In the end, no one could resist the bone-deep yearning for Trailblazing.
A completely unknown world—one even Akivili had never set foot in. Was there any destination more suited for Trailblazing?
Everyone raised their hands in agreement!
Thus, the Express crew returned to their respective rooms to prepare.
Before packing, Caelus chatted with everyone for a bit.
March 7th declared that this time she was definitely going to take tons of beautiful photos and fill the entire camera's memory!
Finally, Caelus arrived at the Parlor Car ahead of Sunday.
But Sunday's reaction was unusually flat—or rather, slightly dazed.
[Why do I feel like Sunday bro is different now?]
[So spacey.]
[Completely lacking that scheming, high-IQ vibe from Season 4.]
[Look on the bright side—maybe Old Sunday doesn't have to be so exhausted anymore?]
After finishing his talk with Sunday, Caelus approached Black Swan.
She gently lifted her chin, looking full of confidence—clearly, she'd anticipated this answer long ago.
"You're here. I hear the Nameless have chosen Amphoreus—a very wise decision."
Caelus didn't bother with that question and cut straight to it. "Why does the Garden of Recollection need the Astral Express's help?"
"To be precise, this is my personal request. Have you ever heard the saying: 'Memorians traverse myriad worlds, solely to collect every precious memory'?
Salvaging forgotten 'memories' is my duty. And the Amphoreus reflected in the Garden's Mirror… it's like a treasure in a display case—radiant, yet untouchable.
I need a sharp nail capable of piercing the glass—that would be all of you. Only 'Trailblazing' can penetrate deep into Amphoreus, cut through layers of mist, and bring the world's 'memories' back into the light.
You won't disappoint me, right?"
[Definitely a setup. 100% foreshadowing.]
[Bet 50 cents Black Swan has some ace up her sleeve.]
[So it means Trailblazing power is required to even enter Amphoreus?]
Caelus shrugged and slipped back to his new quarters in a flash.
After some thought—heavy preparation beats no preparation! He tossed his luggage aside…
Never mind. Some preparation is still better than none. Formalities have their place.
Feeling the time was about right, Caelus found a seat in the car.
"Attention all passengers—the Express is about to perform a warp jump—please remain seated and hold on to Pa—!"
With Pom-Pom's announcement over the broadcast, the Express began its warp.
Once the jump finished, Caelus went to the window and looked out.
It seemed to be nothing but empty space.
Black Swan slowly approached Caelus's side. "Nothing at all… puzzling?"
In the next instant, she waved her hand lightly, parting space to reveal what lay hidden in the starfield—the next stop.
"The answer is concealed within the stars."
At that moment, amid the galaxy appeared a planet bearing the Möbius loop symbol.
"Behold—this is the world isolated from all others, visible only in the reflection of the Garden of Recollection's Mirror… 'the Eternal Land, Amphoreus'."
Caelus stared in astonishment at the sight before him and couldn't help exclaiming, "Holy—'8'!"
[I can only say, as expected of you!]
[Look—everyone else completely ignored Caelus's response.]
[The whole crew is here. Attendance is perfect.]
[But… feels like someone's missing.]
[Bro, where's March 7th?]
[Yeah, where's March?]
[Where's my wife? Who hid my wife?]
— —
"As you can all see, Amphoreus is enveloped in a chaotic mass of matter, making it nearly impossible to observe from the outside. Ordinary interstellar travel would never detect its existence, let alone approach or reach it."
Black Swan patiently explained. "But the Garden of Recollection has glimpsed this place—and along with it, the ever-shifting Paths that trace across it."
Himeko nodded. "'Three Paths intertwine and entwine around Amphoreus, together weaving the fate of the world'—by your account, ordinary Pathstriders leave no trace in the Mirror. Therefore… in this isolated stellar system, at least three existences comparable to Emanators have been born."
"Possibly even direct manifestations of the Aeons Themselves."
Hearing the two women's description, Welt Yang stroked his chin. "Such a cradle of heroes and talents, yet utterly unknown across the cosmos. Indeed strange."
[Whoa, this place is that stacked?]
[For some reason, every time I hear 'cradle of heroes and talents,' I wanna laugh.]
[Mr. Yang, is it possible your own hometown is exactly that kind of 'cradle of heroes yet utterly unknown' place?]
[Utterly unknown = mysterious, right?]
— —
Himeko continued sharing the information she'd gathered. "Previously, we already knew one of the three Paths is 'Erudition'…"
Black Swan: "And the second—no need to hide it from you all—you've just witnessed it with your own eyes: 'Remembrance'."
Welt Yang nodded thoughtfully. "No wonder a Memorian could unveil its veil. Then… what about the third?"
"Regrettably, fate is stingy with revealing its true color. I don't know what the third Path is either.
It lurks beneath the radiance of 'Erudition' and 'Remembrance,' standing in equal opposition to both. Is it 'Equilibrium'? 'Enigmata'? Or 'Permanence'? I have no clue.
The white light band coiling around Amphoreus may well be the result of these three Paths intertwining. Only you Trailblazers can plunge into the center of the vortex and see its true appearance."
"Be that as it may, we still lack too much intelligence. The more practical issue is that landing site selection is currently impossible. What awaits us could be oceans, oxygen-deprived vacuum zones, volcanic magma…"
At this point, Dan Heng also pointed out the dangers of the journey.
Caelus puffed out his chest. "Don't worry—I'm built different!"
[Please stop. The flags are already maxed out.]
[He's the protagonist—flags are free real estate for him.]
[True. I refuse to believe this web drama would actually knife the protagonist.]
[This is just setting the mood. Overinterpretation.]
— —
Dan Heng let out a soft sigh and spoke earnestly. "I know you're fearless in the face of death, but don't be reckless. Everyone here cherishes you greatly."
Still, Himeko seemed quite satisfied with Caelus's reaction. "Looks like someone's already itching to get off and hit the ground running."
Just then.
Welt Yang seemed to realize something. "Wait a minute… isn't someone missing?"