"That's all. I look forward to our next meeting."
Freesna took Cocolia and left without looking back.
"Priestess Sister just left like that? Nothing more to say?" March 7th marveled at Freesna's decisiveness, departing without hesitation.
"Everyone… thank you." Bronya finally expressed her gratitude.
Having just lost her mother, Stelle said with concern, "Don't push yourself."
"Thank you… I'm fine, no need to worry." Bronya gazed into the distance, murmuring, "There's still so much to do… The massive commotion from the [Creation Engine] must've been noticed by the city's residents. Many questions need answers, many truths need revealing…"
"I just don't know how to make everyone accept this…" Bronya shook her head. Should she conceal the truth or reveal it to the public?
"Using one lie to cover another… but if I do that, I…"
"Just do it, Bronya," Himeko said. "I don't know how to explain it, but I feel there's no other way."
"In the lower district, we tell kids every day: [Tomorrow will be better]—everyone knows it's a lie, but it lets them sleep with hope."
"If we reveal what happened here… can you imagine the consequences? People will lose hope. If they can't even trust the Guardian… If I were them, I wouldn't know what or who to believe anymore."
Seeing the two Jarilo-VI natives lost in thought, Blake couldn't stand it.
"Hm~ This might sound inappropriate, but I don't quite agree with you ladies. [Preservation]'s miracle did descend here, but for a sliver of hope, you'd hide such a massive truth?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow, recalling a memory.
On a war-torn planet riddled with doubt and faith crises, HE saw a ragged blond boy amidst the ruins.
On that planet of hope and despair, HE felt an [Eternity] rivaling Freesna's.
Truth be told, Blake's ability to draw Adrian's attention largely stemmed from the silver [∞] pendant on his chest.
In a world ravaged by war, such an [Eternity] spark was rare.
"People long oppressed by the Void need [hope]. The truth can't be hidden… The Great Guardian's misdeeds can't be covered up by claiming a collapse of faith."
"So… of course, tell the truth." Blake frowned. "What's there to hide? If that causes a faith collapse, then your convictions aren't pure enough."
Ugh~ A few more centuries of the [Cancer of All Worlds], and they'd learn.
"Right, speaking of faith… the Church Head's the expert, right?" March 7th gave Blake a thumbs-up. The Head's timing was perfect.
"Ahem! I'm flattered, pink-haired miss. As mentioned, I'm not here just to meet Adrian's dear friend." He pulled an ancient book from his sleeve.
"Allow me… to grandly present! Join me in proclaiming: This is the Church's sacred relic, passed down through centuries of Amber Eras—The Book of Eternal Virtues!"
"Indeed, it has many aliases. You may also call it: The Codex of Eternity."
Seeing Blake's seriousness, Himeko's lips twitched. "Don't tell me the Church is so resource-strapped that all its texts are crammed into one book."
"Tch. Miss Himeko, your words pierce my heart like a sword." Blake clutched his chest with a sorrowful look, pounding it twice for effect.
Thud! Thud!
"See! Miss Himeko, my heart beats so fiercely, it's heartbroken. You've got to join our Church now."
Himeko: ???
You're the one hitting it!
"If Himeko doesn't agree, I bet this Head will plop down and throw a tantrum like a kid," March 7th whispered to Stelle. Too bad they were so close—everyone heard.
"Uh… sorry."
March 7th apologized swiftly, sliding into a kneel.
Himeko groaned inwardly but stayed composed for Bronya's sake, pushing the topic forward. "What's with the book?"
"Tracing back to the battle with the Great Guardian, you must've noticed… more than just [Preservation]'s miracle descended on this planet."
He opened the book, glancing at Stelle, who was clearly enjoying herself.
"With [Eternity]'s intervention, all challenges are met and resolved smoothly."
"I've heard another version." Dan Heng, silent until now, looked up, whispering to the Express crew, "Want to hear it?"
March 7th's curiosity was piqued, leaning in. "What is it? Don't keep us hanging!"
"The First Law of the Church of Eternity: If something feels strange but it's the Church's doing, then it's normal."
The moment he said it, Blake's face looked like he'd eaten something foul, barely restraining himself from grabbing Dan Heng's collar to demand who said it.
Why so angry? Because the [Eternity] Aeon was standing right beside him!
"Hm…" Dan Heng thought hard. He couldn't recall where he'd heard it—too long ago, maybe before leaving his homeland…
He stopped thinking, unwilling to revisit that past.
"Ahem! Enough chit-chat. Per Article 125, Clause 3 of The Codex of Eternity, whenever [Eternity]-related figures save a planet, the Church will aid without question, to prove our devotion to HIM."
"Guardian, don't fret. Accept the Church's aid—for Jarilo-VI! For Belobog! For Eternity! For our friend Adrian, who gave everything in this fight…"
Hearing this, Adrian stumbled. Blake realized he'd gone too far and stopped.
Oops, overdid the praise.
"Huh? Did I hear that right? He's praising Teacher Adrian?"
Dan Heng stayed silent, knowing [Eternity] Emanators attract each other.
"March, dummy." Stelle tapped March 7th's head.
"Why'd you hit me!" March 7th clutched her head, confused.
"Without Teacher Adrian's shield, would we be chatting like this? I'd have been skewered by Cocolia's ice spear who-knows-how-many times."
"Right! Sorry, Teacher Adrian, I shouldn't have doubted you."
Adrian sweated, feeling his Aeon cover was moments from slipping.
Blake quickly changed the subject. "I've heard Belobog's story. In their darkest moments, its people clung to [Preservation]'s will, defying fate until dawn arrived."
"You're fortunate. Praise [Eternity]… Ahem, sorry, force of habit." Mentioning [Eternity], Blake couldn't help but puff out his chest.
"Only when I set foot on this heroic land, feeling the undying snow burn like fire on my skin… did I realize how profound [Preservation]'s will is, and how great the people struggling here are!"
"From today, the Church of Eternity will fight alongside you until the blizzard turns to spring breezes and frozen soil becomes fertile fields…"
"You don't think… I'm just making empty promises, do you?" Blake shifted tone, mixing formality with a touch of absurdity.
"Remember the appendix of The Codex of Eternity and The Book of Eternal Virtues!"
"[Eternity] keeps its word!"
As his words fell, Blake spread his arms, and pure white holy light shone from beyond the heavens onto Jarilo-VI.
To everyone's astonishment, where the light touched, the ice and snow melted at an astonishing pace.
"Behold once more… the miracle of [Eternity]!"