"After that, Jarilo-VI was finally freed from the Stellaron's seven-century-long grip and reconnected with the universe," Cocolia summarized, gesturing toward the half-finished statue. "The biggest contributor was that Trailblazer—the swordsman you mentioned. Anming."
Robin removed her sunglasses, revealing eyes like a stormy sky—beautiful, yet heavy with unspoken emotions.
"Thank you," she murmured.
Serval clutched Cocolia's arm, still starstruck. Robin. The Robin. Right here.
But the idol's gaze was distant.
"Who stands by your side now?"
Those legendary eyes, the subject of countless fan dreams, now shimmered with sorrow.
There was no room left for her in his life.
"Robin."
"If we could turn back time, would things be different?"
"You were meant to soar. Forget me."
"I just wanted you to be happy... I'm sorry."
Raindrops traced her cheeks as memories played behind her eyelids.
How could she ever forget?
She'd woven every moment with him into her songs. Each performance, she'd scan the crowd, half-expecting to see him in the back—her first and most devoted listener.
"Leave her be," Cocolia whispered, stopping Serval from offering a tissue. "Silence is what she needs now."
Serval nodded. Who could hurt someone like her?
Robin stood motionless until the drizzle became rain, her hood shielding her from the sky she once sang about.
Was this freedom? Or just another cage?
The boy she knew couldn't wield a sword. Wasn't a Trailblazer.
Is he still my Anming?
Only one thing was certain—she had to see him again.
Aboard the Astral Express
"—And so, the mighty HuoHuo the Thunder Emperor piloted her Tail-Swinging Divine Mech, shouting: 'Once a Abundance spawn, always a Abundance spawn!' before yeeting the Emanator of Destruction into the Jade Gate!" Anming concluded his tall tale with a flourish.
Stelle wiped away a tear. "A true hero... though still below my level." (*Note to self: Get a mech. Shout *"Aeon Mode!"**.)
March squinted. "This feels like bullshit."
Qingque, as the sole Luofu native present, contemplated jumping out the airlock.
"All passengers, prepare for warp!" Pom-Pom announced. "Destination: The Xianzhou Luofu!"
As the stars blurred outside, Dan Heng's grip tightened on the window ledge. Please don't let him be there...
Meanwhile, Anming sipped his perfected sweet tea, mentally rehearsing Fu Xuan's tearful reunion under the peach blossoms.
Flawless plan. Easy win.
The warp ended abruptly. Before them loomed the Jade Gate—a colossal azure portal radiating otherworldly light.
"Whoa," March gasped. "This makes Jarilo look like a backwater planet."
Stelle eyed Anming. "Got any secret entrances?"
"I could just summon SAM and fly in," he bragged. "Or belly-flop from orbit. I'm basically unkillable now."
Qingque shoved past him, brandishing a jade token. With a flash, the gates groaned open.
Welcome to the Luofu.