The transport craft landed smoothly on the level grassland, its landing gear sinking slightly into the soft earth. With the rhythmic hiss of the hydraulic system, the hatch slowly opened, allowing a flood of bright, natural light to pour into the cabin.
The air that rushed in made Asuka catch her breath instantly.
It was a scent entirely different from the Dead Worlds—warm, moist, and carrying the freshness of newly turned soil, mixed with the green fragrance of unknown plants and the faint drift of distant flowers.
She couldn't wait to unbuckle the latch of her protective helmet, letting the breeze ruffle her slightly messy red hair. Taking a deep breath, she felt the exhilarating flow of air through her lungs; it felt as if every alveolus was joyfully welcoming this burst of vitality.
"The air here... is sweet," she whispered, her lips curving into her first genuine, radiant smile in days.
Osiris (his second avatar) stood beside her. He had shed his heavy power armor, wearing only a simple dark gray robe. The soft fabric fluttered gently in the breeze, making him look less like a stern warrior and more like a refined scholar. Sunlight spilled across his face—identical to his original body—reflecting an expression of one who was also quietly savoring the scene.
"The oxygen content here is 12% higher than on the Dead Worlds," he cited the data out of habit, though his tone held a rare gentleness. "The humidity is also much more pleasant."
His gaze swept over the rolling fields before them, watching the crops sway in the wind. He added, "Corona VII is famous for cultivating various native grains. The flowering periods of these crops overlap, so the air is always permeated with a faint floral scent."
Asuka paid no mind to the data; she was completely immersed in her new surroundings. She knelt down, her fingertips lightly brushing the grass at her feet, feeling the soft texture of the blades. In the distance, a cluster of colorful, butterfly-like insects danced among the flowers, their wings shimmering with iridescent lusters in the sun.
"Look over there!" she pointed excitedly toward a distant orchard. The trees were heavy with plump fruit, peeking out from between lush green leaves.
Osiris looked in the direction she pointed and nodded slightly. "Those are Crystal Fruits, a local specialty. When ripe, they take on a translucent texture." Seeing the spark of curiosity in Asuka's eyes, he added, "We can go pick some to taste later."
The breeze continued to stroke the land, bringing with it the curling smoke from distant farmhouses and the faint lowing of livestock. Asuka took another deep breath, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face. In this moment, she felt truly alive.
She slowly crouched down, the hem of her robe brushing against the dew-kissed grass. Her fingertips paused just before touching a small blue flower, as if afraid of startling such a fragile life. The petals felt incredibly soft, carrying the slight chill of morning dew, causing her to hold her breath instinctively. This pure, natural sensation was a hundred times more real than any precision simulation.
"These little flowers... they live so freely," she murmured to herself, her eyes following the bees busy among the blooms.
Osiris stood a respectful distance behind her, ensuring he didn't disturb her mood while remaining alert to her safety. He watched her rare, relaxed profile with a gentle gaze, the lines of his usually stern mouth softening.
"This Bluebell is a native species," his voice was slightly lower than usual. "Every year at this time, they bloom across the entire valley."
Seeing her still lost in the joy of discovering natural beauty, he waited patiently before giving a soft reminder: "We should head further in. The guide from the Governor's Palace is already waiting."
As he spoke, he habitually scanned the surroundings to confirm the environment was secure. They boarded an open-top off-road vehicle, and Osiris naturally took the seat closer to the outer edge of the road.
The vehicle moved slowly along the packed earth road, kicking up faint clouds of dust. He occasionally raised a hand to point out distant landmarks. "Look at those white buildings on the hillside; that's the local grain processing plant. Those windmills are used to ventilate the granaries—"
Asuka leaned against the window, her red hair dancing in the breeze. She gazed dreamily at the farmers working in the fields, watching their bronze backs glow with a healthy sheen under the setting sun.
Noticing her gaze, Osiris explained gently, "It's harvest season. They need to finish reaping before the rainy season arrives."
When the vehicle passed a pasture, he signaled the driver to slow down. "The fur of the Corona Long-haired Beast is of excellent quality—prime material for winter clothing." His tone was calm, carrying the patience of an elder.
"Doctor," Asuka suddenly turned her head, her eyes filled with confusion. "The people here... do they know what the universe is like? Do they know that besides farming, there are wars and starships?"
Osiris contemplated for a moment, his gaze drifting over the peaceful fields.
"Under Imperial rule, most residents of agricultural worlds never leave their planet in their entire lives. They live according to traditions spanning thousands of years, paying taxes and following administration." He paused. "Interstellar war is too distant for them, and the Empire intentionally maintains the stability of these worlds. Although there are skirmishes on the frontiers, as a whole, these worlds enjoy peace."
He looked toward the sinking sun on the horizon and continued, "In this era, the Empire is constantly expanding and developing. The flames of war are mostly confined to the distant borders. Worlds like Corona, located in the core sectors, haven't experienced true war for a very long time."
Asuka nodded silently, but her eyes remained fixed on the view outside. Children chasing each other on the ridges of the fields let out silvery laughter, their carefree joy drifting over on the wind.
She stared at those small, dust-covered faces glowing with innocent smiles. Complex ripples formed in her lake-blue eyes—a mix of longing for the simple, fulfilling life on this land, and a touch of melancholy for her own knowledge of the universe's harsh truths.
The setting sun stretched their shadows long. Osiris checked the time, gave a few instructions to the driver, and then turned to Asuka. "There's an observation deck ahead where you can see the sunset over the entire valley. Would you like to stop and see?"
"Yes," she replied softly, her voice carrying a hint of a trance-like state.
At Osiris's signal, the vehicle slowed to a stop on a high slope. From here, the entire valley was visible. The sun was slowly sinking into the distant mountains, dyeing the clouds a magnificent golden-red. The layered farmlands glowed with a warm luster in the afterglow, looking like a meticulously painted oil canvas.
Osiris stood beside her, the hem of his robe fluttering in the evening wind. "The sunsets here are always exceptionally long," he said calmly. "They say it's due to the refraction of dust in the atmosphere."
Asuka leaned against the railing of the observation deck, letting the evening breeze brush her face. She watched the sun sink inch by inch below the horizon, the colors of the sky fading from a fierce golden-red to a gentle violet-pink. In the distant villages, scattered lights began to flicker on, echoing the first stars appearing in the heavens.
"It's beautiful..." she sighed involuntarily, the tension in her expression finally giving way to a sincere smile.
Osiris watched her profile silhouetted by the sunset, noting the long-absent spark in her eyes. "It is indeed beautiful," his voice was even warmer than before. "This is a view you would never see on a Dead World."
As the last sliver of sunlight vanished behind the mountains, leaving only a faint glow in the sky, Osiris glanced at the darkening horizon. "It's time to head back. The banquet at the Governor's Palace should be ready."
Asuka took one last look at the valley immersed in twilight and nodded gently. As she turned, her step was noticeably lighter; the gloom of the past few days seemed to have sunk into the distance along with the sun.