Rendezvous

Dead End Hollow, Canvas Harbor District, subway platform.

"Here, Anby. This old woman has collected the last few commission forms."

An elderly woman handed a thick stack of papers to Anby.

Every sheet was a commission form issued by the Cunning Hares, and the clients were the residents abandoned by Vision Corporation.

Anby accepted the stack and gave a slight nod.

The old woman looked up at her. Her cloudy eyes were full of gratitude, but there was also a lingering trace of worry.

"Good thing you came... Otherwise, people like us would have died here without ever knowing why." The old woman let out a long sigh.

"Grandma, don't worry." Anby rarely showed such a gentle expression as she comforted the old woman. "Our companions will be back soon."

"That may be true... but hasn't it been too long already?!"

On the other side, Nicole stared at her watch, her brow furrowing tighter and tighter.

The ticking hands were like a death knell, poking at her nerves with every beat.

Vision Corporation's demolition plan was drawing closer, yet Nekomata, who had gone to fetch reinforcements, had sent back no word at all.

"Boss Nicole—watch out, enemy attack!!!"

Billy's voice suddenly came from one end of the tracks.

Nicole looked up. Billy was sprinting toward them from the far end of the platform, both arms waving frantically.

Behind him, a blinding beam of light tore through the Hollow's darkness, followed by a thunderous roar.

That was right—a subway train was pulling into the platform!

"!!!"

Nicole instantly entered combat mode, snatching up her suitcase-shaped energy cannon and unfolding its barrel with a click.

Anby immediately shielded the old woman behind her, her other hand already resting on her sword hilt.

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through their minds!

Was this Vision Corporation's explosives transport train?

Why was it here?

Had the demolition plan begun ahead of schedule? Had they gotten so arrogant that they no longer even bothered to hide it?

"Anby, prepare for battle—!"

Nicole lowered her voice and aimed her cannon at the rapidly approaching train.

Fifty meters.

Thirty meters.

Ten meters—

"Sorry, Billy! I swear I'll never secretly mix water into your motor oil again!"

"Sorry, Anby! I'll never buy you expired burgers again!"

When the train finally came to a stop, Nicole gave her companions a "farewell before battle," and then... then the doors opened.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting!!!" A red figure leaped out of the carriage, raising both paws in a victory sign upon landing.

It was Nekomata—!

Nicole froze. Anby's sword halted midair, and Billy's charged dual pistols nearly misfired.

Behind Nekomata, Griseo stepped quietly off the train, holding Eous in her arms.

As for Qianjie's phantom, it had already vanished, reverting into Griseo's familiar guardian—Mr. Knight.

(I originally wanted Brother Jie to carry the whole fight, but a lot of people said they wanted to see the others appear, so I changed my approach.)

"Eous? Griseo?" Nicole's eyes widened, her mind unable to process it for a moment. "Why are you two here?"

"Mr. Knight—!!!"

Billy's reaction was a hundred times more intense than Boss Nicole's.

He dashed forward in a single stride and threw himself in front of Mr. Knight, feeling him all over—touching the armor, the greatsword, the cape, making up for last time's regrets.

"Billy, calm down!" Anby silently drove an elbow into him, smashing Billy in his lovestruck state straight into the ground.

"Hijacking a train to transport people! As expected of Phaethon. I, Nicole, acknowledge you as the strongest Proxy!"

After hearing what had happened, Nicole's eyes lit up. She praised them while shooting Eous a flirtatious wink.

Wise, behind Eous, fell silent before the HDD, momentarily unsure how to respond.

Say what you will, Nicole was still Nicole.

Her mentality really was incredible.

Just a short while ago, she had looked righteous and ready to sacrifice herself. Now she was already cracking jokes.

"Ma'am."

Once the teasing was over, Nicole put away her smile, and the aura of the Cunning Hares' boss came online in an instant.

"You heard everything just now. We'll have to trouble you next—get all the residents to gather at the platform. Hurry."

"Alright, leave it to me!" The old woman nodded and hurried away.

[Master, warning—]

[Multiple life signals approaching detected. Preliminary assessment: disguised Vision Corporation personnel.]

"Meow?!" Nekomata jolted at the warning. "That fast?!"

"Normal. Half an hour has already passed since you hijacked the train."

Nicole calmly analyzed the situation. The entire train crew had gone missing, and the train's route had deviated from the original schedule.

Unless Perlman was an idiot, he had definitely noticed something was wrong by now.

"Boss Nicole—give the combat order!"

Billy drew his dual pistols, excitement practically overflowing from his face. He was already eager to make those bastard capitalists face the judgment of the Starlight Knight.

Nicole's playful expression vanished at his words, and she gripped her energy cannon once more.

Naturally, Anby did the same. Her cold blade was already drawn.

Just as Nicole, Anby, and Billy were preparing to fight, Wise used Eous to stop them. "You leave first. Leave this place to Griseo!"

"What? Boss, what are you talking about?!"

Billy cried out. They were making him run away again, leaving a ten-year-old girl to cover their retreat?

That was simply the greatest humiliation imaginable for a Starlight Knight fan!

Billy absolutely could not accept it. However—Nicole put away her weapon, turned toward the train, and said, "Anby, Billy, and Nekomata, get on board."

"Meow?"

"Boss Nicole?!"

"Nicole?"

Anby, Billy, and Nekomata all froze at once.

"Get on. I'll explain later." Nicole did not look back, walking straight toward the residents who had already begun boarding.

Anby glanced at Griseo—she stood quietly beside Mr. Knight, Eous in her arms, without the slightest hint of fear on her face.

Anby was silent for a second, then sheathed her sword, turned around, and boarded the train.

Billy opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Nekomata and Anby dragged him aboard.

Nicole understood what Wise meant—the Cunning Hares' current combat strength made it impossible for them to deal with those enemies in a short time.

Even if they could barely fight them, it would be easy to accidentally damage the train and injure the residents during the battle.

But the train and time were the two necessary conditions for everyone to escape this place.

Losing either one would mean a true game over.

There were two reasons for having Griseo cover their retreat. First, she truly had the strength to do it. Second... it was the perfect chance to keep things secret.

Even though they were on the same side as Phaethon, there were still some things they were better off not knowing.

Of course, before the group left, Wise instructed them, "Nicole, once you've confirmed the passengers are safe, head to the demolition activation point and stop Vision Corporation from setting off the explosion. It would be best if you can capture Perlman!

At the same time, tell the outside world what's happening here and seek intervention from other forces."

Nicole stood by the train door, looked back once, and nodded. "...Got it."