Osvaldo Schneider, head of the Market Development Department, was a zealous believer in Preservation.
That's why the Market Development Department he managed, along with his disciples, were also nicknamed the "Department of Fanatical Faith."
The Expedition Team was an external battle squad recruited by the Market Development Department, since they had to travel to various planets to carry out secret missions.
Because of this, control chips were implanted in their brains. The moment anyone tried to manipulate them or read their memories, a massive explosion would occur, and the management would be alerted.
However, in this mission, the entire Expedition Team was wiped out on Belobog, and, what's more shocking, their memories were apparently stolen.
The matter was so grave that even Director Osvaldo himself was alarmed.
He specially dispatched four senior cadres, forcefully inserting them into the debt collection mission for Yellow Jade Topaz.
After all, it was nothing more than a planet as broken-down as scrap.
At first, the company didn't even take it seriously.
But soon after departure, Jarilo hit them with a bombshell of news.
By some mysterious expert's means, they had actually bypassed the countless defenses set by the Interastral Peace Corporation, and brazenly broadcast the Expedition Team members' memories onto the cosmic internet.
Particularly the footage involving the Cygnians and the Evikins, it was specially highlighted. This directly led to Aurumaton, one of the Ten Stonehearts, paying a personal visit.
The Market Development Department paid a heavy price for this. After an exhausting two months back and forth, the debt collection team finally managed to set out again.
After the incident, everyone in the debt collection team became like startled birds. Even people who never touched their phones would sometimes take them out to check.
Sure enough, in less than half a month, Jarilo played another new trick.
"On that broken-down planet, besides the divine miracle left by the Aeon of Preservation, what other damned tourist spot could there be!"
"Those scum actually dare treat the Aeon of Preservation's miracle like some tourist attraction, damn them!"
"Turn around immediately! I'll request a planet-destroying warship from the director, and blast those scum into dust!"
"Not enough! I want to, "
"Want my ass! Let you go back and waste time again, and this mission might as well be called off!"
Even Topaz, who prided herself on her good temper, couldn't withstand the constant torment of these fanatical Preservation zealots.
What should have been a simple mission was dragged out for two full months by them, giving the people of Jarilo precious breathing space.
And now, these idiots still refused to repent.
'Unbearable! Absolutely unbearable!'
Topaz grabbed her little partner, Numby, who was quietly eating, and squeezed him hard for a while. Only then did she barely calm her fury, rolling her eyes at the four senior cadres.
"We just received satellite surveillance from Jarilo. Jarilo has already repaired the star rail, and the Astral Express of the Trailblaze Aeon Akivili has confirmed to have landed on Jarilo."
"What?!"
This news was just too explosive. Everyone could hardly believe their ears.
The Nameless under the Trailblaze Aeon were notorious for meddling in other people's business. Especially those people riding the Astral Express, they weren't only overwhelmingly strong in battle, they were also adored by all the other Nameless.
If those cunning natives of Jarilo managed to cling onto the Astral Express, then the corporation might truly have no way to deal with them.
———
At the same time, high above Jarilo's new city of Idealus, Emiya's group wore the exact same expression as the debt collection team.
Their original plan was to use gimmicks to open Jarilo's name to the wider universe, and also to show everyone that the Interastral Peace Corporation hadn't properly fulfilled their promises.
This way, when bargaining came, they'd hold the upper hand, rather than letting the company, with its overwhelming power, name whatever outrageous price it pleased.
But no one could have imagined, once the star rail was established, actual tourists would arrive.
And not just anyone, but the legendary Astral Express.
Even after the Express crew attended the welcoming ceremony and went into the biggest hotel in Idealus to dine, Emiya still felt spiritually shaken to the core.
Because, at the very moment the Express appeared, the long-silent System actually spoke on its own.
Its message was extremely brief, [The Astral Express is not the enemy.]
That message was secondary. The crucial part was that, when it spoke, the System showed a faint ripple of emotion, something like excitement, and nostalgia.
Ever since receiving the System, Emiya had always carefully observed and sensed it. He was absolutely certain, the System had indeed produced an emotional fluctuation at that moment.
'Th-th-this guy, could it be...'
As soon as that thought surfaced in Emiya's mind, the System forcibly erased it with its power.
"Emiya! Emiya! Emiya!"
Pa! Pa! Pa! Pa!
Acheron shook Emiya hard, but still couldn't pull him back to his senses. Helpless, she had to resort to the most reliable palm-strike awakening technique.
'Hisss... this feels great!'
After a few hard slaps, Acheron felt her mood much improved. She immediately raised her hand again, ready to enjoy it once more.
"I'm awake!" Emiya rubbed his swollen cheeks, glaring at Acheron in fury.
"You damn brat! I've never pissed you off before, have I?!"
"Ehehe, I was worried some paranormal event had stolen your soul. I was worried about you!"
Acheron stuck out her tongue playfully, then hurried to change the subject, a little guilty.
"This Miss Himeko, and that bunny... Pom-pom over there, they want to ask you something."
Himeko had long, silky crimson hair. Underneath she wore a pure white high-slit gown, with a military coat draped over it, one fragrant shoulder exposed.
Matched with her black high heels, every smile and frown exuded elegance and allure.
"Hello, Emiya. My name is Himeko, I'm the navigator of the Astral Express." Himeko gestured toward a floppy-eared rabbit wearing a hat, seated on a stool beside her. "This is the conductor, Pom-pom."
"Hello. I'm... what's my name again?" Emiya looked blankly at Zoe, as if no one else had been given a proper identity except her.
Zoe was happily eating with a pink-haired girl she'd just met, March 7th. Sensing Emiya's gaze, she puffed out her round cheeks and mumbled indistinctly, "You're my big brother, duh. What else? Or should I crown you king?"
"Fine, fine." Emiya rubbed his cheek awkwardly, then looked at Himeko. "This is the king of Jarilo. If there's important business, you'll get more done by talking to her."
"I'll answer instead!" Pom-pom took the lead. She carefully studied everyone present, but finally fixed her gaze on Emiya.
"Our train suddenly accelerated on its own during our journey and ended up on this planet. Do you, sir, have any insight into what's going on?"
Emiya didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked over to Pom-pom, and to everyone's shock, gently patted its little head.
"When you arrived, I was at home lulling Zoe to sleep. I really don't know what happened."
After a pause, he went on, "Since you're here already, stay a while. Our Jarilo, still in ruins and rebuilding, may need the Nameless' help to get through its difficulties."
"Oh. All right." Pom-pom gave a light nod. That was its agreement.
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