Chapter 93: Navia, you must not underestimate the bonds of the Express!
「 "Things are indeed as Welt predicted. The Divination Commission captured Kafka's communication, and there was a faint mechanical noise in the background. After comparing it with the Artisans of the Artisanship Commission, it was confirmed that Kafka is located in the Exalting Sanctum."
"Welt felt that a tough battle might be coming soon, so he decided to take a break and recuperate, waiting for the opportune moment."
"Oh, right, Stelle, let's send a message to the Express to report that we're safe. Especially Dan Heng, hehe, ask him what he's doing, and then tell him how much fun we're having here!" March 7th was already eager to show off.
Stelle immediately sent two messages to Dan Heng, but both failed to send, for reasons unknown.
.....
A short while ago, on the Astral Express.
Dan Heng stood inside the carriage window with a worried expression, staring blankly at the scenery of the Luofu.
"You've been standing here for half an hour; it's rare to see you so worried." Himeko walked over to comfort him, "Are you concerned about the safety of those two kids? With Welt there, you can relax a bit."
"...."
Dan Heng was silent for a moment before saying, "Himeko, you should have saved the Stellaron Hunters' remote communication, right? Can I see it?"
"Of course." Himeko nodded and brought up the previous communication records.
The communication played from the beginning, and Dan Heng watched silently until... the moment Blade appeared, his body suddenly tensed, and he exclaimed,
"Stop!"
"You know him?" A trace of unease rose in Himeko's heart.
"The Xianzhou is very dangerous! ...This person, this person—if he's on the Xianzhou, then everyone—Mr. Welt, March 7th, and Stelle, will be in danger!" Dan Heng was uncharacteristically emotional. 」
「 .....」
〜Overlord World〜
At this moment, in the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
"To make Dan Heng show such an expression, it seems Blade's strength is quite exceptional."
"The shattered blade in Dan Heng's memory should be Blade's weapon. From the looks of it, Blade is also a human swordsman, and his strength is probably on par with Dan Heng... No, perhaps even stronger."
Although Ainz had no lungs, he still took a deep breath and exhaled.
...He could sense that the opportunity he had always wanted had arrived.
After dismissing Sebas, he summoned Cocytus alone again. Currently, the Guardian was respectfully kneeling on one knee, only daring to slowly raise his head after receiving his command.
"Is the lizardman dominion experiment going smoothly? ...Cocytus."
"Everything is going smoothly, Ainz-Sama."
Cocytus visibly grew nervous.
"Is that so..."
Ever since subjugating the lizardmen, he hadn't paid much attention to the dominion experiments. But after seeing Jingliu's astonishing sword techniques in the light screen, Ainz grew curious—could any human learn her sword techniques?
But this thought only lasted a few seconds... It popped up in Ainz's mind and then burst.
Talent in swordsmanship also varied greatly. Without her personal guidance, trying to replicate her sword techniques based solely on a video from a light screen was wishful thinking. Not to mention humans couldn't do it, even Cocytus might not be able to.
If Jingliu were still alive, there might be a chance to learn, but unfortunately, she was directly reduced to ashes by Jing Yuan's Lightning-Lord, so even if she possessed the strongest sword techniques, they vanished into thin air.
But this Blade was still alive.
From Dan Heng's expression, it was clear that Blade, as a swordsman, was not only alive but also very strong—this allowed Ainz to learn and replicate their sword techniques.
"Cocytus, you must record Blade's martial arts, then integrate them... and then teach them to the lizardmen."
"Ah, Ainz-Sama..."
Cocytus seemed to have something difficult to say, hesitating.
"If you have something to say, feel free to speak, Cocytus."
"I..."
He didn't intend to deny the Supreme One's suggestion. In fact, he wouldn't dare to commit such a presumptuous act even if it cost him his life. It was only considering the facts that he instinctively blurted it out.
Cold sweat instantly condensed into ice beads on his body, rolling down his hard, silvery-white carapace onto the ground.
"...Your subordinate merely believes that fully learning their sword techniques would likely require a long time."
Cocytus did not doubt his own talent in martial arts, but he also did not doubt the complexity of Xianzhou sword techniques—especially after witnessing Jingliu's swordplay.
"It's alright, Cocytus, just go at your own pace."
His master's voice was as gentle as if comforting a child.
"Additionally, when teaching the lizardmen sword techniques, you only need to teach them one move—the simplest move in swordsmanship."
"I want to see how much improvement a single sword move, honed by the lizardmen with all their effort, can bring to their overall strength. Then we'll practice with my undead legions."
—
「 "He's related to... what you want to escape from, isn't he?" Himeko saw through Dan Heng's current state at a glance; he was quite uneasy.
"Yes." Dan Heng nodded heavily, "But I... can't just leave him alone. I just fear... that my burdens have finally caught up, dragging everyone into it."
"Who doesn't have burdens? Even little March, who remembers nothing, has heavy things on her shoulders," Himeko comforted him.
"Don't overthink it, Dan Heng. According to the rules, the Express will stop for seven standard days. During this time, passengers can freely manage their time. Do what you want to do, it's better than regretting it later."
Himeko's words helped Dan Heng set his goal and finally made up his mind.
As he was about to turn and leave, Himeko suddenly said, "Oh, right, after this is over, you'll be traveling with everyone on the Express, won't you?"
Dan Heng didn't reply but nodded with utmost solemnity.
"Why do I always have a bad feeling..." 」
「 .....」
〜Genshin Impact World〜
In Fontaine, Navia looked at Dan Heng with a worried expression, as if she had foreseen some bad ending, tears almost rolling out of her eyes:
"No, not that...!"
"Calm down, Navia, you're not thinking of some plot from an Inazuma light novel, are you?"
Clorinde lightly chopped her hand on the girl's forehead, saying expressionlessly,
"For example... 'the fiancé who says he'll get married after the war before a big battle,' 'It's alright, no problem at all,' and so on..."
"Indeed."
Furina elegantly picked up her teacup, tilting her head slightly in thought,
"What was that line from the light novel I read before? Oh, I remember..."
"Navia, you mustn't underestimate the bonds of the Express Crew!"
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