"Do all Aeons have the ability to directly peer into others' minds?" Taking advantage of a break, Kafka chatted casually with Adrian.
"That, I can't say." Adrian mimicked Kafka's earlier tone.
Kafka sighed. Adrian's earlier deductions matched the [Script] word for word, making her wonder if he'd snuck into Elio's room one quiet night to peek at the [Script].
"Let me guess—aside from the Cosmic Knight and [Destiny's Slave], the entire Stellaron Hunter crew is mobilized, right?"
"Hmm. That kid Silver Wolf's hiding skills are top-notch—completely undetected. If she played hide-and-seek, she'd be the champion." Kafka let out a soft sigh. Silver Wolf's flawless stealth was largely thanks to the [Eternity] she so despised.
Adrian suddenly handed her a cup of Immortal's Delight Tea. "All good things must come to an end. Time to say goodbye."
Kafka: ???
Wasn't that her line?
"Walking into Luofu with that face? You'd probably get nabbed the moment you land."
Kafka smiled and accepted the tea, only for Adrian to hand her another cup.
"There's a refill?"
"No, this one's for Dan Heng."
With a ceremonial flourish, Adrian tore open a rift in space and jumped in without looking back.
Kafka eyed the murky tea and took a small sip.
Hmm… a peculiar flavor. It was her first time tasting red wine in milk tea.
…
Observation Car.
March 7th's mood was incredibly complex as she paced around the car.
"Ugh~ I really don't want to follow that woman's orders, but it's Teacher Adrian and Dan Heng's hometown. If I vote against it now… I'd be letting my conscience down!"
"But I've got to say it! What are the odds? A Stellaron Core erupts, a Stellaron Hunter shows up, and it's so close to us? Who'd believe it's not intentional?"
Dan Heng spoke slowly, caught in a dilemma. "If it were any other Xianzhou, maybe it'd be fine. But [Luofu]… I can't go."
"Huh? Why not?"
"It's hard to explain in a few words. I'm banned from setting foot on Luofu. [Where I once ruled, I may not tread again]… Let's head back to the main car."
After their discussion, the trio returned to the observation car.
Considering Adrian's situation, Himeko felt further voting was pointless and began summarizing the information at hand.
"The Stellaron Hunters claim a Stellaron Core erupted on Xianzhou [Luofu], and the train is very close to it. If we go to Luofu, we might have a chance to save many innocent lives."
"There's also a second possibility: we're being used by the Stellaron Hunters and falling for their trick. Both Welt and I believe they're not telling the full truth, but we can't completely ignore their intel either…"
"Even if we don't go, knowing Adrian's personality… with his hometown in trouble, he wouldn't stand by. The Astral Express doesn't abandon its companions, even if they're just passengers. All things considered, the Astral Express will head to Xianzhou."
"Awesome! Teacher Adrian's always helping us—now it's our turn to help his hometown!"
Himeko turned her concern to Dan Heng. "What about you, Dan Heng? Staying behind?"
Dan Heng shook his head, Blade's image flashing in his mind again.
"If that man's on the Xianzhou, then everyone… Mr. Welt, March, Stelle… you'd all be in danger. I can't leave my companions behind."
"I'm just afraid… my burdens have finally caught up, dragging everyone into this…"
As Dan Heng hesitated, Stelle placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Relax. The Galactic Baseballer's reputation isn't for nothing. I'm pretty strong, you know."
"Exactly, Dan Heng! With Uncle Yang and Teacher Adrian by our side, even the most dangerous Kafka's already in our hands. What's there to fear from Stellaron Hunters?"
Himeko smiled gently, offering comfort. "Who doesn't have burdens? Even little March, with no memories, carries something heavy on her shoulders."
"We walk an unseen Path. Everything we see, hear, and Trailblaze becomes our luggage—both a burden to bear and the strength to keep going."
"Don't overthink it, Dan Heng."
Feeling everyone's care, Dan Heng's heart warmed.
"Then this [Trailblaze Journey] is up to you, Welt. You've been gearing up for a while. Take good care of them."
"Got it." Welt adjusted his glasses. A long-overdue Trailblaze mission was finally here!
"Himeko, you be careful on the train too."
"No worries. I've got Pom-Pom here. I won't be bored alone on the train."
"Hmph, don't underestimate your Conductor, pom!"
With that, Pom-Pom began preparing for the warp.
"Woo-hoo! Destination: Xianzhou, let's go!" The mood lifted, and March 7th was the first to cheer, only to be interrupted by a voice.
"Hmm~ The Astral Express is just bursting with energy."
Himeko's lips had just curved into a smile when she saw the newcomer, and her expression dropped, all warmth gone.
"Stellaron Hunter, you really have a knack for speaking at the worst times… Do you just love interrupting people?"
"Hehe~ I waited until you were done before chiming in. Don't pin every fault on the Stellaron Hunters."
Kafka shot back. Were they being treated like the [Antimatter Legion] or something?
"Where's Adrian?" Himeko asked warily.
"Hmm… That Emanator of [Eternity] sensed something earlier, tore open the void without a word, and jumped in."
Kafka spoke lightly, pulling out a bottle of Immortal's Delight Tea and handing it to Dan Heng.
"A parting gift. Stepping onto Luofu with that face might stir up a lot of trouble, so please disguise yourself~" Kafka mimicked Adrian's tone, fully committing to helping out.
Dan Heng took the tea skeptically. Could [Eternity]'s power really be infused into a drink?
Stelle stared at Kafka's appearance, lost in thought. "In just this short time, you dyed your hair?"
"Huh?" March 7th looked confused. "What are you talking about? She hasn't changed."
Kafka smiled mysteriously. "[Eternity]'s secret art, pretty magical, huh? It's not just one person taking the stage…"
From an outsider's perspective—or Stelle's, who'd encountered [Eternity]'s power—Kafka had completely transformed. Not just her hair color, but her eye makeup, eyeshadow, lipstick—everything was different.
"Showing up on Luofu like this would definitely cause a commotion. If you ask me, why not turn the tables… and hand her over to the Luofu General for judgment," Welt deduced, catching onto Adrian's plan.
Stellaron Hunters were no small fry. Ordinary Luofu Cloud Knights wouldn't be able to restrain Kafka. If something went wrong during transport and she escaped, they'd have to waste time tracking her down again.
To be safe, Welt slapped a pair of Imaginary handcuffs on Kafka.
"Sigh~ Who would've thought the day would come when the Astral Express travels with a Stellaron Hunter? I'm starting to think this is a dream," March 7th quipped, still playing the role of the group's commentator in the final moments before the warp.