shabby and dull, tremendous power lurked within.
This was the sword he'd nurtured for ages, continually accumulating strength.
Its intended target wasn't anyone else, but Xi herself—the one who'd signed a contract with General Futian.
He was the ultimate contingency, prepared in case Xi ever betrayed her pact.
But what had he recently heard?
The mighty Xi, against whom he'd guarded for so long, had actually been defeated—completely subdued by a nobody.
This sudden twist had caught him entirely off guard.
"Oh, old friend, old friend…in the end, your calculations missed the mark."
The old man downed another swig of inferior liquor, his wrinkled face flushing slightly.
"And youngsters these days—they've really got nerve. That guy singlehandedly subdued Xi, yet they dared negotiate terms with him? Tsk tsk…"
He raised his cup toward the stick figure. "Just like your old self—in spirit, at least!"
"…But sadly, they've got your boldness without the strength to back it up."
Those fools truly were daring. This man named Sora had subdued Xi by himself, indicating a vast difference in power. Instead of currying favor, they'd tried bargaining. Had they never considered how they'd handle things if he suddenly turned against them?
The old man sighed deeply. Centuries of isolation had clearly affected the Xianzhou.
"Fortunately, I stepped in just in time and had those kids properly apologize."
Chuckling, he stood up.
"Well, time's up for today. I'll be leaving, old friend—don't miss me too much!"
Laughing heartily, he stepped back out into the roaring winds.
A faint breeze slipped through the cave, swirling the liquor left before Futian's stick figure.
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Sora received an unexpected invitation—from none other than Yu Qi, the young commander.
"I've barely gotten started here. What's he want with me now?" Sora murmured, puzzled by the system's notification:
[Planetary Library Connection Target: Xianzhou Cangcheng (Damaged)]
[Connection Progress: 38%]
Still, since he'd been invited, Sora naturally decided to attend—it was the polite thing to do.
To his surprise, however, their meeting wasn't held in a luxurious room, but rather in a wide, open area.
No one else was around—only Yu Qi awaited him.
This strange situation made Sora pause briefly, wondering what exactly was happening.
"Commander Yu, did you need me for something?"
Hearing Sora's voice, Yu Qi immediately turned around.
"Mr. Sora, you're here…"
"Yeah. What's going on?"
Sora remained confused, but Yu Qi suddenly bowed deeply toward him.
"I sincerely apologize for offending you earlier!"
His voice was solemn, and he stayed bowed.
This unexpected apology startled Sora so much that he instinctively stepped back.
What's going on here?!
"The boy's apologizing for having offended you earlier…"
Hearing this voice, Sora looked up. There, illuminated by moonlight, a figure descended from the sky, long silver-white hair fluttering in the wind.
"Who's this now?" Sora asked curiously.
Yet beside him, Feng Liqi reacted as though she'd spotted a cat, immediately ducking into the shadows behind him. "It's that old geezer!"
How was he still alive?!
"You know him?" Sora asked, intrigued.
"Of course I do! This old man is General Futian's close friend. He's also known as…" Feng Liqi swallowed nervously before uttering his title, "…Sword Champion of the Cangcheng."
Sword Champion of the Cangcheng?!
Sora froze briefly upon hearing the name, but quickly made the connection.
This old man had existed since the fall of this place itself.
Maybe he'd have answers about what happened.
"Hahaha, someone actually remembers my name? That's delightful!"
The elderly figure stepped down slowly from mid-air, laughing heartily.
Yet as he approached, his aura surged rapidly. By the time he stood before Sora, the tension had peaked.
Sora felt as though he faced a sword freshly drawn from its sheath.
This old guy…he's definitely not here for a friendly chat.
"I've heard much of your extraordinary swordsmanship, sir. Might I have the honor of witnessing it firsthand?"
As expected.
---
T/N: Oh i changed it so that Planet Promia doesnt do japanese honorifics, so currently only the Iron Cavalry girls, and perhaps Robin who's been around them for a while also covered in golden fur... what is this? a SSJ Oozaru?
bonus chaps tomorrow
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