The conductor knocked on the great door.
No sound was made, but the ripples created by the trembling air had already reached the cab.
About three seconds later.
The great door slowly opened, the entire process remaining soundless.
When the door opened completely, a patch of swirling, multicolored haze appeared ahead.
The conductor was unsurprised. He took a step forward and entered the light.
His black boots were enveloped by the haze. Soon, as though alive, it slowly crept upward from beneath his feet until it completely covered him...
At the same time, a beeping sounded by the conductor's ear.
"Identity verification passed."
"Space-time calibration in progress—"
"Space-time calibration successful."
"Welcome, Three Stars conductor, Mr. Star Worm."
As the voice faded, the light dispersed as well.
At this moment, the conductor, "Star Worm," had arrived in the true cab. Yet the interior of this cab was quite unlike what ordinary people imagined a cab would be.
Above was a transparent glass Dome, upon which a faintly glowing projection of the starry sky shimmered.
Through the Dome, one could see the void outside, its scenery constantly changing.
It perfectly matched the scene beyond the Star Sea Train.
Beneath the Dome was a circular hall with black marble flooring. The marble was exceptionally smooth, reflecting a thin sheen beneath the starry projection.
The hall stood empty. There were no walls, no objects, not even any facilities for operating the train.
Only at the very center of the hall stood a stone statue.
The statue resembled a flame demon, except the flames on its body had long gone out, leaving only chunks of burnt ash falling away.
As Star Worm approached, the ashes on the statue peeled off bit by bit like dust.
By the time Star Worm reached the statue, the fragments