An unknown amount of ti passed before the mbers of the Express crew finally trickled into the observation car. Today's eting was to be held in the main car, and although they were all very late, Wende had thoughtfully prepared so small snacks for them—sweet pastries like walnut crisps and mung bean cakes, served with tea to help wash down the fine, dense treats.
"Mmm~ Morning. How strange. I feel like last night was the best sleep I've had since boarding the Express. When I woke up, the back pain from all my work was gone," Hiko said, looking refreshed and cheerful. Her makeup-free face was fresh and natural.
"Indeed. I haven't felt this at ease since leaving my holand," Welt nodded in agreent. The last ti he'd slept this comfortably… was probably after he heard that he had died.
"Morning, Dan Heng. Did you have any nightmares last night?" Stelle waved a greeting at him.
"I did, but… it was nothing. I slept very well." Dan Heng nodded, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.
Last night, he had beaten that guy up, which put him in a much better mood. Was this the brilliance of Wende's dical arts? The ability to let one forget their troubles and have a good night's sleep.
"It's true~ It's been so long since I've felt this wonderful~" March 7th chid in with her agreent.
"So… is this the reason you were all collectively late today, Pom?"
Pom-Pom's large, mournful eyes stared intently at the group, even though it, too, had almost failed to wake up on ti…
"Haha, Conductor, let's just hurry up and decide on our next destination," Welt said to Pom-Pom with a smile.
"Hmph… Since Passenger Welt is so looking forward to our next journey, I, in my magnanimity, will forgive your tardiness, Pom! Don't let it happen again!"
Pom-Pom placed its paws on its hips, wearing a pouty, tsundere-like expression.
"Alright, alright, we get it, our dear Conductor."
Seeing Pom-Pom's adorable display, Hiko covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
"Passenger Hiko, please be serious. The hyperspace route eting will now officially begin!"
Pom-Pom put on a serious face and looked at the assembled crew.
"First of all, we'd like to thank all the Naless for successfully resolving the problem at our last stop, allowing the Express to continue racing along the star rail!"
"Heehee, that was all four of us. Right?" March said to Wende, Dan Heng, and Stelle.
"Next, this Conductor will announce the na of our next stop is…"
Bzzzz…
Suddenly, the sound of static cut Pom-Pom off. A blue projection materialized in the center of the train car, revealing a graceful, purple-haired woman in a greatcoat, holding a black umbrella.
"..."
Looking at the newcor, Welt narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression turning serious. Hiko also frowned at the sight of the purple figure, subconsciously averting her gaze.
"Long ti no see, everyone on the Astral Express. I'm Kafka…"
Stelle stared in shock at the woman before her. When she had first awoken, the first person she saw was her…
The feeling was so familiar, as if they had known each other for a long ti. But for so reason, why was there no mory of her in her mind?
Wende watched Kafka slowly approach and quietly moved to stand beside Stelle.
"Heh… perfect timing. Everyone is here."
Pom-Pom timidly hid behind Welt, peeking its little head out to get a good look at the "bad woman" who looked so sinister.
"No need for a charming self-introduction… Stellaron Hunter."
Hiko's expression was grim as she looked at Kafka. She had long heard of the infamous Stellaron Hunters.
"Heh… Hiko, is it? And an unknown little fellow… or perhaps, unknown for now."
Kafka's gaze flicked to Wende, her eyes full of amusent.
"..."
Wende's face was blank, but thoughts were already forming in his mind.
"I apologize for interrupting your gathering, but I trust that once you've heard my request, you will understand my presumptuousness… I must ask you… to change your destination."
[Holy crap, it's our Dad and Mom's first 'at-ing'! Hell yeah!]
[wowowow! It's the bad woman!]
[Dad! I want her! reaches out.jpg]
[Wende x Kafka, why is no one drawing this yet?! I'm desperate!]
[Don't you guys think Hiko x Kafka has more of a vibe? drools.jpg]
[You an Sunglasses Purple Eggplant x Wedding Dress Tomato?]
[What the hell kind of na is that…]
[I think Wende x Dan Heng is pretty good too…]
[Pom-Pom is so small… hehe…]
"Hey, hey, hey, can you guys be serious! We're watching the plot unfold here, aren't you curious about where we're going next??"
Sister Guoguo imdiately put a stop to the live comnts, which were getting progressively more ridiculous. If you're going to ship, then ship, but could you please ship sothing normal?
"Who was the one who shouted 'Wende x Pom-Pom'? Show yourself! I'll put you on trial for heresy!"
[What's there to be curious about… Didn't the officials already release the Xianzhou PV? Where else could it be besides the Xianzhou…]
[Tsk, no suspense at all, sigh~]
[To be fair, I didn't know. You guys spoiled it for ! (＊｀д´)]
[Oh, sorry. Now you know.]
[So cute~]
In the story, after Kafka explained the specific situation on the Xianzhou Luofu, the Express crew unanimously approved the proposal to go there. Although Dan Heng seed to have so unspoken difficulties, he still agreed to go to the Xianzhou Luofu to retrieve the Stellaron.
Back in his room, Wende's expression was grim. Kafka knew him, which ant he was also part of "the script."
Perhaps, under the system's balancing act, he had been completely integrated into this world's plot. If he were a "variable," the Stellaron Hunters would surely have found him sooner. But if he wasn't a "variable," but just another link in the chain of fate… didn't that an he couldn't change anything?
"No… I shouldn't think like that…"
Wende shook his head, sitting down on the chair in his bedroom.
He needed to think about this more carefully. Maybe… when he unlocked the 5-star character template and the 5-star Light Cone template, he would get another chance to change his destiny with his own hands?
After all, under the system's mandatory corrections, even the Light Cone plot he had casually fabricated had been fleshed out into a real mory and identity for him. The next ti, as long as he made his corrections more precisely…
"Yes… that must be it…"
The light in Wende's eyes gradually brightened. He had figured it out.
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