Birds with wings longed for the sky's embrace.
Humans who discovered the true nature of their planet would also yearn for the vast universe beyond it.
Exploration and understanding were traits of the civilization of the children of the stars.
They had been etched into their very bones since the era when their civilization first ventured beyond its homeworld.
In her university days, Himeko had studied interstellar aerospace dynamics.
And it was precisely her relentless pursuit of the stars
that had led Himeko to follow the Astral Express without hesitation.
Now, as she looked at the [Wind Glider] before her,
Himeko was filled with emotion.
"Miss Himeko, have you ever considered living a life entirely your own?"
"Will you simply follow the Astral Express until the end of your days?"
Lin Chen turned his gaze toward Himeko beside him.
He saw that the beautiful, poised older woman
was studying the [Wind Glider] intently, a hint of anticipation on her face.
He ventured a question.
Before Uncle Yang had left the Astral Express,
he had once told Lin Chen
that Himeko's passion was like a star that would never go out.
To pursue her dream of blazing a trail through the Star Sea,
Himeko gave her all, burning through everything she had.
Yet this seemingly noble path also seemed to carry an indescribable loneliness and sorrow.
"Mm... that's been my plan for a long time."
"A life entirely my own?"
"Perhaps my life only truly began the night I encountered the Astral Express."
"As for the distant future, I don't really want to think too much about it."
"If that day truly comes, I'll entrust the Astral Express to new Nameless."
"The will to trailblaze won't fade with the Navigator's departure..."
Her willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly.
Shimmering ripples stirred in her