After Boothill accepted Tierenan's relic, he stopped dwelling on what happened earlier.
After all, you don't get acquainted without trading blows. There was no need to keep being stubborn and unreasonable, insisting on butting heads with an Emanator of Nihility and looking for trouble.
"Boothill, weren't you pretty tough earlier?" Koji teased.
Knowing when to yield makes a true hero—fits anyone, really.
"Ahem. Since it was a misunderstanding, let's put it behind us."
Boothill cleared his throat. It wasn't that he was scared—there was just no point. If Acheron truly were an enemy, he would charge in even if it cost him his life. That was the spirit of a Galaxy Ranger.
Acheron handing him a senior's relic made her a friend, and Galaxy Rangers don't raise a hand against friends.
…
Koji and the others had only been witnesses, and even though the Dream of Taiyi hadn't been affected, Sunday still ended up defeated.
Sunday: "I don't understand. They were yelling about 'bonds' and just charged straight in—my own little sister even stood on the opposite side. And who knew the Astral Express could be used as a weapon? I got rammed once and my eyes went crystal-clear."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Seven-Days-Off… If I were a 9-to-9, year-round, no-days-off wage slave, I might've actually stood firmly on Brother Seven-Off's side," Lumine couldn't help sighing.
So… is Sunday a villain?
Not really. It's just a matter of stance. He's not some big bad, and there's no need to "redeem" him.
"Sunday's Seven-Days-Off thing has zero appeal to Mondstadt people," Eula said with a smile and shook her head.
With that many overgrown babies living sweet, comfortable lives, who needs "seven days off" as a paradise?
"These Trailblazers feel a lot like you, Traveler," Yae Miko said.
From what she'd observed over this period, "Trailblazing" could be explained another way: traveling. Not exactly the same, but close.
"Yeah. I really click with Stelle, too—like we've been friends for ages," Lumine nodded.
"Brother Sunday picked the wrong opponents. If it had been the company's wage slaves, he might've actually shaken them," Koji said, pointing out one of the reasons Sunday lost.
Besides, even "Order Taiyi" had already been swallowed by Harmony. The remnants of Order lurking on Harmony's turf—how could they not get noticed? Did they really think it was "just coincidence" that Stelle was glanced at by Harmony? Xipe, as an Aeon, simply couldn't be bothered to personally strike down mortals.
Aeons were the peak existences of the Star Rail universe. They generally didn't personally act against those beneath Aeons—at most, they'd influence things. You never heard news like "which Aeon slapped so-and-so to death."
If an Aeon truly acted directly, it was usually an Aeon clashing with another Aeon. Like how Tayzzyronth got smashed into fragments by Qlipoth with three hammer blows.
With the battle over, they walked up onto the stage.
"Robin, I'll give you a suggestion. Your brother will definitely be detained by the Family's other branches. Right now, he can only leave Penacony," Koji said.
Sorry, Jade—I stole your job.
"I know. Brother, leave," Robin nodded. She knew perfectly well the other branch heads wouldn't let this opportunity slip.
"Robin… if I leave, you…" Sunday's aura was still weak. He looked at Robin, worried. As his sister, she was bound to be implicated and questioned.
"Mr. Sunday, don't worry about Robin. We'll vouch for her," Himeko said.
Robin had helped them. The Nameless wouldn't abandon an ally.
"Brother Sunday, I recommend you join the Astral Express—or the Stellaron Hunters. Those two are your best options," Koji said meaningfully.
The Family was obviously out. He'd already clashed with the Interastral Peace Corporation, so joining the company wasn't a good choice either. Other factions weren't exactly easy to enter.
The Stellaron Hunters and the Astral Express were both much better fits for Sunday.
Himeko and the others froze for a beat—this involved them too?
Sunday wasn't some great calamity. Different stance, a bit too obsessive—that was all. And the Dream of Taiyi hadn't caused anything irreversible.
If they agreed, letting Sunday board wouldn't be a problem. As for whether the Family would cause trouble, they didn't care. Even with the Aeon of Trailblaze gone, the Nameless weren't something you could just push around.
"Is it possible?" Robin looked at Himeko and the others with hopeful eyes.
If her brother boarded the Express, it really would be a good path.
Better than being imprisoned forever. Even if they couldn't see each other often in the future, Robin would feel at ease.
"We need to discuss it," Himeko said, not making a decision on the spot. A new passenger boarding was something they needed to talk over with Pom-Pom.
"But Mr. Sunday can stay with us for now."
Defeated, Sunday wasn't nearly as stubborn as before. Even if he wanted to rise again, it wouldn't be easy.
"Thank you," Robin said sincerely.
"Brother, the dream's over. We all have to face reality. If you want to build a paradise, you should go see the world—broaden your horizons," Robin said.
This was her sisterly advice. She hoped her brother could walk toward a better future.
"…I understand, Robin."
Sunday smiled gently. Yes—he should go. He really did need to take a good look at the many different worlds.
"Mr. Sunday's will is admirable. You can go farther. Perhaps one day, in the cosmos, we'll see that paradise you envision," Welt said with emotion.
If Sunday simply collapsed and never got back up, that would be the common outcome. Starting over after your ideals shatter—that was what made it rare.
"There's no issue with Mr. Sunday joining the Express. Plenty of people ride along, each with different goals. I hope you reach the destination you seek," Himeko added.
As long as Pom-Pom agreed, Sunday could choose to board. As for when he'd get off—that would be Sunday's own decision.
With Robin supporting him, Sunday slowly stood up. He'd gained a new understanding of the Nameless—people impossible to read, willing to let even a former opponent board the train.
"Penacony is finally done. March, your 'prophecies' are seriously accurate—calling Elio 'Little March 7th' really wasn't wrong," Stelle said with a grin.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" March 7th looked confused. Elio being called "Little March 7th" sounded weird no matter how she heard it.
Himeko and the others thought for a moment, then smiled in a way that said everything. It checked out.
March 7th's "prophecies" were often accurate to an absurd degree—like she already knew things in advance.
They had investigated March 7th's past identity and her lost memories, but without exception, they'd found nothing at all.
(End of Chapter)
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