The First Stop in the North Su Region...?

Because they needed to constantly monitor the condition of the tracks along the way, and it was currently February—still the season for blizzards covering Siberia—the estimated travel time for this train journey to reach its destination was at least one month.

By the time they returned, Shu's group would probably arrive just in time for Labor Day.

"Shut up... Don't say anything about coming back before the holiday," Shu's eye twitched as he looked at Kiana, who had just made the "bold declaration."

"Oh," Kiana nodded obediently and shut her mouth.

Although she didn't know what landmine she had stepped on this time, at least she knew she had stepped on one.

"We need to stop in Shangjing City for at least a day." Shu and the others were currently in Otto's office on basement level 7.

Shu brought up a large virtual projection map, pointed at Shangjing City's location, and said, "This is the administrative center of Shenzhou. There are many confidential archives inside.

"Moreover, the level of technology here is highly developed. Although the place isn't large, its prosperity exceeds even ARC City's," Shu said, flipping through another virtual screen.

All this information had been prepared by Otto. Besides recovering and overseeing battles these past two months, Shu had been forced by Otto to read through these materials.

Anyway, Shu's head was spinning from reading, but at least he had absorbed some of it.

"If we find a lot of survivors, do we need to return early?" Mei asked, somewhat puzzled.

"We can return early," Shu glanced at Bronya, who was leaning on the table, staring expressionlessly at the virtual projection. "But if the situation isn't urgent, we should still continue forward with these survivors."

"Bronya believes returning should be prioritized," Bronya popped her head up and looked at Shu.

Shu didn't answer.

Bronya understood that Shu suggesting they continue forward was for her, Seele, and everyone at the orphanage's sake.

But Bronya was even more unwilling to see everyone burdened too much because of her.

"We'll have to analyze the specific situation," Shu waved his hand, indicating they should skip this minor topic, and continued introducing the route based on the information Otto had left.

"After leaving Shangjing City, we'll enter the North Su Region [Northern Territories/Siberia]. Our first stop here is..." Shu's finger paused on a name, and then he frowned.

The group stared silently at the five projected characters for a moment. Then, Shu's finger continued sliding, moving to the next location.

"It's here, Padlika..."

"Wait, why didn't you introduce this place?" Kiana shot her hand up, pointing at the location Shu had skipped over.

"Hm? What place?" Surprisingly, Shu looked up with a genuinely puzzled expression, looking uncomprehendingly at Kiana, then followed her finger to where she was pointing.

"Hm?" Seeing the five familiar characters again, Shu's frown deepened.

"Kiana, Shu didn't miss any place..." Mei pursed her lips and gently pulled Kiana's hand back. "Don't cause trouble for now."

Kiana's eyes widened. "That's not right! This should be the first stop, right? Even though my geography is terrible, I can still read a map!

"There's clearly a place here..."

Kiana's voice trailed off. She suddenly looked hesitantly at her own finger, then back at the map.

Wait... where was I pointing just now?

On the map, wasn't the place Shu had just pointed to the first stop?

"Mmm..." Kiana pouted, falling into deep suspicion.

"Where was I pointing..."

"De..." Just then, Shu suddenly started speaking with some difficulty. He stared intently at the five characters on the map, seemingly trying to read them aloud.

But though the five characters were on the tip of his tongue, amidst this feeling of imminent utterance, Shu couldn't quite say the remaining characters.

Immediately after, Shu seemed to suddenly remember something.

"Where's Theresa now?" Shu asked abruptly.

"Huh? Aunt Theresa?" Kiana looked up, completely bewildered, her finger still raised. "Why ask that all of a sudden?"

Right... why did I suddenly ask that?

Shu also looked blankly at Kiana, scratching his head awkwardly.

"The Principal... stayed up a bit late last night, seems like she hasn't gotten up yet..." Bronya recalled, then answered seriously.

The atmosphere among them turned somewhat cold for a moment. No one knew why Shu had suddenly asked about Theresa's current status.

"Ahem... Haven't seen her all day, just asking," Shu cleared his throat, making up a random excuse to alleviate the awkwardness.

He hadn't seen Fu Hua or Kallen today either... Was it because Theresa needed more concern?

"Alright, let's continue talking about the first stop in the North Su Region." Shu's finger moved to the characters for [Padlika]. "This is the central area of the eastern North Su Region. There are many resources here; we need to fill one carriage..."

This time, no one raised any objections. Even Kiana nodded seriously while looking at the map, though after a short while, her nods turned into sleepy ones.

She didn't seem to notice that her finger had remained pointing outwards the whole time.

...

In the afternoon, a refreshed Otto, along with a squinting Kallen and a messy-haired Theresa, appeared on basement level 11.

"Good afternoon," Otto greeted Shu, who was checking the status of the Key of Evolution.

"Afternoon," Shu tapped the blood-red gem embedded in the center of the chest armor, confirming it was still inactive before stepping away from the Key of Evolution.

Otto took over, carefully checked the Key of Evolution's other statuses, and nodded.

"No problems. If possible, we can start the experiment now."

Kiana, who had been waiting eagerly for this moment, stretched her body, walked over bouncing, stood amidst the components of the Key of Evolution, and extended her arms.

Mechanical arms carrying armor components began to operate, rapidly assembling the scattered parts onto Kiana's body.

Kiana had already changed into a bodysuit beforehand, and the armor was quickly assembled.

The bright silver base color was engraved with emerald green patterns, all leading towards the blood-red gem in the center of the chest plate.

Kiana walked out of the mechanical arms' range and began a second warm-up wearing the armor.

Initially, the armor pieces collided, making some noise, but as Kiana moved, the gaps between the armor gradually aligned, and the mounted pieces settled into place.

Key of Evolution donning complete.

"Alright!" Kiana shouted excitedly, her eyes shining as she looked around at everyone. "Who's my opponent this time?"

"I'll do it," Shu had already walked onto the training field, standing opposite Kiana.

"Alright! Let me show you how amazing I am!!" Kiana confidently swiped her nose, looking eagerly at Shu.