Through the virtual screen, Adrian took in the battle on Jarilo-VI.
"Never fighting alone—always ganging up. Very fitting for [Eternity]."
"Feels like… you're subtly calling me shameless?"
"Waaah~ How could you doubt Aha like that? Aha's heartbroken. Is there no trust between us?" The mask morphed into a crying face, lamenting the injustice.
"Depends on the situation."
"Ha! [Situation]… We've been colleagues for thousands of Amber Eras, braving mountains and seas of fire, storming the Taiko Ammonium Arena with Akivili. Have you forgotten those days?"
Adrian's lips twitched violently at the mention. "You've got the nerve to bring that up?"
"Haha~ Just kidding! Aha's not one to dwell on old scores—that'd be too embarrassing."
"You? Embarrassed?"
"Waaah~ Aha's got no face left!"
…
Jarilo-VI, Everwinter Ridge.
Freesna briefly sealed the Stellaron Core's power, but Cocolia remained in her Nihilist Mother state. A momentary dip in power was enough to handle this group.
"Feel… the new world!" Cocolia conjured countless ice orbs, hurling them at the group.
"This stalemate won't do. We'll run out of stamina eventually." Dan Heng swung Cloud-Piercer, obliterating the incoming ice orbs.
"Simple. I'll be the main DPS." Stelle gripped the air, instantly forging it into a weapon.
"Uh… what are you doing?" Himeko tilted her head.
"Be patient. Let the bullet fly a bit."
Three seconds later, her mimetic weapon returned to her hand. With her signature weapon, the Galaxy Ranger was invincible!
"Follow my lead. Cover me… I'm going to solo Cocolia." With Adrian and Freesna trapped, Stelle recalled her experiences at [The Herta] Space Station, swearing she wouldn't mess up this time.
Her predecessors were gone… so she'd inherit the Milk Tea Aeon's will!
"Huh? Can you really do it?"
"Trust me." Stelle patted March 7th's shoulder. "I'm super strong!"
"I believe in you! You'll win!" Himeko cheered.
"With [Eternity]'s protection, I'm lacking nothing." Stelle settled everything, then confidently soared to the Creation Engine's peak, facing Cocolia head-on.
"Come on, witch Guardian beguiled by the Stellaron Core… Let the Galaxy Ranger wake you up!"
The perspective shifted to Freesna, who was observing the battle while pulling out her phone to message Blake.
The Lord of [Elation] had intervened. As a mere Emanator, she couldn't resist, but a shift in perspective made it all make sense.
The Company's boss was bullying a high-ranking executive. [Elation] was ever-changing—you never knew what they were plotting. So, the Lord of [Elation]'s arrival must mean someone tipped THEM off.
Who could it be? The answer was obvious.
Sampo.
Freesna's reasoning had merit. Not long ago, Blake used Sampo as a human shield in the restricted zone to fend off Voidranger constructs.
He must've been resentful, furious… but too weak to act, so he contacted his boss to back him up, leading to her and Adrian being trapped.
Oh~ Those wicked Masked Fools. The Book of Eternal Virtues would need another update.
In the future, sit [Elation] and [Destruction] factions at the same table. Anyone tied to [Elation]—be it Mourning Actors, Masked Fools, or even the [Elation] Aeon THEMSELVES—would get a thorough beating first, win or lose.
After messaging Blake, Freesna turned to find Adrian staring at her.
"My Lord… I've deeply reflected. Facing the might of [Elation]'s Lord, an Emanator's power is too feeble. So… please grant me strength!"
"Hm~ Very good." Adrian nodded approvingly, handing Freesna a milk tea. Worthy of HIS Emanator—never straying far from [Eternity].
"Talks with Aha went smoothly. We won't interfere—this is their fight." Adrian glanced at Stelle battling Cocolia, then at the Creation Engine.
"If I recall, the Church lacks a massive mechanical guardian like this. Why not bring the Creation Engine to the Church?"
Eyeing the colossal Creation Engine, excitement flickered in Adrian's eyes. As he stepped forward, the scarlet barrier reappeared, blocking him.
Adrian: …
"Haha~ Gotcha~ Not stepping in? That's not Aha's style~"
A manic laugh echoed in his mind, and Adrian's face darkened. "Damn trickster god. I knew you wouldn't be that kind."
Gritting his teeth, he sighed in resignation, pulled out his phone, and called Himeko via video.
…
Astral Express, Observation Car.
"Hm?"
Himeko had just brewed coffee when she saw Adrian's video call request.
Upon connecting, instead of Adrian, a cold elven face filled the screen.
"Huh?" Himeko double-checked the contact avatar. It was Adrian's, so why was Freesna there?
"Hah! This tiny metal box can breach spacetime barriers—I underestimated it! This crystal eye embedded in the metallic codex… the moment your fingers glide over the runic keyboard, a torrent of ether surges from the snowrealm, tearing a rift in the void… Ow, ow, ow!"
Before she could finish, a large hand pushed Freesna out of frame.
"No stealing the spotlight." Adrian's familiar face appeared, clearing his throat. "Ahem! Hi, Miss Himeko. Can you see clearly?"
"Where… are you guys?" Himeko reacted, first checking on their situation.
"As you can see, Miss Himeko, we're trapped."
Himeko: ???
Did she hear that right? Two [Emanator]-level fighters were trapped?
"No need to worry. Look… they're fighting alongside the builders' giant robot against the Great Guardian. No one's in mortal danger…"
Before he finished, Welt shot up, rushing to Himeko's side, magnifying glass in hand to study the battle.
"Can we go help them?" Welt's fighting spirit ignited.
"Is the robot the focus?!" Himeko sighed, exasperated. "Shouldn't the priority be that two [Emanators] are trapped? Is the detector malfunctioning? Are there other [Emanators] present?"
"Hm… Where's Mr. Blake?" Welt recalled another [Eternity] Emanator, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Pontiff Blake…" Adrian's tone sank. "Sadly, to buy us time against the frontline Voidranger assault, he heroically fell…"
"Oh~ Poor Blake. His [Eternity] has reached its end. Let us raise our glasses… and toast to him."
Freesna grew somber, raising her arm. "Alas, I have no glass, so my arm will do."
"He… died?" Himeko and Welt were stunned, unable to believe their ears.
"Not quite."
Himeko, Welt: …
"Enough with the riddles…" Himeko exhaled in relief, then suddenly widened her eyes, pressing against the phone screen.
She couldn't be mistaken… Stelle's body was pierced by an ice spear?!