"Or perhaps, before visiting someone's home, do you actually announce your arrival?"
"Ahem, I see shades of an old friend in you. As you know, we Nameless always treat others with courtesy."
As Silver Wolf spoke, she tapped at something in the air. "I get it, it's a cultural difference. Punklorde doesn't have that tradition, and Stellaron Hunters don't usually operate that way either."
"In movies, don't you often see scenes where the protagonist comes home, flips on the light, and finds someone already waiting in the armchair? Kafka and Blade love that vibe. Sam wouldn't even let them turn on the light."
"But I'm different—I'd greet them proactively before they even step inside."
"That sounds even creepier." Feeling multiple gazes on them, Adrian gave an awkward smile.
"Haha… don't mind us, carry on with your chat."
"Teacher Adrian… we're talking about your hometown here! At a life-or-death moment, and you're this nonchalant?"
"March, dummy."
Stelle walked over to March 7th and flicked her forehead.
"Why'd you hit me again!" March 7th clutched her head, aggrieved.
"You forgot about this sandglass necklace? We can conclude: as long as you have a weapon blessed by [Eternity], you've got a way to seal a Stellaron Core."
"Ohhh… got it." March 7th had a sudden epiphany.
"So, doesn't that mean anyone with an [Eternity]-blessed weapon has the potential to be a Stellaron Hunter?"
"Blind student, you've hit the jackpot." Stelle patted March 7th. As expected of her bestie—their brainwaves were perfectly in sync!
"You could, of course, stay out of it. Start the warp now while the Stellaron Core hasn't contaminated this sector, and you can head to the next world. But in time, this star-track will be blocked again."
"I can tell you what the future holds…" Kafka recited the script she'd memorized word-for-word. "If you don't head to [Luofu], the Stellaron Core will eventually corrupt the entire Xianzhou. Roughly half its inhabitants will perish."
"Fearless Trailblazers, virtuous Nameless… and a highly acclaimed Emanator of [Eternity], surely you won't stand idly by." Kafka had a knack for flattery.
Himeko fell silent, unable to decide just yet. "Your companion, Blade, won't be spared either, will he?"
"That, I can't say. Here are the coordinates. The choice is yours."
"Though our goals differ vastly, the orbits of the stars will eventually converge. Farewell…"
Just as Kafka prepared to make her exit, a languid voice interrupted her. "Hold on~"
Kafka paused, a barely perceptible smile seeping from her pursed lips, as if she'd anticipated this.
"The Astral Express… isn't a place you can just waltz in and out of. Dear Hunter, if I let a notorious galactic fugitive leave like this, wouldn't I, an [Emanator], lose face?"
"Oh no, this is bad." Silver Wolf, seeing this, immediately cut off her holographic feed.
March 7th's eyes widened. She just sold out her teammate like that?! And then left without looking back?
"Stellaron Hunters aren't exactly a united front, huh…" Naive March 7th fell right for it.
"Something's fishy…" Welt sensed something off. Kafka daring to show up in the car in person was strange enough.
Sure, Stellaron Hunters were a bunch of lunatics, but even they wouldn't be crazy enough to venture into the tiger's den alone—unless… they were plotting something.
"Since we're heading to the uncharted Xianzhou, how can we go without a guide?"
"Huh? Wait, wait, wait… why let her guide us? I'm lost again."
"Maybe that's just the laziness of [Eternity]…" Stelle sighed in realization.
Adrian rummaged through his memories of the original plot, ignoring the silent Kafka and explaining to the group:
"Think about it. Didn't she just say her companion Blade was taken by the Cloud Knights? That implies Kafka herself is likely hiding on the Luofu."
"A Stellaron Core erupting on the Luofu would definitely cause a series of disturbances. If we show up out of nowhere, it'll raise suspicions with the docking authorities."
"They might even assume the Astral Express is in cahoots with the Stellaron Hunters. To prove our innocence, we'd be forced—and maybe even willingly—used as bait to lure out the big fish."
"To skip the unnecessary hassle and political games, I nabbed the big fish myself… Of course, this is probably all part of her plan."
Adrian quickly covered his tracks, and Kafka played along seamlessly.
Even if she hadn't shown up, given Adrian's personality, he'd likely have dragged her here with some trick.
Joking aside, Kafka had heard from Silver Wolf about her team-up with the Masked Fools against Pontiff Blake.
Back then, Sampo had drawn Blake's attention, while Silver Wolf lurked in the shadows, controlling holograms and ready to ambush.
Who would've thought Blake didn't even glance her way? With a casual grip into the void, Silver Wolf was forcibly yanked before him by a powerful surge of energy.
Locking onto a target through thin air—that's the grip of [Eternity].
"It's not a plan, it's [the Future]. We intervene in countless future possibilities, turning the best [Future] into reality."
"Don't flatter us, Emanator. All beings in the cosmos are [Destiny's Slaves]."
"All talk. What's this 'best future'? Best for who? I don't buy that you'd care about others," March 7th was the first to counter Kafka's statement.
Kafka, unhurried, patiently explained to March 7th, "For the entire universe… do you believe that? Of course, it's for me."
"Alright. The Astral Express doesn't have the Jepella Brotherhood's interrogation protocols. Someone else will handle your questioning. For now… give us some privacy."
Adrian and Kafka's figures vanished from the observation car, and the group began discussing:
"Kafka… ugh, Pom-Pom doesn't like her. She's got a dangerous vibe. But the path and goals of Trailblazers are for Trailblazers to choose. That's Akivili's creed."
"How could the mighty Xianzhou Alliance be brought down by a single Stellaron Core…?" Welt mused.
From what he knew, the Xianzhou Alliance was one of the few factions drawing power directly from an Aeon. Their strength far surpassed the train, once blessed by the fallen Akivili.
Scattered stars in the galaxy might fall to a Stellaron crisis, but the Xianzhou had Lan of [The Hunt]. From Adrian's earlier words, it was clear the Xianzhou [Luofu] faced more than just a Stellaron threat.
"This is a serious matter. I'm joining the mission this time."
…
Meanwhile, Party Car, Second Floor.
"So, how's it feel to co-star in a play with an Aeon?"
Kafka let out a long breath. "Phew~ Pretty good. Let's hope there's no next time."