While Pom-Pom spent the next few days running diagnostics on the Express, March 7th and Himeko kept themselves busy.
They frequently went out shopping, buying more decorations and furnishings for the remaining train cars.
But all that shopping came at a cost.
Standing on a street corner, Himeko stared at her phone. The credit balance staring back at her had shrunk considerably. Even someone as well-off as her had limits.
March 7th, licking a swirl of pink-and-yellow ice cream, peeked over her shoulder.
Realization dawned.
"Uh... Sister Himeko, I don't have any credits, so I've been using yours for everything this whole time..." She scratched her cheek sheepishly. "Don't worry, though! Once I earn some credits, I'll pay you back!"
Internally, she groaned. Should've asked my deadbeat dad for an allowance. Wait—do Aeons even use IPC credits?
Over the past few days, she'd learned quite a bit about how the universe worked.
Currency was essential. And with so many planets, so many civilizations, each with its own monetary system, a universal standard was crucial.
That standard was the Credit—issued by the Interastral Peace Corporation.
Credits worked anywhere. Some planets even used them as their primary currency.
The IPC's reach was vast. They were a megacorporation that monopolized resources and controlled currency issuance. On paper, their founding purpose was noble: to support Qlipoth, the Aeon of Preservation, in building the Subspace Crystalline Barrier. Their motto: "All for the Amber Lord."
But whether Qlipoth actually cared about their offerings was another matter entirely.
What was certain was this: wherever there was trade, there was the IPC. They were a galactic giant.
Himeko shook her head with a gentle smile. "I appreciate the thought, little March, but it's not necessary."
She pocketed her phone. "The train is nearly ready. A few extra expenses now are nothing. Besides..."
Her smile turned confident. "It won't take long to earn it back."
As a scientist with connections—especially to Herta, a member of the Genius Society—Himeko had no shortage of ways to make credits.
March 7th fidgeted. "Still... I feel bad."
Himeko couldn't help but laugh at the girl's earnest expression. "Alright, alright. When you're rich and famous, you can pay me back."
She didn't refuse outright—she let March 7th keep her sense of responsibility.
March 7th nodded, visibly relieved.
Yuki watched the exchange with quiet amusement. He was curious how March 7th planned to earn enough credits to repay Himeko's recent spending spree. It wouldn't be easy.
For him, of course, it would be trivial. A single thought could fill his account with more credits than the entire IPC possessed. But that would crash the galactic economy—those credits would be created out of thin air.
He could always "borrow" from others or take a quick trip to a casino. Either option would leave the system intact.
They continued walking. As they passed a storefront, a news broadcast caught Himeko's attention.
Local news. Several high-ranking officials on the planet had died under mysterious circumstances. Their positions had been filled by replacements.
On the surface, nothing remarkable.
But Himeko's instincts prickled. Something felt off.
She filed it away. Later, she'd look into it.
Back at her residence, Himeko asked March 7th to bring the new purchases to the train.
After days of shopping, the Express's storage was now well-stocked with food and supplies—enough to last a while.
March 7th nodded and hauled the goods down to the underground dock with Yuki's help.
Once everything was stowed, bored and restless, she plopped down in the Parlor Car and opened the chat group.
The group was lively as always.
[Lilis]: After several days of effort, I've finally established the first church in a small village! It's a great start!
[Saeko Busujima]: Congratulations!
[Seitenshi]: Congrats!
[Akane Nishino]: A wonderful beginning! Once you have more helpers, it'll be even better!
[Lilis]: Mm! Yes! All of this is thanks to the grace of the Sovereign!
The "Sovereign" Lilis spoke of was, of course, Yuki.
Ever since she had decided in her heart to devote herself to Yuki as her god, she had begun traveling across the world. She spread tales of his deeds and blessings among the people, sharing how that single proclamation of his had eradicated every goblin in the world—never to be seen again.
Thus, a new faith was born in that world.
His title became "The Omniscient and Omnipotent Sovereign"—the same title used in Akane Nishino's world. Lilis had learned this from her and decided to adopt it.
Some believed this new god must be immensely powerful—perhaps even greater than the "Supreme God." Others were skeptical. They argued that while this deity had indeed shown divine presence, it had only targeted lowly goblins, not the Demon God King. Perhaps it was only a minor god.
Lilis responded by revealing the truth about what the goblins had become before their extinction.
When the people learned the horrifying extent of the goblins' atrocities—their brutal evolution, their unspeakable acts, and the terrifying intelligence they had gained—many were stunned into silence. Their disbelief was shattered when survivors of goblin raids came forward to confirm the truth.
The world fell silent.
People realized that, hidden in the corners of their world, tragedies too cruel for words had been unfolding—unnoticed, unaddressed.
The skeptical voices quieted. And in their place grew admiration for the "Omniscient and Omnipotent Sovereign"—a god who had personally intervened to end such evil.
A god greater than the "Supreme God," and more compassionate than the "Earth Mother."