Chapter 679

""███ train arrives."

Lancer continued to talk to her: "Speaking of which, sis, are you interested in fishing? Don't think the outside is just a vacuum; there's plenty you can catch."

"The migrating invisible sharks, the silicon-based cartilaginous fish that fight with anglers, last time I even caught a pomfret." The man said enthusiastically, "By the way, I heard the Astral Express is coming again, it'll dock at the space station for a while. Want to go check it out? Just for the fun of it."

"(Astral Express, I refused their invitation……Was my choice back then really correct?)"

Xing wandered over to the platform and from afar saw Himeko.

"Long time no see, Xing. How have you been on the space station?"

Xing lowered their head: "Very painful."

"If that's the case, if you have difficulties, talk to Esta; I believe she'll help you resolve them." Himeko let out a soft sigh, "After our last farewell, we've been to many places: Belobog, the Luofu, Pinokangni… along the way, we've had our ups and downs."

"How is Dan Heng now?"

Himeko thought for a moment: "Dan Heng? Although there were many twists and turns, he still returned to the Luofu, after all, that place is originally his hometown."

"What about Uncle Yang?"

"Do you know Earth? Not long after Dan Heng left, Walter finally found his way home, and I hope he can reach there safely."

——

Honkai 3.

"What a terrifying illusion..."

"Indeed."

"But I'm talking about you, Joachim."

"Me?" Walter froze for a moment, turned to look at the red-haired girl speaking, "What do you mean?"

Tesla walked over holding a thermos cup and shared her speculation: "What this means is… you might have left Earth due to an accident, and ever since you've been searching for a way back to Earth, but this path is as hard as climbing to the heavens, and it might only be possible in Xing's phantom dream, giving you a chance to return to Earth."

"..." Walter rubbed his forehead, his gaze sweeping over the girl's face, "Well, but I think we don't need to bring this up for now; no one knows what the future holds, and I believe my future self will make the most reasonable judgment."

"Yes." Einstein popped a piece of chocolate into his mouth, "Instead of worrying about the future, let's look at the Astral Express's second ending—you were curious what would happen if Xing didn't board the train, right? This is it."

"In that case, Xing is like a linchpin of the Astral Express; without Xing, those few members of the train crew would fall apart after several major upheavals… it seems the Stellar Core is still quite important."

Walter nodded, feeling somewhat wistful: "After all, having been glanced at by so many Stellar Gods… frankly, across the whole universe, few could achieve such a feat; staying on the space station as an ordinary staff member would indeed be a waste of talent."

——

"How is Pam doing?" Xing blurted out unintentionally.

Himeko furrowed her brows, seeming surprised by the question. A sense of discomfort passed through her mind; if you never boarded the train, then who is the Pam you're referring to?

"... Where did you hear the conductor's name? Did Dan Heng tell you?" Himeko shook her head. "Pam is still the same, but seeing fewer and fewer people on the train, she's bound to feel a little lonely."

"Sometimes I also wonder what would happen if you left with us. Too bad, the Trailblaze never knows regret or 'what if'."

"What about Sanyue Qi?"

Himeko's expression grew more sorrowful: "Little March… I don't know what to do… sigh, I hope Yi Ting's friend can cure her."

"Any new passengers aboard?"

"The life of a Nameless Passenger isn't easy; after leaving here, some passengers once briefly traveled with us, but now they've all gone their separate ways. Recently, friends from the Interstellar Peace Company suggested we go to Camelot, which should have long been destroyed by the Antimatter Legion, yet recently multiple distress signals have been reported."

Himeko explained the reason for coming to the space station and once again extended the invitation: "——Xing, if you're willing, you can join us in leaving this time."

"I'll pack my bags right away!"

But just as Xing was about to prepare to depart, another voice sounded in their mind, like a demon's whisper: "Do you really think this is what you want? If boarding the Astral Express doesn't improve your life…… what should you do?"

"If what awaits you isn't a wondrous adventure but endless cleaning and repair, irreparable wounds and despairing death…… what should you do?"

——

Offering blessings to a beautiful world.

"Ah… this… actually doesn't seem so beautiful after all."

Upon hearing Xing's inner voice say that, Aqua immediately put on the brakes. At first she was still keen on boarding the train for adventure and fun, but if it were just a change of scenery for cleaning work…… she might as well stay here.

"That kind of thinking is totally unsuited for Trailblazing; you're only fit to travel when you have money." Kazuma gave her a contemptuous glance, "Trailblazing is like opening a blind box—surely not everything you pull out is something you like."

"But if you think about it, the train isn't always for Trailblazing, right? The time spent on the train should be far greater than the time spent adventuring on different planets, so what do you usually do on the train? Isn't it just cleaning, maintenance, and standing watch?"

When Mikhail first boarded, she recalled that he seemed to have started out as maintenance staff.

"Stupid goddess, you need to change your mindset."

Kazuma stretched out a finger, pointing at the enormous train on the canopy, "Even those who walk the Paths can't escape daily labor—isn't that just like us? They work on the train, and after a stint they have to go to different planets to fight Emanation-level monsters…… upon reflection, our job as adventurers fighting the Demon King is still easier."

——

"If you couldn't bring them any help, if you became a burden on the train, if a Nameless Passenger sacrificed themselves to save you, if everyone wanted you to leave…… what should you do?"

"Think hard…… what answer should you give?"

Xing raised their head, expression somewhat hesitant: "I'll think it over… before the train departs, I will definitely give you a reply."

Himeko nodded: "All right, no matter where you want to stay, I will respect your choice."