No one doubted the number of Credits inside the card Aerin gave to Topaz.
But—
No one expected him to repay the debt using an entire planet.
And not just any planet—
A planet made entirely of gold.
As for its value…
It was something that couldn't even be measured in Credits.
Chat Group
Bronya: "Using a golden planet to repay Belobog's debt… that far exceeds what we owe."
Xianyun: "Mere worldly possessions. To an adeptus, they hold little meaning."
Paimon: "Probably not even as valuable as a good meal."
Robin: "…This…"
Sunday: "…Sigh."
Penacony
Sunday shook his head with a bitter smile.
Others might dismiss money—
But he knew its importance.
Without massive financial backing, many things simply couldn't succeed.
Even his current position existed because of it.
"…We rely on wealth because we're mortals."
Chat Continues
Seele: "This is way too extravagant! Isn't this basically giving the IPC free profit?"
Seele: "It would've been better to let Topaz bring proper equipment and come back a few times…"
Seele: "Why did he do this… it wasn't necessary at all."
Lumine: "There's a saying—money can't buy happiness, but if the boss is happy, that's what matters."
Yae Miko: "Exactly. As long as he's pleased, nothing else matters. A golden planet is nothing."
Aventurine: "..."
Jade: "For someone beyond Aeons like Aerin, his mood outweighs everything."
Topaz: "Thank goodness he was in a good mood… I was terrified something unimaginable would happen."
Lisa: "You still wanted to protect Belobog. That's probably why he didn't make things difficult for you."
Back in Space
"G-Gold…"
Topaz held her scanning device, trembling.
Bronya stood beside her—
And after hearing confirmation that the massive sphere beneath them was truly made of gold—
She stared at Aerin in shock.
Even for someone wealthy—
Pulling out an entire golden planet?
That was absurd.
"How is this possible?"
"When we arrived at Jarilo-VI, this didn't exist."
"When did you bring it here?"
Topaz's tone had completely changed.
Respect. Caution.
Even fear.
As a senior IPC executive—
She had seen countless extraordinary things.
But Aerin…
Was beyond comprehension.
"…Could it be…"
Her voice trembled.
"Are you… the Amber Lord?"
Only Aeons could perform such miracles.
And beyond the golden planet—
The fact that he casually brought them into space without equipment—
That alone felt like divine power.
"I am not Qlipoth, the Aeon of Preservation."
Aerin spoke calmly.
"Who I am doesn't matter."
"What matters is this—"
"Jarilo-VI now belongs to me."
"And you two—"
He glanced at Bronya and Seele.
Both stood stiffly, completely obedient.
Bronya had already reached her conclusion.
Who cared who he was?
Someone who could casually produce a golden planet—
Couldn't possibly be ordinary.
Even if he wasn't an Aeon—
He had to be something on that level.
Someone they absolutely could not offend.
Topaz thought the same.
"I understand," she said respectfully.
"I know how to report this."
"This won't bring trouble to you."
Publicizing Aerin's existence would benefit no one.
Especially not the IPC.
"Oh, right—this."
Topaz opened her palm.
Inside it—
The source code controlling Belobog's mechanical army.
"Since you've purchased Jarilo-VI and cleared the debt…"
"This belongs to Belobog now."
"With it, those dormant machines can finally be used."
This was her gesture of goodwill.
Building a relationship with someone like Aerin—
Was worth far more than old military data.
But—
Aerin waved it off.
"It's useless."
"Belobog already has the intelligence and ability to develop the Engine of Creation."
"As for those old machines…"
"Have Bronya dismantle them."
"If any parts are usable, recycle them into the Engine."
Topaz: "..."
"As for Belobog's development funds—"
Aerin looked at Bronya.
"You have Topaz's contact."
"If you need anything, talk to her."
"As for Credits…"
"The card I gave you is more than enough."
Seele couldn't help asking:
"How much is in it?"
Bronya quickly pulled her back.
But Aerin didn't mind.
"There's no limit."
Astral Express
March 7th stared at the screen, practically drooling.
"Bronya just became the richest person in the galaxy!"
Himeko shook her head helplessly.
"Can we aim higher?"
"Compared to power, wealth means nothing."
Welt nodded.
"And she won't spend it recklessly."
"That money is for rebuilding Belobog."
"If she's wise, she'll record every expense for Aerin to review."
"Review?" Stelle blinked.
"…Do you really think someone like him has time for that?"
"He's only here to see if future opponents are worth his attention."
"Belobog is just… a pastime."
Mondstadt
Lisa paused mid-sip.
"Something feels off."
Jean looked confused.
"What is it?"
Lisa smirked.
"These people from the galaxy… are quite something."
"That Topaz girl—her figure rivals Eula's."
Jean: "..."
"…That's what you were paying attention to?"
Astral Express — Hidden Observer
Bella sat quietly, sipping coffee.
One sip—
She immediately spat it out.
"What is this?! This coffee is awful!"
"That elegant woman—Himeko—makes something this bad?"
"She'd be better off as Aerin's personal coffee maid."
Bella had been secretly aboard the Astral Express for days.
No one could perceive her.
Even face-to-face—
She was invisible.
The Express had been stationary since leaving Jarilo-VI.
After discussion—
Their next destination was decided:
Penacony.
Coordinates confirmed.
"All information gathered."
"No need to stay any longer."
"I'll go investigate Penacony."
Bella stood—
And walked straight through the wall.
But just as she prepared to enter the Imaginary Space—
She sensed something.
A signal.
Curious, she followed it.
Then—
Voices entered her mind.
"Did it work, Silver Wolf?"
"Almost, Kafka. The connection to the Astral Express is still stabilizing."
"This time we actually have to go in person and guide them to the Xianzhou Luofu… what a hassle."
"It's fine. Just follow Elio's script."
"Once the link is established, project my image."
"I'll guide them to the Luofu."
"They'll help resolve the Stellaron crisis there."
"And the Xianzhou will owe them a favor."
"That favor will be useful in the future."
"Conveniently…"
"The Luofu is nearby."
"Fate always arrives at the perfect moment."
"…Xianzhou Luofu?"
Bella murmured.
"So the Astral Express…"
"Is going to change course?"
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito