However, just as Sylvester had said, this was the kind of trouble only a top-tier swordsman would have. In a sense, her own future could be considered bright as well?
March 7th had never liked dwelling on the negative emotions that things brought her; instead, she always took the initiative to look for the silver lining.
Perhaps this had something to do with her lost memories, but it also proved her optimistic spirit.
"Hehe, looks like I'm only a tiny step away from becoming a swordswoman who wields a fine blade and roams the world."
She planted her hands on her hips on the spot, nodding with satisfaction.
"Luck and talent? I, your girl, absolutely don't lack those."
Yanqing and Yunli exchanged a look and smiled faintly, giving up on the overly aggressive attempt to recruit her they had made earlier.
She was already part of the Astral Express. Continuing like that would only ruin their friendship for no reason.
Besides, the Trailblazer was not someone easy to deal with.
Stelle stood proudly among the group.
When the passengers of the train were in danger, Stelle might be their greatest guarantee of safety. But once everyone was safe, Stelle's role became ambiguous.
Hearing March 7th's cheerful declaration, she said mercilessly, "Looking at it another way, maybe the trash can gave you a bow to tell you, 'Give it up, swords aren't for you'?"
The effect of that line was remarkable. March 7th's smile instantly froze on her face, her curled lips revealing a row of gleaming white teeth.
But anyone could see from her twitching mouth that March probably wished she could bite Stelle's neck with those fine teeth and let her experience what sharp words really meant.
After all this tossing around, March 7th's mental defenses were nearly at their limit.
"You… can't you say something nicer?!"
"Well…" Stelle actually started thinking, her face full of difficulty.
After a long moment, she asked seriously, "Does studious count?"
"Mm…"
She had to learn it on the spot?! Was she saying she didn't know any nice words at all?
March 7th pressed her fingers to her brow, utterly unsure of what to say anymore.
She muttered to herself, "Little March, stay confident, charge forward. One day, you'll become the swordmaster of the Express."
After giving herself a dose of encouragement, she suddenly shouted, "Shopkeeper Sylvester!"
"Yes! Ready to settle the bill? I haven't scanned yet. That'll be two hundred…"
Sylvester quickly picked up his phone and raised his hand, ready to take payment.
"No no, I want to go all out!"
March 7th waved her hand. After repeated mental preparation, a determined expression returned to her face. "Burn through my entire spending limit! Since my luck is good today, I'm definitely going to draw a top-tier sword technique!"
"Alrighty. Miss March's weekly limit cleared. Welcome again next week."
On the phone March 7th handed him, Sylvester tapped rapidly. Moments later, the device announced in electronic tones: [Penacony VIP Black Card billed: 10,000,000 Credits.]
Stelle, standing beside them, froze when she heard it.
Wait a second—Penacony VIP Black Card? Wasn't that her shareholder account?
So she was drawing from my money?
She turned to look at the shop window's glass, and what she saw didn't feel like herself—more like a multicolored, paint-splattered face.
March 7th picked through the options and chose two trash cans.
Then she unlatched the clasps and flipped the lids open.
But after a flash of blue and purple light earlier, it seemed the goddess of fortune no longer favored her.
This time, what emerged were two beams of ordinary green light.
The metal trash cans slowly vanished, leaving behind two strange items.
One was a transparent bottle filled with black liquid, with a strip of red plastic sealed inside.
The other was a refined-looking revolver.
"Shopkeeper Sylvester, what are these two things?" Seeing the two extremely mundane items, March 7th's heart thumped, sinking to the bottom.
Green-tier items were notoriously difficult to pull anything valuable from, but since she didn't know what they were yet, she held on to a sliver of hope.
Seeing March 7th's disappointed face, Sylvester thought to himself that this was the normal outcome.
The law of conservation of luck never lied.
"The first one is called [Coca-Cola], a very classic carbonated drink. Kind of like Classic SoulGlad, but with a more unique flavor."
Then Sylvester picked up the gun. After examining it closely, he smiled faintly.
This thing… probably only Boothill would like it, and even then, only for collecting. "[Smith & Wesson Revolver]. A classic among classics. In one world, it made firearms accessible to the masses."
"It let every working-class citizen of a certain country have the chance to own a quality gun that was cheap, reliable, and deadly!"
Then that country raced headlong down the path of daily shootouts, never stopping again.
"But most importantly, it founded an entire martial arts discipline. Its name—the New-Era Iai."
Sylvester stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Mm. In a sense, this counts as a sword technique. I mean, it's iai, after all."
"Uh…"
March 7th took the gun, tucking it at her waist.
Then she suddenly drew it, making a shooting gesture.
And surprisingly, it was quite smooth. It really did seem specially designed for 'iai' drawing style.
"What a pity. The gun's power is too low. I guess relying on this to become a legendary heroine is impossible."
Yanqing and Yunli both nodded.
Stelle wore an expression of "just as expected," as if everything had unfolded exactly as she predicted.
Yet none of them questioned whether this could truly be considered swordsmanship.
March 7th had already figured that out.
Times had changed!
She had accepted things like [Sentimental Sword Art] and [Cliff-Dropping Sword Technique] earlier—so what was a gun compared to that?
March 7th had already stepped beyond the narrow "appearance defines the sword" mindset, entering the realm where the sword is in the heart even when not in the hand.
Her next sword did not have to be a sword.
"Again!"
With heroic vigor, March 7th flung the revolver aside and rushed off to choose the next batch of trash cans.
Those two words struck Stelle right in the heart, making her insides tremble.
For the first time, she sincerely hoped March 7th would pull something valuable.
Otherwise… all that money would go to waste!
March 7th picked out two more cans and opened them immediately.
Under everyone's gaze—especially Stelle's anxious stare—one green light appeared first, followed by a dazzling blue.
Two items landed on the counter.
The first was a pill.
The second was a weathered sheet of paper covered in glowing script.
Seeing that peculiar page, March 7th felt her heartbeat quicken.
Earlier she had drawn a sword manual and two scrolls—items tied to skills.
Then this one… surely had a good chance of being a skill book as well!
She looked at Sylvester, urging him silently to explain quickly.
Sylvester pinched the pill, smiling. "This is a strong laxative with a delayed effect. After consumption, it activates seventy-two hours later and metabolizes quickly afterward. Truly a perfect tool for travel, burglary, and committing the perfect crime without leaving evidence."
He then picked up the paper, examined it carefully, and said, "Oh ho, this one is really rare."
"What is it?" Stelle asked before March 7th could, eager to know its value.
"Is it a sword manual?" March 7th blurted out immediately after.
Value didn't matter—what mattered was whether it could help her on the path of swordsmanship!