["I got it! It's an invisible person!" Stelle had a sudden inspiration.]
["..." Dan Heng sighed and shook his head. "It's also possible that I'm being too sensitive. In any case, let's rest early to conserve energy for tomorrow's negotiations."]
[Everyone returned to their respective rooms to rest. After a day of exhausting work, they were all thoroughly worn out. Lying on their soft beds, they each drifted contentedly into slumber.]
[In their dreams, a faint, murmuring female voice could be heard. It was as if the voice had traversed endless time and vast distances, gently echoing through this silent and mysterious realm.]
["Cocolia... Cocolia..."]
["Who... are you? No, what are you?"]
[The sudden emergence of the girl's voice was filled with terror. Even in the pitch-black void, one could imagine the helpless, frightened expression on her face.]
["We are your allies... allies who have accompanied and protected the Guardians for generations."]
["What... do you want?"]
["To remake... this dying world." The ethereal voice gradually grew clearer, each word carrying an ironclad weight. "To help you... fulfill your [wish]."]
"To think it can grant wishes... This Stellaron isn't half bad." Saitama picked up a steaming beef ball with his chopsticks and took a satisfied bite.
"Genos, if the Stellaron could grant you a wish, what would you wish for?"
"Me?"
Genos, who was busy with household chores in the kitchen, deftly sliced a beef tendon sausage into small pieces and meticulously arranged them on a plate. Upon hearing his teacher's question, he pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "I would refuse outright, Saitama-sensei. Accepting unexplained favors like this often leads to troublesome outcomes."
Genos recalled the Monster Cells that appeared during the recent Dragon-level monster incident, rumored to drastically enhance one's combat power if consumed. Even members of the Sword Master Association couldn't resist the temptation and, after consuming them, fully transformed into monsters.
This Stellaron, which was tempting Cocolia, seemed to be the same kind of thing.
"I don't believe there's such a thing as a free gift in this world. As for wishes..." Genos looked up at Saitama, who was devouring the hotpot with gusto, his eyes filled with admiration. "I hope that one day, I can become as strong as you, Sensei. Other than that, I have no other wishes."
"...Besides, when it comes to getting stronger, I don't want to rely too much on others."
"Speaking of which, if the Stellaron appeared on Earth, would you accept its help, Sensei?" Genos asked curiously.
"Hmm... probably."
Saitama blew on the steaming beef tendon sausage and thought seriously. "Beef prices at the supermarket have gone up a lot lately. If I don't buy it during Saturday discounts, it'll be pretty expensive. If the Stellaron could really help me... I'd probably wish for supermarket discounts every day of the week. That way, I could eat beef hotpot every day."
"By the way, Genos... when is Dr. Kuseno visiting again?"
Picking up the last slice of fatty beef from the plate, Saitama began to miss the Wagyu beef Dr. Kuseno had brought during his last visit—the marbling was exquisite, and the rich, buttery flavor was something you couldn't easily find at a regular supermarket.
"Huh? Sensei, you're looking for Dr. Kuseno...?"
As if struck by inspiration, Genos choked back the rest of his words, leaving them unspoken.
He stared at the empty plates on the table, sinking into deep thought.
... Saitama-sensei actually wants to see Dr. Kuseno?
C-Could it be...!? Has the teacher noticed the flaws in his current mechanical body and wants to invite Dr. Kuseno to propose targeted modifications to make him even stronger?
No wonder the teacher hadn't given him any feedback during recent hero activities, he must have been quietly gathering observations to summarize for the doctor!
Genos suddenly had an epiphany.
Not only did his gaze toward Saitama grow even more reverent and admiring, but even his hands, which were wiping the plates, became more efficient.
As expected! Training under Saitama-sensei was the wisest decision!
"Don't worry, Sensei! I'll contact Dr. Kuseno right away and have him visit you tomorrow!"
[Early in the morning, Stelle was awakened by March 7th's knocking. Rubbing her eyes as she stepped out of her room, she noticed that both of them looked grim.]
["A group of Silvermane Guards showed up at the hotel entrance, and they don't seem friendly."]
[March 7th wore a worried expression, her voice tinged with unease. "If they're here to welcome us, the atmosphere is way too tense."]
[Dan Heng's gaze fell on the rows of silver-armored guards downstairs. He sighed. "In any case, let's go meet them. Speculating here won't do any good."]
[Downstairs, the Silvermane Guards had been waiting for some time. As soon as the trio from the Express appeared, they pointed their weapons menacingly. "You! Acting Commander Bronya is waiting for you downstairs. Go see her now, and don't try anything funny!"]
["Are we... in some kind of serious trouble?" March 7th's bad premonition grew stronger.]
[At the foot of the stairs stood the gray-haired girl they had met the day before at Qlipoth Fort—Bronya. Now, however, she held a spear in her hand, her expression stern, a far cry from the person they had met yesterday.]
["I am Bronya Rand, Acting Commander of the Silvermane Guards. In the name of the exalted Amber Lord, by order of the Supreme Guardian Cocolia Rand, I am here to apprehend infiltrators suspected of attempting to incite rebellion."]
[Bronya declared solemnly, "Please surrender without resistance and come with me."]
["W-Wait a minute! This isn't what we agreed on! She clearly said she wanted to discuss important matters with us..." March 7th protested vehemently.]
[Dan Heng, however, wore an unsurprised expression and said calmly, "...This is a premeditated betrayal. No doubt about it."]
——
During dinner, Denji pushed the vegetables Power didn't want onto his own plate while staring at the screen, chewing on the greens.
This betrayal drama... really goes well with food.
"This Dan Heng guy is so emotionally stable. Does he get betrayed often?"
"How would I know? I haven't seen the earlier episodes!" Power retorted irritably. "But if I were there, I'd probably just kill them all. I hate betrayal the most."
"Denji, what would you do in their place?" Power poked Denji's cheeks, which were bulging with food. "Just so you know, if you ever betray the Express crew, I'll kill you first!"
"Hmm..."
Denji stared blankly at Bronya's perfectly proportioned chest, swallowing the greens in his mouth with a gulp. His expression turned deadly serious.
"If she lets me touch them... betrayal might not be so bad."