I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 35

Jade called over an employee of the Interstellar Peace Company.

"Bring me the presents I brought."

The employee quickly ran to the back, retrieved a book, and handed it to Clara with a smile.

Jade walked up to Clara and handed her the book. "Here, Clara. This is a gift from your sister."

Clara's eyes lit up as she saw the title. She had been searching for this book for ages but couldn't find it anywhere online.

"Thank you, big sister! Clara loves it!"

Jade smiled warmly. "As long as you're happy."

She turned to see Topaz already deep in negotiations with Yuri. A thought crossed her mind.

"Clara, can you show me where you live?"

Clara nodded eagerly and led Jade toward the mechanical settlement. Seeing this, Himeko followed as well. She had heard of Jade before—members of the Stoneheart Ten were not to be underestimated.

Half an Hour Later – Mechanical Settlement

As soon as they arrived, Clara spotted Svarog waiting for her.

"Welcome home, Clara."

The family of robots echoed the sentiment.

"Welcome home, Clara."

Clara beamed. "Mr. Svarog, family members, Clara is back! This is my big sister, Jade."

Jade observed the two robots with great interest. They weren't just machines; they had developed their own personalities.

"Hello."

Svarog scanned Jade up and down. "Welcome to the Mechanical Settlement."

Then, turning to Clara, he said, "Clara, go rest. I'll have food prepared."

Clara smiled brightly. "Okay!" She then took Jade inside.

Excited, Clara introduced her family of robots like a child showing off schoolwork. Jade listened carefully, impressed by Clara's mechanical talent. Despite only a few days of learning, she was already building robots of her own.

Suddenly, an Alarm Blared Across the Settlement.

Clara and Himeko rushed outside, where Svarog was already mobilizing the mechas.

"Mr. Svarog, what's happening?" Clara asked urgently.

Svarog's mechanical voice remained steady. "A large hostile force is approaching. Preparing for defense."

Himeko, using a telescope, scanned the outskirts. Her expression darkened.

"Antimatter Legion."

Jade's brows furrowed. "Why are they here?"

Himeko thought for a moment before realization hit. "They must have been frozen by the Star Core. Now that it's sealed—and after Kevin's sword strike—these antimatter legions have been released."

Jade sighed. This planet was one disaster after another. First the Star Core, now an Antimatter Legion attack.

With no time to waste, she and Himeko joined the battle.

Even Clara pulled out a homemade pistol and started firing.

But the enemy numbers were overwhelming. The mechas fell one by one. Despite the efforts of Svarog, Himeko, and Jade, the situation was dire.

Soon, the defensive line was breached, and Voids poured into the settlement.

At that moment, the lights on Family No. 1 turned red.

"Killing mode activated."

In an instant, Family No. 1 charged forward, punching through a Void's chest and tearing it apart.

A wave of virtual soldiers lunged at it, but Family No. 1 kicked them away with ease, slaughtering them one by one.

Himeko, watching in astonishment, muttered, "Wasn't Family No. 1 just a medical robot? Where did this power come from?"

Clara had followed Yuri's blueprint precisely. The only explanation Himeko could think of was that Yuri had provided some unusual materials.

With Family No. 1 on the battlefield, they managed to hold the line.

Reinforcements Arrived.

Kevin and the others raced in on snowmobiles, accompanied by a large force of Silvermane Guards.

Kevin jumped off, drew the Judgment of Shamash, and was about to unleash another devastating attack—until March 7th grabbed his arm.

"Hold it! Don't use that move again."

Kevin sighed and nodded. Instead, he charged forward, swinging the Judgment of Shamash in melee combat.

Rios walked calmly into the battlefield, unfazed by the approaching Voids.

"A raging fire spreads across the land!"

With a single stomp, flames erupted outward, instantly reducing the surrounding Antimatter Legion to ashes.

From another direction, Weltand Dan Heng joined the battle. They had just returned from collecting samples when they encountered the siege.

Welt's Star of Eden hummed as it absorbed energy, forming a miniature black hole that swallowed the enemies whole.

Dan Heng dashed into the fray, reinforcing the settlement's defenses.

On a Nearby Hillside.

Yuri and Bronya overlooked the battlefield.

"What are these monsters?" Bronya asked.

Without hesitation, he ordered the company's employees to join the fight. If Yalilo-VI was going to become company property, they couldn't let it be wiped out by the Antimatter Legion.

After an Intense Battle, the Mechanical Settlement Stood Victorious.

Svarog addressed the group. "Thank you for assisting in the defense of the Mechanical Settlement."

Kevin and the others shrugged it off. "It was nothing."

Bronya smiled. "Mr. Svarog, no need to thank us—we're family."

Topaz, on the other hand, was less sentimental. "No need to thank me. I was just protecting the company's assets."

Everyone turned to him in confusion.

Bronya frowned. "Company assets?"

Topaz nodded, pulling out her phone. "Yep. And you might want to take a look at this."

Shehanded the phone to Bronya, who scanned the screen—her expression quickly turning pale.

"How... could this happen?"

Kevin peeked over her shoulder.

"Whoa! That's a lot of credits! Bronya, did you owe the company this much?!"

Bronya shook her head, completely stunned. "I don't know. I've never even heard of this debt."

Topaz smirked. "Of course you haven't. You borrowed it who knows how many years ago."

Bronya stared at the endless string of zeros, feeling a chill run down her spine.

In Bronya's office in the Belobog Administrative District, negotiations had reached a temporary standstill. Bronya asked Topaz to rest while she took time to consider her options.

She was deeply troubled. She never imagined Belobog was burdened with such an enormous debt. Just when life was beginning to improve, another crisis had surfaced, threatening to drag her people back into hardship.

Bronya decided to consult Kevin and the others about how their company had previously handled financial matters in Belobog and what the outcomes had been.

Meanwhile, Topaz made her way to the mechanical settlement, where she found Jade enjoying a meal.

Today's lunch, provided by Yuri, consisted of sauerkraut pork dumplings.

"Jade, I'm here," Topaz announced.

Jade, mid-bite, glanced up. "You came just in time. We just started eating. Want some?"

Topaz hesitated. Jade, how are you already so friendly with the people we were fighting just this morning?

Jade, noticing her hesitation, packed a bowl of dumplings and handed it to her. "Come on, try them. They're delicious. I was actually thinking of asking Yuri to sell me the recipe. I want to bring it back so those so-called chefs at the company can learn how real food is made."

Topaz caught a whiff of the dumplings, and her stomach rumbled. Glancing over, she saw Kevin devouring his dumplings enthusiastically.

With a sigh, Topaz relented. After all, it was my side that picked the fight first. Kevin's sword had left an impression—the surviving employees of the Interstellar Peace Company were walking on eggshells in Belobog, afraid to overstep their bounds.

Topaz took a bite. It was undeniably delicious.

Not long after, Bronya arrived, spotting Topaz and Jade enjoying their meal. She made her way toward Kevin, who was sitting with March 7th, Stellar Jade, Amber, Eula, Hu Tao, Paimon, and Seele.

Kevin, too impatient to eat one dumpling at a time, had skewered eight dumplings on his chopsticks.

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"Watch this!" he declared, stuffing all eight into his mouth at once.

The girls were momentarily stunned before bursting into applause.

Not to be outdone, Hu Tao shot to her feet. "This hall master shall do the same!"

One by one, the others joined in, and soon, the dining table resembled a scene of frenzied hamsters stuffing their cheeks with food.

Bronya approached. "Good afternoon, everyone."

Seeing her, Seele quickly moved her utensils aside to make room. She called out for a plate and a set of chopsticks for Bronya.

By the time Bronya sat down, Seele had already placed a fresh serving of dumplings in front of her.

The dumplings had been stored in an insulated container—Yuri had made hundreds at once, ensuring there was plenty for everyone.

"Bronya, try these. They're really good," Seele encouraged.

Bronya forced a smile and took a bite.

Hu Tao, sitting across from her, noticed her troubled expression. "Bronya, something's on your mind. What is it?"

Bronya sighed, then explained Belobog's massive debt crisis.

March 7th frowned. "Bronya, you cannot sign that agreement. It's just a debt, right? We'll work hard and pay it off."

Bronya nodded. "That's true, but it will make life extremely difficult for future generations of Belobog."

Seele patted her chest. "So what? We survived the Star Core disaster—why should we be afraid of a little debt?"

Bronya smiled faintly. The people of Belobog are strong—we've always endured hardship.

However, the company demanded immediate repayment, and Belobog's credit was already overdrawn.

Just then, Yuri walked over, holding Klee in his arms.

"Bronya, I have a way to settle this debt."

Bronya perked up. "Really? What's the solution?"

Yuri smirked. "I can bring someone in to help. If she agrees, your debt will be nothing more than a minor inconvenience."

Kevin leaned in curiously. "Who is it? Someone we know?"

Yuri chuckled. "You and March 7th know her—the stationmaster of the Herta Space Station, Asta."

The moment he said Asta's name, March 7th and Kevin immediately understood.

"Of course! If Asta steps in, this will be settled in no time!" March 7th exclaimed, smacking her forehead.

Seeing their reactions, Bronya felt reassured. She quickly made a decision.

"Yuri, please arrange a meeting."

Yuri set Klee down, ruffling her hair. "Klee, go play with Himeko for a bit. I've got something to do."

Klee nodded obediently and ran off.

Yuri pulled out his phone and dialed.

Asta's voice came through. "Good afternoon, Yuri."

"Hey, Asta. Are you free? I have a friend who wants to discuss business with you."

"I'm free. Shall I meet you at your shop?"

Yuri considered it, but then remembered the Herta Space Station had no portal connection to Belobog. "I'll send you a location—come by if you're available."

Asta agreed, and they ended the call.

Yuri turned to Bronya. "She's on her way."

Bronya let out a breath of relief. "Thank you, Yuri."

Yuri grinned. "No problem. But you should start thinking about how you're going to repay the favor."

Bronya nodded, then pulled Kevin and the others into a huddle to discuss the matter.

Herta Space Station – Departure Platform

Asta arrived at the platform with a team of guards, preparing to board a starship to Yalilo-VI.

Just as she was about to step inside, Herta suddenly appeared.

"You're heading to see Yuri? Take me with you."

Without waiting for an answer, Herta strolled aboard the starship.

Asta sighed. She always does whatever she wants.

By the time Asta entered, Herta had already claimed a spot on the sofa, dropping a bag of Star Rail magazines beside her.

Herta eyed Asta curiously. "Why the sudden trip to see Yuri?"

Asta adjusted her gloves. "Yuri called me. He said a friend of his wants to discuss business."

Herta smirked. "This should be interesting."