Returning to Elysia's main body, the revelation of the Astral Express crew's mission left Oleg stunned.
"So… if the stellaron is sealed, the cold wave will disappear?" he asked, voice low with disbelief.
Dan Heng nodded. "But it won't be immediate. It might take six or seven generations."
A heavy number. After all, the cold had gripped this world for over 700 years.
Elysia, who had been quiet during the meeting, suddenly spoke up, her voice bright and melodic:
"Oh, Dan Heng～ Let's leave the future to the future. Our job now is to seal the stellaron～♪"
Oleg blinked, surprised. He'd assumed Elysia was the quiet type, but her voice carried a strange energy—gentle, yet commanding.
Dan Heng nodded again, glancing at Bronya, who still looked skeptical. But time would prove the truth.
"I've never heard of a stellaron." Oleg admitted. "But I do recall a secret… one even locals don't know."
Stelle stepped forward. "Is it because of Cocolia?"
Oleg's eyes flared. "The current Great Guardian is a fraud. She deceives the lower districts with empty promises. She doesn't care about our survival."
Bronya's voice cut through the tension. "Enough! I won't allow you to insult the Great Guardian in front of me!"
Oleg snapped back. "Then see for yourself. Look at the lower district today."
Bronya fell silent. She had seen it—the hardship, the children selling scraps in the boxing gym. But loyalty held her tongue.
"The Great Guardian has her own arrangements," she said quietly.
March scoffed. "So she welcomed us yesterday and accused us of assassination today?"
"You!" Bronya glared. "She said you tried to kill her. That's why you were arrested!"
"Stop it!" Seele interjected, clearly fed up.
The air grew heavy. Stelle stepped forward to mediate—but Elysia had already pulled out a camera and clicked a photo of the confrontation.
March turned, flustered. "Sister Elysia! Why do you have my camera again?!"
She lunged to grab it, while Elysia giggled and danced away.
Bronya, watching the playful chaos, caught Elysia's gaze. A subtle signal: See you tonight.
Why? Bronya wondered, but kept her expression neutral.
Oleg cleared his throat. "It's late. Everyone from the Astral Express, please rest at the Hotel. I'll handle your check-in. Bronya, stay—I have something to discuss."
Bronya glanced at Elysia, who smiled and turned away. She knew Oleg would keep me… What's her angle?
—
At the Hotel…
March stretched. "Ugh, I'm exhausted. So much happened today. This lady needs beauty sleep."
But as she looked at the building—so similar to the one in the upper district—her body tensed.
A woman at the door greeted them. "Oh～ You must be the guests Oleg mentioned."
March eyed the sign. "What's your connection to the Hotel in the upper district?"
The woman laughed. "Same owner. The upper district hotel was rebuilt after this one made money. But since the blockade, we haven't heard from them in ages."
"Hmm…" March nodded thoughtfully.
Dan Heng spoke up. "To be safe, someone should keep watch tonight."
"I'm too sleepy…" March yawned dramatically.
"You just don't want to keep vigil," Stelle said, hands on hips.
"Hey! Staying up late is bad for your skin! Stelle, you're a girl too—you should know!"
"Don't believe it," Stelle muttered.
"Ask Sister Elysia! She'll agree!"
Elysia smiled. "It's true～♪"
"See!" March beamed.
"Uh… so who's keeping watch?" Stelle asked.
"If you trust me, I'll do it," Bronya said, stepping forward. "I've learned too much today to sleep."
Dan Heng hesitated. "The lower district is dangerous. You're a Silvermane Guard…"
"It's fine," Oleg said. "The people here know not to judge by uniforms anymore."
"…Alright," Dan Heng nodded. "Let's rest."
Everyone thanked Bronya and headed to their rooms.
As the doors closed, a soft pink glow shimmered in the hallway.
A pink figure stepped out of the hotel—light-footed and smiling.