The stage lights came back on, dispelling the long night.
Sunday sat slumped in the center of the stage, calmly accepting his impending fate.
He glanced at Robin, who was nestled against his shoulder, his gaze finally turning to Phainon.
"Lord Phainon, I know my sins are grave, but I have an impertinent request."
Phainon looked at him, having already seen through everything, "Don't worry, with me here, Robin will not be implicated."
—
The battle was over.
It ended ridiculously fast.
Welt Yang pushed up his glasses, trying to block out the unreality before him.
He looked at the figures behind Phainon, lost in thought.
Sunday, a creation that integrated the Stellaron's power and the Family's will, already possessed Aetherium-level combat strength.
Yet, under their combined efforts, he was so easily defeated!
Welt Yang could even feel that none of them had used their full strength.
The composition of this team had completely overturned his understanding of the existing forces in the universe.
He looked at the white-haired figure standing at the very front, and the words, long sealed in the ruins of a previous civilization, roared in his heart once more—
"Humanity... will eventually triumph..."
No.
That's not right.
Welt Yang's gaze, seen through his lenses, became softer than ever before.
He was no longer alone.
He had a group of powerful companions.
Phainon's obsession with salvation might have never changed.
But this time, at the end of the road, there were no lonely ashes of a melted world, but the waiting figures of his companions amidst the flickering lights... On the other side.
The Stelle tiptoed, slowly, step by step, inching closer to Phainon.
But her gaze had already precisely bypassed him, fixed tightly on Hysilens's smooth, flat stomach.
An unceasing tide rippled fantastically with Hysilens's breathing.
Several crystal-clear bubbles floated up, then popped with a "boop" as they shattered in the water.
The Stelle's throat involuntarily bobbed.
She stopped in front of Phainon, looked up, her eyes sincere.
The yearning from the depths of her soul had, after all, broken through the dam of reason.
She carefully asked,
"Um... can I poke it? Just once... Ow ow ow—!"
Before she could finish, a hand had already accurately grabbed her ear.
"This girl will give you two solid punches, get back here!"
March 7th, dragging the reluctant Stelle, was about to rejoin the team when her gaze was instantly drawn to three little ones on the other side of the stage.
Tribbie, Trianne, Trinnon.
Three adorable, identical, delicate little figures, cute enough to break through any sturdy defense in the universe!
"Wow!!!"
Sparks almost flew from March 7th's eyes!
"Ah—! You're so cute!"
She darted in front of the three little ones, pulled out her camera, and was already posed for a selfie.
"Can we take lots and lots of photos together? Oh, and!"
March 7th enthusiastically grabbed Tribbie's hand,
"You absolutely must come see the Astral Express! I'll take you to meet Pom-Pom! It's super, super cute too!"
Tribbie blinked her innocent big eyes and softly responded, "Okay..."
Meanwhile.
Anaxa proactively walked up to Dan Heng.
The "rational" demigod carried a unique rigor and scrutiny about him.
"You're Dan Heng, right?"
"Allow me to introduce myself, Anaxagoras."
Anaxa's gaze held a pure hint of approval.
"I have read the knowledge base you compiled; the records and classification logic of the universe's stars are clear and can be considered complete. Excellent work."
Faced with this sudden acknowledgment, Dan Heng merely nodded slightly, as concise as ever.
"Thank you."
In the corner of the stage, the Stelle, like a phantom, silently appeared beside Hysilens once again.
This time, she was smarter; she lowered her voice and asked in a rigorous tone,
"So... is the tide in your abdomen an external organ? Or a materialized manifestation of some kind of energy? I believe an in-depth academic study is very necessary."
Hearing this, Hysilens slowly turned around, revealing a slight smile.
In her eyes, the Stelle's face, full of "thirst for knowledge," was reflected.
She extended a slender index finger, almost touching the Stelle's lips, "Little gray fish, do you really want to know?"
Her voice was ethereal and alluring, like a siren's song from the deep sea.
Seeing this scene.
Phainon and Himeko simultaneously reached up and massaged their foreheads.
It seemed the team was a bit difficult to manage!
The next moment, Himeko lowered her hand, turned her head to look at Phainon, and a gentle smile appeared on her elegant face.
"Don't you suddenly feel that, even though it's chaotic, it's actually quite nice?"
Phainon paused.
He looked at the lively and noisy scene before him, then nodded, not denying it.
Yes, it was chaotic.
But this chaotic, vibrant atmosphere was the warmth he had never felt in thirty million cycles since becoming a Trailblazer.
Himeko gazed at him, her eyes full of relief and blessings.
"Phainon, this is what it means to be a Trailblazer; you never know who will board at the next stop, nor when someone will choose to disembark."
"Amphoreus is your next stop, and I will not hinder you."
Her voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable strength.
"Just, please don't forget what you've gained along this journey."
"And, the Astral Express..."
Himeko paused, then spoke each word clearly.
"Always welcomes you home!"
"Mmm..."
Phainon softly responded.
Himeko glanced at the Chrysos Heirss behind him, each with their own unique style, and asked with a smile.
"By the way, will these companions of yours, who suddenly appeared, board the train?"
"They will." Phainon nodded, "However, they will probably only disembark at Amphoreus."
"I understand."
Himeko said no more; she knew Phainon had his own path to walk.
She clapped her hands, attracting everyone's attention.
"Alright, everyone."
"Before we complete the final story of Penacony."
"Take this opportunity to enjoy yourselves on the Planet of Festivities!"
She waved her hand with a flourish, a hint of generosity in her tone,
"The bill's on me!"