The uneventful days passed in the blink of an eye, like a shooting star, and it was time for the Astral Express to depart from Jarilo-VI.
Astral Express, Parlor Car
Pom-Pom's voice came over the radio:
[Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone. How was your rest?]
[The activity of the Fragmentum has approached zero, and all readings on the star orbit have returned to normal!]
[The train is about to depart again, leaving Jarilo-VI. Please hold on tight, and say goodbye to this planet one last time!]
[ March 7th passenger, stop playing with your water gun! Or there won't be any juice left!]
Inside the carriage, Pom-Pom gave March 7th his first warning, as he continued to tinker with new weapons.
"Don't worry, Conductor, I'm not that kind of person."
As soon as he finished speaking, a beam of icy light shot out from the gun barrel, striking the lush green potted plant not far away.
"Forehead..."
For some reason, she could almost hear Pom-Pom's heavy sigh coming from the radio.
Welt remained silent, while Himeko walked over to her with a smile and patted her head.
"Remember to restore it, or Pom-Pom will be angry."
March 7th: o(╥╥)o
When Ye Yan walked to the Parlor Car while drinking his milk tea, he saw March 7th using a hairdryer to dry the potted plants.
"Wow~ Miss March 7th even has the refined taste for [watering flowers]?"
"No, Teacher Ye Yan, let me explain!"
At the same time, Xing was standing in front of Dan Heng's room, knocking on the door incessantly.
"How can you sleep at your age? Get up and go back to sleep!"
Given Dan Heng's personality, if he doesn't get up, it's either because he's having a nightmare, or, as March 7th said, he's sleeping in.
" March 7th was right. These people on the train can go without sleep for days without any problem, but they can catch up in one night. It seems I'll master this skill sooner or later." Xing stroked his chin, making up his mind.
"Alright, let's not waste this precious time in the hallway! The flight route meeting is at the usual spot, don't be late!"
"Say something if you understand."
Silence fell over the room; no more sounds came from inside.
After informing Dan Heng, Xing excitedly ran back to the Parlor Car and saw March 7th drying its frozen potted plants.
"I didn't expect you to have a position as a 'gardener' on the train?"
"Waaaaah~ Stop making fun of us!" March 7th was on the verge of tears.
"Passenger Ye Yan, have you received the information about the stops? Are you looking forward to it?" Pom-Pom walked over to Ye Yan with small steps.
"No, not yet." Ye Yan sat on the soft sofa, thinking that he would be returning to this place soon, and he needed to check on how the milk tea shop was doing.
"So you didn't know... After the cold and tiring journey of Jarilo-VI, aren't you looking forward to what kind of planet the next stop will be?" Pom-Pom asked Curiosity.
"Whether it's Penacony or Tayzzyronth... I like any kind of planet!"
Hearing Ye Yan's perfect answer, Pom-Pom nodded with satisfaction.
"Yes! Pom-Pom is so glad you enjoyed the trip! Long, long ago, this train carried planet after planet like this... and now it's doing the same thing again."
Five more minutes passed, and Dan Heng still hadn't arrived.
"It's alright, Dan Heng is always punctual. If he's late... he must have his reasons."
"Ahem! Ladies and gentlemen! The jump route meeting is now officially beginning!"
Pom-Pom brought over a small stool and stood on it.
"Wow, it looks so ceremonial!" March 7th, who was still drying the potted plants, cast an envious glance.
" Six-Phased Ice is really difficult to handle," Xing concluded.
"First of all, Pom-Pom wants to thank all the Nameless for successfully resolving the issue at this station, allowing the train to continue its journey along the star trails!"
"I heard from Passenger Ye Yan that Passenger Xing was incredibly brave... he almost lost his life while fighting against evil forces! He deserves praise!"
Xing proudly raised her head. After this battle, her reputation had spread throughout the Astral Express! She was the most formidable Nameless!
"Next, the Conductor will announce the name of the next station..."
Sizzle... sizzle sizzle...
The sound of electricity reached everyone's ears, followed by an elegant female voice.
"Long time no see, everyone on the Astral Express."
"I am Kafka."
The virtual image appeared in the center of the carriage, and Xing and March 7th were startled by this sudden situation.
Pom-Pom even jogged up and hid behind Ye Yan, grabbing his trouser leg.
Welt and Himeko's faces darkened, clearly displeased with the arrival of this uninvited guest.
Xing was still wondering why she was holding an umbrella inside the train carriage.
Kafka looked around the carriage. "Ah, good timing. Everyone's here... it seems like everyone's here." She glanced at Ye Yan, who was sitting comfortably on the sofa.
"Hmm... I recognize you, [ Eternity ]--"
"Having finished your charming self-introduction, there's no need for any more boring small talk, Stellaron Hunters." Himeko's brows furrowed in displeasure.
"You are..." Kafka closed her black umbrella, her fingertips piercing Himeko's chin as she pondered this person in her mind:
" Himeko... right?"
Xing moved to the sofa in a flash. She understood Pom-Pom's feelings. She felt even safer with Ye Yan Welt!
Ye Yan's gaze did not linger on Kafka at all; he stared straight at March 7th.
" Teacher Ye Yan... stop staring at us like that!" March 7th wished she could disappear into the ground. It was bad enough to be embarrassed at home, but now there were outsiders watching!
Kafka's long eyelashes drooped like butterfly wings, her porcelain-white skin complementing the holographic projection. A sigh, tinged with helplessness, escaped from Kafka's lips. "Just tell him he can see you, stop messing around."
"Boring."
The sound of bubble gum popping rang out, and Silver Wolf's virtual image appeared beside March 7th.
"Whoa... you... when did you get here?!"
March 7th was stuttering; she didn't like these sudden plot twists, let alone them happening to her!
Upon seeing Silver Wolf, Xing was reminded of the wonderful time she spent with Screwllum at the [ Herta ] Space Station... well, the time she chased Silver Wolf around with the [ Eternity ] artifact.
In the blink of an eye, Xing held a mimicry baseball bat in one hand and an hourglass necklace in the other, leaving Silver Wolf stunned.
"Wait... how come you have another [ Eternity ] weapon?!"
Silver Wolf's world collapsed. She hadn't logged in for a few days, and when she woke up, her game character had completely changed—her strength had exploded.
"Oh?" Kafka cast an interested glance. It had been so long; had Xing already become a [ Eternity ] Pathstrider?
Wait, it seems there's more than just [ Eternity ]...
Kafka was still wondering when Silver Wolf hid behind Ye Yan, afraid that Xing would use the baseball and hourglass against her.
"I'm not seeing things, Miss Silver Wolf. You said you were afraid of weapons associated with [ Eternity ]... but now you're hiding behind the [ Eternity ] Emanator?" Xing was a little confused.
"Ahem... the most dangerous place is the safest place!" Silver Wolf quickly added.
"Hey, Star Passenger, don't push against Conductor... there won't be any seats left, Pam!" Upon seeing Silver Wolf, Pom-Pom grabbed Ye Yan's trouser leg even harder.
Have we gone off-topic?