Celebration and Mood

"Are you implying something, Sister Natasha?" Jing Yan asked.

"Hmm..." At these words, Natasha's expression grew unnatural. Her gaze, deep and rippling like water, shifted; her rose-colored eyes, usually like rubies, now resembled a glass of red wine held up to the sun, shimmering with a translucent, swaying light.

"Jing Yan, why do you still call me 'sister'? You're making me sound old."

Natasha's breath was fragrant as an orchid, and her voice carried a tone entirely different from her usual cadence.

It was the first time Jing Yan had heard her speak this way. His heart stirred, and a faint, tingling numbness spread through his ears, as if he were receiving a massage. He found it quite intriguing.

The atmosphere was indeed perfect.

However, this pleasant mood was promptly ruined by the arrival of March 7th, who was carrying a plate of cold-eaten Sunset Red Fish.

There was a smear of red sauce at the corner of her mouth.

This dish was called "cold-eaten Sunset Red Fish" not because the fish itself was named that, but because it consisted of fried fish chunks topped with Sunset Red Fruit jam.

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

March 7th popped a piece into her mouth and gestured to Stelle beside her. As she turned, she nearly collided with a waiter carrying a tray of lake-blue vegetable soup, causing the bowls to wobble precariously.

Fortunately, the waiter was agile. In the nick of time, he performed a nimble bow, dodging the collision and keeping the five bowls of soup safe and sound.

"Ouch, that hurt."

Though she hadn't hit the waiter, March 7th had accidentally bumped into the edge of a wooden table placed atop the uneven, black square bricks of the plaza. She clutched her hip, frowning as she rubbed the spot.

Beside her, Stelle looked rather dazed. She held several skewers of Gem Lizard meat, following along with March 7th. She wore a transparent white deer-antler headband with lights, which looked quite amusing, giving off a distinct "cosplay" vibe.

Though, it was hard to tell exactly which character she was supposed to be.

"Jing Yan, oh! Brother Jing Yan, Sister Natasha, you two..."

March 7th seemed surprised to see Jing Yan. Stelle, who had been busy eating her skewers and watching the fireworks blooming in the night sky, realized what was happening upon seeing Jing Yan and Natasha, and quickly poked March 7th in the waist.

March 7th reacted instinctively, turning back to complain, "Stelle, why are you tickling me? Don't you know I'm ticklish?"

She then turned back around, pulled a mint-green camera from her waist, and prepared to take a group photo of Jing Yan, Natasha, and herself.

Jing Yan smiled and did not refuse.

After all, March 7th was soon to be his fellow passenger on the Astral Express and a companion on his upcoming journey; it was only natural to maintain a good rapport.

Furthermore, March 7th was the second person after Natasha who showed promise of reaching 90% favorability.

This would also help him further research his "Eros" divine power.

Because his "Eros" power was not something only he could develop; his believers could as well, feeding back into him—the Aeon—and allowing him to gain deeper insights into his own Path.

As far as Jing Yan knew, Natasha's personality was primarily introverted. Her proactive yet reserved nature, her gentle outward demeanor as a scientist and doctor, and her role as the leader of "Underworld Fire" were the three facets of her character.

March 7th, on the other hand, was optimistic and cheerful. Moreover, her current memories were missing. Jing Yan was quite interested to see what kind of "Eros" power such an individual could develop as a Pathstrider of his.

Of course, he would welcome others to become his Pathstriders and believers as well.

"Oh, right, Brother Jing Yan, what was that move you used to defeat Co... the Stellaron?" March 7th asked curiously.

She had nearly let it slip, almost mentioning Jing Yan's defeat of Cocolia, but she caught herself just in time, preventing the news from spreading.

At this moment, the people of the Underworld were mostly reveling, many of them tipsy from drinking Old Bread Fermented Soda. Still, it wouldn't be good if word reached the wrong ears.

Jing Yan glanced at March 7th.

This was a moment for celebration and relaxation, and he hadn't expected to answer any formal questions. Even his speech on stage earlier had been brief, as he only wanted everyone to enjoy themselves.

However, this question was easy enough to answer, so he replied promptly.

"Hmm, that power is called the Seven Deadly Sins."

Jing Yan said casually.

March 7th seemed surprised and quite interested, but Stelle was already grabbing her hand and dragging her away.

"March, it's not fun here, let's go play somewhere else!" Stelle said, then turned to look at Jing Yan and Natasha, offering a smile that was apologetic, awkward, yet polite.

March 7th, however, seemed obsessed with the name "Seven Deadly Sins" and persisted, "Wow, that's amazing! Brother Jing Yan, can you elaborate... Ouch! Stelle, what are you doing? Why are you pulling me? What's wrong with this place? Isn't Brother Jing Yan interesting? Even if he isn't a member of our Astral Express yet, he always brings out something unexpected, I..."

"Alright, sorry, sorry!"

Stelle said to Jing Yan.

Then, relying on her "Destruction" power, she dragged March 7th away like she was pulling a radish.

"Sorry to bother you, Mr. Jing Yan," Stelle said as they walked off.

March 7th still didn't seem to have processed what was happening.

"Hey, hey! Let's talk later! We can chat on the phone!"

Jing Yan: "..."

"March 7th's personality is certainly interesting," Natasha remarked from beside him.

"Are you jealous?" Jing Yan asked, glancing at the expression on her face.

"Jealous? Not quite, unless you happen to prefer that type, Brother Jing Yan. Otherwise..."

In the distance, Clara watched the intimate interaction between Jing Yan and Natasha, feeling a sense of warmth.

As a vagrant, it had been a long time since she had experienced such a cozy atmosphere.

There had been times before when the actions of a few scoundrels among the vagrants had tarnished their image, making them look like mere thieves. Clara had been treated with prejudice by the people of Boulder Town, and some had even tried to capture her to threaten Mr. Svarog.

But thanks to the efforts of Mr. Jing Yan and others, Belobog had returned to peace, which was truly a joyous occasion.