"So that means it swallowed the entire train?" Stelle said in surprise.
"Yes, that's my conclusion." Dan Heng nodded.
"So that's how it is." Argenti suddenly understood. "That explains what Velite and I experienced before."
March stared blankly at Argenti.
"...What do you mean? What did you discover this time?"
"Did Velite mention it to everyone? When we first met, he was trapped inside a dark and unimaginably huge cave, unable to escape."
"Thinking back now, there really were sounds of swallowing and squirming coming from inside that cave."
"Yes. Since your route happened to intersect with the Astral Express's track, perhaps we encountered the same Giant True Sting Bug. The next step is to prove this theory..."
Just then, a rumbling sound echoed through the train car. It felt as though the entire star system was trembling, as if it had been placed inside a giant drum and, at that exact moment, a drumstick struck the surface with great force.
March jumped in fright.
"A-ah! W-what was that?!"
Dan Heng's expression changed slightly.
"...Looks like we don't need any more proof. Let's go discuss countermeasures with Mr. Welt."
Everyone left the archive room and headed toward the observation car. No one spoke. The only sound was the weak fluttering of the bug in Nero's hand.
"...This is way too quiet... Say something..." March said.
"To meet all of you here, I, Argenti, have no regrets even in death."
March, "..."
"Uh, forget it. Silence is better."
The faint drum-like sounds continued to echo, making Nero frown.
"Did it eat too much? Is its stomach cramping?"
"Maybe it's hungry," Dan Heng said. "Judging from what we've observed around us, this thing is nowhere near full."
As he spoke, Dan Heng narrowed his eyes and looked outside.
Beneath the crimson curtain, where the train now was looked nothing like the inside of a giant beast's stomach. Instead, it looked like a strange starry sky.
Meteorites drifted everywhere. Planets both near and far floated around. Under the blood-red cracks on the dark sky that looked like wounds, the stars all became oppressive and chaotic.
Illuminated by the star that the beast had swallowed, they gave off dangerous glimmers that could drive people mad.
This beast seemed even larger than they had imagined... at least far larger than what was recorded in the databank.
Dan Heng calmed himself slightly. After finding Welt, he told him everything they had discovered.
"So that's how it is. If the train has really been swallowed..." Welt frowned slightly as he thought.
"Perhaps we can temporarily overload the train engine. Nero can use Black Cutter to put a protective shell around the train, then we can crash into the stomach wall and break out of the Giant True Sting Bug at super speed."
"Why can't we just warp out directly?" Stelle asked.
"Preparing for a warp requires many steps," Argenti said. "There is no guarantee that the Swarm would not notice us during the process."
Welt added, "This method does carry risks. The engine could catch fire... but we don't have a better option."
As he spoke, Welt glanced at Nero.
Of course, there was a safer method for the train, but he didn't want anyone to have to go out and risk themselves.
"I do not think that is appropriate." Argenti objected to Welt's proposal.
March scratched her head.
"Could we... fail?"
Welt nodded.
"To be honest, it's possible. The outer shell of the train... may already be dissolving in the stomach acid."
Argenti frowned.
"So the greatest ugly villain... is actually outside the train!"
"How scary. Will the teddy bear and rabbit in my room melt from the stomach acid? They've been with me for a long time. I have to rescue them..." March muttered.
"In that case, I'll be the one to ram it. Then the train can leave safely," Nero said. "And I have some ideas about this bug."
"..."
Welt and Dan Heng looked at Nero but said nothing.
"Huh? Nero, there's no need, right? We can definitely think of another way..." March said worriedly.
Stelle also looked over.
"Relax, it's fine. I've fought Lord Ravagers and the Stellaron Disaster already. It's just a big bug." Nero waved his hand casually. "Besides, I'm a professional when it comes to crashing into things."
To everyone else, this was extremely dangerous, even if Nero was the one doing it.
But just as everyone was about to persuade him again, the boy said, "Don't worry, Aha is still here, so there won't be any danger."
"The reason I want to do it myself is just because I want to see if I can catch this giant bug and use it for myself. If things get dangerous, Aha will help."
Everyone fell silent and stopped trying to talk him out of it.
Argenti, however, said, "In that case, please allow me to accompany you."
"This is proof of my devotion. Within this train, warm as a home, I have discovered the seeds of beauty. Such things are destined to happen on the journey called Argenti..."
"This is also my duty. Falling down, standing up, falling once more, rising again. Countless temperings, wandering between life and death, all so that we may draw closer to the road once walked by Beauty."
"And a knight should always remain by the side of those he protects. This is the oath I made as a Knight of Beauty."
"Then let's go together." Nero smiled at Argenti.
Naturally, he didn't mind bringing Argenti along. There was no reason to refuse a knight like him.
Besides, he was confident he could protect both the train and Argenti from harm. After all, if necessary, he could simply kill the bug.
After that, everyone exchanged some simple farewells.
When Velite, who understood nothing, heard that Argenti and Nero were going to pierce the stomach wall of the giant bug, he looked at the knight who had rescued him and at the not-so-tall boy.
For the first time, the hopeless feelings inside him became stirred.
Perhaps he also felt that he should change something.
Afterward, Nero and Argenti left the train and went deep into the stars outside.
Nero stood calmly on Black Cutter.
Argenti piloted the Peerless Rare behind him. When Nero stopped, he let the ship float in place, climbed out, and stood on top of the Peerless Rare.
It was worth mentioning that the power source for the ship this time was still the Outer Space Flame that had been floating outside before. Nero had caught it and thrown it back in.
At that moment, the perspective shifted from inside the train to outside it.
Under the dark blood-red sky and within the chaotic dim stars, the two standing there seemed to carry dazzling brilliance on their bodies.
After taking one more look in the direction of the train, though it had already disappeared into the dark sea of stars, Argenti finally turned around and said to Nero, "The feelings between you and the crew of the train are truly magnificent."
"Then, lastly, being able to act alongside you fills me with the highest honor. And your tolerance brings me the greatest joy."
"Please allow me to shout during this charge, 'The beauty of Goddess Idrila of Beauty is unmatched in all existence!'"
"All my passionate ideals are laid bare here without reservation. As a knight, I must fulfill my duty, and so, please allow me to stand before you."
"If I should unfortunately die in this endeavor... O Beauty, may you bear witness, beneath the crimson long night of the universe, my life has been more loyal than that of a child!"