I, The Aeon of Trailblaze, Trailblazing the Multiverse

Night Raid's Stronghold.

This was a fortress built on the shaded side of a mountainside, yet it looked nothing like a military base. Instead, it resembled more of a vacation retreat.

Hot springs, training grounds, and various other facilities were all well-equipped.

Following the Night Raid members, the three from the Astral Express crew arrived at the fortress's main hall. The hall wasn't large, with a single chair placed at the very center.

It seemed to be the meeting place for Night Raid.

The Night Raid members relayed everything about the Astral Express crew in detail to their leader, Najenda.

"I see. I've more or less understood."

Najenda looked at Welt and the other two. "I don't sense the rotten corruption of the Empire from you, and even your very presence is unlike anyone I've ever met."

"I believe you are not our enemies, but for you to claim that you hail from another world—how do you intend to prove it?"

"Forgive me. It's not that I doubt you personally, but this is simply too sudden of a revelation. I hope you can understand our caution."

Welt spoke calmly and steadily, "That's understandable. Proving our identity is quite simple."

"I hope you don't panic."

As he spoke, he lightly tapped the ground with his cane.

A terrifying gravitational force erupted in an instant.

In the very center of the hall, a pseudo black hole materialized.

The overwhelming gravity distorted the entire space within Night Raid's stronghold.

Within this enclosed zone, space itself was being pulled toward the black hole's influence—an event horizon had formed.

Light itself was warped completely.

If viewed with the naked eye, the entire "world" before them seemed to be getting sucked into this black sphere—at an alarming speed.

Buzz—

"AHHHHH!"

"AAAAHHHHHHH—!!"

The Night Raid members, trapped within the event horizon, saw their own bodies twisted and stretched into endless tendrils, drawn toward the black hole.

Death. Despair. Nothingness. The obliteration of existence itself had taken shape in that moment.

Their screams were distorted, broken down into fragmented static.

Their very perception of reality had been shattered.

Thud!

With another tap of his cane against the floor, the pseudo black hole vanished, and the gravity-altered space quickly returned to normal.

The event horizon dissolved.

Everything before their eyes was exactly as it had been before, as if nothing had ever happened.

Welt's mastery over his power was absolute.

Even as he had bent space itself, not a single structure or object in the stronghold had been damaged.

For everything had warped with the distortion, and once space returned to its natural state—so did everything else.

"Urgh—!!"

"Blergh—!!"

The Night Raid members collapsed—some on the ground, some on their knees, others curled up in fetal positions, all violently throwing up.

To them, the past two or three seconds had felt like eternity.

Though in reality, the pseudo black hole had slightly affected time itself, stretching their perceived experience to something closer to ten to fifteen minutes.

"The world was destroyed!" Mine shrieked in terror.

"Urrrgh! We're back!" Leone clutched her stomach, vomiting acid, her face pale as death. "Too terrifying! TOO TERRIFYING!"

Even the usually composed Bulat, the most "manly" among them, had tears and snot running down his face, trembling uncontrollably.

Had they been in that warped space a moment longer, he feared he would've pissed himself.

Najenda's face was ghostly pale.

Her teeth chattered violently, producing a sharp, clattering sound.

When she looked at the three before her again, her eyes were filled with pure terror.

Too terrifying.

For that single moment, it was as if the entire world itself had been moments away from being swallowed whole.

What they had experienced, the indescribable distortion of space—

Najenda had no doubt in her mind.

If they had truly fallen into that black sphere, they wouldn't have merely died—

They would've ceased to exist entirely.

Without a trace. Without a single remnant left behind.

It's real! They truly possess the power to destroy the world.

Najenda was certain—this was not the power of Teigu.

Not even the so-called Ultimate Teigu could produce such an effect.

Welt spoke apologetically. "My apologies for letting you experience the sight of a collapsing star firsthand."

"This should be enough to prove our identity, correct?"

The members of Night Raid, their faces pale as ghosts, nodded frantically like pecking chickens.

"Mr. Welt, you don't need to apologize! If anything, we should be the ones apologizing. We should have never doubted you!"

Najenda trembled as she climbed to her feet, her back bent at a near twenty-degree angle in respect.

Yet, despite her lingering fear, her heart burned with excitement.

The power to destroy the world.

If they could gain the help of these beings, then overthrowing the Empire would be mere child's play.

March 7th elbowed Stelle and muttered under her breath.

"Uncle Yang is ruthless. He straight-up created a black hole and nearly scared them into wetting themselves."

Stelle muttered back, "Yeah, I didn't expect Uncle Yang to be the one who flexes the hardest. I'm taking notes."

"Once I learn to control my Stellaron, I'll just flash it whenever people doubt me and scare them all into pissing themselves."

Hearing the two girls whispering behind him, a tic mark appeared on Welt's forehead.

His demonstration had been the simplest way to prove their power.

This world was practically medieval, and without even the ability to observe the stars, they could never comprehend words alone—only raw strength.

Despite her lingering pale complexion, Najenda quickly composed herself, then smiled warmly.

"I sincerely apologize, Mr. Welt, Miss March 7th, Miss Stelle. We've yet to even serve you tea. How terribly rude of us."

"Mine, Sheele, Leone, hurry and escort our esteemed guests!"

"Also, prepare the grandest feast possible—we must treat them to the finest delicacies our world has to offer."

"Mr. Welt, since you wish to learn about our world, how about we discuss things over dinner?"

Welt nodded. "When in Rome, as they say. That would be fine."

The members of Night Raid scrambled to their feet at lightning speed.

Leone put on a shameless grin as she guided the three forward, while the others rushed to serve tea, sugar, and fruit with unprecedented enthusiasm.

March 7th couldn't help but snark.

"Wow. That was fast. Their attitude did a complete 180."

Stelle nodded sagely, raising a fist with confidence.

"Uncle Yang never fails. I have absorbed the essence of his technique."

Welt, struggling to maintain his usual stern demeanor, hurriedly explained his reasoning, fearing these two chaotic children might take the wrong lessons from him.

March 7th and Stelle listened and nodded.

"Ohh~ So that's how it is. Got it."

Welt raised a brow. "You really understand?"

The two girls nodded confidently.

"Understood."

...At least, partially understood.

But if they understood even a little bit, then that counted as understanding.

Welt sighed in relief. "Good."

Moments later, Najenda returned in formal attire.

She sat opposite Welt with the utmost caution, her demeanor reserved and proper.

"Thank you for waiting, Mr. Welt."

"Before we begin dinner, allow me to introduce you to our world and the Empire."