Chapter 168: The Next Stop
The Astral Express sailed smoothly through the brilliant, silent sea of stars. The hum of the train's engine was a low, comforting thrum beneath his feet, a constant vibration that felt alien after a lifetime on solid, frozen ground.
Orion stood by the massive, curved window of the observation car, his arms crossed. He watched as Jarilo-VI, the ice-bound planet that had been his prison and his proving ground for eighteen years, dwindled into a pale, blue-white marble against the black velvet of space.
He wasn't watching with fondness, but with the cool detachment of a player leaving the first game board. His plans there were set in motion. He had Cocolia's absolute trust, her mind soothed and dependent on his power. He had Bronya's deepening, confused affection and Seele's fierce, possessive loyalty. The Overworld was stable, and the Underworld, through Wildfire, was firmly in his grasp. Belobog was his. But it was just the beginning.
"Awww, what's wrong? Missing home already?" A bright, cheerful voice suddenly piped up beside him.
March 7th had approached without him noticing, her camera already clicking as she snapped a candid photo of his "brooding" profile. She bounced on her heels, tilting her head playfully, her pink hair seeming impossibly vibrant in the starlight.
"First time in space? It's a bit much, I know! Everything looks so tiny from up here!"
Orion withdrew his gaze from the receding planet and turned to her. Her vibrant, innocent eyes were a stark contrast to the calculating, ancient world he inhabited. He shook his head, a polite mask sliding into place. "No. Just... thinking about the next stop."
"Oh, I totally understand you!" March 7th misinterpreted his coolness as shyness and patted his shoulder with a knowing, 'I get it' expression. "It's okay to be a little homesick! If you miss home, just say so! My arms are always open if you need a shoulder to cry on!"
She giggled, trying to lighten his 'somber' mood. "Though, warning, my camera might be there too, ready to capture the moment!"
Orion simply offered a small, polite smile. This girl was a bundle of pure, uncomplicated energy. It was… refreshing. And potentially useful.
Night fell on the Express, or rather, the designated 'night' cycle began, dimming the lights to a soft glow. The train's dining car, usually just a quiet place for a meal, had been completely transformed. Colorful ribbons were strung from the ceiling, and balloons in every shade bobbed lazily in the recycled air. It was bright, loud, and thoroughly... March 7th.
"Come on, come on! Welt! Pom-Pom! Himeko! Dan Heng! Everyone!" March 7th enthusiastically grabbed Orion's arm—which he'd tensed for a moment before relaxing—and pulled him forward into the center of the car.
"Let me formally introduce you!" she announced to the assembled crew, her voice echoing slightly. "This is Orion, our newest, most reliable, and definitely coolest companion! The great hero of Belobog! The man who single-handedly defeated a Lord Ravager!"
The man with the glasses—Welt Yang—pushed them up his nose. He carefully scrutinized Orion, his gaze deep and analytical, as if he could see the complex layers beneath the surface. "Welcome to the Express, Orion. Himeko and the others have told me about your deeds on Jarilo-VI."
He offered a rare, slight smile. "I must say, your deeds are... unprecedented. A mortal defeating an Emanator defies all known combat logic. You are the most... special passenger I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. We are… intrigued to have you aboard."
"Pom-Pom also welcomes you!" the fluffy conductor, Pom-Pom, scurried over, his little legs moving fast. "Passenger Orion gives Pom-Pom a very, very reliable feeling! Much more reliable than some passengers who rummage through trash cans!" Pom-Pom shot a pointed look at March 7th and Stelle, the latter of whom was already eyeing the snack table with intense focus.
"From now on, please help Pom-Pom manage Passenger March 7th and Passenger Trailblazer!" Pom-Pom pleaded. "They're always causing trouble for the Express!"
"Hey!" March and Stelle protested in unison, their mouths full of pastries.
Dan Heng, leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed, simply gave a silent, stoic nod of welcome. Himeko watched from her seat, nursing a cup of... something dark... a knowing, amused smile on her lips.
Soon, the welcome party officially began. March 7th, appointing herself the host, jumped onto a chair that served as a makeshift stage. "A-hem! Attention everyone!" She clapped her hands.
"This party is, of course, to welcome our great hero, Orion! But... it's also a very special celebration!" She beamed at him. "We heard from a reliable source... cough Bronya cough... that you're turning 18 tomorrow! So, this is also your official 18th birthday party! Happy birthday, Orion!"
"Happy Birthday, Orion!"
"Welcome to the crew!"
A chorus of blessings came from Dan Heng, Welt, Himeko, and Stelle. Orion stood there, momentarily taken aback. A birthday party? He hadn't celebrated one since… well, ever. His "birthdays" in the Underworld were just markers for survival. This genuine, uncomplicated warmth… He looked at their sincere smiling faces, and a soft spot deep within his guarded heart was unexpectedly touched.
"...Thank you all. I appreciate this."
Just then, Himeko glided over, her heels clicking on the floor. She held a freshly brewed cup of coffee. She extended the dark brown, almost black, viscous liquid towards him. It emitted an indescribable odor—a pungent mix of burnt rubber, bitter herbs, and something vaguely fruity in the most menacing way. A liquid so dark it seemed to absorb the light in the room.
"Come try the new flavor I specially created for you," she said, her smile warm and inviting, yet utterly terrifying.
Orion's polite smile froze instantly. It appeared! The ultimate trial of the Astral Express. A concoction more terrifying than any Lord Ravager, a liquid that defied the very laws of chemistry and reason. Himeko's hand-ground, specially-brewed coffee.
"Uh, Himeko, wait!" March 7th darted forward, her face paling slightly. Her expression was stiff with a poorly concealed panic. "Orion just got on the train! His... his constitution might not be ready for such a... high-intensity welcome drink. Maybe start him on water?"
"What's wrong, March?" Himeko blinked, her crimson eyes wide with perfect innocence. "It's just coffee. This is our train's most cherished custom. As a new member, Orion can't be an exception. It shows we see him as family."
She pushed the cup slightly closer to him, the strange aroma intensifying.
Orion felt a chill run down his spine. His [Lord Ravager (Gold)] Entry was screaming in protest, his [Emanator of Elation] status found nothing funny about this. Just as he was calculating the optimal way to politely refuse without offending the train's navigator, a gray-haired blur shot past.
A hand suddenly snatched the cup from Himeko's grasp! It was Stelle!
Under everyone's astonished gaze, she tilted her head back and, with a warrior's resolve, drank the entire cup in three large, shuddering gulps. Glug, glug, glug.
She slammed the empty cup down, even smacking her lips, and flashed a brilliant, thousand-watt smile at Himeko. "Thank you, Himeko! That was... invigorating! I was just a little thirsty!"
The entire dining car fell silent. Even Welt looked impressed. March 7th stared with wide, admiring eyes. The Trailblazer... she's a true hero. A brave, foolish, magnificent hero.
Her heroic coolness lasted for precisely 2.5 seconds.
Her smile froze. Her complexion visibly shifted from rosy, to pale, to a concerning shade of greenish-gray.
"I..." she began, her voice suddenly an octave higher. "I... think I'll go... get some water..." She squeezed the words out, then turned with a stiff, robotic motion and dashed away, her movements unnaturally rigid, like a wind-up toy about to short-circuit. A small trail of smoke seemed to rise from her head.
"Wow... to be so good to Orion, she'd even drink Himeko's coffee for him," March 7th muttered softly, her respect for Stelle reaching new heights. "That's true love... or true stupidity. Maybe both."
"Hm. It seems this flavor still has quite a kick. Maybe I added too much Fepes-brand motor oil," Himeko nodded thoughtfully, making a mental note. She then turned her bright, smiling gaze back to Orion. "Don't worry, Orion. I'll go brew you another, different flavor."
"NO!" March 7th let out a small shriek and immediately grabbed Orion's hand. "Uh, Himeko, thank you, but no thank you! I... I'll take Orion to see his room first! Yes, his room! It's very important! Bye!"
With that, she practically dragged him out of the dining car. She didn't stop until they were safely in the guest car, leaning against the wall and panting.
"Phew... that was close..." she sighed in relief. "You're lucky Stelle was here, or you would've been her next test subject. You owe her big time, by the way."
Recalling the Trailblazer's heroic sacrifice followed by her panicked, robotic retreat, Orion couldn't help but let out a genuine, quiet laugh. March 7th's exaggerated terror, Himeko's innocent "danger," Welt's silent gravitas, and Stelle's chaotic-good energy... It seems, with these companions, the road ahead definitely won't be boring.
The party's revelry lasted late into the night. Orion eventually bid them goodnight and returned to the private room the Express had prepared for him. Closing the door, the sounds of laughter and music faded, replaced by the deep, silent hum of the stardrive.
The hustle and warmth of the party dissipated, and his usual, cold calm settled back over him. The time with his companions was... interesting. It even gave him a fleeting, dangerous feeling of belonging.
But he quickly walled that feeling off. Belonging was a luxury. This vast universe held too many dangers, too many variables. There were Aeons, Lord Ravagers, and his own... unique path.
He had become a "hero," an "Emanator of Elation." He had defeated Asat Pramad's game. But his true goals were only just beginning. The Astral Express was his ticket to the universe. His next target: the Xianzhou Luofu. He needed its Stellaron. He needed to find Kafka and Elio. He needed to upgrade his [Lord Ravager] Entry to Red.
Whether for the promises he'd made back in Belobog, or for his own ultimate survival and ambition, he had to become stronger.
After the clock on the wall passed midnight, it was officially his 18th birthday. On this memorable first night aboard the Astral Express, a new chapter of his life was beginning. And with it, a new opportunity.
He sat on the edge of his bed, his expression focused. The system, which had been silent since he was 15, was finally available again. He could finally begin a new round of simulations.