WebNovels

Chapter 20 - Ch.20 Familiar Interstellar News

After overcoming numerous challenges, Adrian and Stelle finally secured their room.

It was located in the large storage compartment on the second floor of the [Party Car].

March 7th even brought out a [Soundproof, Light-blocking, Wind-resistant, Tech-enhanced, Fleece-lined, ProMAX Edition Shower Curtain]—purchased at some unknown time from the latest development by the Interastral Peace Corporation—to serve as a divider, splitting the room into separate areas for Adrian and Stelle.

"Ugh, let's just make do for today. Tomorrow, I'll definitely tidy up properly and build myself a cozy bedroom!"

Stelle had no intention of decorating now and ran off to the Observation Car to play games.

After spending an entire night, the storage compartment was finally renovated through the tireless efforts of Adrian and Dan Heng.

Poor March 7th, though—her room's original twenty pillows were now down to twelve.

"I've figured it out. You don't even need to sleep," Dan Heng said, staring at Adrian, reaching a conclusion.

"Don't say that. Whether it's an Aeon or an Emanator, everyone needs proper rest."

After seeing Dan Heng off, Adrian was about to lie down on his bed for a good rest when…

Stelle sneakily pulled back the dividing curtain and pounced onto his freshly made bed, complete with neat bedding and sheets.

"How about an exciting pillow fight? This room's so big, it'd be a waste not to have some fun! We could even play ball in here!" Stelle grinned mischievously.

Looking at the soft bed that had been messed up in mere seconds, Adrian's lips twitched slightly.

Kafka, look at the child you raised.

Oh, right, she's got amnesia.

Forget it. Today, Adrian was going to teach this Stellaron Core how to behave!

"Begging in vain."

After an intense pillow fight…

"Damn it, defeated just like that!" Stelle sprawled on the bed, unwilling to admit defeat.

"Why care about winning or losing? The point of a pillow fight is to relax a body exhausted from the day."

Adrian recalled the past—he and AHA had played pillow fights too.

Though, THEY used planets as pillows. Thankfully, there were no organic lifeforms in that star system.

"Ugh… thinking about how I have to do chores tomorrow for Pom-Pom to earn pocket money… what a miserable worker's life."

Stelle buried her face in a pillow. She didn't want to work!

Pocket money wasn't like the train's funds—those were for room renovations, and now that Dan Heng and Adrian had sorted out the room, what need was there for train funds?

That woman named Kafka didn't even leave her a check before going.

"Easy enough."

Adrian transferred eight billion credits to Stelle. She stared at the amount, checking it over and over in disbelief.

Then, unsure if she even had ancestors, Stelle made a decision that would've betrayed them.

"Righteous Father, accept your child's bow!" She slid to her knees behind Adrian, hugging his leg.

"No need for that." Adrian helped Stelle up. "The Aeon of Eternity treats all who walk the Path of Eternity equally."

"Did you know? As long as you step onto the Path of Eternity, THEY will appear and grant you one wish."

Stelle pondered this, pulling back the curtain to gaze at the vast starry sky. "O Aeon of Eternity, accept your child's—"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Before Stelle could finish, Adrian yanked her up.

"At least bow to the right person…"

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

Adrian nodded slightly, glancing at his bed.

It was covered in scattered feathers. He and Dan Heng had just finished setting it up not long ago.

Adrian and Stelle exchanged a look. Tonight was destined to be sleepless.

Astral Express, Observation Car.

"Didn't expect you to be such an animal lover."

March 7th had woken up extra early today and was now taking photos of Adrian holding Peppy to commemorate the moment, occasionally reaching over to pat Peppy's belly.

Since Asta and Arlan were too busy, Peppy had been stuck in [Auto-Walk] mode at the space station every day.

But with the Astral Express around, Peppy had a place to play, especially with March 7th, who always fed it heaps of dog food.

"It's adorable. Let me take one more of Peppy—Adrian, move aside a bit."

March 7th, now excited, took Peppy from Adrian's arms.

"Woof woof… woof? Woof woof woof!" Peppy wagged its tail, clearly fond of March 7th.

From Peppy's enthusiastically wagging tail, March 7th could feel its affection for her.

"Wow! Can we get one to keep on the Express too?"

"Pom-Pom would get jealous."

"Passenger Adrian, what's that supposed to mean, pom! Are you comparing the Conductor to a pet dog?!"

Pom-Pom pushed a dining cart over, jumping up to swat Adrian after hearing his comment.

"No way, our Conductor is the cutest in the universe!"

"Good morning, Uncle Yang!"

March 7th greeted Welt, who had just finished washing up. Welt approached the radio, ready to listen to today's Interastral Morning News.

["Ladies and gentlemen, whether your world has the concept of day or night, let me first wish you a good morning, noon, and evening! Welcome to the Interastral News, sponsored by the Interastral Peace Corporation. I'm your good friend, Jimmy!"]

["I'm sure you've all heard about the major event that shook the cosmos a few days ago: the Aeon of Destruction, Nanook, got into a fight with a trash can!"]

["The Interastral Peace Corporation investigated, but no traces of a fight were found at the scene. According to reports from related planets, their stellar observatories detected the Aeon of Destruction and the Antimatter Legion for a few seconds before spotting a terrifying, sky-obscuring trash can monster god…"]

["As we all know, the Mask of Fools will stop at nothing for a bit of Elation. An anonymous Fool submitted a post saying they've co-published a stick-figure comic, yet to be released. We hope you'll enjoy it, dear audience."]

["Oh, dear audience, we've just received breaking news! Another Mask of Fools has submitted a claim, saying they're an eyewitness and provided evidence that the muscular trash can was the true form of the Aeon of Eternity! Take a look at this image!"]

A virtual projection appeared on the broadcast device, showing the trash can Adrian had disguised himself as that day.

["Look closely, everyone. There's a huge '∞' symbol in the center of this iron bucket! And its right arm has a bar of soap drawn on it! My goodness, could it be, as that Mask of Fools claimed, that the Aeon of Eternity is a trash…"]

The radio suddenly emitted a sharp screeching noise, and March 7th covered her ears.

"Ouch, is this thing broken?!"

"It shouldn't be. It's brand new."

After a few minutes, the radio returned to normal.

["Ahem… apologies, dear audience, there was a slight mishap. Just now, the current head of the Eternity Church, Blake, suddenly appeared and provided us with solid evidence. The so-called eyewitness Mask of Fools has been apprehended by him. After verification, we discovered they were actually a fictional historian."]

["Is that so? The Aeon of Eternity has a hobby of disguising as a trash can? Alright, alright…"] The radio still carried the sound of Jimmy talking to someone.

["Dear audience, it seems the mystery has been fully resolved. The trash can seen that day was indeed the Aeon of Eternity, but it wasn't THEIR true form. According to Mr. Blake, THEY've recently taken a liking to object cosplay, with trash cans as the top choice."]

["I see. So the rumor falls apart on its own. The trash can isn't a sentient being and doesn't have the potential to ascend to Aeonhood. Please, everyone, consume this gossip rationally—rumors stop with the wise."]

"Ugh, why are fictional historians everywhere?!" March 7th's excitement was instantly doused, having hoped for some juicy news.

"Those guys are as annoying as riddlers."

Adrian crossed his legs, with Peppy back in his arms.

"Head Blake, I know him," Dan Heng's voice came from behind March 7th.

"Whoa! Why'd you just pop up like that?!" March 7th stepped back, clearly startled.

"It was him. That day on the Mourning Actors' ship, he appeared out of nowhere and gave each of us a bar of soap."

"Wow, Teacher Dan Heng, you're still hung up on that soap? Is it really that special?"

"No, March, it's not the soap I'm hung up on—it's his high-speed warp ability and his aura suppression."

"He was on that ship from the start, yet no one noticed him. His strength is unfathomable."

"As the current highest authority in the Eternity Church, isn't it fine for him to be a bit strong?"

["Additionally, Head Blake warmly welcomes everyone to visit the Church's Carwash Star, the hot spring capital countless people yearn for. All guests are welcome, and he guarantees equal treatment for all… except those from the Path of Destruction. Of course, the entry ticket is simply a heart that loves the Aeon of Eternity!"]

["Oh? You're here to find someone? Alright, alright, we'll broadcast it! Here's a missing person notice: If anyone has seen a silver-gray-haired elven girl with emerald-like sparkling eyes, holding a magic staff, please contact the Church immediately."]

["Hmm? Please praise the Aeon of Eternity in her presence and throw in some dramatic flair, or you might get blasted to bits by a single spell… Yikes! That's terrifying! I can't keep reading this!"]

"Is this really the Eternity Church's head?! Blasting someone to bits with a spell isn't that just violent destruction?!" March 7th took on the role of commentator.

["Ah… a few days ago, among the countless Antimatter Legion wreckage in some star system, and the severed arm of the Lord Ravager Phantylia… could it be…"]

["Wait! Head Blake, where are you going? What… going to capture a few more fictional historians to interrogate, to see if they've said anything bad about the Aeon of Eternity, to avenge the historians? No, no, Head Blake, you mustn't…"]

The broadcast cut off abruptly, no sound coming through anymore.

"So, what was the radio talking about at the start?" March 7th, too busy commenting, had completely forgotten the initial content.

"Trash can versus Nanook."

Stelle only remembered that part, having tuned out the rest while gaming.

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