Chapter 86: You Made Seele Laugh

Bronya had returned to the upper city; there was much to take care of. Meanwhile, Gu Tang and the others accompanied Seele back to the underworld.

They saw that everyone was celebrating the reconnection between the underworld and the overworld. From the miners in the Big Mine to the employees at Goethe Grand Hotel, even the children playing on the streets were rejoicing at the prospect of a new future. Scenes that had only appeared in dreams were now a reality.

Hope blossomed in the hearts of all the residents of the underworld.

Buzz—buzz—

The phones of the Astral Express crew started vibrating. Someone was mentioning them in the group chat "Astral Express Family."

Himeko: @Stelle @March 7th @Dan Heng @Gu Tang, the sealing of the Stellaron is complete, and the spatial distortions are gradually recovering. Good job, everyone.

Gu Tang: How's Welt?

Welt: Don't worry, I'm fine. I just need some rest.

Gu Tang: Don't push yourself.

Welt: I should be thanking you, Gu Tang. You made me feel a hundred years younger.

March 7th: Uncle Yang, your back might not agree with how you feel...

Dan Heng: We might have to stay a bit longer.

Himeko: No rush. Take your time. The train will stay here until you're ready to return.

Himeko: Oh, by the way, Gu Tang, Pom-Pom is quite upset about the broken window on the train.

Gu Tang: Well, let me fix it, then.

Himeko: ...Pom-Pom says they'll forgive you this time, but please, don't modify anything on the train at will.

Gu Tang: Too bad. Driving the Stellaron engine was exhilarating. I was even thinking of turning the train into a giant robot.

Welt: Really?! I've got a ton of blueprints here!

Welt: And plenty of reference materials! I've kept them all!

Welt: Do you prefer something traditional? Or something that can transform? I've got them all!

Welt has been muted by Himeko for 5 minutes.

Himeko: Back on topic. Although the Stellaron's influence has mostly dissipated, the existing anomalies might have rooted too deeply.

Himeko: The extreme climate caused by the cold wave has lasted for a long time, severely affecting the planet's ecosystem.

Himeko: In short, this planet won't recover its vitality of a thousand years ago anytime soon.

March 7th: Ah... How could that be...

Stelle: Is there anything we can do?

Himeko: The mission is complete; the fate of this world should be returned to its people.

Himeko: Humankind has struggled to survive in many harsh environments, but they always prevail. Believe in humanity's resilience.

...

...

---

Gu Tang and the others arrived at the Robot Settlement, intending to check on Svarog and Clara.

The mobile traffic light, Perkins, came out to greet them. Thus, Gu Tang crossed his arms, sitting calmly on Perkins' head, as they headed to Svarog's location.

"This guy, acting so high and mighty in someone else's territory," Seele remarked, watching Gu Tang being transported by Perkins.

"It does look pretty comfortable..." March 7th said enviously.

Soon, Svarog and Clara, who were conversing, appeared before them.

"The heroes have arrived, Clara," Svarog said as he looked at the group.

March 7th scratched her head sheepishly, "Ah, heroes, that's too much praise for us~"

Stelle glanced at March 7th, suspecting that Svarog might have been referring specifically to Gu Tang. But she kept her thoughts to herself.

Clara smiled, "It's the Variable brothers and sisters."

"Another weird nickname," Dan Heng muttered, stroking his chin.

Stelle shot a side-eye at Dan Heng, "It's better than 'junk' followed by a string of numbers."

Gu Tang hopped down from Perkins' head and walked up to Clara, "The battle earlier was pretty intense. Did you get affected at all?"

Clara shook her head, "Thanks to Mr. Svarog strengthening this place over the years, we felt the tremors, but no wanderers were hurt."

"Oh, Gu Tang is clearly asking if the adorable Clara got hurt," March 7th teased, ruffling Clara's hair.

Clara blushed, "Adorable... Ah, Clara didn't get hurt."

Gu Tang turned to Svarog, "Bronya has already issued the order. The blockade between the underworld and the overworld will be lifted soon. Svarog, your mission is complete. Thank you."

"Never thought you'd help us in the end. Thanks, Svarog. You know, you're not so bad after all," Seele thanked Svarog, appearing more candid than Dan Heng.

As for Dan Heng...

"Hmph, I'll grudgingly acknowledge your contribution," Dan Heng said, arms crossed, maintaining his cold demeanor.

Svarog's mechanical eye glowed red, "Calculation... updated. Mission number 0001, protect the underworld—completed. Mission closed."

"You all said you're travelers from another planet, right?" Clara asked, her eyes sparkling as she looked at them with admiration. "Clara wants to become like you one day—traveling to distant places and making more friends."

"Don't worry, Clara. You'll definitely make more friends than me," Gu Tang assured her. "After all, you're not like me, a social phobia."

"Social phobia..." Stelle looked skeptically at Gu Tang. She suspected that by "social phobia," he meant someone who makes society afraid, abbreviated as "social phobia."

At that moment, their phones started vibrating again.

Bronya: How are things in the underworld?

Bronya: Sending health blessings your way.jpg

Stelle: Your choice of emojis...

Bronya: What's wrong? I quite like it...

Seele: Hahahahahaha, so tacky!

Seele: Hahahahahahaha!

Seele: Hahahahaha!

Seele has been muted by Bronya for 50 years.

Stelle: It's amazing. Even though it's just text, I can almost hear Seele's laughter.

Dan Heng: That's because she's right next to you, though now it's more like angry yelling.

Gu Tang: Are you okay?

Bronya: Don't worry, I'm not hurt.

Bronya: I've already instructed the Silvermane Guards to immediately lift the blockade between the upper and lower cities. Some people in the underworld should have received the notification.

Bronya: The passenger cable car station, which has been sealed off for decades, should reopen soon. If you're willing, I'd like you to come back to the overworld for my inauguration ceremony.

March 7th: Yay, we won't miss it for the world!

Dan Heng: We'll be there.

Stelle: We'll be there, for sure.

Gu Tang: Sure, and maybe grab a bite too.

Bronya: See you then.

Bronya: Cherish fate, cherish you.jpg