Chapter 143: The Second Cycle, A Perfect Ending (Fake)!
[Accompanied by the mechanical voice of Little Teri, the Captain began their third loop. Following the information provided by Rita, the Captain arrived at the location where the reinforcements had disappeared, then spent time herding the beasts back and forth between two valleys.
After reuniting with the three individuals, the Captain learned they were actually the leaders of reinforcements from two different nations, trapped here while trying to save villagers. The Captain's sharp instincts warned something was wrong—these villagers might be suspicious! Both forces seemed to have encountered the same group of people, all wearing black clothes and carrying umbrellas. Lacking concrete clues, the Captain abandoned further speculation. For now, leading these reinforcements to assist Starchasm Nyx took priority.]
Rozaliya: "Vodka Sword Saint! I knew we couldn't have caused such massive trouble!"
Liliya: "Exactly! Vodka Cyclone!"
Kiana: "Dressed entirely in black... carrying umbrellas on a sunny day? Such strange people... I don't recall seeing them before?"
March 7th: "If they appeared so easily, why would they be called masterminds!?"
Honkai Star Rail·Welt: "...This description reminds me of someone... a machine... Could it be Gray Serpent? According to Schicksal's records, he always appears in that attire!?"
Gray Serpent: "? I can't imagine why an alternate version of myself would instigate a war between three nations."
[After defeating the beasts with the Vodka Girls and reaching Huangyue City, they found Starchasm Nyx implementing her empty fort strategy.
When they located her, she was staring blankly at an ancient zither until our approach snapped her out of it.
Starchasm Nyx first offered food to Rozaliya and Liliya before the Captain questioned why she hadn't used more decisive measures against the enemy. She indeed possessed formation magic capable of annihilating forces beneath the city walls, but such methods violated heavenly principles and couldn't be used against enemies. Now with two surviving reinforcements who shared history with both kings, peaceful negotiations became possible. Three days later, the Hero King and Pirate King agreed to negotiations, convening a Three Kings Summit.]
Silver Wolf: "Well done! Absolutely well done! Three nations negotiating peace, Hou Dou's death, the mastermind revealing themselves—this is a heavenly开局 (perfect start)!"
Qingque: "Exactly! I can't even imagine how this could go wrong now!"
March 7th: "When Starchasm Nyx was willing to sacrifice herself to buy time, was the Captain's silence saying: 'In my heart, you matter more than this entire world!!!'?"
Herrscher of Sentience: "Formation magic violating heavenly principles... In the first timeline when Starchasm Nyx destroyed two nations in three months... was it because Rita died that she abandoned her principles?"
[Inside the allied forces' tent, the three monarchs—Hero King, Sage King, and Pirate King—took their seats. Though initially confrontational, through the Captain's mediation, Starchasm Nyx explained the truth to them while offering technological and food aid from Huang Empire.
With this poverty-relief package and the Captain's smooth talking, both nations readily agreed to withdraw their troops.]
Kiana: "What kind of absurdly advanced tech tree did your Huang Empire develop!?"
Raiden Mei: "Starchasm Nyx was always brilliant. Over a thousand years, she could've invented any manner of black technology."
Elysia: "Wonderful! This way, the Captain has finally achieved a world where everyone survives! ♪"
Elysia excitedly hugged Eden beside her.
[That night back in the city, Rita and Durandal had long been waiting to discuss how to provide eight million tons of grain. Just as the Captain tried to speak, the time limit for this loop arrived.
Opening their eyes again, the Captain saw the all-too-familiar wooden screen. This was Starchasm Nyx's room—but where was she? Several maids passed by outside. Staggering up, the Captain tried calling out to them. "Excuse me... where is Starchasm... Mr. Starchasm..."
No one noticed. Everyone moved hurriedly with tense expressions, seemingly preoccupied with urgent matters. "Could it be that Mr. Starchasm..."
A terrible premonition filled the Captain's mind as chaotic thoughts spurred them into a frantic dash outside.]
Silver Wolf: "You motherf—! You said third time's the charm!?"
March 7th: "No way! Again!? Why... weren't all dangers already eliminated? Is it that mastermind again!?"
Stelle: "Gray Serpent! I'll kill you a thousand times over! Give me back my Starchasm!"
Gray Serpent: "......"
[Though nearby, the door felt endlessly far away. Their hand trembled uncontrollably when reaching for it. "Enough mischief—with all this even my legs can't lift properly..."
"...My lord, perhaps we should try... that one?"
"Hehe~ I want in too."
Familiar voices reached the Captain's ears—Starchasm Nyx, Rita and Durandal were all inside.
All smiling as they awaited the Captain's arrival. "You fool! Leaving without word was bad enough—must you return just as quietly?"
Mr. Starchasm's familiar scolding carried hidden concern. Rita also seemed delighted: "That day when walking together, you were right behind us one moment and gone the next. Even urgent matters warrant notice."
"Captain disappearing without warning... should we inform the Minister of Justice to prepare suitable education?"
"Water torture, cangue punishment, court flogging... My lord, which shall we choose?"
The Prime Minister smiled sweetly at the Captain while Mr. Starchasm watched with amusement. "Enough—since you're here now, let it go."
Magnanimously pardoning them before being mercilessly exposed by
Durandal: "Really unconcerned? Just earlier someone was stomping around furiously..."
"Hmph. No such thing occurred."
Following original plans, they had the still-dazed Captain take cover first.]
Pela: "I'm satisfied—Starchasm sweetness, delicious!"
Elysia: "The Captain truly succeeded. Three cycles reversing time—all for this moment, no? ♪"
Silver Wolf: "Yes! Perfect ending. Thank goodness that earlier scare was just a fakeout."
Stelle: "Let me suffer the Captain's punishment instead! Use that one—Mr. Starchasm! Punish me severely with Mr. Starchasm!"
March 7th: "You're really..."
Qingque: "Durandal can't read the mood~ Can't she see her empire's ancestor wants some twilight romance~"
Stelle: "Wait now Starchasm's entering the race—who'll compensate for my lacking Moonlight sugar rations?"
Stelle: "You know I've always been Team Moonlight. Because Starchasm is mine!"
Guinaifen: "Stelle, when did you become so... abstract? Has internet culture assimilated you this quickly?"