"Wanderer, do not hesitate. Please continue forward. Go witness the irrevocable tragic finale of the Previous Era, go witness the final curtain call of the heroes...."
"And then, make your own decision, take your own steps, and claim the laurel wreath named 'Truth' that I have left behind for you."
The blonde goddess cradled a translucent sphere glowing with a golden light, its crystalline surface reflecting the journey of Bronya and her three companions.
The girls who had been continuously exploring the World Bubble had now received an invitation from Elysia to attend the Fire Moth banquet, which was also her birthday party.
-
"It's a pleasure to meet you, or perhaps I should say, to meet you again, Human... Are you prepared to witness the majesty of a God?"
The girls in the World Bubble had their own party to attend... while the God wandering the sea also had her own guests to receive.
-
"Alright, the location is locked!"
On the morning of the second day after the search and rescue plan was launched, the group eating breakfast watched as the green-haired doctor beside them cheered in relief. They all stopped what they were doing and gathered around Yssring.
"Doctor Yssring? Have you found them?"
"Yes, it's a World Bubble of moderate size. We don't have to worry about it suddenly dissipating and Bronya and the others falling into the sea again."
Yssring seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and drained the rest of the milk from her glass.
"Everyone, finish your breakfast first. It will take a while to complete the precise localization. It should be ready by the time you're done eating."
Yssring waved her hand at the group, who were so eager they'd forgotten their food, telling them not to rush. She wasn't completely finished yet, which made them reluctantly sit back down.
-
"Hmm???"
After finishing their meal, the group gathered in the Main Control Room. After Yssring performed a series of operations, she let out a bewildered "Hmm," causing their hearts to hang in suspense once again.
"Doctor, what's wrong? Is there a problem?"
Theresa grew anxious as she watched Yssring stare at the data tablet with an expression that said, How is this even possible?
"The instruments can't precisely lock onto that World Bubble for us to observe... Theoretically, this shouldn't be happening."
"Although World Bubbles drift irregularly through the Sea of Quanta, the process is usually incredibly slow. Even at its fastest, it takes months."
"So, once the general information is confirmed, locking onto a World Bubble is normally a very easy task... But this World Bubble..."
Yssring hesitated, seemingly unsure how to describe this strange situation to everyone...
"This World Bubble is moving irregularly... like it's taking a mountain road race, hitting nine consecutive hairpin turns..."
Struggling to find a proper analogy, Yssring gestured wildly with her hands and feet for a long time to help them understand the state this World Bubble was in.
"Then Doctor Yssring, is this situation normal...? And will it affect our rescue plan?"
"Of course it's not normal, but the impact won't be too significant... It's just that I can't send you directly into that World Bubble."
"Overseer Theresa, you might need to enter the Sea of Quanta directly, find that World Bubble, and enter it. We can open the portal for you in the general area where that World Bubble is located and guide you to the correct one."
"Even so, is there no shortcut?"
Theresa looked at Yssring before her with some suspicion.
"The inability to take a shortcut is just one thing. As for other side effects... neither I, nor Dr. Einstein, nor Dr. Tesla can be certain."
"In other words, the side effects are completely random."
Yssring shrugged at the several people behind her, indicating she had finished her explanation.
"Of course, whether you go or not is ultimately up to you... If you want to be safe, we can simply wait for this erratic World Bubble to stabilize before doing anything..."
"No, Doctor, we're leaving now. The more we delay, the worse the situation might get."
Theresa interrupted Yssring's words. The bizarre state of this World Bubble had added a bit more unease to their hearts.
"Very well, I respect your choice... The Eye of the Deep needs about half an hour to activate its specific area. Those of you who are going can go and prepare..."
Yssring shook her head helplessly. Looking at the eager Olenyeva Sisters, her brow furrowed even tighter.
"You two..."
"Doctor, we aren't little girls who can't fight anymore!"
Liliya looked at the frowning doctor and tried to comfort her...
"Sigh... Although I really want to tell you that you're not allowed to go, you'd probably sneak in even if I disagreed..."
Yssring looked at the blue and pink twins with a bit of a headache, turning her pleading gaze toward Delta, who was staring at the two.
"Miss Delta, right?"
"Yes, that's me."
"I'll have to trouble you to look after these two kids later... If you need anything, I'll do my best to accommodate you."
"You can forget about the reward. I'll take good care of them, Green Algae Head Doctor."
Delta glanced deeply at the twins, seemingly with a hint of envy, and turned to nod earnestly to Yssring.
"Sigh... Then thank you."
The green-haired doctor lowered her head and began operating the console, and the rest of the group dispersed, gathering toward the gate.
-
"Kyuusyou, do you remember what you said before?"
Theresa moved closer to Houraiji Kyuusyou, whispering to her.
"That we'll run into some big trouble in the Sea of Quanta?"
"Exactly... And I've suddenly got a feeling that it might be more than just some 'big trouble'..."
Watching the Gate of the Deep beneath their feet begin to hum, the unease in Theresa's heart grew more intense...
And beside her, Kyuusyou seemed to have made up her mind.
[ If I can't beat it in 'slacker mode', I'll just have to open it— ]
Her purple eyes were gradually overtaken by a dim crimson, and the aura of the purple-haired girl began to shift...
"This is Yssring. The Eye of the Deep is ready, preparing to open! Everyone, please prepare for departure—!"
"3"
"2"
"1"
"Activate—!"
The light emanating from the gate beneath their feet grew more fierce, gradually enveloping everyone present...
When the rescue team regained their vision... a familiar yet strange entity blocked their path.
-
"It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time, or rather, to meet you again, humans... Are you ready to witness the divine majesty of a God?"
...Thus Spoke, Snow Apocalypse.