"Hey, Kafka!"
Silver Wolf suddenly leaned closer to Kafka, her face filled with anticipation and expectation.
"What d'you think about bringing Lucian into our group? Like, making him officially join the Stellaron Hunters?"
At the question, Kafka's motion of swirling the wine paused slightly, her violet eyes shifting toward Silver Wolf with a hint of amusement.
"Elio wouldn't agree to that. Besides, didn't he tell you last time not to interact with Lucian anymore? Did you forget?"
Kafka let out a soft laugh, then her gaze shifted toward the deep galaxy beyond the window.
"Lucian is not only a man with many secrets, but his strength is also unknown. He's definitely not simple. I mean, the fact that Elio cannot see his fate means we have lost our advantage in trying to recruit him."
Hearing her reasoning, Silver Wolf immediately calmed down and then fell silent, her expression turning thoughtful.
"Well, it's better to report the situation to Elio first and think about it later."
Seeing Silver Wolf's silence, Kafka suggested this with a smile.
With that, both of them went to the cockpit, sat side by side, and activated the encrypted communication channel with Elio. Before them, the projection device soon lit up, displaying Elio's virtual projection in his usual black cat form.
"Elio!" Silver Wolf spoke first, wearing a helpless expression. "Uhh, the mission's complete, but the whole process was totally different from the script. Aside from the final result, nothing went according to it."
"That's right," Kafka confirmed calmly, her expression earnest. "We ended up seeking Lucian's help—the one you mentioned before, the person whose fate you couldn't see."
On the projection, Elio's cat eyes seemed to flicker upon hearing their account. He remained silent for several seconds before his voice, carrying a peculiar rhythm, finally rang out.
[From what I can tell, this time truly was an accident.]
[As you know, the future I see cannot be wrong. It may be because he was on the space station, causing his existence to interfere with my ability.]
[In any case, the next script on Jarilo-VI definitely won't be wrong.]
Elio's tone was decisive and full of confidence, leaving Silver Wolf and Kafka with nothing further to say. Both of them were, after all, not rookies, and they had witnessed his capabilities with their own eyes, so a single mistake was not enough to make them question their leader.
[In the next script, we don't need to participate. We only need to guide the Astral Express to Jarilo-VI.]
[In that script, they will defeat the Supreme Guardian, Cocolia, who has been bewitched by a Stellaron.]
[At that moment, Stelle will step onto the Path of Preservation, and that will mark the beginning of everything.]
Elio's voice carried an unprecedented certainty.
[In a few days, when the time is right, guide the Astral Express to Jarilo-VI. Now that the stage has already been set, all that remains is for the actors to take their places.]
[Let us witness Stelle's transformation.]
Elio slightly raised his chin as he spoke—there was an almost sacred sense of anticipation in his posture before his projection vanished.
Silver Wolf and Kafka exchanged a silent glance.
Anticipation?
Perhaps.
But even more than that, there was, strangely, a subtle premonition of 'this time the script really won't collapse again, right?'
===
At the same time, aboard Herta Space Station, inside Herta's Office, Lucian brought Stelle before Herta as he had promised.
"So... who's this gray-haired girl?"
Herta sharply scrutinized Stelle, who seemed a bit dazed, and questioned Lucian.
"Well, simply put, she's the host, or maybe, the spirit, of a Stellaron," Lucian explained calmly, looking completely nonchalant. "I mean, the Stellaron you were keeping is now sealed inside her."
Herta immediately became interested upon hearing that and stood up, walking over to examine Stelle more closely.
"Interesting... you can actually use a person to seal a Stellaron? I had to build this entire space station just to seal one, y'know."
Hearing that, Lucian immediately told the truth.
"Nah, it wasn't me. I had the Stellaron Hunters handle it. It's their technology."
"Stellaron Hunters?" Herta raised her brows, looking surprised. "Tch, that bunch is bad news. You gotta be careful, or you'll get yourself beaten to death by them."
"Oh?" Lucian raised his brows as well, a slight smile appearing on his face. "You worried about me?"
"Hmph, who's worried about you?" Herta snorted, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, you'd be better off just getting beaten to death already."
If someone keen were watching their interaction, the two of them would seem to share an atmosphere almost like playful flirting, but unfortunately, the one watching was Stelle.
"Hey, you dare curse my godfather?!" Stelle snapped, frowning as she pointed directly at Herta's face. "Watch it, or I'll yank your hair!"
"Ohoho? You little thing really protect your master, huh..." Herta mocked, looking at Stelle as if she were some brat, then turned to Lucian with a face full of disdain. "Godfather? Hmph, you've got no shame, huh. You're a grown man, and she looks about the same age as you. How do you even have the nerve to call yourself her godfather?"
"Hmph, that's none of your business," Lucian shot back, not even bothering with Herta's disdainful face. "Plenty of people wanna have me as their godfather and still don't get the chance."
At his words, Herta immediately fell silent, unable to deny it.
Lucian's charm was obvious to everyone, and she was aware that even the female researchers on her space station had begun to be captivated by him.
"Yeah, that's right! My godfather's unbeatable when it comes to looks, so if you wanna be my godmother, you gotta start flattering me real quick! Otherwise, no way I'm letting you two get together!"
Stelle stood with her hands on her hips, her expression proud as she declared dominance, looking completely arrogant and smug.
Seeing her behavior, Lucian was so amused that he could not help but curl his lips into a smile.
Herta, on the other hand, widened her eyes at what she had just heard.
"Godmother? Who would even want to be your godmother?! Are you nuts? I am never gonna be your godmother, not in this lifetime! You're not even worthy of me being your godmother! Your godfather... barely... no, that won't work either!"
It seemed as though some sort of keyword had been triggered, as the usually rational and calm Herta suddenly began frantically arguing with Stelle.
"Hmph, look at you, getting all anxious," Stelle said with a smug grin. "You got all worked up just because I wouldn't let you be my godmother, and you still say you don't wanna? Hmph, what kinda woman says one thing and means the exact opposite?"
"You... You..." Herta pointed a finger at Stelle, her face turning red. "You idiot! Whatever! Talking to you is just a waste of time!"
In the end, after holding it in for several seconds, the only counter Herta managed to squeeze out was 'idiot.'
Lucian watched from the side with great interest, wanting to laugh but holding himself back.
'Good grief, these two really could put on quite an amusing show.'
Seeing Herta quarrelling so fiercely with Stelle was honestly quite amusing, but judging by how angry Herta was becoming, it was time to slip away.
"Stelle, is that an appropriate way to talk to your godmother? Let's go."
Lucian quickly pulled Stelle away and slipped out.
"Lucian, educate her properly!"
Seeing them suddenly walk away, Herta reflexively called out from behind, but froze the very next second, her face stiffening.
"WAIT, WHO'S HER GODMOTHER! I'M NOT!"
Inside the office, Herta's furious shout echoed throughout the entire space station, genuinely angered by Lucian's words.
===
"Godfather, did I make you look good?"
Outside Herta's Office, Stelle looked at Lucian and asked with a face full of anticipation, like a child wanting their parent's praise.
"You did. Good job," Lucian replied with a nod and a smile. "But when I'm not around in the future, remember not to act so arrogantly. It's way too easy to get beaten to death. Even though I can bring people back from the dead, you'd still have to suffer through it, right?"
Hearing that, instead of fear, Stelle's eyes lit up.
"I understand."
Resurrect the dead?
If her godfather really could resurrect the dead, then he was definitely no ordinary person—at the very least, she now had some incredibly powerful backing.
Not wasting any time, Lucian immediately brought Stelle to the Reception Center in the Base Zone to meet the Astral Express crew.
Having Stelle join the Astral Express was rather important, as he could not keep bringing her along like a third wheel forever. Besides, he had already more or less promised Silver Wolf and Kafka that he would have Stelle join the Astral Express, so sending her aboard the Astral Express was the best choice for now.
"Guys, let me introduce her—this is my goddaughter, Stelle. I want her to join the Astral Express and become a Trailblazer."
Lucian went straight to the point without the slightest bit of politeness, mainly because he knew that the Astral Express would basically accept anyone.
"A goddaughter, and she's this big?"
March looked at Stelle, who seemed to be about the same age as her and carried the same youthful aura, in bewilderment, then glanced at Lucian, who did not appear much older than either of them.
How had their relationship ended up becoming that of godfather and goddaughter?
"Of course, if she's willing, the Astral Express welcomes any traveler who wishes to embark on an adventure."
Himeko responded with a gentle smile before glancing at Stelle.
Just like that, everyone else also turned to look at Stelle, waiting for her opinion.
Stelle's big golden eyes swept across March and Welt before finally landing on Himeko.
As soon as she saw that figure, that beauty, Stelle raised her brows in amazement before turning to look at Lucian, as if seeking his opinion.
In response, Lucian simply smiled and nodded.
"Go. You should become a Trailblazer."
Upon hearing that, and while exchanging glances with him, Stelle seemed to understand something and finally nodded firmly.
"Got it!" Stelle said solemnly, her expression just as serious. "I'm gonna join the Astral Express and swear to get the mission done!"
No one paid any attention to what 'mission' she was talking about, because no one, including Lucian, knew that, in her mind, the reason he wanted her to join the Astral Express was so that she could work from the inside and help him win over Himeko!
===
[A bonus chapter for every 300 Power Stones.]
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