"No, what you said just now gave me the idea." Himeko took a step forward.
She stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, sunlight outlining her in a warm glow.
"At the company's table, the company deals with powers whose populations number in the tens of billions."
"Compared with them, the Express once barely mattered."
Her gaze softened, sincerity shining in her eyes:
"All along, we've simply explored with sincerity, seeking to help worlds in crisis."
"And now, that very sincerity has made many people willing to travel alongside the Express."
"The Nameless keep things simple, and that puts our friends at ease. They needn't fear being swallowed up."
"Exactly." Welt stood beside Himeko, his dark casual clothes lending him an air of quiet composure:
"If Trailblaze has one advantage, it's the track of trust beneath our feet."
Himeko smiled:
"That's why we came to you, Miss Pearl."
"Set aside your identity as one of the Ten Stonehearts and consider this possibility—"
"To stand against Destruction, we need not form an alliance. We need only travel together."
"The company may not be the Express's ally, nor may the Strategic Investment Department. But you can be."
"We can join forces with Harmony, calculate alongside Erudition, guide the arrows of the Hunt, and raise the sturdy shield of Preservation."
Pearl remained before the World-Covering Wave Painting as she listened:
"Then what role does Trailblaze wish to play?"
"A sail," Himeko said, her voice gentle but firm.
"A ship's flag?" Pearl tilted her head, puzzled.
"That seems no different from my earlier proposal."
"Of course it is," Welt explained.
"A sail crossing a storm does not worry about remaining intact, nor does it try to steer the ship."
"But it helps everyone determined to stand against Destruction make it through the storm."
Understanding what they