Clatter, clatter.

The wheels drummed their monotonous rhythm on the iron rail.

The man with a faint scar on his forehead leaned against the hard back of the long-distance train seat, turning his head to gaze at the endless trees flashing past the window.

Beside him were passengers from nearby cities. Nowadays, even though train tickets were exorbitantly priced, some people still spared no expense to get a seat, hoping to escape the escalating rumors and unrest.

Across from him sat a fair-skinned man in his forties, wearing a common oval-brimmed hat.

“I’ll get off at the next station. Are you sure you don’t need me to accompany you? ” Dereiano said.

Zorro thought for a moment. “Thank you, but I doubt there’ll be much danger. “

“Yeah, to be able to leave so effortlessly amidst such intense hostility, that unacquainted brother of ours… he’s got some real skills. “

The train began to slow down. Dereiano checked his watch and said:

“Alright, we’ve arrived at Kroston Central Dispatch Station. I’ll get off here. Remember, whenever there’s danger, don’t hesitate to contact me with the beacon, no matter the time. “

He traced his gloved finger across his forehead, grinning as he made a gesture.

Zorro smiled back. “Farewell, ” he said. Soon, many others rose, standing shoulder to shoulder in the aisle, preparing to disembark.

Zorro closed his eyes to rest briefly, then suddenly opened them wide.

-｛The Premium Vintage Double-Function Pocket Watch states: It’s about time for the Twelve O’Clock Inquiry. I hear you’re looking for the “White Violet Hero, ” the one who’s lighting the fire for labor issues. Time’s running short. Why don’t you contact him directly? Are you lacking that shimmer of glory?｝

Zorro pulled out the pocket watch and glanced at it, then closed his eyes, silently contemplating in his mind.

｛The story of finding a close friend and succeeding—that’s a sense of accomplishment many would be willing to hear about, and even fantasize about experiencing themselves.｝

This thought, accompanied by a twisted, illusory fantasy pattern line, formed a magic rune in his mind. After a flash, he felt his spirit grow extremely weary.

-｛The core of the Premium Vintage Double-function Pocket Watch delivers you’re precisely at twelve o’clock.｝

-｛The Premium Vintage Double-function Pocket Watch Needs Rest.｝

Zorro slipped it inside the inner pocket of his clothing.

For the past half day, he had no way to transmit any messages using it.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes again.

-｛The Premium Vintage Double-function Pocket Watch Ten o’clock note says: In the Republic of Waldestadt, the core objective organization has been breached. Our people can begin to advance.｝

……

Due to a setback, the two carriages ultimately did not arrive at the next settlement where they could spend the night, as planned.

But Yang Zicang knew far too much about making camp in the woods. After spotting a hillside with a bit of an upslope, he and He Yishu used machetes to cut down branches for the tent’s skeleton. Thorn, meanwhile, lit another campfire.

Lianna, sitting elegantly like a lady on a cloth mat spread out on the grass, had a baited lunch box laid before her.

“Brother Buchen, the terrain down there is so flat—why didn’t we set up the tent there instead? If we run into danger, wouldn’t it be easier to get away quickly? “

Yang Zicang secured the wooden stick he was tying and turned his head to say, “Do you know why that flat area is there, surrounded by slopes on both sides? “

Lianna shook her head.

Yang Zicang smiled, “That’s because it was carved out by repeated mountain floods. It’s alright now, but in a couple of months, you’ll often see raging torrents here. “

“Huh? ” Lianna was a bit frightened, then quickly grew excited again, “What else? “

“What else? “

“I mean, besides deadly mountain floods, what other things should we avoid? ” Seeing that her “hero ” seemed momentarily stumped, she looked around, pointed at a large tree, and asked, “Why don’t we set up the tent under the tree? It’ll shield us from the wind. “

“Oh, right, you should avoid being under trees. “

“Yeah? Why’s that! “

He Yishu chuckled from the side, “I know this one—because we’d get struck by lightning, right. “

Lianna’s face went blank, surprised. “Eh? “

In the evening, the group sat together, gazing up at the stars: the Big Dipper, Orion’s three bright points forming a belt-like line, Auriga shaped like a pentagon connected by invisible lines, and Virgo as a binary star system consisting of two almost identical main-sequence stars.

Lianna listened to Yang Zicang and He Yishu, who were lying on the grass casually chatting, and let out a series of astonished sounds.

She was utterly captivated by the night, an experience she had never known before.

The little girl turned over, lounging on the blanket, looking at her “hero ” nearby—this would truly be a beautiful memory.

……

Yao Xiaoqin, having attended the nobles’ cocktail party with Councilor Dian, stepped into the second-floor reception hall of an adjacent palace chamber, clad in an elegant wine-red evening gown.

The room was subtly perfumed with faint inland spices, which helped sober those slightly dazed by the wine and music.

“Madam Yao, this is the esteemed guest I mentioned earlier who wished to see you tonight. “

Councilor Dian, his face lined but handsome, raised his hand with a smile, directing her gaze toward a person standing by the long table inside the room. The figure turned around, revealing a woman of delicate beauty—her fair shoulders and neck exposed, wearing studded diamond earrings and a single-crystal necklace around her throat.

With the disguised ear shells already in place, she appeared exceptionally glamorous and radiant.

Yao Xiaoqin’s eyes widened with surprise and delight, and she promptly curtsied in respect.

“Your Highness, I never imagined it would be you who wished to meet me… “

“There’s no need to be so formal. You actually recognize me. “

Her limpid eyes sparkling like gentle water, Yao Xiaoqin glanced at the tall Councilor Dian beside her. “Since there’s a portrait of Your Highness in the Councilor’s reception hall, I was able to recognize you. “

Councilor Dian chuckled. “I’ll take my leave now, Miss Xiaoqin, and Your Highness. “

Yao Xiaoqin parted her lips slightly in a touch of feigned surprise, as if astonished by the situation.

“His Highness is very kind. Please don’t worry. “

With that, the man closed the door and stepped out. Leonhard said, “Come help me take off my coat. “

Yao Xiaoqin thought he was speaking to her, and was about to step forward, but from behind the side-hanging cloth curtain, a straight-backed palace guard emerged. This silent figure, so unobtrusive one could barely sense his presence, undressed Leonhard as the latter turned his head and said:

“I’ve heard that Ms. Yao’s dancing is exquisite. I wonder when I might have the pleasure of appreciating it. “

“If… Your Highness wishes to see it, of course, there will always be time. ” Yao Xiaoqin replied after a moment of hesitation.

“Indeed, time is key. It’s a pity we don’t have much of it left. “

Yao Xiaoqin lowered her head slightly, offering no reaction to those words.

“May I ask you to give me the necklace around your neck? “

“Huh? This… “

“I don’t wish for anyone else to see what we’re about to do, even if they might all not be human. “

Yao Xiaoqin’s eyes narrowed slightly, but in the end, she unfastened the necklace and gently placed it into the hand of the approaching guard. Only then did Leonhard, now clad in his well-tailored tight inner shirt, say:

“I’ve heard from our Chief of Ceremonies that you’re very interested in what he mentioned about how the nobility can journey to the next era’s continent. You’ve been eager to get the detailed account these past few days, haven’t you? “

The beautiful woman in the wine-red gown suddenly tensed up.

“I, I… “

That man, who had been fawning over her so diligently these days, had actually reported their entire interactions to the person before her?! A sense of stifled anger and panic surged within her, but she masterfully controlled her expression, looking like nothing more than a helpless, naive young girl.

“Calm yourself,” Leonhard said, waving a hand to dismiss the guards as he walked closer to the woman. “I mean you no harm.“

He picked up Yao Xiaoqin’s wrist, adorned with an emerald ring, and gently massaged her soft, tender knuckles. “I’ve heard since early on from the Chief Rites Officer that he had met a stunningly beautiful lady by a ‘hero’s’ side.“

“Oh, not at all… I’m nothing special.“

“Not only are you beautiful, but your heart is beautiful too. That’s why I specially invited you here as my guest tonight.” He guided her toward the table. Yao Xiaoqin fought down her inner unease and followed.

There, she saw an old wooden box, carved out from a single log.

“This is our ticket to the next continent.“

Leonhard sighed and let go of Yao Xiaoqin’s hand.

Yao Xiaoqin’s heart pounded a few beats faster. Could it be that she had actually pulled it off? She had made it this far by clinging to that old man’s flattery, and now, she might finally be about to reap some real rewards?

It wasn’t the excitement she had imagined, but rather an indescribable emotion—her efforts were finally bearing fruit.

A radiance… obtained entirely on her own merit, by her own power.

Though it was but a single portion, perhaps an ordinary Radiance for Yang Zicang.

Yao Xiaoqin gazed at the box, recalling the scene she had witnessed in the Demon Hero Hall—a man battling countless apparitions—and the conclusion of so-called “oracle exams ” where countless lives were lost as though it were mere entertainment.

In this world that devours people, without personal strength, everything was false.

Thus, as rumors spread through every city about Yang Zicang conquering the Demon Hero Hall—and along with it, all his past being dug up and compiled into information pamphlets—Yao Sumang, studying the various analyses and speculations about the world’s future on those pages, ultimately decided to seize the opportunity while time might still allow, heading to the new Track of Fate to see if she could meet the one powerful enough to vanquish the Defenders.

If she could stay by that person’s side, she should be able to find protection.

But she had been wrong… That person was no longer the enthusiastic man he once was in the city… Yet, who else but him has been toyed with by this world?

“Yao Xiaoqin ” was somewhat dazed as she reached out to touch, only to realize with a start that standing beside her was the future heir of this kingdom—though this kingdom, like the world itself, likely had no future.