[Stelle lowered her head in silence, facing Dan Shu's plea without uttering a single word. She was breathing heavily, as if an intense internal struggle was raging in her mind.]
[After a moment, she opened her eyes and, without a word, drew her baseball bat.]
[Dan Shu's colorless eyes seemed to flicker with a trace of disappointment, but she quickly composed herself, her tone returning to its usual indifference: "What a pity. If you had met me first, perhaps we could have been true friends."]
["Leader, we need to go…" a nearby Mara-struck softly reminded.]
[Dan Shu nodded. Before turning to leave, she let out a final sigh: "I sincerely hope this is our final farewell, Trailblazer."]
[With that, Dan Shu's figure vanished within the Artisanship Commission.]
[Dealing with the two Mara-struck wasn't difficult, but recalling Dan Shu's words weighed heavily on Stelle's heart.]
["Sigh… Let's head to the Seat of Divine Foresight to inform Qingzu."]
"I feel like at the last moment, Stelle held back… Otherwise, with her strength, she could've forced Dan Shu to stay, even in front of those two Mara-struck," said Chasca, observing Stelle's forlorn expression in Natlan's Sacred Flame Arena. The somber mood dampened any desire she or Mavuika had to share a few drinks. Though they were from different worlds and couldn't fully relate, she could still empathize with Stelle's feelings.
"Maybe Dan Shu's final words affected her somewhat?" Mavuika sighed. "I can understand."
"Mavuika, if it were you, would you have let Dan Shu go?"
"Me?" Mavuika propped her chin in thought for a moment before giving a faint smile. "If I were standing in the position of Natlan's Archon… no, as the general of the Xianzhou, I would absolutely have to detain the leader responsible for countless crimes. But if I set aside my position and speak only as myself, I'd consider giving her one more chance."
"Oh? I thought the Pyro Archon would be stricter."
"Dan Shu is a complex person. I can't judge her in black-and-white terms. She has her side as the chief alchemist, protecting the weak, but also her side as the leader of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, causing harm to others."
"I'd give her one chance… to atone for her sins. After that, I'd treat her as a true friend. But if she didn't cherish that chance…"
Mavuika's words trailed off as she sighed softly, spreading her hands in a gesture of "I've done all I could."
"—Then her path would come to an end?" Chasca understood implicitly, smiling as she finished Mavuika's sentence.
[At the Seat of Divine Foresight, Stelle reported everything that had happened at the Artisanship Commission to Qingzu. Though she couldn't capture Dan Shu, which left Qingzu slightly regretful, the valuable information provided significant help.]
[After resolving the matter with Dan Shu, Stelle realized she had lingered too long and needed to regroup with Welt and March 7th soon.]
[Suddenly, she received a message from Dan Heng.]
[Dan Heng: Our starskiff veered off course. What's the situation on your end?]
[Stelle: You're alive again?]
[Dan Heng: Yes. What's the situation on your end?]
[Stelle: We captured Kafka, but it went too smoothly. Something feels off.]
[Dan Heng: What about Kafka's companions? Did you see Blade?]
[Stelle: She was alone when we caught her. What's up?]
[Dan Heng: Be careful. That man is extremely dangerous. I'll shake off the Cloud Knights and catch up with you soon.]
——
[The scene shifted to Dan Heng's side, where Sushang was staring up in wonder at the roots of the Ambrosial Arbor in the Artisanship Commission.]
["So this is the Ambrosial Arbor of the Luofu? It's my first time seeing it." Sushang's eyes widened, her rosy lips forming a small circle as she let out an adorable "Wow, wow, wow!"]
["Our Yaoqing's Lifewither Plague is a moon, hehe. It feels prettier than the Luofu's."]
[Luocha: "I heard the Ambrosial Arbor had long withered… How could it suddenly grow and spread?"]
["It's the work of the Stellaron's corruption, no other explanation. We must return to the Ten-Lords Commission at once!" Xueyi said urgently. "I'm injured and can't move easily. I'll need to requisition your assistance for this journey. Once we reach the starskiff dock, you're free to act as you please."]
[The Ten-Lords Commission has the authority to requisition Cloud Knights, a rule on the Xianzhou. The group had no objections and decided to follow Xueyi.]
[Fortunately, the monsters along the way seemed to have been cleared out, with only a few remaining. After passing through a painted screen, they encountered Master Gongshu, who was guarding the Artisanship Commission. At this point, the old man was so bored he had started chatting with Di Ting.]
["Would I, Gongshu Liang, be someone who fears death? The safety of the Artisanship Commission now rests solely on me!"]
[Di Ting: "Woof! Woof!"]
[Master Gongshu put on a troubled expression: "No way! A-Cai, you go escape on your own. The Cloud Knights haven't arrived, so for now, it's up to this old man to turn the tide!"]
[Sushang, anxious, hurriedly said: "Uncle, don't play the hero!"]
[Master Gongshu's eyes widened: "A-Cai, y-you… how are you speaking now?"] ["Who're you calling a puppy?!" Sushang pouted discontentedly.]
New Eridu, Outer Ring——
"Oh my, Miss Sushang is so cute and full of energy. Youth is wonderful~"
A slightly sleepy Pai Pai yawned contentedly after seeing Sushang's adorable pout.
Sitting on the sofa, Lucy crossed her pristine, jade-like legs. Even as a member of the biker gang, her every gesture still carried the elegance of a refined lady. Stirring her coffee lightly with a spoon, she hummed, "...But that silly look reminds me a lot of Caesar."
"Correction: not silly at all," Caesar sighed helplessly. "Besides, I think Miss Sushang is great. She's straightforward and honest. If she were in the Outer Ring, I'd love to treat her to a couple of Bernice's special cocktails."
"Hmph, people like her are the easiest to get tricked out there! Simple-minded and too trusting. And not just her, Caesar… you're the same!"
"Me? I haven't been tricked," Caesar scratched his head, puzzled.
"That's only because you have me around! Without me, you'd have been conned in the Outer Ring until you couldn't even afford fuel for your bike!"
As she spoke, Lucy lifted her chin proudly. "You have three minutes to shower me with gratitude, Caesar~ Of course, if you want to repay me, you could let me take the boss's seat for a few days."
"Eh? Lucy, didn't you lose to me last night?"
"Nonsense! I-I didn't lose…!" The girl's face flushed red, her fists clenching tightly. "Truce! It's just a temporary truce! One day, I'll win, Caesar. Just you wait!"
["Sorry, miss. I could've sworn I didn't install a voice module in the little guy… Hm? Wait… how did you all get here?" Master Gongshu finally noticed the four people standing before him. "You lot, hurry and escape!"]
[Sushang patted her chest proudly. "You just said 'the Cloud Knights haven't arrived,' didn't you? Well, I'm a Cloud Knight, and I'm here now! Leave this place to me!"]
["No way! As the Furnace Master, I have a duty to stay and guard the Commission," Master Gongshu said firmly.]
["Oh?" A rare mischievous smile crossed Sushang's delicate face. "Looks like I'll have to resort to some drastic measures. Are you going to move on your own, or should I have the guy in the white coat behind me stuff you into his white box and carry you out?"]