On the way to the front lines of the restricted zone, Adrian turned to look at Freesna, who was already munching away. "This planet's specialty—how's the taste?"
"The cuisine of an alien star is passable. Delicious." Quickly finishing the red sausage, Freesna got to the point:
"This time, I've come hoping you'd deign to revisit [Paradise]. A thousand years have passed… You could conceal your identity as you do now, traveling as an ordinary interstellar voyager."
"Three jumps." Adrian gestured the number three. "You can probably tell, I'm currently a member of the Astral Express. Barring any surprises… three more jumps, and we'll officially arrive at the Church."
"At that time, you can pull back the curtain… and show me the [Paradise] you and Blake have painstakingly crafted over a millennium."
"In the name of the [Eternal Saintess], I swear I won't let you down!" Freesna vowed solemnly, leaving Adrian momentarily speechless.
"I can tell you're quite fond of the title [Saintess]."
"Ahem! Who says a priestess can't be a Saintess? My words are well-founded—please, let me explain in detail…"
Seeing Adrian and Freesna whispering behind, March 7th tactfully refrained from eavesdropping and patted Stelle, who was searching for a trash can.
"Forget about those trash cans. Based on our past experiences, let's just hope we don't run into a negotiation scene."
"Why do you say that? The art of language shines brightest in negotiations."
"Sigh~ You don't get it. Whenever there's a negotiation plot, it always escalates into a big fight. But this time's different—we sent Dan Heng ahead. I believe he'll handle the negotiations perfectly."
"Forbidden things are forbidden precisely because the truth is hidden within. Cocolia fears us uncovering that knowledge. She dreads the truth being revealed to the world."
Seele walked at the forefront, listening to Serval recount her past experiences.
"Seele, to save the world, we have no choice but to go all in. Your big sister here has always been this reckless—when I encounter something or someone I dislike, I stand up and fight back… and I'll never waver on what I believe in."
"Mm!" Seele nodded, deeply resonating. "To save the world… to save Bronya!"
"Uh… why's all your focus on Bronya? That girl went to the lower district once and made some great friends, huh."
Serval paused, starting to suspect Seele was Bronya's biggest fan.
"An orphan picked up by a deity, decades of nurturing, a mysterious ancient book… all culminating in her status as the Saintess. This is the most classic plot in novels!"
Freesna animatedly explained to Adrian. Why was she so chuunibyou? It all traced back to that enigmatic book.
Her homeland was destroyed by the Swarm Disaster… In the tenth Amber Era after Adrian found her, Freesna opened her eyes to find a strange book in her arms.
At first, she paid it no mind, tossing it aside. But a mysterious force lifted the book, returning it to her embrace.
The title caught her attention: How to Attract the [Eternity] Aeon? Make THEM Pay More Attention to You?
(Note: Based on the personal experiences of the Mask of Fools, sworn in the name of the Elation deity. This book's contents are absolutely authentic… but don't tell THEM the specifics~ Because we're 100% legit! No refunds after delivery~)
Opening the first page, Freesna's interest was piqued by the cryptic words, and things spiraled out of control:
"The crown forged of starlight shall eventually fade, but the tide of entropy surging in our blood has long inscribed the twin oracles of creation and termination!"
(Note: Say this to THEM. When you see THEIR brow furrow, don't even think—THEY've noticed you! Keep reading.)
"When the bell of heat-death tolls for the thousand-and-first time, Eternity is the universe's rebellious equation against demise!"
After that, Freesna found Adrian and recited the book's words verbatim.
As the book predicted, Adrian furrowed THEIR brow… and even asked where she learned such chuunibyou phrases.
Holy scripture—this was nothing less than holy scripture!
"Oh… and about that foxian girl from the Xianzhou you sent, any special arrangements?" Freesna added, wary of missing crucial details.
"Tingyun? Just safely escort her back to the Xianzhou Luofu. As for the rest… as long as she doesn't cause trouble, it's fine."
Their next stop was the Xianzhou Luofu anyway, so they'd meet again then.
…
Arriving at the Iron Guard restricted zone on the front lines, Gepard and a group of Iron Guards were already waiting. Seeing Adrian, his tense heart finally relaxed.
Huh? Why's big sister here too?
Gepard's briefly eased heart tensed again. "Sister…"
"Hold it. I know what you're going to say. Sorry, little brother, I've already decided to stand with them, and I won't waver!" Serval preempted, sticking to her planned response.
"Right, right, let's talk this out… no need for fighting. Our goal aligns with yours, Serval's, and Bronya's—to [Preserve] this world! There's no reason for us to be enemies!" March 7th chimed in, pulling out Bronya's letter and handing it to Gepard.
"Huh?"
Gepard was clearly caught off guard. They came in so strong… it felt like he was about to lead troops to arrest them.
Speaking of which, they were really well-prepared!
"Uh… have you all misunderstood something? I have no intention of being your enemy." He looked at Adrian. How could a Trailblazer who helped the Iron Guards clear the Fragmentum be a bad person?
Gepard shared his perspective: "Miss Bronya is the frontline commander. Per military regulations, when the frontline commander's orders conflict with the Architect's, we're to stand by for further instructions."
"For the Silvermane Iron Guards, the Guardian's orders are supreme and absolute. But in our oath, there's something else just as important as her commands."
"Without the people, the Iron Guards lose their purpose. Fighting Fragmentum monsters is for [Preservation], and Mr. Adrian's improvements to our weapons are for better [Preservation]."
"Mr. Adrian has done the Iron Guards a great service. As a guard officer, I have no reason to fight you. If you can truly stop this growing disaster, all of Belobog owes you gratitude."
"To head further north, you'll need to cross an entire Fragmentum-corroded rift to reach the snow plains on the other side. Before the next wave hits, the Iron Guards can buy you some time."
"Need any help?" Adrian asked, not minding a second round of weapon upgrades or even joining them to fight Fragmentum creatures.
Gepard shook his head. "We can't always rely on outsiders. Only by growing stronger ourselves… can we truly be strong."
"Well said! I see the grand spirit of the [Preservation] in you! Guard officer, care to join the Eternity Church?"