Chapter 266

Seeing Bai Yan raise his eyebrows, Welt immediately explained, "This is temporarily borrowed by Durandal. We have also made contact with the New World of the Pre-Civilization and opened a limited passage. This experiment is a joint effort between the two sides."

He then connected with Gnius.

Bai Yan gazed at the sky, as if resigned to his fate.

[Mr. Welt, how are things going on your end?]

It's Rita's voice.

"We have arrived at our destination--"

Welt looked at Bai Yan, who nodded as if he had lost his dream.

"We've also found Bai Yan. He's on a space vehicle called the Astral Express, and he's doing well so far."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the Gnius.

Rita's voice then rose considerably, but her tone remained composed and elegant.

[Xiao Yan, even so, are you going to keep running away?]

Having not heard that voice for so long, Bai Yan also felt nostalgic.

However, at this moment, it seemed to him more like a death warrant.

This wouldn't be possible if it were just Rita.

Soon, Durandal's voice also appeared.

[Bai Yan? Where are you?!]

"In the universe."

Upon hearing the response, the two on the other end seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Durandal continued to persuade her.

[So much time has passed, and people don't care as much anymore. Even Raiden Mei has let go of what happened back then.]

"Bianca, if you don't know how to persuade her, you don't have to."

[But Aunt Theresa also said she wouldn't pursue those issues with you anymore.]

"It has nothing to do with her."

[Rita, look...]

Then Rita's voice came again.

[Xiao Yan, what kind of place is the Astral Express?]

"... It's an organization whose core mission is to explore the universe, Astral Express is its most important vehicle, capable of traveling between star systems."

[So, this is how Xiaoyan escaped? She'd rather stay away for so long?]

Bai Yan covered his face.

Himeko and Pom-Pom, who were standing nearby, had already started to chuckle.

Judging from his tone and Bai Yan's reaction, it was clear that he was genuinely injured.

Welt didn't laugh.

In the laboratory on the other side, Sigfried, sitting in the corner, didn't smile either.

Of course, the reasons why the two didn't laugh were different, which will not be discussed here.

Bai Yan pondered for a long time.

We can continue on the Astral Express, but as for going back... let's think about it some more!

Just as he was thinking about speaking, a sudden change occurred.

The portal opened again.

Pom-Pom didn't react at all; she just sat to the side eating snacks, blinking her eyes with interest like a child watching a cartoon.

Bai Yan stared blankly as one familiar face after another emerged from the portal.

Anna was the first to step forward, complaining that "Kiana was too rough." She glanced at everyone present, a glint of light in her eyes, bowed slightly, and then slipped to Bai Yan's side, taking his arm in hers.

"How--"

Bai Yan caught a glimpse of Anna's excited and teasing gaze as a large number of uninvited guests filed out of the portal.

Aponia smiled faintly, her entire body enveloped by a terrifying power that seemed to come from the blessing of the Finality, its intensity astounding.

She spoke immediately upon appearing.

"Please do not run away."

As soon as she finished speaking, all the power in her body was drained away; then Bai Yan felt his shoulders being suppressed for a moment.

He was startled and immediately channeled his power to resist.

However, a flash of purple light appeared, and the cold, sharp blade remained pressed against his neck.

Bai Yan was not afraid of this sword, even though it was the Divine Key.

However, Sakura, who was holding the knife, gently brought her lips to Bai Yan's ear and pleaded in a soft tone, "Don't move, okay? There are some things I want to talk to you about, and I also want to thank you with some actions."

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Sakura's face and noticed that her pretty cheeks were slightly flushed and her eyes were like autumn water.

Could it be...?

Aponia said softly, "The black box that stores everyone's Remembrance has been found, and Dr. Mobius has also found a special method to allow everyone to safely obtain some power."

Bai Yan glared at Aponia, gritting his teeth as he said, "You guys are really capable!"

Then he added, "Sakura, actually I have my reasons—"

"It's alright, I don't mind. I just hope you'll come to the New World first."

"..."

Sakura's body was almost pressed against Bai Yan's back, and she didn't seem to care about this intimate contact at all.

Bai Yan swallowed hard, awaiting the arrival of the "judgment."

Fu Hua and the Herrscher of Knowledge, who looked delighted, appeared. Fu Hua nodded awkwardly to Bai Yan and Himeko, then stood silently next to Bai Yan.

Rita and Durandal, who had just been on the phone, followed closely behind.

Rita smiled broadly, "Although the call just now was just stalling for time, we didn't lie to Xiaoyan."

"You just wait."

Ignoring Bai Yan's threat, Rita stood next to Anna.

Durandal walked up to Bai Yan with satisfaction. "This time, once again, the great figures of the Pre-Civilization provided the greatest assistance—"

The next moment, her face flushed, but she still managed to maintain a calm tone. "After we get back... let's do it the way Shenzhou does, okay?"

Bai Yan glanced at her sideways. "Let me confirm first: in accordance with the style of Shenzhou, and also in accordance with the public order and good customs of Shenzhou?"

"..."

"You don't think I, a civil official, lack attention to detail, do you? Has your dear sister already grasped the essence of things? Is it that easy for her to grasp it?"

Durandal remained silent, standing beside Rita with her head down.

Then Raiden Mei and Bronya appeared.

Bronya surveyed the scene and stood next to Sakura.

Raiden Mei stared at Bai Yan: "You haven't done anything out of line, have you?"

"I'm not interested in favoring girls."

"Snort!"

Raiden Mei walked to the side with a sullen face.

Himeko brought over a dozen cups of coffee, her face beaming with the joy of watching a show.

Pom-Pom ate snacks while watching the show, nodding slightly at each unexpected guest, seemingly quite pleased with them.

Finally, a slender yet powerful foot stepped in.

In Setsuna, the original passengers on the train all shuddered, sensing that something terrifying was about to descend.

Pom-Pom stopped eating her snacks and stared at the portal with a serious expression.

However, the next second, it resumed eating as before, but its eyes remained fixed on the last person.

Bai Yan: "..."

Kiana's eyes were now fixed on Bai Yan.

Her gaze was more complex than ever before.

Everyone remained silent, waiting for her to speak.

After a long pause, Kiana slowly spoke, "I still can't equate you with Xiao Yan... but it's true, my sisters explained everything to me before."

At this point, Kiana hesitated for a moment, "I... I certainly wish the world were the world where Xiao Yan lived, and you were Xiao Yan —so... could you let me gradually, through practical experience, get to know the real Xiao Yan, the real you?"

Bai Yan swallowed hard, looked left and right, and found that everyone was looking down at themselves.

He looked up at Kiana again; the latter's eyes were cautious, as if she were afraid the bubble would disappear.

Finally, Bai Yan sighed and helplessly shrugged.

"If you don't mind that I've lied to you for so many years..."

Before he could finish speaking, he smelled a faint fragrance, and then Kiana rushed over and hugged him tightly.

The carriages were quiet as the Astral Express continued its journey through the universe.

[The End]