Chapter 167: Farewell to Belobog
Stelle's mind went completely blank, her golden eyes wide with a shock that left her momentarily breathless. She was almost certain she had misheard him.
He… wanted to join the Express? Why? She thought he was firmly rooted here, with Cocolia's absolute trust, Bronya's reliance, and Seele's deep bond. Why would he leave all that?
"You... what did you just say?" she finally stammered.
Just then, the train door slid open with a soft hiss. March 7th poked her head out, a teasing, conspiratorial smile plastered across her face.
"He said he wants to join us on the train, Stelle!" March 7th's voice was bright and sing-song. "I heard it all clearly from inside! What's wrong? Cat got your tongue? Or are you just... so incredibly happy you've been struck dumb?"
Stelle finally snapped out of her daze, her cheeks instantly flushing a bright crimson. She stared intently at Orion, her heart hammering against her ribs. "I... shut up, March! Why would you suddenly...?"
Orion looked at her flustered, delighted expression and couldn't help but smile. He deliberately leaned closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial murmur that only she could hear.
"Of course, it's because... I just can't bear to leave you, my good buddy."
"Eh?!" Stelle's heart skipped a beat, her mind going even blanker.
"Just kidding," Orion laughed, stepping back to a normal distance. "Actually, Himeko invited me to join... and to be honest, after everything that's happened, I also wanted to see the wider world you all talk about."
"Yep, yep! He's not lying!" March 7th bounced off the train, slinging an arm over Stelle's shoulder. "Himeko officially invited him yesterday! We were all in on it!"
March 7th leaned in again, whispering directly into Stelle's ear, "Besides... Himeko totally did this for you. She said you seemed 'very fond' of him and that he was 'reliable, powerful, and familiar,' whatever that means. A great hero who saved Belobog should see the stars, right?"
"You all… you all ganged up to keep it from me?" Stelle finally found her voice, pouting as she tried to hide the uncontrollable smile spreading across her face.
"We just wanted to give you a surprise!" March 7th stuck out her tongue.
Just then, two clear voices—one sharp and one composed—came from behind them.
"Wait a moment!"
They all turned. Bronya and Seele were rushing over from the Qliphoth Fort, with Cocolia following at a more stately pace behind them.
"Oof, looks like your fan club is here to see you off!" March 7th whispered to Orion, giving him a 'you're on your own' look. She quickly grabbed the still-processing Stelle by the arm. "Come on, Stelle, let's go set up the... uh... welcome party! Right! Lots to prepare!"
She dragged the protesting Stelle back onto the train, leaving Orion alone on the platform to face the three most important women in his Belobog life.
The air was thick with unspoken words.
The first to step forward was, predictably, Seele. She marched right up to him, grabbed the collar of his uniform, and yanked him down to her level. Her purple-red eyes were fixed on him, a storm of anger, betrayal, and a deep, rattling sadness swirling within them.
"So, that's it?" her voice was low, tight with suppressed emotion. "You're really leaving."
"Seele, it's not—"
"Are you... abandoning us?" Her grip tightened. "Abandoning me?"
Just as Orion was about to explain, she shoved a heavy, rough-spun cloth bag into his arms. It was heavy and smelled faintly of smoked meat and earth.
"When you travel, make sure you stay safe and don't go hungry!" She turned her head away, refusing to look at him. "These are snacks from the Underworld... rock-hard roasted sausages and some 'lucky' potatoes. Take them and share. Don't you dare starve out there!"
She took a shaky breath. "And... don't worry about things here. Natasha told me... about your connection to Wildfire. Don't worry. I've already taken over for you."
"I know you would," Orion said softly, his gaze softening. "The Underworld is in the best hands. There's no one I'd trust more."
"Hmph. You..." Seele bit her lip, the anger in her eyes finally cracking. "I want to," she looked back at him, her fiery eyes now glistening. "I want to ask you to stay. But... do you remember? You longed for freedom. You told me your dream was to go on adventures, to those distant worlds in stories. That's your dream."
"I'm... I'm stuck here. This is my home, my fight. But you... you were always different, Orion. You always looked up... at the 'sky' that wasn't there."
"You go out and see for me first... When the time comes, remember to bring back souvenirs."
Seele then abruptly turned her back to him, her shoulders trembling slightly. "Go on, get out of here before I change my mind and chain you to the Underworld."
Before Orion could respond, Bronya stepped forward with a calm, bittersweet smile. "She's right, Orion. You should go."
"Bronya..."
"I'm not the orphan who was bullied when you first met me," Bronya's gaze became distant, soft. "Ever since the Stellaron's influence vanished... things have been... clearer. I remember, Orion. The orphanage. The cold. The promise we made."
She then held up a glass cup, identical to the one from all those years ago, filled with colorful, misty "soda ice cream."
"I... I remember this, too."
[Inorin's Note: The "soda ice cream" is a callback to Chapter 15, where Orion spent his few credits to buy Bronya a "Black Bread Soda Iceberg" at the orphanage, one of her first happy memories and a symbol of their bond.]
Bronya brought a spoonful to Orion's mouth, her eyes curved just like they were back then. "Still so delicious... Here."
Orion ate it. The cool, sweet, and slightly fizzy flavor burst on his tongue, a taste of a promise kept. "It tastes... exactly the same."
"Of course," Bronya smiled, though a single tear slid down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. "I had the kitchen try for weeks to replicate the recipe from my memory."
"It's a pity I can't be with you for your birthday tomorrow." She handed him a small, beautifully wrapped silver box. "I've prepared a gift for you... Remember to open it when you're on the train."
Bronya, too, turned her head away. A dignified, composed farewell that was, in its own way, just as heartbreaking as Seele's.
Finally, it was Cocolia. She walked up to Orion, her eyes full of a complex reluctance, yet also a maternal relief.
"Orion," she asked, her voice softer than a Supreme Guardian's should be. "Will you... come back?"
"Mm," Orion nodded solemnly. "I will become stronger... and do my best to make Belobog more prosperous."
Cocolia smiled, a genuine, gentle smile. "Thank you... I... I'm proud of the choice you're making." She hesitated, then made her final, vulnerable request. "Just... remember me and come back to see me. My headaches... they'll probably return. If you help me with a massage again when you return, I'll be content."
"Alright, time's up," Bronya urged softly, her voice thick with emotion. "Your new companions are waiting... Go."
Seele suddenly spun around, her eyes red, and vigorously waved her fist. "ORION! You get stronger, you hear me? Get so strong that no one can ever bully you again! Or don't you dare come back to see me!"
"Okay." Orion looked at the three women, his heart filled with an emotion he hadn't anticipated. He took a deep breath, etched their faces into his memory, and then... "Goodbye."
He turned and stepped onto the train.
The doors hissed shut. Inside the parlor car, Himeko, Welt, Dan Heng, March 7th, and Stelle were all waiting.
The Astral Express let out its departure whistle. A powerful lurch, and the train rushed onto the void track of starlight, flying towards the boundless star sea.
Inside, Orion stood by the window, looking down at the planet below. The outline of Belobog, the scar of the city on the world, gradually shrunk. Finally, the full view of Jarilo-VI came into his eyes—half crystalline ice-white, half newborn dark green, a planet of contradictions, utterly beautiful.
Seele, Bronya, Cocolia...
I'll be back, he thought, his eyes turning cold and deep as he clutched the Stellaron hidden within him. But first... the universe awaits.
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