"More passengers paying us a visit?"
Pom-Pom had already lost count of how many guests had come calling today.
Fortunately, unlike the previous few, this visitor had not silently infiltrated the Astral Express, but had chosen to knock.
A crisp metallic clang rang out.
"Coming."
Pom-Pom strode forward with an utterly swaggering gait, twisting its dainty little hips as it took a few steps to the viewing car's hatch.
With a mere snort, the hatch swung open. Steam poured forth, and a tall black silhouette swayed amid the clouds of vapor alongside azure flames. Under the carriage lamps, the steam reflected a silver sheen like the curve of a crescent moon.
Gradually, the steam dissipated, revealing the tall black silhouette's true form: a towering silver mech.
Pom-Pom instantly recognized its identity.
Stellaron Hunter—Sam.
This sudden turn of events left Pom-Pom's mouth hanging open, its blue pupils trembling up and down as though facing a formidable enemy.
Clatter.
The long broom in its hand fell to the floor.
"Enemy attack! The Stellaron Hunters have come right to our doorstep, pah!"
It cried out through gritted teeth. Unlike Kafka's previous visit, this was clearly the real deal.
Yet before its words had even faded, a mechanical male voice sounded:
"Everyone aboard the Astral Express, I mean no harm. I have come to relay urgent news. Time is short, so please hear me out."
Sam swept its gaze across the Astral Express's passengers. Just as it was about to inform them of the changes it had encountered in Penacony, its voice abruptly stopped when its eyes landed somewhere.
Because it had spotted two familiar people.
One wore a long trench coat, with especially conspicuous sleeve drapes inscribed with Asura serpent bones. She was none other than Yomi, the Emanator who called herself an