After confirming that March's gaze from [Preservation] hadn't caused Stelle any ill effects and that she had, in fact, gained a whole new power,
March exclaimed in wonder, "I can't believe the Aeon of Preservation looked right at you, Stelle! Hey, what does it feel like to be looked at by an Aeon?"
"Well... I only felt my soul rise to a very high place, and then I heard the sound of a giant hammer striking."
"Then you must have heard the sound of the Aeon of Preservation's hammer coming down. Every time the Amber Lord strikes, it marks the end of an Amber Era," Dan Heng explained.
"So that means a brand-new Amber Era began just now."
After everyone had dealt with the unexpected incident, Bronya planned to lead them back to Belobog. But before the group set off, Xiao Xi stopped Bronya with a gentle smile.
"Bronya, do you remember what I promised you all back at Qlipoth Fort? I believe I've reached a conclusion now."
Bronya froze at Xiao Xi's words. When she realized what they meant, she asked in a trembling voice, "Are you saying you can truly save our planet?"
"Yes. The faith Belobog's people have held onto for centuries deserves to be rewarded. After all these hundreds of years, I think it's time for their efforts to finally see the dawn. Let Jarilo-VI embrace the coming of spring once more."
As Xiao Xi spoke, her smile seemed to hold a trace of tender compassion. A divine radiance appeared around her.
"Crack." The sound of a seedling breaking through its shell rang in the ears of everyone on the planet. Then gentle, all-embracing white flames descended from the sky.
At that moment, the thick clouds that had blanketed Jarilo-VI's sky for years slowly dispersed, and the bitter blizzards began to retreat from the planet for the first time.
Warm sunlight finally shone down on this ill-fated planet again, after hundreds of years.
The snow and ice on the ground gradually melted. The water soaked into the earth, nourishing the soil. After an unimaginably long winter of ice and despair, brilliant hope finally struggled up through the ground.
Tiny sprouts broke through the soil and stretched out their stems, playing the opening notes of a song of hope—a hymn to spring.
The planet shed its pallid hues. Azure skies and fresh green returned to this scarred world. The spark the Architects had guarded for centuries finally became a blazing fire, burning away all sorrow and despair.
The darkest days had to end. The darkest days were over. And now, a glorious dawn and a brand-new future awaited.
Beside Xiao Xi, Bronya had witnessed the miracle with her own eyes, and tears streamed down her face. "Thank you. Thank you, Xiao Xi. I never imagined... I never imagined I'd live to see the day Jarilo-VI was reborn. I'm truly... deeply honored."
Bronya's voice caught in her throat, and she was overwhelmed with joy.
Xiao Xi gazed at her tenderly. "Bronya, don't cry. When we get back, you'll have to share this joy with everyone in Belobog. For now, please smile."
Bronya nodded firmly. "Yes, I understand. I'm just so happy."
"Come on. Let's go back together and welcome everyone's hopes and future."