What did Bronya see?
Gale winds, snowflakes, and gigantic blossoms? Then came the faint fragrance carried by the air and a resonant hum that seemed to explode beside her ears.
She was certain she must be dreaming.
If she weren't dreaming, how could she witness such a mythical scene—flowers blooming across the snowfield, lives being saved from hell itself?
She watched as emerald green, representing vitality, rose like mist. One by one, the guards who had been lying on the ground, writhing and moaning in agony, climbed back to their feet. Every Silvermane Guard wore an expression of stunned disbelief.
When they regained their senses, they all lifted their heads to gaze up at the young woman hovering serenely in the air.
Felicity looked down from above. From this perspective, observing the world below truly gave one the illusion of omniscience and omnipotence. But she knew better—she was never all-powerful. She was merely an Emanator, lacking the overwhelming strength THEY possessed.
But perhaps death would change that.
She suddenly recalled the story of the Aeon of Abundance that Herta had once shared with her—how the benevolent Yaoshi had bestowed blessings of abundance out of compassion, only to be hunted by the Aeon of The Hunt. An idea sparked in her mind.
If she were to emulate the ways of the Aeon of Abundance, would she too draw the pursuit of The Hunt?
Felicity thought it worth an attempt.
And so, she bestowed the blessings of Abundance, healing the wounds of every Silvermane Guard present through the Path of Abundance. She raised her head high, causing countless flowers to bloom and swirl around her.
"I, Felicity, Emanator of Abundance, following the guidance of my deity, the benevolent Yaoshi, grant all present here freedom from calamity and misfortune, with long life and joy."
More flowers blossomed around her. With a gentle snap of her fingers, verdant energy transformed into rain falling from the sky, driving away the Fragmentum creations and healing the guards.
Felicity slightly lowered her gaze.
She hadn't truly granted [Immortality], only healed injuries and stubborn ailments. Her authority leaned more toward [Longevity]; [Immortality] wasn't her specialty.
But this was enough.
It wasn't that she couldn't bestow the blessing of [Immortality], but she saw no need. The benevolent Yaoshi never granted blessings beyond what was requested.
She only needed to leave her mark on this world, to announce to the universe that Felicity had been here, and then wait for an arrow capable of piercing through stars to strike her down.
Felicity withdrew her power, causing all the flowers to dissipate. Then she drifted leisurely down to stand before Bronya, who appeared to be the leader of these Silvermane Guards.
Bronya looked at this young woman who had descended like a deity and instinctively wanted to retreat. But she restrained herself, struggling to maintain an appearance of composure.
"I... I am Bronya Rand, current heir to the Supreme Guardian, acting commander of the Silvermane Guards. It's an honor to meet you... Emanator of Abundance, Lady Felicity."
Bronya rarely stumbled through self-introductions like this. Having learned to conceal her thoughts since childhood, she seldom found herself so flustered.
But the situation had far exceeded anything she could have imagined. She couldn't even begin to comprehend what terms like [Emanator of Abundance] or [Benevolent Yaoshi] from the other's mouth meant.
Felicity noticed her embarrassment but paid it no mind, giving Bronya a slight nod.
"Just call me Felicity, Bronya. I come from beyond the heavens."
"...Beyond the heavens?"
Bronya fell into deep thought. Having read countless books, she had indeed come across civilizations from beyond the heavens. In the distant past, before the eternal frost descended and the Fragmentum invaded, the land beneath her feet had once been immensely prosperous...
In those days, the earth wasn't ravaged by blizzards and howling winds; the sky wasn't severed by the disc forged from city walls; and the world had glimpsed infinite possibilities within the vast cosmos.
"...Regardless, please state your purpose."
Bronya took a deep breath, struggling to steady her composure.
She wasn't foolish enough to divulge everything just because this person had saved her soldiers. She didn't believe in free help and found it hard to trust that someone would go to such lengths to help a group of strangers without ulterior motives.
"The Stellaron."
Felicity didn't hesitate, her silver-gray eyes fixed steadily on Bronya as she spoke unhurriedly:
"The Fragmentum is a phenomenon caused by the Stellaron. If this Stellaron isn't sealed, I cannot leave this planet."
Felicity didn't reveal the existence of the Astral Express crew, ensuring that any danger would be directed solely at her.
"...You're saying the Stellaron caused the Fragmentum, subjecting Belobog to years of invasions by Fragmentum creatures?"
Bronya's eyes widened slightly. Even the ancient texts left by predecessors contained no mention of the Stellaron.
New terms kept emerging one after another, tangling Bronya's thoughts into a mess.
"Not just the Fragmentum—even the eternal frost is likely a phenomenon created by the Stellaron."
"But... I apologize, I need a moment to think."
Bronya had no choice but to sink into contemplation. The sheer volume of information she'd absorbed in such a short time made it difficult to form an immediate judgment.
If the Stellaron was truly the root of all calamities, then this girl who called herself an Emanator of Abundance might be the hope Belobog had waited seven hundred years for.
Moreover, Felicity spoke with such sincerity, laying out the stakes with perfect clarity. Combined with her gentle demeanor when healing the afflicted, Bronya found it hard to harbor suspicion toward her.
But... Bronya couldn't make the decision.
Too many people depended on her—the entire weight of Belobog rested on this young girl's shoulders. She felt she had no right to decide for all of Belobog's citizens.
"I'm sorry, I cannot make this decision. But I can convey your words to Belobog's Supreme Guardian and let her decide."
Bronya bowed slightly, striving to appear earnest. Even if the Supreme Guardian ultimately chose not to trust Felicity, she didn't want to make an enemy of this girl.
"Very well."
Felicity wasn't surprised—it was impossible to make someone immediately trust a complete stranger.
"If you don't mind, please come with me. Belobog will certainly receive you with the highest honors."
"That won't be necessary. I will reveal myself once you have obtained the answers."
Felicity shook her head. Since the answers would come from the Supreme Guardian, whether she went or not was irrelevant. After all, the crew of the Astral Express would soon arrive there as well.
Rather than reuniting with them, it would be more interesting to investigate other matters first.
Felicity gently closed her eyes, sensing the abundant life force emanating from beneath the ground, and a look of intrigue crossed her face.
She waved her hand, and a floral-scented breeze swept past, causing Bronya's long hair to flutter slightly.
In the blink of an eye, Felicity had vanished from her sight.
"A traveler... from beyond the sky?"
Bronya stared at the spot where Felicity had disappeared, murmuring to herself.
"Lady Bronya!"
A call snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up at the Silvermane Guard beside her, took a deep breath, and her gaze gradually grew resolute.
"Withdraw the troops. All Silvermane Guards fall back to the defensive line. I must return to see the Supreme Guardian."
"Yes!"
The guard responded loudly, his eyes—visible behind his bucket-like helmet—filled with anticipation.