["The lives of short-lived species are fleeting; why seek your own demise?"]
["What brings you to the Xianzhou? Are you seeking immortality?"]
["No need to read Jing Yuan's expression! The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus can give you what you desire!"]
["During the battle, that medic from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus never stopped talking, prattling on while fighting. In terms of performance, she was practically the top salesperson among the Disciples!"]
Sumeru Desert, Aaru Village.
"Haha, that little grunt sure can talk! I wonder what she'd think if she found out her leader considers Stelle a friend?"
Inside the tavern, Dehya was sitting with Candace, enjoying date palm wine from the oasis while discussing the model spokesperson of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus shown on the light screen.
"And what's that about 'no need to read Jing Yuan's expression'?" Dehya exclaimed indignantly on Jing Yuan's behalf. "If you come to the Xianzhou and don't see Jing Yuan's expression, you're missing out big time!"
"Even though Jing Yuan usually looks like he hasn't slept, that lazy demeanor is so charming! What kind of taste do the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus have? I'd rather look at Jing Yuan's expression every day!"
"Especially when he's swinging that formation blade—"
A slightly tipsy Dehya began mimicking Jing Yuan's movements, her somewhat comical actions instantly drawing the attention of several tavern patrons.
"…Alright, alright, Dehya, the tavern isn't the place to be swinging your fists," Candace said with a helpless smile. She discreetly swapped Dehya's wine glass for a cup of Dundun Peach juice.
"Sigh, if you can't handle your liquor, don't overdo it…"
["Unfortunately, that Disciple of Sanctus Medicus was all talk."]
["After easily dealing with her, the Cloud Knight who had succumbed to Mara finally regained a bit of clarity, collapsing to the ground."]
["'Hang in there a little longer; we'll find someone to save you…' March 7th tried to comfort him."]
["'Don't waste your time. I've already been transformed by that thing; it won't be long…' the Cloud Knight said weakly. 'You should leave… Master Diviner is just ahead…'"]
["Then, he fell silent, as if he had exhausted all his strength or was waiting for Stelle and the others to leave."]
["'…Let's go,' Welt knew there was no saving him. The most urgent task now was to catch up with Master Diviner and prevent more tragedies like this from happening."]
"He's probably planning to…" Mine couldn't bear to watch any longer.
"Ending his own life is his best option," Najenda sighed. "They're all soldiers with dignity, and naturally, they'd want to die with dignity. Rather than fully succumbing to Mara's madness and being killed by their comrades, they'd choose to preserve their final shred of honor…"
"If it were me, I'd probably make the same choice."
It was the first time Mine had seen Big Sis so sentimental, and she hurriedly tried to comfort her. "Don't worry, Big Sis, the Xianzhou has Mara, but we don't have that here… No need to think about ending your own life."
"No, Mine, when the critical moment comes, we might not even have the chance to end our own lives."
"Big Sis, what do you mean…?" Mine felt her heart skip a beat.
Najenda exhaled a long puff of smoke, her tone serious. "I've looked into it carefully. There's a girl named Black Pupil in the Hunters' ranks, and her Teigu is called [Dead March]. It can control those who die by her blade through a curse."
"If one day our comrades become her [weapons]… Mine, you know what to do, right?"
"Big Sis, I…"
"No matter where we are, we must die like true soldiers—this Cloud Knight has set a fine example for us." Najenda looked up at the light screen, speaking calmly:
"If an unfortunate fate befalls us one day, Mine… at the very least, we must ensure our hands aren't stained with the blood of our comrades, like that Cloud Knight."
——
["The group pressed forward, though their mood was heavy. Fortunately, it wasn't long before they spotted a camp where a large number of Cloud Knights were stationed."]
["'Who goes there? State your purpose!' Two Cloud Knights guarding the camp blocked their path."]
["'Wait! I know them!' One of the Cloud Knights recognized them in time. 'They're guests invited by the General. Master Diviner foresaw your arrival and instructed us to await you.'"]
["'Await us?' Stelle keenly picked up on the phrasing. 'Fu Xuan isn't here?'"]
["'Correct. After ordering the team to set up camp here, Master Diviner led a scouting party to investigate ahead. It's said that the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, who have been hiding for years, have appeared nearby, causing widespread unease…'"]
["The Cloud Knight's tone shifted, and he quickly rallied. 'But now that you're here, things will be fine. Master Diviner said the Cloud Knights must not advance until you arrive. Please head to the camp and wait for Master Diviner's return before taking further action.'"]
["With the Stellaron causing anomalies and the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus dropping their disguise, Welt suspected something unknown was afoot and decided to ask the Cloud Knights in the camp for information."]
["They noticed two Cloud Knights detaining a follower of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. Stelle decided to question him first."]
["'Have you seen the Stellaron?' Stelle asked."]
["'…You mean that glowing seed?' The follower immediately grew excited. 'Haha, I've seen it! It's beautiful. When you look into it, there's a voice speaking inside…'"]
["March 7th leaned close to Stelle's ear and whispered, 'Stelle, do you remember… Cocolia?'"]
["'The leader said with this thing, we can breathe new life into the Ambrosial Arbor. Heehee, I didn't believe it at first. After all, we've tried so many methods over generations of short-lived species, and the Arbor never showed a single sign of revival.'"]
["The follower grew more excited, his tone increasingly frenzied, even gesticulating wildly."]
["'But now, look—heehee, "Only the power of an Aeon can recreate a miracle." Yes, yes, the great Sanctus Medicus [Abundance]!'"]
"Is this the same plot?"
"The leader of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, Dan Shu, was swayed by the voice within the Stellaron… She threw the Stellaron into the roots of the Ambrosial Arbor, causing chaos," Yuji Itadori scratched his head. "So, if we deal with Dan Shu, all the problems will be solved."
"…Itadori, you make it sound so easy."
Atsuya Kusakabe's face bore a clear "this guy's an idiot" expression, which annoyed Yuji Itadori a bit.
"Unlike Cocolia, whose actions concerned the lives of an entire planet's people, Dan Shu is just a chief alchemist—important, but not critical," Kusakabe said. "If it were Jing Yuan, maybe there'd be value in swaying him… Dan Shu is just a pawn in the end."
"…The one truly playing the game against Jing Yuan is the person who brought the Stellaron to the Xianzhou."
"Otherwise, no matter how resourceful Dan Shu is, a chief alchemist couldn't just conjure a Stellaron out of thin air, could she?"