The plot continued.
In the game, March 7th reacted indignantly to Kafka's claim of innocence. "Unrelated to you? Who would believe that! What a coincidence that you show up right after it explodes... Besides, we don't have any history with you. Whether the Stellaron Hunters are innocent or not is none of our business!"
Three choices appeared on the screen:
1. [We should seal the Stellaron and help the Xianzhou.]
2. [We can sell the Stellaron Hunters a favor.]
3. [What's in it for us?]
The streamer, Little Gui, chose the second option.
March 7th pouted in real life. "No way! I don't want to listen to herthe Alliance is so powerful, surely they can handle one Stellaron! We're the Astral Express crew, not a professional Stellaron-sealing service!"
The Kafka on the screen replied calmly, "You can certainly choose to stay out of it. If you initiate a Warp now before the Stellaron pollutes this sector, you can reach the next world. But in time, this star rail will be blocked once again.
I can tell you what the future holds: if you do not go to the Luofu, the Stellaron will eventually contaminate the entire ship, and nearly half of the inhabitants will perish... Brave Trailblazers, Nameless who act for the sake of the good, surely you won't sit idly by."
"...And your companion, Blade, wouldn't survive either, right?" Himeko asked in the game.
"On that point, I have no comment," Kafka replied. "The coordinates are here. The decision is yours. Though our paths are vastly different, the orbits of the stars will eventually converge. Goodbye."
With those words, Kafka's figure vanished from the screen.
Little Gui sighed on stream. "I don't know why... but Kafka has gone from a terrifying dangerous element to a 'bad woman' in my eyes... I don't even feel hostile toward her after that? Oh no! Am I being affected by Kafka's Spirit Whisper without even knowing it?"
The chat exploded.
"Don't feel bad, streamer, I feel the same way!"
"Himeko and Kafka are both so beautiful, I love them both!"
"Why did she come on the train and not say a word to us? Kafka, do you not love me anymore?"
"She's the one who woke us up! Would 'Mom' ever lie to me? Would she ever hurt me?"
Watching the comments defending her, the real Kafka blinked in surprise before letting out a soft laugh. "This generation of netizens is truly amusing."
In the game's plot, she did everything except good deeds. She invaded the Space Station, shoved a Stellaron into the protagonist's body, and now she had hijacked the Express's comms... Kafka had expected a wave of condemnation, yet the result was the exact opposite.
Is this the charm of Honkai: Star Rail?
March 7th couldn't help but snap, "Hey, hey! That smug look on your face is way too annoying! I'm telling you, that's just a small minority. Most people, including me, remain objective and rational! This lady doesn't believe a word you say.
The Stellaron Hunters must have a hidden scheme, otherwise... why would Yu Ling show that specific scene at the start of this arc? Once your misdeeds are exposed to all the players, see if there's a single corner of the galaxy left for you to hide in!"
Kafka looked at March 7th. Instead of being angry, her gaze held a hint of appreciation. "Little sister, you have spirit. So, if we can prove our innocence in the following plot, you'll believe me?"
March 7th crossed her arms. "Hmph, that depends on whether Yu Ling arranged the story that way."
Suddenly, the silent Dan Heng stood up. He fixed Kafka with a sharp, piercing gaze. "You're lying," he said coldly.
"First, if it were only a Stellaron outbreak, it would cause trouble, but it wouldn't lead to the tragedy you described unless other factors were involved. Second, that Stellaron Hunter named Blade...
I know him. His vitality is terrifyingly stubborn. Even a Stellaron explosion wouldn't be enough to kill him. Therefore, your argument is invalid. Leading us to the Luofu must involve another agenda."
March 7th almost wanted to clap for him. Seeing Kafka silenced by the logic, March put her hands on her hips and chimed in, "Well said, Dan Heng! Kafka, what's your explanation now?"
Kafka's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at Dan Heng. "So, even this has changed because of the game's progress," she whispered. "In the original timing, you weren't supposed to be present for this..."
March 7th barked, "Hey! What are you muttering about? Are you getting ready to run now that we've exposed your lies?"
Kafka stood up, her expression turning uncharacteristically solemn. "You're right. The Stellaron Hunters do have another agenda. But because of this gameHonkai: Star Railthe script we carefully prepared has been completely thrown into chaos. This time, I am not giving you a 'suggestion.' I am making a 'request.'"
She looked at them seriously. "My companion, Blade, is trapped in the Luofu's Shackling Prison. I want to ask you to help me rescue him. Once the job is done, the Stellaron Hunters will provide a suitable... [reward]."
As soon as she said this, everyone's expressions became complicated. Only Dan Heng remained unmoved. He had seen this coming. Kafka's words only confirmed his theory.
Blade really couldn't get out.
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