Boulder Town.
After a dreamless night, Adrian stretched lazily as he stepped out of the Goethe Hotel, spotting the three who had been waiting for quite some time.
"Teacher Adrian, you're finally awake! Sleeping in doesn't suit you," March 7th teased.
"What does that prove? It proves you still need to work on your team coordination," Stelle said, arms crossed. She had woken up early today.
"Since everyone's here, let's go meet with [Wildfire] to discuss the next steps. See if they've uncovered anything new," Dan Heng suggested.
"Let's go! I can't wait to get back to the surface!" March 7th said excitedly.
"Shall I send Miss March up right now?" Adrian quipped.
Counting the days, Adrian had been in Belobog for three days. It was time to speed up the plot's progression.
"Uh, actually, I'm not that impatient… haha…" March 7th backtracked.
When they arrived at the meeting point, only Seele and Sampo were there.
"Natasha's absence is one thing, but where's Oleg, the acting leader?" March 7th looked around, wondering why the proxy leader was slacking.
"Oleg and Natasha have a lot of aftermath to handle. Talking to me is just as good—my words carry her intent," Seele said bluntly. Strictly speaking, she was the proxy of the proxy [Wildfire] leader.
"Natasha's always cautious and means no harm, as I'm sure you've noticed. She instructed me to ensure you all safely return to the upper district. Oleg sent this guy to help," Seele said, pointing at Sampo.
"Heh heh~ Aside from Boss Adrian, I brought you down here, so of course I'm responsible for getting you back~ Free after-sales service, so please leave a five-star review~" Sampo's overly enthusiastic tone gave Seele a shiver.
"Wow… that tone! Am I talking to a customer service rep from the Interastral Peace Corporation?" March 7th quipped. Adrian stepped forward.
"No need for all that trouble. I'll take them back myself."
"What! Could it be… Teacher Adrian is finally making a move?!" March 7th's attitude shifted instantly.
"Rare to see you so eager," Dan Heng added.
"Ha! That's perfect! Boss Adrian, wise and mighty! Your ol' pal Sampo admits defeat!" Sampo was ecstatic, thinking he could stick to being the behind-the-scenes jester.
At that moment, a thought of praising Eternity flickered in his mind!
"Wait, where's Bronya?" Dan Heng asked, noticing someone was missing.
"Bronya went back already. You know her relationship with the [Great Guardian]. There are things she has to handle on her own," Seele explained.
"What? She just left us and went back? Why didn't you stop her?" March 7th protested.
"Couldn't stop her. A blonde man claiming to be the Church's High Priest showed up, said he could help Bronya get to the upper district, opened a portal, and they left," Seele recounted what happened last night. At the mention of the "blonde High Priest," Sampo and Dan Heng's expressions visibly changed.
"Miss Seele… this isn't something to joke about!" Sampo wiped cold sweat with his handkerchief, his tone tinged with fear.
When Sampo first arrived on Jarilo-VI, he had made all sorts of plans. After Silver Wolf informed him Adrian was coming, he scrapped them all and reluctantly drafted new ones.
Now… the worst-case scenario seemed to be unfolding.
It's over. How did that man actually show up on Jarilo-VI?! Wasn't this planet already extinguished on the star charts?! How could the Church of Eternity still detect it?!
Had the Church's technology reached such a terrifying level?!
"Who did you say came?" Dan Heng wanted to press further, but when he saw Seele pull out that iconic bar of soap, his furrowed brow relaxed.
Ah, no need to ask. It's definitely that man.
Two days ago, when Bronya mentioned they were branded as "heretics of [Eternity]," Dan Heng had a bad feeling. Now it had come true.
With the information at hand, Dan Heng couldn't discern the man's stance. Hearing someone badmouth his Aeon, especially as a true [Emanator], was no small matter. If he took it seriously, a tiny planet like Jarilo-VI wouldn't even register in his eyes.
But his ambiguous stance made it hard for Dan Heng to judge. Still… with Adrian around, the outcome shouldn't turn too bad.
"This is the first time I've seen Teacher Dan Heng look so relieved," March 7th whispered to Stelle.
"Hm? If he's the Church's High Priest, does Adrian know him?" Stelle asked, looking at Adrian. If anyone here had the deepest connection to [Eternity] Ite, it was definitely Adrian, followed by her, the Galactic Baseballer!
After all, had March 7th or Dan Heng ever been gazed upon by THEM? Of course not. But Stelle was different—she had witnessed a war between two Aeons in a conscious space!
That immersive experience was beyond words!
"You mean High Priest Blake? Hm…" Adrian thought for a few seconds before giving the most fitting answer:
"We're on pretty good terms." Adrian always spoke the truth.
"Really? Then why hasn't Teacher Adrian joined the Church?" March 7th, who hadn't met this High Priest, felt a spark of anticipation.
Someone who could create a soap that left you feeling refreshed must be pretty amazing!
"That question… I think you'll understand once you meet him, Miss March," Adrian said vaguely, though he had plenty of reasons ready. They were both [Emanators]… why wouldn't they get along?
"Oh, Bronya asked me to give you this," Seele said, handing a letter to Stelle.
"She left us a letter? Hmm… could it be one of those legendary secret plans? I'm no expert, but shouldn't we wait until we're in danger to open it?" March 7th guessed blindly.
"Stop overthinking and just open it," Dan Heng urged.
Opening the parchment-wrapped letter, March 7th read key parts of Bronya's neat handwriting aloud:
"I'm deeply sorry for not informing you of my plans in advance. I feared your strong objections would shake my hard-earned resolve."
"Lady Cocolia raised me, and her kindness is something I can never repay in this lifetime. She taught me many life lessons and how to protect Belobog and its people."
"Even though her recent decisions have left me puzzled, I cannot cast aside all the beautiful memories tied to her."
"After these past two days' turmoil, I must stand before her, bravely express my stance and thoughts, and try to reach a mutual understanding to persuade her."
"This is my wish as a daughter and my unshirkable duty as a Silvermane Guard."
"If something unfortunate happens to me, please find a chance to deliver this letter to the Landau siblings. They are upright and hold great influence in Belobog. I trust them completely."
"With my seal and handwriting, they will surely do everything to help you find the [Stellaron Core]."
"That's where the letter ends," March 7th finished.