Caelus stood behind the large glass window and looked ahead. At the end of the line stood an incomparably towering building, like a steel giant standing in the universe. Looking closely, he could see towering walls around the building, as if they were meant to keep whatever was inside from escaping.
"I remember this used to be a prison. It really does look like one."
March 7th stood beside Caelus and sighed. Then she immediately pulled out the blue camera she always kept hanging at her waist and began taking pictures. This might be a place they would only visit once in their lives, so she naturally had to cherish the opportunity.
There was no place like this in Caelus's memories either. He looked at the vehicles around the train. It truly was a hodgepodge of transportation. The most numerous were cosmic warship-type vessels. Steel battleships floated through space with imposing momentum. Although Caelus did not recognize the appearance of Star Destroyers, he felt that those ships with enormous gun barrels had to be the legendary Star Destroyers.
Star Destroyers, sold in limited quantities across the galaxy, could only be considered commonplace here. Those invited here were either rich or powerful. There were quite a few large vessels, but even more small vehicles. There were many that looked like flying saucers as well. Caelus even saw a person with a long tail standing atop the largest yellow flying saucer. They could stand in a vacuum without a protective suit. At a glance, they were clearly an expert.
People with long tails were quite common among the various races. Even more bizarre-looking aliens had yet to show themselves. They had gathered in Penacony aboard all kinds of strange vehicles to attend the Family's grand event. Before even entering, they could already feel the fervent atmosphere rushing toward them.
"Is it just the atmosphere that's hot? It's actually really hot."
March 7th tugged at her collar as she spoke. Caelus stood on tiptoe and looked downward. March 7th immediately covered her clothes and glared at him. Caelus simply put both hands behind his head and started whistling.
Only a few seconds after March 7th's complaint, a manta ray radiating sunlight all over its body flew past the train. It was this thing that had turned the area into a microwave when it passed by, causing some chaos among the surrounding vehicles.
"That is a Blazing Sun Fish, a rare species from Planet Sol. Only someone at the level of a Prince is qualified to ride one, Pam."
Pom-Pom had somehow appeared beside March 7th. Using a round little arm, he pointed at the manta ray flying away. March 7th and Caelus exchanged looks. They suddenly felt like insignificant nobodies in a famous movie scene. This place truly was one where a falling brick could hit some incredible big shot. Even if they announced that they were Herta's grandchildren, they would probably only count as slightly bigger nobodies. It seemed they would have to keep their tails tucked and behave properly.
March 7th remained optimistic. She was not going to cause trouble anyway, and she had nothing to do with big shots. She immediately cheerfully began taking pictures again.
As the shutter clicked, March 7th captured a patch of pitch-black something. It wriggled twice, then quickly extended eight black tentacles. Eyes as large as searchlights lit up on its head. Then five tentacles twisted together to form a human hand and gave March 7th an interstellar friendly gesture.
"Why did Mr. Octopus flip you off?"
Caelus asked in confusion. That octopus also seemed to be some race's vehicle. Given that it could survive in the vacuum of space, its physical strength certainly did not lose to that manta ray.
"I don't know."
March 7th answered blankly. Just as she was wondering why, someone knocked on the train car. Pom-Pom walked over with unsteady steps and opened the door. The imagined scene of all the air being sucked out did not occur. Outside was an isolation wall that kept the vacuum from coming into contact with the car.
Standing outside the car was a short alien less than a meter tall. He appeared male. A single antenna extended from his head, ending in a fluffy ball. He had two large mustaches above his lips. He looked like a middle-aged man in his thirties, though his appearance was quite youthful.
"Hello. I am a navigator from Penacony. As you can see, I am a Pipissee. You may call me Gentleman."
The Pipissee calling himself Gentleman spoke. His voice entered the car through some special method. Pom-Pom opened the isolation device, and Gentleman stepped inside with elegant strides.
"First, welcome to Penacony. This should be your first time here. Please allow me to check your invitation."
Gentleman seemed to have used some kind of device to walk through space. His attitude was quite polite, and nothing about his words made anyone uncomfortable. Pom-Pom was also friendly toward someone about his own height and presented the invitation sent by the Family.
"The invitation is correct. However, you may not know the rules here. Someone took a photo just now, correct?"
Gentleman nodded. After returning the invitation to Pom-Pom, he spoke again.
"Yes, that was me."
March 7th raised her hand. She had just been wondering about it, but she had not expected someone to come looking so quickly.
"This young lady took a photo of Mr. Decott, which greatly angered him because his reproductive organ was photographed. He demands compensation and that the photo be deleted."
Gentleman pointed at the black octopus in the distance. March 7th's expression immediately became spectacular, changing like a cute circus performer specializing in face-changing, until her whole face turned gray and pale.
"Re... reproductive..."
"If you are willing to compensate Mr. Decott with 88,888 Credits and delete the photo, he will not pursue the matter. Otherwise, you may have to meet in Penacony's court."
Gentleman continued. More than feeling unable to laugh or cry, March 7th felt as though countless strange four-legged creatures were stampeding through her heart. Though that was not what had happened, the story would become that this beautiful girl had been fined for secretly photographing someone's reproductive organ. This was already the greatest stain of her life.
"We'll compensate him."
Welt spoke immediately. Having only just arrived, he naturally did not want the Astral Express crew to make enemies. Besides, this price was not expensive. The other party was likely just issuing a warning rather than trying to extort them. Otherwise, the demand would surely have been in the millions.
"Then please swipe your card here. I will deliver it on your behalf."
Gentleman took out a card reader. Welt decisively paid the Credits and deleted the photo from March 7th's camera under Gentleman's watchful gaze. Only then was the portrait-rights dispute settled.
You're Really Hungry
"According to calculations, you will need to wait in line here for seventy-two system hours before entering Penacony's spaceport. Sweet dreams."
Gentleman bowed to the people of the Astral Express. After leaving those words behind, he departed the train to attend to other matters. They had come face-to-face with the navigator right away, so the money had not been wasted.
"I got fined the moment we arrived. How am I supposed to have sweet dreams?"
March 7th said with a miserable face. By then, Caelus had already dropped to his knees because he could not hold back his laughter. One hand covered his stomach while the other pounded the floor hard. Tears had already formed from laughing so much.
"Ha, hahaha! Secretly photographing someone's reproductive organ—March 7th, I'd say you're really hungry."
Caelus was laughing so hard he could barely catch his breath, yet he still found time to clearly provoke March 7th.
March 7th walked up and stopped in front of Caelus. When he lifted his head, he saw the view beneath March 7th's skirt. Although the white safety shorts clung tightly to her rear, he still could not see anything.
"Why are you wearing safety shorts? They're not cute at all," Caelus complained.
"It's fine. Your vision is about to go black."
March 7th had already clenched her fists. It was one thing for her to be unlucky, but Caelus was still mocking her over this nonsense. Today, only one of them was getting out alive.
"Let's talk this out. I'm a minor. There are laws protecting me."
"There may be laws on planets, but there aren't any on the train!"
Without another word, March 7th lunged at Caelus. The two rolled into a ball on the floor and began wrestling, though they were only using playful force. At most, a few strands of hair would fall out.
"Little March, don't be sad. It's not your fault that something like this happened in an unfamiliar environment. Just be more careful next time."
Himeko came over to March 7th and Caelus as she spoke. March 7th was still pinning Caelus down. Only after hearing Himeko's comfort did she let go, then nodded gloomily.
"You're so violent. No wonder you're single."
After getting up from the floor, Caelus dusted himself off. In truth, the train was very clean. Pom-Pom cleaned it every day, and it was practically spotless, which was why they could roll around on the floor without concern.
"Aren't you single too?" March 7th said indignantly.
"Say that again while looking at the gorgeous woman in my room."
"We just happened to run into each other, just like I happened to run into you."
March 7th said angrily. She refused to believe Caelus was not single. Acheron did not look like the type who would date anyone. She always seemed so cold.
"Since we have to wait three days, everyone should do their own thing on the train."
Welt said with a smile. Watching March 7th and Caelus bicker all the time made him feel a few years younger. Waiting in line was common enough, and those enormous-looking vehicles also needed somewhere to dock.
"Then I'm heading back to my room to play games."
Caelus waved, then darted toward another car in a flash, ready to live the life of a shut-in.
March 7th reached out to grab him but was too late. At the same time, she realized that she and Caelus started arguing every time they met. They had known each other for less than a day. Where had her ladylike image gone? It had to be that guy's fault for not knowing how to cherish girls and always making her angry.
After returning to his room, Caelus took out his phone and fiddled with it. He had wanted to say hello to Asta, but before he had even typed two characters, Acheron walked in.
"What are you doing in my room?"
Acheron asked in confusion. Caelus let go in shock, and his phone even fell onto his thigh. Acheron's preemptive strike left him completely speechless. She had already said everything, so what was he supposed to say?
"Is it possible that this is my room?"
Caelus only spoke after a moment of silence. Acheron had wanted to say that was impossible, absolutely impossible, but she remembered that she had not counted which door was which when she first arrived. The doors outside were also very close together, so she fell silent as well.
"It's fine. Since you're already here, the two of us can talk and pass the time. What else could you do in your room?"
Caelus smiled and patted the seat beside him. If Acheron had not come, he definitely would have gone looking for her later. Passing the time alone was boring, but with two people, it would not be.
"Meditate."
Acheron answered simply. She was practically like an old person. Caelus could not accept meditation at all. The world was so beautiful; how could anyone waste their life in a place like this?
"We'll be waiting in line for three days. Wouldn't that bore you to death?"
"It's fine. If you hadn't brought me here, I might have needed another half year to arrive."
Acheron spoke calmly. She had plenty of patience. Even when she could not find the way, she never complained. Accidentally meeting Caelus and the Astral Express crew this time had brought her considerable convenience.
"That's way too exaggerated. With your abilities, couldn't you just ask for directions and get here?"
Caelus complained, but Acheron did not answer, as though he had struck a sore spot. Thinking about it carefully, she was someone who did not even have electronic devices wandering around the universe. Even if someone told her the direction, could she really arrive just by walking in a straight line? Once Caelus realized that, he could only hold back his laughter and say nothing.
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The Recognition of a Katana Hero
"Want to play a game together? I'll have my aunt carry you?"
Caelus took out his phone and waved it around. He thought games that let people enter directly with their consciousness were incredibly fun. Once you started, you simply could not stop.
"I don't know how to play."
Acheron answered without the slightest ripple on her face. Caelus sighed. Older women really were hard to coax. How did he know Acheron was older? Just look at March 7th. That was what a young girl should be like. The contrast was far too obvious.
Caelus found the TV remote and handed it to Acheron. If she would not play games, then she could watch television. Older people all liked that.
A sixty-five-inch television hung on the wall opposite the sofa. The living conditions on the train were truly excellent, and staying there was even free. It was practically charity. But then again, people without ability could not get on the train in the first place. They had to be strong enough themselves to enjoy such treatment.
Acheron turned on the television and began changing channels. She did not care for starry idol dramas, but she seemed somewhat interested in commercials. Caelus watched television with her and discovered she was watching a lip gloss advertisement starring a famous actress named Robin. Robin was a Halovian with wings beneath her ears and a halo above her head. Naturally, a superstar's acting was good, and she was also breathtakingly beautiful. Caelus was practically drooling.
"If I could marry a woman like that, I'd have everything I needed in this life."
Caelus sighed after the commercial ended. Acheron was interested in the lip gloss from the advertisement, while he was interested in the person who had advertised it. Still, he was only talking. The universe was so vast; how could he possibly go looking specifically for a superstar to date?
Acheron said nothing. When it came to finding a wife, she and Caelus could not talk about it together. They were not drinking buddies who could casually share their opinions on women, so silence was her only response.
"Looks like I need to develop my own uses."
Caelus rubbed his chin and began thinking. Although he had been born for just a day and was already living a lazy life of eating and waiting to die, with an unlimited credit card from a rich woman, he did not want to sink into decadence like this. His greatest asset was the Stellaron. As long as he could develop some ways to use it and strengthen his combat ability, build a reputation for himself, becoming the emperor of the universe would not just be empty talk.
"How will you develop it?" Acheron asked curiously.
"I don't know. Normally, a Stellaron is one of the strongest things on the mysterious side. Maybe there's some system inside it, and completing system missions gives you rewards that make you stronger. But I can't communicate with it. I'll have to ask my mom and aunt."
Caelus spoke casually. In truth, the guess had no basis. It only came from things in Silver Wolf's collection. Carrying a system around with you sounded like the sort of good fortune that did not really exist.
"Do you want me to teach you how to use a sword? If you can master Nihility, you'll be unstoppable beneath the Aeons."
Acheron casually reached out, and a katana over two meters long appeared in Caelus's sight along with its sheath, lying horizontally between them.
"So this katana is called Nihility. If I use your sword, what will you use?"
Caelus naturally grabbed the hilt and drew it partway. The black blade gleamed brilliantly. He had no idea what it was made of, but it felt as though it could cut through anything.
Acheron looked surprised. She had not expected Caelus to draw her sword so easily. The story of this blade was even more extraordinary than Caelus's own, and the power it contained was terrifying. Being able to draw it meant one could use it. Her original intention had actually been to find Caelus a similar sword.
"I'm strong even without a sword, and we should be together often," Acheron said.
"Hehe, are you proposing to me? That's not good, I'm still a minor. I'll introduce you to my mom someday."
Caelus's young face reddened at Acheron's direct words. Acheron's kindness was easy to misunderstand. What she said sounded as if they would be together for the rest of their lives, and Caelus felt that he could accept that.
"?"
Acheron tilted her head and looked at Caelus in confusion, not understanding where his thoughts had wandered off to again. But she did not bother explaining. It was too troublesome.
After sheathing the katana again, Caelus hugged it like a treasure. He placed his fingers on the hilt and slowly stroked it. Given the sword's length, Caelus's arm span made it impossible for him to draw it completely. Acheron could not either, which was why the secret around her before had been worth exploring.
"Hah... hah... Your katana, whether it's the guard or the hilt, is so cute. The blue patterns are beautifully placed too. Can I rub it against my face? Rubbing it against my face makes people feel calm."
As he spoke, Caelus had already pressed the hilt against his cheek and begun rubbing it. Acheron looked slightly bewildered. Was the person in front of her really a normal human? Had she misjudged him?
"Nihility did not reject you. If an ordinary person did that, it would have already turned them into a brainless vegetable."
Acheron stared at Caelus for a while. Seeing that he was completely fine, she could not help speaking. If he were not special enough, he would not even be qualified to touch Nihility. Now, it seemed he not only had the qualification, but had it in abundance.
"Is that so? A gentleman does not take what another loves. Although it's very cute, it is your sword after all. When I get the chance, I'll definitely forge a katana of my own, then hunt with you."
Caelus quickly returned to normal. After thinking for a moment, the expression on his face gradually became more unrestrained.
"Acheron, does your sword have any restrictions? Like other people can't draw it, and only someone destined for it can draw it? If someone draws it, they have to marry you."
"No."
"I think it could."
"No."
Acheron remained as indifferent as before toward Caelus's joke. Anyone could tell he was joking. Whoever took it seriously would lose.
"So when do we start learning?"
"After the matter in Penacony is over. I'll probably be very busy after we enter."
Acheron put away the katana as she spoke. She had no time right now, nor could she forcibly improve Caelus's combat ability.
"It's hard to imagine what your purpose in going to Penacony is, but I don't know what's inside either. If you need my help, just say so. You gave me this life."
Caelus patted his chest and declared spiritedly. Those words were somewhat irresponsible, because he did not know what Acheron was facing or whether he would hold her back. But he should at least be able to help with logistics.
Before you continue