Beyond the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows.
Stars filled the sky like a rainstorm flowing in reverse.
They compressed in an instant, then flashed out of sight.
Moments later, the howling stellar winds fell still.
At the far end of the vast, lonely depths of space, a blue planet shone with a hazy, dreamlike glow.
An enormous silver-white space station resembled a spear.
It floated silently in low orbit around the planet.
"We finally made it, huh? Azure Star... and Herta Space Station..."
On a leather seat beside the Astral Express's window.
A black-haired young man rubbed his aching temples and sighed.
This was far from his first warp jump aboard the Astral Express, but Lin Chen still felt dizzy.
His stomach churned, too, and he nearly threw up his dinner.
There was nothing he could do. Although he had transmigrated into this world and awakened a system called [Starsea Conqueror].
His constitution was only that of an ordinary human.
He could not compare to the Trailblazers.
According to the [Starsea Conqueror] system's description.
As long as he influenced the timeline of the Honkai: Star Rail world.
Or accomplished feats of conquest among the stars.
He could obtain all sorts of system rewards.
Starsea Technology, weapons and equipment, heroic recruits, all kinds of buildings...
Even powers that could only be called miracles were within reach.
With an exclusive Path called "Conquest."
His future should have been bright.
In reality, though, ever since the Astral Express had picked him up while he was floating through space, he had mostly just lounged around aboard the train.
He did want to join the Trailblazers.
To set foot on unknown planets along the star rails and unlock more system functions.
But that mature, red-haired beauty, Himeko, the Astral Express's navigator.
Had forbidden Lin Chen from leaving the train without permission and venturing into danger with his ordinary human body, out of concern for his safety.
Azure Star, now before them, was a thriving planet teeming with life.
It was also the final stop of his journey aboard the Astral Express.
"Passenger March 7th, you failed your challenge again, pom!"
"You and Lin Chen... y-you..."
His vision began to clear as the dizziness faded.
A few meters away, a long-eared rabbit wearing a tall red hat and formal attire had a look of utter shock on their furry face.
"Huh? Pom-Pom, what's with that look? It's not like this is the first time I've failed..."
"This seat's so hard. That's really weird..."
The pretty girl with short pink hair scratched her head awkwardly, her delicate brows knitting slightly.
A hint of surprise appeared on her beautiful, porcelain-white face.
As sensation fully returned to his body, Lin Chen heard that familiar, endearing voice, and his pupils abruptly contracted.
A faint, delicate floral fragrance lingered around him.
The girl's slender, soft, warm body was pressed against him.
Her blue pleated skirt was splayed out in disarray.
Beneath a tiny glimpse of pure white, he felt the soft press of her rounded, perky curves.
Yes, a certain young girl who had proclaimed herself the Astral Express's brave warrior.
Was sitting on his thighs as though nothing was wrong.
"Ahem... March, could you move over a little?"
After a brief silence, Lin Chen suppressed his erratic heartbeat and hurriedly spoke up to alert her.
Having a young girl in his lap did feel rather nice.
But he and March were only ordinary friends, as far as he knew.
After they parted today, they might never meet again.
Lin Chen still wanted to leave a good impression.
"Aaaah! L-Lin Chen, you pervert!"
Realizing something was wrong.
The girl sprang off Lin Chen as though she had been shocked, her fair face flushed crimson.
Her clear pink-and-blue eyes shimmered, holding three parts reproach and seven parts embarrassment.
"Passenger March 7th, you're blaming the victim, pom!"
"Pom-Pom saw it perfectly clearly just now. You were the one who threw yourself into Lin Chen's arms, pom!"
With both hands on their hips, Pom-Pom wore a mischievous grin.
As for Passenger March 7th, who was always teasing them.
Pom-Pom felt rather pleased to see her so flustered.
"Shut up, Pom-Pom... I... I never did anything like that!"
March stamped her feet and pouted, knowing she was in the wrong.
She protested quietly in a somewhat aggrieved tone.
Lin Chen stood straight up.
With a soft sigh, he offered no further explanation and walked toward the back of the carriage.
Everyone aboard the Astral Express was talented.
They were great to talk to, too. He loved it here.
Lin Chen did want to consider staying.
To follow the Astral Express on its journey and explore the endless sea of stars.
But as he was now, he truly lacked the strength and qualifications to become a Trailblazer.
That mature, red-haired beauty had chosen Azure Star as his final destination.
To keep him safe.
The journey of the Trailblaze was full of dangers.
An ordinary person like him could die at any moment.
[Ding! The host has formed an initial bond with March 7th, a key figure in the Honkai: Star Rail world.] [Beginner benefit package opened.] [Space Marines x6 have been delivered to the system inventory!] [If armed escort support is required, the host may issue a mental call through the System Command Center.] [The warriors of the Conqueror Legion will arrive promptly to protect the host...] [Within the boundless darkness, indescribable threats are stirring.] [The host is advised to remain vigilant at all times and make sensible use of system resources to survive.]
He had barely taken a few steps when the system's cold, mechanical female voice sounded, catching Lin Chen off guard.
"No way. That counts, too?"
"You stupid system, why didn't you say so sooner? If I'd known, I would've taken March and..."
Still reeling in shock.
Lin Chen suddenly felt as though the system had screwed him over.
If intimate interactions with the girls aboard the Astral Express counted as influencing the timeline.
Then he would have racked his brains to see if he could spark something with March.
As for those so-called indescribable threats, Lin Chen could not yet understand what they were.
But that did not matter. This world was dangerous enough already.
The supreme beings known as Aeons could easily wipe out an entire star system.
Mysterious, uncanny, powerful, incomprehensible.
That was more or less how the Astral Express's terminal data bank described the Aeons.
[The system operating manual was issued long ago. The host has simply been shirking his duties and has never carefully read its rules.] [The members of the Astral Express crew are all exceptional individuals capable of changing the timeline in the future.] [Until the host possesses the power to conquer the stars, it is recommended that he accompany the Astral Express crew on their journey of the Trailblaze.]
The system's voice sounded again.
After nodding silently, a somewhat unrestrained smile spread across Lin Chen's lips.
If following the system's advice would help him get through the beginner stage efficiently.
Then Lin Chen had plenty of bold ideas.
Passenger March 7th aboard the Astral Express, and the gentle, elegant Himeko.
Were both incredibly charming beauties, worthy of being called anime waifus.
If I could conquer them completely, wouldn't I shoot straight to the top?
Before you continue