The Tiger Talisman and the Age-Age Fruit had given him considerable confidence, especially the Tiger Talisman. There might be some hope of resolving these people's mental issues.
"If it's treatment, then I should use this—All Flaws Shall Be Repaired..."
This special Noble Phantasm originated from Medea Lily. In essence, it was a special Magecraft Noble Phantasm passed down from Hecate, the goddess of magic. Although it could not perform anything in the realm of time reversal, it could automatically calculate and repair an object based on its missing portions, restoring it to its original state.
It was the Noble Phantasm version of Crazy Diamond.
Of course,
just like Crazy Diamond, it could not bring back the dead who had already stopped breathing.
He projected a staff, then forcibly used Aether Editing to adapt its original functions to local conditions. When he activated the Noble Phantasm and injected magical energy into the Cloud-Knight Army soldier's body, vast amounts of Imaginary energy began reconstructing his body's original form.
In merely several dozen seconds, this Cloud-Knight Army soldier's broken limbs, even an arm that had already been severed, were completely restored to their original condition. The soldier rose to his feet in disbelief and moved his body around. After a long moment, he suddenly knelt before Shirou Emiya.
"Divine physician, could you please continue saving our comrades?"
"There is no need for such ceremony. Just bring the injured here."
"I'll go at once!"
March 7th and Asta did not remain idle either. Even Welt went off to serve as a porter. Within three to five minutes, injured soldiers were lying all over the ground—at least twenty of them. Shirou Emiya hurriedly began treating those with the most severe injuries.
Around several dozen minutes later, more than twenty Cloud-Knight Army soldiers whose bodies had been fully restored collectively dropped to one knee and expressed their gratitude to Shirou Emiya and the others.
"Divine physician, we are deeply grateful for your aid. Though it may be shameless to raise this matter again, our Cloud-Knight comrades are still fighting the Abundance fiends to the death ahead. Might we ask you to travel with us? We Cloud Knights will ensure your safety. We only hope you can continue helping treat the wounded."
"That is fine. Let us continue onward. If there are any Cloud Knights who have not yet transformed into Abundance fiends, you may bring them to me for an attempt as well."
"You mean... 980?!"
"It is merely an attempt."
The expression beneath that Cloud Knight's mask became incredibly excited. Mara was not something that only plagued the Cloud-Knight Army; the entire Xianzhou Alliance suffered under its existence. If this unknown physician truly possessed a solution for mara, even if it only allowed small-scale treatment, it could preserve more of the Xianzhou's living fighting force.
"Your great kindness cannot be repaid with words! If I survive this battle, then should you ever have need of me in the future, I, Fang Han, am willing to brave fire and water without hesitation!"
"I, Xiao Yan, as well."
"I am Luo Feng."
"I am Ye Fan."
"I am Su Bai."
"We will brave fire and water without hesitation!"
The group of Cloud-Knight Army soldiers swore in unison. Listening to these Cloud Knight brothers introduce themselves with names more terrifying than the last, Shirou Emiya could not help rubbing his nose. If this were not a Star Rail universe set but some wuxia or xianxia setting, then even if the people shouting those names were just bratty children, Mr. Emiya would feel that he no longer needed to strive in life.
But unfortunately...
If there had been some old-school surnames like "Ye," "Jun," "Ling," or "Long," Mr. Emiya might have thought there was potential.
But...
These Lin, Xiao, Su, and Ye surnames were still a little too plain for a gacha game.
Chapter 088: We Came to the Xianzhou to Find Family! (5/5)
"Mara is a 'change' that Celestials encounter once they reach a certain age. It would be fine to call it a 'tribulation' or a 'trial.'"
"A tribulation? A trial? Divine physician, you make it sound far too easy. If mara truly were a tribulation or trial that could be overcome, then us Xianzhou residents would not all dread the Ten Lords Bureau."
"Many planetary civilizations that have yet to enter the interstellar age regard death as the end of life. They believe that when people die, their bodies perish and their souls travel to the Pure Land, the underworld... Compared to those somewhat romantic imaginings, we Celestials cannot even hope to live until the day of our own demise. The graveyard of us Xianzhou people... is also upon the Xianzhou. Doesn't that feel a little too real?"
One Cloud Knight seemed somewhat melancholy. Judging by his voice, he seemed rather old. Perhaps because of that, his reaction to mara was even stronger.
"Real? There are also plenty of people in planetary civilizations who spend their entire lives, even generations of their families, working in the funeral business. By your reasoning, since they deal with coffins every day and know that they will lie in one someday, should they despair from the moment they enter the industry?"
"Divine physician, I do not fear death. What I fear... is mara. I fear that when that time comes, I will no longer be myself. If I can notice the change early enough while I still have the strength, I would rather take control and end myself."
Never having suffered another's pain, do not urge them toward virtue.
Shirou Emiya parted his lips, then closed them again. In the end, he said nothing more. Both his lives combined might not amount to even one of their childhoods, and after generation upon generation of selection and optimization among the Xianzhou Celestials, these Cloud-Knight Army soldiers were elite even among elites. Their minds would not be narrower than his, someone who had muddled through several decades in a planetary civilization.
"If the divine physician truly has a solution, then from the Reignbow Arbiter and the Marshal above to the common people of the Xianzhou below, all would likely remember your great kindness. Should you ask anything of us then, the Xianzhou Alliance will surely spare no effort."
Another promise to spare no effort.
Mr. Emiya shrugged slightly. He wished he truly had a solution for mara, but unfortunately, it was a blessing bestowed by the Abundance Aeon. In a universe where countless leading experts in genetics and biology had been unable to solve it, it was obvious that it could not be eradicated through mere physical treatment.
"Captain, some of our brothers ahead have already suffered mara outbreaks. Those brothers are pursuing a group of Celestial Ship Department personnel."
"...Prepare for battle!"
The older Cloud Knight who had just been speaking with Shirou Emiya rushed out of formation without hesitation, followed closely by the other Cloud Knights. They subtly sheltered Shirou Emiya and the others within their formation from all sides as they ran in orderly fashion toward the designated location.
About three minutes later, upon reaching the location indicated by the Cloud Knight scout, they saw a group of bizarre humanoid creatures. Strange golden branches had sprouted from their bodies, wrapping them in something like Bio-Implants.
"Attack."
The leading Cloud Knight captain coldly gave the order. The remaining Cloud Knights swiftly surrounded them. Perhaps it was because soldiers with no way out always fought harder, or perhaps because they knew killing these monsters was meant to restore their comrades' honor. The battle ended quickly. Some Cloud Knights even charged forward regardless of casualties.
After the battle, nearly every member of the squad of over twenty Cloud Knights was wounded. Their achievement, however... was the elimination of nearly twice as many Abundance fiends.
"Brother Yunfei, it's fortunate you arrived in time. Otherwise... in a little while, I, Old Li, would have had no choice but to follow in those brats' footsteps."
Among the Cloud Knights protecting the Celestial Ship Department members was also a squad leader. He came before the Cloud Knights protecting Shirou Emiya and the others and spoke.
"Brother Yunfei, your entire squad is wounded. Quickly take the people behind you and the Celestial Ship Department members away from the port. I will lead the brothers who still have the strength to fight and continue guarding this dock while we await reinforcements."
"Very well. These honored guests must also be personally escorted by us to the Sichen Palace."
After discussing matters, they gathered the wounded and steadily retreated toward the starskiff dock while fighting. After reaching the starskiff dock, the Celestial Ship Department personnel swiftly began preparing starskiffs, transporting the wounded Cloud Knights and the others one by one toward the Xianzhou's central region.
As they moved deeper into the Xianzhou, numerous starskiffs streaked across the sky like shooting stars. Shirou Emiya quietly analyzed Xianzhou starskiff technology as well.
Strictly speaking, this thing should be called a "mount," rather than merely a means of transportation, because it was, technically speaking... a living creature.
Its primary material was a type of plant. It was more like a specially cultivated plant that could absorb sunlight and perform photosynthesis. Running it probably cost only a few liters of water per hundred kilometers.
It was cheaper than livestock.
At least livestock would make a few noises when they got tired.
"Are our benefactors interested in starskiffs?"
At some point, a foxian girl had come to Shirou Emiya and the others' side. She gazed at them with a smiling expression as she spoke.
"This starskiff was Master Gongshu's masterpiece from the Luofu Crafting Division. In just a few centuries, it became the most common means of transportation within the Xianzhou. It was precisely because of this work that the Celestial Ship Department headquarters is now located on the Luofu. The starskiff deserves great credit for that."
"Why are you calling us benefactors?"
March 7th stared at the foxian girl who had approached them. For some reason, she felt inexplicably wary. She had the vague feeling that this woman was rather dangerous.
"You all saved the Cloud-Knight Army brothers. If the Cloud Knights had not arrived to rescue us, this little woman would likely have perished."
"It feels a little strange hearing you say 'perished' about yourself."
"Am I not worthy of such a description?"
The foxian girl smiled openly and gracefully, then introduced herself.
"This little woman is Tingyun, serving as a Delver under the Minghuo Commerce Guild directly subordinate to the Celestial Ship Department. Today, I owe my rescue to your efforts, benefactors. If you encounter any trouble you cannot resolve on the Xianzhou, you may contact this little woman. I may have a few means of helping you."
"Is that the confidence that comes with having local residency? In that case, Asta, why not have her find your uncle and birth mother for you?"
"Oh? Did you all come to the Xianzhou to find family?"
The foxian girl smiled softly as she looked at the gray-haired girl. A flash of unusual light passed through her pupils before she asked again.
"Does this young benefactor have photographs of her relatives? If so, this little woman can mobilize some resources to inquire after them."
Asta fell into thought upon hearing that. She really did not have a photograph of Kafka on hand. But then, as her gaze casually swept beyond the starskiff, she suddenly spotted a large screen displaying some "missing person information." She immediately laughed.
"That's my mom!"
Chapter 089: She Only Wanted Some Startup Funds. What Did She Do Wrong?!
"...Your mother's bounty is quite high."
Standing before the central plaza on Xuanye Avenue, the foxian girl raised her head and looked at the purple-haired woman displaying a seductive, faint smile on the giant screen. Then she lowered her gaze slightly, lingering for a moment on the amount listed on the purple-haired woman's Missing Person Notice.
"Ten billion, eight hundred million Credits."
"Young benefactor, if this little woman truly found your mother, I would not need to worry about the rest of my life."
"So my mom was worth this much?"
Little Grey Hair was somewhat eager to try. She felt as if her Flame Spear and baseball bat were ready to leap into action. Kafka had directly left her in the care of the Astral Express without giving her a single Credit for living expenses, so she could only find a way to earn some money herself.
Well, she would need to rely a little on family connections, but didn't young people starting businesses need family support to gain capital?
"So filial."
Apparently seeing through Little Grey Hair's thoughts, Mr. Emiya could not help laughing.
"Benefactors, this little woman must still go to the Sichen Palace to seek Lord Helmsman. Please wait here for the moment. You entered through Huixing Port and have not completed the procedures required to travel within the Luofu. This little woman must quickly report to Lord Helmsman and have this matter handled."
Perhaps deciding that Asta and the others were not the sort to be trifled with, the foxian girl had the urge to slip away. She hurriedly rattled off a long string of words as if using High-Speed Divine Incantation, then fled as though for her life.
"No wonder she couldn't get rich."
Miss Asta sighed, and March 7th immediately rolled her eyes. What kind of normal child saw their mother's wanted notice and started devising plans to get rich from it?
That plan was outrageously filial.
"A fool cannot be reasoned with!"
"As they say, poison is the mark of a true man!"
Miss Asta wore an expression of determination as she clenched her fist. Then she stared at Blade's wanted notice behind Kafka's and pondered for a moment.
"Still, going after Kafka would be somewhat inappropriate. In that case, I can only trouble my uncle."
"...You really refuse to listen to reason, don't you?!"
"Without startup funds, how could we possibly have a chance to start a business? If you don't fight for it while you are young, will you wait until you retire from the train and regret not saving more money in your youth? March 7th, March 7th, why are you so shortsighted!"
Miss Asta stood at the "moral high ground," pointing at her good friend as though overcome with grief. March 7th looked at Shirou Emiya in confusion.
"Was she... always this articulate?"
"Could it be because her mother is here, so she thinks she has a parent backing her up?"
"I get it. Borrowing the tiger's might."
"March, that phrase isn't accurate enough. Say it after me... a dog flaunting its master's power."
Mr. Welt watched these young people, who seemed to be in such relaxed spirits, and smiled slightly as well. Though this had been a temporarily arranged Trailblaze Journey destination, if they could find simple, unpretentious joy during their journey, then the trip would not have been in vain.
After fooling around for a while, a Celestial Ship Department staff member arrived and led them toward the department's Sichen Palace. This building's main function was to oversee every means of transportation and all personnel transit within the Luofu Xianzhou. It was a department with considerable real authority.
After entering the Sichen Palace, Tingyun came forward to greet them and led them before another foxian woman.
"Allow this little woman to introduce her. This lady is the Celestial Ship Department's Lord Helmsman, Lady Yukong. I have already explained your circumstances to Lord Helmsman, but she has a few questions she would like you to answer."
Her smooth green hair fell behind her back, and she wore a modified qipao with a somewhat Japanese style. Its pale cloud-white design perfectly complemented her elegant features.
Her facial features were even more exquisite than Tingyun's, carrying an added hint of mature charm. Yet there was still a heroic air between her brows, while her expression also conveyed the fierce resolve of a mother.
After Tingyun finished introducing her, Lord Helmsman slowly lowered her gaze. Her pomegranate-red eyes swept across the group before she spoke directly.
"You entered through Huixing Port. By rights, I should regard you as illegal intruders and arrest you. However, you aided the Cloud Knights. If I insist on such a minor detail, it would only make the Luofu seem petty."
"However, it seems that someone among you claimed to be connected to the Stellaron Hunters. Could you give me an explanation?"
"She was tempted by the bounty!"
Thinking quickly, March 7th pointed at Little Grey Hair beside her.
"She had her eye on the Stellaron Hunters' rewards."
"..."
Yukong's gaze fell upon Little Grey Hair. Little Grey Hair glared back at her and said,
"Your Tingyun said she could help us resolve some troubles. We are a little short on money right now. Is there a problem with making some money off wanted criminals?"
"...Reasonable, but do not say it in such a misleading way next time."
Before you continue