"If you take this lightly, your Astral Express journey ends right here~"
"What happened on Jarilo-VI is beyond anything you can imagine, I guarantee it. Even a Lord Ravager who showed up would be brought to their knees~"
"So then, since I'm in a good mood today, I, Sparkle, have decided to lend you folks on the Astral Express a hand~"
"Of course, the choice is still yours."
"If you need my help, just go ahead and press this little button~"
"I swear on the honor of the Masked Fools that no matter how vast the cosmos, no matter how distant the galaxy, I, Sparkle, will come to fulfill your request."
"Oh~ Naturally, whether you should trust the word of a Masked Fool is entirely up to you~"
"Who knows, maybe after pressing this button, you'll just hear a 'boom,' and not even ashes will remain~"
"Hehehe~ Hehehe~"
…
Himeko held the button "Sparkle" had given her, recalling the words just spoken, and turned to ask the others:
"How much of what she just said do you all think is believable?"
"A being of an Emanator's caliber generally doesn't do such things without reason… If she weren't a Masked Fool, that statement might be fifty percent credible."
"For instance, it's possible something major did happen on Jarilo-VI." Welt contemplated for a moment, then adjusted his glasses as he analyzed.
"But…"
"She is a Masked Fool."
"The Masked Fools, an organization that lives for amusement. For a good time, they're capable of anything."
"When she says Jarilo-VI is dangerous, it's entirely possible she herself created that danger."
Welt shook his head. No one could guess the mind of a Masked Fool.
"What she likely wants is to pull us into her script, to make us part of her entertainment."
Everyone listening to Welt nodded in agreement.
"Jarilo-VI might genuinely be dangerous; otherwise, she wouldn't get the amusement she seeks."
"Of course, Jarilo-VI might also be perfectly safe, and she might simply be trying to mess with us."
"Hmm…"
Himeko fell silent for a while before speaking:
"Regardless of who she is, we cannot ignore this warning."
"If it is truly as she says, and something has occurred on Jarilo-VI that even an Emanator would struggle to resolve…"
"Then whether our Astral Express involves itself in this matter is what we need to consider."
A smile touched Himeko's lips as she continued to the group:
"Let's think about it the way we always do."
"We'll take a vote. The majority decides the direction the Astral Express takes."
"Whether we leave now, ignoring the Stellaron on Jarilo-VI, or seek Miss Sparkle's help to resolve the issues on Jarilo-VI and seal the Stellaron."
"Is a vote even necessary?" March 7th put her hands on her hips, grinning at Himeko's words.
"Whether that woman is telling the truth or not, the presence of a Stellaron on Jarilo-VI is certain."
"And since a Stellaron is there, what reason does our Astral Express have to back down?"
Dan Heng: ?
Hearing March 7th's declaration, Dan Heng, who had been standing quietly in thought, shot her a surprised glance.
Was that something March would say?
"Ahem, wh-what are you looking at me for?" Feeling Dan Heng's gaze, March coughed a few times, as if the thoughts in her heart didn't quite match her bold words…
"A-anyway, if we're voting, my vote is to deal with the Stellaron."
"Alright, March votes to resolve the Stellaron." Himeko nodded and shifted her gaze to Dan Heng.
"Dan Heng, what about you?"
"Same as March." The cool-faced little Azure Dragon stated flatly.
Himeko nodded. With both March and Dan Heng in agreement, the Express's course was becoming clear, but there was one more person.
Himeko looked at Stelle: "Stelle, what about you?"
"The Astral Express respects everyone's choice. If you choose not to go, you can stay on the Express and wait for the matter to be resolved."
Stelle shook her head. "I also vote to resolve the Stellaron."
For some reason, a voice kept arising within Stelle's heart.
Telling her that she had to participate in this Trailblazing journey, or she would regret it for a lifetime…
Stelle didn't know why this voice appeared, but it didn't matter. She never had any intention of not participating anyway.
So there was no question of regret.
"I also choose to resolve the Stellaron." Welt answered before Himeko could even ask.
"In that case, the vote on the Astral Express's course regarding Jarilo-VI is unanimous: resolve the Stellaron."
Himeko announced with a smile.
"Stelle, March, Dan Heng, and Welt, this Trailblazing mission is entrusted to you."
"I will remain on the Express to stand guard and provide support with the orbital cannon."
"Understood." Everyone nodded, having no objections to Himeko's decision.
Someone had to guard the Express; they couldn't afford to have their home stolen.
Himeko, with control of the orbital cannon, could provide immediate support to everyone on Jarilo-VI.
Thus, she was the most suitable candidate.
"Everyone, on the path of Trailblazing, please make your own safety the primary objective."
"If you encounter anything you cannot handle, you must retreat. Return to the Express."
"The Astral Express values every member."
"Every member is an irreplaceable part of the Astral Express."
"So, please, do take care of yourselves."
"Got it."
"Then, let the Trailblazing journey to Jarilo-VI officially begin!"
As Himeko's words fell, the tracks of fate began to subtly shift…
…
"Hmm?"
In an unnoticed corner of the Astral Express, "Sparkle" stood quietly. Hearing Himeko's announcement, she let out a soft, amused hum.
"Well then…"
"Sparkle's" form shattered into fragments, dissipating into the air.
"Welcome to… Dominion… pfft, wrong channel. (Scratch that)"
"Welcome to… the All-Stars Despair-Difficulty Dungeon…"
…
A/N: When ordinary people sleep at night, they wake up in the morning. But I'm different; I'm no ordinary person. I wake up at half past noon.
So when I say I'll update in the morning or at noon, that's my morning or noon. If you insist on converting it, that's an ordinary person's noon or afternoon.
So me updating at 4 PM is absolutely not a problem at all o(￣▽￣)ブ
Ehe~
An ordinary person wouldn't even bother explaining this to you all, but who am I? I'm a good author who loves my readers, an author who cherishes you all like treasures…
Alright, fine, the truth is the word count was a bit short, just padding things out a little.
Now it's enough, ehe~
Finally, please, how about a free 'For the Love of Creation'? Meow
…
I have completed the author to TL pipeline, 2 chapters per day. Advanced chapters available on patreon.
patreon.com/intraneer
Give power stones please I survive solely off of number go up.