Chapter 256

【The ten have their own paths, and their own destinations.】

【And along one segment of this road, we received an invitation from Diamond to travel with him.】

【This segment can be very short, or very long.】

【Because each of us has a void in our hearts, only ever relying on external things to fill it.】

【And Diamond, he gave a promise—to divide the great power of the Preservation Emanator into ten, adding a cornerstone to that void.】

【Flesh and blood are frail, but my heart is as firm as glowing stone.】

【If not for this, the Path of Preservation could not stand.】

【So, do you understand?】

【This is more than just an oath; it is the collateral we ten have surrendered, in exchange for opportunity, wealth, survival, tomorrow...】

【And everything these exchange for will only make the Heart of Stone more indestructible, realizing the great cause of Preservation in the coming War of Aeons.】

Miss Qingque: "Got it, got it!"

Miss Qingque: "So the Stellaron Hunters and the IPC's Stonehearts are just alternative versions of the Astral Express!"

Miss Qingque: "They are all using their own schemes to make the future of this universe a better place!"

March 7th: "Wait... the coming War of Aeons???"

March 7th: "Oh my god, is a War of Aeons definitely going to happen in the future?"

March 7th: "Wouldn't that be the end of everything?"

Furina: "The meaning of War of Aeons... is a great war between Aeons, right?"

Hu Tao: "As the saying goes, when gods fight, mortals suffer!"

Hu Tao: "If this War of Aeons really happens, wouldn't the universe be left in total ruin?"

Paimon: "So... is everything the Stellaron Hunters and the Stonehearts are doing in preparation to stop the War of Aeons?"

Paimon: "Then what role are the people of the Astral Express playing in all this?"

Stelle: "We on the Express don't really know much about any 'War of Aeons'."

Stelle: "But if nothing goes wrong, perhaps our final journey of Trailblazing will inevitably collide with this so-called War of Aeons."

Stelle: "To use the language of Luofu Xianzhou novels... maybe we on the Astral Express are the ones destined to face the calamity?"

Silver Wolf: "Destined to face the calamity?"

Silver Wolf: "Hmm, that term is indeed quite fitting."

Silver Wolf: "In any case, the future points toward darkness."

Silver Wolf: "But whether this darkness can be broken, honestly, no one knows."

Acheron: "But you have always been trying, haven't you?"

Acheron: "Even if there is only a glimmer of hope, or no hope at all, there are still some things that must be done."

Stelle: "Tsk tsk, interesting. I didn't expect such a great calamity to occur in the future universe."

Stelle: "Suddenly, I feel like in the not-too-distant future, our whole Express crew might be wrapping up their final act!"

March 7th: "???"

March 7th: "Stelle, can you say something auspicious for once?"

March 7th: "Listen to what you just said—is that lucky?"

Lumine: "Everyone, don't worry. The Express crew has so many like-minded friends helping them in silence."

Lumine: "No matter what difficulties or obstacles they encounter, they will surely be able to overcome them!"

Paimon: "Yeah, yeah, Lumine is right!"

Stelle: "Haha, good!"

Stelle: "Whatever War of Aeons or whatever—if they push me too far, I'll just blow up an Aeon!"

Dr. Ratio: "Courage is commendable, but the method is foolish."

Dr. Ratio: "I suggest you use your brain properly."

The video continues.

【...】

【... understand.】

Firefly nods after a moment of silence,

understanding Jade's meaning.

【Go, child, you don't need to give an answer immediately.】

【As I said, the thing I am best at is waiting.】

Jade smiles,

her tone light and gentle.

【If fate truly turns that page, we will naturally meet again.】

【But I regret that this pawnshop cannot give me what I want.】

【My final attempt in Penacony... can only end in hope.】

Firefly sighs softly,

then turns and leaves.

And as she walks out,

she happens to see a mechanical lifeform walking into the room.

Firefly recognizes this mechanical lifeform at a glance;

it is Detective Walker.

【Ms. Jade, I have come to deliver the collateral as promised.】

Detective Walker hands the item to Jade,

and after Firefly glances at it briefly,

she continues on her way.

Stelle: "What a pity... Firefly didn't find a way to cure her illness in the end."

Firefly: "It's okay, I had already anticipated it."

Firefly: "Although I didn't find a cure, I can count it as having gained some hope."

Silver Wolf: "Does the IPC really have the ability to cure Entropy Loss Syndrome?"

Jade: "Hehe, that is, after all, the private technology of the Glamoth Republic."

Jade: "Now that the Glamoth Republic has fallen, the IPC can only say that it is potentially possible."

Herta: "The IPC might not be able to do it, but I think there is one person who might be able to."

Ruan Mei: "I guess... you are talking about me?"

Herta: "Of course."

Herta: "You are the life science expert of the Genius Society."

Herta: "Curing a tiny genetic defect—isn't that simple, something you could do with your eyes closed?"

Furina: "Really?"

Furina: "Ms. Ruan Mei is that amazing?"

Stelle: "Ms. Ruan Mei is indeed amazing, but the things she tinkers with are all weird."

Stelle: "I don't doubt she can cure Firefly, but I'm afraid she'll turn Firefly into a bug or a pastry."

Stelle: "That would be way too terrifying!! (scared. pg)"

Hu Tao: "Eh?!"

Hu Tao: "A bug... a pastry?"

Hu Tao: "What kind of strange things are these?"

Ruan Mei: "Hehe, it seems I have left some fixed impressions in your mind."

Ruan Mei: "Although... your impression isn't entirely wrong."

Ruan Mei: "Repairing Ms. Firefly's genetic defect is indeed not difficult for me."

Ruan Mei: "But I think, perhaps she doesn't necessarily need my help."

Stelle: "Hmm, acting with caution, I think we should wait until Firefly really can't find a cure before asking Ms. Ruan Mei to step in!"

Stelle: "Otherwise, I'm really afraid Firefly will be turned into a bug."

Silver Wolf: "Turned into what kind of bug? A firefly?"