The six of them made their way back to Beloberg.
Once they arrived, the three Astral Express crew checked into the Goethe Hotel for some much-needed rest.
Bronya decided to stay in the Iron Guard penalty area, to share their victory with Jepard and the silver-maned Iron Guards.
Seele opted to take the subway back to the lower area to also inform them especially those of [Wildfire], of what has happened so far.
Adonis, on the other hand, headed back to his office, took a seat, and opened the chat group. He had also ended the Livestream a little while ago.
[Inori: I can't tell if it's just my imagination, but the new boss seems stronger than Cocolia from the game?]
[A2: After running the numbers, the meteorite created by Cocolia is 12.3 meters in diameter, whereas the meteorite created by the new boss is 50 meters in diameter.]
[A2: So, to put it simply? Yes, the new boss is indeed stronger than Cocolia.]
[Kanade: Nevertheless, she's still incredibly powerful, probably city-level at least, right?]
[Anna: That's a valid point. If the new boss is stronger than Cocolia, then it means Adonis, who easily defeated the new boss, is even more impressive, right?]
[A2: Adonis's strength seems to be beyond what I initially thought.]
[Shiina: Now that we understand his power, it's hard to treat him as just one of us, isn't it? (=ω=;)]
[Kanade: I feel the same way.]
[Inori: It seems we had some misconceptions about him before...]
[Shiina: Well, I've made up my mind. I'll address him as "Respected Lord Guardian" from now on!]
[Kanade: You're making it sound quite formal.]
Adonis immediately smiled wryly.
Isn't he just a bit more powerful than them? Why are they sounding so formal now?
[Adonis: What did you all talk about when I wasn't here?]
[Shiina: Lord Guardian, are you no longer busy?]
[Shiina: Lord Guardian, we haven't discussed anything significant.]
[Adonis: ... I'm not insisting, besides, just call me Adonis.]
[A2: I've changed my programming; I have re-programmed myself to address you with honorifics.]
[Kanade: Hnn.]
[Anna: Kanade-chan, you're a human, don't imitate Sister A2.]
[Shiina: We simply hold you in high regard, Lord Guardian, don't overthink it.]
[Adonis: Alright, then do whatever you want.]
[A2: Lord Guardian, there's a plus sign in the lower right corner of the chat group; click on it to access the private chat where you'll find the items you requested.]
[Adonis: I'll take a look.]
Adonis followed A2's instructions and accessed the private chat. He found five folders from each of the five group members. However, there was additional content included in the private chat from Shiina.
After reviewing the contents, they we're about Shiina saying something about their pervious conversations, Adonis couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
With his knowledge of Shiina, he suspected that her message had a deliberate purpose – to pique his curiosity. It was safe to say she had succeeded.
Adonis found himself increasingly intrigued by their previous conversation, but for the time being, he decided to focus on examining the "content." One by one, he opened the files sent by the five group members.
The files containing photos from Anna Kushina and Kanade contained nothing out of the ordinary, just their usual daily selfies that matched his memories of them perfectly.
However, the documents sent by A2, Shiina, and Anna had him genuinely delighted.
Adonis couldn't help but smile as he browsed through Shiina's sleeping face and various dress-up photos of Inori. He was thoroughly satisfied with what he saw. After perusing the content to his heart's content, he returned to the chat group.
[Adonis: Excellent content, I approve.]
[Kaede: …]
[Shiina: So, Lord Guardian, can you tell me what photos Sister A2 sent you?]
[A2: By the way, the star core crisis of Jarlio-Vi has been lifted. Lord Guardian, what are you going to do next? Stay in Beloberg as the Grand Guardian, or follow the Astral Express for a while?]
[Shiina: Sister A2, are you changing the subject? You're changing the subject! What the hell did you send to him… Why didn't Lord Guardian post that?]
[Adonis: Well, I thought you heard what I said to Bronya and Seele. I plan to stay in Beloberg and help with the rebuilding here.]
[A2: I see.]
[Shiina: Ah, why didn't anyone reply to me? Sister A2, you didn't send him a picture of me bathing, did you? Did you?!]
[A2: Shit. My hiding place was discovered by YoRHa, I'll withdraw for now.]
[Shiina: Huh? Sister A2, where are you going...? Argh!]