Underworld, Robot Settlement
Clara took the soap from the blond Chair and cast a pleading look at Svarog behind her.
Milk tea, soap... should we switch to a different laundry detergent next time?
" Mr. Blake, Clara doesn't mean to question you, but are these soaps really tools used in a crisis?"
Bronya first learned about Clara through her declaration before the [ Everwinter Monument Blake.
Blake placed a bag full of strategic weapons next to Svarog: "[ Eternity ] doesn't lie, let alone a bar of soap."
" Clara, he is both a guest and a friend. Go back to the mansion and wait for me." Svarog knew very well that the conversation that was about to begin was confidential and not something Clara, who was her age, should be listening to.
"Indeed." After Clara left, to fit the scene, Blake deliberately lowered his voice. " Jarilo-VI's rebirth from the ice and snow has already attracted the attention of some organizations."
"To prevent the Antimatter Legion's rabid dogs from making a comeback, I'm gifting you this batch of projectiles... you might need them later."
When Topaz saw Xing pull out an [∞]-shaped soap, he was clearly taken aback. Why did this thing look so familiar...?
I remember now, at the scene of Schneider's murder, the criminal investigation team found this type of soap in the bathroom, filling the entire bathtub.
In conjunction with what Xing Fang just mentioned about the [ Church ]...
bass!
A flash of insight revealed the truth to Topaz!
The real culprit who framed Manager Schneider... is from the Church of Eternity!
Wait a minute... there's still a loophole here. Even if it's Church Chair Blake, could he really infiltrate the Market Development Department single-handedly? Do they really think Interastral Peace Corporation is an easy target?
The absurd thing is that the detector hasn't detected any energy reaction at the [ Emanator ] level yet. Does that mean that person wasn't Emanator?
There's still something I've missed...
Topaz looked up and saw that March 7th had also pulled out a [∞]-shaped soap.
bass!
A thunderbolt struck her mind, and the crucial clue resurfaced!
It was a gang crime! And it was premeditated!
Now... all that's needed is to find the man captured on surveillance footage, and the truth behind the [ Oswaldo Schneider murder case] will come to light.
"Just one more question... who gave you this bar of soap?"
To be honest, Topaz didn't want to involve Star and March 7th in this incident, and hoped they had nothing to do with the Church.
Without a word, Xing started rambling, yet with a hint of truth. "Every [ Eternity ] Traveler is given a Chair Blake, and I am one of them."
She directly revealed her identity.
"Dual... dual- Pathstrider?!"
Having proactively revealed her identity, Xing felt the negotiations became much easier. "Miss Topaz, Jarilo-VI is already under [ Eternity ] protection. Are the company's people here now to fight the Church for [custody]?"
If Blake saw the star representing the Church and speaking out for Jarilo-VI, he would surely be very pleased, knowing that the position of the Chair has a worthy successor.
Topaz chuckled meaningfully, "Haha~ Then let me ask you a question, Miss Xing... are you going to represent the [ Church of Eternity ] and make a decision to go against the company?"
"Or, may I interpret this as... a threat?"
Xing remained silent, already prepared for war. It was just a pity about the History Museum; rebuilding it would take quite some time.
"The debts owed by our ancestors are now being repaid by their descendants... If you think about it carefully, we're all just part of the cycle of life in the universe."
Topaz suddenly changed her tone; she wasn't foolish enough to take [a hard line] against the Astral Express.
Suddenly, the conversation turned to a topic that March 7th didn't quite understand. "... Huh? How did we suddenly get so into this?!"
"Um, Miss Topaz, what can we do to get the company to go easy on Belobog?" March 7th asked, having failed with the plan involving the [ Church ].
" Bronya and the others have worked so hard to make the world a better place... It would be too cruel to take away all their efforts in the blink of an eye..."
Topaz laughed and explained, "What do you think of the company, March 7th? Don't forget, we here, like [ The Architects ], are practitioners of [ Preservation ]."
"In any case, our proposed solutions will certainly take the well-being of the people of Belobog into account... If we can't even do that, wouldn't the [ Strategic Investment Department ] become just as unreasonable as the Antimatter Legion?"
"So you mean... we don't need to worry? But Bronya, she..."
From the perspective of the Astral Express, the Nameless really didn't need to worry too much about this matter, but from the perspective of the Supreme Guardian Bronya, it would be a lie to say she wasn't worried.
Having only been in the position of the nineteenth Supreme Guardian of Belobog for a few days, the largest economy in the universe came knocking on his door.
Not to mention the story before he became the Supreme Guardian; the former Supreme Guardian Cocolia, has been unilaterally judged by the Church, and his whereabouts are still unknown.
"Don't worry, the Supreme Guardian is a woman of great wisdom; she'll definitely figure it out."
"Besides, if you want me to answer your question directly... the answer is [no matter what I do, it won't help]. No matter what difficulties I encounter, I will definitely complete the Jarilo-VI project."
"... Even the [ Church of Eternity ]." Topaz's tone suddenly turned serious, and his attitude became resolute as he responded to Xing's words.
March 7th was startled. "I suddenly felt a sense of oppression, it was terrifying."
"So, I suggest you two don't put too much effort into this. What do you think? Why not enjoy the pre-festival atmosphere while you're still here... Ah, a colleague is looking for me, I'm so sorry."
"I'm going now, see you again someday~"
Seeing that the first negotiation ended in failure, the morale that had been raised so hard was crushed again.
"What should I do... We've been talking for ages, but there's been absolutely no progress!"
"What she said makes some sense..."
Xing temporarily abandoned the idea of calling Chair Blake, which almost made Topaz mistakenly think that she was being threatened.
"Yes, I think so too. But the problems facing Bronya are also very real... Ultimately, Miss Topaz is just following her work principles."
"To put it another way, from the perspectives of the Astral Express Crew and the Church, going against the company is definitely unwise... especially the latter. I heard from Teacher Ye Yan that the head of the [ Market Development Department ] is very interested in Church outposts; all that's needed is a catalyst."
"If we accidentally say something wrong, it could very well lead to a war!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the light in March 7th's eyes dimmed instantly, and the corners of her mouth visibly turned down.
"I've suddenly become so pessimistic!"
"Oh dear~ the stakes involved here are so complicated, so difficult to handle! Nobody taught me any of this at school... Wait, now that you mention it, did I go to school before I lost my memory?"
On March 7th, Xing suddenly realized something: she deeply sympathized with Xing's experience with amnesia.
To say they could become such good friends is practically a matter of amnesia on her part.