Chapter 9

After escorting some of the staff members who came to see them off out of the train, Pomeranian began making announcements over the broadcast.

"Attention all passengers, the train is about to depart the space station and will enter the Star Rail in approximately three minutes."

"Passengers boarding the train, please note that once the train enters the Star Rail, it will enter warp mode. At that time, all passengers are requested to hold onto nearby fixed objects to avoid falling due to the vibrations and sense of weightlessness during warp, Pomeranian."

"The train's next stop is 'Jarilo-VI'."

After a brief silence, Pomeranian's voice was heard again, and a strong sense of weightlessness suddenly struck, accompanied by a slight tightness in the chest and a feeling of suffocation.

When he recovered, the black tower space station was no longer visible in the external space. Instead, there were layers upon layers of shimmering illusions that dynamic vision could not capture.

When the visible scenery gradually became clearer, a celestial body, observed from afar, with about eighty percent of its surface covered in ice and snow, appeared before his eyes.

"This is 'Jarilo-VI'. According to the data remaining in the train's library, it should have been a habitable planet with an excellent ecological environment thousands of years ago."

Himeko appeared beside him at some point. She was very close, and he could even smell the scent of shampoo from her hair, a faint astringency of lavender that suited the mature beauty perfectly. She wore a kind and elegant smile as she spoke softly, "The Guidance Station has been confirmed to be non-existent. Based on previous situations, it's highly likely that it encountered a 'Stellaron' again."

"No need for 'highly likely,' just say it's confirmed there's a Stellaron."

Shirou Emiya followed up on Himeko's words without any riddles, saying directly, "There is indeed a Stellaron on Jarilo-VI, and it has been causing trouble for hundreds, even thousands of years. However, the other Stellaron Hunters are not involved with Jarilo-VI."

"Is that so?"

The Navigator nodded, pondered for a moment, and then asked again, "Are you interested in taking these young people on their first 'Trailblaze' journey?"

"I think Old Yang would be more exciting as the leader."

"What do you mean?"

"He has his cute students below, of course, they're alternate universe counterparts, well... they're also your alternate universe counterpart's students."

"Oh?"

Himeko raised her eyebrows and immediately laughed. Women who laughed so openly were always particularly charming. Perhaps it was because he had interacted with many immature adult women like Qingzi and Chengzi, who were physically mature but mentally childish and willful. Meeting someone of a different caliber now, Mr. Emiya even felt a little flutter in his heart.

Elegant, Dignified, Polite.

A woman who could truly be a mother!

And most importantly, she doesn't drink!

Thinking of Himeko from the Honkai Impact 3rd universe next door, Shirou couldn't help but chuckle again. He continued, "Bronya Rand, the adopted daughter of the current Supreme Guardian of Jarilo-VI and the next Supreme Guardian. In Welt's hometown, his successor is also named Bronya, and this Bronya also attended St. Freya Academy, where Himeko was a teacher."

"Different timelines yet the same appearance and even similar names. The boundless universe always brings infinite surprises."

The Navigator tilted her head slightly, and a rare, pure, and joyful smile, like that of a child, appeared on her bright features, as if she had touched a long-desired toy.

[Emotional Value from Himeko +55]

...How generous!

This is true magnanimity!

Great! No need for extra salt!

After being immersed in excitement for just a moment, Himeko slowly recovered as Pomeranian emerged from the train's cockpit.

When Pomeranian reached the middle of the carriage and gathered everyone, he quickly explained the situation to the train crew.

"Star Rail Space stability readings are below 12 Pomeranian units. The current suspension of service plan has been changed from the original seven days to an indefinite delay."

"What does that mean?"

Little Grey Hair, being a complete novice, directly asked the question.

"It probably means another Stellaron has appeared."

Dan Heng replied calmly.

"The appearance of a Stellaron is accompanied by the birth of anomalous spaces called 'Abyss,' which disrupt the stability of the Star Rail space. In addition, 'Stellarons' also create 'Abyss' creatures. The Antimatter Legion seems to have a connection with 'Stellarons,' and areas where 'Abyss' creatures exist are invariably accompanied by the 'Antimatter Legion'."

"You can think of it like a normal train track breaking, or even a hole appearing underground, from which a large number of monsters continuously crawl out, further widening the broken track area."

"Got it, time to use my invincible baseball bat to teach those monsters how to lay tracks for us."

Although Miss Asta's face was kept cool and aloof like a little cat, her eyes showed a look of eagerness. After showing off her skills in the space station, she seemed to be very fond of smashing things with her baseball bat.

What can a child who is only a few days old understand?

Children only subconsciously imitate those they see. She imitated March 7th and became a repeater, imitated Dan Heng and became stoic, and finally, because of Nanook's issue, she became a destructive force!

Therefore, it's all Nanook's fault!

"Welt, are you interested in leading the team?"

Himeko looked at Welt, her beautiful eyes mixed with a hint of amusement. She didn't explicitly say that Welt would meet old acquaintances here. If he was willing to lead the team, it would be interesting to ask March 7th and the others to take a few photos. Conversely... if Welt refused to lead the team, and they encountered Welt's acquaintances below... perhaps, it would be even more interesting.

"Let the young people forge their own path this time."

Although the stay on the space station was long, the impact of Shirou Emiya's appearance was not something that could be recovered from in a short time. It also provided an opportunity for the younger generation to hone their skills, so Welt waved his hand and said, "Shirou should be free. With him around, unless the Lord of Annihilation personally intervenes, there shouldn't be too many problems."

"Oh, right... this is what I should do now."

Welt said, as if suddenly remembering something, and looked at Shirou earnestly, "Shirou, I'd like to commission you to lead these young people on this trailblazing journey."

[You have received a new commission!]

Seeing the content in the system prompt box, Mr. Emiya's face broke into a smile. Just as he was about to respond with some pleasantries, Himeko also suddenly smiled and said to Shirou, "In that case, I also have a commission for you, Shirou."

"When the time comes, when you meet those children you mentioned... remember to take pictures."

[You have received a new commission!]

You train crew are my true family!

Chapter 019: Oh! This Damn Translation! (3/4)

A time-consuming task with mediocre rewards usually makes people lose motivation to complete it.

But suppose, during this task, you could easily complete several side quests and earn additional rewards.

It's likely that many people would be motivated to act.

For Mr. Emiya, taking on two jobs that could be done in the same process, and while completing these two commissions, he could also explore other side quests in this new map.

It couldn't be called a win-win, because that would only mean winning twice.

And for Mr. Emiya's situation going forward, it could be described by the Chinese idiom "Qin Shi Huang touching an electric wire"...

He was winning so much it was overwhelming.

"Although I knew it would likely be an icy wasteland when we were above, I didn't expect it to be so completely pristine."

Standing on the snowfield, looking out at a vast expanse of desolate white, with the blessing of the Path of Trailblazing, everyone had a basic resistance to cold and heat. However, the thermometer brought down from the train saw its needle rapidly swing as soon as they stepped onto the snowfield, dropping to around minus twenty degrees Celsius and still continuing to fall.

"In a constantly low-temperature environment, small birds, insects, and other creatures have almost no space to survive and reproduce."

Dan Heng examined the portable equipment and instruments, frowning slightly.

"Only mammals with thick fur and some reptiles with low survival needs have a chance of survival."

"Herbivorous animals that rely on herbaceous vegetation are almost impossible to survive. Carnivorous animals should only have each other to fight for food sources... The animals on this planet should all possess strong aggression."

"They're just ordinary animals. Even if a bear came, I could take it down with one arrow."

"Try not to harm those beasts unnecessarily."

Dan Heng packed up his equipment and instruments, then added, "The ecological environment of this planet is likely influenced by the Stellaron. Once the Stellaron is removed, the planet might also return to its normal ecosystem, and these animals will be the blueprint for the planet's future ecosystem."

"According to records, there is a human civilization on this planet. If this civilization still survives, our top priority is to find human settlements."

"Moreover, once we resolve the Stellaron, the surviving animals will likely become rare species that the existing human civilization needs to protect. March... you haven't forgotten about being wanted for accidentally shooting a protected animal on another planet, have you?"

"Alright, alright."

The little pink hair, who had been eager to show off, had her enthusiasm dampened. The ahoge on her head couldn't help but droop a little. Miss Asta slowly approached March from behind and whispered, "March, not being discovered means it's not a crime."

"Teacher Dan Heng! Someone is luring me into committing a crime!"

"...Mr. Emiya, please restrain them."

The cold-faced young dragon covered his forehead with a headache. Dealing with just March 7th was already difficult, and now with Asta fanning the flames, these two together were like dry tinder and raging fire, capable of burning his cerebellum to a crisp.

"Dan Heng, Dan Heng, what did I do to make you disrespect me so much that you won't even call me 'male god'?"

"..."

The heavyweight is still here!

The cold-faced young dragon suddenly felt an urge to turn back and retreat into the train. He looked at the man with a cheerful smile and sighed like a lament, saying, "Mr. Emiya, please be normal."

"Why be so serious, Dan Heng?"

Shirou watched March 7th and Asta, who had already broken away from the group like elementary school students on a field trip and were rushing forward. He said with a light laugh, "Everyone has the freedom to enjoy their journey in their own way. When I was a child, I would get so excited picking up a straight branch that I'd chop down a large field of canola flowers and get lectured by my grandfather."

"They might make some mistakes, but they gain enjoyment and lessons from those mistakes, and that's how they grow. Growth shouldn't just be accompanied by restraint, limitations, reprimands, and control. Since Welt and Himeko asked me to accompany you down, my mission is to let you enjoy this trailblazing journey to the fullest, not to have you simply follow behind me as spectators."

"Dan Heng, sometimes you don't need to bear too much burden. Just do what you want to do and what you think is right. It's the same for them."

"The protagonists of this journey are you all, and I, like Himeko and Welt, am only responsible for intervening before you make big mistakes, or for cleaning up the mess for you in the end."

After patting Dan Heng on the shoulder, Shirou walked past him with a smile, chasing after March 7th and Asta. Dan Heng watched the backs of the three as they moved away. After a long silence, for some reason... he seemed to see a different scene.

"Bai..."

As if seeing someone's shadow on March 7th, he couldn't help but murmur in a low voice, an indescribable tremor passing through his heart.

"That person... is..."

"Found a ride, everyone! This shape is too perfect, it wants me to step on it to ski."

In a world of ice and snow, Mr. Emiya discovered a mode of transportation hidden deep within a snowdrift. Without hesitation, he dug it out and stepped on it.

"Perfect, absolutely perfect. This feeling of stepping on flesh is too realistic."

"Is it possible that he's actually a real person?"

Miss March 7th asked with the rigorous spirit of a researcher.

"There's no need for simulation. You're actually stepping on real flesh."

"Really?"

Mr. Emiya cast a questioning glance at his good sister. She seemed to understand his meaning and gave a very serious answer.

"Whether shoes are comfortable is answered by your feet. It's the same for transportation. Just tell me, are you comfortable stepping on it?"

"It's okay."

"What do you mean 'it's okay'! Can't my thousand-times-tempered back be considered an unparalleled good back?"

The skateboard beneath his feet also raised a question. It struggled desperately as if trying to prove itself.

"The bones are too hard, it's a bit uncomfortable for my feet."

"Oh! My new friend, your evaluation truly saddens this old Svarog. I swear, if it weren't for you saving me from the snowdrift, I would have gone straight to the Silvermane Guards to lodge a complaint right now."