"Ugh, it's that familiar 'next time for sure' line again!"
"The navigator's schedule is really packed... Looks like it really will just be the two of us this time."
"Since it's settled then, I'll go to my room and pack my things. Come find me when you're ready, and we can try to persuade Teacher Ye Yan later."
A few minutes later, the guest room carriage
Xing pushed open the door and froze on the spot upon seeing the scene before her.
She saw the pale purple and white skirts intertwined, flowing gracefully, adorned with snowflakes and ice crystals that accentuated the beauty of the winter theme.
"How do you feel about my new dress?"
Xing's attention was focused on the crystal-clear snowflakes and ice crystals, which were either sewn or inlaid on the tulle, shimmering with the movement of light, as if the most beautiful moment of winter had been frozen on the hem of her skirt.
Her short pink hair is a distinctive feature of March 7th, perfectly complementing her outfit which combines Romance, sophistication, and a touch of fantastical ice and snow elements.
"Dressed up for the occasion!"
"It's always been in my closet, I just haven't had a chance to wear it before. It's such a rare occasion, how could I not dress up nicely?"
"But you, you don't really only have this one outfit, do you...?" - An official sarcastic remark from March 7th.
Xing chuckled awkwardly, "Because I'm a loyal Stellaron Spirit, I won't change into other clothes unless absolutely necessary! This is the only way to show off my unique style!"
"Never mind, forget I said anything! As long as one of us cares about appearance, that's enough!"
"Let me see... pajamas, a thermal bag, and Pom-Pom's doll... everything's ready, let's go!"
March 7th suddenly turned around, "Speaking of which, how come you packed so quickly? Didn't you have any luggage to take?"
Xing pointed to the baseball bat and hourglass necklace in her hand, "A solitary woman doesn't need luggage!"
"Hmph~ I don't believe you, don't try to fool me! Go pack your bags!"
" Jarilo-VI... I just glanced at the observation records posted by Uncle Yang. Compared to when we first Trailblaze the planet, its average temperature has returned to normal, making it perfectly habitable!"
"I'm so happy for Bronya and Seele! We also need to thank Chair Blake properly."
Xing packed her luggage at lightning speed and even dragged Ye Yan, who was slacking off, along.
" Teacher Ye Yan! You really did want to attend the celebration!"
"No, I'm only responsible for opening the portal."
"Ugh~ We're colleagues, after all, can't you even give me any face..." March 7th closed her eyes slightly, a trace of sorrow slowly creeping onto her face, a subtle sadness quietly enveloping her.
It was clear that she really wanted another travel companion to join her " Trailblaze " team; two people were indeed a bit too few.
" March 7th, I approve of your acting skills! Let's go celebrate the holidays!"
March 7th instantly changed her attitude. "Yay! Belobog, get ready to welcome me again!"
Beyond the distant Star Abyss, the Eternity Sanctuary
"Ah, praise be to my Lord!"
Blake closed " The Eternity Creed," concluding his morning prayers.
"By the way, how's the search and rescue operation for Screwllum going?" He looked at the acting priestess behind him.
"Not yet. You know that Screwllum, like Lady Fulisina, is elusive and prefers to work alone... and possesses superb disguise skills. Finding him is no less difficult than finding Lord Yite when he returned to the Church."
"But there's good news too. The Knights have found Screwllum's phone, which might help them deduce its whereabouts."
" The Church and all that... it's no longer important."
Beside him, the Acting Priest, having finished reporting his mission, had lifeless eyes, the former gleam gone.
"Why would a devout priest say such a thing?"
Blake walked to the enshrined milk tea cup, took out a sponge, and gently wiped it.
" Your Chair, in the days you and Lady Fulisina were away, do you know how many documents I signed and how many letters of appeal from the people I replied to...?"
"There should be at least 8,000, if not 80,000. Let whoever wants the acting Chair take it." The priestess moved a stool over, looked at her muscular forearms, and suddenly burst out laughing.
Ah, this must be what Chair Blake often refers to as "strengthening the body." It seems she could lift a Antimatter Legion's Voidranger with one hand now.
"Raise your head, bewildered priest... For the Chair, this is just an easy daily routine, a successful Chair... there's no smile on her face."
"Oh? But you seem to be smiling quite happily..."
"Therefore, I am not a qualified Church Chair. I have failed Lord Yite. Oh! I repent!"
"This matter is also recorded in the * Eternity Creed *. Let me look for it... Ah, it's in Article 35: Any Church staff member (limited to the Chair and priests) who shows signs of wavering faith should voluntarily leave the Church... and reflect on their actions."
Seeing Blake suddenly kneel down and chant the contents of the " Eternity Creed," the Acting Priest sensed something was wrong!
What was this ominous premonition? It was as if an invisible hand had suddenly seized her heart, from which she could not break free.
"Well! In conclusion, I've decided to temporarily relinquish my duties as [ Chair ] and go capture those wandering spirits. While I'm gone... I'm entrusting the Church to you! Bye~"
"Wait... Chair Blake...!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Blake vanished from the priestess's sight, leaving behind only a copy of " The Eternity Creed ".
Acting Priest:...
Lady Fulisina was right; they gained a brief glimmer of hope... but little did they know that what followed would be Eternity despair.
In the blink of an eye, the burden of the Church returned to her shoulders.
Ah, I might as well just quit.
Meanwhile, a bar of soap is dragging Blake along at a speed equivalent to interstellar jump.
"Since it's a holiday, where would be a good place to go... [ Tavern ]?"
"No, no, that place was just bombed. If we go there as guests, we might get surrounded and beaten by the Masked Fools. It's too dangerous."
Blake immediately ruled out the option to go to the [ Tavern ]... Hmm, I'll go to Jarilo-VI where the ice and snow have melted instead. The Supreme Guardian there seems to have sent me an invitation.
I heard there's a festival going on there, so Blake has no choice but to go.
The scene shifts to Jarilo-VI
In front of the [ Everwinter ] mechanical house, Blake stared at Fulisina, unsure of what to say.
Her skin was the pure white of freshly snowed ground, so delicate it was almost transparent.
Those emerald-green eyes were set in her small, delicate face, with slightly upturned corners, and pointed ears peeking out from her silver hair.
It's clear that she was equally surprised by Blake's appearance.
However, the most unexpected person was Serval, who had just come out of the machine house.
"Hmm, I feel like this scene happened a long time ago."