"Splitting up the Astral Express Crew... What are the Stellaron Hunters trying to accomplish? Their actions don't seem like they'll benefit them." After getting a basic understanding of the situation, Xiao Xi only found herself with more questions.
"There are too few clues right now for me to make an accurate judgment." Himeko shook her head.
"Then... I'll head back right now..." Xiao Xi's voice grew anxious.
"But I think you can trust your teammates, Xiao Xi." Himeko gently rubbed Xiao Xi's head. "I don't know what happened to you in the past to make you feel so insecure, always wanting to protect everyone and account for every possibility."
"Ah." Himeko sighed softly. "It must have been a terrible experience. But please trust that your companions on the Astral Express can protect themselves. If they really encounter danger, I think they'd all want to fight side by side, rather than have you shield them from it, wouldn't they?"
"Of course, more importantly, we care about you too. We worry about you."
"Big sister Himeko..." Xiao Xi paused. "Mm, I understand."
"Good. Um... Was I saying too many strange things earlier? Didn't you bring us some souvenirs from the Luofu? Why don't you tell me about them?"
Himeko didn't expect one conversation to completely resolve Xiao Xi's worries. Psychological issues could often only be addressed gradually; rushing things could easily backfire.
Besides, she trusted herself and the other members of the Astral Express Crew to give Xiao Xi a strong enough sense of security as they spent more time together. There was no need to rush, was there?
Then again, every one of the Astral Express Crew's children had a past that made you ache for them.
While Himeko and Xiao Xi were having their heart-to-heart, March 7th and the others were already searching Stargazer Navalia for Kafka.
To help with the search, Gu Yu had specially borrowed a little automaton called Diting from the Artisanship Commission.
Diting looked a lot like the lions in the lion dances performed around the country during the New Year. It was tiny and incredibly cute.
According to Gu Yu, Diting was excellent at tracking scents. Once it had caught the scent of something, it could follow the trail all the way to its target.
It was one of the automatons specially designed to catch criminals on the Xianzhou. Come to think of it, had they made it so cute to charm the criminals to death before they could catch them?
"Big sister Himeko, I'm heading out now. Make sure you try the souvenirs I brought back. Let us know what you like, and I'll bring you more." Xiao Xi had taken a short nap on the train. She rubbed her eyes and spoke to Himeko, still a little groggy.
"Mm. Have a good time on the Luofu, and remember to take some pictures with March 7th to bring back for us," Himeko said with a smile.
"No problem. I'm off, then. Goodbye, big sister Himeko." Following the positions marked by the blessings on Stelle and March 7th's bodies, Xiao Xi easily found where the Astral Express Crew was.
"Mm, you caught Kafka. And who is this...?" Xiao Xi had just teleported to the Luofu when she saw Kafka already under restraint. Beside her... was a girl with pink hair?
"I am Fu Xuan, one of the Six Charioteers of the Xianzhou and the Diviner of the Luofu Divination Commission. A pleasure to meet you, Emanator of the Aeon of Wishes."
Fu Xuan introduced herself. "The criminal Kafka has been apprehended and will now be taken to the Divination Commission for trial."