The Envoy of Abundance from Onphalus

　As the sandstorm subsided, Russell landed before the two remaining survivors of Evgeny. The older sister, Talaka, tightly gripped her younger brother, Kakawasha's, hand. Both were still covered in dried blood and mud, their eyes filled with the bewilderment of surviving the ordeal and awe for the divine messenger before them.

　"The dust has settled."

　Russell's voice broke the silence, carrying a calm yet penetrating quality, "The Evgeny bloodline now rests solely on the two of you. What are your plans for the future?"

　The siblings trembled simultaneously. Talaka instinctively shielded her brother behind her, her lips moving but no sound came out.

　Kakavasya tilted his little face up, his triple pupils fixed on Russell, his eyes swirling with complex emotions far beyond his years.

　Russell sighed softly, and with a slight lift of his fingertips, two warm, golden-green lights condensed at his fingertips, transforming into two amber-colored wheat ear marks flowing with the radiance of life, which slowly drifted toward the siblings.

　"No need to answer immediately. Just follow your heart. Take it; at least it will ensure your survival in Tsigania."

　He explained, “Plant one in a chosen spot, and it will grow, providing you with clean food, water, and shelter. Carry another one with you, and if any company personnel set foot in this area again, seeing this emblem, they will not dare to harm you easily.”

　Talaka hurriedly stretched out her trembling hands, respectfully cupping the mark that floated before her, and pulled her younger brother to kneel down to express her gratitude: "Thank you... thank you, merciful divine messenger!"

　However, Kakawasha abruptly broke free from his sister's hand, refusing to catch the mark that drifted towards him. He straightened his thin back, his malnourished, yellowish hair ruffled by the wind, his three blue-purple pupils burning with an unusual flame, and stared directly at Russell: "Sir!"

　Russell raised an eyebrow, looking down at the bold child with interest: "Oh? What's wrong?"

　"I...I don't want this emblem!"

　Kakawasha's voice trembled with nervousness, yet remained unusually clear, "I want something else!"

　Taraka turned pale with fright and grabbed her brother's arm: "Kakawasha! Don't be so rude, apologize now."

　She tried desperately to bring her brother back.

　Kakawasha, however, seemed rooted to the spot, stubbornly standing still, his little hand even gripping his sister's wrist tightly as if drawing courage. He looked up, his voice filled with desperation: "Sir! Please!"

　A genuine look of surprise flashed across Russell's eyes, which then turned into a deeper smile.

　He knelt down on one knee, lowering himself to eye level with the boy, and gently brushed away the messy hair on Kakawasha's forehead with a touch of gentleness characteristic of a healer.

　"What an... interesting little guy."

　He whispered, his azure eyes seeming to see right through people, "Tell me, what do you want?"

　Kakawasha took a deep breath, his triple pupils shining brightly: "Sir, could you give me... sixty Taamba?"

　"Taamba?"

　Russell's smile deepened, tinged with inquiry. "What do you need money for? The divine tree born of the Mark of Abundance is enough to supply you for a lifetime."

　He clearly saw that what shone in the boy's eyes was not greed, but a glimmer of unwavering determination, almost akin to protection.

　"gentlemen,"

　Kakavasya's voice gradually calmed, carrying a composure beyond his years, "The mark you bestowed upon us allows us to survive, as safe as captive birds. But... I no longer want a fate arranged by others."

　He gripped his sister's hand tightly. "I am a child blessed three times by the Mother Goddess, possessing unparalleled good fortune. In the past, my sister always made me run, run as fast as possible, to avoid danger."

　“But I’ve had enough! I can’t hide in the background any longer and watch the people I care about sacrifice themselves for me! I’m going to use this good fortune to protect my sister and to take back what belongs to the Evgeny! I need… the capital to get started.”

　Taraka, tears streaming down her face, tried to cover her younger brother's mouth, but was stopped by Kakawasha's resolute gaze. His small body stood tall, like a young sprout that would never bow its head in a storm.

　"Hahahaha!"

　Russell's clear laughter echoed across the empty sand, dispelling the last trace of gloom. He vigorously ruffled Kakawasha's dry, yet soft, hair.

　"Good! What a promising young eagle who doesn't want to be assigned tasks! You've convinced me."

　A flash of light appeared at his fingertips, and a bulging leather purse materialized out of thin air, landing steadily in Kakawasha's hand, heavy with weight.

　"Sir, I only need sixty..."

　Kakavasya sensed something was wrong with the weight and quickly spoke up.

　"There are one hundred Taamba coins in the bag."

　Russell interrupted him, leaving no room for argument, "The extra forty coins are payment for what you just said. It reminded me of... myself a long time ago."

　He stood up, his tall figure stretching long in the setting sun. "Keep that badge safe. If one day you want to leave Tsigania and see the wider universe, take it and find anyone wearing the insignia of the Compassionate Physician. They will give you the necessary help."

　"But the premise is that you have never betrayed your sincerity today and have never harmed any other living beings."

　Seeing the boy's shocked and bewildered expression, he added, "Consider it... an investment in your future. The virtuous deserve abundant generosity. The fire in your eyes is worth that price."

　He reached out again, his warm fingers gently brushing across Kakawasha's forehead. A pure and gentle emerald-gold halo seeped into the boy's skin.

　"And you look even better when you smile. This world needs joy to soothe its pain."

　Russell took two colorful candies from the magical candy box.

　"Whenever you feel pain in life, eat this candy and experience the purest joy. Consider this my personal gift to you."

　"Sir, may I ask your name?"

　“My name is Huaixiu. If you find this name too divine, you may call me Mr. Russell when we meet again.”

　He looked at the two siblings with gentle eyes, "So, little one, what's your name?"

　"Ka... Kakavasya!"

　The boy answered loudly.

　"Kakavasya...a nice name."

　Russell repeated softly, as if etching the name into the galaxy, "With everything you have, run forward. Run towards your finish line."

　"Perhaps we will meet again then."

　His fingertips gently touched the boy's forehead one last time, leaving a barely perceptible warmth. "In the name of the pharmacist, I grant you a life free from illness and suffering."

　"Goodbye, Kakavasya."

　Before he finished speaking, Russell's figure vanished from the spot like stardust scattered by the wind.

　The siblings were left standing there in a daze, the heavy money pouches in their hands and the warm insignia, and the rich scent of grass and trees in the air, all proving that the kind yet dignified messenger was not a dream.

　Kakavasya clutched the money pouch and the emblem tightly, gazing in the direction Russell had disappeared. In his triple pupils, a flame called the future burned fiercely.

　Either win it all or nothing.

　……

　Chapter Sixty-Eight: Kafka's Play.

　Inside the golden-turquoise bridge of the Bountiful Shenzhou, soothing music flowed. Russell stood before the control panel, his gaze calmly fixed on the boundless starry sky outside the porthole.

　However, this tranquility was broken by an uninvited guest.

　Silently, like a silhouette blending into the background, a sophisticated urban woman in an elegant coat, exuding a relaxed and graceful air, appeared in the bridge's lounge area.

　She walked to the retro coffee machine in the corner and skillfully operated it, instantly filling the air with a rich coffee aroma.

　Russell slowly turned around, his face still bearing that gentle smile, but his azure eyes held a scrutinizing glint: "Miss Kafka of the Star Core Hunter. Uninvited, yet so... at home?"

　"I don't really welcome unsolicited visitors here. You're being rather impolite."

　His voice was calm, yet it was like an invisible layer of ice.

　The projection of the ship's soul and the Jhin standing quietly to the side, their eyes slightly vacant, seemed to take Kafka's existence for granted, as if she were a familiar member of this divine ship.

　Clearly, the Star Core Hunter's Word of Power had quietly planted the seeds of a partner in their subconscious.

　Kafka picked up her delicate coffee cup, gently blew on it to cool it down, her movements unhurried.

　She looked up at Russell, a mysterious smile playing on her lips: "Please relax, Mr. Russell. I have no ill intentions here, quite the opposite."

　She took a sip of coffee, her voice like a magical whisper, "I've brought you the key you've been longing for."

　Russell tilted his head slightly, his smile unchanged, but his tone turned colder: "Ms. Kaffa, your words of power are very pleasant to hear, but unfortunately they have no effect on me."

　"If you can't offer me something satisfactory today, I don't mind weaving you a package for an interstellar express delivery using abundant vines. The destination... the headquarters of the Interstellar Peace Corporation, in exchange for the 5 billion credits bounty. What do you say?"

　Kafka chuckled softly, her voice as smooth as silk gliding through the air: "Mr. Russell, you really love to joke. With your company's Universe Black Card and unlimited spending, how could you possibly be interested in a mere fifty billion?"

　She put down her coffee cup, her fingertips unconsciously sliding along the rim. "As for your real name 'Russell'... it's not a secret in Elio's script. Besides, there's no possibility of me going to the Interstellar Peace Corporation in the script Elio gave me."

　Russell's smile became more genuine: "It seems that your leader, who is so keen on writing the script of fate, has prepared an invitation for me that I cannot refuse?"

　He strolled into the lounge area, casually pulled out a chair, and sat down across the coffee table from Kafka. “Tell me,” he said, “what kind of script could make an Envoy of Abundance willingly become a character in his writing? I guess… only the answer about Onpharos would be enough to move me.”

　Kafka nodded approvingly and gracefully crossed her legs: "You guessed right. The core of the play is the trail of Onphalus... and its ultimate fate."

　She raised her hand, and it was as if invisible keys were being pressed in the air, switching the music in the bridge to a more soothing piano piece.

　"You think you can make me bow down with just a few words, Ms. Kafka? You underestimate me."

　Russell leaned forward slightly, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table. "If Elio could see the future, he would know that I never easily bow to predetermined fate."

　"of course."

　Kafka was not surprised. "For the sake of the complete presentation of the script, the information I can reveal now is: you only need to board the Star Train and follow in the footsteps of the nameless travelers to eventually reach Onphalus."

　She paused, her violet eyes fixed on Russell. "And one more thing... Onpharos, your beloved homeland, is itself... a petri dish for an Envoy. The Envoy who will soon be born from it is named—Iron Tomb."

　Russell's fingertips paused for a moment on the table. Only the soft sound of a piano flowed through the bridge.

　If the information provided by the Star Core Hunter is correct, then the so-called successful re-creation is its birth ritual. That would explain everything.

　For example, the real tricks behind Re-creation, but I have already told Xiaobai to keep Re-creation firmly under control.

　Given Xiaobai's personality, he will definitely hold on tight. And the abundant power I bestowed upon him will absolutely not be easily killed by the entity behind it.

　They caused this messenger to have a difficult childbirth. The mastermind behind it all must be frantic with worry.

　He slowly leaned back in his chair, his voice devoid of emotion: "Revealing so much crucial information, aren't you afraid that I, as a pawn, will know too much and cause the script to spiral out of control?"

　Kafka's smile held an all-knowing composure: "No. Knowing this will only relieve you and make the path ahead clear. Then, you'll naturally ask me, 'What do I need to do?'"

　Russell chuckled and shook his head. "This feeling of being led by the threads of fate is... a little unpleasant. Putting the process aside, I'm more interested in knowing how this script ends."

　Kafka's voice was soft yet resolute, as if stating a predetermined future: "Onphalus, as you wished, has completed the true rebirth. People embrace the newborn world, and suffering has become a dusty old dream."

　"Ah……"

　Russell let out a long sigh of relief, the last trace of doubt in his eyes dissipating. "If the ending is so beautiful, then it seems I have no reason to refuse. What should I do next?"

　"It's very simple."

　Kafka stood up and straightened her clothes. "You will be notified at the appropriate time. At that time, you only need to visit the Black Tower Space Station once. The Star Train that happens to be stopping there for resupply will be the starting point of your next journey."

　"Follow it, follow the path of pioneering, and soon you will reach the end you have been waiting for."

　Russell stood up and extended his hand: "Deal. I'll act in this script. Elio... did he say anything else?"

　Kafka gently grasped his hand, its touch slightly cool: "She said, just follow the train, and for everything else, follow your heart. Also..."

　She took a step closer, lowering her voice even further, with a hint of barely perceptible gravity, "...Beware of destruction."

　Releasing her grip, Kafka turned gracefully and headed towards the bridge exit: "Well then, my role ends here. Mr. Russell, no need to see me off. I believe we'll meet again in some future chapter."

　She stopped at the door without turning around, but snapped her fingers crisply, her voice spreading like invisible ripples: "Listen to me: you will forget everything that just happened."

　As the snap of his fingers ended, the projection of the ship's spirit flickered slightly, regaining its usual agility. Jin shook his head violently, a hint of confusion flashing in his golden eyes, his hand instinctively reaching for the holster at his waist: "Sir? What... happened just now? I think... I blacked out?"

　Russell stared at the spot where Kaffa had disappeared, the only lingering scent of coffee in the air. He turned and patted Jhin on the shoulder, his tone light: "It's nothing, Jhin. Just an invitation... to star in a grand play."

　"Sir, don't you usually refuse invitations and the like?"

　"Jin asked curiously."

　"The pay is very generous; their pay is enough to get an envoy to act in their script."

　Bertrand Russell provided the answer.

　He walked to the porthole, his gaze fixed on the deep universe. In his azure eyes, billions of stars were reflected, as well as a path leading to Onpharos, revealed by the Star Core Hunter.

　The Star Train... the Black Tower Space Station... the shadow of destruction... the gears of fate seem to be turning faster.

　At this moment, Russell thought of Onpharos, who was still trying to stop Bai'er from creating the world: "I wonder how my student is doing now... Today is another day of thinking about Onpharos. Sigh."

　……

　Chapter Sixty-Nine: I Have Been Betrayed by the World.

　The world barrier of Onpharos trembled violently, and the intense light that restarted the cycle once again engulfed everything.

　At the boundary between creation and annihilation, a figure stepped into the chaotic void.

　Bai E. He was no longer the empty shell left after being scorched by the flame. He resolutely swept away the ashes of the past.

　He removed the black robes that concealed his identity and donned a familiar outfit—the warrior robes of the savior.

　The solemn color scheme of gold and white is far removed from his preferred yellow and purple. This was sewn by Aglaia herself in every incarnation, with countless expectations and weights sewn into each stitch.