After Acheron left to find the Astral Express crew, only Kiana and Ruan Mei remained in the laboratory.
"Stelle?"
Ruan Mei tilted her head slightly. She hadn't paid much attention at first—her focus had been on the Stellaron—but now she repeated the name while looking at Kiana.
Acheron seemed unusually concerned.
In Ruan Mei's memory, the last person Acheron had been this attentive toward... was herself.
If it had been her—
Then perhaps she understood why Acheron had brought up the girl named Stelle just now.
"Is there anything else you're curious about, Ruan?"
There wasn't any special relationship between them.
After a moment's thought, Ruan Mei decided to trust her intuition. Kiana was likely intrigued by the fact that someone could carry a Stellaron within her body.
As for the possibility of falling in love with someone after a single walk outside... that probability was actually quite low.
"I have a new batch of creations," Ruan Mei said. "They're the kind you would like. Would you like to see them?"
"Eh? What are they?"
Kiana's interest was immediately piqued.
Ruan Mei headed toward another section of the station. Kiana followed closely behind, reaching out to hold her hand on her own initiative.
Ruan Mei glanced at her but didn't stop walking.
As they walked through the quiet corridors, Kiana suddenly thought of something.
"Ruan... you haven't continued researching the insects, right?"
Hearing the concern in her voice, Ruan Mei shook her head.
"Don't worry. They won't appear here."
So she was still researching the Swarm King after all?
"That experiment has been temporarily sealed," Ruan Mei explained. "I was continuing it before, but when you suddenly fell into slumber, I suspended several of my ongoing projects."
After a pause, she added, "I did not combine Honkai energy with the Propagation's offspring."
"As long as you don't mix Honkai energy with something like the Swarm, there shouldn't be any major trouble."
Ruan Mei nodded lightly.
She would likely resume the experiment after returning. After all, this was ultimately Herta's territory.
Some things weren't convenient to do here.
And if problems arose, they would be troublesome to handle.
After walking for more than ten minutes, they arrived at another section.
And there, Kiana saw an entire group of—
"So... so many desserts?!"
"Meow..."
As soon as they entered, the air filled with meowing. The adorable creatures shaped like pastries squeezed toward Ruan Mei from all directions, clearly delighted to see her.
Right—these were Cat Cake!
"Mm. They were cultivated with desserts as their prototype. I remember you like cute creatures like this."
"They're really adorable!"
Kiana's eyes lit up. She picked up one from the floor. Looking at its unique appearance, she found it both irresistibly cute—and strangely hunger-inducing.
Oh no...
She was making herself hungry.
"Can we keep them at home?"
The hunger hit quickly. Kiana could almost imagine the sweet aroma of pastries. The more she thought about it, the hungrier she felt.
Looking at the adorable Cat Cake, she even had the urge to lick it and see if it tasted like a dessert.
No. Dangerous thoughts!
She hugged the Cat Cake in her arms tighter and looked at Ruan Mei with hopeful eyes.
"Just... in the living quarters. Is that okay?"
Ruan Mei's gaze swept over the creations she had cultivated on a whim. She nodded.
"If you like them, take them back with you."
If they could earn Kiana's affection, then this batch of creations couldn't be considered failures.
"Meow..."
The Cat Cakes seemed especially happy—particularly the one closest to Ruan Mei, the one Kiana was holding.
Even without understanding their language, one could feel how delighted it was.
"See? They look happy too."
Kiana lifted the Cat Cake in front of her and couldn't resist rubbing her cheek against it.
They were just too cute.
Dessert-shaped ultra-cute Cat Cakes!
"If you like them, stay here and play with them for a while," Ruan Mei said. "You shouldn't feel bored here."
Kiana nodded repeatedly.
"This place is basically heaven!"
If only there were actual delicious desserts too—it would be perfect!
"I prepared some desserts as well," Ruan Mei added. "For now, how about sitting with me for a while?"
There were desserts?
Kiana froze for a second—then promptly abandoned the Cat Cake in her arms and happily rushed forward to hug Ruan Mei, rubbing against her cheek like a cat.
"Yay! Ruan, you're the best!"
So easy to understand.
So easy to raise.
Ruan Mei lifted a hand to smooth Kiana's white hair, a faint smile curving her lips.
...
Meanwhile, in the upper levels of the space station—
The researchers were still immersed in the aftermath of the Antimatter Legion's invasion. Although the Legion had been repelled, Asta was busy handling the chaos and calculating the losses.
Thankfully, the Astral Express and Ruan Mei's friends had helped. Otherwise...
At that moment, Acheron approached the Astral Express' navigator, Himeko, along with Welt, who was nearby.
"Miss Acheron."
"Miss Himeko. Mr. Welt."
It seemed she had come specifically to find them.
But Kiana wasn't at her side. That was unusual.
"I'd like to ask you for a favor."
Acheron spoke directly after walking over, without unnecessary pleasantries.
Himeko and Welt exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in the other's eyes.
"What do you need us to do?"
"I hope the Astral Express can accompany me to Jarilo-VI next."
"Jarilo-VI?"
This world had been invaded by the Legion centuries ago and later swallowed by an eternal frost. The information remaining in the databank was scarce.
Hearing the name suddenly mentioned caught both Himeko and Welt off guard. They would need to consult the databank for details.
"Yes. It's a world that was first invaded by the Legion, then affected by a Stellaron, struggling to survive under the eternal frost," Acheron explained. "Some time ago, Kiana visited that world and left traces of Honkai behind."
Traces of Honkai?
Both Welt and Himeko immediately thought of Izumo.
Especially Welt—his heart jumped straight into his throat.
What was Kiana doing?
Honkai wasn't something you could just spread around casually. Izumo had already ended up like that.
"What exactly do you need us to do?"
"Please don't misunderstand. The traces Kiana left behind were minimal. Ruan Mei also left the people of that world with a degree of Honkai resistance," Acheron clarified. "I'm not worried about Honkai."
"What concerns me is that Kiana restrained the out-of-control Stellaron on that planet. The eternal frost there has stopped spreading as a result."
"I hope the Astral Express can accompany me to that world and help examine any remaining hidden dangers."
She paused briefly before adding,
"Perhaps because she left traces of Honkai there... Kiana cares deeply about that planet."
Welt, who had spent a lifetime fighting against Honkai, simply could not turn a blind eye to it. Even though he had stumbled into a pit in Izumo, the instincts carved into his bones made him vote in favor without hesitation.
He turned to look at Himeko.
Himeko pondered for a moment. She neither immediately agreed nor refused.
"Dan Heng and the others aren't here right now," she said. "The next destination of the Express must be decided by a vote among all the Nameless. Can you give us some time to discuss it?"
"Of course," Acheron nodded.
Whether the Express went or not actually didn't matter much. She hadn't expected the Express to solve whatever danger Jarilo might soon face.
The Legion.
That was the greatest threat looming over Jarilo—and the matter Kiana had been watching closely.
The Legion.
The space station had just been attacked by the Antimatter Legion. If the Legion were to awaken again on Jarilo, it would likely look much the same.
These enemies weren't enough to make Acheron wary. Even if a Lord Ravager stood before her, she believed she could fight.
"Once you've decided, contact me," Acheron said quietly. "I'll remain on the station for a while."
"Will Miss Kiana be going as well?"
Not seeing Kiana at Acheron's side, Welt couldn't help but ask.
"No," Acheron shook her head, not concealing anything. "Kiana just met Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction. We're concerned that it may have some effect on her, so we plan to let her stay on the station for observation."
"Nanook?"
Himeko and Welt exchanged glances, both clearly surprised.
"What happened?"
"When the Doomsday Beast attacked the station, the girl named Stelle—the one with a Stellaron sealed inside her—blocked a strike meant for March 7th. At that moment, she likely received the gaze of Destruction."
Stelle received the gaze of Destruction?
Acheron's expression flickered with surprise. A body capable of containing a Stellaron—and in such a moment, gaining the gaze of Destruction.
She truly was special.
"Has she joined you?" Acheron asked.
Though unsure how Acheron knew, Himeko still nodded.
"We've invited her to join the Astral Express. She accepted not long ago."
Acheron left in thought.
"She seems very concerned about Stelle," Himeko remarked.
"Stelle... is indeed somewhat special," Welt replied. "It's normal for Acheron to be curious about her."
Every Nameless aboard the Express had a story.
Whose identity wasn't a little unusual?
Compared to that, having a Stellaron sealed inside one's body was almost... ordinary.
"Have you decided? Are you truly going to keep dealing with something as dangerous as 'Honkai'?" Himeko asked.
"Honkai is far too dangerous," Welt answered solemnly. "I'll return to the Express and check the databank for records on Jarilo-VI."
...
Meanwhile, Herta's puppet had finally found a suitable volunteer for testing the Simulated Universe.
And that volunteer was willing.
Stelle was surprisingly easy to talk to.
Since the capable should shoulder more work, Herta fully intended to have her test it more often in the future. As for rewards? Those were trivial matters.
Stelle helped test the Simulated Universe, rescued a number of researchers, dealt with several special incidents, and assisted quite a few people around the station.
She gained a significant boost in reputation.
In many places, she became a familiar face.
Even March 7th couldn't help but sigh. "She's seriously born to be a Nameless."
Before long, the chaos on the station subsided. A message appeared in the Express group chat, asking everyone to return to the train to discuss something.
When Stelle boarded the Astral Express docked at the platform, she discovered that everyone had already arrived. Only she had been missing.
She had come once before during the welcome when Himeko invited her to become a Nameless.
"She's here, she's here!"
March 7th enthusiastically pulled her over.
"Himeko, Himeko! Now can you tell us what this is about?"
"Mm. It's about our next stop."
"Next stop?" Dan Heng pondered. "Didn't we receive an invitation to Penacony? Aren't we heading there for the Charmony Festival?"
"Penacony?"
With her mind still blank, Stelle heard the name for the first time and grew curious.
"Oh, it's a great place! The legendary land of dreams, located in the Asdana Stelle System!" March 7th quickly explained.
"There's still plenty of time before the Charmony Festival begins," Welt said, adjusting his glasses. "Miss Acheron hopes we can accompany her to another world first."
"Huh? Miss Acheron?"
Stelle blinked.
Her impression of Acheron—and Kiana—remained vivid. The image of Acheron's blade was etched into her mind. It was a kind of strength that was beautiful.
A pity she couldn't learn it.
"Yes," Himeko continued. "Miss Acheron approached me and Welt. She hopes we can assist her by traveling to Jarilo-VI."
"Jarilo-VI?"
"It's a world that has been cut off from the cosmos for centuries," Welt explained from the information he had found in the databank. "Many years ago, the Antimatter Legion descended upon Jarilo-VI and ignited war."
"According to the databank and Miss Acheron's account, the planet likely later suffered a Stellaron disaster."
"Some time ago, Kiana and the others visited that world and restrained the Stellaron of Jarilo-VI."
"Isn't that a good thing?" March 7th asked.
"But traces of Honkai appeared on that planet," Welt said. "Miss Acheron hopes we can accompany her to take a look."
"Honkai again..." March 7th shuddered. The images of Izumo—Honkai entangled with Nihility—and Welt's sudden disappearance were things she couldn't forget.
"If I'm not mistaken," Himeko added thoughtfully, "what Miss Acheron wants us to examine probably isn't the Honkai itself."
Dan Heng seemed deep in thought.
"Let's put it to a vote," Welt said after laying out the available information, refraining from expressing his own stance further. "Those in favor of making Jarilo-VI our next stop, please raise your hands."
"The Legion, a Stellaron, and Honkai..." Dan Heng said. "That world, isolated for centuries, likely has a very complicated situation."
"But Miss Kiana and Miss Acheron helped us before!" March 7th argued. "When Mr. Yang was trapped in Izumo, it was Kiana who helped us find him!"
Stelle... said nothing.
Among the flood of information, she only fully understood the words Stellaron and Legion.
"Alright," Welt said. "Those in favor of going to Jarilo-VI, raise your hands."
Welt himself naturally voted in favor.
What surprised the others was that March 7th and Stelle both raised their hands as well.
Himeko and Dan Heng did not.
As Dan Heng had said, too many forces were involved.
The next stop might be extremely dangerous.
"Three to two," Himeko concluded calmly. "The decision is made. Our next stop is Jarilo-VI."