"That's the gist of what happened. As for whether we should head to the Luofu Xianzhou, you can decide for yourselves. Goodbye, everyone."
Facing the hostile looks from the people aboard the Astral Express, Kafka smiled faintly as she said her farewells. A flash of light followed, and she and her companion vanished from the train.
"Dan Heng, how are you? Are you all right?" March 7th asked worriedly.
"I'm fine." Dan Heng seemed much better after Kafka left. "That man just now... no, never mind."
"Good, as long as you're all right... By the way, what should we do about what Kafka said?"
"I don't want the Stellaron Hunters' schemes to succeed, but when I think about the casualties she said the Luofu Xianzhou would suffer—half its people—I start to feel... Ugh, does anyone have any ideas?" March 7th asked hesitantly.
Stelle fell silent for a moment, then said haltingly, "So many people's lives are at stake... I think we could lend a hand. After all... Though, of course, if it's dangerous, the train's safety comes first."
Xiao Xi nodded. "If we can make sure we'll be safe, we can help out... But from the way Kafka put it, this doesn't sound like a small matter. And I can't shake the feeling that something about this whole incident is strange. I just can't put my finger on it."
Faced with this situation, Himeko clapped her hands to draw everyone's attention. "In that case, let's settle it with a vote. The majority rules. How does that sound?"
"I agree. We could talk this over forever and still not reach an answer everyone's happy with," Welt said with a nod.
Himeko looked around. Seeing that no one seemed to object, she announced, "Since no one has any objections, let's begin."
"Raise your hand if you agree. Keep it down if you disagree. I'll count to three. One, two, three."
The result came quickly. Everyone voted in favor, except Dan Heng and Pom-Pom.
"Pom-Pom knows there may be people on the Luofu Xianzhou who need help, but as the train's Conductor, Pom-Pom has to fulfill its responsibilities first. Pom-Pom can't disregard the train's safety because of information that may or may not be true."
Pom-Pom earnestly explained the reason for its opposing vote. "Of course, Pom-Pom has no objection to the passengers' choice. The Conductor is proud of you all for being willing to risk your lives to save strangers. Pom!"
"As for me..." Dan Heng let out a heavy sigh. "The other Xianzhou ships would be fine, but I'm barred from entering the Luofu Xianzhou. And I... don't really want to go back, either. If the train insists on going, all I can do is wish you a safe journey from aboard."
Himeko nodded. "Is it because of your past? In that case, you and I will stay behind on the train during this Trailblaze expedition."
Hearing Himeko say that, Dan Heng breathed a sigh of relief. "That would be for the best."
After saying this, Dan Heng seemed distracted for once. He didn't know if this counted as running away, but... he'd already resolved to start over. It was probably best not to get too involved with anything from his past.
He was Dan Heng now, a member of the Astral Express, a Nameless, and a companion to Stelle and the others.