"If you step aside now, perhaps many things will become much easier."
"I'm sorry, the Astral Express crew has never had a tradition of abandoning companions."
The white-haired woman had a smile on her face, seemingly without any intention of attacking, but Himeko already felt immense pressure.
Twilight's strength was already the strongest among the Express crew, but even she was no match for the person in front of her, let alone herself.
Although it was just a glimpse through remote observation earlier, that scene was enough to make Himeko suspect that even if she immediately summoned the satellite cannon currently orbiting and attacked the woman in front of her, she wouldn't be able to pose a real threat.
But even so, Himeko had no intention of stepping aside. After all, protecting a child was the duty and responsibility of a senior, no matter who the opponent was.
The opponent's power was indeed not to be underestimated, but if she could just manage to stall her temporarily and then contact Welt and the others to rush back…
"Miss Himeko, I hope you believe me, I only have good intentions towards you—"
Bang!
"Stay right there!"
Just as Himeko was frowning and thinking of a solution, the woman in front of her spoke, but her feet moved slightly, approaching her.
This action immediately made Himeko, whose nerves were constantly tense, subconsciously launch an attack aimed at the opponent's vital point!
Although it was a serious attack, Himeko had absolutely no hope, after all, the difference in strength between the two sides was too great, it was impossible to hurt the opponent…?!
After seeing the situation clearly, Himeko's heart sank, realizing that the situation seemed different from what she had imagined—her hasty attack had actually hit the opponent's forehead without any hindrance?!
"...Understood, I won't go over."
The white-haired woman stood there smiling lightly. Although her originally beautiful and seductive face was partially burned, and the remaining parts were being scorched by flames, she seemed to feel nothing, just calmly looking at Himeko.
And for some reason, the opponent's gentle gaze made Himeko feel a certain inexplicable panic.
What is this, psychological warfare using self-inflicted injury?
Himeko tightened her grip on her suitcase, feeling that the woman in front of her had miscalculated—if she really wanted to play pitiful and show goodwill, she should have restrained her terrifying recovery ability, instead of recovering while being burned like this… It only looked painful and terrifying.
This recovery ability… Is it another blessing from the Aeon of Abundance? Although she knew the Plaguelord spread blessings throughout the galaxy, this was granting wishes too readily. What kind of bad things did He get involved in…
"Who are you, and why are you so fixated on Twilight?" Himeko couldn't help but ask.
"Someone once taught me that secrets make a woman more charming—don't you think so?"
The white-haired woman didn't answer, just gave a slight smile. By this time, the terrifying flames on her face had finally extinguished, revealing that somewhat sickly pale face again.
"Since you're unwilling to give her up… Fine, then guard that doll that will eventually bring disaster." Her eyes glanced at the hospital bed behind Himeko, only a thin curtain separating them. "Anyway, her ending is already destined, there's no rush…"
"Continue your journey, Miss Himeko. May your trailblazing journey always be full of surprises and adventures."
Without saying much more, the woman just smiled and turned to leave.
Although she possessed power that Himeko couldn't possibly contend with, her departing figure looked exceptionally fragile, as if it could melt into the daylight outside the door. Himeko watched her about to disappear, her doubts finally becoming irrepressible: "What exactly did you come here to do?"
To kill Twilight? But she didn't make a move. To discuss cooperation with her? It didn't seem like she intended to stay long and persuade her. If there was some conspiracy, Himeko couldn't find any clues…
So what was the purpose of this person suddenly appearing in front of her?
Hearing Himeko's voice, the departing footsteps slowed slightly. She tilted her head slightly, but didn't look back, just said softly.
"…Just wanted to see you again, Himeko."
?
The white-haired woman's figure disappeared, leaving only a confused Himeko standing at the door.
See her again? But… did she know her?
Just as Caelus said, she was indeed an incomprehensible person…
"Himeko…?"
Just as Himeko was pondering, a voice from behind her made her put aside these irrelevant questions and quickly walk to the bedside.
"Are you awake? Little Twilight, how are you feeling now?"
How am I feeling? I feel terrible, okay!
Just now, she was just cooperating with Dan Heng's atmosphere, closed her eyes preparing to pretend to sleep for a while, but the moment her eyelids closed, she actually fell asleep for real!
Twilight admitted she did love sleep a teeny bit, but definitely not to this exaggerated extent! Could Dan Heng have knocked her out… Or was the soporific effect of Belobog's flowers really that good, even she couldn't resist it?
It felt like there was some big conspiracy behind this—Forget it, now isn't the time to think about such trivial matters anyway.
"Mm…" Twilight lowered her head and whimpered twice, not saying anything useful. "Caelus isn't here, everyone isn't here either…"
She fiddled with her fingers, looked around pitifully, and then stared at Himeko with a miserable look: "Dan Heng lied to me too, said he would stay here, but he left too…"
"It's okay, it's okay, they're not here, but Big Sister Himeko is here with little Twilight~" Himeko gently knelt down and stroked Twilight's head. "Dan Heng and little March went to help little Twilight find Caelus. They'll definitely be back together soon."
Hearing this, Twilight's eyes suddenly lit up, clearly regaining her spirits: "Me, me too!"
"Alright, alright, I can take you, but we have to wait for your injuries to heal first—"
Before her words could stop, Himeko felt it—the coldness.
The chill belonging to Jarilo-VI, which had been blocked by some power, rushed back into this space at this moment. But contrasting with this extreme temperature was an undeniable, vigorous life force that suddenly emerged beside her.
Himeko blinked, momentarily speechless as she looked at Twilight. The bandages and plaster cast originally wrapped around her body were torn off by herself in an instant, but on the skin that should have been covered in wounds, there wasn't the slightest trace of the original injuries.
Not only can she tread the Path of Preservation, but she can even transform into the power of Abundance… Herta said Twilight might be a creation of an Aeon, that was indeed no exaggeration.
"I'm okay now, let's go?"
Twilight's eyes were full of excitement, and under the influence of the power, those eyes turned into a tender green like budding sprouts.
Himeko also felt emotional for a moment, unsure whether Twilight should be considered strong or fragile. If strong, she would immediately fall into panic when she couldn't see Caelus; if fragile, she could immediately pull herself together after knowing her companions' whereabouts…
Perhaps, just as Dan Heng speculated, little Twilight still needed to learn to grow up independently.
But did she really need to spend so much time becoming independent?
Sighing inwardly, Himeko felt that perhaps for Twilight, being taken care of all the time wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Okay, then let's go find Caelus and the others together." Himeko gently pinched Twilight's cheek.