Chapter 309: Even Her Real Mom Doesn't Want Her
"Don't come any closer!"
"I pardon you from performing this... etiquette."
Chrysidia looked at the Express crew warily. Hessian stood in front of Chrysidia, full of regret. She had just failed in her duty, allowing the Empress to be disrespected by her subordinate.
It wasn't her fault. Who could have expected someone to do such a thing?
Hessian immediately turned, knelt on one knee, took out a clean handkerchief, and skillfully began to wipe Chrysidia's foot.
Chrysidia's mouth twitched. She felt like she had to throw this foot away. It was... unclean.
As an Empress, she'd seen all kinds of things. This was a first. And she had personally experienced it.
"Ahem, Your Majesty, this was a... special situation," Himeko said, forcing herself to speak.
If she had known this would happen, she would have just pulled out that coffee for Hoshi to taste.
Are you a Stellaron spirit or an 'Abstract' spirit? You're simply unreasonable. You actually put it right in your mouth.
If I had to describe it in one word: Ungodly.
On the Luofu, she dove straight into Phantylia's huge chest. Now she does this. There's a clear pattern here.
Awesome.
Kenji gave a thumbs up. Hoshi, that little glutton, really got a taste of the good stuff.
"Forget it. Are there... many people like this out there in the cosmos?" Chrysidia asked, rubbing her forehead wearily.
If there were, she felt her conquest of the sea of stars could be postponed slightly.
At least until she figured out a countermeasure.
"Well... not too many..." Himeko and Welt exchanged a look, answering uncertainly.
It's normal to have special hobbies in private. But to do something like this in public... that was one in a million.
All we can say is, the Astral Express doesn't raise slackers.
No wonder Hoshi was "scouted" by Aha.
[God's Tongue]: "I really underestimated Hoshi's level of 'abstract'."
[The Champion]: "She actually went for it!"
[Ghost of the Uchiha]: "I can only say, in the field of 'abstract,' she is far ahead of most people."
[Apollo]: "I am incapable of understanding this form of human performance art."
[Naughty Xi]: "Even I, an Angel, don't get it. It's just ungodly."
[Gudako]: "Awesome! She did what I wanted to do! Where's the person in question? Give us your review."
Everyone watching the "livestream" was floored. They all agreed Hoshi was a total savage.
[Galactic Baseballer]: "Godfather, you tricked me! That Empress clearly didn't like that etiquette at all!"
Hoshi was indignant.
[Little Monster]: "I get the feeling Hoshi kind of enjoyed it... Am I seeing things?"
[God of Justice]: "You're not seeing things. She definitely enjoyed it."
[Ahoge King]: "She straight up ate it, didn't she?"
Shouldn't it have been like kissing a hand? Just a light peck, a brief touch.
But when Hoshi did it, she redefined the etiquette entirely.
Dat-dat-dat...
Hessian strode out of the palace, holding a wooden sign. She hung it on the door. A line of text was clearly written on it: [Hoshi and dogs not allowed.]
Why include dogs? Because dogs also like to lick things.
Hoshi: ...
A passing dog: ?
The dog couldn't read, but it could sense that this was somehow aimed at it.
Before leaving, Hessian shot Hoshi a look one would give to trash. Is that something you should be eating?
As Kenji and the others walked past Hoshi, they all patted her on the shoulder.
...
When Himeko got back to her room, she opened her friends list and found [Sunglasses Purple Eggplant] (Kafka).
Video sent.
Stellaron Hunter HQ. The bathroom door opened, and Kafka walked out amidst the steam, wrapped in a white bath towel, the "bounty" on her chest trembling slightly. She casually picked up her phone from the coffee table.
"[Wedding Dress Red Tomato]?"
They both used nicknames for each other as contacts.
Kafka was curious. What had that woman, Himeko, sent her?
Click. Watch. Silence.
No wonder she sent it. The last time was the Phantylia incident.
Honestly, she suspected Silver Wolf had... added some extra ingredients when printing the vessel.
[Wedding Dress Red Tomato]: "Kafka, the Express Crew is returning this Stellaron spirit. Whoever birthed it can raise it. You, her real mom, come and get her."
[Wedding Dress Red Tomato]: "The Express Crew's reputation can't take any more hits. We're fine with just Caelus; he's no trouble."
[Wedding Dress Red Tomato]: "Just take the Stellaron spirit back to the Stellaron Hunters."
Kafka's mouth twitched. She didn't really want her either.
[Sunglasses Purple Eggplant]: "My dear Ms. Himeko, raising a child is more important than birthing one. I don't know her as well as you all do. Just let her keep playing on the Astral Express."
She's too 'abstract.' Even more 'abstract' than in her memories. Where did this Stellaron spirit learn this stuff?
Himeko was speechless. She knew Kafka wouldn't take her back.
She was just venting. If Hoshi showed any more "abstract" tendencies, Himeko would just pour her a cup of that "delicious" coffee.
[Wedding Dress Red Tomato]: "In that case, please pay the damages to our reputation. Thanks."
[Wedding Dress Red Tomato]: "Kafka, I know you're reading this. Stop playing ostrich."
Kafka tossed her phone aside.
She was broke. All her money was spent on coats. Where would she get money to pay Himeko?
(Actually, for the Stellaron Hunters, getting money was fast. They could just vote on one of them, turn them in for the bounty, and then break out anyway.)
Himeko looked at the silent Kafka and gave a resigned smile. You all knew how 'abstract' Hoshi was from the start, didn't you? That's why even her 'real mom' is disowning her.
...
"A prime minister's belly is big enough to pole a boat... Can you swim in Hessian's?"
Firefly shrank down and started swimming around inside Hessian's stomach, looking like she was having fun.
"This is...?"
Hessian wasn't angry. The mermaid's presence felt familiar. She rubbed her stomach.
"A mermaid. As for her age... let's just say she's very old," Kenji said.
As an ancient creature from the Final Land, her age is in the hundreds of millions.
"Being able to shrink is so nice♪," Elysia said sincerely.
She wanted to try swimming in there too.
"A mermaid. A truly beautiful existence."
Hessian nodded, then said, "Please come out. I have things to do."
Firefly came out, swam over to Kenji's chest, found a comfortable spot, and went to sleep.
"What are you going to do♪?"
"Nothing much. On Caesar's orders, I'm going to the Senate to do some 'house cleaning'," Hessian said.
Chrysidia had heard from Aglaia how the Senate had obstructed the Journey of the Fire Moths all these years. She didn't mind "cleaning house" to purify Aohma's environment.
As a "cleaner," she was naturally the most suitable, and Chrysidia trusted her deeply.
"Give some 'special attention' to a guy named Kainis," Kenji suggested.
Kainis could rank in the top 3 of Star Rail's "most-hated" list. He was a total scumbag. His death wouldn't be a pity; his life was a waste of air.
"I'll remember that."
Hessian nodded. It was all part of the job anyway. It didn't matter if she was heavy-handed or light-handed.