As night deepened and the banquet continued, Welt, Himeko, Dan Heng, and March sat at the long table. Across from them, Solomon rested on his throne-like seat, a goblet of wine in hand, the faint smile on his face never fading.
March had already shared many stories of their travels beyond the heavens. Solomon listened with great interest, saying nothing—merely watching, absorbing every word.
Like a child discovering a new wonder, Solomon felt a quiet thrill as he heard of distant worlds and endless journeys.
"I see," he said at last, nodding slightly. "Such a magnificent tale, Miss March. I cannot even imagine venturing beyond the sky."
His amber eyes shifted toward Welt.
"Since you have come this far, I presume you possess a way to seal this Stellaron?"
Welt adjusted his glasses and nodded.
"Indeed. However…" His voice lowered. "The energy emitted by the Stellaron has nearly vanished. I fear this may be the worst case we've ever encountered."
Solomon stiffened. His fingers trembled slightly around the wine glass.
"Are you saying… this world is already dead?" he asked quietly.
Silence swallowed the chamber.
The Astral Express crew exchanged glances. A Stellaron this depleted could only mean one thing—and Solomon, too, seemed to realize it.
"I see," he said at last, offering no further comment.
Even March, usually unable to endure such heavy silence, remained quiet. They ate in subdued stillness, the distant sounds of the city outside the temple seeping into the hall.
Eventually, the banquet came to an end.
Solomon had arranged lodgings for them within the kingdom. As they prepared to retire, Welt spoke softly.
"Tomorrow, we search for any remaining clues regarding the Stellaron. Be sure to get some rest."
March and Himeko nodded, heading together toward their room, leaving only Welt and Dan Heng behind.
After a moment, Dan Heng spoke.
"Mr. Yang… during our meeting with King Solomon—did you feel it?"
Welt leaned against the wall, his expression serious. "Yes. A presence. Hidden, undetectable—yet unmistakably there."
Dan Heng's gaze sharpened.
"Could it be… King Solomon was observing us?"
Welt shook his head immediately.
"No. That's unlikely. According to the history of my world, Solomon was kind and earnest. He was never a deceiver."
He paused, then added more firmly,
"I refuse to believe he would spy on us."
Dan Heng lowered his gaze, then asked quietly, "About what you said in the chamber… this world is doomed?"
"Yes," Welt replied without hesitation. "You understand the nature of a Stellaron. Its core pulses with Imaginary energy, aligned with Nanook's Path of Destruction. If it has been depleted to this extent—leaving barely any trace—then this world has most likely already crossed the point of no return."
He looked out through the window, toward the barren land beyond.
"The signs are everywhere. Dried soil. Fading life. Corrosion left behind by the Stellaron's influence."
The conclusion was unavoidable.
This alternate world—his world—had been doomed the moment the Stellaron descended upon it. Perhaps it could have been saved once.
But now… it was far too late.
"You should go rest, Dan Heng. We still have a long day tomorrow."
Dan Heng nodded to his words, having no questions left to ask, he stepped back and headed inside one of the rooms. Leaving Welt alone.
A soft sigh escaped from his lips as he stared at the sky– the moon was greatly visible, round and shining brightly, illuminating the darkness.
........
Morning arrived, and the Astral Express crew was already on the move, making their way through the city toward the temple.
"Dan Heng… don't you think the atmosphere feels off?" March whispered, tugging lightly at his sleeve as she moved closer to him. "Yesterday it was all gloomy, and now everyone's cheerful. Seriously… this is getting creepy."
"It's probably because of the banquet King Solomon held last night," Dan Heng replied calmly, eyes fixed ahead. "With that amount of food, it'd be strange if people weren't happy."
Despite his casual tone, he hadn't lowered his guard. In a place like this, caution was better than comfort.
Up ahead, Himeko and Welt walked side by side, quietly discussing possible locations of the Stellaron, leaving March and Dan Heng to trail behind.
Before long, the towering temple came into view. Inside, Solomon was already waiting for them—seated upon his stone throne, smiling as if he had known the exact moment they would arrive.
"Welcome, Astral Express," he greeted warmly. "I trust you had a restful night?"
"Yes, King Solomon," Welt stepped forward and replied with a respectful nod. "Thank you for the hospitality you have shown us."
"I'm glad to hear that," Solomon said. "Is there something you require?"
"Yes," Welt continued. "If possible, we would like to request a map. As we search for the Stellaron, we'll need guidance—places to avoid, and places worth investigating. This world is unfamiliar to us, and getting lost is a real possibility."
"I see…" Solomon murmured, resting his fingers against his chin. After a brief pause, he nodded. "That is reasonable."
He lifted his hand slightly. The attendants standing nearby immediately moved, retreating into the inner hall. Moments later, one of the maids returned, holding a neatly rolled map.
"Please," Solomon said, gesturing toward Welt. "Use it as you see fit."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Welt accepted the map, bowing his head slightly.
Solomon's smile softened.
"No—I should be thanking you," he said. "You traveled from beyond the heavens to aid us, strangers to your eyes. Truly, the Astral Express carries a heart full of justice."
The words were warm. Yet somehow… they only deepened the unease lingering in the air.
"Thank you."
With that, the Astral Express turned and departed, their footsteps fading as they left the throne room. Soon, only Solomon remained, seated upon his stone throne.
Then—
The light dimmed.
"Solomon… what are you trying to do?"
"Why have you permitted them to stay here?!"
"Answer us, Solomon!"
"They are outsiders—beings not of this world! Cast them away! Their presence will only worsen everything!"
From the shadows, countless voices erupted at once, overlapping and discordant. The darkness in the chamber twisted and gathered, forming indistinct silhouettes—shapes without bodies, eyes glowing faintly as they fixed their gaze upon him.
Anger poured from them like a tide.
Yet Solomon did not react.
He did not turn.
He did not frown.
Instead, he continued to smile, his eyes lingering on the direction the Astral Express had taken.
"Tsk."
Whether it was a sound or merely the illusion of one, irritation rippled through the shadows. The pressure in the room grew heavier—then, just as abruptly, vanished.
The darkness receded.
The voices fell silent.
Once more, Solomon was alone in his throne room.
"…The Age of Man must move forward," he whispered, his voice barely carrying through the vast hall.
"The Age of Gods must come to an end. Humanity must learn to walk on its own."
No one heard him.
And yet—those words would shape the fate of this world.
.......
At the heart of the wilderness, where the scorching sun lay fully exposed with no clouds to shield the land, the Astral Express pressed onward.
Dry air filled their lungs, and beneath their feet stretched cracked, rocky paths that seemed to go on endlessly.
"Mr. Yang, where are we going now?" March called out.
Welt turned his head toward her, adjusting his glasses.
"According to the map, we should be heading to the far side of Israel… which is supposed to be—"
He paused, staring at the parchment in his hands.
"—a forest?"
He frowned.
They had already crossed to the other side of Israel, yet there was no forest in sight.
Only barren land.
Only stone and dust.
"Dan Heng," Welt said, lifting his gaze, "do you feel anything unusual?"
Dan Heng closed his eyes briefly before shaking his head. "No. There's no lingering energy nearby," he replied.
"But ahead of us…" He opened his eyes, narrowing them slightly.
"Something feels off. I can't pinpoint it, but there's definitely something there."
Welt turned to Himeko, waiting for her judgment.
"Just as Dan Heng said," Himeko replied calmly. "There's nothing obvious here… but something ahead is clearly concealed."
She smiled faintly, then shook her head.
"I see…" Welt murmured.
He stepped forward and stopped at a measured distance.
Extending his cane, he thrust it ahead—
The air rippled. Half of the cane vanished, swallowed as if by an unseen surface.
"Well," Himeko chuckled softly, "there goes our answer, Welt."
"Indeed," he replied.
"Let's proceed. Something is definitely hidden here."
Together, they stepped forward.
The ripples spread wider, trembling through the air like disturbed water, slowly enveloping them one by one—
until the Astral Express vanished completely.
Only faint distortions lingered, before even those faded away.
"Woah—!! What the heck is this?!" March exclaimed in disbelief.
What greeted them was a forest. Towering trees stretched endlessly in every direction, lush and alive—completely unlike the barren wasteland they had just left behind.
"It's completely different from the other side!" March hurried closer to the plants, gently poking a leaf with her finger.
"This feels like another dimension entirely!"
"My… what a surprise," Himeko sighed softly.
"An illusion? Don't tell me the Masked Fools are involved…"
Dan Heng remained silent, his grip tightening around Cloud-Piercer as his eyes swept the forest.
"A separate space?" he murmured.
Welt nodded.
"Yes. A completely isolated dimension—one that separates the outside from the inside."
The air felt wrong.
Too quiet.
Then—Rustle.
Leaves shifted.
All four of them immediately drew their weapons.
In a flash, a shimmering blade of light tore through the air, slicing straight toward them.
"Duck!" Welt shouted.
They dropped instantly.
The light tore through the thick tree behind them, splitting it cleanly in half.
"Fall!" Welt swung his cane.
A blackish-pink spike erupted from distorted space itself, striking precisely where the attack had originated—Only to hit nothing.
Empty air.
Another rustle echoed. Then another.
"Too many blind spots…" Welt muttered under his breath.
March reacted instantly. She raised her bow toward the sky and looked at Welt and Himeko.
"Mr. Yang! Miss Himeko! I'll use my ice as smoke—cover us and create an opening!"
Welt, Himeko, and Dan Heng nodded in unison.
March released the bowstring.
The ice arrow soared upward— Then shattered.
Using Six-Phase Ice, it exploded into countless frozen fragments, releasing a dense, shimmering mist that swallowed the forest whole.
Visibility dropped to nothing. And the hunt truly began.
Welt scanned the surroundings, his eyes sharp, alert to even the slightest disturbance.
He tapped his cane against the ground.
The space around it warped, collapsing inward into a singular point. Smoke, loose leaves—everything nearby was dragged toward it before vanishing.
"Dan Heng, move!" Welt shouted.
Dan Heng reacted instantly.
The small black hole dissipated just as he disappeared from sight, leaving only Welt, March, and Himeko behind.
The attack did not hesitate. A sharp slice of light tore through the air toward them.
In response, a block of pink-blue ice erupted from the ground, intercepting the strike with a deafening crack.
Welt's eyes narrowed.
He had already pinpointed the source.
Once more, he struck his cane against the earth.
Space twisted again—this time directly where the attack originated.
That was when the attacker revealed itself.
A goblin leapt from the trees.
Its skin was not the usual green, but an ominous dark hue. A single horn protruded from its forehead, and its red eyes glowed with malice.
Light flashed against Welt's glasses as he pushed them up.
And then— Dan Heng appeared.
His spear pierced straight through the goblin's body, pinning it violently against the nearest tree.
"G-sha!?"
A confused cry escaped it before its body went limp.
"Good job, Dan Heng!" March rushed over, patting his shoulder enthusiastically.
"Hn." That was all Dan Heng replied, though it did nothing to dampen March's excitement.
Welt and Himeko approached the fallen creature, examining it closely.
"To think something this small could carry such power…" Welt murmured.
Himeko let out a soft chuckle.
"What a surprise this world continues to be."
"Let's go. Staying here will only hinder our progress… and there's too much unknown lurking around," Welt said.
Thus, their journey continued. They followed the map through the seemingly endless forest, navigating its winding paths. Though they moved as a team, the route itself was guided by Himeko—after all, she was the Navigator for a reason.
By the time night fell, they decided to rest beneath a massive tree, its hollow crown wide enough to shelter them all.
"Ugh… I'm so beat…" March grumbled as she sat on the tree's broad, flat roots.
Beside her, Himeko studied the map, carefully tracing possible routes for the next day.
At the center, Welt gathered fallen branches, attempting to light a fire. Dan Heng returned shortly after, carrying a dead boar over his shoulder.
"Now that I think about it," March suddenly said, "it feels like we've gone back to being primates."
Dan Heng raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, don't give me that look, Dan Heng!" March protested. "Just look around! Mister Yang's trying to light a fire with wood, you hunted a boar, and we're sleeping in a giant tree!"
She pouted, arms crossed, while Dan Heng continued to stare at her in silence.
March huffed. "See? You never try to."
"That's because trying wouldn't help," Dan Heng replied flatly as he set the boar down near the fire.
Himeko chuckled softly, folding the map at last. "If it makes you feel better, March, at least this is a very spacious tree."
"Oh wow, amazing. Luxury caveman life."
Welt finally coaxed the fire to life. Flames flickered, casting warm light across their faces and pushing the forest's shadows back.
"There," he said, sitting down. "Problem solved."
March leaned closer to the fire, stretching her hands out. "You know… this actually feels kind of nice. No alarms, no monsters trying to eat us—"
Dan Heng glanced at her. "You just jinxed it."
"Hey! I said trying."
Himeko smiled, resting her chin on her hand. "We don't get moments like this often. It's good to slow down once in a while."
March nodded. "Yeah. Usually we're running, fighting, or getting thrown into something weird."
Welt looked into the fire, his expression calm. "That's the nature of the Trailblaze."
A brief pause followed. Then March tilted her head. "Hey, Mr. Yang?"
"Yes?"
"When this is all over… where do you think we'll go next?"
Welt considered the question, then smiled faintly.
"Somewhere new," he said. "That's always been the answer."
March grinned. "As long as it's not another spooky forest."
Dan Heng didn't respond, but the corner of his mouth twitched ever so slightly.
The fire crackled softly.
For the moment, that was enough.
March poked the fire with a stick, watching the sparks jump. "You know, if we're really living the primitive life, someone should tell me where the royal bedding is."
Dan Heng glanced at the tree trunk. "That's it."
March stared at it. "…Wow. Five-star service. Truly."
Himeko laughed softly. "At least it's sturdy. And warm enough with the fire."
March tilted her head, eyeing Himeko.
"You're way too calm about this. Aren't you even a little bothered we're sleeping in a forest?"
"I've slept in worse places," Himeko replied easily. "A cargo bay with a broken heater, for one."
March gasped. "Okay, never mind. You win."
Welt added another branch to the fire. "Compared to some journeys, this is peaceful."
March squinted at him. "That's… strangely ominous coming from you, Mr. Yang."
"It's called experience."
Dan Heng sat down across from them, cleaning his spear. "We should take turns keeping watch."
March immediately pointed at herself. "Not it."
Himeko raised an eyebrow. "That was fast."
"I contribute morale," March said proudly. "Very important role."
Dan Heng sighed. "I'll take first watch."
Welt nodded. "I'll take second."
Himeko smiled. "Then I suppose March and I will rest."
March leaned back against the tree, stretching. "See? Teamwork."
She paused, staring up through the branches at the faintly glowing sky beyond the forest canopy.
"…Hey," she said quietly, "despite everything… I'm glad we're together."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Himeko reached over and gently patted her head. "Of course we are."
Welt closed his eyes briefly, listening to the fire. Dan Heng resumed his watch, standing a little straighter than before.
The forest remained quiet.
And for once, the silence felt kind.
"I'm still shocked why March had seasonings in her storage space." Welt laughed lightly followed by Himeko and March.
"I call it preparation."
Thus the night in the forest has come by.