"An airtight answer indeed. Just what I'd expect from you, Miss Himeko."
"You were waiting here for me, Miss Himeko."
"Since you weren't looking to catch up, let's get straight to the point..."
Lin Chen sighed softly, his expression calm as he spoke.
As the leader of the Conqueror Legion,
and now a frequent presence on camera in the Starstream Livestream Room,
Lin Chen had plenty of confidence these days.
Even before Himeko, whose name was known across the Star Sea, he felt no need to stand on ceremony.
"That girl... isn't your sister, is she?"
"I can refrain from asking about your relationship with the Stellaron Hunters."
"But... if the purpose of your scheme was to have her join the Astral Express,"
"then I can't help paying particular attention to Stelle..."
She took a deep breath.
Her slender brows slowly relaxed.
Himeko's lovely, dignified face was utterly serious.
Her words were already very subtle and measured.
Yet they naturally revealed a great deal of information,
as well as her current stance.
"Oh? So you've figured it all out-the matter of the Stellaron."
He walked slowly over to Himeko.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with the woman he had once known well, he faced the Express's mirrorlike window.
His gaze settled on the ocean woven from countless stars.
There was not the slightest surprise on Lin Chen's face.
"Yes... the Astral Express may not be particularly powerful in combat."
"But in terms of experience, we're no worse off than the Star Sea's famous factions..."
"This wasn't my first encounter with a Stellaron on a Trailblaze journey."
"When I saw the empty, undamaged Stellaron Restraint Device,"
"I could already guess roughly what had happened there before we arrived."
She nodded slightly.
Her gaze resting on Lin Chen, who stood close beside her,