I, The Aeon of Trailblaze, Trailblazing the Multiverse

Elias looked at the three individuals hanging from the ceiling, their hands bound, and spoke with a playful and mocking tone.

"Oh~ So what's written in Elio's script? I'm rather curious."

Curiosity was genuine to some extent.

Even as an Aeon, the domains of different Aeons varied greatly. He had no way of knowing what exactly the Destiny's Slave Elio had seen or what abilities Elio had gained from the Aeon of Finality.

The Aeon of Finality had only appeared after the Aeon of Trailblaze had perished, so even with all of Akivili's knowledge, Elias remained in the dark.

Kafka, Silver Wolf, and Stelle all turned to look at him, visibly shocked.

They hadn't even noticed when this person had appeared.

Silver Wolf's eyelids drooped as she let out a sigh, her tone listless.

"Ugh... Did the Corporation's people arrive this fast?"

"Now that you've caught us 'Stellaron Hunters,' what's the Corporation planning to do with us?"

Come to think of it, even as a Stellaron Hunter, she hadn't done anything that was truly unforgivable. At most, she'd tinkered with data from the major powers or exposed their dirty secrets.

Stelle, looking clueless, muttered, "Huh? The Corporation ? What Corporation? I don't remember anything."

Kafka sighed like a weary mother, glancing at the dazed Stelle.

Sigh~ This part of the plot has been completely botched. Who knows if Stelle will even board the Astral Express after this?

Elias smacked his lips and walked over to Silver Wolf, reaching out to scratch under her chin like one might with a small dog.

"Tut tut tut~ Herta really knows how to bind people, huh? Hanging you up like this, exposing your entire figure in such a compromising pose, and wrapping you in all those bindings. The way they're pressing into your skin—very eye-catching, very nice."

"Unfortunately for you, I'm not one of the Corporation personnel you've been worrying about."

With that, he pinched Silver Wolf's soft cheeks, making her look like a pouting hamster.

Leaning in close to her ear, he said, "Care to guess who I am? If you guess right, there's a prize~"

When it came to his favorite characters in this world, Silver Wolf was firmly at the top. In Belobog, there was even a girl who looked exactly like her, albeit in a more youthful form. Put the two side by side, and they'd look like twin sisters, only three or four years apart in age.

Silver Wolf's eyes lit up. "Oh? That tone of voice…"

It felt so familiar, just like someone she knew well.

"Could it be... you're the Masked Fool?"

Stelle tilted her head, her clueless expression growing. "What's a Masked Fool?"

Elias's eyes narrowed slightly.

Come to think of it, I've been in this world for an entire day and haven't really let loose or embraced my chaotic side yet.

He wasn't the type to play it safe; deep down, he was a joker through and through.

The thought of it immediately brought the image of Aha to his mind.

"Oh~ Who would've thought our cute little Silver Wolf would guess it in one go? I didn't even bother wearing the mask, and yet~"

A distinct mask appeared in his hand, the signature mask of the Masked Fools.

This mask had been forcibly gifted to him by Aha.

Wherever a Masked Fool went, they were instantly recognizable.

Wherever a Masked Fool appeared, people scrambled defensively, left and right.

For Aha, watching the Masked Fools flail and fail to amuse others, only to stomp their feet in frustration, was the pinnacle of entertainment.

Silver Wolf was speechless. "You Masked Fools are way too easy to recognize. Even without wearing the mask, you all exude this unmistakable 'up-to-no-good' vibe."

"Oh~ How heartbreaking. Is that really how you see us Masked Fools?" Elias feigned a deeply wounded expression.

Kafka smiled and said, "Masked Fool, I assume you snuck in here. Was it for us?"

Elias feigned surprise. "This lady actually guessed correctly. How astonishing."

Silver Wolf's lips twitched. Surprised? You? Forget it. Masked Fools always seemed to carry that theatrical aura about them.

As long as this Masked Fool could help them escape, that was all that mattered.

Kafka continued, "Masked Fool, I'm not sure why you're here, but how about we make a deal?"

Elias grinned. "You want me to get you out of here, right? That much is obvious."

This kind of mutual understanding, where both parties knew exactly what the other wanted yet maintained a playful, over-the-top facade—it was simply delightful.

Ah, this feeling of joy. No wonder people say being a joker is the best.

Wait… is this really just being a joker?

As the Aeon of Trailblaze, isn't expanding the bounds of happiness also part of Trailblaze? That makes it entirely justified!

Silver Wolf, her expression languid, looked at the Masked Fool before her. "I think I understand you Masked Fools pretty well by now."

"If you can get us out of here safely, you can play whatever games you want with Kafka and me. How about it?"

Elias broke into a broad smile, clapping his hands together.

"Bravo~ Now, that's the spirit! But remember, no take-backs~ If you back out, you'll have to eat a thousand needles, got it?"

Silver Wolf nodded furiously, like a chick pecking at grain. "Got it, got it. Kafka and I will definitely cooperate."

After all, even if the Masked Fools used them as entertainment, it wasn't the worst outcome.

Though not widely liked across the universe, the Masked Fools were neutral and infamous for their unshakable honesty.

Whatever they promised to do, they would deliver—though their methods might not be something you'd like.

With a single thought, Elias dissolved the bindings holding Kafka, Silver Wolf, and Stelle.

Silver Wolf rubbed her wrists. "Ugh, being strung up for hours… my arms are completely numb."

Beep, beep, beep—

Suddenly, the station's alarm blared.

Kafka and Silver Wolf immediately grabbed Stelle and sprinted toward the exit.

But as soon as they dashed through the door, everything shifted in a blur, and they found themselves right back where they started.

Silver Wolf's face turned pale with worry. "This is bad! There's a spatial anomaly here! My Aether Editing isn't working!"

"Oh~ Let me take a look. Which artifact could it be that turned this entire room into a Klein bottle in an instant?"

Elias glanced toward a certain artifact in the collection room. His mouth twitched as recognition dawned.

There, sitting innocuously on its display pedestal, was a Jester Mask.

"Aha…"

As soon as Elias spoke the name, the Jester Mask's corners curved into a grin.

"Heh heh~ My dear friend, I've been waiting for you for so long."

"Who would've thought, my friend, that you still have such affection for me. You even went so far as to disguise yourself as a Masked Fool. I'm truly touched!"