Chapter 572: Corona Market
The night gently shrouded Corona VII as the off-road vehicle drove back to the manor under the starlight.
Warm lamplight spilled from the windows of the farmhouses along the way. The air carried the aromas of dinners being prepared in every household, intertwining the scent of wood smoke with the fragrance of stewed food.
Asuka leaned back in her seat, feeling the coolness of the evening breeze gently caressing her cheeks. Her nerves, stretched taut for days, finally relaxed completely.
"Thank you for bringing me here, Doctor," she said softly, her voice carrying a rare tenderness.
Ryo's gaze remained fixed on the scenery sweeping past on both sides of the road ahead, only giving a slight nod.
"Rest well; tomorrow we can go check out the market here." His tone was as calm as ever, yet it caused the light of anticipation to flicker anew in Asuka's eyes.
That night, they stayed at a rustic manor arranged by the planetary governor.
At dinner, the long table was filled with local specialties: beast meat roasted crisp on the outside and tender on the inside exuded unique spice aromas; freshly picked vegetables retained their crisp texture; and the locally brewed fruit wine carried a refreshing, sweet fragrance.
Asuka ate much more than usual, not even bothering to maintain her past elegant demeanor.
"Eat slowly," Ryo said, watching her gorge herself, the corners of his lips turning up imperceptibly. "No one is fighting you for it."
"None of your business!" Asuka habitually retorted, though her cheeks flushed slightly red, her tone carrying the shyness of being cared for. "The food here... has the taste of life," she added softly, spearing a piece of golden root vegetable and narrowing her eyes in satisfaction.
After dinner, Asuka walked out alone onto the manor's second-floor balcony.
Corona VII's two moons hung high in the night sky, one large and one small, like bright lamps guarding this land.
The cool moonlight draped a veil of silver over the fields and distant mountains. The night wind, carrying a chill and the fresh scent of flora, gently fluttered her red hair.
She leaned against the railing, gazing at this tranquil, alien nightscape. After a long while, she spoke softly in a voice almost only she could hear: "Thank you, Doctor."
Under the moonlight, her gaze was complex and hard to read.
Within that always-upright silhouette, she saw the protection she had once yearned for but never received, while in some corner of her heart, a hazy sentiment transcending this reliance was hidden. This contradiction made her occasionally want to draw close, yet at other times feign estrangement.
Early the next morning, before the light of the twin moons had completely faded from the horizon, the market had already awakened.
This market, situated at the edge of the primary settlement, revealed the unique vitality and chaos of an Imperial frontier world in the morning light.
The air was filled with a complex blend of smells: the musky scent of livestock, the fresh fragrance of fodder, the toasted aroma of baking bread, wondrously intermingling with the sharp tang of machine oil, metal, and fuel cells.
Dust danced in the morning light, mixing with the faint exhaust emitted by distant agricultural machinery.
Asuka widened her eyes, curiously surveying this vibrant world.
On one side of the market, several rust-mottled yet still-functioning agricultural machines were particularly eye-catching: fuel-cell-powered combine harvesters emitted low hums; tracked tractors reeking of heavy lubricant were warming up; and smart irrigation equipment flashing red indicator lights were displayed in prominent positions.
Although these machines possessed rough exteriors with peeling paint, their core technical standards still adhered to Imperial regulations.
Right beside these steel behemoths, however, lay a completely different scene.
Hand-woven rattan baskets were piled high with dew-dampened fresh fruits and vegetables, while coarse terracotta pots overflowed with golden grain.
A peasant woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat sat on a small stool, skillfully sorting freshly picked wild herbs. Several children chased after poultry that had escaped their cages, their laughter rising and falling alongside the cries of the vendors.
Further away, a blacksmith forge was open for business; the old blacksmith wielded a traditional iron hammer in one hand while operating a plasma welding torch in the other.
Amidst flying sparks, agricultural tools fusing traditional craftsmanship with modern technology gradually took shape.
At the adjacent stall, an elderly man was tuning an old-fashioned radio; intermittent broadcasts in Low Gothic intertwined with the haggling in the local dialect.
On the market paths, farmers clad in coarse work clothes brushed shoulders with technicians in standard uniforms.
An old, charcoal-burning truck parked side-by-side with a brand-new hover transport, forming a bizarre contrast.
In a certain corner, one could even spot several mercenaries in worn-out power armor purchasing supplies; their presence did not seem to attract anyone's particular attention.
This bizarre fusion of high technology and traditional agrarian life constituted Corona VII's unique scenery.
Imperial technology acted like an undercurrent, seeping into every corner, yet consistently maintaining a delicate balance with the millennial-old way of life upon this land.
"Look at that," Ryo pointed to a stall displaying simple agricultural tools forged by local artisans. "Although primitive in appearance, the metal smelting techniques have reached the basic Imperial standards."
Asuka's gaze, however, was drawn to an adjacent small stall selling handmade accessories.
Necklaces polished from local ores hung on rough wooden racks, gleaming with a rustic luster under the sun. She picked up a sapphire-colored pendant, holding it up to the sunlight to examine it closely, a uniquely girlish fondness surfacing in her eyes.
"If you like it, try it on." Ryo's voice rang out from behind her.
She turned her head in surprise, discovering that he had unknowingly stepped up behind her, maintaining a perfect distance—neither making her feel oppressed nor failing to guard her safety at a moment's notice.
While she was hesitating over whether to try it on, Ryo naturally took the necklace and helped clasp it behind her neck.
His movements were practiced and gentle. His fingertips occasionally brushed against the back of her neck, bringing about a subtle shiver. Asuka lowered her head, masking her suddenly accelerating heartbeat.
"It suits you well." He observed for a moment, his tone calm as usual, having already pulled out local currency to complete the transaction.
Continuing to thread their way through the market, Ryo occasionally explained the various things they saw: that steam-billowing stall was extracting plant fuel oils using traditional methods; those distant towers flashing signal lights were planetary-class communication relay stations; and even the simple flying toys the roadside children played with utilized rudimentary anti-gravity principles.
In front of a snack stall, he carefully inspected the food's hygiene before allowing her to taste it.
When Asuka stuck out her tongue in distress from the spice, he opportunely handed her a cup of refreshing fruit juice, a nearly imperceptible smile dwelling in his eyes.
At sunset, they set off on their return journey, saturated with the atmosphere of the market.
Asuka cradled several simple souvenirs, including that sapphire necklace.
She occasionally stole glances at Ryo, who was resting with his eyes closed by her side. Looking at his profile rimmed in gold by the setting sun, an unfamiliar sense of tranquility welled up in her heart.
At this moment, she was no longer that pilot who had to remain strong, but merely a meticulously cared-for young girl.
And this complex, inexpressible sentiment—just like the twin moons in the night sky of Corona VII—was clearly leaning into one another, yet constantly maintaining a perfect distance, radiating a gentle light amidst the tranquility.