Astral Express—Observation Car
The members of the Astral Express Crew had gathered here, and the adorable Conductor, Pom-Pom, welcomed the two new passengers.
"Xiao Xi, Stelle, from today on, you're members of the Astral Express, Pom—cough, on the train..."
"That's right. Welcome aboard the train. Let's Trailblaze together, pom! Now the Conductor has to go make preparations for the jump, pom."
"Don't let the Conductor's tiny size fool you. Pom-Pom is actually really capable. Pom-Pom takes care of a lot of problems on the train." March 7th came over and said this.
"Indeed." Dan Heng nodded from nearby.
"The Conductor is a very important member of the train." Seeing how cheerfully we were chatting, Himeko chimed in.
While everyone was making small talk, the Conductor's announcement sounded through the Observation Car.
"The train is about to begin its jump. All passengers, please take your seats and hold on. During the jump, please do not move about the train..."
"This time, I'm definitely going to succeed."
Xiao Xi saw March 7th stand up and stretch, and asked in confusion, "Didn't the Conductor say to take our seats? March, what are you doing?"
Dan Heng explained helplessly, "March has always wanted to try staying on her feet during a jump. Of course, she's never succeeded."
"March, you should sit down. This is still too dangerous," Welt urged her as well.
March rubbed the back of her head and smiled sheepishly. "Ah, Mr. Yang, let me try one more time. I'm sure I can do it this time."
Dan Heng sighed helplessly beside her.
Amid the cheerful atmosphere, the Conductor began counting down to the jump.
"Five, four, three, two, one—"
Pale blue light appeared around the train, as though draping it in a mysterious veil. Accompanied by a violent tremor, space itself seemed to tear apart as the Astral Express began to move. It followed the proper star rail, gathering speed until it finally vanished from this star system.
"Whoa!" March 7th cried out as her body pitched forward uncontrollably. Xiao Xi reacted in the blink of an eye, reaching out to steady March 7th and keep her from falling.
"Ah, I failed again." March 7th said in frustration, a hint of disappointment on her face.
"Since you know you're going to fall, don't try anything so dangerous during the next jump," Dan Heng said with a helpless sigh.
March 7th smiled sheepishly. "Hehe, got it."
The galaxy was vast and magnificent. Through the train's windows, one could get a close-up view of wonders that ordinary people might never see in their entire lives.
The galaxy resembled a flowing band of light stretching across the sky, composed of countless stars packed tightly together and glowing with a gentle silver light. Every so often, a meteor streaked across the night sky, leaving behind a brief, bright trail like a hurried passerby in the heavens.
"It's beautiful." Stelle gazed at the starry sea and couldn't help marveling.
"Clap, clap." Himeko clapped her hands to draw everyone's attention. "All right, everyone, the train has completed its jump successfully. You're free to move around now. March, Dan Heng, could you show our new passengers around?"
"Leave it to us, Himeko. We promise we'll get the job done," March 7th replied energetically.
"I'll show you to your rooms first, then take you around the train and show you how everything works."
After settling into their rooms with March 7th and the others, everyone curiously browsed the train's archives. Once they began to feel tired, they got ready for bed. The train traveled steadily as they slept.
At dawn, accompanied by soothing morning music, the train gradually slowed along the star rail. After a brief sensation of being pushed back in their seats, it came to a gentle stop.
Through the train's windows, a snow-covered planet came into view in the distance. It was also the destination of the Astral Express Crew's journey: Jarilo-VI.
Looking at the distant planet, Himeko said in surprise, "After several thousand years, Jarilo-VI has turned into this?"
March 7th was clearly surprised by the destination they were about to reach. "So that snow-covered planet down there, the one that looks freezing cold, is where we're headed?"
Before March 7th could say anything else, the Conductor, Pom-Pom, came over and announced solemnly, "Spatial readings are abnormal, and star rail stability has decreased. Passengers, our stop will be extended from seven days to an indefinite period."
"What do we do now?" The veteran passengers seemed quite used to this kind of mishap, but the newcomers were a little panicked.
"Don't worry. We just have to find the source of the problem and deal with it," Himeko said calmly.
Welt returned with the inspection report. "Based on my preliminary inspection, the incident was most likely caused by the influence of a Stellaron."
Stellarons were known as the "Cancer of All Worlds." They were weapons deployed by Nanook of Destruction to destroy planets. Wherever one appeared, it obstructed the progress of Trailblaze, and the Astral Express Crew had to seal it.
"I see. Then let's assign this Trailblaze mission to Stelle, Xiao Xi, Dan Heng, and Little March. Welt and I will stay behind to guard the train."
"Yay! We're going to Trailblaze on a new planet!" March 7th prepared enthusiastically.
Guided by the power of Trailblaze, the four of them successfully landed on the surface of Jarilo-VI.
"Uh, what should we do now?" Xiao Xi asked hesitantly.
"Based on our earlier observations, there are still survivors on Jarilo-VI. Our most urgent task is to find the locals and have them show us around," Dan Heng suggested.
"Phew, I have to admit, Dan Heng, you're the reliable one. Let's head for the settlement where we spotted survivors earlier," March 7th said in agreement.
As they traveled, Xiao Xi and March took lots of photos of the beautiful snowy scenery. They planned to get them printed as keepsakes once they returned to the train.
"Wait, everyone. I think I heard something," Xiao Xi said uncertainly as they moved forward.
"Huh? A sound? No way. Where would you hear anything in this frozen wasteland? Xiao Xi, don't scare me!" March 7th said, looking around nervously.
"No, something feels off." Xiao Xi furrowed her brows and stirred the power of her Path within her. Suddenly, golden flames sprang up on the snowdrift ahead.
"Ow! Hot, hot!" A blue-haired man suddenly burst out of the snowdrift and rolled several times across the ground before managing to put out the flames on himself.
As soon as Sampo had put out the flames, he saw the four of them staring at him expressionlessly.
"Ahem, well, heroes, I'm terribly sorry. You have to believe me—I didn't mean anything by it."
When we didn't respond, Sampo tried to change the subject. "Uh, so, is Captain Gepard here...?"
"Cut the nonsense. Tell us why you're hiding here," Dan Heng said coldly, drawing his spear. Sampo's attempt to change the subject had no effect on him.
"You're not familiar with the Silver-Mane Guards? Well, that's a coincidence. I'm Sampo Koski. I was just looking for something in the snow to sell for a little money..."
"You mentioned the Silver-Mane Guards. Do you have a grudge against the people in charge here?" Stelle interrupted Sampo, unwilling to listen to him keep making things up.
"Oh, well, a grudge? I wouldn't exactly say that..."
Before Sampo could finish, a squad of Iron-Mane Guards had already arrived from a distance.
"Wanted criminal Sampo spotted! He has accomplices. Silver-Mane Guards, prepare for battle!" The armored figure at the head of the squad, who appeared to be their commander, waved a hand and gave the order.