"The president of the Hope Mutual Aid Society? But I remember that, to show respect for the Aeon of [Hope], the position of president has been reserved for [Hope] ever since the society was founded. Even if you're an Emanator of Hope, Xiao Xi, surely you wouldn't be able to..." Welt asked, sounding surprised.
"I was surprised, too, when I first heard about it." Welt had brought up the matter, and Xiao Xi's expression turned a little strange.
"As you know, some time ago, after the Hope Mutual Aid Society invited me to join, I made time to visit their headquarters. It was then that... the Aeon of [Hope], Xi, descended in person." Xiao Xi recalled softly.
"She descended in person!" March 7th cried. "Does that mean you saw the Aeon of [Hope] with your own eyes, Xiao Xi?"
"That's right." Xiao Xi nodded. "But what I find most puzzling is... she descended in person and gave me permission to use all of her Path powers and summon her whenever I want. She also issued an oracle. She said..."
That day, a dazzling streak of light suddenly crossed the sky. A white-haired, golden-eyed Aeon arrived with it and delivered the oracle: "From this moment on, she is my agent. She will walk among mortals in my stead. She is me."
"That's what happened. And..." Xiao Xi hesitated. "I can't shake the feeling that her attitude toward me is strange. It doesn't feel like she's looking at a follower, a Pathstrider of Hope. It feels more like she's looking at someone who has taken a path she herself cannot walk."
"And when I saw her, I felt something... a deep sense of closeness? I'm not sure. It all sounds too absurd." By the time she finished, Xiao Xi seemed uncertain herself.
"Let's set aside what we can't figure out for now. The point is, I'm definitely qualified to vouch for the Astral Express." Xiao Xi shrugged, unwilling to continue the topic.
"With your status, Xiao Xi, things should be much easier from here on," Welt said, sounding a little more relaxed.
"As for your connection with the Aeon of [Hope], 'Xi,' there are still too few clues to reach any sound conclusions. But if we consider what you told us earlier and make a few bold assumptions, could you perhaps be her... other half?" Welt's voice was uncertain.
"I can't make sense of it. We'll have a chance to learn more eventually. For now, let's head to the Palace of Astrum. I'm sure the people on the Luofu have been waiting for us for a while." Xiao Xi shook her head, no longer wanting to dwell on it.
"Agreed. Let's go."
Tingyun was waiting for us outside the Palace of Astrum. "Sorry, everyone. The Stellaron's influence has made communications on the Luofu Xianzhou rather unreliable lately, and messages often fail to come through. I didn't know when you would arrive, so I had no choice but to wait here."
Tingyun smiled warmly. "But it's nothing to worry about. I've already informed Lady Yukong of your reason for coming. Please, follow me. However, I won't be able to accompany you inside the Palace of Astrum. There are matters on the Luofu that require my attention."
"That's all right, Miss Tingyun. We can go in on our own. There's no need to trouble you by having you come along," Welt replied calmly, then looked at us.
"Let's go meet the person in charge here."