Star Rail, Single Draw Acheron at the Start Chapter 6

"Okay, but if we use the same app, March 7th can just share a friend invite."

Asta also took out her phone. The phone case was black, decorated with a few star-like patterns, and in the center was a white puppy, a cartoon image of Peppy, showing how much she really liked him.

"You can do that? I didn't know! You know I'm still a child."

"Yes, yes, a child who's already this big right after being born."

Caelus opened his phone and, with Asta's help, registered for the universal interstellar chat tool, WeChat. The idea was to allow seamless communication no matter which planet they were on. As for the principle behind it, he didn't know, and if asked, he'd attribute it to quantum entanglement.

After registering an account and entering the chat software, Asta became Caelus's first friend. Caelus then switched his phone to camera mode, walked over to Asta, held his phone high with one hand, and made a peace sign with the other.

"What are you doing?" Asta asked curiously.

"Taking a photo together. I can look at it when I miss you."

Caelus's explanation left Asta speechless. She had never met a man who immediately asked for a commemorative photo. But looking at Caelus's sincere gaze, she felt there was no need to refuse. He was still a child; what did he know?

Asta was thinking about other things, but when the flash went off, she still put her hands on her cheeks and made a peace sign, giving Caelus a photo of them together.

"Where are you going next?"

After taking the photo, Asta asked curiously. She usually didn't inquire about the Star Rail Express's destination, but this time, with the peculiar Nameless like Caelus, it was worth investigating.

"Penacony. Acheron's destination is also there. What a coincidence, right?"

Caelus had nothing to hide from Asta, so he answered whatever she asked. Hearing about such a coincidence, Asta seemed to recall something.

"Oh, is it that rare grand event? The Interastral Peace Corporation also received an invitation to Penacony and should be sending people."

Asta knew quite a lot. The moment she heard the name Penacony, she figured out what the Express crew was going there for. Participating in a grand event was very exciting. If she hadn't been unable to get away, she would have wanted to go.

"The Interastral Peace Corporation?"

Caelus felt like he had vaguely heard the name before but couldn't recall where. He looked at Asta curiously, waiting for her explanation.

"It's the company my family holds shares in. It's probably the biggest company in the galaxy."

Asta explained simply. Caelus wouldn't benefit from more details, but even this simple sentence painted a picture of a terrifying behemoth. Even if the company didn't belong to Asta's family, her family, as shareholders, could earn unimaginable wealth just by lying around every day.

"No wonder you're so rich. You really are a young lady of status," Caelus exclaimed.

"Don't call me that. I still prefer working as the station master."

Asta frowned slightly. She wanted to be herself, not just a young lady of status from a family. She had disliked the aura of a rich young lady since she was little.

Caelus nodded, making a mental note of what Asta disliked. Just as he finished his business and prepared to leave, Asta seemed to remember something. She reached into her skirt pocket and pulled out a black card.

"Caelus, you'll definitely need to spend money in Penacony, right? Here's my supplementary card. If anyone from the Corporation bullies you, just use my name."

Asta handed the thin card to Caelus. She knew what Penacony was; it was a money pit, to put it bluntly. The Express crew had some capital, but compared to the terrifying expenses there, they might actually go bankrupt.

"Are you telling me what to do?"

Caelus took the card and put it in his jacket pocket, then said with a proud expression.

"If you don't want it, I'll take it back."

Asta extended her hand.

"No, no, no, I was just joking! I love living off others the most. You know I'm still young, my stomach hasn't fully developed yet."

The proud look on Caelus's face vanished instantly. He reached out to hold Asta's small hand, but she dodged him, rolling her blue eyes at him.

"Let's be clear, I'm keeping track of all the spending on this card. Consider it a loan; you'll have to pay it back."

Asta said, holding up her index finger. Although she didn't care about the consumption of Credits at all, she still didn't want Caelus to think he didn't need to work hard anymore. This person needed to work hard and not let her and Herta down.

"You say you don't have feelings for me, but you gave me such an important card."

Caelus said happily, hugging the card as if he were hugging Asta's body, which made her feel a little helpless.

"Consider it an investment. Ms. Herta values you highly. Even for her sake, I have to offer you some help. I hope you'll do well. Keep it up."

Asta didn't know why she impulsively gave Caelus the card. He should have pursued her through his own efforts and achieved something. Now, with her help, it wouldn't be Caelus's effort, but her helping him pursue her.

Ultimately, Asta felt that Caelus had potential that could be tapped. Building a friendly relationship with him was an investment. If he truly became the protagonist on the galactic stage in the future, her investment would pay off.

"Don't worry, a drop of kindness will be repaid with a gushing spring, especially the kindness of a beauty. When I become the Emperor of the Universe, I'll make you my Empress."

Caelus immediately promised Asta. He didn't intend to ask her for money. Since she so readily provided him with future startup capital, it was like charcoal in winter. He would never forget this kindness.

"Why just an Empress? What about a Queen?"

Asta asked with a displeased frown. Although she hadn't agreed yet, hearing that she would be the secondary wife right off the bat, who would feel good? She began to doubt if he even wanted to pursue her.

"I knew it, a playboy. I wonder if investing in you was the right choice."

Asta sighed. If Caelus hadn't been born so recently, she would have had him arrested and investigated. After spouting his smooth talk, he ran off like a gust of wind. His objective achieved and with a rich woman's gold card, he was ecstatic.

"Miss, who exactly is he?"

After Caelus ran off, the white-haired young man beside Asta finally spoke. He didn't understand why his young lady was so indulgent toward that man, who seemed rather unstable in the head. He only knew that he seemed to have some connection with Herta.

"That's a secret. I can't tell you, but Alan."

Asta would never casually reveal the whereabouts of the Stellaron. That was Herta's property. Even though it had run off, it was still under Herta's control and wouldn't easily fall into anyone else's hands.

"Mm."

Arlan was the boy's name. He responded, waiting for Asta to continue.

"Do you think he's suitable for me?"

Asta's question caught Arlan off guard. The innocent young lady's sudden question truly caught him unprepared. Although they had a superior-subordinate relationship, Asta had always treated him like family. Their relationship was more like one of friends that transcended master and servant.

"No, he's not."

Arlan said without thinking. He suspected his young lady had been deceived by a bad man. That Caelus didn't look like a good person. Not only did he speak inappropriately, but he even took the blame for a dog.

"I knew you'd say that. I also think he's not suitable. But if he were someone who seemed suitable at first glance, I'd have to question his true intentions."

Asta said with a smile. Arlan was somewhat confused by her words. It seemed Asta wasn't moved, yet she also seemed to have other intentions. His young lady was too difficult to understand. He might as well focus on being a bodyguard.

PS, please collect, recommend, and vote for monthly tickets.

Chapter 16: There's Such a Good Thing?

Caelus returned to the Star Rail Express with a cheerful stride. The same few people were still on the train, but Acheron was gone. She probably went back to her room to rest. Star Rail Game Merchandise

"March 7th, make me a cup of tea."

Caelus sat on the single sofa with an arrogant posture, his hands resting on the back of the sofa, wearing an expression that said, "Heaven is the boss, I'm the second." Seeing this, March 7th's eyebrows twitched.

"Who do you think you are, ordering me around like this!"

"Watch your tone. You're talking to a successful individual who owns a Star Destroyer."

Caelus said with his arrogant expression still in place.

"Pfft, you have a Star Destroyer, but can you afford to maintain it? The train's maintenance costs are already a huge number. I haven't even asked you for room and board yet."

March 7th stuck her tongue out at Caelus. She had just remembered the maintenance costs for a Star Destroyer. This was not something a normal person could afford. Caelus had acquired something that could only be looked at, not used, and would likely be resold later.

"NONONO, you're really missing the point. Look at this."

Caelus said in his non-standard "ghost language," holding a black card between two fingers and placing it on the table in front of him, gesturing for March 7th to take a good look. Tea Ordering Service

"An affiliate card? Whose... Wait, did you rob Asta?"

March 7th was slightly stunned. After observing carefully, she recognized what the card was. Remembering who Caelus had met before leaving, she exclaimed in surprise.

"Nonsense. This is proof of our bond. We'll use it to fuel the Star Destroyer."

Caelus corrected her. March 7th's face gradually showed a pained expression. Seeing Caelus profit made her feel worse than if she had lost money herself, especially since he had profited so much.

"Come here and give grandpa a shoulder rub. I'll cover all your expenses in Penacony."

Caelus flicked the black card in his hand and used his "facial expression attack." He didn't know how he did it, but his lower lip was almost touching his nose. Faced with such a contorted expression, March 7th naturally chose to yield.

A pair of soft palms landed on Caelus's shoulders. Honestly, Caelus was surprised. He didn't expect March 7th to actually do it.

"I don't want to, but the internet says Penacony is incredibly expensive, and I don't have any income. So, I have to rely on you, Caelus."

March 7th pouted. She was an orphan adopted by the Star Rail Express and usually received pocket money from Himeko. She felt too embarrassed to ask her elders for more money. Now that Caelus, a sucker, was here, March 7th decided to earn money through her labor. Tea Ordering Service Star Rail Game Merchandise

"Fine. I'll keep my word. Buy whatever you want, I'll pay."

Caelus agreed readily. Although Asta had said he had to repay the expenses himself, he felt no pressure. Caelus himself didn't realize that he was naturally lawless. The things that could restrain him were never morality, but the feelings of his companions. Meeting March 7th at the beginning was, in a sense, very fortunate.

After enjoying the beautiful girl's shoulder rub, Caelus returned to his room to wait for the train to depart. It wasn't that he didn't want to interact more with March 7th, but he wanted to see what Acheron was doing. She was his close friend.

When Caelus returned to his room, he indeed found Acheron still sitting on the sofa, staring at her phone and laboriously tapping at something.

Seeing this, Caelus sat down beside Acheron and watched her play on her phone. After watching for a while, he realized that she was even more childish than he was.

"Acheron, I'm not trying to be rude, but can you even tap the screen with those finger cots on? Don't you think something's wrong?"

Caelus couldn't help but complain. Acheron had three metal finger cots on her right hand, and the tips were sharp, looking like they could gouge out an enemy's eyes at any moment. Wearing such things, it was naturally impossible to accurately tap the phone screen.

"No, I don't." Tea Ordering Service

Acheron said stubbornly. In reality, she had noticed the problem, but she just didn't want to take off the finger cots, so she was struggling with the phone.

"Sigh."

Caelus sighed, took her right hand, and took the phone away. Then he carefully examined her palm. It looked like a bracer and a fingerless glove were connected. Caelus didn't have the kind of thought where rubbing his palm on his face would make him feel happy. Instead, he found a way to remove her finger cots.

"This is a safe area. There's no need to be fully armed. Also, why do you have chains wrapped around your arm? Are you some kind of non-mainstream girl? A delinquent?"

Caelus muttered as he removed the finger cots, then he saw the silver chains wrapped around Acheron's forearm. Strangely, these chains didn't have any clasps to unlock them. It was likely that only she knew how to remove them.

"No, these chains are... used to seal my power."

Acheron tried to pull her hand back, but Caelus held on, preventing her escape, and examined it back and forth, making her very uncomfortable.

"Ah ha, I admit you're the strongest woman I've ever met, but it's not so exaggerated that you need to seal your power. What can you do if you unseal it? A second-stage transformation?"

Caelus let out a carefree laugh. He felt that Acheron was strong, but only to a certain extent. She was good at bullying weak mobs, but he was the one who dealt with the Doomsday Beast, wasn't he? Caelus felt very conceited now, not much different from Acheron, after all, he was a Stellaron.

"I can't."

Acheron thought for a moment. The way she looked after unsealing her chains didn't seem like a transformation, but more like a change of color. So, she shook her head and said.

"Then that's that. Besides, you'll have to take them off when you shower, unless you don't shower."

Caelus said cheerfully. Acheron ignored his teasing and finally pulled her hand back. Caelus then handed her the phone.

"Here, I'll teach you how to register. We can add each other as friends and chat anytime."

Caelus was teaching the novice Huang Quan, who didn't know how to use a mobile phone, how to register for a chat app. He had just learned it from Asta. Fortunately, he was smart enough to remember it after one look. When it came to electronic devices, he felt that he and Huang Quan were equally clueless.

"Chat anytime?" Huang Quan asked, confused.

"Aren't you going to Penacony? If you finish what you need to do there, we might have to part ways. We can keep in touch via phone then. You wouldn't want to abandon your good friend, would you?"

Caelus continued to ramble. He genuinely considered Huang Quan a good friend – a life-saver, even. Even if she had to leave, Caelus wanted to ensure he could still contact her. And more importantly, she got lost so easily; what would she do without him to guide her?

"No. After things in Penacony are settled, if you aren't afraid of me, I'll travel with you."

Huang Quan confirmed she had no intention of parting ways with Caelus. Although they had only teamed up temporarily, she felt there were many things about Caelus that could be explored. As long as he didn't proactively suggest separating, Huang Quan wouldn't either.

"That's great! And why would I be afraid of you? You're so cute, anyone would want to travel with you."

Caelus said with a smile. He thought about the possibility of Huang Quan staying in Penacony. If she were a traveler without a destination, that would actually be a good thing. As he spoke, Caelus raised his hand and placed it on Huang Quan's cheek, his fingers gently brushing against her smooth skin.

Chapter 17: Your Auntie Will Introduce Someone to You

"Cute? Me?"

Huang Quan's expression was one of great confusion. She had encountered many people who called themselves monsters, but no one had ever described her as cute. She even had to take a moment to recall what "cute" meant.

"Of course, it's you. Don't doubt yourself. You're a beautiful young lady."

Caelus gave Huang Quan a thumbs-up and smiled. Huang Quan was infected by his smile and let out a soft laugh. She rarely had opportunities to interact with others like this. After learning Caelus's identity, she understood he was an anomaly. Huang Quan herself was also an anomaly, which was perhaps why they got along so well.

Beep beep~

A notification sound came from Caelus's phone. He had added Asta as a friend and thought it was her messaging him. However, when he opened the chat interface, he saw a stranger trying to add him as a friend.

The stranger's avatar was a pair of rabbit ears. But upon closer inspection, they weren't real ears, but small rabbit ears created by hair accessories on their head. Caelus felt a strange sense of familiarity, so he accepted the friend request.

Silver Wolf: Yo, yo, yo, you there?

Galactic Handsome Boy: Here.

Silver Wolf: Ugh, the nickname you chose... I need to go throw up for a bit.

Galactic Handsome Boy: That tone... are you Auntie?