Himeko was currently asking the High Priest about their planet.
"High Priest Marki, I'd like to ask—why do you call this planet the 'Star of the Sanctus Medicus'?"
"Correct." The High Priest nodded, a flicker of fervor and pride in his eyes.
"Yet according to IPC records, this planet should be named 'Gokan.' Could you explain this discrepancy? Of course, I'm not questioning anything—I just want to update the archives. For record-keeping."
Himeko's words were flawless. A simple request for clarification, framed perfectly as routine documentation.
At the mention of "Gokan," a subtle flash of disdain crossed the High Priest's eyes. He masked it quickly, resuming his serene expression.
But Himeko caught it. And she knew—nothing about this was simple. Her grip on her suitcase tightened.
"Ah, that's simple. The old name was given by the IPC. But 'Star of the Sanctus Medicus' is this planet's true name. We don't care what the IPC calls us. We use our own name."
The High Priest smiled, explaining the discrepancy smoothly. His words seemed sincere, without flaw.
But instinct told Himeko: something was off.
"Thank you for clarifying." She smiled, acknowledging his answer.
She knew something was wrong—likely an internal ideological issue on the planet. But confronting him directly or using force didn't align with her ideals as a Nameless. So she decided to investigate quietly.
Under the High Priest's guidance, they toured the city. As dusk fell, they were led to a resting inn.
Inside, the three gathered to discuss.
"This place feels... strange. Everyone seems to revere those wooden potted plants placed everywhere. And those logs themselves are odd—they pulse with a strange vitality." Himeko voiced her observations.
March hesitated, then shared what Yuki had told her via telepathy earlier.
"The Abundance... No wonder those things felt familiar. So they're followers of the Abundance. That explains everything." Himeko connected the dots instantly.
"Wait, you know about this too, Himeko? Am I the only one left in the dark?!" March complained, feeling entirely out of the loop.
"March, I've told you to read the archives. You never listen. Now you don't even recognize the Denizens of Abundance." Himeko shook her head with a helpless smile.
"Ugh, the archives are so boring! But seriously, Himeko, what are the 'Denizens of Abundance'? Explain it to me!" March scratched her head, embarrassed.
Himeko sighed and launched into a historical explanation about the Aeon of Abundance and their followers.
"To understand these fanatics, you first need to know about the Aeon of Abundance—Yaoshi. Their Path represents selflessness, altruism, healing... all that. This Aeon freely grants blessings to any civilization that seeks longevity. Those blessed by Yaoshi gain the ability to live forever. Throughout history—past, present, and future—countless beings have sought Yaoshi's blessing, chasing the elixir of immortality."
"And these blessed civilizations? They're known collectively as the Denizens of Abundance. They fiercely worship the Aeon who gave them this gift."
"The Denizens of Abundance are scattered across every corner of the universe, their numbers vast. They are an undeniable force in the cosmos. But every coin has two sides. When beings in a civilization gain immortality, a population explosion is inevitable. When the population explodes, the natural result is complete resource depletion on their home planet. Resources that once fed two now have to feed ten. That creates immense pressure."
"And that's just one issue. Social problems, moral dilemmas, the stagnation of society—they pile up endlessly. These are the challenges the Denizens of Abundance inevitably face."
"Of course, they found a solution. A brutally simple one: plunder resources from other civilizations. Use war to deflect their internal conflicts. And so, these Denizens of Abundance became the universe's primary aggressors. Infamous. Universally reviled."
After hearing Himeko's explanation, March felt sick to her stomach.
"I can't believe these people are so vicious! That's terrifying! To think those peaceful faces hide maniacal warmongers. Disgusting!"
She shivered, reaching for the local tea on the table—then abruptly stopped.
Everything in this city, this planet, was probably plundered from the blood of other worlds. Drinking it would make her feel complicit. She pulled out her own water bottle from the chat group space instead.
Yuki, meanwhile, had no such qualms. He drank the local tea freely, unbothered by the moral weight of the leaves.
"Wait—if they're invaders, aren't we in danger right now?" March suddenly realized their precarious situation.
"Probably. I don't know why they haven't moved against us yet. But I'm sure we're under heavy surveillance. As for the train? They've likely already made their move to secure it and prevent our escape." Himeko smiled calmly. Despite the immediate danger, she wasn't tense at all.
Neither was March.
Because they had someone sitting right next to them who could crush Aeons with ease. If these Abundance followers kept their distance, fine. If they started something? They'd be wiped out of existence.
And the train? No worries there either. A certain laughing Aeon was permanently glued to its front grill as the ultimate cosmic shield.
"Heh. Hope they're smart enough to leave us alone. Otherwise, this beautiful girl will make sure they regret it." March grinned, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
She hadn't really fought since her massive power-up. She kind of wanted these guys to give her a chance to stretch her legs and test her new limits.
Then, Yuki sensed something. He set his teacup down and rose from his chair.
"An interesting guest is coming. I'll be back."
With that, he vanished into thin air like a phantom.