Star Rail, Single Draw Acheron at the Start

Asta made Caelus's casual remark a reality. If she said she'd give a reward, she would. As long as it could be solved with Credits, it wasn't a problem.

"Hooray!"

Caelus jumped up happily. Although he didn't know what a Star Destroyer could bring him, it was good to have one.

"Don't be so happy. This thing can't be bought yet. It's out of stock. I'll buy it for you when it's available."

Asta handed her phone to Caelus. Caelus saw a dazzling array of Star Destroyer photos, but they all said "out of stock." It seemed this thing was hard to buy.

Chapter 11: Grandma Herta

"You mean, this kid Caelus got a Star Destroyer right under our noses?"

March 7th didn't know how to react for a moment. All she knew was that Caelus had struck it rich. Even if he did nothing else in his life, he could sell the Star Destroyer and become a planetary-level rich second generation, living a life of leisure.

"I've only been gone a few months, and the Space Station has become like this?"

A sudden voice chimed in, sounding like a young girl. Caelus snapped out of his captain persona and looked at the gray-haired little girl who was slowly approaching.

The little girl looked about thirteen years old, wearing a cute black dress. A large golden lock hung on her chest, and the key to unlock it was casually worn around her neck as decoration. She wore a black beret tilted on her head, and her purple eyes held a maturity that shouldn't belong to someone her age. Her voice was also old-fashioned.

Asta was slightly taken aback, but upon seeing the little girl, she rushed forward and hugged her.

"Ms. Herta, ahhh, I almost died here! That Doomsday Beast was so huge, it wouldn't even fill its teeth! Would you cry for me if I died? I'm working for you."

Asta's usual calm and collected demeanor vanished. Her eyes were almost crying into poached eggs. The little girl in front of her looked young, but she seemed to be Asta's most respected elder.

"No, I wouldn't."

Herta said calmly. As an Envoy of the Aeon of Wisdom, her thoughts far surpassed those of humans. Human emotions were mostly a burden to her. She'd rather spend her time doing research than crying.

"Allow me to introduce the true owner of the Space Station, the 83rd member of the Genius Society, Herta."

Himeko, who had summoned Herta, was also responsible for introducing this stranger to everyone. Besides Asta and Himeko, everyone else was meeting the young-looking mistress of the Space Station for the first time.

"Genius Society? Is there a Stupid Society?"

Caelus said with a laugh. He simply found the name amusing, like a small group people had created for their own amusement. However, if he had truly known that all 84 geniuses in it were Aeon Envoys, he probably would have... laughed even harder.

"Brat, speak politely. While the name of this club is stupid, it's not for you to mock."

Herta looked at her "collection" in front of her with slight displeasure. Himeko had been somewhat disbelieving when she first told her about this. Even a genius like her found it hard to believe her collection had become such a rebellious young man.

"I'm a brat, so aren't you a tiny brat? You're talking so arrogantly, you're making me laugh."

Caelus pointed at Herta with his finger, laughing as he turned half his body to look at Acheron beside him, wanting to share his joy with his companion. Acheron didn't see what was funny at all and tilted her head, continuing to eat her peach.

"Brat, I'm very interested in you. Come here and let's chat."

Herta's emotional control was excellent. She pointed to an empty corner in the control center and said she wanted to talk to Caelus alone. Only Himeko could be present.

"Oh."

Despite his laughter, Caelus obediently followed Herta. In a sense, she was also his mother.

Acheron strode to follow Caelus. Herta glanced at her. Although the puppet's cameras couldn't reveal anything, an uncomfortable feeling spread to her true body, making her believe this woman was even more terrifying than a Stellaron. Her interest grew even stronger.

"Himeko told me you're my Stellaron?"

Herta directly revealed a shocking fact as she looked at Caelus. This wasn't exactly a secret anymore. Except for the naive March 7th, any normal person would associate the golden spheres on Caelus's chest with a Stellaron, as the Express crew often dealt with Stelarons and had even sealed them.

"I stand by my name, that's me."

Caelus said proudly, hands on his hips. He remembered what his mother had said, but his mother hadn't told him to keep his Stellaron identity a secret. Wasn't it something to be proud of that he was a Stellaron manifestation?

"The Stellaron in your body once wreaked havoc on the planet below. To protect that planet, I specifically built this Space Station to seal the Stellaron. I didn't expect this kind of maneuver. Whose subordinate is this?"

Herta stared intently at Caelus's body. She could tell that his body was a vessel, not that the Stellaron had been stretched and shaped into Caelus's form. However, the two were inextricably linked, as if Caelus's current thoughts were the thoughts of the Stellaron itself. Anyone who had encountered a Stellaron knew that thing had a high intelligence.

"It was my mom, of course."

"Brat, she stole you and put you in a vessel, and now she's your mom? Then what am I?"

Herta said with slight displeasure. Theoretically, Caelus was her property, or rather, his soul belonged to her. Kafka provided a body, so how could she favor one over the other?

Caelus tilted his head and looked at Herta for a moment. Images of the universe forming appeared in his mind. Three seconds later, he threw himself to the ground, sliding all the way to Herta's feet and hugging her leg, rubbing against it.

"...Grandma Herta!"

Caelus shouted with all his might. Anyone who didn't know would think this was a major family reunion, but seeing Caelus's actions, many people might call the police.

"Whoa! Let go of me, you pervert! Why are you lifting my skirt?"

Herta desperately held down her skirt, Caelus's head had already burrowed under it. Although it was just puppet joints underneath, he couldn't help but rub with his head. The sensation from the puppet was transmitted to her, and her true body was almost fainted from anger.

"Grandma brought me here and built me such a big house. It's all thanks to you. If you hadn't protected me, Mom wouldn't have been able to give birth to me, so you're Grandma."

Caelus explained earnestly to Herta. Herta was still single and didn't want to suddenly become a mother-daughter relationship with a little thief. How did she become Grandma?

"Who wants to protect you? I was afraid you'd destroy the planet below. Get lost."

Herta pulled out a large hammer from somewhere. The hammerhead was made of purple crystals. Herta swung the hammer and sent Caelus flying.

Acheron flashed behind Caelus, catching him and setting him down. Caelus gave her a thumbs-up, indicating his approval. With her by his side, he could be even more reckless.

Chapter 12: I Agree to this Marriage

"However, brat, you've piqued my interest. I want to research you."

Herta tidied her skirt and quickly returned to her genius state, speaking to Caelus. She felt that other matters could wait; pursuing what interested her was the real priority.

"How do you want to research it?" Caelus asked curiously.

"Of course, by cutting it open, compounding it, and then cutting again..."

The articulated fingers of Herta's puppet twisted into impossible angles, writhing unnervingly. If Caelus agreed to this, he truly deserved to be remade from scratch.

"No, no, I'm busy looking for my mom. See you later."

Caelus waved, intending to bid farewell to his grandmother. This place was too dangerous; his mother's embrace was far more appealing. Acheron's embrace wasn't bad either.

"Your mother is the thief who stole you, isn't she? What's her name, and what does she do?"

Herta stopped Caelus, asking. While the outcome was interesting, it didn't mean she was willing to let the thief off the hook. If she didn't do something, thieves from all over the universe would come to steal from her.

"Give up. Even if I die, I won't betray my mom, or my aunt."

Caelus said with great integrity. Although he was currently in Herta's hands, he showed no fear. It wasn't just his personality; he also had the reliable Acheron by his side.

"So there are two thieves? Someone with that kind of capability, who also knows the Stellaron inside and out, is likely one of the legendary Stellaron Hunters. Based on your description, your mother should be a voluptuous woman, and your aunt would be younger. Oh, and that Silver Wolf who bothered Screwllum, right?"

Herta pondered for a moment, then completely exposed Caelus's secrets. With just a few words and her understanding of information channels, she had already figured out who was responsible.

"Mmmph."

Caelus's eyes widened as he covered his mouth. He hadn't expected Herta to guess the existence of his mother and aunt just from a casual remark. Communicating with a genius was like talking to a wall; he had made a foolish mistake this time.

"I've built something called the Simulated Universe. Come and test it for me before you leave the Space Station. Consider it payment for all the years you've eaten and lived here for free."

Herta quickly thought of an experimental project suitable for Caelus. She had been struggling to find a suitable candidate before, but now it was different. Caelus, this Stellaron Humanoid, was perfect for the project.

"Okay, Grandma. I'll come by when I have time," Caelus nodded in agreement.

"Don't call me Grandma!"

"Grandma, I'm hungry, give me allowance."

Caelus extended his hands, looking pitifully at Herta. He was genuinely hungry and knew that food cost money. With no money on him, he could only rely on his family.

"Are you done yet? I don't have any money. Go ask Asta."

Herta said irritably. Although she was old enough to be a grandmother, she didn't want to acknowledge him as her grandson. As for money, in her eyes, it was just a string of numbers. If she needed anything, professionals would deliver it to her, so she never needed to spend money.

"Can you give me Asta?"

Caelus's eyes seemed to light up. He thought asking for money was tacky; it would be better to ask for her directly, thus avoiding so much trouble.

"Asta isn't my possession. However, if you have the ability to trick her into falling for you, I can help smooth things over with her family. She'll have to get married eventually anyway."

Herta said calmly. She was quite satisfied with Asta's management skills. With Herta protecting her, Asta wouldn't be forced into any political marriages, but she couldn't remain single forever either. If the opportunity arose, Herta wanted to know if a Stellaron could have children with a human. It was another interesting research topic.

"Okay, Grandma. Just wait and see your granddaughter-in-law."

Caelus said cheerfully. He didn't know why he wanted Asta as his wife. Perhaps it was simply because his stomach wasn't feeling well and he wanted something soft, or maybe it was because she was cute. Whatever the reason, he decided to go for it. His mother Kafka had also said that when you have choices, don't let yourself have regrets.

Herta left with a headache. She really didn't want a grandson like Caelus. But thinking that he was only a few hours old when he was born, what bad intentions could he have? She would also need him to test her Simulated Universe later, so Herta could only endure it. Such a readily available, unique specimen from the universe couldn't be lost.

After their chat, Himeko brought Caelus back to March 7th and the others. March 7th and Asta were very curious about what they had discussed with Herta and why it had taken so long.

"I'll wait for you on the train. We still have some time before we depart. During this period, you can consider whether you want to stay on the Space Station or embark on an adventure with us."

Himeko said. The latter part was directed at Caelus, formally inviting him to join the Star Rail Express.

"What? This kid Caelus is coming with us?"

March 7th asked Himeko with surprise. She had only found Caelus interesting before, but she hadn't expected him to join her. This seemed even more interesting.

"Caelus has his unique qualities. You'll find out soon enough."

Himeko smiled mysteriously. Once they became companions, there was no need to hide the fact that Caelus was a Stellaron Humanoid. However, no one on the train would mind what he was.

"I'll go with you. My mom told me to seek thrilling adventures. It's definitely not safe staying here."

Caelus agreed almost without thinking. He remembered Kafka's words: if he stayed on the Space Station, he would just be a good-for-nothing freeloader, supported by Asta.

"What are you saying? It's like we're going to crash the train at any moment."

March 7th complained unhappily. But upon reflection, the adventures on the train were indeed thrilling. This time, they had almost become food for a Doomsday Beast, which made her words lack conviction.

"But having one more companion is indeed nice," March 7th amended.

"It's two."

Caelus reached out, grabbed Acheron's arm, and pulled her closer to him. They stood very close. Acheron, who wasn't very concerned about external information, glanced at him again, tacitly accepting his action.

"I understand. I'll arrange rooms for you,"

Himeko replied with a smile. She didn't hesitate to let Acheron board just because her identity was suspicious. She was Caelus's companion, and forcibly separating them here would be meaningless.

"Asta, I have good news! My grandmother agreed to our arrangement."

Caelus quietly moved beside Asta. While she wasn't paying attention, he took her right hand and held it in his palm.

"?"

Asta, maintaining her smile, still looked happy, but her expression was a mixture of confusion and a smile. She didn't know Caelus's grandmother at all. Besides, what arrangement was he talking about? This sudden turn of events made her forget to pull her hand away.

"Herta is my grandmother."

Caelus knew Asta was surprised, so he explained his origins. When she heard he was the Stellaron, Asta's gaze lost focus. She only snapped back to attention after hearing about his strange relationship with Herta.

"So, Ms. Herta is like a mother, then? Does that make her like a grandmother?"

Asta tried to joke, though the peculiar connection, while seemingly logical—without Herta, there would be no Caelus—felt off.

"I can only have one mother, unfortunately."

Caelus shrugged. He couldn't acknowledge two mothers. Since Herta had taken him in earlier, she had to be the grandmother.

PS: Please collect, recommend, and vote with monthly tickets.

Chapter 13: This Can Be Arranged

"You strange fellow, you're a member of the Star Rail Express now, so don't go tarnishing Ms. Herta's reputation."

Asta said to Caelus. From his fragmented words, she gathered that Herta didn't object to him being her grandson. Asta knew Herta; this decision must have been made because she needed something from Caelus, likely related to the Simulated Universe.

"I definitely won't. I'm free right now, why don't we talk about our..."

Caelus tried to take Asta's hand to continue speaking, but she shot him a glare, and her fair palm, which had been within reach, disappeared.

"I'm swamped here. We can talk later."

Asta didn't have time to banter with Caelus. The Space Station had just been attacked. She had to direct the survivors, treat the injured, and manage subsequent defenses.

Caelus understood Asta's responsibilities. She wasn't just playing station chief. They parted ways for now, and Caelus followed March 7th to where the Star Rail Express was docked, ready to learn about his future home.

"Who else is on the train?"

Caelus asked, already acting like he belonged. He wanted to get familiar with the train's environment beforehand.

"There's the conductor, Pom-Pom. He's fluffy and handles all the driving and daily operations. Then there's Welt Yang. Because he's older, we call him Uncle Yang. Uncle Yang is amazing—not only is he knowledgeable and talented, but he's also very dependable. He's our pillar."

March 7th briefly described the other two. However, her adjectives were a bit odd, as if she were describing a peculiar doll.

"Just these few people?"

Caelus asked, confused when March 7th fell silent. The train looked quite large, but the people inside seemed to number fewer than he could count on one hand.