"Among the Stellaron Hunters, there's someone—well, maybe not quite human..." Lumina began, observing March 7th's still-puzzled expression, like a clueless Little Cutie. Lumina chuckled softly and continued, "He's called Ellio, and he has another title... 'Destiny's Slave.'"
"Whoa, that title sounds so chuunii!" March 7th exclaimed, her clueless expression vanishing instantly. "This Ellio guy—is he some kind of chuunii teenager?"
Destiny's Slave—isn't that the kind of title only a teenager in their chuunii phase would come up with?
"Well... the title does sound a bit chuunii, but it has nothing to do with Ellio himself. It's just what outsiders call him."
Lumina smiled. This March 7th always manages to surprise me with her moments of cluelessness.
No need to dwell on it too much. After all, that's just March 7th being herself...
Lumina continued, "It's the leader of the Stellaron Hunters. Every script recited by a Stellaron Hunter member is written by it."
"And in its current script, the most crucial scene—the one that must be achieved—is bringing the Astral Express to the Xianzhou, forging an alliance with the Luofu."
"The Stellaron Hunters... What could their motives possibly be?" Welt muttered, lowering his head in contemplation.
"Perhaps in Ellio's script, in some future corner of fate, the Astral Express will face a danger so dire that it must unleash its full power," Lumina suggested, shaking her head to indicate she didn't know for sure but still offering a speculative explanation.
"Danger..." Hearing Lumina's words, the Stellaron Spirit recalled Kafka's words during her interrogation at the Divination Commission...
If Kafka wasn't lying, then the ultimate foe the Astral Express would face was none other than the Aeon of Destruction himself?
"No way! Seriously? The Astral Express can barely defeat an Emanator, and now we're going up against an Aeon?"
"Nooooo! Mommy, I want off this train!"
The Stellaron Spirit's inner emotions were overflowing, yet she showed no sign of it on her face.
Lumina observed Stelle's pensive expression but paid it no mind, continuing, "Regardless of the Stellaron Hunters' motives or the nature of the future calamity, the fact remains that you helped the Xianzhou Luofu overcome the Lord Ravager invasion."
"And while the Stellaron Hunters may have subtly pushed the Xianzhou Luofu's desire to ally with the Astral Express, their influence is ultimately irrelevant to the actual decision."
"So, this Jade Abacus of Allying Oath... no matter what happens in the future or when we might need to use it, it's ultimately a good thing to have."
"Hmm... you're right, I guess." After hearing Lumina's explanation, March 7th finally understood. She nodded, thinking how logical Sister Lumina's reasoning was.
"Dan Heng," Jing Yuan said, turning his gaze to Dan Heng after Lumina and March 7th had finished speaking.
"Yes... General," Dan Heng replied, lifting his head and responding to Jing Yuan's words, momentarily halting his internal musings.
"Through this ordeal, the Xianzhou Luofu has come to truly know Dan Heng, the Nameless," Jing Yuan said, a faint smile gracing his lips.
"Therefore, as a gesture of sincerity, I hereby revoke your Exile Order, as decreed by the Ten Lords Commission. From this moment forward, you are free to come and go on the Luofu as you please."
Though Jing Yuan's smile remained gentle, the underlying joy in his words resonated deeply in everyone's hearts.
"Yay!" March 7th exclaimed, expressing her heartfelt delight on Dan Heng's behalf.
"Yay!" Stelle echoed, snapping out of her own Wild Thoughts to repeat March 7th's exclamation.
"You're such a parrot!" March 7th retorted mercilessly.
"You're such a parrot!" Stelle shot back, defiantly mimicking March 7th's words.
"How childish! If I didn't know better, I'd think you were a grade-schooler who wandered off from some random place."
March 7th stood with her hands on her hips, giving Stelle a look of utter exasperation.
"How childish! If I didn't know better, I'd think you were a grade-schooler who wandered off from some random place."
Stelle seemed utterly entranced by her new "repeater" persona, hands on her hips and a smug grin on her face as she echoed March 7th's words.
March 7th: ...
Seeing Stelle remain stubbornly unrepentant, March 7th fell into a frustrated silence, her heart seething with exasperation.
Seriously, is this girl crazy?!
Watching Stelle and March 7th's exchange, a flicker of envy crossed Jing Yuan's eyes.
Without dwelling further, Jing Yuan composed himself, his smile fading as he turned to Dan Heng. "Though the Luofu has pardoned your Exile Order, I must remind you—"
"Dan Feng's crimes were exceptionally grave, and their repercussions unprecedented."
"Therefore, while the Exile Order has been lifted, the sentiments of some remain as turbulent as the tides in Scalegorge Waterscape, impervious to the mere stroke of a pen."
"I can guarantee your freedom of movement, but not your safety. I hope you understand this..."
Dan Heng: ...
"Yes, I understand." Hearing this, Dan Heng took a deep breath and nodded.
Though Jing Yuan didn't say it outright, Dan Heng, being astute, naturally grasped his meaning. He understood Jing Yuan's dilemma and empathized with his actions.
The mere fact that the Exile Order had been rescinded was proof enough that the upper echelons of the Xianzhou Luofu no longer saw him as Dan Feng, the architect of the Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion...
But rather as a traveler who embodies the spirit of Trailblaze, a passenger on the Astral Express, a Nameless... Dan Heng.
Jing Yuan's efforts on his behalf filled Dan Heng with immense gratitude.
As for the Luofu citizens who still harbored animosity toward Dan Feng, Dan Heng harbored no illusions.
Seeing this, Jing Yuan nodded, clasping his hands behind his back, and sighed, "Delivering the gifts has lifted my spirits considerably."
After a moment, a hint of embarrassment flickered across his face. He sighed again and said, "I had intended to recite a few verses to add to the occasion, but I lack Lady Fu's erudition. Perhaps I should refrain."
"Um... Mr. Jing Yuan, I have a reminder for you," Lumina, who had remained silent for some time, finally spoke up.
"Hm? Miss Lumina, please go ahead," Jing Yuan replied, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.
Lumina smiled faintly and said, "Mr. Jing Yuan, you're no longer the General of the Luofu, yet you still occupy the General's seat in the Seat of Divine Foresight. Doesn't that seem a bit inappropriate?"
"Hm? Miss Lumina, what exactly do you mean?" Jing Yuan asked, his expression growing even more puzzled as he pretended not to understand her veiled suggestion.
"Oh~ I see. Thank you for the reminder, Miss Lumina." A moment later, as if sensing something, Jing Yuan seemed to grasp her veiled meaning.
"Since the General holds this one in such high regard, why not formally appoint me right away?"
As expected, just as Jing Yuan finished speaking, a charming voice carrying a touch of authority—yet undeniably adorable—reached the ears of everyone present.