Star Rail: Can't I Just Peacefully Do Commissions? Chapter 42

Everyone on the train eventually has to drink Himeko's coffee!

Let me say this one last time, The time for Himeko's coffee to become everyone's daily beverage is accelerating!

"Delicious—!"

With Himeko's satisfied smile, Shirou Emiya swallowed the strangely bitter coffee, which seemed to perfectly blend syrup and bitter melon, yet it also had an overwhelmingly sweet cocoa flavor.

But it doesn't matter.

The price for making me drink this coffee, Himeko, you'll have to pay me back in other ways sooner or later!

If you don't like original coffee with milk, then... you shouldn't complain about drinking original milk later!

After returning to the train from the ninja world, March 7th and Asta were like two sloths who had just returned to their dorms after a vacation, instantly becoming listless and unenergetic.

Himeko found Pomeranian and, after fueling the train with all the collected fuel, began discussing preparations for their trip to Penacony with it.

However, Just as they finished discussing and were about to notify everyone, ...

Miss Kafka made a sudden, unannounced appearance accompanied by the sound of a violin...

The moment this Stellaron Hunter appeared on the train, Himeko's gaze immediately shifted towards Mr. Emiya. Her eyes seemed to convey, [You're the one who led the enemy here?]

[I'm being framed, Sister Himeko.]

Shirou blinked, feigning innocence. Although he still frequently chatted with his old colleagues among the Stellaron Hunters, he had no intention of revealing the precise information about his current employer.

"Wolf Cub, it's really impolite of you to directly hack into the train's system."

Not wanting to hear Kafka's attempt to persuade everyone to go to the Luofu Xianzhou, Shirou followed his senses to find Silver Wolf in a corner, leaning on a sofa and playing a game.

Seeing that delicate and cute little face, while it might be a bit rude to say, having sparred with Bronya several times, he instinctively felt a slight urge to kiss Silver Wolf's face upon seeing her again.

"Get it straight, we're interstellar terrorists. You're asking if it's polite to hack you? Why don't you ask yourself if it's polite to say that to me?"

"Is it impolite?!"

"Very impolite! What kind of hacker warns you before doing dirty work?"

"Aren't we close friends, like sworn brothers? Can't we get special treatment?"

"Fine, next time something like this happens, I'll definitely remind you to prepare, and then I'll forcefully enter."

Damn it... it really is you, you little brat, who's been corrupting Asta!

You little wolf cub, you've gone down the wrong path!

"Destination temporarily changed from Penacony to Luofu Xianzhou."

Although very reluctant, Himeko ultimately decided to warp towards the Luofu first. According to Kafka, about forty system hours ago, a Stellaron had detonated on the Luofu Xianzhou. If it wasn't dealt with promptly, it would inevitably cause large-scale spatial pollution.

"If a Stellaron really detonated on the Luofu Xianzhou, and if it wasn't handled properly, the Stellaron would indeed block off this region of space again. Jarilo-VI, which had just started on the path of revival, might encounter some unfortunate events again."

"...She's a wanted criminal, and she says a Stellaron detonated? It all feels wrong. Sister Himeko, should we really get involved? I have a bad feeling about this."

"March 7th, the Astral Express's mission now is to restore normal passage between star systems. This is also part of our 'Trailblaze.' When I accepted Aevium's legacy, I promised Him that I would reconnect the ancient routes."

"Now, a Stellaron is about to detonate right before my eyes. If we don't resolve this incident, it will be equivalent to blocking the path we just opened."

"Exploring the unknown and unknowable is a form of trailblazing, but... the true meaning of trailblazing also includes the courage one should possess when facing certain things. To do what is known to be impossible, that spirit of adventure... that is the true Nameless."

After listening to Himeko's words, March 7th fell silent for a moment, then took a deep breath before speaking again, "Sister Himeko, I'm not afraid of taking risks, but... this time, I really have a bad feeling."

"Then, for this trip to the Luofu, let's maintain extreme vigilance."

With that said, Himeko looked at Welt and spoke seriously, "Welt, if we encounter trouble that cannot be resolved this time, we may truly need you to go all out."

"I understand."

Welt nodded gravely. If they encountered a truly tricky situation, even if he had to use the Star of Eden at its zeroth rated power, causing super-massive destruction, he would have to protect the Express crew members.

"Pomeranian, prepare to head to the coordinates indicated by the Stellaron Hunters. We must resolve the Stellaron issue."

"Since you've said so, Himeko, the Train Conductor will prepare."

During the preparations, Little Grey Hair and March 7th approached Shirou, intending to ask for some information about the Luofu Xianzhou.

"My knowledge of the Luofu Xianzhou is extremely superficial. If you want to deeply understand its customs and culture, there is actually someone more capable on our train."

"But since you're asking, I'll answer a little. The Luofu Xianzhou is one of the six capital ships under the Xianzhou Alliance. It is a large organization that, in accordance with the order of the Hunt Aeon 'Lan,' launches an unforgiving revenge against the Abundance's evil creatures in the boundless sea of stars."

"Although there are only six flagship vessels, each one contains an infinite number of hidden paradises. Billions, or even tens of billions, of people on the Luofu live upon them. The six Xianzhou vessels house over a hundred billion citizens. The native inhabitants of the Xianzhou are Celestials who have received the blessings of Abundance and enjoy immeasurable lifespans. Their lifespan limits are unknown, but after a certain age, they begin to encounter various tribulations, usually around the age of 650."

"Besides the Celestials, there are also Foxkin, whose normal lifespan is around 300 years. Then there are the immortal Dragon-blooded, who are even more significant. Theoretically, they are immortal and can reincarnate infinitely, living a second, third, or countless lives."

"So, when you're on the Xianzhou, don't casually underestimate the brats by the roadside. Their ages could be enough to make them your great-grandmothers."

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!"

March 7th vociferously denied it with a few clicks of her tongue.

"I don't know how long I was inside the Six Phases Ice, but even though I'm still a beautiful girl, it's possible my origins are even older than those Xianzhou."

"Got it. You're older than the Xianzhou. The current Marshal of the Xianzhou is Hua, and the one who's a bit older than Hua, uses a bow, ice element, and has pink hair... March 7th, it's time for you to remember your true name! Elysia from another dimension!"

"Asta! Why does your brother have to have a mouth for no reason?"

"Perhaps it's so he has the opportunity to shut your big mouth?"

"Who are you siding with?!"

"Of course, I'm siding with my good friend, provided my good friend doesn't casually utter forbidden words. I really don't want to hear words like 'rivers of blood,' 'master and disciple turning against each other,' or 'families torn apart' from my good friend's mouth."

What do you all take me for, March 7th!

So mean!

March 7th tried her best to glare with wide eyes, wanting to glare both of these wicked guys who didn't appreciate good intentions to death...

"Speaking of which, Teacher Dan Heng hasn't shown up. What's going on?"

After playing around with Asta and Shirou Emiya for a while, March 7th suddenly thought of Teacher Dan Heng, who should have been her comrade. But even though Pomeranian had notified everyone to gather in the front cabin, he was still nowhere to be seen.

It was abnormal.

Extremely abnormal.

A Dan Heng who was this unpunctual was just like March 7th starting to dislike juice!

"Dan Heng's identity isn't suitable for the Luofu."

After a slight pause, Shirou Emiya explained for Dan Heng.

"You've forgotten that you used to be called Elysia, but Dan Heng hasn't forgotten what he used to be called."

"On the Xianzhou, his identity is a bit awkward. To put it metaphorically, it's like attending a class reunion while being an illegal intruder. And one of the old classmates will cling to him and bring up past dark history."

"Ew, what a disgusting description."

"If it were me, I definitely wouldn't go either."

Miss Asta shook her head firmly. It sounded like an extremely awkward situation, and she absolutely didn't want to face it.

"Forget it then, I won't disturb Teacher Dan Heng. Shirou Emiya, you absolutely must protect me this time. I was just looking at the IPC's fortune-telling in my room, and it said today is particularly unsuitable for being around furry things."

"I see. Well... I was originally planning to give them to you all..."

Mr. Emiya took out Meowstic and Dedenne from the storage and, under March 7th's angry gaze, handed them directly to Asta. The Little Grey Hair also 'pleasantly surprised' accepted the two cute Pokémon and spoke in a sweet, high-pitched voice.

"Thank you, brother."

"Asta! You traitor!"

"I'm a traitor? When?"

"Right now! This very moment! You took that guy's two furry... Shirou Emiya, you bad guy! Bad guy! Bad guy! You deliberately brought this kind of thing out here to anger me! Damn it! Such cute little things... No, even if I risk getting stabbed, I have to touch them!"

Risk getting stabbed?

Stabbed with what? Who would do the stabbing?

Mr. Emiya fell into thought. Actually... if he were the one doing the stabbing, wouldn't it be safer?

Chapter 087: You guys are a bit overqualified for a gacha game. (4/5)

After two jumps, they arrived at the coordinates of the Luofu Xianzhou.

The Luofu Xianzhou was immense, on a scale beyond imagination. Rather than a spaceship, it was more like a planet moving through the sea of stars.

As the train warped to the gate of the Xianzhou, the sheer scale difference between themselves and the spaceport gate made them realize their own insignificance.

"Xianzhou Luofu, Xianzhou Luofu, please respond."

"This is the Astral Express, repeating, this is the Astral Express crew. We have arrived in the Xianzhou airspace and request permission for port entry."

"Welcome. Identifying, Astral Express... Connecting you to port personnel, please wait."

Following a series of AI responses, the Jade Gate suddenly opened without warning. Himeko and Welt couldn't help but frown.

"It seems something has indeed happened."

"Himeko, let me and Shirou Emiya lead them to log in at the Star-Sail Sea port first."

"Alright. Dan Heng and I will wait for your news for a while."

After piloting the train into the Luofu's Star-Sail Sea, and parking it in the port, everyone disembarked and discovered... it was a cargo terminal, not a passenger terminal. Large quantities of containers were being loaded and unloaded by cranes. However, strangely... after boarding this terminal, both the dock workers and the person who had opened the gate for them were nowhere to be found.

"This is bad. I've had this feeling of being led by the nose since a while ago."

"This feeling of being controlled is really uncomfortable. I feel like a mastermind who will suddenly pop out and approach us..."

March 7th began to murmur restlessly. Mr. Emiya patted his head, not really wanting to stick to the original plan. There wasn't any script about opening a new Path on the Xianzhou Luofu. If his strength were sufficient, he could have enjoyed a good fight…

However, this damned place currently had an Emissary, and not far from their current location.

Phantylia, one of the Lords of Annihilation. While not exactly the most outstanding in terms of combat power, she was still a Lord of Annihilation, after all.

Any true Emissary-level being was not someone he could defeat right now. Although he could ensure his own safety in a confrontation, pushing forward was still quite difficult.

"Should we follow the plot first, then directly find Jing Yuan to capture Phantylia?"

As Mr. Emiya was hatching a bad idea, and while following Welt and the others forward, he also noticed some Cloud-Knight Army soldiers lying on the ground, groaning after being severely injured.

"Their injuries are not light, and… the Mara-struck condition has also begun to act up."

He crouched down in front of these Cloud-Knight soldiers. To gain Jing Yuan's trust, the best plan now was to try and break through the Mara-struck condition through certain means, thereby becoming a distinguished guest of the Xianzhou.

"'Residual Damage,' 'Filth,' 'Wrath,' 'Other Transformation,' 'Unmarked'…"

"Among the five symptoms of the Mara-struck condition, the first two are physical tribulations, and the latter three are mental tribulations."

"Is there any way to heal them?"

March 7th looked at the Cloud-Knight soldiers on the ground with some sympathy. Her exceptionally excellent empathy meant she could never ignore such things. It could only be said that her excessively high moral standards limited her path toward Joy.

"Let's try."