Two unfamiliar presences materialized silently behind Topaz. In that instant, the leisure in her eyes shattered into icy terror, her pupils reflecting utter disbelief.
Almost instinctively, she whirled around—but all hesitation had already crystallized into cold reality.
"Hello."
A blond man in Church robes stood quietly before Topaz, his impeccably combed golden hair framing a sharply contoured face.
Most striking were those clear, luminous emerald eyes, now gazing at her mildly, even his brows tinged with genuine amusement.
He nodded slightly, his smile perfectly measured. The tailored black-and-white Church attire accentuated his upright figure, blending solemnity with approachability.
This face Topaz knew all too well—the Eternity Church's top figure: Pontiff Blake.
"Greetings, Miss Topaz of the [Strategic Investment Division]. This should be our first formal meeting. I've had the pleasure of hearing about you on a recent Interastral Peace Broadcast."
Classic opener, his tone carrying no malice.
"No need to tense up—we're not enemies... At least not yet." Blake's voice stayed mild. "Perhaps you could cut off that comm to your Corporation leadership."
"If we can't muster basic trust between people, what's the point of me showing up here?"
Boredly, Blake produced a bar of soap. Topaz involuntarily stepped back—who knew if it was a star-shattering weapon or just bath suds.
"The [Corporation] harbors no malice..."
"Mm~ Good, none. Then let's speak plainly, Miss Topaz—as one of the [Ten Stonehearts], you should know."
"To hold [equal dialogue] with me, at minimum, have [Diamond] show up in person."
Blake held his smile, the once-friendly curve warping in Topaz's eyes. Invisible pressure seeped like frost into her marrow, seizing her pounding heart.
A burst of dread nearly exploded in her chest—this was Topaz facing an [Eternity] Emanator up close for the first time.
"Ah~ Sorry, perhaps I was too forward." Blake pocketed the soap, apologizing:
"As I said earlier, the Corporation... No, the [Strategic Investment Division] and the [Eternity Church] aren't foes."
"If it were some [Market Development Division] scum before me, that'd be another story... Oh right, nearly forgot—their head's half-paralyzed now."
"Besides, Jarilo-VI's worth isn't enough to draw three [Emanators] together, is it?"
Topaz's eased guard spiked again. This Church Pontiff was dropping hints... And experts?
...
Boulder Town, with Stelle and March 7th joining, handling the Corporation employees was a breeze.
Before proper entry into the Big Mine, Stelle clocked an issue: "March—when'd you change?"
"Just now, after the museum chat with Topaz? You only just noticed... Pay more mind to your crewmates!"
"Knock out the Corporation mess quicker, and we can dive into festival vibes sooner!"
Seele hefted her scythe. "Time to boot these [Corporation] creeps from the Lower District!"
After Adrian deployed the [Gate of Many Paths], Seele charged in first.
"The miners are huddled over there... Why's this screaming déjà vu?"
"Eh, your first visit wasn't much different. Just swap street thugs and rickety bots for tougher nuts this time."
"True—Seele probably never imagined they'd keep dimensional piggy banks as pets."
Sure enough, as Stelle finished, Seele shot a baffled look. Her world's too small, huh.
"Hah? That thing... Isn't it from the Rift? And it's a pet?!"
"Corporation folks—black tech galore. Keeping a saver as a pet's no shocker. You might even spot someone releasing milk tea, heh~"
Stelle recalled her [Releasers Inc.] undercover stint. Wonder how Screwlloyd was faring.
"No clue—offworlders play so loose."
...
Deep in the mine, spotting a heavyweight Corporation employee—built like an Automaton Guard·Bear—guarding below, Seele gripped her weapon tight.
"That big lug—bet he's the boss?"
"Heavy mechs like that usually play [squad lead]. If memory serves, the Church has 'em too.
"Thanks to Deacon Screwlloyd, the Church's got spare hidden power sources. Mechanical stuff? HE cranks 'em out nonstop."
"Hmph! Let's see who's bossing who today... Onward!"
With that, Seele vaulted down right before Adrian and the others—zero precautions.
"Entry like that?!"
March 7th and Stelle followed suit; Adrian hung back to spectate.
"Hey, you big oaf down there! You the head honcho?"
"...Locals? The Corporation is conducting asset assessment here. Please follow the evacuation staff to a safe rest area."
"What kinda [evacuation]'s this? You're the ones squatting the mine—booting miners from their homes!"
Seele's stance stayed aggressive, her edge sharp: "I warn you—clear out now, and don't let me spot those outfits again... Or this scythe won't have eyes!"
Her rant left the squad lead dumbfounded. Where'd this confidence hail from?
"Uh... Who're you, talking so bold? Haven't tasted [Corporation] firepower yet?"
"Topaz greenlights this chaos?"
"You know Director Topaz? Must be somebody..."
"Wait—no! Don't care who you are. [Strategic Investment Division] staff ain't obligated to explain project deets to randos."
He got it—these folks were pissed at the Corporation's moves, here to stir.
"Debtor misses deadline? Corporation skips talks and seizes assets. All by the book—what's your beef?"
"Sounds legit on paper, but those rules are all your inventions? This world's barely revived—can't take your meddling!"
"Uh, that's... Brass's call! We're just enforcers—yapping at us does squat." The squad lead backpedaled.
"Whatever, March—logic's wasted here! Never figured it'd end peaceful anyway."
Seele's battle lust ignited: "You brag that junk [Corporation] gear's advanced? Perfect—show me the goods... Let's dance!"
"Tch... Didn't think it'd go tits-up. Shoulda filed for OT..."