Voracity with a Trailblazing spirit

The Astral Express.

The corridor leading to the dining car.

Oh my god!

What did I just see?

Himeko...

Could she be???

No way!

Cold Dragon Young struggled to keep his cool expression.

He could hardly believe his eyes.

Himeko.

The Astral Express's navigator.

A dependable senior.

But ever since she met Jiang Yao.

She had started acting rather strangely.

More precisely, she was... gradually falling apart.

Just now.

Just moments ago!

Hurried footsteps had sounded outside the Data Bank.

Dan Heng was a little curious. What nonsense was happening now?

But he paid it no mind.

It was probably just Stelle and Little March fooling around again.

Then another set of hurried footsteps followed.

Judging by their heavy sound, it was most likely Welt.

Yes, another dependable senior, at least before Jiang Yao appeared.

Now Dan Heng found it a little strange.

Had something unexpected happened aboard the Express?

Impossible.

Over so many amber eras.

There had only ever been one incident inside the Astral Express.

Oh, right. The time Aha blew up the train.

Aside from that.

The Astral Express was safe as hell.

Even the walls built by the Amber Lord had been smashed through before~

So Dan Heng did not think anything could happen inside.

So...

Was it Jiang Yao?

Was he cooking again?

That was the only explanation Dan Heng could think of.

Then he started craving food, too.

After a little deliberation.

Or rather, after tidying up the Data Bank.

He decided to go join the fun.

But what he never, ever expected!

Through the Data Bank's window, he actually saw Himeko sneaking toward the dining car.

She looked like she was following someone!

No, that wasn't right.

More accurately, she looked like a thief, constantly watching every movement around her.

Terrified of getting caught.

That struck Dan Heng as odd.

Look, I understand that Jiang Yao's cooking is delicious.

I love it too, and I'm about to act on that right now.

But you don't look like you're heading over for a meal, do you?

It's more like...

You're afraid someone will discover a secret?

What could it be?

Dan Heng had not intended to pry into Himeko's secrets.

As long as they posed no danger to him, respecting them was the most basic courtesy any normal person should offer.

Besides, which of the Nameless aboard this train did not have a secret past?

However.

There was an obvious problem with Himeko's chosen route.

It led straight to the dining car.

So ultimately, it still had something to do with Jiang Yao?

Dan Heng deliberated again and again.

In the end, he decided to go out and see what was happening.

Then he discovered that Himeko really was acting strangely.

How should he put it...

Dan Heng rubbed his brow.

For some reason.

He kept having that nightmare lately.

The man charged at him while saying something about five people and three paying the price.

But the strange thing was.

For some inexplicable reason, Dan Heng felt that the man in his nightmare looked a little like Himeko did now.

Of course, that was in his previous life.

It was an expression he only showed when he was with that foxian lady who loved to smile.

Dan Heng suddenly had a bold idea.

So after Himeko entered the dining car.

Dan Heng froze in place, unsure whether he should go in.

Because, as he recalled, at least two other sets of footsteps had headed this way.

After a brief moment of thought.

Dan Heng pushed open the door.

Then he saw his companions staring at one another, the atmosphere momentarily silent.

"Oh, well, everyone's here now. Good afternoon, everyone."

Jiang Yao did not know whether to laugh or cry.

He had thought someone had been forgotten by the world.

As it turned out, his time simply had not come yet.

"Good afternoon, haha."

March 7th scratched her head and answered, breaking the awkward silence.

"Master, good! After! Noon!"

Stelle was full of energy.

"...Good afternoon."

Welt adjusted his glasses.

For some reason.

He had the feeling that his companions aboard the Express were gradually falling apart.

Bah! Honkai was chasing me again.

An old man, a subway, a phone... Dan Heng's lips twitched.

Well, damn.

Everyone's already here, but nobody has the nerve to bring it up?

It's not anything shameful. Is this really necessary?

So.

Dan Heng nodded and said, "Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon."

Himeko also offered an awkward but polite smile.

"Does everyone want another meal?"

Propping his chin on one hand, Jiang Yao looked at them with a smile.

Hurry up and ask for more food. I'm hungry too... Jiang Yao shouted inwardly, in stark contrast to his outward composure.

He's been busy cooking all noon. Wouldn't asking for more be a bit much? The main problem is that there are too many of us... Stelle, March 7th, Dan Heng, and Welt all thought.

"Ahem, no need. I just came to check on you, ask whether you're settling in, and see if you need any help."

At that moment, Welt remembered his role as the mature, dependable senior and immediately spoke up.

"Mm-hmm, Master, I came to help~"

Stelle nodded with her hands on her hips, even finding time to glance at March 7th. Feeling silly now? I have a legitimate reason~

"I..."

Dan Heng's lips twitched.

What had I been about to say?

I couldn't bring up that thing with Himeko, could I?

But why did I really want to ask what was going on with her?

That could divert everyone's attention, right?

"Ahem, there's no need to trouble yourself with another meal. I wanted to invite you... all of you to have a cup of my coffee."

Himeko thought it over. Asking Jiang Yao for advice on making coffee was nothing worth hiding.

But perhaps she could take a different approach.

For example, offering him a cup of coffee first?

So Himeko said it outright.

Immediately—

"Don't!"

"Master! I just remembered I have something to do! I'm leaving!"

"Huh? Ahem, cough, cough, cough..."

"Uh (⊙﹏⊙)"

At that moment, Little March and Stelle remembered their past nightmares.

Welt remembered how, when he had first boarded the Express, forcing down Himeko's coffee had hurt his esophagus.

Dan Heng remembered the pain of his training.

A chorus of wails filled the dining car.

They were genuinely terrified of Himeko's coffee.

Himeko's expression visibly darkened.

She swept her gaze over them. Did they have to embarrass me this badly?

In front of the newcomer, no less!

Well, a word had to be said in defense of the three youngsters and Welt.

Their reactions really were not their fault.

Anyone willing to drink Himeko's coffee.

Absolutely had to be in love with her!

The kind willing to die for her.

Otherwise, who would be crazy enough to drink coffee made by Himeko?

And volunteer for it, at that?

Uh.

Actually, there really was someone.

"Oh?! Come to think of it, I've actually heard about Himeko's coffee."

"Would I have the honor of trying a cup?"

Jiang Yao's eyes immediately lit up.

Everyone said Himeko's coffee tasted terrible, so terrible it made them want to die, even more nauseating than smoky malt juice.

Jiang Yao refused to believe it.

They were all just coffee beans.

And they were coffee beans he had inspected himself, with absolutely nothing wrong with them.

In fact, the vast majority of the coffee beans were top quality.

The preparation methods were more or less the same.

Even if she paid no attention to the details,

the flavor and texture would be mediocre at worst.

Was that really enough to make people afraid of it?

He was Jiang Yao, the Voracity Aeon.

The biggest foodie in the universe.

He refused to believe there was anything he couldn't stomach.

That was how confident he was!

That was how much he embodied the spirit of the "Trailblaze"!

Why else did they think he knew that a Stellaron tasted even worse than Fantasy True Realm Giant Shit?

Wasn't it all because of his damned curiosity?!

"...?"

Himeko blinked once.

Had I misheard him?

But Jiang Yao's expression was genuine.

He seemed...

to actually want to drink her coffee?!

Now! That's! Taste!

Himeko's warm expression returned.

Finally!

Finally, someone was interested in my coffee!

And a god-tier chef, at that!

No wonder you could make such delicious food!

Himeko was inwardly swept up in excitement, but outwardly, she remained utterly composed. She had to make sure one more time!