"Ugh…"
Just imagining Sparkle using Sampo's face to act cute—
Evan couldn't take it.
This woman was just like Silver Wolf—always borrowing someone else's identity.
Silver Wolf at least had hacking as an excuse.
But Sparkle?
With her illusion techniques—
You genuinely couldn't tell what was real.
[Sampo: …]
[Sparkle: Aww~ no fun, little dark-haired boy~]
At the entrance of the Reverie Hotel in Penacony—
Sparkle stood there, holding a red sakura-shaped button, handing it out to every guest.
[Sparkle: A grand banquet is about to begin here. And look—you've come again.]
[Sparkle: How about we go on a grand and romantic date?]
[Sparkle: I think you'll like it~]
Inside the Astral Express—
Evan glanced at the train as it exited the memoria currents of the Asdana system.
Then he looked at Stelle, still immersed in the dream.
And replied—
[Evan: Sure~ just don't run away when the time comes.]
[Sparkle: Hehe~ Masked Fools of Elation never run~]
[—User ID does not exist—]
"…She ran."
What a joke.
"Never run," she said—
And vanished immediately.
"Hehe~"
A strange giggle echoed faintly.
Evan froze.
"…Did I just hear that?"
But when he turned—
Nothing.
Silence.
Only the vast cosmos outside.
"…No way."
He quickly pulled out a mask from his storage and examined it carefully.
"…Don't tell me…"
"Teasing her followers got His attention too?"
"Seriously?"
If that was the case—
Then he might've been noticed by Aha.
And if that happened—
Things were going to get… very "fun."
Meanwhile — Deep Space
A massive IPC warship cut across the stars.
Standing at its helm—
Was one of the Stonehearts.
Aventurine.
He tossed a Cornerstone in his hand, smiling faintly.
"Penacony… the Planet of Festivities…"
"I've already loaded my life into the chamber."
"Let's see what kind of surprises you can give me."
This mission—
Wasn't just about attending a festival.
The Interastral Peace Corporation wanted something very clear:
Reclaim everything that belonged to them.
Aventurine was just the advance unit.
The real negotiator—
Was Jade.
[Beep]
A message popped up.
Topaz:
"This Jarilo-VI planet is freezing… Are there even people here?"
Aventurine smirked.
[Aventurine: Told you not to go.]
[Aventurine: Mess this up and you might get demoted.]
[Aventurine: If it were easy, Opal would've taken it himself.]
[Topaz: Don't act like you're any better.]
[Topaz: Penacony's debts are way worse than Jarilo-VI.]
[Topaz: I'm giving you the opportunity, you know.]
Jarilo-VI — Belobog
Topaz stood in the snow, looking at the frozen city.
"…Cold."
But—
That city still stood.
Seven hundred years.
Against the Stellaron.
Against the Antimatter Legion.
"…Impressive."
Belobog wasn't just a nation anymore.
It was the last surviving fragment of an entire world.
A miracle.
But—
The IPC didn't care about miracles.
Only profit.
"Director Topaz, everything is ready."
"So fast?"
"…You didn't start any conflicts, right?"
She narrowed her eyes.
Her subordinates quickly replied:
"Don't worry. We followed your instructions."
"…Good."
She exhaled.
Then—
Suddenly.
A flash of intense energy lit up the distance.
"…Wait."
"What's that?"
Her expression sharpened.
"That direction… near the snowfields?"
"Did something happen?"
Meanwhile — Outside Belobog
"WOOHOO!! It's igniting! It's igniting!!"
A group of researchers surrounded a small prototype device.
Adjusting.
Calculating.
Finalizing data.
Behind them—
A little girl cheered excitedly.
"Clara! Clara!"
"Brother Evan's big machine is working!"
Clara nodded happily.
"We did it… we really did it!"
Beside her—
Svarog recorded everything with his glowing red sensors.
Not far away—
Bronya watched with excitement.
"Professor, is it starting?"
In front of her—
Stood Herta.
"Hm? Doubting me, little Guardian?"
Bronya immediately shook her head.
"No, of course not!"
This—
Was the Plasma Spark Device.
The core of the Plasma Spark Tower.
A system designed to absorb surrounding energy—
And stabilize Belobog's future.
"By the way," Herta said casually,
"Has Evan contacted you?"
"I heard he caused quite a stir on the Xianzhou."
"Even the Masked Fools are broadcasting his name across the universe."
"He'll attract attention soon."
"Hmph."
Seele crossed her arms.
"That guy? He won't contact us."
"…Huh?"
Seele suddenly narrowed her eyes.
"What's that?"
In the distance—
A group of armed personnel appeared.
Surrounding the area.
Bronya frowned.
"That's not Silvermane Guards. I didn't deploy anyone."
Herta stepped forward, expression calm.
"No need to guess."
"IPC dogs."
"I told you already."
"This is Evan's doing."
"That Plasma Spark system?"
"They'll definitely want it."
"Black uniforms…"
"IPC?"
Seele stepped forward cautiously.
"What are they doing here?"
"Dunno… but they don't look friendly."
At that moment—
Topaz arrived with her team.
The first ignition test—
Originally planned for the Everwinter Hill—
Had been moved here for safety.
And now—
The two sides were about to meet.
Note: Sorry for being inconsistent recently. I was going through few things...exams, projects, job and not to mention my heartbreak(Rejection) in middle of these🤧. From now I'll try be consistent, I think I'm fine now. Thanks for support...take care of your health. Happy reading everyone☺️.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito