Exalting Sanctum, an open-air plaza.
A woman wearing light makeup sat among the crowd, her eyes glued to the screen of her Jade Abacus, seemingly as engrossed as everyone else.
However, unlike those around her, she wasn't playing Honkai: Star Rail, nor was she watching Guinaifen's livestream.
Instead, she was communicating with a companion on the other side of the galaxy.
Silver Wolf: "Kafka, as you wished. The crew of the Astral Express has changed course and arrived at the Xianzhou Luofu."
Kafka: "Excellent. That means the part of the script concerning me is complete."
Not long ago, she had given an "impromptu performance" on the Express.
In truth, she hadn't lied. The Stellaron Hunters did indeed have a separate motive, but it wasn't for their own benefit. It was to forge a connection between the Astral Express and the Xianzhou.
To put it more bluntly: they wanted the Xianzhou to owe the Astral Express a favor.
In the future she had foreseen, the power of The Hunt was indispensable. Although there had been a few twists and turns, Kafka had successfully played her part.
Kafka: "Well then, Silver Wolf. I'll leave the opening of the Jade Gate to you."
However, there was no reply from the other side of the screen.
After waiting for three minutes, Kafka couldn't help but send another message.
Kafka: "Sweetie, are you there?"
Another three minutes passed.
Kafka: "Are you there are you there are you there are you there are you there?!!"
Kafka: "If you don't move soon, the Express crew is going to turn around and head back."
Silver Wolf: "Don't rush me."
Silver Wolf: "Let me finish grinding this wave of materials."
Kafka: "..."
Silver Wolf: "I'm raising eight characters at once. I never have enough materials. It's driving me crazy."
Kafka: "Where did you get so many five-star characters?"
Silver Wolf: "I'm also raising some four-stars, like March 7th, Asta, and Tingyun."
Silver Wolf: "They might be four-stars, but their skill mechanics are interesting. It's worth building them until I find an upper-tier replacement."
Silver Wolf: "Ah, finished."
Kafka: "Can you open it now?"
Silver Wolf: "Let me check... oh, they've already entered the Luofu."
Kafka: "Hmm? Wasn't the Jade Gate locked down in advance?"
Silver Wolf: "Haven't you read Elio's script?"
Kafka: "Destiny has been a total mess ever since Honkai: Star Rail appeared. You know that as well as I do."
Silver Wolf: "Even though it was locked down, the place has turned into a trendy social media hotspot. A Luofu dock worker opened the gate for them."
Kafka: "The epicenter of a Stellaron outbreak became a tourist attraction for photos? These Xianzhou people sure are interesting."
[Silver Wolf has logged off]
Kafka: "Sweetie, talk to me a little longer."
[Silver Wolf has logged on]
Silver Wolf: "You seem particularly happy today?"
Kafka: "I'm in Elio's script, and I'm in the plot of Star Rail. How could I not be happy?"
Silver Wolf: "Just wait until you're on a Banner. I'm going to Warp for you so hard."
[Silver Wolf has disconnected]
Ending the conversation, Kafka drained her cup of Karibe in one gulp. She gazed at the dark, dense clusters of architecture in the distance.
"Good times always come to an end."
"Blade, just wait... I'm coming to save you."
Starskiff Haven, Palace of Astrum.
Under Yukong's lead, the crew of the Express arrived. The moment they stepped through the doors, two pairs of eyes from the holographic projections on the tactical sand table turned toward them with burning intensity.
"...This is General Jing Yuan of the Luofu, and this is Lady Fu Xuan, Head of the Divination Commission," Yukong introduced them one by one.
March 7th suddenly felt a bit cramped. She whispered into Stelle's ear, "So many big shots all at once. I'm not used to this."
Stelle nodded. "Me neither."
As Welt prepared to introduce himself, Jing Yuan offered a slight smile. "Members of the Astral Express, I have heard of your renown for a long time and have looked forward to this meeting."
"I have not only heard the rumors of your travels throughout the cosmos, but I have witnessed your trailblazing journey from beginning to end in the plot of Honkai: Star Rail. It is truly a magnificent epic!"
March 7th awkwardly twiddled her fingers.
As expected! This game was already a massive hit on the Xianzhou. Even the General of the Luofu knew everything about them.
"This certainly makes explaining things much more convenient," Welt said with a nod of realization.
"Indeed! If it weren't for the game's plot, the Divination Commission would certainly have suspected you of being accomplices to the Stellaron Hunters," Fu Xuan said, resting her hands on her hips. "But as things stand, I am entirely at ease with you."
"Then let us get straight to business," Jing Yuan said. With a wave of his hand, the image of a man formed on the sand table.
It was the Stellaron HunterBlade.
"I believe you are all aware of this man's identity."
"Currently, Blade is being held in our Shackling Prison. We foresaw that he would attempt an escape, so we have dispatched the majority of our forces to guard him."
"However, the game's plot also predicted another eventthe imminent outbreak of the Stellaron."
"With these two major events overlapping, the military strength on the Luofu is now severely stretched."
"This is precisely when we need the Astral Express to provide help in our time of need."
March 7th's eyes lit up. "I get it! So, General, you want to commission us to find clues about the Stellaron and seal it in advance to prevent the disaster, right?"
"No." Jing Yuan gave Dan Heng a deep, meaningful look. "We have our own ways of handling the Stellaron."
"I would like to ask you... to head to the Shackling Prison as a surprise force. I need you to prevent anyone from taking this opportunity to rescue that high-profile criminal."
As soon as those words left his mouth, Dan Heng, March 7th, and Stelle were all internally stunned!
Not long ago on the train, Kafka had asked the Express crew to go to the Shackling Prison to help her save Blade. Now, Jing Yuan was commissioning them to go to the Shackling Prison to stop anyone from saving him!
To save him, or not to save him? That was the question!
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