Chapter 571: Eco-Agri World
The transport craft made a smooth touchdown on the even grassland, its landing gear sinking slightly. Accompanied by the hissing sound of the hydraulic system, the hatch slowly opened, allowing a stream of bright, natural light to flood into the cabin.
The air rushing in caused Asuka to instantly catch her breath.
It was an atmosphere completely different from that of the Death World—warm, humid, carrying the crisp freshness of newly turned soil mixed with the green grass scent of unknown flora, alongside the faint fragrance of blossoms drifting from afar. She impatiently unbuckled the lock of her protective suit's helmet, letting the breeze blow through her slightly disheveled red hair. Taking a deep breath, she felt the exhilarating sensation of the air flowing through her lungs, as if every alveolus was joyously welcoming this burst of vitality.
"The air here... is sweet," she softly murmured, the corners of her lips turning upward as she revealed her first unreserved, brilliant smile in days.
Ryo's second avatar stood by her side. Having shed his heavy power armor, he wore only a simple, dark-gray robe. The soft fabric fluttered gently in the breeze, stripping away a fraction of his warrior's majesty and replacing it with the refined warmth of a scholar. The sunlight spilled across his face, which was identical to his main body, reflecting an expression that showed he, too, was quietly savoring the view.
"The oxygen content here is 12% higher than that of the Death World," he cited the data habitually, yet his tone carried a rare gentleness, "and the humidity is significantly more agreeable."
His gaze swept over the rolling fields before them. Watching the crops undulating in the breeze, he added: "Corona VII is renowned for cultivating a diverse array of indigenous grains. The flowering periods of these crops overlap, which is why the air is constantly suffused with a faint floral scent."
Asuka paid absolutely no attention to the data; she had completely immersed herself in the new environment. She squatted down, her fingertips gently brushing past the green blades of grass beneath her feet, feeling their soft texture. In the distance, a swarm of colorful insects resembling butterflies danced gracefully among the blossoms, their wings flashing with iridescent luster under the sun.
"Look over there!" she excitedly pointed toward a distant fruit orchard, where the trees were heavily laden with plump fruits, half-hidden among the emerald leaves.
Ryo followed the direction of her finger and nodded slightly: "Those are the crystal fruits native to this region. When ripe, they exhibit a translucent texture." Observing the curiosity gleaming in Asuka's eyes, he added: "We can pick some to taste later."
The gentle breeze continued to caress the land, carrying the curling smoke from distant farmsteads and the faint, muffled sounds of livestock. Asuka took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of the sun shining on her face. At this moment, she felt as if she had truly come alive.
She slowly lowered her body further, the hem of her long robe gently brushing against the dew-laden leaves. Her fingertips paused right as they touched a small blue flower, as if terrified of disturbing this fragile life. The texture of the petals was unbelievably soft, carrying the slight chill of morning dew, causing her to subconsciously hold her breath. This pure, natural sensation was a hundred times more authentic than any precise simulation.
"These little flowers... live so freely," she whispered to herself, her gaze tracking the bee swarms bustling among the blossoms.
Ryo stood at a proper distance behind her, ensuring he wouldn't disturb her interest while remaining ready to protect her safety. His warm gaze fixed upon her rarely relaxed silhouette, causing even his habitually stern lips to soften somewhat.
"This bluebell flower is a native species here," his voice sounded slightly lower than usual. "It blooms across the entire river valley during this season every year." Seeing that she was still fully immersed in the joy of discovering natural beauty, he waited patiently for a moment before reminding her softly: "We should continue moving forward. The Governor's manor guide is already waiting."
As he spoke, he habitually scanned the surroundings, confirming the environment was completely safe.
They boarded an open-top off-road vehicle. Ryo naturally selected the seat closer to the outer side of the path. The vehicle rolled slowly along the rammed-earth road, kicking up faint trails of dust.
From time to time, he raised his hand to point toward the distant sights: "Look at that cluster of white buildings on the hillside; that is the local grain processing factory. Those windmills are utilized to ventilate the granaries—"
Asuka leaned against the edge of the vehicle, her red hair dancing lightly in the wind. She gazed absentmindedly at the farmers laboring in the fields, watching their bronze backs glinting with a healthy sheen under the setting sun.
Noticing her gaze, Ryo explained gently: "It is currently the harvest season. They must complete the reaping before the rainy season arrives."
When the vehicle bypassed a pasture, he motioned for the driver to slow down. "The hair texture of the Corona long-furred beast is exceptionally fine; it is prime raw material for crafting winter garments." His tone was peaceful, carrying the patience of an elder.
"Doctor," Asuka suddenly turned her head, a trace of confusion lingering in her eyes. "The people here... do they know what the universe looks like? Do they know that besides farming, there are wars and starships?"
Ryo pondered for a brief moment, his gaze flitting past the tranquil fields in the distance.
"Under Imperial rule, the majority of an agri-world's inhabitants will never leave their home planet for the entirety of their lives. They live according to traditions established over millennia, paying their tithes and obeying administrative rule." He paused. "Interstellar warfare is far too distant for them, and the Imperium intentionally maintains the stability of each world. Although conflict occasionally strikes the fringes, as a whole, these worlds enjoy peace."
Looking toward the sun sinking gradually past the edge of the sky, he continued: "In this era, the Imperium is continuously expanding and developing. The fires of war primarily occur on the distant frontiers, while core sector worlds like Corona haven't experienced true warfare for a very long time."
Asuka nodded silently, yet her gaze remained fixed outside the window. The children chasing and playing upon the field ridges let out silver-bell-like laughter, their carefree cheer drifting over faintly with the breeze. She stared intently at those small faces covered in dust yet overflowing with innocent smiles. Complex ripples surfaced within her lake-blue eyes—carrying a fraction of longing for the simple and fulfilling life upon this land, yet adding a hint of melancholy because she knew the grim truth of the wider universe.
The setting sun stretched their shadows exceptionally long. Ryo checked the hour, whispered a few instructions to the driver, and then turned toward Asuka: "There is a viewing platform up ahead where you can see the sunset across the entire valley. Shall we stop to take a look?"
"Okay," she responded softly, her voice carrying a trace of abstraction.
Under Ryo's signal, the off-road vehicle slowly came to a halt on a high slope. Looking out from this vantage point, the entirety of the valley was laid bare to their eyes. The sun was slowly sinking into the distant mountain ranges, dyeing the clouds at the edge of the sky a brilliant golden-red. The layered fields gleamed with a warm luster in the residual glow, resembling a meticulously painted oil canvas.
Ryo stood by her side, the hem of his robe fluttering gently in the evening wind.
"The sunsets here are always exceptionally prolonged," his voice was peaceful. "It is said to be caused by the refraction of dust within the atmosphere."
Asuka leaned against the railing of the viewing platform, letting the evening wind caress her face. She watched the sun sink millimeter by millimeter beneath the horizon, the colors of the sky transitioning from a blazing golden-red into a tender purple-pink. Within the distant villages, dots of light ignited one after another, reflecting against the stars just beginning to manifest upon the canopy of the sky.
"It's so beautiful..." she couldn't help but sigh softly, the tightly wound corners of her lips over the past days finally arching into a genuine smile.
Ryo gazed at her profile silhouetted by the sunset, noting the long-absent radiance in her eyes.
"It is indeed beautiful," his voice turned significantly gentler than usual. "A view like this cannot be seen on the Death World."
When the final sliver of sunlight vanished behind the mountains, leaving only a faint streak of twilight in the sky, Ryo glanced at the darkening horizon: "It's time to head back. The banquet at the Governor's manor should be prepared by now."
Asuka cast one final look at the valley submerged in the twilight, then nodded gently. As she turned around, her steps were visibly much lighter; the gloom of the past days seemed to have sunk into the distance along with the setting sun.