Have you become a hero?

Belobog, Upper District, Eternal Winter Plaque.

"Just moments ago, the ancient machine known as the Engine of Creation was driven by the Fragmentum Creature, the Stellaron, to attack Belobog."

"However, with the help of the Nameless from beyond the heavens and the Underworld organization Wildfire, we successfully resolved the crisis and brought a complete end to the Eternal Freeze and the Fragmentum that had besieged Belobog for years!"

Cocolia stood on the stage delivering her speech, with the citizens of the Upper District gathered below.

"Therefore, in my capacity as Supreme Guardian, I hereby announce the lifting of the blockade on the Underworld and the withdrawal of the warrants for the Nameless."

Her words set the crowd buzzing. Some worried about the Underworld residents' long-standing resentment, while others rejoiced at the end of the crisis.

"Heavens, the disaster is over? Long live Lady Cocolia!"

"Long live the Supreme Guardian! Long live the Nameless! Long live Wildfire!"

"Does that mean we can all move outside? Heavens, I can't even imagine how cheap houses will be!"

"Come on, bro Gepard, isn't this drawing a little too abstract? That's supposed to be me and my wife?"

Zhang Xiu and Yaoshi stood by the roadside, and he was still holding the doodled portrait from his wanted poster.

"Ahem, cough... I've trained my body since childhood. I'm admittedly not very good at this sort of thing." Gepard flushed and offered no rebuttal to Zhang Xiu's teasing.

"It's surprisingly recognizable, though. Now that the Fragmentum threat's gone, find some time to learn drawing from Pela." Zhang Xiu smiled and handed the wanted poster back to him.

"Hey-! Zhang Xiu!" March 7th waved as she jogged over to the three of them. "Stelle, Dan Heng, and I are going down to the Underworld to take a look. Want to come?"

"Yeah, coming. I still don't know how those kids I rescued in the Underworld are doing." Zhang Xiu nodded, then turned to Yaoshi. "What about you, honey?"

"Very well. I shall accompany thee."

"Oh, honey, you should have a mind of your own. It's not good to always do what I say." He shook his head, only to hear Yaoshi reply with a smile:

"Yet mine own wish is to follow my husband's will."

Zhang Xiu's eyes widened, and March 7th sucked in a breath.

She looked at Gepard beside her and scratched her head. "...What does that mean?"

"It means: 'But what I want to do is follow your wishes.'" Gepard displayed his astonishing knowledge.

"My wife~ Hehe, my wife~" Zhang Xiu pressed himself against Yaoshi and began grinning foolishly.

She gently patted his head and murmured, "I am ever here."

"Ugh, what a sappy couple. Good thing they're not my parents, or I'd die of embarrassment."

"Bro Gepard, we're heading off. Keep everyone in line, okay? Bye~" Zhang Xiu smiled and waved to Gepard before following March 7th.

Amid their laughter and banter, the group, who had been browsing different parts of town, reunited and returned openly to the Underworld through the Core Furnace.

The Underworld's streets and alleys were packed with people. Young and old, men and women alike, they were all discussing the tremors that had reached them during the battle with Cocolia.

The group found Natasha and Oleg and gave them the doctored version of events.

"The Eternal Freeze, the Fragmentum Creatures... they're all dealt with?" Natasha murmured, finding it hard to believe.

Oleg checked several times. "So the tremors in the Underworld were caused by that battle, right?"

"That's right. I even landed the final blow." Zhang Xiu nodded, then turned to Natasha. "Speaking of which, are Shaya and the others doing all right?"

At the mention of Shaya and the others, the mood abruptly grew quiet. Just as Natasha was about to speak, Shaya stepped out of the clinic.

"Mr. Zhang Xiu...? I heard something outside, so I... H-have you been well lately?"

Her voice was timid, and she still wore the robe Zhang Xiu had draped over her.

"Hey, Shaya. We successfully put an end to the Eternal Freeze, and the Supreme Guardian has lifted the blockade on the Underworld. You can all go outside and breathe some fresh air now."

He tried to make his tone as gentle as possible. After what Shaya had been through, even the slightest misstep could bring back memories of her suffering.

The reason Zhang Xiu hadn't visited her earlier was also that he feared his arrival might stir up painful memories.

"Is that so? That's wonderful. Everyone has already moved on from that place. I'm helping out at Big Sister Natasha's clinic now..." As she spoke, Shaya slowly approached them.

March 7th lowered her voice at the sight of her. "This little girl is the child you rescued...? She's so pretty."

"Oh, not bad~ Make sure you're good while you're with Natasha, okay? We'll be leaving in a little while, but don't worry. We'll come back to see you after some time. All right?" Zhang Xiu gently rubbed her head.

"Mm, yes... I'll be good... I promise..." Shaya lowered her head, her voice relaxed.

Seeing her like that put Zhang Xiu somewhat at ease. He had been quite afraid that the girls might be unable to accept what had happened and take their own lives.

Still, Yaoshi had saved them, and they had eaten the fruit. In essence, they counted as Denizens of Abundance now, so even suicide would probably be difficult.

Afterward, the group said their goodbyes to Hook, Clara, and the others. Meanwhile, news that the blockade had been lifted spread throughout the Underworld.

For the first time in over a decade, the Silvermane Guards set foot there again.

With Zhang Xiu and Yaoshi's interference, Bronya's inauguration as Supreme Guardian never took place. The curious Underworld residents nevertheless flocked to the Upper District aboard the cable car.

Once the dust had settled, Zhang Xiu and the others returned to the front of the Goethe Hotel.

Come to think of it, both the Upper District and the Underworld had a Goethe Hotel. According to the original plot, Zhang Xiu and the others would even have spent a night at the Upper District's Goethe Hotel after first meeting Cocolia.

"Ah... We've taken all our photos, and I'm tired from walking around. Next..." March 7th stretched contentedly. "Next, it's time to get a good night's sleep in the hotel~"

Dan Heng said calmly, "Sleep when we're back on the Astral Express."

Those words instantly wiped the smile off March 7th's face, and she began arguing her case with Dan Heng.

"You two take your time arguing. Yaaawn~ My wife and I are going to get some rest, okay?" Zhang Xiu rubbed his bleary eyes, then took Yaoshi's hand and walked into the hotel.

"Come on, Dan Heng. Even our biggest hero said that, so why are you being so fussy? Himeko and Welt are mature adults. They're very patient."

"...All right."

As night gradually fell, Zhang Xiu lay with his head in Yaoshi's lap in their hotel room, enjoying his lap pillow while immersing himself in the group chat on his phone.

Just then, Yaoshi's slender right hand stroked his hair. "Husband, now that thou hast saved a world, might thou be called a hero?"

He shook his head. "How could saving just one world make me a hero? But I'll definitely fulfill my dream someday."

As he spoke, he put away his phone and nestled fully into Yaoshi's embrace.

"Honey, once I become a great hero, let's hold a proper wedding. How does that sound?"

"Very well."