["The coordinates are here. The decision is yours to make. Though our goals differ, the tracks of stars will eventually converge. Farewell."]
[Kafka's projection vanished on the spot. As for the coordinates, Silver Wolf would transmit them later.]
["March, go get Dan Heng," Himeko instructed with a grave expression.]
[Welt frowned beside her. "How could the mighty Xianzhou Alliance be breached by a single Stellaron?"]
["Is the Xianzhou Alliance really that powerful?" Stelle asked curiously.]
["Something's off. The Xianzhou Alliance is one of the few factions that draws power directly from an Aeon. They follow [The Hunt]'s Lan, with the mission to eradicate the Aeon [Abundance]. Their strength far surpasses that of the Astral Express, which was once under the protection of the deceased Akivili," Welt nodded without hesitation.]
["Among the Aeons, Lan isn't particularly powerful. Their Path, The Hunt, is relatively narrow in concept... But unlike most Aeons, Lan pays extraordinary attention to mortals, almost unreservedly bestowing their power upon the Xianzhou Alliance."]
["So, I don't believe a Stellaron would be any trouble in the eyes of an Aeon..." Welt lowered his head in contemplation. "Either the Stellaron Hunters are lying, or... there's a greater threat hidden aboard the Xianzhou Luofu..."]
"To bestow power unreservedly upon mortals... That almost confirms the Xianzhou generals are all Emanators of The Hunt," the Pyro Archon Mavuika speculated.
"But judging from General Jing Yuan's performance, while Emanators are powerful, they aren't invincible—at least when facing his master, Jingliu, she once overpowered him in swordsmanship."
"Indeed, just like the position of Pyro Archon," Mavuika looked at her clenched fist. "As long as you possess sufficient strength, anyone can claim the title of Pyro Archon. Yet even as a god, one remains mortal, unable to escape birth, aging, sickness, and death—just as Jing Yuan ultimately couldn't escape the mara-struck transformation."
Chasca narrowed her eyes, pondering before speaking. "Perhaps there's another possibility—that each general excels in a different field?"
"For example, there are generals skilled in strategy, like Jing Yuan, and others exceptionally adept in combat or possessing unique abilities..."
"That's possible," Mavuika nodded. "But I believe the Aeon's blessing isn't bestowed upon a specific person, but rather the position of 'general'—in other words, as long as you can claim the title of general, you become an Emanator."
[After a while, noticing that March 7th and Dan Heng still hadn't returned, Stelle decided to check the rear carriage.]
[When she arrived, March 7th and Dan Heng were in conversation.]
["Huh? Why are you here too? I already explained everything to Dan Heng. Alright, we're agreed—we'll both vote against later! I refuse to follow that woman's orders!" March 7th huffed as soon as she saw Stelle, making her stance clear in advance.]
[The usually calm Mr. Dan Heng was uncharacteristically hesitant, his eyes tinged with conflict. "I didn't expect something like this to happen so suddenly. If it were any other Xianzhou ship, it'd be fine... but the Luofu... I can't go."]
["I'm forbidden from setting foot on the Luofu... 'Where governance reaches, my steps shall not.'" Speaking of the past, Dan Heng's eyes carried a trace of sorrow.]
"Uh... banned from entry? Seems like Dan Heng's past is quite extraordinary," Najenda remarked with a smile. "He must have done something monumental on the Luofu, right?"
"Huh? Boss, how'd you guess that?" Mine looked up curiously.
"It's simple, Mine. Think about it... Without NIGHT RAID's fake identities, could you freely come and go in the capital?"
"Of course not. We're already wanted criminals."
"Exactly. Because we committed what they see as 'great crimes' in the capital, we're hunted. Similarly, Dan Heng must have committed a major offense on the Luofu, leading to his exile and permanent ban."
Najenda paused before continuing. "And you must have noticed—Dan Heng's spear skills are exceptional, even surpassing Akame's... In combat, he displays experience and maturity far beyond his apparent age. So I suspect he's actually a native of the Luofu, one of the long-life species."
"So Dan Heng only looks like a teenager," Mine scrutinized Dan Heng's face on the screen—handsome, without a trace of age... She swallowed enviously.
"In reality, he could be my great-great-great-great-grandfather's age?"
"Poor choice of words, Mine," Najenda chuckled. "'Mature' would be more appropriate."
[After rallying everyone to vote against, March 7th returned to the main carriage with the others.]
["Are you alright, Dan Heng? Did March explain everything?" Himeko asked with concern.]
["Yes, I'm fine. I understand the situation."]
[Himeko: "Good. Then, regarding this special matter, we'll vote to decide our course of action."]
[The five of them nodded and quickly made their decisions.]
[Dan Heng voted against. Stelle, her mind filled with—Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?—completely forgot to raise her hand, effectively voting against as well.]
[Meanwhile, Himeko, Welt, and March 7th all voted in favor.]
["Three to two. The majority agrees—the Express will set course for the Xianzhou!"]
["I thought you said you'd vote against?" Stelle stared at March 7th in shock.]
["Uh... After calming down, I thought about it—what if that woman wasn't lying? If we don't go, countless innocent people could die..." March 7th laughed awkwardly. "This isn't the time to be stubborn... hehe."]
"Eh—So Dan Heng isn't going to the Xianzhou this time? Then his unresolved issues won't be addressed?" Yumemizuki Mizuki wore a disappointed expression.
"If he's already banned from entering, why force him?" Yae Miko smiled faintly. "Though Dan Heng isn't going this time, Mr. Welt is leading the team. He seems... quite reliable, doesn't he?"
"You're just curious about that black hole-generating weapon of his, aren't you?" Raiden Ei sipped her dango milk expressionlessly, calling her out.
"What about it, Ei? Aren't you curious too?"
The smile on Miko's lips deepened. "From what we've seen, Mr. Welt himself hasn't displayed extraordinary power—his greatest asset appears to be that weapon. The ability to casually create black holes... Even gods might not be capable of that, no?"
Raiden Ei didn't object, merely nodding silently.
"So, I'm quite interested in Mr. Yang's true capabilities. This trip to the Xianzhou is far more perilous than Belobog... It should give us a clearer understanding of him, don't you think?"