So cute.
For some reason, upon seeing the members of the Express, especially March 7th, these two words suddenly popped into the minds of the viewers outside the light curtain.
Perhaps it was a coincidence, but this young woman bore a striking resemblance to an old acquaintance.
There are many girls with pink hair, but when it comes to the most famous, the one most familiar to the viewers of the infinite multiverse, it would have to be the protagonist of the first viewing, Elysia.
Although March 7th and Elysia were different in many ways, they always gave people a similar feeling.
---o---
Light Curtain Bullet Chat
Elysia: "Oh my, another girl with pink hair just like me! How adorable!"
Without a doubt, whenever the topic of beautiful girls came up, the most excited person would naturally be Elysia, especially when it was a girl with the same pink hair as her.
March 7th: "Adorable? Hehe... you've got good taste! I'm the number one unbeatable beauty in the universe, you know."
Elysia's praise was very well-received by March 7th. The latter scratched her head, a little embarrassed, but still puffed out her chest with great confidence.
"I Want to Drink Mei's Sister's Juice": "I don't know why, but the moment I see March 7th's face, I get a strange stomach ache. She's not going to end up bringing tragedy just like Elysia, is she...?"
A dunderhead is a dunderhead, after all. Though her brain cells were few and her grades were pitiful, Kiana's intuition was often terrifyingly accurate.
Raiden Mei: "Sigh... Kiana, do you have to jinx people like that?"
Unlike her niece's astonishing intuition, Aunt Theresa's thoughts were more practical. Compared to March 7th and Dan Heng, whom she had never seen before, she was actually more concerned about the other two people.
Theresa Apocalypse: "Even though they've appeared many times, I always get a strange sense of déjà vu every time I see them. Himeko, Welt, are you sure that's not you?"
In the principal's office, Theresa looked at the two St. Freya teachers under her command with a serious expression.
Himeko merely let out a yawn and said helplessly, "It's just a coincidence. That Himeko on the Astral Express is completely different from me. We're two different people, probably not even parallel world counterparts."
Welt pushed up his glasses and said in a low voice, "I agree with Miss Himeko. That cannot be me."
"Is that so...?" Theresa puffed out her cheeks, looking at her two subordinates with the authority of a principal.
But she quickly dropped the act. Others might not be sure, but how could she not know about Himeko and Welt?
As teachers at St. Freya, their entire life experiences, from childhood to adulthood, were recorded in their files. Although it was unbelievable, for now, it could only be attributed to a coincidence...
Otto Apocalypse: "Welt, the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, that similar flower... or rather... that is him, isn't it?"
At the Schicksal headquarters, unlike Theresa, Otto knew Welt's true identity from beginning to end, including his infiltration of St. Freya and his plans for Anti-Entropy. Everything was laid bare before his eyes.
Himeko's case could perhaps be explained as a coincidence or a parallel-world counterpart, but Welt was different... That cane, that face, and that familiar voice were almost identical to the Welt from the Second Honkai War.
This further confirmed Otto's idea: the Honkai: Star Rail universe and their own universe were highly similar, both belonging to the Sea of Trees universe.
It was just that, from the current looks of it, the Honkai: Star Rail universe was of a higher order, a higher-dimensional existence. In that case...
Is there a faster, more reliable way to bring the dead back to life?
Just like the Life Solidification Technology of the Ultra Universe, a peer-level universe like Honkai: Star Rail must have similar abilities or technology.
Otto controlled his emotions. It had originally been just a guess, but with Welt's appearance, that guess had become a confirmation. He had to immediately invest enough manpower and resources to find an opportunity to pioneer a new universe, and then find another way to save Kallen.
---o---
[On the light curtain, following March 7th's gaze, Dan Heng looked out the train window.]
The once-unchanging starry sky had now transformed into countless points of light. The surroundings were filled with warm and mysterious green buildings.
"This is... a type of energy."
Through the train window, the continuous stream of energy released by the Land of Light's Plasma Spark Tower was healing the wounds of the battle-worn Ultra Warriors, and even restoring the buildings that had been destroyed by Belial.
Seeing this scene, Dan Heng was a little incredulous. He had never witnessed such a sight, even when he was Dan Feng.
The Xianzhou Luofu was impressive, but compared to the Land of Light before him, it was indeed lacking.
And this miraculous scene naturally shocked the viewers outside the video as well. One could only say, as expected of the sacred artifact of the Land of Light.
Its effects were simply too straightforward and overwhelming. With the energy contained within the Plasma Spark Tower, it could probably create an Ultimate Ultra no weaker than Saga in minutes. It was just a pity... this beam of light was quite picky, and normal Ultra Warriors simply couldn't withstand the energy it brought.
In fact, if one were to do the math carefully, the reason the Ultra Warriors were able to fight against the nearly infinite Swarm to this point was all thanks to the Plasma Spark Tower.
The only thing that could be compared to the Plasma Spark Tower in terms of energy storage was probably the Eternal Core from the parallel universe of the Ultra Universe.
Of course, although Dan Heng could sense that the Plasma Spark Tower was no simple thing, he had never even heard of a creature like an Ultraman, so he knew nothing about the energy of light.
"These giants... are they enemies or friends?"
Besides the awe-inspiring energy of the Land of Light, the giants March 7th mentioned also attracted Dan Heng's attention due to their massive size.
"Their height is generally around forty to fifty meters. There have been similar giant races in the universe before, but whether in strength or appearance, they can't compare to these giants."
Dan Heng speculated as he cautiously stared at these "ill-intentioned" giants.
"You're awake."
Suddenly, a gentle yet authoritative voice sounded in the ears of everyone on the train.
Only to see that several middle-aged men had appeared on the train at some point. Judging from their auras, there was no doubt that these humans were the human forms of the giants outside.
However, this was no longer important to the current Dan Heng. His gaze was now fixed dead on one person.
"...Are you alright?" Staring at Stelle's face, Dan Heng fell silent for a long time before finally managing to utter this single sentence.
"Dan Heng! March! Auntie... I mean, Sister Himeko! Uncle Welt! I missed you all so much!!"
Having not seen everyone on the Express for a long time, Stelle threw herself at them. Dan Heng silently sidestepped, letting March 7th bear the weight she shouldn't have to bear.
Without a doubt, for Stelle, the Express was like a home. Dan Heng and March 7th were like inseparable best friends. Uncle Welt and Sister Himeko were the most important parent figures in her heart.
As for Pom-Pom... Oh, was there such a person on the Astral Express?
Please forgive Stelle for not noticing Pom-Pom for a moment. But it was clear that Pom-Pom didn't notice this point at all. He was currently moved by the reunion of everyone on the Express.
"Sob, sob, sob, this is so touching. So many Nameless have gone completely missing after disappearing in the past. I never thought I'd see the day when passenger Stelle returns. This conductor is truly so moved. You are the best class of Nameless I've ever had."
Although he didn't know why Pom-Pom was crying, he was clearly being a bit too dramatic.
"Although the reunion is a joyous occasion, Conductor, there are still outsiders present. We should first understand the current situation."
"That mysterious person is very strong. Let alone a sneak attack, even in a head-on confrontation, the Express would be no match for him. But thankfully... he doesn't seem to be hostile towards the Express."
"And as for his final nonsensical words, although we don't know his purpose, he did indeed lead us to Stelle."
Welt fixed his gaze on Stelle, a sense of relief in his eyes.
Thankfully, nothing happened. As an elder, if something had happened to the younger generation, Welt would not have been able to face her.
However... perhaps it was intuition, or for some other reason, he always felt that there was something strange about Stelle.
Although he could be certain that this was Stelle herself, he always felt that she had undergone some kind of transformation, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Her aura was restrained, yet it also exuded a dangerous air.
Looking at Himeko beside him, Welt did not voice his doubts, but instead turned his gaze to the few strangers who had suddenly appeared.
"Hello. Thank you for taking care of this child. May I ask... where is this, and who... are you?"
Welt pushed up his glasses. As the most reliable man on the Astral Express, it was necessary for him to understand the identities of the people before him.
Even though the light of the Ultra Warriors was filled with gentleness and kindness, sometimes, feelings can be deceiving.
Leading the Ultra Brothers, Zoffy greatly admired the Welt before him. Whether it was his concern for his companions or his reaction to a sudden situation, both were excellent. "Travelers from another world, welcome to the Land of Light. I am the captain of the Space Garrison, Zoffy..."
---o---
This was a historic moment. The Astral Express, following the Path of the Trailblaze Aeon Akivili, had successfully explored another universe.
And to have established communication and exchange with a friendly power known as the Land of Light—this step by the Astral Express was an unbelievable achievement for the entire cosmos.
Although they couldn't have done it without Aha, the Aeon of Elation, don't forget... Aha was also a Nameless, albeit the most nefarious one...
---o---
Light Curtain Bullet Chat
Yukino Yukinoshita: "If we compare the exchange between universes to continents, then the Astral Express is the first power to set foot on a new continent. From now on, as long as the channels of communication between the two universes are not completely cut off, then... one day, the two universes will become one whole."
Utaha Kasumigaoka: "Trailblaze... It's truly amazing, but in a sense, this isn't entirely a good thing."
As an honor student of Toyogasaki, Utaha Kasumigaoka knew what kind of disasters the pioneering of a new continent brought.
The darkness of the Ultra Universe, the ill-intentioned Aeons of the Honkai: Star Rail universe—there were quite a few of them. Once they were given a channel for exchange, the destruction they could cause would be catastrophic.
Herta: "The reason the universe is in endless strife, the reason the flames of war never cease, stems in large part from [Trailblaze]. Without Trailblaze, there would be at least half as much conflict in the universe."
In the space station, Herta spoke with a deadpan expression. This was not her answer, but the answer of an Aeon... the answer of Nous, the Aeon of [Erudition].
Himeko of the Express Crew: "Perhaps so, but for the universe, Trailblaze is necessary. Forcibly avoiding it will only make the problem more severe."
On the Astral Express, Himeko narrowed her eyes and replied resolutely. She was not the kind of woman who would easily deny the meaning of [Trailblaze]. Otherwise... she wouldn't have become the navigator of the Astral Express.
---o---
["Ultra Warriors... the Aeon of Propagation, the mist, and another universe?"]
Welt carefully sorted through the information, but the more he sorted, the bigger his headache became.
Who knew that in the few short days of Stelle's disappearance, so many things had happened.
If not for Stelle being here in person, he would have thought it was some Fool's prank.
But... darkness...
"The evil giant that the Xianzhou Alliance encountered, the one who called himself the legion commander of the ancient Gua Empire... was he a creation of this universe?"
Welt mused to himself. To be able to escape the encirclement of several Xianzhou ships, and even counter-kill quite a few, forcing the Cloud Knight Marshal Hua to personally intervene in the end and fight for several hundred rounds before taking him down...
An existence like that had certainly left a deep impression.
And the many monsters that had appeared out of thin air seemed to be creatures of this universe, just like how the Swarm King had appeared in their universe.
"Hah... so that's how it is? I think I understand now. Thank you, Taro."
Looking at the crown prince of the Land of Light before him, Welt spoke slowly. To have Taro, the one with the most special status and the most power among the Ultra Brothers, act as the diplomat, the sincerity of the Land of Light was clear to see.
Not only that, but beside them stood the human form of the current strongest Ultra Warrior in the Land of Light, Zero... Stelle.
The great hero of this war, and also the first normal person to arrive in the Ultra Universe. On this point alone, Stelle was destined to leave her name in the histories of both universes.
"Uncle Welt, you didn't finish telling us how you all got here. Don't tell me it was the Amber King playing tricks again?" Stelle spoke up, and Welt turned his gaze to Pom-Pom beside him.
"Should I be the one to tell it, Pom?"
Pom-Pom looked at Welt's face, then fell silent for a long time before slowly opening his mouth. "This all has to start from when He first boarded the train out of boredom back in the day..."
---o---