Topaz: "More than seven hundred years ago, that world disappeared from the Corporation's map. The Corporation even believed that world had been destroyed."
"But not long ago, the disappeared signal frequency miraculously appeared again and the connection was re-established."
"A debt spanning several Amber Eras—the challenge is no small matter. You know with my personality, it's hard for me not to get interested…"
Asta lightly tapped her chin and didn't ask any more questions.
"Then I wish Miss Topaz smooth work."
"Thank you for the good wishes."
...
Player World.
For countless players, Version 1.3 was destined to be an unforgettable version.
The plot was massive and satisfying, the content was substantial, and the information volume was explosive.
The welfare was also unprecedented—
The T0 meta card that overwhelmingly led in strength, the 5-star Harmony Leon, could be obtained for free with 0 Eidolons + signature weapon.
In terms of plot, through the main story, side stories, and Simulated Universe texts, the worldbuilding was greatly expanded and settings were supplemented.
It also made players increasingly look forward to more stories behind Leon, as well as the characters who had appeared but whose banner information remained unknown.
Such as the other Heavenly Feather Sacred Envoys who had already passed away on the surface, and Raiden Mei who had no follow-up after Izumo's destruction.
And on the Express crew, almost every member had a lot of hidden details buried.
Leon naturally needed no further explanation. From existing information, it could be known that his existence spanned at least a thousand Amber Eras.
There were even bold player speculations that two thousand might not be impossible.
With such a long span of years, one could imagine how much major material existed in this setting.
Perhaps some worlds in future journeys would have traces he once left behind.
March 7th had now become the most mysterious person in the Express crew.
Through her Companion Mission with Fu Xuan, using the Matrix of Prescience to explore past memories, it was known that her amnesia was related to an Aeon.
The reason for her amnesia was that an Aeon personally took action to seal it.
As for who, it remains unknown for now.
In this regard, the foreshadowing buried on her was no less than Leon's.
There was also Himeko's hometown and the opportunity to repair the train.
The Void Archives that initially traveled with Welt and then disappeared without a trace.
And Dan Heng… well, Dan Heng's background and identity were almost completely transparent with no more secrets.
Of course, finally, the protagonist of the game could not be ignored.
Caelus/Stelle.
The protagonist also had quite a few secrets.
Through Kafka's Companion Mission, aside from knowing that the protagonist's past might have been a Stellaron Hunter, there was basically no other information.
The purpose of reconstructing the body to become a Stellaron vessel, boarding the train to travel, and ultimately fighting Nanook…
With so much foreshadowing on the Express crew characters, it firmly held the appetite of countless players.
The 1.4 preview had ended long ago.
Although 1.4 did not advance the main story, which left many players somewhat disappointed.
However, the interlude plot revealed new outfits for March 7th and the 4-star Leon, which successfully kept the fans' expectations high.
The only regrettable point was—
The damn operations planners actually did not simultaneously launch their outfits in the shop.
Those who wanted to spend money to get something good for their paper wife/husband had no chance.
The community was all criticizing the planners, asking if they didn't want to make money.
Perhaps the backlash was too strong, so the officials released a full-network announcement on the eve of the new version.
The content was not much, but it swept away the players' confusion and slight resentment.
The announcement in black text on a white background stated—
Upon the release of Version 1.4, all players can obtain the new outfit for 4-star Leon for free.
As for March 7th's new outfit, it will be given away for free in a future version.
In addition, there are mysterious gifts waiting for players. Please look forward to it.
With this, Leon's dedicated fans went completely crazy.
A little after 9 AM, Ah Xian had already started streaming and began today's new version livestream.
However, the game maintenance had not ended yet, so she could only livestream drawing doujinshi for the time being…
That is, the super long, high-quality full-color, and even uncensored hidden adult work featuring her own avatar and Leon with plot that she lost the flag bet on.
Of course, the parts she livestreamed drawing were naturally the parts allowed by livestream rules, otherwise the inevitable hammer of the unmentionable would fall.
"Let me tell you, a while ago a studio contacted me saying they wanted to adapt my Leon doujinshi into anime."
[???]
[Holy shit, for real?!]
[Good good good good, hurry up and adapt it. Even if I have to pay, I want to watch it!]
Due to the pursuit of quality, the drawing progress was slow. Ah Xian had only released Chapter 1 so far.
Even so, it still broke out of its niche with solid quality and achieved unprecedented popularity.
The livestream viewers only realized how truly grueling it was to make this kind of thing after seeing her slow drawing process with their own eyes—it was pure grinding.
"Don't rush yet."
"That studio… to be honest, they only saw the traffic potential. Their own level doesn't have much to say."
"While it's true that what I draw may not be presentable in many people's eyes, I don't want my hard work to be ruined either."
"Because this is a work I created out of hobby and faith, not a job."
[Tears.]
[Willing to release it for free rather than turn it into paid anime, she really… I'm crying to death.]
Dozens of minutes passed before Ah Xian finished the line art for a single small panel.
Once game maintenance ended, she immediately saved her progress and impatiently entered the game.
※ Penacony · Prologue
Talk with March 7th
After teleporting back to the train and finding March 7th, press F to talk.
"Stelle, have you heard? Our next stop is Penacony."
"Himeko says it's a world as beautiful as a dream… I'm really looking forward to it."
Stelle: "I'm really looking forward to it."
March 7th put her hands on her hips and gave her a glare.
"Later I'll go find Leon and have him give you a few needles to cure your repetition habit."
Stelle: "I was wrong… So, when did Himeko say we're departing?"
As she spoke, she couldn't help rubbing her arm.
Damn Herta.
She actually chased her with a giant hammer and nearly demolished the entire office, like a mad Siberian Husky.
It was just wanting to pinch her real face. Was it really necessary to react like her tail had been stepped on?
Fortunately, Screwllum appeared in time to rescue her.
In the end, Herta reluctantly put away her giant hammer, located the train's coordinates, and pushed her into the mirror to send her back.
March 7th didn't notice Stelle's small movements and spread her hands.
"There's still quite a while until the meeting time on the invitation letter. What should we do to kill time, hmm…"
Notification sounds and vibrations rang out together.
"…Eh, my phone is ringing. It's a group chat notification."
Stelle swiped open her phone.
[Bronya: /Raising a Glass to You.jpg]
[Bronya: Members of the Astral Express crew, can you see my message?]
[Stelle: Of course we can. Long time no see, Bronya.]
[March 7th: Bronya! We missed you so much.]
[Bronya: That's great. I was afraid you wouldn't receive the message. I know you're all very busy, so I'll keep it short.]
[Bronya: Belobog is about to hold a traditional festival, the Warm Sun Festival.]
[Bronya: Due to the disaster, the people of Belobog have not felt the lively festival atmosphere for a very long time.]
[Bronya: If the members of the Astral Express have time, I would like to invite you to attend the celebration and witness the phased achievements of Belobog's revival plan.]