Festivities and Romance

"Are you hinting at something, Natasha?" Jing Yan asked.

"Mm..." At his words, Natasha's expression grew a little unnatural. Her gaze turned soft and alluring. Her rose-red eyes, already like rubies, now seemed like a glass of red wine in a crystal goblet, shimmering as sunlight shone through it.

"Jing Yan, why are you still calling me 'Miss Natasha'? You're making me sound old."

Natasha's breath was sweet, and her voice was completely different from her usual one.

It was the first time Jing Yan had heard her speak like that. His heart stirred, and his ears tingled faintly, as if they were being massaged. It felt quite interesting.

The atmosphere really was just right.

But then someone ruined the lovely mood: March 7th came over carrying a plate of chilled Sunset Red Fish.

There was some red sauce at the corner of her mouth.

The dish was called "chilled Sunset Red Fish" not because the fish was named Sunset Red Fish, but because Sunset Red Fruit jam had been spread over fried fish chunks.

"Mm, I heard Alisa Rand loves this. I saw it in a magazine!"

March 7th popped a piece into her mouth, then gestured to Stelle beside her. As she turned, she nearly collided with a server carrying a tray of five bowls of lake-blue mixed vegetable soup, spilling the dishes all over him.

Fortunately, the server was exceptionally nimble. At the last possible moment, he bent back in an agile dodge, leaving all five bowls on the tray safe and sound.

"Ow, that hurt."

March 7th had missed the server, but she accidentally bumped her hip against the edge of a wooden table set on the uneven black square tiles in the plaza. Frowning, she covered her hipbone and rubbed it with her hand.

Beside her, Stelle looked a little goofy. Holding several Gem Lizard skewers in one hand, she followed along with March 7th. A white antler headband with little lights and a transparent finish sat on her head, making her look rather amusing, almost as if she were cosplaying.

Though it was hard to tell what character she was supposed to be.

"Jing Yan—oh, Jing Yan, Natasha, you two..."

March 7th seemed surprised to see Jing Yan. Stelle had been focused on eating skewers and watching fireworks rise into the night sky, but when she spotted Jing Yan and Natasha, she seemed to realize something. She hurriedly poked March 7th in the waist.

March 7th jerked around and scolded her, "Stelle, why'd you take the chance to tickle me? Don't you know I'm ticklish?"

Then she turned back, pulled a mint-green camera from her waist, and moved to take a group photo of Jing Yan, Natasha, and herself.

Jing Yan smiled and didn't refuse.

March 7th was about to become one of his fellow passengers on the Express, his companion for the journey ahead. It was only natural to treat her well.

Besides, after Natasha, March 7th was the second person whose favorability had a chance of reaching 90%.

That would also help him further explore his power of "Eros."

His power of "Eros" wasn't something only he could develop. His followers could develop it too, and their insights would in turn help him, as an Aeon, gain a deeper understanding of his own Path.

As far as Jing Yan knew, Natasha's personality was primarily reserved, though she was also enterprising. She presented herself gently to others. Scientist, doctor, and leader of the Underworld Fire—in each role, she was a savior to the people. Those were the three sides of her personality.

March 7th, on the other hand, was cheerful and optimistic. On top of that, she currently suffered from amnesia. Jing Yan found it quite intriguing to wonder what kind of power of "Eros" someone like her might develop as a Pathstrider.

Of course, Jing Yan would welcome anyone else becoming his Pathstrider and follower, too.

"By the way, Jing Yan, what was that move you used when you defeated Cocolia... the Stellaron?" March 7th asked curiously.

She'd almost let it slip just now, nearly blurting out that Jing Yan had defeated Cocolia. Fortunately, she caught herself in time and stopped before the news could spread.

The people of the Underworld were all celebrating at the moment. Quite a few had gotten tipsy from drinking Old Bread Fermented Soda, but it still wouldn't be good if March 7th let the information slip and someone with ulterior motives overheard.

Jing Yan glanced at March 7th.

This was a time to celebrate, relax, and enjoy one another's company. He hadn't expected any serious questions. Even his speech onstage had been brief; he'd simply told everyone to enjoy themselves before stepping down.

But March 7th's question was easy enough to answer, so Jing Yan replied at once.

"Mm, this power is called the Seven Deadly Sins."

Jing Yan answered casually.

March 7th looked surprised, and seemed quite interested. But Stelle had already grabbed her hand and started dragging her away.

"March 7th, it's boring here. Let's go play somewhere else!" Stelle said. She turned toward Jing Yan and Natasha, wearing an apologetic smile that was awkward but still polite.

But March 7th seemed fascinated by the name "Seven Deadly Sins" and kept pressing him. "Wow, that's amazing! Jing Yan, could you explain in more de—ow! Stelle, what are you doing? Why are you pulling me? How is this place boring? Isn't Jing Yan interesting? He may not be a member of the Astral Express yet, but he always manages to surprise us with something unexpected. I—"

"Okay, sorry, sorry!"

Stelle continued speaking to Jing Yan.

Then, using her power of "Destruction," she dragged March 7th away like she was pulling up a radish.

"Sorry for disturbing you, Mr. Jing Yan," Stelle said as she headed back.

March 7th still didn't seem to have caught on.

"Hey, we can talk later! We can chat on our phones, too."

Jing Yan: "..."

"March 7th really is an interesting girl," Natasha remarked.

"Are you jealous?" Jing Yan asked, glancing at Natasha's expression.

"Jealous? I wouldn't go that far. Unless you happen to like that type, Jing Yan..."

In the distance, Clara watched Jing Yan and Natasha's affectionate interaction and felt a wave of joy.

As one of the vagrants, she hadn't experienced such a warm atmosphere in a long time.

There had even been times when scoundrels among the vagrant groups had tarnished their reputation, making people think they were nothing but wandering thieves. Clara had been looked down on by the people of Boulder Town because of that. Some had even wanted to capture her to use her as leverage against Mr. Svarog.

But thanks to Mr. Jing Yan and the others, peace had returned to Belobog. That was certainly a happy thing.