Because I Got Lost

"I see. I roughly understand the whole story now. As allies of the Xianzhou, since the Astral Express has made a request, the Luofu should naturally offer its full assistance. However, this Ambrosial Arbor is a matter of great significance and extreme danger..."

In the Divine Foresight, Jing Yuan sat behind the General's desk, looking at the row of Express crew members standing solemnly before him, a rare troubled expression on his face.

For some reason, Jing Yuan felt he had been wearing this expression quite often lately. Yet, whenever he thought carefully, it seemed nothing significant enough had happened to move him to this extent.

The Stellaron crisis was ultimately quelled, that Hoolay was merely a jumping clown, everything was under his control... Besides Phantylia being slightly troublesome, nothing else seemed capable of causing him such a headache.

Where did this strange feeling come from? Could it be that the current awkward situation was creating illusions...?

Looking at the eyes filled with expectation and trust, Jing Yuan felt a subtle emotion.

Logically and emotionally, the Express crew had helped the Xianzhou numerous times. Even the Ambrosial Arbor itself was resealed with their assistance; they were definitely trustworthy allies. Their request to approach the Ambrosial Arbor, while against regulations, was something any General would likely accommodate.

But Jing Yuan, for some unknown reason, had a strange feeling now, as if this Express crew, though seemingly respectable, might just turn around and pull off some major stunt at any moment...

Jing Yuan's gaze subconsciously shifted towards Dan Heng, who met his stare seriously, unflinchingly.

Hmm, he had previously allowed him to move freely on the Xianzhou again, so his presence here was normal—But why did his stomach ache so much?

"This matter... cough, it's not that we cannot resolve it. But, in the world, it's not like... uh, we can necessarily accomplish everything. Of course, saying this matter cannot be done? That's not it either..."

"Jing Yuan, stop beating around the bush! Just give us a straight answer! Are you letting us go take a look near the Ambrosial Arbor or not?!"

Seeing Jing Yuan humming and hawing for ages without saying anything useful, March 7th finally snapped. "Yes or no, just say it directly!"

"See, impatient again," Jing Yuan waved his hand. "Still... need to study it further. Why don't you all rest well first? I'll call Fu Qing and the others to discuss this matter thoroughly..."

"Understood. After all, it's a significant matter; being unable to decide immediately is normal," Himeko didn't press further, nodding understandingly and turning to leave with the others. "Then we shall await the General's news."

Just as the backs of the Express crew were about to disappear from the Divine Foresight, a sense of crisis, seemingly originating from the void, suddenly assaulted Jing Yuan intensely. His own familiar procrastination, their familiar cooperation... This strong sense of déjà vu made him feel as if non-existent memories were attacking him!

"Everyone, please wait!"

Though a rational person, at this moment, Jing Yuan chose to trust his Emanator's intuition!

Seeing the group stop and turn back questioningly, Jing Yuan took a deep breath, slowly rose from behind the desk, and declared righteously, "I've considered it carefully. The Express crew are close comrades who fought alongside my Xianzhou. Such matters should indeed not keep you waiting! How about this: I am willing to grant special permission for this matter in the name of the Divine Foresight General. However, the Ambrosial Arbor is extremely dangerous. Please grant me some time to make preparations first, just in case!"

"Jing Yuan, I knew you were the most loyal!"

March 7th and Caelus's excitement was almost undisguised. The other Express members also visibly relaxed. Even Dan Heng's gaze towards Jing Yuan held a bit more gratitude.

Receiving the approval and gratitude of his former old friend should normally make Jing Yuan feel a moment of emotion, but unfortunately, today, Jing Yuan only felt stomach pain.

He had a bad feeling this old friend would ruthlessly backstab him and create another huge mess for the Xianzhou... Hopefully, it was just paranoia from too many recent events on the Xianzhou.

...

"After going around in such a big circle, turns out we were standing at the finish line from the beginning!"

Emerging from the Divine Foresight, everyone's mood visibly improved. March 7th's steps also became lighter. "Looks like we'll know the truth soon and find our companion back—Little March will have someone backing me up from now on! Let's see who dares bully me~ If another bad guy like Hoolay shows up, I'll call Twilight to flatten him with one punch!"

"Calling for backup when you can't win doesn't sound like something a hero would do," With the mood lightened, Dan Heng felt inclined to tease March 7th.

Facing Dan Heng's retort, March 7th felt no shame, instead puffing out her chest proudly, hands on hips. "That's right~ Before Twilight, they could bully me, whatever. But if they still bully me after Twilight is here, wouldn't that mean—"

For some reason, halfway through her sentence, March 7th felt the remaining words turn sour and heavy, unable to speak them.

It was as if... she had said the same words at some important moment before... but she couldn't remember.

Seeing March 7th's mood quickly plummet again, Welt and Himeko, following behind the three juniors, exchanged complex glances.

Although the situation had improved significantly now, and they didn't need to risk sneaking into the Ambrosial Arbor anymore, the fundamental issue hadn't changed. They might indeed have a companion named Twilight, but whether they could remember her or not, one thing definitely wouldn't change.

Twilight was likely already dead.

The juniors, especially March 7th and Caelus, perhaps simply hadn't noticed, or were deliberately avoiding thinking about this point. They seemed to believe now that as long as they could recover memories of Twilight, they could successfully bring Twilight back. But when they truly remembered everything, only to find themselves powerless to change reality... how would they face it?

Especially Caelus...

"Himeko, why do you think birds fly?"

"?" Himeko looked at Welt quizzically. "Are you discussing species evolution now?"

"Not exactly..."

Welt sighed. "I just suddenly remembered, back home, someone once asked me this question... That person couldn't change their world's ending and ended up doing many crazy things."

"They're all good kids. It'll be fine."

"Good kids...?"

Looking up at the sky, Welt said no more.

Are warriors protecting the world considered good kids? Are leaders maintaining world balance considered good kids?

The more upright and kind-hearted a person inherently is, the more their original resilience and perseverance tend to transform into more extreme paranoia after the most important string in their heart snaps.

But he himself shouldn't be like that... Mm, definitely not! He was the man bearing the name Welt, how could he possibly—

Hmm?

Noticing something unusual, Welt suddenly stopped walking. Seeing the figure standing blankly at the street corner, he almost thought his eyes were playing tricks. Only after carefully adjusting his glasses and observing did he breathe a sigh of relief.

What the—Oh, it's just Acheron... Just thinking about home, he thought some acquaintance had shown up—

Wait—Why is Acheron on the Luofu?!